Post IM Recovery

Moving on with the rest of the season - looks like next race wil be the Naragansett Half IM and probably my last tri for the year. Recovery has gone well and letting my rib heal (still hurts) has been keeping me from any real training and swimming has been out altogether. Starting to consider fall plans; maybe Manchester marathon again? or maybe Baystate for upping my BQ seed. Everything is good and the body is in good shape, so I will resume again and try to have a fast race on 9/11. It's just for fun, but I would like to go out with a good finishing place.

Lake Placid - 6th Ironman Complete and In The Record Books

Last minute changes by the race officials made it a non-wetsuit swim for anyone who wanted Kona slots or AG awards. That meant that I would be swimming the 2.4mi without a wetsuit for the first time - the longest that I have ever swum without a wetsuit. It looked like there weren't that many swimming without wetsuits was my initial impression. Lined up in the usual spot, but maybe should have lined up far right as I am getting pummeled and grabbed; people grabbing my left leg at my ankle strap and pulling themselves forward, not all that fair. The only thing I have to say about the swim was it was definitely draining. I was using a lot of energy that I would have hoped to use on the bike and the run. 2nd loop was difficult with toes and calf cramping. I am definitely not used to kicking that long and the legs were definitely rebelling. Rib definitely re-broke during the swim and was moving around, but I was not in that much pain that it would keep me from swimming normally. After a 1:25 (yes that slow) I came out pretty tired and was to face long lines in the changing tent and bike mount - almost a four minute wait to get on the bike. I am way back in the race - not a good place to be - a lot of traffic on the bike - difficult to pass because there are some many bikes. I have to pass on the wrong side of the road. Slow start, but I got into a pretty good rhythm mid-loop. Loop 1 - 5:56 (yes pretty slow). Loop two on the bike started to feel good and I am passing LOTs of people the last 25 miles going up the hills. Lots of guys in my AG. I actually negative split the bike on the second loop and finish in 5:50. The run - I felt good and managed my nutrition much better this year to finish in a PR 3:30 - not bad at all. Overall time: 10:57:43. My slowest time, but with the swim taken into account, I still think I had a pretty good race. Lot's of confusion after about place and all that jazz, but I turned out to be 12th in my AG, which may be my best finish place. With only 5 slots - yes 5, what happened to the 9 slots last year? We think it was a combination of the ratio of people not wearing wetsuits and they have also cut down the total number of slots offered with all the dilution that's going on with the added races. This race definitely favored the good swimmer and a bunch of us got sent packing this year. I have vowed to become a good non-wetsuit swimmer here for the future as next time this happens - I want to be one of the good swimmers for a change!

-Kyle

Ironman Training Ends - 11 days and counting

I hope to see a lot of friends and familiar faces up at Lake Placid next week. Everything has gone dynamite this training period, and I look into my crystal ball and see good things happening on 7/24. This will be my sixth Ironman and I go into this race well trained and confident about my ability. I am honestly hoping to nail this race and go sub-10:00. I don't think it is a stretch at all, but will come down to me having a great run split. Last week's numbers:

5600, 201, 43mi

Breaking Down The Numbers:

250 miles on the bike has been my largest bike week and 60 mi running (also same week). Shift one day either way and I have about a 1000 miles riding in June, which will be a PR month since I've been logging miles.

Long Rides: 90, 89, 75, 105, 91, 100 and 85.

Long Runs: 15, 17, 15, 23, 14, 15 and 18.

These are all post Boston numbers - I think this is probably enough! right?!

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. I have officially begun to taper and things have slowed down.

The PIC is from my first Ironman - LP 2006.

-Kyle

Ironman Training Period Nearing End

Yes, summer is here and IM Lake Placid is only 24 days away. It's hard to believe that the training is almost over. I will post my long rides and runs, but I've got lot's of both and I am very pleased with my training this year; a lot smarter and focused. Body has been calling for some rest this week, so I've had a light few days. Here are last week's numbers:

Swim-6100yds, Bike-245mi, Run-60mi

Not bad at all. I am going to take a day off this holiday weekend and start slowing things down next week. I've slimmed down sub-150lbs - body monitor on the fritz, so no body fat numbers. Trying not to get too skinny this year, it just didn't work fo me last year.

Hope everyone's training has gone well. Some tough, freezing cold conditions this year out at IM Coeur D'Alene. I am hoping to see some familiar faces up at LP this year.

-Kyle

Ironman Mont Tremblant

I just want to let everyone know training has been going great this spring (and today now summer). I have got my fitness back and have been focused on priority #1; IM Lake Placid July 24th. I am putting all my eggs in one basket and I think that not doing a lot of racing this spring has helped me stay focused.

For immediate press release: I will be racing the inaugural Ironman Mont Tremblant Quebec August 19th 2012. It is time to do a different Ironman, as the Lake Placid run needs a break. I am looking forward to the race this year. Things have been going well and I am hoping for a break-through race. Some numbers since my last post:

9500, 188, 50
7300, 189, 46

Not great bike numbers, but good quality with not a lot of junk miles. This week I'm focused on volume bike and run, and already have some big miles (I love this nice weather and will take advantage). Less than 6 weeks, time to go all out. -Kyle

Right From Winter To Summer

No spring this year, as we will be going back into another heat wave this week. At least if it is hot at Placid this year, I will be ready. I want to let everyone know that training has gone great so far. I am following my own rule of taking an easy day after a hard day and doing nothing stupid. I am starting to get fit again - not so thin, but volume and organized work-outs are getting me into shape. It's been a while since my last post, so here are the numbers for the last three weeks:

5/16-22: 7000, 174, 43

5/23-29: 9200, 191, 42

5/30-6/5: 4100, 199, 42

Nothing crazy, but some good quality work-outs with not a lot of junk. 237 miles on the bike 5/9-5/15 is still my biggest week. Also, 765 miles on the bike in May exceeds 2010, so I am continuing my vow to focus on the bike. Long rides so far: 90, 89, 75, 105 and 91, so I am definitely getting this distance in. Ramping up and getting some long runs in, as well as speedwork trying to keep everything balanced, I think not having any races until placid is helping me focus on the one race I need to nail this year.

Hope everyone's training is going well.

Above pic is at the top of the Kancamagus, from Saturdays Bear Mt. Notch to Crawford Notch to Franconia notch to Kancamagus ride. Lot's of black flies, but a beautiful day in the mountains.

Cheers,

-Kyle

Starting To Turn Up The Volume

Crossing back over to triathlon once again. I've started pushing up bike miles last week with 237. Saturday am was an 89 mile hill ride with the boys. Finally back on the tri bike again and getting some aero riding in. July 24th all of a sudden does not seem that far off and I am avoiding the potential for any problems this year by taking easy days after the hard ones. Looking forward to some nice spring weather?? Don't come to New England as the choice has been outside in the rain or on the trainer (3 hour spin last Wed). We lucked out on Saturday as it was okay and the weathermen have not done such a great job of predicting anything accurately. It looks like a rainy commute home and some more rides on the trainer this week. I am also back running again after some time off to clear the head and let the body heal. I also managed Walden last Friday (the only nice day we have had all of May). It was cold, but doable with the sun. I think I will wait a bit before I go again though.

I am boycotting the outrageous fees this year for the 70.3s - it would only be a prep-race this year. I am looking to do a simulated race instead and save my self a $300+ weekend.

Hope everyone is well and ready to get some long rides in, when the sun decides to come back.

-Kyle