Week 1 of Ironman 70.3 training in the books

Monday January 6, 2014 was it! After spending many days & nights over the last few months thinking  about Ironman training plans, Jan 6 marked the first day of my IM training. Yikes, 154 days to race day!!! I've got a lot of work to do to get myself ready for what I call my "redemption" race. You see, in 2011 at age of 36 I raced my first IM KS 70.3.

Back then, you could say that I was pretty cocky with fitness ability. Sure, I did all the training that my triathlon coach (at the time) had prescribed. However, what I didn't do was follow his "instructions" for training. Ultimately, that failure came at a price. I barely finish the race in the allotted 8hr timeframe, 7:38:28hr to be exact not 6:20:00hr mark I was hoping for. On that day everything was going well with the race up until mile 9 on the run, At that point, I hit a brick wall or a hole so deep, I couldn't get out of it. Those last 4 miles were painfully hard and it took what seem like an eternity get through them.  I was so glad when I finally crossed the finish line but I was also disappointed in myself.

For those of you who are familiar with the triathlon world, Chrissie Wellington was also racing that day. Not only did she win with an amazing time but after she crossed the finish line, she turned around and began handing out finisher's medals to those who were racing. By the time I crossed the finish line Chrissie had long gone--I'm sure she needed to do her post race recovery regime. What a disappointment for me! Had I picked up my run pace a little more maybe, just maybe, I could have had Chrissie hand me my finisher's medal. 

However, on June 12, 2011, I earned the title of Ironman 70.3 finisher. 

Crossing the finish line

The front &  back of a military coin that I received from the president of
Lvn Triathlon Club (this coin is no longer in production) and
my finisher's medal are my most treasured keepsakes.

Anyway, back to the present. Over the course of the last few years, I've learned a lot about myself and my fitness abilities. I've learned that I'm still a "young grasshopper" and everyday is an opportunity to learn and do something new. What that in mind, this past week began phase 1 of my 70.3 training--base build. Essentially, if I want to have a successful race this time around, I need to build a strong foundation. I don't have the luxury of having my Triathlon coach from before. Instead, I will rely on my 2011 training plan, my personal trainer, Spence of Warhorse Training, for my strength workouts, the Bouncing Buns ladies and the local triathlon club to help get me to the start line in 154 days as prepared as I can possibly be.

And so it begins....