August 20, I shifted from IM training plan to “just do something everyday this weekend” plan after learning of the Kona postponement. By Aug 24-27 was dedicated to bladder stone “surgery” and recovery, which went better than I expected. By Friday, I had loaded in the “IM transition Plan” to get me from there to starting HIM training on Sep 13 for La Quinta 70.3 Dec 5.
Swimming and running are now almost pleasant with no stones rattling around in my bladder every time I bounce or roll (which meant every step and stroke.) And my knees continue to remain pain free and functional.
During the HIM training, I’m thinking of working towards a 90/10 run/walk ratio during the race. When I say “walk”, I’m not talking strolling, but motoring along at better than 15’/mile pace from start to finish of each aid station. During training, I’d like to work from 70/30 towards 80/20 ratios in each workout. Long-range planning: if this works well for me, I’d go into the final 8 weeks IM plan after a week’s transition, aiming for 70/30 ratio from the start of the Kona run. I have convinced myself that preparing to do that thruout the training cycle will not cost me any time on race day compared to trying to run the whole way and will place my in a much better frame of mind prior to racing, as well as thruout the day itself.
This weekend, Cheryl and I leave for a leisurely drive to Colorado, camping out 3 nights, then hitting a two-week stretch in Aspen/Snowmass.
This Kona postponement, successful bladder surgery, and continued lack of pain from my knees has me in a much better place than I was two weeks ago, when the prospect of getting through this last IM seemed like drudgery. I feel I will be much better prepared, entering without physical challenges.