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UPDATE #1 — November 2, 2004 Ironman Florida is around the corner and Graeme provided this update as he was heading off to his competition. Graeme has competed in over 50 triathlons but his most recent record includes: Wasaga Beach Triathlon 2004, used primarily as training for Ironman Florida; Penticton 1992/93 - DNF due to injuries; and the Montreal Triathlon in 1991 which he won. While Graeme maintains a high level of fitness at all times, his serious training for Ironman Florida started about 18 weeks ago. What training thresholds did you reach? Swimming: 2x week, 2 - 21/2 hours; including intervals and open water swimming Cycling: 3 - 4x week;worked up to 5 - 51/2 hours at a time Running: up to 32 km What has your approach been to training for Ironman Florida? I made some changes to my training based on past experiences and having a better understanding of my body's limits, not to mention accounting for my age. Specifically my training included more open water swimming, longer distance swims, nutritional changes and more cycling.Of course, adding yoga is new. Do you feel that Yoga has helped? Definitely. I feel that my fairly regular yoga practice has allowed me to get through the physical demands of training and not blow up! I feel more flexible in my hamstrings and my lower back. I've even found a way of stretching while riding to control the discomfort. |
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In what ways, specifically, do you feel yoga has
helped? Well, primarily it has allowed me to complete my training and get this far. I also feel that it improved my cycling. That is, being able to ride for 5 hours or more, without seizing up. I also plan to use yoga in the remaining days before the Triathlon. While I'm in my final phase of tapering, I plan to do about 40 minutes of yoga per day, along with visualization exercises. I feel this will help me stay focused during this time while giving my body a break and preparing it for the competition. Do you feel 'ready'? There have been a number of bumps along the training road but I've arrived at a place where I'm ready to let it roll and feel I've reached a very decent level of fitness. That is, sufficient to race versus survive the Ironman distance. More than anything I'm seeing it as a victory of sorts just to get to this point. Any predictions? Performance predictions are always dodgy in the Ironman world. I should be able to handle the swim in an hour, give or take a couple of minutes. If conditions are not too windy, I hope to break or come close to 5 hours on the bike (about 37 kph average) and then, of course, the run is the great unknown - the physical and psychological hinterland. Overall I'll be pleased with being under 10 hours and elated with anything around 9:30. but in any event will be holding onto the "celebration of fitness" theme! 
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INTRODUCTION | |
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