The Countdown: Just Keep Going

As I reflect on my Ironman 70.3 training 4 days out from race day, I realise how much training I have actually done and how far I have come. Considering I have never taken on this type of endurance event before, and the fact I had zero help with my training plan, I feel very confident that I will achieve my goal of finishing the race in about 6hr 40 min (give or take transition times and weather effects).

Out of 118 days I totalled 95+ hours training and probably 10 hrs talking about training to anyone who would listen haha!!

75% training

25% Rest

Zero injuries

Swimming

I have progressed from doing zero swimming ever to being able to get from A to B over 1.2 miles albeit very slow but who’s judging here! I have faced my relative fear of water and embraced the outdoor lido since May, donned and removed my wetsuit countless times with ease and I FINALLY own a pair of goggles that don’t let the water in! A holiday in Sardinia 1 week before the race was perfect timing for slightly choppy sea swim training and much deserved chillaxing.

Cycling

I admit I am now a converted cyclist. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I cycled the quiet country roads of my Irish childhood while visiting home in August and my family thought I was nuts heading out for a 50 miler at 7am on a Sunday morning. BLISS. Richmond park is also an amazing park to rack up mileage on a Sunday morning. Fifty-three miles, to be exact, without falling off once.... until I got to my front door and fell into the drive when I forgot to unclip. I was just too happy with my achievement to think! I even did a challenging hilly 42 mile ride in Sardinia last week which was exactly the confidence booster I needed one week out from the race. I must add, that weekly spinning sessions have helped me deal with the horrendous mental challenge of some climbs (particularly the 6 mile continuous ascent in 30 degree heat), so come at me Weymouth!

Running

This race could not have come at a better time. Considering I was getting fed up of running and being ill earlier in the year, Loz came back fighting and I won the Richmond park ½ marathon in July. I was very happy with my progress and I was enjoying my weekly Monday morning long runs before work. I did veer away from my run club the past 3 months purely because I just had to be flexible with myself in order to fit training in around placement and work. I’ll be back to Hillingdon AC for Cross Country in October guys! Base training for London Marathon!! Will I ever stop?!

Overall, it has been a great training experience and I still managed to have a fulfilling social life at the same time. Goes to show that with proper time management we can fit so much into our lives, we just need to believe in ourselves and stay motivated. Very excited for the weekend ahead and hopefully crossing the line in one piece.

Track me on Ironman.com under the ‘Event Coverage’ header for Weymouth 70.3 September 17th where I will be competing alongside 2500+ other crazy people in neoprene and lycra at 7am.

My race number is 428, Lorraine Mc Nulty, IRL.