Ironman Wisconsin Racing & Training Update

Well, it's been a long time since I have blogged and that is mostly due to being very busy. While I am a Professional Triathlete, I also consider myself a full-time coach, since that is what I spend the majority of my time doing. I tracked the hours for a while and it came out to around 35hrs of coaching per week versus about 20-25hrs of training. If you combine that with recovery, sleep and some fun here and there; it's easy to see why I have let the blog side.


That doesn't matter here, because I am posting an update. The summer has been great!

I raced at Muncie 70.3 in July and accomplished my goal for the day, which was to make the front swim pack. This has left me fairly confident in my ability to do so again, since doing it at both Ironman Brasil in May and at Muncie in July.

Post Muncie, it was all about getting two spastic bengal kitties (Gizmo and Calvin), as well as supporting my athletes at a number of events and races around the state, as well as running a camp for 25 athletes from around the country and Canada. It was by far the largest camp I have run...AND the most fun. With all that fun came a lot of work and I wore myself too thin. At the time I was training quite well, pushing hard and ended up getting sick a few days post camp (beginning of August).

Saturday Swim Start - Ironman Camp
While I thought it would be a quick turnaround on the sickness, it was not in the cards and a cough lingered for weeks. Despite the sickness I only missed a few days of training, but did have to go slightly easier on a number of key sessions. What I have found out is that this has not been a bad thing for the most part. I typically push a bit too hard in training and therefore have had trouble absorbing the work. So there lays the silver lining.

We are now 13 days out from Ironman Wisconsin and things have come full circle and fitness timing for this races feels near perfect. Here are the highlights as we get ready to race in 2 weeks.

- I have been running A LOT.  Most of this stems from the fact that I believe in most Ironman races you bike for show and run for dough. Most "on" weeks have hovered at 65-80 miles, with much of it being quality. I have had some combo's of 45miles in 3 days and 30miles in 2 days, all averaging out to just faster than Ironman pace. This is a nice step up from last year.

- On the cycling side I have had a few longer quality rides and a shorter hard ride each week, with volume right at about 15hrs. This last week I hit what would have been just under 6w/kg for 5minutes on the last one of my vo2 intervals which has shown me that the bike fitness is also here.

- Lastly, I am entering this race 8lbs lighter than last year. While weight loss can sometimes be unhealthy if done too quickly, this has been a gradual process and I am strong.


Like everyone who races, I can't control what anyone else brings on the day. The start list on the men's side is impressive to say the least and if some of the guys are "on," they could have a day like Ben Hoffman did last year. However, I am also at my best and ready to lay down a race on my home turf (I literally live ON the bike course) that will be very difficult to beat. If it happens, then hats off to those who do it.

Thank you to everyone who has gotten me ready to rock and roll for this race including the Trek Stores of Madison, Blue Seventy and PowerBar. I also want to thank all of my athletes who have been as much of a support to me, as I have been to them.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you out there whether you are racing, cheering or volunteering!

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On the coaching side, I am proud to say that everyone who embarked on the Ironman Wisconsin journey and has wanted to race, has made it to the start line ready to give 100% on the day. As a coach, this is always a something to be proud of. You are all ready to have one of the best days of your life out there, so enjoy every minute of it.

Some of the BBMC Ironman Crew

BBMC Pardeviller's 

Wednesday Night Hill Repeats


I likely won't blog again before the race, so thanks for reading. I hope everyone is having a great end to their summer.

I'll leave you with one last picture of the new additions to the house. Note that this is one of their calm moments which don't seem to exist much any more!



The Bengal Brothers - Gizmo (white) & Calvin

Comments

Summer said…
Sounds like you are more than ready for the "Badger-Gopher Showdown." Go get 'em, Blake- excited to see what you can do!
Good ol' Shaun said…
Everything sounds terrific, BB. Let me know if there's anything else you need for September 8.

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