My Top 10 Didn't Do Its of Ironman Training and Racing

There are a lot of ways to train for a triathlon. With as many training programs as there are athletes, it can be hard to decide what advice to take. There are a few things I wanted to do while training for Ironman that didn't happen. I feel for learning purposes I wanted to compile a list. Even though I ended up having an amazing and successful experience I still probably should have done most of the things that follow. Here's the list...

Didn't Do It

10. Interview all the Iron-parents on the island for their advice
Wanting to celebrate the special nature of training for Ironman while parenting, I was going to interview all the Iron-parents I know. At least I talked to Alika, Eric, and Jeff...but no formal interviews. Maybe for the book...

9. Blog every week/Weekly YouTube Recap
I did what I could but it's hard to fit it all in. I found training outside was more effective than on the indoor cycle, so I will have to re-visit some of the topics I would have blogged about sooner in follow up posts. Something had to give, and that was one of the things that didn't end up happening weekly. I am so glad I got in the recaps that I did on YouTube, because they are really fun to watch back now that I've done it! You can check them out in your spare time with the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIDvT-WILqnh9ywy0Fusd5w

8. Use the jogging stroller
Evan won't stay in a stroller, and my form sucks pushing one. I did all of my running sans children. I think it's finally time to sell the BOB. I have to thank my husband and the gym crew for letting me get out there and put the rubber to the pavement. It helped a lot.

7. Strength Train
I know better than to not do my maintenance exercises in the gym and train for more power in my legs for biking, running and injury prevention. I simply did not have the time. I was building muscle by completing my swim-bike-run workouts. I didn't have time for yoga or strength work with the busy schedule I ran on, and would not have recovered for the next workout if I had, so I skipped it. Luckily it worked out, but I wonder if I could have been faster with more muscle, or if those hills coming back from Waikoloa might have seemed smaller with more power. Oh well.

6. Foam Roll
I only pulled the foam roller out a few times, when my IT bands or back were really acting up. Historically during marathon training it would be a requirement before and after a run, but my body seemed to hold up very well. My back went out 3 times, in the lumbar, thorasic, and cervical regions during training. Each time was due to being vulnerable after a long bike ride, and picking up children or some daily living situation. Other than the spine, and a little shoulder instability I was luckily injury free for training and race day. My IT bands and knees are healthy and training actually makes me feel better versus when I'm not as active.

5. Flip turns
After high school swim team I swore I would never do a flip turn again. Even swimming 85 laps multiple times in the Kona pool could not make me break my promise.

4. Plant based whole food diet
I know my recovery would have been faster and body would have performed better with a plant based diet. I did the best I could, and having Sun of a Bistro bring me salad almost every day helped. The time it takes to truly plan and prepare a plant based-whole food diet was too great to be able to stick to it.  I still believe if you can possibly swing it, this is ideal for any person wanting to be as healthy as possible and to help prevent and cure all ailments and disease. This is where I am still struggling, but what I will strive for always. I did it for 8 months after having Evan while training for Honu and taking over at my current location at Trunk Trainers. It was the best I have ever felt in my life. It just didn't happen for Ironman. I need to prioritize healthy eating and stress relief. It is the answer we are looking for.
3. Wear a heart rate monitor
Some people swear by heart rate monitors, power meters, and more technology to help guide training. I have a heart rate monitor that goes with my Garmin, but I never took the time to put it on. I like to listen to my body and go off of pace and rate of perceived exertion. It worked for me, but I am still going to experiment someday with it so I can help others who are interested in using it.
2. Listen to music
Besides one day at the gym where I stole the speaker and put it right next to the treadmill I never listened to music while I trained. Only the music in my head from Moana and Trolls, or whatever the last song was on the radio. You don't get to listen on race day, so I didn't listen in training. Plus, I like to hear what's going on around me. I also don't own headphones...
1. Record my weight and stats after the race

I record my stats with weight, body fat, muscle mass, ect. almost every month. It's really interesting to see what my body looks like at different phases in my life. I tracked through pregnancy, postpartum, through training for events and taking time off to put the business together. My non-baby related weight always hangs steady between 128-133lbs, but the composition changes dramatically, showing there is more to fitness success than just the number on the scale. Plus, I have learned weight changes primarily with diet. F
itness and musculature changes with exercise. I forgot to check my stats after the race and now it's been a month. I weighed in at 133 on race day, which is where I was when I started, but I am curious to know what the composition was. I guess I will have to do another IM to find out. Just kidding!!!!