Excess and old Friends

This weekend was about chilling out with some old friends to celebrate my IronMan race. (Actually just an excuse to get together). These people I have know for a along time, total non-athletes and happy with that, I think the longest race anybody has ever run in the group (not including me) was a 5k road race. But they were pretty amazed at what I have accomplished and was happy to tell their friends they know an IronMan. As the celebration continued we ate like kings at a Downtown Chicago steakhouse and our bill at the end of the night reflected that. But what is excess among friends, one person said and before the night was over we made a toast to one that is no longer with us. I'm sure he is parting up in the heavens right now. He is the one, who one night in a drunken stupor started calling me "BUBBA", well the rest is history.

It has been a couple of weeks since the IM race and for some reason I think to myself it wasn't a big deal anymore. Kind of weird I thought to myself. Does anybody else feel that way?

I don't know about all of you out there but I really feel I need to start racing again. Triathlon is like a drug sometimes, needing another fix to tie me over, I must be addicted to this stuff.

Reading others people blog post, their plans for the future, kinda of exciting and can't wait to race another triathlon again. My primary race goal for next year is to be faster, more base training with some consistent speed work. A fast IronMan race for '07, would that be something. Okay, No Kona time dreams, but a faster IM time nonetheless.

So in search for some answers, since I have no coach, I emailed 2 questions to the PodCasters at
IronManTalk ,and for you ladies out there, one of the Podcasters is a beefy Tri stud.

Question 1: Which test is better, VO2 Max or Lactate test?

Answer: Vo2Max is a good supplement for Lactate testing, but the Lactate numbers are the ones that are most important. (I was trying to determine the best way to figure out my training zones).

Question 2: Is big training volume necessary for success at IM distance?

Answer: In a word "YES", especially the bike, you should get off the bike during the race like you did noting. (So a lot of big volume rides for me next year for IMWI '07)

But for now, it's all about the running. Training for the Chicago marathon is getting kind of hard these days. Only was able to do a 30 mile run week, But I was able to do a 2 hour LSD run with the Frankfort running group, good times, but I was really sore afterwards. But trying to take it a little bit easy and if I don't have great running volume leading up to the marathon, I think I will be okay. I hope so anyway. Trying so hard to not look at a training plan right now.

Okay I can't help myself,

Monday, I went to my Total Immersion master's swim class. I have not been there for about 2 months, so I was not sure how I could handle it. But somehow I was able to keep up and felt pretty good swimming 2700 yrds. I met up with a fellow blogger Baun, his 1st time in the class and just started swimming this year. He did really great, with IM '08 plans in his head, he is well on his way.

So another long week of running, I really can't wait for race day. The people, the race, and race expo. Just to get out there again will make me all warm and fuzzy.

Last note, Today was a momentous day for my pre-school child. Student of the Month in her school. I guess that makes up for her screaming for 10 minutes at a store because she wanted a toy because it was "pretty".

It's all about BALANCE.