I can't keep up with my nutrition and usually have a negative calorie count daily. I have been tired and some days a little weak. This past week I've started to eat more and hope that I'll see some results in that. I've been charting all my intake so I know that I need to eat more as my workouts increase in time.
This is one of the most difficult parts of my training: time. I started my half ironman training cycle in January and have been on the full ironman cycle for the past 12 weeks. The weekly workouts have increased in time. I'm now up to 19 or 20 hours per week. It is not just about the amount of training each week but also how long some of the longer workouts are. It is taking a lot of discipline to keep at it and I can see how much the mental aspect of the long endurance race can wear on you. At 62 a twenty hour workout week is a lifestyle. I train, I eat, I sleep, then work on the rest of my family responsibilities. It is a constant drain.
In the area of nutrition I have to include my background and use of supplements. I have used a variety of health supplements throughout my life. Besides the ordinary multi vitamins and the usual hyped body building, diet, weight gain, and the like, I've tried just about everything to try and gain or lose. Nothing really ever gave satisfactory results and I'm sure I spent a lot of money trying. After years of personal trials, experimentation, and research I've settled on just a few items which I take regularly. There are three mail order companies that I trust for their products: Melaluca, Pharmanex from NuSkin, and Advocare. All three are tested, backed by scientific research, and do not violate any amateur anti-doping restrictions. Though I don't anticipate ever being tested I think it is important to use the best available supplements. I also get a few items from the local GNC that I think are good. My daily use includes the following: Ageloc Vitality and LifePak Nano for their anti-aging qualities; creatine and glutamine for muscle development and recovery. I can give you more details if you want.
I also have used the services of a massage therapist, chiropractor, and pilates trainer to aid in my development and recovery. The pilates is new for me and I don't have enough work to make a judgement on the effectiveness of it although I do feel like it is making me for functional and stronger. I have used both massage and chiropractic for many years and find that it has been helpful. My current chiropractor, Dr. Annie, in addition to the typical spinal manipulation, also employs something called ART, active release technique, similar to acupressure and deep tissue work, which I am finding is very productive, releasing muscular scar tissue and adhesions. All of these are helping with my core strength and flexibility. The closer I get to the Ironman, this helps performance and my mental stability. ART is also recommended by Ironman and there are practitioners at Ironman events.
Everything I have been able to accomplish over the last few summers is a result of a team effort. This includes those that I mentioned above as well as all my friends and mentors that have participated in my training or helped me to develop the plan. About the only time I am on my own is when I'm actually working out. Even then I know there are many working with me and for me. I am thankful that I don't have to go it alone. It is also well known that I have an abiding faith in God and I am strengthen continuously from that.
Workout summary for the week:
Swim 6.25 mi. 5:40; bike 86 mi. 7:00; run 31.5 mi. 6:30; 123.75 total miles; 1 hour of strength training, 1 hour pilates, 1 hour ART, 1 hour stretching; total time 23:10.
That is it for now. A hui hou, see you on the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment