I’ve decided that I want to document my journey for Ironmon Rhode Island in July using my blog in the same way that I used it when I completed my first marathon 6+ years ago. I still enjoy looking back at that journey as a source of inspiration and motivation, so I expect this to be used in the same way as I embark on my next venture … Back in those days, I had 5000+ hits per month on my blog, but that was a long time ago. I guess posting once in awhile (note every 4 months) makes people disappear fast.

I also found that using this blog is helpful as somewhere to write my training thoughts and conclusions down so I don’t continue to bore my family and friends with it. Somehow nobody seems interested in whether I did a brick workout, completed my catch-up drills in the pool and didn’t get a sore butt from riding the bike, so this should help give me an outlet for my thoughts.

So yesterday started the 20 week journey to Ironman Rhode Island, I managed to get outside on the bike for 15 miles, even though the temperature was just 30 degrees with a 22 degree wind-chill. Yes, it was cold flying around at 20MPH. I had to take my backup road bike out since my tri-bike was in for its first tune-up over at Holmes … oh, here is what I call bike porn in case you haven’t seen it:

Yes, I know, its just a bike, but its an awesome bike … best ride ever… but I probably need a new seat. I went through several seats last year trying to find a comfortable one for my road bike, so I’ll need to do the same for this one since its designed differently.

Anyway, today was the first double session of this training cycle. It offered a 2000m swim this morning at 5am, with a ton of drills .. it was the normal early morning crazies at the pool, the one older couple, the attorney (who actually complimented me on my form), Betsy and old guy who just barely floats and then me. I feel obligated to have to watch the old guy when i’m there so he doesn’t drown so I let him share my swim lane when I see him. Its strange but sometimes he is just floating there face down, its scary, but he calls it swimming. I had a good workout although since I’m trying to eat carbs before I workout, I felt like I was going to barf, but I didn’t… I also took water in my ears as usual and ended up with a sinus headache today, hope it doesn’t cause an infection.

My second session today was an easy 4 mile run after work .. no problem. The temperature was around 45 degrees, which after running all winter in the cold, was actually not too bad. I probably should’ve worn shorts, but I didn’t.. not yet at least.

So outside of the actual training, another primary goal right now is to add in a fueling strategy for my workouts .. since I basically cut out carbs and sugar out of my diet in the last six months, I struggle to be able to keep going for these 2+ hour workouts during base training, so I have to figure out how to mix them a little at a time as i’m in formal training now. I’ve got time to figure it out, but I need to figure it out..

Although I have 20 weeks until Ironman Rhode Island, I have a half-lite triathlon on May 5th in Vineland, NJ called the “Devilman”. Very FLAT bike course… can’t wait. I should be able to fly… but the thought of the 55 degree water in early May is making me shiver. Worst yet, I’ll have to practice an open water swim at my FAVORITE location, Blue Marsh Lake, sometime in April. I’m thinking that I can use the triathlon forums to find people who want to swim in freezing cold water in April, there are other crazies out there like me, I just have to find them. I really don’t want to jump in the open water for the race without being in the water and wetsuit prior to it. I’ve totally changed my swim technique since last year so I need to practice it somewhere else but the pool.

Well, tomorrow is a rest day (although I really don’t need one yet). I’ll still enjoy sleeping in anyway.