Andy White’s latest training update appears below, as he enters the final 4 weeks of preparation for Hawaii. Paradigm has been proud to support Andy and we all wish him well in the lead up work and on the day.
Half the battle of Ironman training is making the start line – healthy. Following on from my previous update, I have been managing some lower back pain. Through consultation with my doctor I was well advised to have a week off land based running. With the amount of time and effort I have applied to my world championship campaign, this advice was initially hard to swallow. Having been advised not to run (after months averaging 100km per week,) was something I found extremely challenging. It was mentally very hard to cope with. However, as a seasoned athlete I knew that the smartest thing to do was take the advice, and manage the situation as best I could before it inhibited me from actually making the start line altogether.
Following on from that week, I was able to build back up to full training using additional tools such as an Anti Gravity treadmill to reduce the impact that running has on my body. I was then able to put together a solid week under full training load prior to the recent Sunshine Coast Half Ironman in Mooloolaba, which I competed in. With no taper (pre-race freshen up) I managed to put together a strong race in absolutely beautiful conditions. I put my trademark swim together and came out of the water in first place. Cleanly through transition, I settled on the bike but knew straight away that I didn’t have the legs to ride anything too red hot that day, with some residual training fatigue present. I made the smartest decisions I could in terms of the way I was feeling, but still watched the top guys sail past me. I couldn’t hang on that day. I maintained my composure and didn’t give too much time away. With Hawaii being the main goal I was under instructions to hold off early and not pull the trigger (sprint for the finish) until quite late on the run. I managed to finish off my day strongly on fairly fatigued legs coming in, in 6th position, with confidence that I’ll have more in the tank come Hawaii.
The Sunny Coast half was also the first solid hit out in the Paradigm racing suit. I was very pleased with how it handled, walking away with no nipple chafe – unbelievable result! I feel privileged to have the opportunity to race in this suit, and would once again like to thank you for your support.
I used the following week being up in Queensland to supplement my race with some additional training kilometres. I logged my biggest run week to date (finishing Saturday Sept 16), clocking 120km in 7 days (including a race). Training in Queensland for the following week was a fantastic change of scenery to keep mentally fresh, and also to help acclimatize to conditions that I will most likely face in Hawaii (hot and windy).
I hope you’re all going well and kicking some personal and professional goals.
Cheers,
Andy