Iron News Man - October 15, 2009

By CHRIS SCHAUBLE

Updated 8:00 AM PST, Thu, Oct 15, 2009

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I’m sick and it stinks! Roughly five weeks before Ironman Arizona the timing could be worse, but not much worse. There are two trains of thought. I could fight through my head cold. I could also give my self more rest and recovery time to get better, then I could train at full strength. I’m going to do both. I will keep my schedule as-is but include more naps and general recovery time. I’m confident my strategy will work. I’m not sure anything could stop my Ironman journey at this point!

The weather is getting better in Southern California. Gone is the rain, replaced by fog this morning and soon… sunshine! Today I run nine-miles so it’s good that rain won’t be a factor. I may have to dodge a few remaining puddles, but that’s a minor inconvenience after being stuck indoors for two days.

Here’s my TrainingPeaks.com schedule for today from Triathlon Coach Jason Healey:

Intermediate Run
Type: Run
Run 9 miles on a mostly flat to rolling course. Do not run in the hills today. Run at race pace in zone 2: Medium to medium hard. Practice hydration and nutrition during this effort.

Wakeup Workout: Interval, Steady State

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Wakeup Workout: Interval, Steady State

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Countdown to Ironman

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Ironman Journey

I plan on running the San Fernando Valley’s Balboa Golf Course route twice (the loop is 4.5 miles). On my way there I stop at a well-known running store called Phidippedes (as in ancient Greece, first marathoner) and buy a new pair of running shoes. I have newer ones for shorter distance runs, but it’s time to buy the shoes I’ll wear for Ironman Arizona and start breaking them in.

I’m a huge fan of the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 4’s. I’ve bought probably five or six pairs of them starting with the previous model. They’ve held up well in all of my marathons and I trust experience. I went on-line and found numerous color selections. If Phidippes has the ones I want… it’s a done deal!

Hey! What's better for burning fat? Endurance or interval training? Click on today's Wakeup Workout Video for the answer!

Days until Ironman Arizona: 38!

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-Chris

Why blog? To inspire others.

Simply put, two years ago I was overweight! At 6’1” I weighed 252, and wore size 40 pants. Few people really noticed, but I did. In pictures, on TV, I was not happy with my appearance. Covering the 2007 LA Marathon for NBC4 was the last straw. Every picture I was in highlighted just how out of shape I had become.

No more! Since that time, the guy who could barely run around the block has slowly built-up his endurance and completed the 2008 Long Beach International Marathon , 2009 Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, 2009 LA Marathon, and the 2009 Vineman Ironman 70.3.

However, something happened along the way. After my first marathon, I fell into a funk. I asked myself, “Why do you feel such a let-down after a marvelous achievement?” The answer I have since learned from my coaches, I failed to set the “goal beyond the goal”. Thus, my quest for Iron was born!

I’m registered to compete in the Ford Ironman Arizona on November 22nd, 2009. Along the way, I will compete in various road races and triathlons to fuel my passion and push my training along. The intense and at times brutal training will happen after my duties as 4 a.m. to 7a.m. anchor for NBC4 have finished. The sacrifices I will make will be substantial, and for that I thank my beautiful family and friends in advance.

I invite you to share this journey with me.