Posts by anthony_christianson

I am 40, just completed Ironman AZ.  My fastest mile this year was a 6:10.

I am in the midst of IM AZ training (50 days to go) and last weekend was my first century training ride.  It took 5.75 hrs with about 4100 ft of climbing.  No drafting.  And to be honest, it was not mentally or physically difficult.  I was very surprised at how easy it felt.  I kept my HR around 70% of MHR.

The next morning, I ran 15 miles and it sucked.  And I come from a running background.   I kept my HR around 80% of MHR.

In 2 weeks, I am running 17.5 miles then riding 112 the next day.  Curious to see how that feels.

Anyway, having run a couple of marathons, I have yet to feel the same way on a bicycle as the last 6 miles of a marathon feels.  

Intensity has a lot to do with it also.  Having done threshold tests for both bike and run, the run threshold is a lot more cardio taxing than the bike threshold.  But, the bike threshold is harder to walk after.  On the bike, I can push a bigger gear to tax the legs more than the heart at a low cadence or I can shift to an easier gear with higher cadence to increase my HR.

The ability to coast on the bicycle and make forward progress is a huge bonus.  Same with going downhill and drafting.

I managed to finish my first century.  It was a training ride for Ironman AZ and, *sigh* I didn't get to draft at all.

I didn't make it easy either.  100.25 miles with 4100 ft of climbing in 5 hrs and 35 minutes of moving time.   Three water stops for 30 minutes of non-moving time.

I felt really good and managed to get off the bike and run 2 miles with no issues.  I have 3 more 100+ miles rides in the next 4 weeks.  Ready to go!

Some 4 years ago, I lost 20 lbs doing the 30 day shred and maintaining a strict diet.  I did the program every day for 30 days and ate around 1500 cal/day.  Worked wonders for me.

Original Post by kelrantymus:

I did Warrior Dash this year. It was fun. I wouldn't do it again because it wasn't a huge challenge but it was fun. I would like to do Tough Mudder, though: http://toughmudder.com/

 

I signed up for the AZ Tough Mudder again

Whoa, 70 mpw, 7+ mph up a 15% incline for 90 minutes, and your asking us for a workout plan?  And you would like to run a Half Marathon someday?!?

27 days out of 28, I get 1 day off every 4 weeks.  

My last base training cycle is complete in prep for Nov Ironman. Averaged 14 hrs per week.

Next week, I start a 3 week build cycle.

I only log #2 when I do squats, cleans, and/or deadlifts.

Do you include Spartan, Tough Mudder, etc as adventure races?

Yes, please keep them on a leash.  More than once I have had to react to approaching dogs with rocks.  Really pisses owners off, but hey, I don't know your dogs demeanor and I am ready to defend myself.  Either that or stick to known dog run areas.  Not everyone is a fan of your four-legged friends.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-527--13611-0,00.h tml