Thom Reid's Micro Thread

Thom Reid

All:
I have a sweat test this Saturday and, based on the weather, it looks like the entire ride will be on the Computrainer.  That said, does it matter what part of the ride I do the sweat test in if it's all indoors and pretty much the entire ride is at zone 2?

Thom

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid - 

Not at all. The key is weighing in just before you start the hour and just after (bring scale down) and tracking how many oz you consume during the test. Technically should be easier to execute given you have all the time in the world to set it up and you can ride super steady. 

Do your best to weight in nekkid too...your clothes will retain a lot of moisture!!!  

So DO NOT DO this test on the porch facing the street.

~ Coach P

Thom Reid

Dear Coach Patrick and Coach Rich:
It is with great regret that I'm sending this email, as it means that I will not be able to compete in this weekend's Rev3 Quassy event and it looks like my IM Lake Placid plans are in serious jeopardy, also.

Three months ago I was diagnosed with a rather aggressive case of rheumatoid arthritis.  It's been an interesting "ride", so far, but one that I can deal with.  Not to mention, being a competitive triathlete, I look at it as a challenge.

When I was diagnosed, I explained that I had two 70.3 events and a 140.6 event scheduled this year.  And, much to my rheumatologist's chagrin, I said I was planning to compete in all three, so let's figure out a treatment plan and get to work.

Things were good - at least as good as they can be when you have active RA causing joint pain pretty much everywhere.  That was, until 15 days ago when my left elbow and arm became so swollen that it looked like it belonged to an alien.  My RA had caused bursitis that became infected and turned into a cellulitis around the whole forearm.  OK, no problem... Doctor put me on antibiotics and another treatment of prednisone.  I avoided the pool and focused on the bike and run.  I even did the Rev3 Quassy preview group ride a couple of weeks back, staying with the lead group and clocking an 18.3mph average, then followed that up with a decent 5 mile run!  Yes, I was (am) in shape and ready to tackle that course.

Alas, my elbow has not cooperated; nor has the joint pain, to a degree.  While the cellulitis has gone away, a trip to my rheumatologist today confirmed that the bursa is still infected and he extended my antibiotic and prednisone treatments.  That leaves me with an infected elbow AND a compromised immune system as a result of the prednisone.  Order from the doctor... "Stay out of the water until this is healed and reduce my running!"  Apparently, prednisone weakens tendons, so I could unwittingly be causing damage to my knees running long distances until I'm off the drug.  

Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper right now.  Especially when I asked my doctor how much I could train.  I laughed out loud when he suggested swimming (AFTER my elbow heals), biking no more than 60 mins/day, or vigorous walks.  Vigorous walks... HA!

I'm registered for Rev3 Quassy both the IM Lake Placid 140.6 and 70.3 events.  Given this current setback, the full distance event is pretty much out, but I have hopes for the Half in September.  I just emailed the folks at Rev 3 and asked them if I could apply my registration to another event, likely next year.  I don't see any of the remaining Rev3 events working out except for possibly Maine, but that may be too much to try to get in (two halves - Maine and Placid - within a few weeks of one another).  Too much, given my current condition, at least.

So I'm looking to revise my training program/roadmap, but to be honest, I don't know what to put down as a goal event.  I guess the Placid 70.3 race, but if things don't turn around, THAT may be in jeopardy, also. 

I think I only get two roadmaps under the current EN membership program I'm in, but should things turn around in the coming weeks, could I potential do a third given my current situation?

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Thom

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid -  thank you for the update, and kudos to you I'm trying to get it done despite this very difficult situation! I think you've done all you can to be ready, and your fitness is most certainly there. While I agree you shouldn't be racing, there is likely some happy middle ground that you can find ...  would it be possible to become really fit on the bike? There's very little impact from that but I defer to you. I think the next step for us is for you and I to have a phone call so we can discuss the situation and figure out what some reasonable steps will be to accommodate your medical plan. 

http://meetme.so/patrickmccrann 

yes, there's always room for another adjustment on your season because of medical issues, no worries!

Thom Reid

Thanks, Coach Patrick!  I booked an appointment for next Tuesday!

I've done some reading on athletes with rheumatoid arthritis since my post last night, which has strengthened my resolve to continue to compete.  BUT! I will to be smart and follow my rheumatologist's orders while I'm on prednisone. To be truthful, I'm more worried about the drug's affected on my immune system while my bursa is infected than I am anything else.  While Lake Quassapaug is clean, no need in chancing things with a compromised immune system and all those fun microbes found in lake water.  

Still, I'm disappointed, as I grew up swimming at Quassy and, during my cycling days, I trained on many of the same roads the bike route is on.  Not to mention partying as a high schooler in some of the fields and houses that surround the lake!

To answer your question about cycling, as I noted, that was my background.  I raced competitively for close to 20 years before eventually turning to triathlons.  I'm actually still part of a masters racing team, though I haven't toed the line in 7 years. I'm quite comfortable in focusing on cycling, as well as swimming, until I get the RA under control.  Hopefully, that will be by the end of July.

I think IM LP 70.3 is now going to be my target, but I'll put some more thought into it before our call.  I look forward to speaking with you next week.

Thom 

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid -  perfect! I think there's plenty of opportunity for you to stay fit and keep your fast not too far away if we do things right. Absolutely we need to respect your body and be very smart about what its limitations are, but together we can put the unknown behind us! Looking forward to the call. 

Thom Reid

Hey, Coach Patrick:
Things went well at the orthopedist.  He drained the swollen area, packed it with gauze, put me on antibiotics and I'll be back in a couple of days to remove the packing.  He thinks it should be healed in the next week.  Perfect timing as that's when my followup with the rheumatologist is.  With luck, I'll catch a break and we'll find a good long term treatment for the RA by July.  Fingers crossed.

Now for the next problem.  Based on the rules of the Ironman transfer program, I have very limited options for transferring to another race.  Based on timing, travel and expenses, the only option I see to transfer is to move my IM Lake Placid race to IM Maryland on October 7.  Or, I ask for a standard refund and chalk this up as a learning experience to buy insurance next time!  Ether way I only have two days to make a decision.  Transfer or refund requests must be made on or before June 8, 2017 to be eligible.

Would it be possible to get a revised roadmap to include IM Lake Placid 70.3 on 9/10/17 and IM Maryland on 10/7/17 by this Thursday?  I could take a look at it and make a decision whether the training is doable in enough time to request a transfer or refund.  Keep in mind I won't be able to run for several weeks.  If I can make this happen, that would be great, otherwise I'll take the refund and call it a day.

Thoughts?

Thom

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid -   That's awesome, I like that your ortho is a person of action. Let's keep things rolling. We can absolutely get you trained up, the training is not the hard part, it's just are you willing to race with whatever you will have it on the day? I can make the training is manageable as it needs to be, so I personally see you go for the transfer and we see what we can get out of it. Please submit your TSR request if you haven't already and I'll see
what I can do!

Thom Reid

TSR is updated.  Looking forward to the new plan.

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid - Ok, got it...thanks! Here's what I see for you

Your Races

• IM Lake Placid 70.3 on 9/10/17
• IM Maryland on 10/7/17 

Your Action Steps

• You have four weeks to get back up to baseline fitness - I suggest run durability plan 1 to end on 7/16, modified with elliptical as needed.
• 7/17/17 load up the beginner EN*Full plan to end on 10/7

The Rationale

Our first step is to get you back into a routine. I recommend a run durability plan as it four weeks long and very baseline. We can always modify on the weekends with a longer ride as you see fit... And as the weather cooperates. Then we jump into the Ironman plan which will carry you through the half and into Maryland.

I can help you modify all of that, but first tell me what your training constraints are over the next four weeks.

Thom Reid

OK, I think I got it... get me back into a routine, along with establishing some core strength and fitness.  After that, pick up the Beginner Full IM plan in week 9, which would put me in week 20 on 10/7.  We'd definitely have to modify that a bit.  Looks like the week of IM 70.3 Lake Placid is a run heavy week according to the training plan, so I'd need to know whether I'd need to make up for that somewhere else in the program.  Besides that, makes sense

Looking at the Run Durability 1 plan, I should be able to do MOST of that starting next week.  I know I can bike and I should be able to swim starting at the end of next week - assuming the elbow heals well over the next few days.  Most of the biking will likely be indoors, but I should be able to get out on the weekends. 

I LOVE the idea of an elliptical to supplement my running.  I do have a treadmill in my house that I could put some pretty brisk walks on, but I will follow doctor's orders and try to eliminate running until I'm off the prednisone.  Gym elliptical it will be, I just won't have access to do it for long periods given the limited number of machines in the gym. You can only sign one out 30 mins at a time.

Assuming I start the Run Durability 1 plan next week, that puts me 5 weeks until the end on 7/16.  Do you want me to just repeat week 4 two weeks in a row?

I have my follow-up with my rheumatologist next Wednesday, June 14, which is when I'll find out if we can progress to a different maintenance drug and get off the prednisone.  That's really the key to how much more I'll be able to do in the next month. Until then, I'll put in a bike interval tomorrow and a slow, 30 mile ride this Saturday.  Sunday and Monday I'm travelling, so if there's an elliptical in the hotel, I'll use that.

I'll update you next week, but for now we'll go with this plan.

Thanks, Coach P.

Thom

Thom Reid

I have a question related to weeks 15, 16 and 18 of the Beginner's Full IM plan.  On Sunday of week 15, Thursday of week 16 and Tuesday of week 18 the program lists a 140 minute run.  However, the description of the run states:

Run: Run Long

Entire Run: 60' or 6 miles (whichever first) @ TRP, 45' @ Zone 2, 15' final push at best possible effort. 

The above is followed by some coach notes on running in Zones 1, 2 and 3.

My question is, is this a 60 minute run or a 140 minute run???  I've seen the same language in the Intermediate Full IM plan and assumed it was 140 mins, but looking at the placement of the runs, at least in the beginner plan, I'm no longer sure.

Which is it?

Thanks,

Thom

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid -  I think we are in a good place with our modifications, but please keep me posted. I see that you two weeks one through four, and then we see how you feel. You could always go to the Run Durability II plan and do that first week if that made sense. 

I am OK with you doing the volume on the bike, but will have to see how you feel on the run/swim.

that long run IS two hours. 60 minutes +45 minutes +15 minutes… And assuming a warm-up. I hope that makes sense.

Thom Reid

Coach P:
I just wanted to give you an update on my condition and my change in plans.  The elbow seems to be healing, albeit a bit slow me.  The orthopaedist seems to think things are progressing well and he allowed me to start swimming this week.  I put 1,500 yards in yesterday and, while slower than my normal pace, it wasn't so far off that I was discouraged.  I'll swim again tomorrow.

As for biking and running, I've started running, but nothing long or fast.  I'm still on prednisone, but at only 5mg, I've done enough research to feel comfortable putting in a a limited amount of miles.  Cycling-wise, I continue to put in road miles and intervals on the Computrainer.  Because of the light running, I'm not following the Run Durability Plan 1 to a "t", but I'm close.

I'm no longer doing IM Maryland.  At this point I still can't run as much as I need to be and next week the rheumatologist is going to assess my situation and likely start me on my new long term treatment plan.  Since I don't know how my body is going to react, I'm being cautious and I'm going to assume that I will have a light week or two coming up.  When I thought all this out, I decided it was best to focus on IM Lake Placid 70.3 and shorter races.  I'll go easy on my body and focus on a full IM next year.

With that said, I was planning on transitioning to the 2017 EN*Half, Beginner plan starting next week with some modifications to the running for several weeks.  I'd set the plan to end on 9/10/2017, so I'd be starting in week 10.  I'd dial back the cycling and swimming volume initially, only because I took several weeks of swimming off and I did reduce my cycling volume for a couple of week.  Shouldn't take me that long to get back in the swing of things for the swim and bike, though.  Not to mention, I'm not looking to light IMLP70.3 on fire.

What are you thoughts with the above?

Thanks for the recent "thumbs up" up on Zwift.  The encouragement is always nice!

Thom 

Coach Patrick

@Thom Reid -  always happy to encourage you. It's not lost a pound me how much you were dealing with physically and mentally right now, so I want to be as supportive as possible!

I agree that focusing on the 70.3 is likely the best better overall. Aside from dealing with what you're going through now, the only thing worse I could think of is overreaching for an Iron Man  and simultaneously ruining this year and the start of the next!

Yes the loading of the beginner plan, if only to see what the basic flow is in starting to get into that and to yourself. My suggestion for modifying a run or to not do any intensity out of the game and get in for sessions a week total. In other words, I'd rather you take the total run time  for the week and divide that up into manageable chunks than chase fast or long runs out of the gate. 

Thom Reid

That's exactly what I was thinking, for the runs, coach.  Thanks for the feedback.  That's the direction I'll take.  If any changes, I'll check back in. Keep the rubber side on the road!

Thom