training for a half ironman in 4-weeks
So you think you can get ready for a half Ironman in 4-weeks? This is a rhetorical question of course.
Sitting here on the tarmac in London, 4-weeks out from Half Ironman worlds in St. George, Utah I’m thinking about all the sessions I’ve missed; The shameful red boxes that flood my TrainingPeaks account; The numerous emails from my coach asking, “Are you okay?” and “Should I schedule next months workouts? I don’t want you to keep wasting your money.” At this point I’m questioning if I should even toe the start line. Knowing myself I will. I’m competitive and stubborn. It may be a slog, but it’ll get done.
Of course this entire situation is my fault. In the last few months I’ve decided to move countries, been to week-end and week-long weddings, lost motivation, dug myself into a hole, and have pleasantly enjoyed being in it for the last couple of months. Not to mention I’ve just finished up a 5-day tour of stuffing myself of the usuals while in Rome.
It sounds boujee, partially because it is. But, when the world opens up and friends decided to get married in exotic places like the Alvord Desert in South East Oregon or Stow on the Wold in the UK, you go. Not because you can necessarily afford it but, because through the monotony of your daily life, you get a glimmer of what your life could be if you decided to not dedicate your early 30’s to amateur sport.
Back to training. Or should I say pretending to train. 6-months ago this would’ve been a very different article. It would highlight all the swim, bike, and running that’s been accomplished with some of the loveliest people around New Zealand. A consistent swim squad, friends who ask you to bike for 3-4 hours on the weekend, and running trails that are safe from cougars, bears, and citizens expressing their right to bear arms. However, 3-months ago, my husband and I decided it was time to make the move from his home country, New Zealand, to my home country, USA (please direct all questions about this decision to whyareyoumovingback@idk.soz)
Since then I’ve been pretty much paying my coach to write workouts, chuck them in TrainingPeaks, then feel like garbage when deemed incomplete. What can I say, home is exciting, there’s a lot to catch up on, and it’s been a stunning summer in the PNW. Not to mention, qualification for this race happened two years ago and since then, as we’re all starkly aware of, so much has changed. Slogging away to meet this goal has proven physiologically draining. As you may have concluded, I’m overdoing it in many aspects of life and can’t find the willpower to just bloody train.
Let’s get to the juicy bit. In my stubborn ways I’ve decided that I can get into good enough shape to compete in just 4-weeks. I’ve got the time, the support, and the insane amount of kit needed for race day. Motivation has ebbed and flowed and with that, a silver lining of self-awareness has appeared.
My takeaways are this:
A 3-month buildup is enough for the 70.3 distance
Training with a group of people can 180 your mindset for the better
Don’t say yes to every wedding you’re invited to
Circumstance change and it’s okay to change your goals
At the end of the day, you’ll make time for the things you deem important
So here it goes; The experiment is set, the ticket punched, and the mind is ready. Whether you’re curious or not, it’s happening because ya girl is about to crush these next couple weeks.
Note: This was written at the end of September 2022. On October 29, 2022 I successfully completed my half ironman race at the 70.3 St. George World Championships. It was a hard race on a gorgeous day.