Just hanging out at Porcupine and getting dogs and family out of the house – recon for OWS – Water is HIGH!
Checkin’ IN!!!
Another Ironman event swimming tragedy
Ok, I guess I have been focusing on the swim a lot lately, but it’s also a relevant topic. In the scheme of triathlon, a lot of folks, to be frank, IGNORE the swim and disrespect it. Many folks, respect it for what it’s worth and do their best. Looking back, I wasn’t much different than many that look at triathlon and say – Well the swim is the shortest part, but I was naive. With a lot of learned information along the way I changed my perspective and this is why I hope that I will not fall prey to this growing issue.
First of all, just because the swim discipline is the shortest, it doesn’t mean that the foundation of one’s day should be ignored. When I began swimming, I thought – hell this sucks! I will only give enough effort to get to the parts I can do well. Short-sighted and full of ignorance, I missed my first swim cut-off in my first 70.3. Lesson learned. Everything that day just toppled one on top of the other. It was a difficult and humbling day. Also, b/c it was a true DNF on the IM books, the tracker stuff for Liz failed and her jumping to conclusions that just weren’t true, I was dying, but on the run – in the heat, not drowning in the water.
So I set out to overcome that the next year. Although the conditions were rough and cold and rainy, even with a complete 10-minute improvement in the water I was able to have my best time to date on course. Not effort based, but time.
The next two events over the next 3 years I kept improving. What I learned in this process was revealed in May of 2019. I swam at about 75% for most of the swim. I had a PR at approx 46 minutes and I knew I could push, but where I was coming off a year off, I wanted to be strong for the other two disciplines. I didn’t have the almost pass out at my bike from 2017 – I pushed too hard and yeas had a swim and bike PR but died on the run. I had my wits about me for proper nutrition in 2019 and a decent run – well, Decent.
Anyway, on the journey I have learned one thing, triathlon is about 5 disciplines – swim, bike, run, nutrition, and managing expectations. Yes, that’s right folks, and all of them are to be respected and shaped and practiced and disciplined. It takes time, and effort and focus and recalibration and patience. I’m still learning all those things, but what I do know, my ROI in the smallest portion of the on-course race/event day disciplines, has continually paid off in ways that I couldn’t imagine. I will continue to progress I hope in my journey to completing the FULL 140.6 distance. I am aware of the respect it’s due. I plan to be patient and build correctly. I hope I can do it in a way that provides lessons learned that help not only me but my wife and family along the way too. This IS NOT just about me, it’s about putting me in a position to be my best self for my family and my commitments throughout the process.
So, I think I am now in the category, — go to the doc, get all the preventative things done, respect the disciplines and put in the work. One of the major things along the way I have learned is that each day in the OWS is completely new and different at that moment and time. I have to be ready for that moment. Be temperate with my efforts and if I am honest with myself, and not overdo it at that moment, I can have a most excellent outcome that day. Liz said at this last 70.3 that I didn’t look spent like I have before, and that was one of two goals – PR the swim and finish in time and strong. That is what I have learned about respecting the swim and giving it the respect and honesty it deserves.
For those that want to see my progression and comparisons – check out this post – click here!
Activities –
I use the following trackers:
- Garmin Connect (which pushes the files to the following services):
- Training Peaks
- Strava
- and the ones I don’t remember (Map my stuff via Under Armour and things like the Great Bicycle ride initiative stuff)
Honestly, I mainly use Training Peaks as I pay for an annual subscription on it now, and it is the most detailed in data and other helpful information to keep me where I want to go. Use the ‘Links’, then ‘Track me’ section to find and stalk me if that’s your thing.
Relevant Pics
Killing the ice cream
off to encampment for the week
finding time for a spin
the pictogram on how to not be a douche-canoe to cyclists
Sitting on my porch post run
my wife asks me to pick her, just one. uh huh
I’m putting baby to sleep dad. Astrid, just is Astrid!
Sunset moments from our hillside 1
Sunset moments from our hillside 1
relish the moment, and don’t miss it. That light!
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