I am told that, in Ironman, your cycling should be like Nuclear weapons--you have to have a large and powerful arsenal in hopes that you will never have to use them. Since the person who made the statement is Chivalry Chris, a three time Ironman Wisconsin finisher--who PR'd in those hellish conditions--I am listening.
In theory, with the a huge nuclear cycling arsenal in the silo, one enters T2 with enough in the tank to tackle a marathon. And, if mother nature tries to spoil the party, there is a deep well from which to draw.
That is the theory. Today, practice started.
At 0430 this morning, it was pitch black, 80 degrees, not a breath of air moved, and the humidity was so thick that every window was opaque with gooey condensation. When the sun came up, I knew it would top 85 degrees with high humidity. A cyclist who wants decent conditions would have stayed at home.
Me? First in. Last out.
The ride started with the tri-club at 0700 on the Ironstar course. After spending last weekend in the cold rain, this weekend was 65 hot, very hilly, windy miles . . . . . and a run. Those hills will be done and re-done in all weather for the next 357 days, because that is how an arsenal is built. One weapon at a time.
Only time will tell if the arsenal is sufficient.
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12 comments:
I am so freaking jealous of you right now.
Go go go! I definitely need better bike, more bike, faster bike and asyou say, there is only one way to do that.
Excellent start to your IM Moo training. I'm looking forward to reading as you lather, rinse and repeat.
i think Chris was quoting Gordo Byrn (a canadian i might add, hence the stylish humour)... i'm not sure, but i think it was build a nuclear arsenal you'll NEVER have to use... let's be PC here.
anyway, "it's all about the bike". that's a better canadian quote. but, for emphasis, the reason it is all about the bike is that if you haul out your nuclear arsenal on the bike ride, you will implode on the run... "it's all about the bike" is a reminder that it is the key set up for the run.
you will not lose your chance at Iron on the swim, but you can lose it on the bike. "it's all about the bike". do that right, and you can walk the marathon to Iron.
p.s. it only gets worse my friend... call me when you've done a 91.8 mile brick... 'cause you will, and i'll give you another canadian saying: "moderation has left the building".
of course it will be sufficient, you're 9 percent! Ah, the countdown begins. Right now, you are probably thinking that in 356 days, you will be a different person, physically. The fact is, you would be right. But when that day comes, you won't realize it, because your metamorphosis will be so slow and methodical. But in 356 days, you will be, a different type of athlete. You will be the best athlete you have ever been. You WILL be ready. You WILL finish this journey. You know how I know this? Because you WILL put in the work. You WILL put in the hours.
You WILL earn your title. Good luck my friend.
Something tells me that you have what it takes to get this done.
I think Bolder is right. I may have read Chris' race report right after reading that portion of "Going Long" in which Gordo makes the statement. In any event, Chivalry Chris put actions to the words wherever I had heard them before. Even with the horrible conditions, his well was so deep that he was able to get off the bike ready to run.
i used to do the first in/last out thing at CIM...last to leave the building at night, first back in the morning...practicing my brains out. i totally know that drive. it feels good, eh?
My coach: Rich Strauss has been trying to pound this into my head as well!! Do them hills!!
I'm loving the new motto -- first in, last out. Consistency builds character...and a whole lotta weaponry!
You are SUCH a rockstar. And your comments section is making me teary today!
I feel so darn special right now. I'm beaming. :)
Yeah, I originally did hear that from Gordo Byrn. Don't remember if it was from his website or from his forums or where. But that Gordo is a smart, smart man.
Just for perspective, 10 minutes on the bike equates to about 0.5 MPH different in pacing, which is substantial in effort. But 10 minutes can be easily lost on the run, especially in those last 13.1 miles. Better to save any extra energy that you have for those last 13. That's when the real race begins. (All also stolen from Gordo's tips, but I attribute all of my finishes to the information that he and others like Rich Strauss have shared on their sites)
"First In and Last Out" was the motto of my former Army Pathfinder unit. We used it as a motivator to work harder and smarter because one day it might save our butts.
I'll keep it in mind as I follow your progress to you first IM next year.
Stay tuned...
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