My race prediction for myself at Vineman on August 1st can be summed up as: Indeterminate. This year’s race is the 20th Anniversary of the event – the longest running Ironman distance triathlon in the continental U.S. This year will be my 6th time racing the full Ironman distance event (2.4-mile swim / 112-mile bike / 26.2-mile run). In my five prior races, I have 2 x 1st places finishes (2001, 2007), 2 x 2nd place finishes (2004, 2006) and a 5th place finish (1998) with finish times ranging from 9:17 to 9:43.
Past results are not a predictor of future success. On the positive side, I have the following things going for me:
- Consistent, focused and (mostly) disciplined training through the summer. I’m following a plan that worked successfully in 2007.
- Racing on fresh legs. In the past, I’ve raced Vineman anywhere from 2-5 weeks after another Ironman (except for 1998). I have not done any triathlons this year.
- Heat acclimation. I’ve been doing many of my workouts, especially long runs, later in the day to acclimate to higher afternoon temperatures when I’ll be running the marathon leg.
- Positive attitude. I feel pretty good. In spite of my house issues and maintaining a busy schedule with two summer college classes (pre-requisites for a Masters program in Applied Performance Physiology through Eastern Michigan University, I feel good.
- Proactive injury prevention and recovery. Natalie King who created the Athletic Movement and Performance Test program for triathletes helped me get through my hip and hamstring injuries earlier this year through physical therapy and custom orthotics. I’ve also been receiving regular acupuncture treatments from Sharon Crowell (Traditional Acupuncture of Virgina), which helps with relaxation, and massage therapy from Terrel Hale (Georgetown Sports Massage), which helps with recovery.
On the flip side, I have a few things going against me:
- I crashed hard two weeks ago on my bike, crushing my helmet. Thankfully, both my bike and I walked away from the scene but I sustained bruising and my left arm is still sore two weeks later.
- Naggers. Naggers are the little aches and pains that move around but never really seem to go away. I’ve been actively managing my hip and hamstring with help (see above), but I still experience some discomfort on longer rides and runs. I’ll keep my fingers crossed (figuratively speaking) on race day.
- Fire in the gut. I don’t know if it will be there on race day. Will I have the desire and will power to dig deep and push through the discomfort of a 9 hour Ironman race? I don’t know.
I look forward with curiosity to competing under such uncertain conditions. This is the challenge and my opportunity to achieve something special.
Live life richly and boldly!
David
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David B. Glover
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life
© 2009 David B. Glover
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