Scott Gibson's Ironman Journey

The run tonight was really good and gave me a little confidence boost for my upcoming tri.  While I did wear my Garmin, I didn’t really review the data until after the run was over.

It think I have a really good feel for the pace I need to keep without it, so I will probably go with that strategy for short and medium runs.  However, during a long run, I will probably use it periodically to see where I am at and also use it to keep close tabs on my heartrate.

Even though it was rather windy, I decided to go for a run outside tonight.  However, I chose to leave the Garmin behind and just run.  Wearing my Garmin, I am forever checking my pace, heart-rate, time, etc.   Even though I love looking at the data at the end, it can be rather distracting during the run itself.

While I don’t plan on doing a casual run very often, it was nice just to disconnect and let the mind wander.

Only about 5 weeks until the 1/2 Rev in Knoxville and I am not sure how well it will go.  With zero outside cycling and swimming time this season thus far, I am going to have get ramped up quickly the second the weather gets warmer.

So I wasn’t anywhere near in the mood to workout yesterday after a pretty tough week already and a long day.  I just promised myself that I would not miss today’s workout…and I didn’t.

Just got some cycling time in and I am feeling pretty good about my workouts.  I think after I get back from vacation, it will be time to move to consistent 1 hour plus workouts.  Rev3 is getting close!

Tonight I kept it simple and just rode the bike, primarily because I have a presentation tomorrow and I was running through that while working out.

It’s amazing how fast the work out went because I was so focused on what I was working on.  Got a lot accomplished for work while working out…very cool!

So, I have actually worked out two days in a row!

My goal is to work out everyday until I leave for vacation next Tuesday…which will be a total of 8 days.  I do hope to get some swimming workouts while in the Dominican, but not going to do much beyond that.

Did a run-bike-run workout tonight and it made the time go by really quickly.  Much like doing any long athletic event, chunking things up with shorter goals along the way really helps to keep me going.  If I dwell on how far away it is to the end, I get discouraged and sometimes rationalize having a shorter workout.

As I speak with other athletes and friends/family, I am learning how very unique everyone is when it comes to working out.  Finding out what motivates you and keeps you going is extremely different from person to person.

So, it’s a mere 8 weeks until the 1/2 Ironman in Knoxville and I am starting my ramp up for the next 6 weeks, then I’ll taper for the remaining two weeks.  I think I have maintained enough endurance over the winter that 8 weeks should be fine to be ready.

During tonight’s run, I tried Dawn’s 2XU (spoken Two Times You) compression socks and they worked pretty well.  They really help prevent that heavy leg feeling when you’re running.  I think they are about the only thing that makes you look goofy that I might consider wearing in a race.  The aero cone helmets and some of the other contraptions that athletes wear to shave a few seconds off of their time are just not worth it to me.  This specific item, however, does indeed seem to work.

Dawn finally got her Tri Bike and it’s pretty cool.  It will take her some time to get her body used to riding it, but I think she will love it once she gets there.  She’ll get a nice long ride in Knoxville during the REV3 as she is doing her first Tri, which will be an olympic distance.

Come on Spring…hurry up and get here!