Thursday, September 1st 2011

naseba seven test #2

Day 7

Swim:  4,000 meters (58.10)
transition:  about 5 minutes
Bike:  125km (4:28)
transition:  about 5 minutes
Run:  full marathon (4:46) 

Comments:
I didn’t sleep well.  I probably, slept 3 hours in total.  I was excited about the final day of my training test.

When I arrived to Mario’s house, I excitedly said “I heard today we are doing an ironman distance bike as well.”
He told me “no – we are sticking to our plan.” 

The only difference in our plan and an IM is 60km on the bike – which for me means an extra 2.5 hours riding. 

But I really wanted to do the full ironman distance because I am sure that I can break my personal best of 12:58.

But Mario said no – we stick to the plan.

I pleaded and pleaded – “come on, lets do it.” 

But Mario said, “No – we stick to our plan.” 

I thought maybe he was playing with me, and that we would end up doing the full IM distance on the bike … so just in case, I wanted to ensure I had a fast swim time.  I swam fast and had my best swim time of the two tests we have done. 

As I took off my wet suit, I said again to Mario … “come on lets do the full bike … its only an extra 60km.” 

But Mario said, “No.  this is only training so we stick to the plan.” 

90 seconds into the bike…maybe even less…

I thought to myself “thank Christ we are not doing 180km bike today…” 

My legs were dead, and overall I was dead exhausted from sleep deprivation.

Within 20 minutes… it began to rain and it was very cold.  We rode towards Germany on a nice, flat, easy route.  I sat in the TT position for a majority of the ride, but kept wanting to sleep…so would have to sit up and shake my body a bit from time to time. 

I wanted to get a coke to try and wake up, but Mario said that I had to wait until the run.

 Unbeknownst to me, we rode at a fairly fast pace.  I was so sleepy, tired with dead legs that I just followed Mario without thinking of what I was doing and didnt even realize that our pace was fairly fast – considering it was our 7th day of 120-150km of riding each day.

The ride went by fast. 
My ass didnt hurt at all — I think I found a trick to prevent the pain — I take 600mg of ibuprofen right before I get on the bike. 

We finished the bike in a cold rain storm. 

I changed in the rain and was off running within a few minutes. 

My goal for the marathon was to break 5 hours and not walk.

The first 5 minutes was painful, but I noticed after 5 minutes or so, my legs were into the run. 

The first half marathon was good – 2:17
(ok, the time isn’t fast – but remember I am shit runner and I have had a hell week – with 28K meters of swimming, 900km of biking and 200km of running in 7 days … so I was pleased with seeing my half marathon split was faster than the first half marathon I ran on the 1^st day of the test)

The last 20km started well … but at the 30^th km my left knee hurt badly … my left shoulder really hurt as well.
I was running like a sick, old man.

But I thought to myself how mental everything is and tried best as possible to not think about the pain.
And the pain seemed to go away – sort of. 

Mario drove his car next to me, or near me for the last 20km and would give me drinks and food and support. 

I was focused on breaking 5 hours, and of course not walking … and the last 5 km is basically one long climb.  I was scared I wasn’t on pace to break 5 hours, so I ran as quickly as I could – seriously, all out. 

I must have looked ridiculous because I have terrible form when I am not tired – I can’t imagine my form those last 5km.

I raced up the last hill and crossed the finish line in 4:46. 

It was dark when I finished, but it had stopped raining.

It was a great week – 7 days of 8-11 hours a day of training – non-stop.
I am skinnier, and more physically fit than I was my senior year in high school.

I have 2 more months of hard training – September and October are going to be full of 250+km rides and 40-50km runs – my hardest training is still to come.

The main focus will be on the bike and putting in as much km as possible.

I have an easy recovery week this week.

Tomorrow, I fly back to Dubai.

What an awesome (and I don’t like to use this word) summer training vacation I have enjoyed in Austria.

Thank you Mario Huys – you are not only an incredible coach, and great friend — but you are a great man from the old school.

www.mariohuys.com