Slug Time is Over!

It’s been seven weeks since the Ironman World Championships in Kona. The race was packaged up and broadcast on NBC last Saturday, and I watched it with beer and chips close at hand. I’ve had a good rest and recovery, caught up on sleep and gotten rid of some aches and pains. Most important of all, I was not on a training schedule; and did what I wanted, when I wanted to. That included next to nothing; aside from easy stretching for the first three weeks after the race, then some weight training and swimming for the last four. No running whatsoever, but a couple of easy spins on the trainer after weights. And on the weekends, getting caught up on a to-do list a mile long.

I’ve had enough time to reflect objectively about race day, and put it in the proper perspective. At the very worst, it was a catered training day with cheering supporters, on an island paradise. I reviewed the previous thirteen months that led to the start line in Kona, and realized I was letting the day’s result overshadow what was my best year of training and racing, including two races in early April (personal bests of 9:51 at Ironman Arizona, and 3:10 at the Boston Marathon eight days later) that were sandwiched between trips halfway around the world.

So after watching the race on TV Saturday, I decided it’s time to slowly ramp up the training again. Sunday dawned clear and cool with a stunning mountain backdrop. Time to go for a run! After a fifteen-minute warmup on the trainer, I headed out the back gate onto the Fish Creek Park 10K loop for my first run in seven weeks. It felt good to get the legs moving again, dodging the doggie-doo, and I finished the last uphill kilometre strong to bring it home in under 50 minutes, not bad for being out of running shape. It did hurt, though. My heart rate was about 10 beats higher than normal for that effort, so still a long way to go, but there’s plenty of time between now and April 16th to get better. And I’m sure I’ll step in doggie-doo, literally and figuratively, a few times between now and then.

Coming up in the following days, pictures and thoughts from the race. Thanks for reading along!