Well folks, here we are! I said I’d do an Ironman before I turned 40 and on Monday my 20 week training program for Busselton Ironman 2018 begins!
Why am I doing an Ironman?
Two reasons;
1. I’m compelled to complete the whole set. Triathlon has several distances you can race; sprint (750m swim/20km bike/5km run), standard (1.5km/40km/10km, Ironman 70.3 (1.9km/90km/21km) and Ironman (3.8km/180km/42km). Since 2013 I’ve raced all distances including four Ironman 70.3’s. Now it’s time to tick off the last one!
2. I like to practice what I preach. Working as a Sports Dietitian I find the best sports nutrition advice comes from actually trying out nutrition strategies “in the field”. After years of working with Ironman triathletes it’s about time I made sure that I really am providing the most practical nutrition advice.
My last race was Busselton Ironman 70.3 in May – what a doozy that was! Racing in gale force 60 kmh winds definitely made for an interesting day, but I was stoked to finish with a 1 min PB on the bike and a 6 min PB on the run. 
Since then I’ve taken a break; soaking up time with the family, training our puppy (Annie the GSP) and sleeping in. But now it’s time to ramp things up and get organised for Ironman training!
So where am I starting?
Stocking up on food everywhere!
Training for Ironman 70.3 has taught me that fuelling properly requires plenty of organisation and alot of packing. On top of packing work gear and lunch for the day, I usually have to pack a second set of training gear, recovery snacks and a back up meal or snack because #hangry.
So the last week I’ve spent time stocking up my workplaces with food so there’s less packing!
- Carman’s porridge sachets – great for a recovery breakfast after a morning training and also as an afternoon snack when a piece of fruit just doesn’t cut it.
- A loaf of raisin bread in the freezer and a jar of peanut butter. If you haven’t tasted the joy of toasted raisin bread with peanut butter you need to get on it. Also a good recovery snack with protein and high nutrient carbs.
- Up & Go’s – for when I have 3 minutes between finishing training and my first client.
- A box of muesli bars in the car – they don’t go off and they’re great for a top up for when I do the run from work to school to kids training to walk the dog time.
- Lastly, my weekly foodshop will target easy lunch and dinner options and setting up click and collect – so I can spend more time with family and less time with a trolley! More on my shopping list in the next blog though….
I’ll let you know how the first four weeks go but in the meantime the last thing I wanted to share was a thankyou to #beyondblue. Several years ago I began to realise that my “worrying” was a bit next level and it was effecting my day to day life. One of factors that made me get help with my anxiety and recognise that it was a problem was a beyond blue poster.
So as a thankyou I’m raising funds for this awesome organisation.
If you’d like to support them please visit
https://individual-fundraiser-ongoing.everydayhero.com/au/sim-s-ironman-2018