Triathlon club

Tomorrow I plan on attending a local tri clubs start of the year social night. Hopefully I'll get some helpful information from it or even join them if I feel comfortable there. I've never been one for clubs or groups because being a runner first I always loved the freedom and solitude of just taking off out the front door on my own to wherever and returning whenever. However training three different sports requires much more planning and organization so I hope to meet some people with the same goals and interests.

This week I started swimming at a new pool that is on the way to work. Up at 5:00 in pool at 6:00 and at work at 7:15am so far so good.

Different year but same journey

When I last posted here I had registered for Ironman Canada 2011.

 Shortly after that I took a spill and seperated my left shoulder which lead to a loss of training and most importantly focus. I was unable to make it to starting line in Penticton and was only able to get a partial refund of the $600 plus entry fee returned which is common knowledge upon registration.

 So 2011 was pretty much a write off as far as training goals went and I was happy to see that year pass.

 Now 2012 was a different story. I started the year with no more car payments finally after 5 years and also payed off all credit cards and a line of credit so the personal finance stress excuse is out of the way. I was fortunate enough to be able to change careers as well and as of May 2012 I've been employed at the Vancouver School Board.That same month I completed the Vancouver Marathon as it celebrated a new and updated course. Since the marathon all I've been thinking about is triathlons so it appears the focus and drive it takes to even consider attempting a Ironman is returning so what better time to re-boot an old blog and share what has definetly become Jamie's Ironman Journey!

jamie's ironman journey

Now where were we?

solid week

Training was good this week and now I have a day off tomorrow. I was finally able to establish a proper swim schedule which was long over due and so it looks like Tuesday,Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings wil be what happens for the next while.

Monday

I awoke at 5am all warm and cozy with the sound of rain belting the windows and the wind howling so obviously the thing to do is to go back to sleep, but not today as these are some of the mental battles that will take place and so I had some water and gatorade along with some light stretching and was out the door at 5:20. I returned an hour later soaked and very awake! There is something about running in the pissing rain and the darkness of the early morning that I hope to explain over these next few months. Anyway,tomorrow looks the same weather wise and I'll be running 15 minutes less but swimming in the evening for 30min or so.

Turn it up!

Entering the last week of October reminds me of a few things such as,it's been two months since I've registered for the race and time is going too fast so I need to turn up the training and increase the focus from focused, to pin point dedicated determination! So as a new week approaches I intend on utilizing every hour of the day.Starting tomorrow I'll see what I can accomplish in a 24hr day and where I can make improvements that will benefit my training for the next 10 months. I look forward to waking up ambitious and healthy and with a strong desire to be better!

summer over

So the 15 day's since my last post I've been training twice a day and have been very strict with my diet. Monday's have become the one day in which no training takes place but every other day starts at 5 o'clock with a run before work and then after work I'm on the bike to end the day. Now once again my swimming needs to increase but that will become the main focus over the fall/winter seasons. For now I'll be training between 4-5 hrs a week just to achieve a proper base without burning myself out because come February I'll begin my ironman training program which will see my training range from 6-11 hours a week right up to race day. Focused and having fun on this journey.