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Is it Normal?
As a coach I there are a number of statements and questions that arise time and time again. One of my favorite questions starts as... "Is it normal...?"
- Is it normal to bonk?
- Is it normal to feel sore?
- Is it normal to get totally exhausted?
- Is it normal to completely crush random workouts?
- Is it normal to effortlessly take 5% out of a time trial?
When people ask me these questions, the answers they normally receive are, "yes it is normal, continue to monitor your body and watch your recovery." That is the 'professional reply'. However, there is a slightly longer reply that is best framed as a series of questions that we should ask ourselves from time to time...
- Is it normal to ride 100 miles when it is 95F outside?
- Is it normal to swim 12-20 kilometers in a week?
- Is it normal to bust out VO2 Max repeats?
- Is it normal to train more consistently and longer than at any time in our lives?
None of these things would be considered "normal" by any "normal" person on the street and that is an important thing for all of us to remember. No matter how fast, slow, experienced, or green you are -- you are a one-person experiment on the ultimate limits of human endurance -- your own!
You are undertaking stresses that are far, far from normal. You are doing it gradually, safely and consistently, but you are still pushing way beyond your previously known physical and mental limits.
Strange things are likely to happen as you push into uncharted ground.... and that is perfectly normal!
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The Importance of Change
Soon it will be time for most athletes to start thinking about next season, and I would like to take an opportunity to encourage you to think outside the box for next year.
If this season has been your first season of Ironman racing, then you are likely to have huge gains next year as your body matures and continues to adapt to your training. However, if you have been training for Ironman for two or more years, then it could be time to insert some change into your program. Change has mental as well as physiological benefits.
Some ideas for you to consider:
- An early season focus on short course racing -- this can be an excellent way to bust through established speed plateaus.
- An early season focus on duathlon or marathon running -- I recommend marathons only for the experienced runner, for novices, an early season focus on half marathon and shorter races can be an excellent way to improve running results.
- Joining a bike club and learning to ride crits, time trials and road races -- evil hard but huge dividends for the athlete looking for a cycling edge.
- Challenging yourself in the pool -- learn how to "really" swim all four strokes, improve your technical skills, take a swimming clinic, hire a private coach, and/or get video analysis done of your stroke.
- Improve your flexibility through yoga. There really is no excuse for not improving our flexibility in the wintertime -- especially cold weather athletes! Make this the season that you improve your range of motion. I believe that there are large gains to be had in Ironman -- specifically in the second half of the run when our range of motion decreases due to fatigue. It strikes me as a source of easy speed.
Guess what, I just listed my personal goals following IMC. Change is good! Change keeps life interesting, pushes our technical competence and helps move us beyond our established boundaries.
Always be upping your game!
See you at the races.
gordo
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