Minimum Ironman Training (in my eyes!)

The more I read up on Ironman things and the more days I spend on the bike (max of 1hr a time) I honestly think that if your goal is to 'complete' an Ironman then it can be done in 2-3months, providing your fairly fit already.

For the last 3 weeks all I've done is High intensity cardio sessions lasting between 20mins and an hour with one run being about 1hr 15. Through getting in quality training sessions and no 'junk sessions' I'm finding me improving through much much less volume!

I'll admit these sessions were pushing it until I literally had to slump over the turbo trainer in exhaustion (yes I've done my last 18 rides on the turbo!) and off just two runs a week have seen me doing 12mile runs at 6.30m/mile which is faster than I was doing them when I did a sub 3hr marathon and running 80-90mile weeks!!

Some of my sessions have been brutal but with making them high intensity I've managed to see definite improvements with much less volume!!

Volume I find takes over my life - not only is it time consuming but it leaves me exhausted and unable to move from the sofa without a bit of a moan. I know from experience how essential volume is for things like ultras and Ironmans but I honestly think before 2-3 months out of Ironman Wales I don't need to do any runs over about 15miles, cycles over about 50 and swims over 1hr. I'm doing a half Ironman early June and up until then no cycles will be over 50miles and swims over 45mins, that's not to say I wont be training hard. Some of the hardest session I've done in a long time have been the last couple weeks.

E.g. This session on the turbo trainer - 7 sets of 5min hard, 1min recovery, 1min flat out, 1min recovery x 7. It was brutal but in an hour id done a much harder bike session than some would do in 3 hours.

I've also realised the importance of rest and when I say rest I mean a complete switch off from eating well and training 1-2 days a week! Until I have to sacrifice social events for long rides followed by long runs (2months before) then I'm adopting a high intensity only policy then cramp up the volume after the half Ironman, which I belive with a bit more swimming I can do now maybe not to the standard I'd like but definitely finish it.

However it's all swings and roundabouts - last year I swore by high volume and now I'm swearing by high intensity! Truth is the maybe the reason I'm pushing out quality sessions of late is because I built up that endurance base last year and the fact I'm shocking my body with high intensity stuff is just keeping me improving. With that said I know I'll need volume but to do it now like I've heard people suggest is just too much, it will lead to burn out and lack of motivation.

I'm going to leave it 2-3months prior before training specifically for the Ironman. To a point I'd rather be underdone than overdone! So long as I'm chasing the p.b's and enjoying the volume then the improvements and main goal of nailing the Ironman will be in sight!

I asked someone what they thought minimum Ironman training was?

The reply 'Once your confident you can make it then you've done enough, the rest is just improving the level'

Everything in moderation!

Yesterday I got back on the scales for the second time and It was a disappointing loss of 0.5kg, I'm now 77.1KG.

This week has reminded me so much of why I hate 'diets'. I usually swear by the everything in moderation method which suits me fine and to be honest just makes everything more relaxed and in turn makes me feel better. Meaning it's doing the job.

What I do usually is base my eating around whatever grown, lived or been planted but if I fancy a pizza, takeaway, chocolate etc occasionally I just have it. I'll admit I'm lucky and enjoy scoffing myself with bowls full of veg, salad, meat and fish so most it's what I eat. However since new year, probably as a sort of detox type thing after xmas I decided to go paleo + oats and milk because after a couple months of very little training put on 7kg.

With the goal being 73kg by March 11 when I do a marathon I have plenty of time. My fitness levels and the fact that when I'm in full force I'm training a fair bit means that unless I completely go off the rails with my eating my weight should naturally drop down a bit.

Even though I love the idea of the paleo diet and do base my eating on it, having rules about food is simply bollocks! By Wednesday I was really craving a BIG meal which tells me that for the amount of training I've done last couple weeks, the paleo way is to low calorie and too low in sugar (after a 15mile run or 2hr bike session, I really want sugar!!).

I held out Wednesday, Thursday I was craving stodge even more, this only happens when I decide to go strict with the eating, which again reminds me why I hate diets and rules in eating. Over a cup of tea I demolished half a box of celebrations, half a bag of peanuts then got myself a 12'' pizza! Fuel (food) had not tasted so good in a while. That was it, I'm not doing that again, I'd rather eat what I want in moderation than feel tired through the low calorie and then explode with some sort of monster eat.

I'm still on the project of getting back to 73kg's for this marathon but if it doesn't happen it really doesn't matter. So this weeks weight in (Sat) will be through healthy BALANCED eating along with my triathlon training.

In addition Friday I ran a hilly 12mile at 6.36 min/mile which is faster than when I did the sub 3hr marathon! I no way would have done that good a training session if I would have stuck to the paleo i.e. not fuelled up that Thursday.

If I'm classed as an endurance 'athlete' (which I beg to differ) then diets are a no go unless your training drops the same time or your just doing it for 1-2 weeks as a last bit of cutting before an event. It's got to be the moderation attitude.

Cheat Pizzas!!

Almost time for the 2nd weight in (Friday) since opting the eating whats grown, been planted or lived attitude and today sums up why I don't really like diets! I've been craving some stodge big time today, fatigued from work and some very intense training sessions but 'diets' have rules which if can cause serious binges and a huge spike in the calories if your watching what your eating. Thus despite the fact that eating, basically paleo with oats and milk is something I pretty much do most of the time being a 100% strict is too much and drives you insane as well as in my opinion can effect your social life because all the time it's too much (that's my opinion).

What I've opted is to allow myself either a cheat day or 3 cheat meals a week and also if I'm going to ballistic at any point because I fancy something I just have it then get back on the horse.

Today I was saved by the freezer and a very big rectangle pizza!! A very very needed boost and in my eyes important that I had it. I'm fuelled up and ready to continue the good work.

With a 13mile run on the cards Saturday they may be another one of these pizzas on the way but depends how I feel.

I'm excited for the weight in Friday, I'm not a 100% I've stripped much body fat this week but we'll see.

So last week 77.5kg, if I'm around the 76.5 Friday I'll be delighted. Ultimate goal is to get back to 73kg by the Blackpool Marathon which should be a good laugh.

First weight in since the cutting started....

I plan on weighing myself weekly, however i got on the scales on December 28th and I weighed 79kgs.....basically deep down I'm a vain bugger and even tho 79 is fine, I want to get the abs back (one of the fundraising events for my R.N.L.I Ironman mission is a topless calendar with my mates ha ha ha, I don't think I've ever had to do so little persuading!!!) and I always found that when I've been around the 72kg mark my fitness/performance has been at it's best. With a marathon coming up in a mear 7 weeks since re-starting training again, half ironman and the big Ironman I want to be at my best soon!

What hasn't helped but I don't regret one bit as it was the funniest few days in a while was a 3 day bender in Edinburgh over new year. They definitely know how to celebrate New Year!

Since then I've been back eating pretty much the way I do when it's training time - Anything that's lived, grown or been planted and except for one bagel and soft cheese I've stuck to it well. The plan is 1-3 meals a week treats e.g. takeaways or an unhealthy option.

Anyway weighed in at 77.5kg today, I was pleasantly surprised and on top of this I've put in some cracking training sessions. BOOM, its on the way back in style!!

Training wise this week I've done 2 runs one being a tough 10miler, a cross fit session and about 4 sessions on the turbo trainer - they've all been intense which I'm convinced is the key to getting leaner as well as improving performance, I'm doing a fraction of what I was last summer and to be fair, I've done no Junk session - if I've not been fresh I've rested when I've trained I've pushed it very hard. Despite partying most weekends over the last 8 weeks I'm not far off where I was last summer and think I could surprise myself come the Blackpool Marathon even tho I'm only running twice a week, one long run and one flat out run. Maybe beating my 2.59 is beyond me but I really don't know and I'm only running 2 times with the rest being cycling!

Anywere there we go - week one - 77.5kg a drop of 1.5kg in 10 days. Decent start :)

Losing the xmas weight

It begins - got on the scales today and since October where I decided to take a rest I've put on 7kg ha ha ha. Time to get that right off! I'm starting today as I'm fed up of all the crap eating and insane amounts of alcohol which has made me feel like S**t!

How am I going to do it?

No fad diets, the main method with me usually involves a fair bit of exercise, most of which is of a high intensity and good eating. I'm good when it comes to eat lots of vegitables which i think helps a lot - just need to cut out the crap. I think within 8 weeks I can get back to a lean 72kg.

Another of my ethos is that whenever possible my post workout meal is a big bowl of oats with milk, banana and berries.

Training wise it's going to be a big year with the main event Ironman Wales and typical of me I've had a mad day where I want to do loads of events and just entered a marathon which is only 9 weeks away even though I said I wasn't going to do one this year up until about 10mins ago!!

Training will be (roughly) 2 runs, 2 swims, 3/4 bikes and 1 conditioning session if I can fit that in. It will be interesting to see how I now run this marathon from 2 runs a week instead of the usual 6 or 7.

The churn begins and the time to get back to game face weight - will update weekly.

My views on running a sub 3hr Marathon

I don't know if it was a correct way or a wrong way....not that I think there is a right or wrong with running a sub 3hr marathon, everyone is different but the way I ran 2.59 marathon was with high volume. However looking back I'm sure I did way too much and in turn went in to the Marathon very tired, just scrapping through under 3hrs! It was a disgusting pain from about 16m and I think the only reason I did it was because for some reason I've never been so determined!

Looking back I was running about 15/20 miles over last Christmas then about 12 weeks out I started upping the mileage. About 8 weeks in I peaked and did a 1.18 or 1.19 half marathon and was flying - I was ready then! Up to this I'd done a couple 17 milers and I always did a weekly marathon pace (6:45min/mile), I think the longest being about 12miles hilly at 6.45min/mile. I think I was running about 50miles a week at this point with a long run, a marathon pace run and a flat out run weekly filled in with 2 or 3 very slow runs. If the marathon was then I would have been closer 2.50 I'm 100%!

Here comes the c**k up I think. I was buzzing after the half marathon borderline too confident and thought bugger it I'll enter an Ultra! I entered Cardiff Ultra (50miles) 4 weeks after the marathon, so instead of tapering for the last few weeks I increased the milage 80 miles and even ran one 110mile week! Looking back that's sick! I tapered for a week before the marathon, in turn struggling through the worst pain I've had in a marathon to scrape under 3hrs! Never again am I doing that sort of milage 3 weeks before a marathon. I ended up doing well in the ultra but that wasn't the goal - the goal was to smash 3hrs!

Rounding it up, for me I could have trained for a marathon in 8 weeks and arguble posted a very good time and definitely no more than 50-60 miles. Doing this milage for a week or two at most. Next time maybe..

Everyone is different but for me I'd say no more than 50miles and I've met people running 2.50 marthons from 25 miles a week or so they said. Iv'e also met people running 100+ and doing about 3.15. I don't think people realise they've done too much untill it's too late, probably best to be slightly under done than over.

There we are, enough said - Merry Christmas & Happy New year

The benefits of max intensity workouts!

The last 8 weeks have seen me take a serious break from the volume and running, I've mixed things up a lot and bar one or two 90min bike sessions, probably no session has been longer than 45mins with most being under 30mins. I've switched off every weekend and majorly relaxed on the nutrition front.

In all honesty, I've put on some weight but I actually feel great again. I put in some class workouts and even put in some PB's, and with another big year coming up with the Ironman in 2012 it's been needed. The secret I think is the fact that I've trained to a very high intensity....having to collapse on the floor post session in exhaustion intensity. I wouldn't advise it unless your very comfortable with pushing yourself and have been training for a good 6 months, if not longer but I'm seeing some great results whilst not letting it all take over my life.

1) It doesn't have to take over 100% of your life to get to a very good fitness level and be very healthy.

2) Being able to switch off is key to fitness gains, something I've definitely been guilty of in the past.

3) There is no need to do huge volume unless someones actually training for a big endurance event as I find volume leaves you fatigued for longer, mentally more than anything.

4) 20mins can be enough, even less than 10mins depending what the session is. So there is absolutely always time!

With that said, as well as getting the Personal Training up a level, my main goal for 2012 is to be able to complete a good Ironman without it taking over 100% until about 8 weeks out. I do not want to peak to soon at all, so except for some shorter triathlons, runs, cycles etc I'm only going to do one big event in the year before the Ironman, a half Ironman. I'm also going to allow 2 days off every week until about 8/12weeks out when I'll have to pick the volume up.

Finally, the way I'm training at the mo i think with 8 weeks marathon training I could get smash my 2.59 to bits but I don't think I'm going to do one to find out next year as it leaves me to drained and I want to keep myself motivated for the big one!