Options
2015 TX IM how's it going!
How is everyone doing for TX IM? Not much chatter around here

0
Comments
I can't believe IMTX camp is only 6 weeks off! I was able... thanks to some unseasonable weather here in MO... to get outside for a little volume bump a couple weeks ago. Was able to get in a week with 4 longer rides... a 70 and 3 56's milers... don't know how I'll get those two 112's done!
I'm gearing up for a half marathon next weekend. Anyone else got a race coming up?
Did a sweat test today in anticipation of loading up the IM plan for the last 12 weeks. Want to make sure I have my nutrition plan dialed in. Before we know it we'll be wading in the lake on race morning.
And you think your jealous now? Wait till I start bragging about swimming in that mud-hole Lake Woodlands. Then you'll REALLY be jealous (not). Haahaa.
http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=769
I get what your saying about the extreme temps/humidity... but you have to start somewhere. The sweat test gives you two measures ... cold race/hot race. So as far as I'm concerned I'm going to go about trying to choke down at least the cold amount in every workout and increase as I get closer to race day. I tried to build in a heat factor... I did the test at .74 FTP.. so I was working a little harder than race pace. No matter what... it's a good start.
My biggest problem when I did IMAZ in '13 was nutrition. I wound up running from portajohn to portajohn on the second half of the run... not fun... and something I sure don't want to repeat!
Oh the fun of training the gut... did a :40 run yesterday followed by a 3 hour trainer ride... choked down 177 oz of Gatorade Endurance... a salted caramel Gu and a Powerbar wafer bar...
in the same vein, I did my half marathon this morning and exceeded expectations by :45 per mile (massive PR overall for me). I attribute it largely to the fact that I filled up my 20 oz hand bottle at every single aid station, and emptied it by the time I got to the next aid station. It was just normal Gatorade, but still. I guess I took on at least 80 oz total, and still managed to drop about 3 lbs throughout the race. I need to get on that sweat test you were talking about.
But beyond that it looks like the purpose of this "big day" is more related to putting all 4 disciplines (swim, bike, run, nutrition) together, more so than worrying about fitness. Plus or minus a little bit of any one discipline probably wont have as big of an impact as the lessons learned from transition from one discipline to the next does.
I'd guess if you really feel frisky, go for the longer times. But if the nutrition and transition issues are starting to bite you, keep it on the shorter end.
Guess I'd better make myself a game-plan for nutrition. I've somewhat winged it so far.
I just looked at the intermediate plan for Saturday, and it looks like you have "30 minutes zone 1, 2.5 hours of zone 2, then remaining time in zone 2+" and in the top of the box it shows 210 minutes. And in the verbage it says 4 hours. The beginner plan says "30 minutes zone 1, 2.5 hours zone 2, then remaining time in zone 2+" and has 180 minutes minutes in the top of the box, with 4 hours in the verbage. The Advanced plan has the same thing, but they have 240 minutes minutes at the top of their box. I guess the verbages is based on the advanced plan, and the minutes noted at the top of the box are just a guide for the rest of us.
1. holding position/form
2. nutrition plan testing
3. fatigue familiarity
4. bike fit/comfort (especially after a good hard swim)
None of those have much to do with a 30 minute difference in your bike time.
I figure there will be PLENTY of time later to panic. Like 5 minutes before the race, or when I'm getting run over in the swim. Or when I have my third flat on the bike. Or when I realize I SHOULD have hit that last restroom I past a mile ago on the run. See? Plenty of good times to panic. This just isn't one of em.