After finishing an epic year of running with my first 100 mile finish, I decided to take some time off from serious structured training. I still exercised regularly and with some structure but based it more on what I felt doing that day rather than following a strict training planning.
During this time, I thought about what my next challenge should be. My M.O. for years has been to continually challenging myself in order to stay motivated and so I always have a new goal to pursue. After checking another milestone off the list with the Savage 100 mile run in October, I needed my next challenge.
The Ironman distance has always been an interest of mine. I remember watching the coverage of the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii as a kid and being amazed by what the athletes could accomplish. At that point, even dreaming of completing an Ironman seemed out of reach. But first let’s back up a bit…
My start in triathlon
Back in 2014, I had been running for around 5 years. I had completed a handful of marathons and shorter distance running races but I wanted a fresh challenge. Doing a triathlon seemed like a logical next challenge. Obviously, I knew I could complete the run. I knew I could at least ride a bike (though I hadn’t much since I was a kid). However, the swim provided an interesting challenge. At that point, I had never swam other than causally. But I figured anything can be accomplished with proper training and planning…
All this led me to sign up for an Olympic distance race in 2015. This consisted of a 1500 meter (slightly under one mile) swim, 40 kilometer (24.8 mile) bike and 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) run. I wasn’t worried about the run, the bike worried me a bit, and the swim scared the crap out of me. But after training all winter and spring, I completed the race.
Increasing the distance
After another Olympic distance triathlon in 2016, I figured it was time to step it up a notch. So I registered for a Half Ironman race in 2017. This consisted of a 1.2 mile swim (barely longer than Olympic!), a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. The training required to complete this distance is substantial. You also really have to dial in your nutrition and hydration or you can really crash.
However, the elements weren’t on my side for this race. On race day, temperatures were near 90 degrees (in early June no less) with high humidity and winds gusting to 30 mph. The small lake used for the swim had white caps. I had never been so scared swimming in my life. And the bike and run were brutal in a sweltering heat. I did finish but man was it rough.
In 2018 I wanted redemption so I signed up for the same race. I trained harder and longer than ever before. This was the most ready I was for any triathlon to date. Unfortunately, luck was once again not on my side. It began to rain heavily during the bike portion which wasn’t necessarily a huge deal itself. However, the race director claimed there was lightening (I never saw any) so the bike was cut short. But they let us run 6.2 miles of the 13.1 mile run course. Go figure. Needless to say, after two years of issues, that specific race folded in 2019.
On to the next challange
I took some time off in 2019 from triathlon to concentrate fully on completing my first 100 mile run. But I feel now is the time to return back to triathlons and check another distance off the bucket list. I promised myself early in my venture into triathlons that I’d try to complete an Ironman by age 40 (August of 2023). However, I first need to rebuild my swimming and biking endurance so I am making this a challenge to complete over two racing seasons.
Season 1 – 2020, building to Half Ironman
My goal this year is to build to Half Ironman distance. I’m already signed up for the Chisago Half Ironman in late July which will serve as my goal race. Leading up to this I am planning several other Olympic distance triathlons earlier in the summer along with a 10 mile and half marathon run in the spring. After the Chisago Half Ironman, I’m going to concentrate on running late summer and fall as I’ve done the past few years while still swimming and biking some. I’m planning to run the Twin Cities marathon and Surf the Murph 50 mile once again, because….why not?
This season I am taking a new and more aggressive approach to Triathlon training. In past years, I’ve worked more on improving my aerobic endurance in each sport and more or less ignored improving my speed. I’ve also more or less been a completely self-coached athlete. But this year, I purchased a training plan from Training Peaks (a workout tracking app) to have a more focused approach to my training. This plan started last week for me a consists of 28 weeks of structured training leading up to race day.
Season 2 – 2021, check Ironman off the bucket list
Starting in 2021, I plan to further increase my training and focus on finishing an Ironman. As of now, the plan is to complete Ironman Wisconsin in September 2021. This is more for the logistics of being able to drive to race than anything since the course is actually pretty difficult comparatively. But then again, ignorance is bliss right?
Over the coming months, I’m planning to track my progress on this site. This is to keep me motivated but hopefully you will find it interesting and motivating as well. Also, I plan to give some triathlon advice of things I’ve learned over the years for anyone interested in getting into the sport.
I’m a big believer in setting long term stretch goals and working toward them with small milestones along the way to keep yourself motivated. So while this plan seems relatively daunting as I sit here today, I know with planning, consistency, and execution, it’s a goal I can accomplish.
