Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Big Numbers

What does it take to complete an Ironman? Remember that is 140 miles all total? So what do I have to do to complete that race? Some one said:

A goal without a plan is just a wish!

So I spoke with several people who have done an Ironman. One had a respectable time at Kona for a 50 year old of 9:35. So I asked about training and weekly totals from someone who finished under 10 hours and particularly the bike. How much time do you spend on the bike? The answer was no less than 40 miles a weekday ride. The usual 3 day a week ride was a minimum of 40 miles each and the long ride was 80 miles. A total of 200 miles! The run mileage is a even higher than I thought it would be. It is not unusual to have a 50 mile week with a long run of 18 miles. Swim was what I thought, 3 to 4 days a week with at least one open water swim of 2 miles.

How can I do that? So what does it take? Planning, time and discipline. Planning of your training and planning of your time. The hours spent training are some serious hours...15 to 20 hours. It takes discipline to get up on time, go to bed on time, get out to do your training on time and to eat right...disicpline.

So for those of you that ask me about my numbers, they are really small compared to those who have done what I want to do. That's why I call it WEAKLY totals. They are weak by comparison.

9 comments:

Oldman said...

thanks bridget but i'm not sure i want to make that kind of time commitment.

this past sunday i saw the naples area triathletes coming back for their sunday long ride while i was going up to Ft Myers Beach. they prob left at 6 am. I'm not sure I want to ride 100 miles every weekend and get up that early.

Nancy Toby said...

Well, I have seen some indications that training volume is the best predictor of performance.

Good thing I don't have to beat anybody and I only have to stagger in before midnight!

Your training is looking pretty solid to me!! I have to start cranking it up and getting in a few 45-50 mile rides in March, but it will be a while before I'm doing centuries.

Steven said...

A 9:35 IM time is "respectable" for someone that is 20 or maybe 30, but for 50? WAY MORE THAN RESPECTABLE. That is outstanding. I did 11:29 at age 41 and am hoping to go under 11 at age 43...9:35 is not even a pipe-dream. Whoever that was, give him my congrats and awe.

Linda said...

You are more than respectable (and I mean this in the kindest of ways) I just "wish" I had the guts to even tri!

Papa Tweet said...

Those hours far exceed mine. Some of the distances are accurate, but I will only have three century plus rides. There are alot of 15 mile runs and even some 20's and one 22. Those are the toughest for me. But, no one ever said Ironman was easy.
Benny

Cliff said...

Oldman,

Sppeaking of going to bed ontime...it is now...nite..

Thanks for the sharing...this is some serious distance and time we are talking about...I hit 15 hr two weeks ago...I can do it.but not that type of distance u mentioned...not yet :)

Deene said...

that's an amazing amount of training the you are doing. Few people do it and I'll be proud of whatever time you finish!!

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