WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE

Forum guidelines BT super discount
Other Resources Challenge Me! » WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE Rss Feed  
Moderators: the bear, kaqphin, tinkerbeth, D001, k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2005-07-29 12:17 PM

User image

COURT JESTER
12230
50005000200010010025
ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE

Am posting this now as my wife, child, mom, niece and I are leaving for Sarasota, FL tomorrow to see my Grandpa before he answers his call to "Come Home."  He knows my mom is coming but the rest if us will be a surprise and he'll get to hold his Great Grandson.  The man is 91 and on kidney dialysis and we think his cancer is back.  I'm thinking that after we leave on Aug 2nd he'll stop fighting it and "Go Home."

Anyway, with that.....................

What I've learned in setting a B-HAG (Big Harry Audacious Goal) for this month Challenge:

1)  Increments in milage (especially for the runs) were to big for the body to adapt to that quickly.

2)  17 mile ride with a properly fitted bike and tri shorts is no big deal and I can manage a 15mph avg. pace.

3)  I can do the majority of that ride on the aerobars or drop bar and only need to move to the brake hoods on step inclines.

4)  For running after a ride, a 5 minute run/1 minute walk interval works great till the legs get loosened up and the 1 minute walks get less frequent

5)  With the above run interval I can still keep it under a 12 min/mile pace.

Anyone else who set a B-HAG...what did you learn?

2005-07-29 6:03 PM
in reply to: #211001

Elite Veteran
781
500100100252525
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
Estimate your swim goals and then subtract 10%. You never know when the masters class will be canxed or the outdoor pool will close for lightning.

Oh yeah, I think we've all learned the lesson of building your run distances too quickly. Hope you're feeling better.

And, lastly, the people in our lives are much more important than tris. Best of luck to you as you say goodbye to your grandfather. I hope your time together is extremely loving and brings a measure of peace as you celebrate a life well-lived.
2005-07-29 6:09 PM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Master
1506
1000500
Minnesota
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
1) I made my goals hard to reach for me, but wanted to get a handle on how much my body will take.

2) I can reach my goals with the support of others, especially those on this site!

3) I feel so much healthier & energetic from setting exercise goals.
2005-07-30 12:55 PM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Expert
1274
10001001002525
Jackson, Mississippi
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
1.) You REALLY do need lots of support to do this. Not only here on BT but at home as well. When my wife is feeling supportive and proud of me, things get MUCH easier.

2.) Ditto the part about the run.. but the good news is that it WILL get easier!

3.) It is easier to push your miles up faster on the bike (for me)

4.) I feel like I have a handle on the swim so I don't swim as much as I should.

5.) Next month I WILL RUN 50 MILES!!!!!

Ty, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

2005-07-30 1:40 PM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Expert
1238
100010010025
Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
With all this working out, the real challenge is a "waking up after only 8 hours of sleep" challenge. July was my least productive month at work, but that's not a bad thing.

dave
2005-07-31 9:54 PM
in reply to: #211346

User image

Expert
936
50010010010010025
Westchester County NY
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE

lynda - 2005-07-29 7:03 PM Estimate your swim goals and then subtract 10%. You never know when the masters class will be canxed or the outdoor pool will close for lightning. Oh yeah, I think we've all learned the lesson of building your run distances too quickly. Hope you're feeling better. And, lastly, the people in our lives are much more important than tris. Best of luck to you as you say goodbye to your grandfather. I hope your time together is extremely loving and brings a measure of peace as you celebrate a life well-lived.

You're 100% right on the swim goals.  If I had subtracted 10% my thunderstormed out OW swim scheduled for Wednesday would not have mattered, and I would not had even thought about taking a swim today to get the missing yards in.  I didn't do it knowing I was getting a cold.  It was bad enough I ran to make my run goal.

Other things I learned from this:

  • 5 races in 19 days tend to wreck havoc on projected goals, especially when one of the races wasn't added until after the challenge goals were set.
  • Even if you're "training through" the races there is still a decrease in normal mileage for that week, and that needs to be taken into account when setting goals.
  • Over racing can make you sick.  (I caught a cold.)

2005-08-01 12:35 AM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Supersonicus Idioticus
2439
200010010010010025
Thunder Bay, ON
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
putting in the running mileage (especially for a beginner) does wonders for your race time.

The tri challenge is boring! You need different running/biking sets to make it interesting.
2005-08-01 1:03 AM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Expert
1238
100010010025
Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
I agree with you Freshy. I'm kind of disappointed to see us doing the same challenge two months in a row.
2005-08-01 11:10 PM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Elite Veteran
610
500100
chicago area
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
I learned I need to get my 1 year old on a training program so we can work out together.

I learned that life can get in the way of training which is not a bad thing. Family comes first.

I learned that going uphill on a MTB pulling a trailer is a great workout.
2005-08-02 12:18 PM
in reply to: #212352

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE

skavoovie - 2005-08-01 1:03 AM I agree with you Freshy. I'm kind of disappointed to see us doing the same challenge two months in a row.

I would be up for a run challenge. It's my weakest link.

2005-08-02 3:52 PM
in reply to: #212348

User image

Master
1791
1000500100100252525
Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE

So Fresh So Clean - 2005-08-01 1:35 AMputting in the running mileage (especially for a beginner) does wonders for your race time.The tri challenge is boring! You need different running/biking sets to make it interesting.

There should be nothing stopping anyone from participating in this challenge. If you want a run focused month pile on the run miles and drop back on the swim and bike. We've got 4 or 5 marathoners/half marathoners on our team who are having huge run months and smaller bike/swims. Another 2 are doing 1/2 IM's and are piling on the bike and run sets. Make it be whatever you want it to be.



Edited by jkbostic 2005-08-02 3:53 PM

2005-08-02 4:40 PM
in reply to: #211001

User image

Master
1359
10001001001002525
South of SLC
Subject: RE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE
I learned I can push myself and the results show up at my races. I am really goal oriented and surprised myself that I felt the level of committment to my team in achieving my goals that I did.

Mike
New Thread
Other Resources Challenge Me! » WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THE CHALLENGE Rss Feed