Note: As the COVID-19 pandemic upends all of our lives, it is great to have something to look forward to in the future and help us keep some routine in our lives. Despite how it seems now, life will go on. Eventually. At this point, Ironman Canada in August 2020 is still on as scheduled. We have no way to know if this will stay the same but we can remain positive and hold on to hope. Maintaining training for this event may seem like some strange combo of pointless, impossible, and the only thing keeping you sane in these scary and trying times. Right now, it’s about doing what you can with what you can control and we are basing this blog on that.  

Swim. Bike. Run. Check. Hopefully, you’ve been able to maintain some volume of training although swimming for most right now is a no-go with pools closed. This is the time to try dryland swim workouts and resistance band workouts to keep some muscle memory for swimming even if you don’t have any time in the water. Not to worry because with five months to go there is still time to get the swim back. Hopefully for many it will be warm enough to hit that open water soon. 

Besides swim, bike and run what else can we focus on now and work on during these unusual times? What is a key aspect of training that supports all three of these sports and helps drive recovery? It’s the fourth sport that isn’t always acknowledged. Fueling! 

Yep, working on your nutrition in all it’s many aspects is critical to a successful Ironman. It’s time to put on your detective hat to do some sleuthing about nutrition.

CLA Team Members compete in events all over the world and this highlight takes us to Ontario, Canada.

Recently Rebecca F completed Around the Bay Road Race. This 30k (18.6 miles) road race is one of the oldest running races on the continent as it was first held in 1894!

This race takes place in Hamilton, Ontario on the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s a sneaky course in that the first 12 miles are flat and then hills kick in for the last miles. Like all of us, Rebecca was hoping to start off easy and run stronger at the finish. She wanted to practice fueling and the mental skills she has been working on.

How did she do?

Editor’s Note: We love highlighting races or other fitness-related events. We are starting a new series, “Tales from the Day,” with Coach’s own story of the Black Canyon Ultra. We would love to hear your “tales from the day” after your next event so please send them on to us.

Two weeks post-Black Canyon, I find myself thinking a lot about the day. The biggest thing I keep coming back to is that every race/event is an opportunity, if you let it be. No matter how the day goes, it’s a chance to learn more.

Some ask how I could have more to learn after having done dozens of races and events of all distances for so many years! The simple answer is I don’t think we are ever done learning.

Fueling properly for a long run will set you up for success. The tricky part of fueling for a long run is figuring out what works best for you. It takes planning and practice to set yourself up for success. You may find that many runners will tell you that they don’t need anything to eat during a run but research shows that there are many benefits to fueling properly.