Category Archives: Uncategorized

In a previous post, I noted that while there is an endless variety of recommendations on how to prepare for an Ironman, the common thread amongst many coaches is that ahead of any specific guidance on training intensity or volume, training consistency is perhaps the most important determinant of success.  Given that triathlon is predominantlyContinue reading “Entry 12: When the Weather Outside is Frightful…”

Like many other sports, triathlon has a vibrant community of athletes whose habits and mannerisms may at times seem odd or downright comical to outsiders.  Having spent a great deal of time over the ten blog posts covering the technical details of my journey to Kona, it is about time that we explore some ofContinue reading “Entry 11: Triathlon Hijinks”

In spite of its name, a strong argument can be made that the sport of triathlon is comprised not just of three disciplines but four – being as much an eating and drinking contest as it is a test of prowess in swimming, biking, and running.  In this post, we will explore how both race-dayContinue reading “Entry 10: Fueling the Furnace”

After an extended hiatus, it is now time to get back in the saddle, both literally and figuratively.  As many of you may have heard, the Kona Ironman World Championship originally scheduled for October 2020 was postponed to February 2021 due to the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Given the high likelihood that mass eventsContinue reading “Entry 9: Training Plan Part 3, Addendum”

Having covered in last month’s post the tools used to measure and manage the training process, we will now explore the equipment I have selected to use for race-day.  It should be noted up front that while triathlon may seem to be place a heavy emphasis on fancy bikes and cool gadgets, none of theseContinue reading “Entry 8: Equipment Part 2, Race Gear”

A Quick Note on COVID19: Before diving into the main topic of this month’s post, would first like to express my hope that all my readers and their families are safe and healthy through this uncertain time.  The COVID19 virus and recent measures to mitigate its spread have no doubt caused great disruption to everyone’sContinue reading “Entry 7: Equipment Part 1, Training Tools”

In my previous post, we explored the importance of rest and recovery on endurance performance as well as various methods to measure fatigue and schedule one’s training sessions and mesocycles accordingly.   We will now take a more detailed look into potential practices that can help maximize the quality of one’s recovery between said training sessions. Continue reading “Entry 6: Rest and Recovery Part 2, Recovery Activities”

Whether it be from PE class growing up or listening to motivational speakers, many of my readers will likely be familiar with the cliché phrase “no pain, no gain”.  While there is certainly a great deal of wisdom in this adage, exercise science would suggest that “pain” (or in endurance parlance – fatigue) is aContinue reading “Entry 5: Rest and Recovery Part 1, Managing Fatigue”

In her 2016 book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”, University of Pennsylvania psychology professor Angela Duckworth modifies the theory popularized by Malcolm Gladwell that achieving world class expertise and/or success in a particular field requires 10,000 hours of repetition in that field.  While she does not disagree with the volume of repetitions required,Continue reading “Entry 4: Training Plan Part 2, Deliberate Practice”

Through discipline comes freedom – Aristotle The Benefits of a Training Plan As crazy as the prospect of swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles sounds, like many other challenges, the Ironman is an undertaking which can be broken down into a series of more manageable tasks that can then be steadilyContinue reading “Entry 3: Training Plan Part 1, Cultivating Consistency”