Linden Ferguson, store manager at Fresh Market by day and triathlete in his spare time is in his final preparation stages for IRONMAN Louisville this Sunday at Waterfront Park. Linden has been training since January with a 20 week build-up using 70.3 half Iron distance races as preparation.
When I asked Linden what he was doing to prepare for the heat advisory he said "2012 was just as hot. I'm worried about people not prepared for it- expect lots of carnage on the course. The run will be miserable! For me, I will use my Infinit Nutrition mix plus salt sticks on the bike and run. I will take a bottle of water at every aid station in the bike to keep up my fluids- a side note I lost 12 lbs due to heat. Finished in 13:17."
Linden is most excited about the beginning of the swim portion when they will play "My Old Kentucky Home" and the call to the post. "I'm a Kentucky boy and hearing those gives me chills like before the start of the Derby." He also said that the most difficult part is the run because "The run- it's all mental. The heat will rule the day and the key is to not overcook it on the bike. Go fast- but don't blow up, saving something for the marathon."
He has raced in 15 triathlons including two IRONMAN and four 70.3 half IRONMAN races. Even though this is his third race, he dreams to race in the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, which he hoping to qualify for during this race.
Last, but certainly not least, I asked Linden how he was going to physically recover from this race and he said with "ice baths, goofy compression wear and massage."
For more information about the race, view my last post about IRONMAN Louisville.
