Stepping up the volume

A question asked by some many people when you explain what you are training for is ,
How do you find time?
Coming from a cycling background over the last 20 years and concentrating on one discipline the leap to train for an Ironman is a very challenging obstacle to overcome. Habits are the hardest to break and being a cyclist is the feeling you have to be on the bike 6-7 days a week and the old attitude there is no substitute for kilometers. With three disciplines to engage and focusing on long distance events will always be a juggling act.

In the recent few weeks i have had good fortune of getting solid training in the bank (money saved now is cash to spend later) across all three sports. Slowly building up to prevent injuries incurred in steeping up the load. I personally have had a good run with injuries over the years but thats as a cyclist. Once the running load increases the impact is a lot more savage thnt pedalling round on the bike. One bonus of living in Melbourne is being spoilt for choice across all disciplines to train either in a group or squad or even solo and so many options.

My current weekly training consists of 3 swim sessions ,4 bike sessions and 4 run sessions so currently going from 5 training sessions a week to doubling that with approx 10 - 12 sessions a week no training for an Ironman. All this to fit round my normal day job as a project manager currently working 45- 50 hours a week with www.mcelligotts.com.au at Eastern treatment plant Carrum which is 50 minute drive each way currently to and from work.

This last week has been really good with better weather and some spare time with Melbourne cup public holiday mid week really help step up the workload.

Weekly Training schedule last week Nov 5 - 12

Monday  am 1.5 km  swim set    70 km  bike          pm 8 km run

Tuesday  am  90 km bike   2 km swim     pm 8 km run

Wednesday  am 2km swim set    pm 12km run session with tri group

Thursday   pm 60 km bike including Footscray cycling club crit

Friday    Rest Day

Saturday am 85 km bike  pm afternoon at the races Emirates Stakes day

Sunday  am 90 km bike   pm 14km run

Weekly total  Swim  5.5km   Bike 395km   Run 42 km  and a few power naps in between.

I will be happy if i can maintain solid consistency like last week over the next few months to build for www.ironmanmelbourne.com .

It can be done but as we all know each week throws up suprises.

Damo