Chisago Toughman - Half distance

There are those that are close to me that happily argue that this kind of effort always existed, but the chimp brain that controlled the output of effort had such a strangle hold on the willingness for muscle output that a performance was always left wanting. Well, professor brain had boss rights yesterday!

This was not a winning performance as far as awards go, but it was winning brain award, in the fight between chimp brain and professor brain. It's been a struggle heavily dominated by the rampant chimp that bounces out of control in my mind during races. If you could project my race mind, I suspect the audience would feel like they are watching a steroidle version of Gravity in 3-D and end up vomiting all over the theatre. No a good ending. Although Mr Chimp brain was still very much loose and out and about bouncing from one proverbial branch to another, the professor brain very much had a leash around the chimps neck, keeping him in check. This allowed my professor to dictate the day and control my effort outputs. Now, this may sound like a controlling of the reigning it in sense, however, it is quite the opposite. Imagine the chimp being the dog walker and having a unlimited roll out leash and the dog (being my brain) being allowed to run wild all over the place, as far as the leash would allow. Professor brain has a very short leash and keeps my mind on track, with a focus on what needs to be done in order to achieve a result. A huge step towards that result occurred yesterday when professor brain and I stepped somewhat in sync and knocked 20mins off of my previous best time (achieved only 6 months ago) for the half distance, coming quite close to breaking the 5hr30min barrier.

Chisago Toughman bike course definitely lends itself to some fast biking and racing, but that's why we do it. To go fast breads the confidence and foundation for the professor to be boss come race day. The swim was so warm that wetsuits weren't allowed (for those wanting their time to count) which led t a somewhat slow swim for me, but considering I swam the same time in Ohio with a wetsuit, I can't complain too much. To be honest, even in my skin suit it was very warm in there and I felt my effort was about right for the day.





Once we hit the bike, despite a techy balls up, I had a feeling that the bike would be fast. Note to self: do not hit the lap button on a triathlon watch. It will sequence to the next discipline and not show you what you want. As a result, I had the very freeing feeling of not knowing exactly where I was in the race and had to rely on the course signage. As I sped along, the mileage cones seemed to be flying by. "Surely they must have mismeasured", was the thoughts repeating in my mind. However, my watch seemed to agree and thanks to some beautiful roads and very light winds, I managed to fly (well for me anyway) around the course with an average close to 19mph and finish under 3hrs, which, I would have said before hand, would have crushed me. However I felt fantastic. Having paced the course from bestbikesplit.com prior to the race, I thought the site was broken, because it suggested I would finished in 2:48 at a power output of 80% the whole way. Well, I put out 75% and finished just adrift of that. Now, I'm an athlete who loves and breeds confidence from numbers, so this was indeed the boost I needed. Wow, what a great feeling it is today!

Getting off the bike, I was so convinced I would pay for my efforts that I ran out of T2 without my race number. A mistake that I have never made in all my years of racing! Oops. Other organizers would have sent me packing, but no these fine and relaxed race organizers from Wisconsin. Phew.

I hit the run taking the usual first mile to let the heart settle down from the excitement of T2 and settle in to my stride. Following the suggested pacing plan from the coach, I took it as a 9:30min run and 30sec walk for the first 10K and then kicked the shackles off and went for it. Simultaneously, I spotted Victory up ahead, figuratively and literally, allowing the increase in pace to come easily. The temps were beginning to climb out on the not-so-shaded , with ice from aid stations providing the relief that was needed. The proof is in the pudding - the first 10K took 1hr. The second took 54mins! A negative split for the first time. A result of some great coaching and some good work from professor brain!

As you may be able to notice, I'm pretty happy with the effort. The body isn't too bad today at all, which means there is plenty left in the locker for 4 weeks from now. It was a huge confidence boost for the ironman and I am now really beginning to look forward to our fifth visit to the longest day!

Good luck to us all!

Down Time

As this is being typed, yet again a short glance at the calendar will show that 5 weeks is the time that remains before we embark on yet another "longest day" challenge. We aren't saving the world. We aren't curing cancer and we aren't feeding starving children. It's not life altering work we are doing. However, it slowly begins to peak it's head over the horizon and the excitement begins to build. As far as endurance sports go, this is one of the highlights for those stupid enough to embark on a long journey towards sporting achievement.

I think one of the reasons these endeavors entice me so much is that just finishing this event is a victory. I rarely came first in too much in my sporting life....2nd, 3rd or 4th for that matter. Yet, every time we cross the finish line of an iron distance race it's a victory and we are treated like it is. That said, this year will be number 5 and it's time to begin to shed the mental shackles that stop the legs stretching further and achieving a bit more at this distance.

There's been a fair amount of study and reading that has been done on the matter. I imagine that a writer might do the same thing when trying to overcome their block. I had a block and I plan on smashing through it in 5 weeks. We'll see what hand the body deals me on the day in question, but the plan is to maximize that hand and bluff my way to the finish.

In the mean time, consistent training is the key and, until this last week, that has been one of the mantras that I have held to constantly. This past week, however, took us to Iceland. The trip was always going to stand in the way of finishing all the training, but it was worth it. What a stunning, stark, and at this time of year, eternally light country. From Volcano's to lush warm hot springs, this country has an addictive lifestyle. It will bankrupt you, but it's addictive. You know when you're in peak training weeks when the first thought in to your head is, "I could ride at midnight and there wouldn't be anyone on the roads!"

As it happened, we were there just two weeks before Challenge Iceland (a race now firmly in my sights) and there were a few pros arriving to get some good weeks on the beautifully smooth roads that surrounded the course. The water temps were a balmy 15C which would at least make the swim quick! Unfortunately, I didn't have the wetsuit or the time to head in for a quick dip. One thing about Iceland, though, is the abundance of outdoor pools and accompanying hot pools. This makes a convincing bribe to getting some laps in whilst the others take a relaxing dip. I wish there were more outdoor pools around where we are. Technically there are, but they aren't as well maintained, have snapping turtles and visibility is quite limited. Yet, you don't come out smelling of chlorine for hours. Bonus!

The water everywhere in Iceland is crystal clear, from the rivers to the lakes. It's amazing. I just wish I had the time to take a dip. Fortunately, there was plenty of time to run and swim, so training wasn't completely missed.  I'm excited to return to Iceland, take out a second mortgage and race here!

Between now and August 27th, there lies a little bit of a warm up in the form of Toughman Minnesota. A local race of the half iron distance variety. Should provide a good test of how far the structured training has taken me. There's a lot of anticipation leading in to it. A good race plan and great practice for the "big day" in August. There's nothing quite like race morning. Just that alone creates the kind of excitement that is unlike any other. It's addictive.

As we see the end of August galloping towards us, that anticipation will build, but this year it will be melded in to excitement and joy instead of the usual. We have a great house and the promise of a great venue that we know well. Sadly, it will be the last running of Ironman Couer D'Alene. They've chosen to cancel the race after this year, a typical response when the mighty Ironman brand doesn't get it's way. Oh well, there's other great destination races out there and hopefully, with the support of my beautiful "team" we shall discover more. Who knows what lies ahead, perhaps Challenge Iceland!

Good luck to us all!