Newbz' Spring Fling Mentor Group is FULL! (Page 10)

Today's 5k went pretty well. I didn't run as well as I think I could have, but I still came in at 23:48, which was good for 4th out of over 300 runners. Starting some bike-specific training tomorrow as that is my worst discipline. Looking forward to some big improvements this year!

I just started up running again, maybe 8 runs total since I started thinking about triathlons.  I am having a really hard time with my calves, every time I run, I get really sore there and it takes a few days to recover.  I can't figure out what is going on, aerobically I feel fine, can run at the pace I am going for a pretty long time...but the little guys are really bothersome to the point of making me wonder if I should not be running.  My longest run is 3 miles, I have started slowly and worked up from a walk/run to easy jog, to run/walk.  I did the Lowell First Run yesterday, not horrible but 2 miles in my hammy cramped and now my calves are on fire.  I did go out too hard and did the first mile in 7:35 when I was hoping to average around 8:30.  My finish time was 25:44 (8:18) so I guess I should be glad, but being in this much discomfort is not what this 50 year old guy wants any more!

I asked my 4.0 Exercise Science major daughter and she just laughs at me and calls me old!

No working out today, but a busy day none the less.  Kegging 10 gallons of beer and bottling 5 gallons of wine.  Then off to a party for the Packer's huge game today.  Looks like I might be starting my workout this month with a hangover. Good thing it is my short bike day tomorrow. 

GO PACK!!!!!!

Race report is up!  I mostly cut and pasted from my blog, so it's a bit long.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=237873&posts=1#M3272303

I broke the 30 minute mark, but it was just barely and the course was short.  Even though I decided to count it because of the circumstances of the run, I feel like I need another race where I can go sub-30 without a "but..."

Okay, so I'm going to go ahead and throw my bio in here with the expectation that you just can't resist letting me back into the group....ha!


NAME: jgerbodegrant/Jonathan Gerbode-Grant (no, my screen name is not representative of how creative or exciting I am as a person.) 


STORY: I have been an athlete of some form for the greater part of my life.  I'm turning 30 years old tomorrow! GAH!  I started out with the typical soccer/basketball when I was very young and transferred over to mountain biking in high school with pick-up games of basketball/baseball/soccer.  In college I decided to try something new and went with rowing.  After college I quickly fell off the exercise routine in and out of a bad relationship and got out of shape. Finally ending that relationship, two years ago, I finally stepped into the sport that my dad and I had been watching every fall for years.  This will be my third season of racing coming up.  I have done every distance up to and including HIM.  I love every part of it.  I am not afraid to say that the sport takes the greater part of my free time.  I recently started training with a coach and am looking forward to the new year.

FAMILY STATUS: I have a huge family, but I currently live with my girlfriend, soon to be fiance (cross your fingers). 

CURRENT TRAINING:  After my HIM this past year I fell off track in a huge way.  I was almost depressed by the outcome of my race with crashing and bonking on the run.  I am struggling with plantar fasciitis and have been doing a run/walk routine.  I am also taking part in an indoor time trial with our local tri club.  As far as swim goes...it is still my strongest leg, who knows why, but I am swimming 2 times a week....maybe up to 3 starting this week.  I am also training with power now, so I'm pretty excited about that.  My coach has me doing about 7-9 hours of work, overall.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: 2010 included two sprints, an olympic and HIM for me.  I improved a good amount from the previous year on both sprints, and didn't have the run legs to do well in the olympic.  The HIM was sort of a bust, but I have the medal. 


2011 RACES: I'm going strictly short course olympic and sprint distance this year.  I have eight races planned out.  I will have to grab my calendar at work to write them all down.. 


WEIGHTLOSS: I am currently over-weight by almost 15 lbs.  I'm not exactly chunky.  I'm 6-2" and weigh 201 lbs as of yesterday.  I would really like to get down in the 180's to race this year.  Seems like the heavier I am, the slower my run is, so anything will help. 

OTHER:  I have spent a ton of time on this website and encourage anyone new to do the same.  Try not to get yourself in trouble at work.  David will be one of your greatest assets this season.  We will most likely lose a couple of you to work and family, but those of you who stick around will grow and learn a lot from being in this group.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Nice run!  That about matches my best 5K time as well.  How far were you from 3rd place??!? 

How does one go about kegging their own beer!?!?  

I guess life isn't ALL about triathlon.  

GO PATS!!! 

I'll tell you exactly what is happening.  Okay, not really, but it's a good guess.  You are going too hard.  You say that you worked your way up slow, but you actually didn't.  If you've only gone out 8 times total, that's not enough to be running really fast for 3 miles without any pain.  

You are sort of screwed like I was when I first started running because your head and lungs say to go go go!  Unfortunately running doesn't care what feels good.  You need to start warming up better and stretch your calves EVERY DAY.  Most people don't actually end up doing it, but I stretch them every day at the same time of day to make sure I actually do it.  Stretching both calves, three times each with your knee straight and three times each with your knee bent.  Don't let your heel come off the ground either. 

You're 50, but that's no reason to give up on the running.  Just be glad that you can run without being out of breath.  You're doing awesome, slow it down a bit and recover correctly.  Oh and listen to Newbz.  He'll probably tell you I'm baked and do something else, but he knows what he's talking about. 

Thanks! I was way too close to 3rd (and 2nd). Looking back, I know I could've stayed with them, but I usually have trouble pushing myself... Especially in 5k's. I was actually in 1st until the last km. I would say that 2nd and 3rd were no more than 30sec in front of me. Anyway, it was a good start to the year. 2011 is going to be a great one. And, Happy Birthday! I'll be joining you in the 30's next month.

Ah man!  30 seconds!  I need to find some slower people to run against! 

Welcome to the group Jonathan!


As for me, I just finished a 12km (7.5mi) run with a friend.  That's my long run right now.  The rest of the day will be pretty laid back.  We're heading to the pool with the kids.  Not too hard of work.  I may head back there to swim some laps this evening though.

I finally added a profile picture.  Now, I'll seem a bit more like permanent resident of this board.    I had hoped to get one of me finishing my race, but we forgot our camera and my husband's smartphone doesn't take very good pictures in low light.  This will do for now.

jon you're in.



All, coming from ipod, computer not owrking well, should be able to play tomorrow.

You can't resist my inexperienced experience. 

Nice Deb.  I'm excited to be able to put some mileage in after this foot thing goes away. 

Looks like the time constraint excuses that are the holidays are officially over.  Guess that means I better get working tomorrow or it's going to be a sad 70.3 in September.

1.5 hours on the trainer today (gag!..).  Actually wasn't too bad.  I have a business trip starting on Thursday this week for 4 days so I have to get the cycling and swimming in the next 3 or 4 days while I can.  Hope to also do a long run later this week anywhere from 10 to 12 mi....  Hope all is well with everyone !

P.S. - I got a camelback for Xmas and was wondering if anyone has used this while cycling?  Looks to be fairly aerodynamic?  I definately could see training with it for longer rides, but does anyone have experience racing with one?  Thanks!

Congratulations!  What a way to end 2010!

Newbz,

Any chance we could get a current roster of group members?

Ok guy holidays are now officially over even though we have another furlough day here today. No more excuses, it's time to start off 2011 on a positive note! What's everyone training require today? I have a light 2k in the pool today with an optional run during my break at work. It's cold here in Wisconsin today...brrrrr

Rest day for me after my long run yesterday.  Tomorrow is a 2fer though -- spin + run brick in the morning and 2k in the pool after work.  Fun times!  :-)

Short bike day for me (36 min) and some weight training.  Must.......get......off.......couch.

Nice work on the drainer.  Since I bought the TV with netflix on it, I have been a much happier camper on mine.

As far as the camelback, I do use mine on long rides.  I have not raced with it, although I have seen people out there with them.  The main thing you should think about is nutrition and comfort.  The nutrition thing because I personally can't stand mixing my sports drink strong enough to keep in one bottle.  I end up taking three bottles (for 56 miles).  One has just water.  I switch that one out at aid stations.  The other two have my sports drink.  If you don't want to have to worry about aid stations, you could always carry all your water in your camelback and your nutrition in bottles on your bike.  But that's a lot of extra weight if you drink as much as I do.

for me today:

Run:
warm up for 10 mins in HR zone 1-2.
Once your warmed up add in 4x30 sec accelerations, at hard effort and as much speed as you can get going in that short period. Allow 3 mins recovery between strides.

swim:
WU: 2x200 easy
Drills: 2x(1x100 fingertip drag, 1x100 catch up, 1x100 train tracks)
MS: 3x400 CI pace, aim for consistency in all 3 400s, start easy to keep pace.

Probably won't get the swim in as it's my birthday and all.  Run then sushi for dinner!!

It is actually very easy.  Homebrew is usually made in 5-6 gallon batches.  Once the beer is done fermenting you just siphon it into your keg.  The kegs we use are 5 gallon corny/soda kegs.  The kegs were used by soda companies for years but they have been switching over to plastic bags over the kegs.  This put thousands and thousands of kegs out in the market for a decent price.  Once the beer is in the keg I hook it up to CO2 in my keg fridge in the basement and in 2 weeks or so I have carbonated beer.  I just kegged a cream stout and Blue Moon clone yesterday.  It is MUCH easier than bottling.