How do they do it?
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Toothless posted 19 weeks ago.
I agree that many people are able to juggle an amazing amount of commitments and still train at a very high level for ironman, etc.
I think that one of the keys of moving from your weekly training volume (5-7 hrs/week) up to an ironman training volume (15+ hrs/week) is the intensity of training. If you are training at an intensity that makes you very tired and/or causes you to skip workouts, you need to back off. A heart rate monitor can help with this. I spent last off season slowly increasing my training volume while trying to keep my HR below 140 (I'm 34 years old) and although I did have levels of severe fatigue it was manageable. I went from 7-10 hr weeks to 12-15 hr weeks. Now a 15 hr week doesn't feel too hard and I can add in some workouts with more intensity.
As for time management, that is the hardest part! Two-a-days are a necessity. I do a workout at lunch and another either before or after work. On the weekends, I get up early and do my long workouts before noon. Run frequency is key, and I do 5 runs a week. You can't build up to 30-40 miles of running in a week if you are only doing 3 runs.
Another key is I don't have kids (yet).
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beads1985 posted 19 weeks ago.
It can take awhile to build up a base. If you have commitments you have to work around them. I have gotten up at 4:30 am to run or bike and swam during my lunch hour. If you want it you make the time.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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jhudalla posted 19 weeks ago.
beads1985 wrote:
It can take awhile to build up a base. If you have commitments you have to work around them. I have gotten up at 4:30 am to run or bike and swam during my lunch hour. If you want it you make the time.
Agreed 100%
Say you get a good nights sleep: 8hrs
You work full time + gettin ready + 30min commute: 10hrs
Eating time, other dinkin around the house: 3hrs
That leaves you 3hrs a day to train during the week! ( 5 x 3 = 15 )
*same schedule for the weekend - work = 20+hrs on the weekend!
That's an estimated 35hrs a week you 'could' train... now take a rest day and a light day or two... that 35hrs could be widdled down to 25hrs a week.
It's all about logisitics.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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brittda posted 19 weeks ago.
I have done 2 IMC races working full time. It really wasn't hard to find the time. I bike commuted to work getting in a work out before and after and ran at lunch. Swam in the evening or on my way home from work. Weekends were used for long rides/runs Granted we don't have kids, but plenty of people (like Beads) do and make it work. It's really a matter of setting your priorities and scheduling your training sessions.
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bluebirdbiker posted 19 weeks ago.
Priorities and scheduling. Time. It takes time to get the base up. Stick with us here and you will get ALL of your questions answered. Nothing is stupid, just ask for help and MANY people will come to your assistance. Good luck.
BBB
There are no excuses - so don't look for them. As a product of your own choices, you directly determine your life outcomes.
Don't think, just do.
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azmojo804 posted 19 weeks ago.
For me, it's mostly about jhudalla's first item....sleep! If I don't get enough sleep, at least 7-8 hrs per night, I can't do much training at all. Sleep is the #1 thing (next to nutrition) to keep going, especially on long training hours. If I don't get enough sleep, I get demotivated, and usually sick...I just need to force myself to sleep even if I don't think I need it and it keeps me going.
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brittda posted 19 weeks ago.
azmojo804 wrote:
For me, it's mostly about jhudalla's first item....sleep! If I don't get enough sleep, at least 7-8 hrs per night, I can't do much training at all. Sleep is the #1 thing (next to nutrition) to keep going, especially on long training hours. If I don't get enough sleep, I get demotivated, and usually sick...I just need to force myself to sleep even if I don't think I need it and it keeps me going.
Well I get 7-8 easily with training. I also snuck in a nap a couple days a week when not running at work when my hours got up past 15. Many offices have lounges, sleeping rooms (hubbys office has a room with foutons and sheets etc for napping employees) etc. I did it, ironically in the workout room where we had a couch and tv. I have known people to take a quick nap in their car by popping down the seat in the back and sleeping in the trunk in the garage of their office. You can do it if you get creative.
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swimmer52 posted 19 weeks ago.
It also helps to be organized. I have my training plan, but before each week starts I rewrite it and actually figure out what time of the day I'm doing the workouts and where/how I'm going to do them. Luckily I'm a big time planner, so it works for me.
"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"
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jhudalla posted 19 weeks ago.
On the wicked long sundays of 6-8hrs riding... a post ride nap is required. Then monday is usually taken off w/ a *maybe* an easy swim in the pm.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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beads1985 posted 19 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
I have done 2 IMC races working full time. It really wasn't hard to find the time. I bike commuted to work getting in a work out before and after and ran at lunch. Swam in the evening or on my way home from work. Weekends were used for long rides/runs Granted we don't have kids, but plenty of people (like Beads) do and make it work. It's really a matter of setting your priorities and scheduling your training sessions.
I kinda make it work. I had about a 15 hour and 16 hour finish at my IM's ;-)
Being flexible sometimes mean I have to miss a workout. Unfortunately it tends to be the bike since you need to plan more hours on the bike. I do what I can to make up on the trainer but sometimes it isn't enough. Now that my girls are 7 and 10 I make sure we work in some active fun like bike rides. I'll have more time as the kids get older and maybe they will want to do some longer rides with me.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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skunkworxz posted 19 weeks ago.
I'm only beginning to think about the long weeks for IM training for next year - but I have trained 11 - 13 hour weeks for Half IM with a full time job and 4 kids. If you are single - it's pretty easy to find the time. If you have a family / partner / etc, you really need to have their support. Even squeezing in workouts before/after work and during lunch you are going to end up impacting something somewhere - for me it usually ends up being on the weekends (kids have games, camping etc). Fortunately, my wife is a marathoner, so she gets the time requirements and 3 my kids do the kid tri's now :-)
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m2tall2 posted 19 weeks ago.
The trick is slowly building the schedule. (No jumping from 6 hours to even 8 hours the next week - 10% combination of time AND intensity). And doing it at manageable intensities. I do about 6.5 hours per week. But I do almost every workout medium to hard to get the most out of that time. With more hours there are a greater range of intensities you can use. Like slow. With the amount of time we work out we feel like we're slacking if we use slow but it's necessary.
When I was a college swimmer, I did significantly less than some college swimmers but typically averaged about 3.5 hours of training per day. About 30 minutes was warm up or "EZ" pace. 30 minutes of drylands. At least an hour of technique specific work focusing on drills. About an hour of medium to medium-hard intensity work. And maybe 20 minutes of sprints - of them only two or three short repeats as "All out".
I have to admit, that level of training was almost easier. I think because you get lots of time to build up to the medium, medium-hard and hard stuff you put less strain on your body. And when you think about it, I am still doing about the same level of medium to hard work I am just loosing out on the valuable prep work.
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Leroy Bonkers posted 19 weeks ago.
At the risk of being a heretic, some folks train more than they need to. Here is my schedule that got me to an 11:17 at IMFL, my first and only IM. I've got one kiddo and work 45 hrs a week. three times I took a half day off of work to ride more, and I always rode on holidays (4th July, Labor Day, Memorial Day). I usually took a nap at lunch.
Monday - 1 hr swim am, 1.5 hr run pm
Tuesday - 1 hr on bike trainer am, 30 min run pm (or skip work for 4 hr ride)
Wednesday - 1 hr swim
Thursday - 1.5-2 hr run am
Friday - 1 hr swim
Saturday - 5-6 hr bike
Sunday - family/church day... stretching
Most plans ask for more riding, but that's all the time I had to give. And it turned out pretty well.
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TriSooner posted 19 weeks ago.
Everyone’s perspective and experience seems spot on. One thing I have not seen mentioned is the frequency or total number of Ironmans completed in a given timeframe. Yes, the total training volume in the six months leading up to an IM is ridiculous, but remember that these numbers are not representative of year-round volume (pros not withstanding), year after year.
Next, most triathletes won’t do an IM (for a myriad of reasons, inability NOT the primary). Of those who do complete an IM, it is a once-in-a-lifetime engagement (I suspect). And then there are a few others who do multiple IMs. But even with them, they don’t do but one a year or so. Triathletes and marathoners are very different in this regard: While there are clubs devoted to 100-time marathon finishers, finishing marathons in all 50 states, finishing marathons on every continent, etc, you don’t see people talking about finishing every IM in the NA circuit, or doing all 20+ IMs.
I’ll go out on a limb here and say that no trifueler is doing more than one IM in calendar year 2008. (This isn’t a challenge. I’m not saying no one can. I’m sure many of you can do every IM NA faster than I can do one). The reason that there are very few multi-IM finishers should be self-evident: time, energy, expense, and now, difficulty in entry.
For me, I’ve done IMs in ’04, ’06, and ’08. It takes me two years to 1) forget about how miserable the training gets and 2) “get up” to train at that level again. So, to your point: “How do they do it?” My answer is that however they do it (and whatever they do), they do it very infrequently.
Leroy Bonkers wrote:
You suck :) And this must be a first: A triathlete who either underestimates training and/or tells the truth. I can't tell you how many tri geeks I've had to listen to that introduce themselves with, "Wow, I had a killer week: 10k swimming, 400 mile bike, and 50 miles running. And that's my light week."
11:17 at IMFL
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Mikeroe posted 19 weeks ago.
Gjpure - I have asked myself the same thing many, many times. I have 3 boys (9, 3 and 1 year and a fourth baby due next March) so it's a real challenge for my wife and I to find time to train. We have to get creative like beach days with the kids where we take turns swimming, I bike to work daily and fit in some brick training on certain days, etc. But we're only doing Sprints this season and hopefully move to Olys next year.
But I look at a guy like Éric Deshaies who's won the Levis Double Ironman 2 years in a row and I'm in awe. My wife trained with his racing team and he's a great guy and very, very dedicated to his sport. And he's got no kids yet :)
But since I've started training, lots of other distractions have gone by the wayside. I no longer play video game or watch TV.
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jhudalla posted 19 weeks ago.
I'd say the tuffest part is staying motivated and not letting up. Sure anyone can find 20hrs a week in the schedule but it's the dedication and laser-like focus that kicks your butt outta the bed at 5am and beds yourself down at 930 at night when you're not tired... day in and day out. That's the real amazing part IMO.
Truth be told I got by on 2 days a week for my first HIM (6:21). 3-4hrs a piece but still only 2 days.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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Ironmom posted 19 weeks ago.
Leroy Bonkers wrote:
At the risk of being a heretic, some folks train more than they need to.
+ 1 to this. Whenever I listen to many people's training schedules I get exhausted just thinking about it!! I trained for IMFL and averaged 7 - 12 hour training weeks with just a few weeks that built up to one 17 hour week. That was the max. And that gave me a 12:21 finish time (which I should qualify was with a dislocated toe from the swim on, I was hoping for a faster finish time there).
I'm a 42 y.o. homeschooling mom who works part time and does a lot of volunteer work. I have to use my time wisely, and I don't believe in junk miles. I also believe in loving what I do and not making myself miserable.
My typical year's training schedule averages:
Swim 4,000 yards twice a week (2 - 2.5 hours total)
Bike 3 - 6 hours
Run 2-3 hours
Total training: 7 - 10 hours a week. That puts me at a 2:25 Oly and 5:35 HIM, and when I gradually ramped that up over a few months (no more than 10% a week), I ended up with the 12:21 IM time. I will do an IM every five years (too busy with the kids to do otherwise), and other than that I typically train at the HIM level.
So that's how it gets managed around here.
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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Ironmom posted 19 weeks ago.
I wanted to add that I have coached several folks going for their first IM and all of them were "average Joe's" (or average Josephines) with jobs and kids and real lives. I work through the same kind of training principles with them - maximizing value and minimizing time and stress. And all of them have completed their first IM. It can be done! You'll get lots of good advice and encouragement here if that is an eventual goal of yours.
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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bluebirdbiker posted 19 weeks ago.
I second KitKat. Hey, it's a forum and I am entitled to my opinion. :-)
BBB
There are no excuses - so don't look for them. As a product of your own choices, you directly determine your life outcomes.
Don't think, just do.
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Toothless posted 18 weeks ago.
Ironmom wrote:
Leroy Bonkers wrote:At the risk of being a heretic, some folks train more than they need to.+ 1 to this. Whenever I listen to many people's training schedules I get exhausted just thinking about it!! I trained for IMFL and averaged 7 - 12 hour training weeks with just a few weeks that built up to one 17 hour week. That was the max. And that gave me a 12:21 finish time (which I should qualify was with a dislocated toe from the swim on, I was hoping for a faster finish time there).
I'm a 42 y.o. homeschooling mom who works part time and does a lot of volunteer work. I have to use my time wisely, and I don't believe in junk miles. I also believe in loving what I do and not making myself miserable.
My typical year's training schedule averages:
Swim 4,000 yards twice a week (2 - 2.5 hours total)
Bike 3 - 6 hours
Run 2-3 hoursTotal training: 7 - 10 hours a week. That puts me at a 2:25 Oly and 5:35 HIM, and when I gradually ramped that up over a few months (no more than 10% a week), I ended up with the 12:21 IM time. I will do an IM every five years (too busy with the kids to do otherwise), and other than that I typically train at the HIM level.
So that's how it gets managed around here.
Ironmom, I'm impressed with your relatively low number of hours for your ironman results. Do you have a running background? I cannot imagine even running an open marathon on 2-3 hours of running a week. Not trying to hijack the thread ...
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Ironmom posted 18 weeks ago.
Toothless wrote:
Ironmom, I'm impressed with your relatively low number of hours for your ironman results. Do you have a running background? I cannot imagine even running an open marathon on 2-3 hours of running a week. Not trying to hijack the thread ...
No, LOL, running is the worst of the three sports for me. I'm a 4:15 marathoner, and a 48 minute 10k'er. Remember that the 2 - 3 hours a week running is just my average training weeks. When I ramped up for the Ironman I added more mileage to that. My average training is 7 - 10 hours a week.
My 7 weeks leading up to my Ironman taper were:
12:15 total: Swim 4100 yards, Bike 7:15, Run 4:00
12:45 total: Swim 6800 yards, Bike 7:45 Run 3:00
14:30 total: Swim 8650 yards, Bike 9:10, Run 2:35
10:30 total: Swim 7150 yards, Bike 4:30, Run 4:00
16:00 total: Swim 8300 yards, Bike 8:30, Run 4:50
16:15 total: Swim 6800 yards, Bike 10:00, Run 4:15
17:30 total: Swim 8500 yards, Bike 8:25, Run 6:00
So really I only had 3 weeks over 15 hours training time. I think it takes a lot less time than most people think it might if you train smart and make your hours count. I know I don't put in a whole lot of running mileage. I wasn't expecting to do a super-fast marathon though. I was thinking around 4:25, but ended up hobbling in with 4:53 due to that toe dislocation thingie. I'm a pretty strong swimmer/biker and knew I'd be somewhere right around 7 hours after the bike/swim courses.
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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bluebirdbiker posted 18 weeks ago.
Where there is a will there is a way is a true saying. Us married with kids folks must prioritize. Just reaccounting last night. I am in training for IMC and the 13hr+ weeks are definitely alot for time management and effort. Trying to juggle all. It's the fourth IM and the family now knows the ins and outs to build. At this time in the training, I feel like I’m not seeing the family. Last night my daughter came and gave me a kiss as I was laying on the couch and after coming back from the beach day said “Seems like I haven’t really seen you for a while.” Yes, not good. And as I slothed onto bed last night even the wife, who now knows the roll asked “How long till taper dear?” The commitments must be there. The family now knows the plan and are used to it. At this time in IM training it's probably the most selfish. One neglects much and focuses on food, sleep and training, no joke! But the bottom line is, "Suck it up butter cup. You signed up for this." It's a call you make, and once you do you are committed. Training for a large race involves ALOT of time management and commitment. It's all in the priorities. That's the reality and that IS "how they do it."
BBB
There are no excuses - so don't look for them. As a product of your own choices, you directly determine your life outcomes.
Don't think, just do.
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jtrimom posted 18 weeks ago.
just a side note...if you are on here reading and replying to the forums for as long as I am (I never mean to be on for this long....just one or 2 quick threads) you probably have a few extra minutes here and there to train...that is, unless you are at work, and you are a captive audience there (in which case, you are using your time wisely ;)
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beads1985 posted 18 weeks ago.
I keep my posting to work hours usually ;-)
I also do some push ups during work hours too!
Nothing to it, but to do it
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chekmarks posted 18 weeks ago.
consistency and love.
if you keep doing it, and like doing it, you'll figure out how to do it more.
planning the logistics is the easy and sometimes fun part.
(this is coming from a full time student and yes, i know how easy i have it.)
Recently several people I used to train with completed Ironman Lake Placid. While I haven't reached the desire to compete in an IM,(not to add in the rain all day), I am really amazed everytime I think about what it takes to complete an IM.
I know it is feasible, even with a busy schedule - at least time wise. But what I don't understand is how they manage to not feel exhausted all the time.
Currenltly, I train a mere 5-7 hours a week and just yesterday I took an impromtu rest day from feeling tired and a sore back. And I'm only 30 yrs old. I biked 26mi and ran 6mi over the weekend and I feel like that is pretty good until I read some of the training logs on here and am amazed.
I just don't know how some of you do it. How do you sit on a tiny little bike seat for hours and hours? How do you find time among other commitments? How do you not get tired and get up and train?
It truly is amazing and some of you make it look easy.