On the positive side, which I'm having a pretty tough time finding, my run fitness is good enough that four months of consistent training would be enough to find the levels required to pb my Ironman marathon and even if it was tomorrow I could grit my teeth and push through to a swim only a couple of minutes down on 'best case'. But, and this really is the biggest 'but', if I'm going to take this journey all the way to Hawaii in October (or ever for that matter) I'll need to find some serious time over the 112 mile Lanzarote bike course. In 2009 I rode 5:40 before a 3:31 marathon and missed by 17 minutes... even a 3:15 run would therefore need an improvement on two wheels, not only in terms of time but also in terms of having the legs to run afterwards.
So... drastic times call for drastic measures... hence the title of this week's entry. Last year, when chilling out in Famara before Ironman Lanzarote, I read the fascinating book 'In Search of Robert Millar'... in it (and forgive/correct me if I've got this completely wrong) the young Millar asks an established Tour de France rider what it takes to get to the top... the answer simply... 16 hours per week. So, despite my current 16 hours per month (if I'm lucky) regime things are about to step up... I've joined Yorkshire Road Club and will be spending the next 16 weeks training predominantly as a cyclist with swimming and running fitting around the edge. I've scheduled a bike event for pretty much every weekend from now until May the 22nd and will be deforesting my legs before the night is out, after all... if you're going to perform like Lance you need to look like Lance ;)
16 x 16 = 256 and just maybe a plane ticket to Kona...
T ;)
7 comments:
i have been following your blog for sometime..it has helped me learn a lot about tri,in doing so inspired me to complete two events austria ironman and monaco 70.3.i have just entered ironman france,which could prove a step to far!but at least i've tried.what i'm trying to say is go for it Tom and give it your best shot..we are all behind you.i'm not good with inspirational words but wanted you both to know how your blog has helped normalish people like me
For what it's worth and we both know I don't know a lot about this, I reckon that's a great change in tactic. How exciting too, do you know anyone that rides with/for them now?
Keep believing and doing Tom, we all believe in you. As always. thanks for the inspiration which is leading me on a journey that goes who knows where...
Khara x
Fire it up mate....when it hurts, push harder!!! Let me know of any midlands sportives and will come join... Enjoy the deforestation.
Come on Tom dig in; I am sure I can speak for everybody who reads your blog "we are all behind you and believe in you" push push push and that, to date elusive, Kona ticket will be yours.
Your gonna race every weekend?
Came of on some black ice and slid down hill on my ar$£ today passing a car spinning its wheels as it tried to get up the hill- a bit surreal really but would be nice to get out on the road in a t shirt eh!
Wont be at Lanza but good luck with the 16....
I trust that means AT LEAST 16 hours. Don't limit yourself
Sorry for the delay in replying to these, I normally try to do it on the Wednesday but Helen's exhibition kind of side-tracked me a little!
Thanks so much as always for the amazing support.
Anon... Really glad that our weekly scribbles have helped you out... erm, and since when was Ironman Austria and the toughest 70.3 out there the behaviour of a normal (even 'ish') person ;) Really good luck in France, it's meant to be amazing and has been on my 'list' since the start... looks like I might not make it though so swim, bike and run the odd mile for me ;)
The rest of you guys... cheers, and OF COURSE I mean 'at least' Steven ;)
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