IMWI training update.

05/30/2014

IMWIThe countdown is ON! 

How is Ironman Wisconsin only 100 days away?! I couldn’t be more excited – for race day and to climb that hill!

Training has been humming along, a steady rhythm synchronizing with my swim stroke.  

Blub-blub-breathe
Blub-blub-breathe
Blub-blub-breathe

Focused, moving forward and, most importantly, having FUN. Because what’s the point if you’re not having fun?!

A few thoughts on how training’s been progressing… 

Swimming

I feel pretty good about where my swim is at. Weekly yardage has been fairly consistent the past few months, hovering around 10-11k, give or take a couple thousand a week. I bounce back and forth between the hot tub-esque LA Fitness pool and my favorite pool at St. Kate’s, opting for the latter when I have a particularly tough set because it’s somehow easier to suffer in a pool that’s cold and deep (I always swim faster there, too). And, this past weekend, St. Paul’s 50-meter outdoor pool opened for the season (hooray!), so Nick and I got in a midday 3,500-meter swim there. Funny how different a 50-meter pool is when you’re used to swimming in a 25-yard pool! Other than the wicked sunburn, it was wonderful to swim in the sunshine; there will be many more swims there this summer. As for masters, there’s a team just down the road, but for some reason, I’m hesitant to join. Chalk it up to the early morning swims, the unknown of it or not being in control of when I swim, practicing fly… precisely the reason I should try it out: It’s out of my comfort zone. 

IMG_6511

Biking

There’s been a whole lotta bike love lately. I’ve never felt stronger on two wheels… thank you, months and months on the trainer (which I oddly started to enjoy)! Between specific trainer workouts – 5 x 4:00 @ 250 watts, for example – and longer, sustained watt weekend rides outside, weeks are varied and fun; I look forward to every second in the saddle and am always always happy to ride my bike. Up next: Another test of my bike fitness and just how comfortable I can get with the uncomfortable at Tuesday Night Time Trials next week.

Also trying to figure out: How I can get paid to bike. Anyone have any ideas? 😉

DCIM101GOPRO DCIM101GOPRO

Running

My running build has been steady and slow following my calcaneal stress fracture, and it’s coming along nicely. There have been many easy two- and three-milers, no speed work (yet) and just this last weekend, I ran my long run – up to 8.5 miles! – at 8:15 pace. Running strong again feels good. It’s also been the perfect way to explore our new neighborhood. There are wide running/bike paths along nearly every road (complete with nice rollers and ample shade), and even though I miss morning jaunts down historic Summit Avenue, the roads in the ‘burbs are pretty good, too.

DCIM101GOPRO

While I’ve been working hard to focus on MY training and what coach has planned in TrainingPeaks, I won’t lie… it’s hard not to compare when it seems everyone is biking century after century, banging out brick after brick, climbing up mountains and bombing back down, going to training camp instead of working, open water swimming and smashing PRs every single weekend. Because I want to be doing that – I want to be doing ALL OF THAT RIGHT NOW! I’m also having serious Ironman Canada FOMO… so much so that I’m debating going to volunteer and cheer on all my friends who are racing (I’d love to race, but I’m sure coach wouldn’t be too keen on that idea!).

But… BUT… comparison is the thief of joy, and it’s unfair to compare my training with anyone else’s because we’re all at different levels, working with different coaches, training for different races. This is MY journey to the IMWI start line; no one else’s. I have a big goal, and I’m focused on it. Bring on the hard work and summer training volume! 

Happy swimbikerunning, friends!

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25 Comments

  • Reply tom anderson 05/30/2014 at 1:40 pm

    Excellent read. I hope you continue to enjoy YOUR journey. While I train to ultimately compete, I find myself just really enjoying the lifestyle and structure. It sounds like we may have that in common. Anyways, good luck and enjoy the summer! 99 days is coming soon!
    Tom Anderson

  • Reply Erin 05/30/2014 at 1:57 pm

    My training buddy and I have had many, many, many conversations about how we can make money riding bikes. Sadly, we have yet to figure it out…

    Also cool pools >>> warm pools every time. Have you ever swam in a competition pool? They’re super cold. That’s because you can swim hard and not over-heat.

  • Reply Kerstin 05/30/2014 at 2:32 pm

    masters team doitdoitdoitdoit!! Some of the best people you will ever meet are waiting for you to walk into their lives at that pool! I guarantee it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What team is it?

  • Reply Abby 05/30/2014 at 2:47 pm

    Erin- your swimbikerunning sounds amazing!! Coming from an already super strong cyclist, that’s awesome you feel stronger now than ever before!
    And that swim mileage is pretty stellar, too! Great you’re runnning again! I always say- people know how to run and so much of it is mental anway.
    Keep focussing on your fight- you’re doing such a fantastic job!
    Even though I’m not training for anything, and am majorly on the injured list, I am green with envy from people’s training!
    Do you think you will go to Whistler to cheer and watch?! How fun!

  • Reply Erin 05/30/2014 at 3:03 pm

    also: you won’t regret signing up for Masters. I’ve been on a masters team for 10 years and LOVE it.

  • Reply jruff81 05/30/2014 at 3:08 pm

    I absolutely LOVE your attitude toward all of this & have no doubt that your journey will be just as successful…full of smashed PRs and smiles 🙂 Thank you for being an inspiration and leading by awesome example!!!

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 05/30/2014 at 4:37 pm

    You are doing so awesome!!! I have the same feelings about reading everyone’s recaps/training weeks! I just don’t feel like I am doing enough. I know that I am. I trust my coach but I feel like this time around…4th time around it is different. I am not sure how but it is. I guess I just have to put in the work and see what happens on race day!!!!
    I absolutely think that you should join the Masters swim. I was so nervous for my first practice(s). But it is so worth it and you would never regret it!! I think that you would thank me and (everyone else trying to talk you into it!!) I would die to swim in a 50 meter outdoor pool!!! It was so nice swimming in an outdoor 25 yard pool last weekend!!!
    YES!!!!! Come to Whistler and cheer!!! That would be so fun!!!!

  • Reply Beth 05/30/2014 at 5:47 pm

    I have to say that you have one of the best outlooks on training and racing. I love the comparison being the thief of joy expression! I’m really bad at doing that. It’s a great reminder. You’re going to kick butt in Wisconsin!

  • Reply Kristina 05/30/2014 at 6:24 pm

    Congrats on getting back to running – along with all of the progress that you see/feel swimming and biking. Others have already commented on the quote regarding comparisons, and I loved reading that expression and it’s a great one for me to remember too. Thanks for sharing! And enjoy your training!

  • Reply Kecia 05/30/2014 at 9:18 pm

    I completely understand what you mean when you say you want to compare your training to that of others. Since I’m not running yet, I am very inclined to compare my training to that of others…especially in the running realm. I know I need to be patient with myself and not worry about others, but it can be hard. I can’t wait to climb “Cell Tower Hill” as well…SO MUCH FUN and LOTS OF AMAZING SPECTATORS 😉

  • Reply Kendra Krueger 05/30/2014 at 9:43 pm

    You rock, girl! Love your statement of “comparison is the thief of joy”…..gonna remember that one! Not being out there racing this summer is going to be HARD and comparing is where I get in trouble :). Looking forward to following more of YOUR journey to IMWI!!

  • Reply Luv What You Do 05/30/2014 at 10:41 pm

    I’m so jealous of all of your training! What is the date of IM WI??? I’ve never seen an IM and would love to come cheer everyone on!

    • Reply erin 06/09/2014 at 4:58 pm

      Ooo! That would be awesome if you came to cheer! It’s September 7 in Madison 🙂

  • Reply Amy 05/31/2014 at 11:21 am

    You look so happy-I love it! When my Ironman time comes, I hope to be just as excited about training as you are.

  • Reply Brittany 05/31/2014 at 2:25 pm

    Wow, 250 watts, you are going to kill it at IMWI!! I know how you feel about hearing about others long rides.. You are training smarter though 🙂 And love the 50m pool shot- after being spoiled swimming outdoors I feel like I can hardly swim indoors anymore :/

  • Reply stephgranlund 05/31/2014 at 3:50 pm

    Sounds like training is going great! Keep up the good work! PS: I’m so jealous of that gorgeous pool!!

  • Reply carrisamarie 06/01/2014 at 10:29 am

    You are rocking this training! I’ve been really working on owning my own journey this spring/summer as I come back from surgery and build back up, so I completely understand! Can’t wait to virtually cheer you on at #IMWI…yay for big goals!!!

  • Reply Danielle @ I Eat Therefore I Run 06/01/2014 at 3:13 pm

    FOMO? And nice running shot selfie!

    • Reply erin 06/09/2014 at 4:56 pm

      Fear of missing out 🙂 Thanks, Danielle! Love the GoPro!

  • Reply Kristen @ Glitter and Dust 06/01/2014 at 7:25 pm

    You know, 100 days will go by in no time! Very excited for you, Erin. The 50-Meter pool is definitely a different world. Do you do a lot more OW swimming during the summer/warmer months, or primarily stick to the pool for training? I completely know what you mean about the comparison trap and questioning your training vs. everyone else’s training. I find myself doing that from time to time and have to snap myself out of it. If you figure out how to get paid to bike, please forward this information on… ☺

  • Reply Bri 06/02/2014 at 11:04 am

    You are totally rocking it. I can’t believe that IMWI is so close either! It’s a little scary. Just keep on truckin’ it’ll be here before we know it 🙂

  • Reply Alyssa @ Don't Look Down 06/02/2014 at 2:16 pm

    I was just hearing about the fast pool vs. slow pool thing the facebook IMWI training group. Apparently bigger and deeper pools reflex the waves back differently and slow you down less! And of course, cooler water also helps speed too. I’ve just switched gyms to LA Fitness and I miss my old pool. The water was so much cooler! LA Fitness feels like a sauna!

    Amen to not comparing training volumes! It’s hard to see what others are doing and not freak out a little that I’m not doing enough! But I still have a huge volume and am trying to squeeze in everything that I can while working and having a life!

  • Reply Kristin (@SweatCourage) 06/04/2014 at 11:02 am

    Every time I see your photos, it makes me want to get a GoPro camera! I am seriously considering buying one.. it makes for such awesome training photos. I can’t believe how close your IM is too! IMWI is not too far after my race, IMMT.. less than 30 days apart I think… crazy for the both of us! I really struggle with the whole comparison thing. It’s really easy to get caught up in what other’s are doing for their training, feeling like you are doing too much or too little compared to others. You are right though, we are all at different levels and it’s important to just focus on YOUR goals, as hard as that might be. Sometimes it’s really difficult for me to turn off that little ‘voice’ in my head:) Isn’t is amazing what a difference a 50 meter pool makes? I wish I had one near by, and not to mention, outdoors- super jealous!

  • Reply Emily Dingmann (@nutritionisteat) 06/06/2014 at 10:56 am

    Amazing. As always. Where is the Ironman in WI?

    • Reply erin 06/09/2014 at 4:56 pm

      It’s in Madison on September 7! Cannot wait!

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