ultrahip_00's Mentor Group - Closed Again! (Page 10)

brick94513 - 2009-06-08 6:07 AM I don't think its so much about swimming in the suit, but rather being comfortable in the open water.  The suit will provide greater bouyancy, glide, and even catch as some suits have ribbed panels on the arms.  However, if you've never worn a wetsuit, it is important to be familar with the fit, tightness, and how to remove the suit quickly.  It would be important to at least practice the transition before your race.

In my limited experience with OWS in the ocean, its going to be more important to work on using landmarks to stay on coarse, incorporating site breathing into your normal cadence, and be able to get clean breath strokes with chop and waves. 

brick94513 - 2009-06-08 1:35 PM

Well my race is approaching at the end of the month!  Curious how important do you think it is to tamper?  And, if you think it is an important aspect, when and how should I start? 

ultrahip_00 - 2009-06-08 11:13 PM yeah, i thought it was crazy too, but that is what the coach had on the plan, so i said ok!   are you doing any other races this year?  do you have a road/tri bike as well as a mtn bike?

nevergivin - 2009-06-09 8:15 AM Mike, when training with your coach, what are some of the indicators that you look for for signs of improvement? I am looking to get more involved with monitoring my workouts as a form of tracking my progress, as opposed to just relying on race day efforts as I have in the past.

brick94513 - 2009-06-09 8:44 AM

Also interested if you have done the VO2 max test?

Ringo311 - 2009-06-09 10:46 AM Can you guys point me towards the best tri bike sizing chart. I dont have a good bike shop close to me and i really want to start looking on ebay and such for used bikes in my size.

I'm 6'0 but my legs are short - like 31.5-32" inseam.

fleetfeet_ch - 2009-06-09 9:37 AM Do you all use the HR monitor with your Garmin when you train?  I forget to put it on, not really knowing my true HR zones, but used it the other day when I was biking.  My HR was between 135-155 which is between zones 3-4 for me.  Where should I be training to give myself a pretty good push?  I've been tired after each of my training days, but still able to get up and go again the next day.

ultrahip_00 - 2009-06-09 9:04 AM

my training levels are based on HR - and to get my HR levels i did a 30 min test where i basically pushed it as hard as i could, but kept a consistent speed - hit lap button after 10 mins on my watch, and my avg HR for the last 20 mins is my threshold, or 85% HR.  my Run and bike were pretty close, right around 180-181.  That puts most of my training around 160 HR - which is 75%, but lots of intervals around 175-185.  when i am fatigued (almost all the time, other then rest/taper weeks), i have a hell of a time getting up above upper 170's. 

I have not done a V02 max test, nor have i rechecked my HR levels/paces since i started working with a coach (a little over 2 months ago).  basically, i was so close to Boise when i started working with a coach, that the last two months have been a crash course of large volume, varying intensity workouts.  the structure has been good, as far as improvement but can be tough mentally. 

As far as seeing improvement, i have seen it in several ways - i can go the same speed or faster for longer distances.  and/or i recover so much quicker.  i used to get pretty sore/tired after a 10 mile run. . my plan consistently had me doing a 10 mile AM run, 1.5 - 2 hr PM bike, then a track workout (7-9 miles, 4ish at fast pace) the following PM.  recovery become huge once you start pushing your volume up