The Running Optimist after completing the iron distance Jeju International Triathlon in 2014

On Saturday the 7th of May 2022 the Running Optimist is going to try his hand at the Ironman St. George triathlon. It just so happens that it will be the 2021 Ironman World Championship! The championship triathlon race was not allowed to take place at its historic home of Kona, Hawaii in October of 2021 but St. George, Utah obliged. The Optimist was already registered and was debating on whether or not to show up due to less than his ideal training plan in action but upon the exciting news arriving he decided to redouble training efforts and commit to at least showing up to the start line.

While I”m still concerned about my training plan being executed I will at least start the race and go until I can’t go anymore. As somewhat of a brain outlet I’ll start logging some thoughts and workout updates.

Today I did one-mile intervals at a 7:03-7:24 pace, more towards the 7:03 side which is good. After 6 intervals my legs were fairly cooked and I called it. For about the last week my Suunto App has been telling me that I’m working too hard and that I’m in the risk zone for an injury. So I try not to get hurt. I’ve only got about 15 more workout days until I need to begin my taper so it’s a bit of a tightrope act I feel like, to balance gains and limit my exposure to potential injury. I still remember training for a marathon and I decided to just go run the 26.2 as part of my training plan about a month before the event-knee injury ensued and I was not able to do the trail run. Made me very sad.

Swim, bike, run, and prosper my friends! -Ciao