Learning Curve Pains!
Starting the training for the Ironman was the easiest thing that I have ever done. My training was pretty much the same as it has been for years, so the learning curve was zero. As the mileage and time required to train increased, I figured that just like everything else, things would fall into place as they always have. But what I didn’t account for was Murphy’s Law.
If a 2 hour ride was possible, then a 3-6 hour ride should feel the same, just a little more tedious mentally and physically. If running was easy, then it should continue to be so even after a long ride, after all, I’m not new to the triathlon world. Well was I ever wrong. Everything I’ve read and heard never prepared me for the “on the job” learning curve. I felt cheated, like someone was purposely not giving me the dirty little secrets of the “real” things that happened while training, and how to combat and prepare for them. I was left wondering why someone hasn’t written a Tell All book like they have for women who are pregnant, or for new parents. What I was wishing for was a manual of triathlon, but not for the nuts and bolts of it, but for the neuansous that occur and how to handle them. For all you that don’t do these things, you’re probably left wondering “what could she possibly be referring to? “, well keep reading and you will find out.
It is my belief that the best training and education you can receive in life, is that of life’s lessons from firsthand experience. So things that occur without warning, become a lesson, leaving you to figure out the correct course of action by yourself. After dealing with many of these, I have become very good at posing questions to friends. What I’ve found is that most people have encountered many of the same situations, and have advice on how to proceed. This further compounds my conviction that it would be easier for the information to be told to me in the first place so I didn’t have to falter in order to go forward! It’s almost like the seasoned athletes want more people to partake in these endurance races so that they can sit by and laugh when someone else is stumbling the same way they did. Now I’m sure this isn’t the case, and that there is not an unspoken pack amongst them, but it certainly feels that way sometimes.
Case in point, I’ve known that bike seats can be uncomfortable, even downright painful, but how much pain is too much pain. And is it normal to have UNBELIEVABLE pain due to other medical conditions (i.e., allergic reactions to the glide being used on the nether regions! OUCH). Why didn’t anyone tell me that this reaction is not a normal variant and that making a change could produce a better outcome! L Nope, I had to suffer for months till I finally figured out what might be causing my pain.
Also it would be nice if there was a magical formula on how much fluid you have to drink, what kind, when, and what types of foods you have to eat and how much/often. This definitely is a learning curve that no one can give you the formula for. Don’t get me wrong, there are guidelines out there, but that’s it. No one is the same, and therefore what works for one person, certainly may not work for another. To break this down more in what I’ve learned, let’s first look at fluids. There are many options of what to drink, water/Gatorade/Gu/Ironman products/Heed (well you get my point, I could go on for a while here). All these different products will cause a different outcome for each person. One may cause severe diarrhea, one may just cause nausea and vomiting, it may make you thirstier, and it may leave you so you don’t want to or can’t drink anything more, too much will cause stomach sloshing and vomiting, too little dehydration and bonking. UGH. Next we have all the nutritional supplements. There is the thick liquid gooey stuff with or without caffeine, there are gu chomps, waffles, jelly beans, or powder to use in your water, there are salt tablets, electrolyte tablets etc…. WTF how do you know what to use and when. The process to figuring out your nutrition is really what the Ironman is all about. I think it takes 4-6 months of trial and error with keeping detailed statistical information either in your head or written down to figure out the best pairing of all the above. Then you have to throw in the weather elements as another factor, because it will create a change in your demand for all these things. Again, if you get it right, you’re well on your way to a great race, get it wrong, and you may suffer 17 hours of agony running from port o potty to port or potty, could end up road side needing medical attention, you could finish but need the medic tent, or you could just be in agony for a week trying to recover. Ah the learning curves of the Ironman.
My best advice for people who are thinking of doing this is to find a good mentor. I have surrounded myself with many seasoned endurance athletes, and if it wasn’t for them, I probably would be having many more problems than I currently am. I can’t thank all of my friends enough for your never ending supply of advice and patience to things that may seem quite elementary. Your unwavering support has been a blessing and has eased my learning curve pains, at least a little. Thank You!
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