Crossroads

I work life is going very well at the moment.  I got offered the job I went for this week.  It was highly sort after and even though I thought I'd messed up the interview, they said I was the obvious choice which was amazing.  So I start in full time work in September.  Blimey.

Unfortunately, when one part of your life goes well, another often suffers.  My training is now a problem.


When, at the end of last year, I chose to do the Ironman, I put some thought into it.  People told me that my NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) year is very tough so I thought I couldn't do something like an Ironman in 2011.  So it was this year or 2012 so this year it was.  I knew I'd be working hard but would also have some time to myself to train hard.
 

As its turned out, its been so much harder than I thought.  Currently, I'm up at 6:30, get the kids ready, drop my youngest off at school before 8, in work before 8.  Work all day, leave about 5:30, home by 6.  Kids, dinner etc. and then do coursework until bed.  I'm not asking for sympathy, I actually enjoy it but its leaving me no time for exercise during the week.  This is NOT Ironman training.
 
My training this week is a prime example.  A hard weekend followed by nothing more than five 6 mile rides to school and back.  That's not going to sustain me on a 15 hour endurance event.  I know how you have to respect the distance for a marathon so an Ironman needs to be revered.
 
This, coupled with the swimming, has left me at a crossroads.  Logic says I should just be pleased with the school/job stuff and go back to exercising for fun.  Yes, I will loose the £300 for the entry fee but I can take away the stress and enjoy my summer.
 
On the other hand, I'm not one to quit.  I've never really quit any sporting endeavour.  This will be a first.
 
As there is no time pressure to make a decision, I can leave it until the week before but I will probably come to some sort of decision soon. 

What have I done?

Congratulations
Your entry into the IRONMAN UK 2010. has now been confirmed. Your can view your confirmed entry form, by following the link below.

Well, its done. I have committed to nearly 8 months of training and then 15 hours of struggle. I can't quite believe it. I can't picture myself standing in a wet suit at the edge of a lake in Bolton.

I have to say, it was tough getting to sleep last night. The swim part still scares me. I was sitting watching my daughter at her swim club and it dawned on me that every kid at the club is a better swimmer then me.

Goals for the next two months
1. Try not to gain weight over Christmas
2. Learn to swim (I have booked swim lessons at swimfortri.com)
3. Try to establish a weekly routine with all three disciplines

Tri Questions - Part 1

1. Why Tri bikes in an Ironman?
Having done 6 sportives this year, all above 70 miles and the longest being 150, not once did I see a rider on a bike with tri-bars and using a pointy helmet. So why do riders in an ironman use a tri bike? I always thought that the prone tri bike position was too harsh for a long ride but obviously not.

2. What do you wear under a wet suit?
I'm not sure about clothes in general for an ironman. Do people get properly changed at each transition? I can't imagine swimming with padded cycling shorts under a wet suit and I can't riding 112 miles without them.

3. Swimming suits
Can you wear a wetsuit in pools? Are there full body swim costumes for men (I'm fairly self conscious at the moment)? Would it be practical to wear for pool swim sessions or a pain in the arse?

This is what I saw and liked the look of Aqua Sphere WT80.

4. Ironman Alternative
I didn't decide to do the ironman UK before the pre registration closed so the 8000 people registered will have "24 hours advance opportunity to enter the 2010 event's 1500 places". So, if I don't get a place, does anyone have any alternatives. I can't do the Outlaw Ironman the week later as I'm going on holiday. July 24, 25, 31 or 1st August would be perfect.

Plans are afoot

After taking the examples from the inspiring John Sutton and Rob Shipman, I am thinking of doing an ironman in 2010. I can't really swim that well but I'm pretty sure I can train myself up to get in under the 2 hrs 20 mins cut-off for the 2.4 mile swim. After that, its just a small matter of the 112 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run. These distances don't scare me like the swim does. I know I have no idea what its like to do one after the other but taking them in isolation, I know I can cycle and run that far.

The UK Ironman is in August which is perfect timing before I go on our family holiday. I have been thinking of doing an ironman for a couple of years but now I have gone back to work, time is more scarce. I know my NQT (newly qualified teacher) year will be extremely tough so if I don't do it in 2010, I might have to wait until 2012.

Currently, I have this planned:

2009
05 December 2009 - Endurance Life Gower Marathon

2010
14 February - St. Valentines 30k *
28 February - Meon Valley Plod
14 March - Surrey Spitfire 20 *
28 March - Bedford Harriers Oakley 20 *
18 April - Brighton Marathon
9 May - Fred Whitton *
6 June - Dragon Ride *
1 August - Ironman UK *
* Not entered yet

I have a 20 miler every other week up until the marathon as I'm very keen to break my PB. I'll need to add a long ride in every week as well with a really long one in on the weekends I'm not running 20 miles.

The swimming will have to be fitted in during the week and I need to add a couple of triathlons to get used to them. I've done duathlons but the whole wet suit thing is a mystery.