Allison and Ryan's Beginner Mentor Group - FULL (Page 10)

Apparently not exercises for 8 days,eating like a pig in New Orleans, and  eating lots of Easter chocolate makes for a very difficult run.  Since we have a race next weekend my husband and I ran last night.  It was brutal.  Hard to believe 2 weeks ago I did a ten mile run and survived.  4.5 mile of walking and running.  It was very hard.  Today my body hurts.  Time to get moving.  Race on Sat is 5.8 miles. 

I found that my second swim in the open water was so much better than that first practice swim.  Something about all the people and the motion of the water is a bit on the scary side.  I scuba dive and I still found it unpleasant.  The weird part for me has been not being able to see anything at all. In my swims I haven't even been able to see the other swimmers. Definitely takes a practice to get used to it.

Happy Training.

Good to see you back Jeanawright.

Had a good taper run of 4 miles and timed it perfectly before the down pour happened.

Still no luck on swimming arrangements, getting really discouraged at this point. It maybe a schedule of Duathlons all summer for me

So this OWS is messing with my mind.  I went to the pool this morning to do my scheduled workout and hoping to redeem myself a little and earn some self-confidence back.  It sure didn't start out that way.

Work-out today was 3x200s.  I started off with my normal 4x25 warm-up and then went into my work-out.  I don't know if it was my anxiousness over proving something to myself and redeeming myself from this weekend but I just didn't get into a  rhythm at all my first set.  I blew my rhythm out of the water as I took off waaay too fast.  Then I was wondering why I was struggling towards the end of my set.  Duh.  Don't swim that hard.  I was actually lapping the guy in the next lane.  I NEVER lap people.  It wasn't until my last set that I realized the reason I was so tired wasn't because I couldn't swim, but because I was pushing too hard,  too anxious, and too tight putting myself into a downward spiral of bad form and frustration.  It was probably also because I was exhausted after two sets of swimming like a drowning cat too.

So for the last set I told myself to relax, take it easy, and not to worry about the guy in the next lane.  All of a sudden my form came back. 

Oh. 

I'm going to have to find some way to make myself just relax in my OWS's and especially on race day (not sure how to do that yet). 

So my lesson learned today is to relax and not get anxious during the swim.

Oh..I passed that guy on my last lap too.

wushunut:

I haven't done an OWS yet, however, to help me with my form when I'm pushing hard in the pool, I try to get a song/riff in my head that has a particular cadence I can swim to.  I focus on that, and it helps me keep my form in tact when my energy is giving out.

Good Luck!!

Keye-  Don't worry about your 1st OWS that much.  Those types of reactions to your first time doing an OWS happen to lots of people.  I would recommend doing as many OWS swim practices as you can.  Conditions (wind, rain, waves) change all of the time and you will be just that more prepared for race day.  On race day, before your race get in the water and swim around some if you're allowed. This will help you get used to the conditions (waves, water temp) that day. Maybe find a few songs that you can listen to before the race that can both get you excited and/or relax your nerves a bit.  Even though I did all of that I still went out a bit fast in my first tri because I got caught up with everyone else running into the water during my wave (beach start). It happens but with practice you will realize and make adjustments.  Good luck!

Thanks Ryan.  Yeah... if anything that first session just convinced me that I need to get out there again.  Just so I can learn to relax in that environment.  The challenge is finding people to swim with.  Too bad none of you guys are in FWB, Florida.

On a different note, went out for a ride today during lunch.  Actually ripped out 12miles in 34minutes (~22mph average).  I wasn't pushing too hard and was surprised the hills went so quickly (there are 2 hills on this course...hey..it's Florida, no hills here). I was actually surprised since my rides last week equaled approximately zero.

I really wish I was in FL for swimming.  You cannot swim in Lake Michigan until June and even then must have a wetsuit.  I may be heading to FL next month (Ft. Myers area) but I am not entirely sure yet.  Wow...averaging 22mph on the bike...that's impressive!

Oh dear.  I am slightly concerned.  Here is my situation.  On April 3  I ran my first ten mile race (pace 10:02) and on April 10 ( pace 9:47)  I ran another ten mile race.  Before that I had been doing 2 short runs a week and one long run on a training schedule for 10 mile races.  That all went fine.  After the second race I decided to rest my calf that has been bothering me for awhile to see if I could get rid of the pain before I get crazy with triathlon training.  .  So I rested about 2 weeks which coincided with a vacation so it all worked out fine.  Now I have one week until a relay race where I run 5.8 miles.  I thought I would be able to do a few runs and be fine.  However, my runs have been awful.  I ran on Sunday 4.5 mile in 50 minutes and today 2.5 miles.  I can't seem to get moving.  I feel very out of shape.  I wasn't surprised that Sundays run felt bad since I hadn't run in such a long time, but I thought todays would feel better.  I did have pizza and coke for breakfast.  I ran a 10 mile race 2 weeks ago.  I know all that can't be gone, but it certainly feels like it.  What I want to know is what should I do the rest of this week to try and get ready for Sundays race?   I am thinking I should run quite a bit, but am not sure what to try. 

Maybe some biking and swimming will help.  Can't swim until Thursday cause I still am not home, but I can bike.  I think I might go for another run right now since the last one was short. UGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

Ft. Myers! Great place to ride too! Lot's of bike paths through Sanibel island and the water down there should be plenty warm for swimming.

If it helps, you're running longer distances than I am.  Anything over 3miles is a "long run" for me.  I think you'll get back into it pretty quickly but I wouldn't over do it either.  My guess is if your body is tired then it's because it's tired.  Biking and swimming to keep in cardivasculor shape seems like a good idea and should let your legs continue to recover.

running...

I guess I'll eventually get to the point where I enjoy it... still working on a treadmill.  have yet to break 13 minute mile.  slow.. slow.. slow...

I have been running about 2 years and it is still really hard.  The only time I like it is after a run.  After a race I really  love it and think it is the best thing ever.  So odd. 

My daughter on the other hand loves running.  She just enjoys it.

Your daughter sounds like my wife and her youngest sister.  They both just love running and seem to be just built for it.

Me, on the other hand, I think I've gotten to a point where I can just tolerate for short amounts of time.  I did track & field in HS and college but I was always a sprinter.  My body also just seems to bulk up really quickly too.  I'm what most people would say is someone "not built" for distance running.

I am a clyde though.  215lbs right now (down from 230, yay!) so running is definitely hard for me.

Funny how it always works that way eh? You never feel like it, but once you start it feels better and by the end you feel great that you did.

Had a decent work-out today. Felt pretty good about myself at the end.

From my training log:

Work-outs went pretty well today but I'm pretty spent. Went for a run this morning and felt pretty good. Feels like my form and endurance are improving with every run. Wish I were faster though.

The swim was much better and helped regain some of my confidence back. On my second set I just let it go and tried to remember my form as much as possible. It helped alot. First time since my OWS that I felt I could just swim and swim. I have to remember to keep looking behind me as it 1) helps my balance when my had is in the water and 2) helps when I breath and actually get air and not mouthsful of water. Also worked on streamlining my body and making my body as long as possible in the water. All of the above just seemed to help alot. Now to translate that into an OWS!

Well I didn't make the NY Marathon lottery today

But I did get my 3 mile run in. One workout to go then off to OKC. \

And I may have got my swimming problem resolved, waiting for confirmation.

Sometimes when I am working out I feel horrible and hate every minute of it but then afterwards and after showing I feel so great about working out and was really glad that I did it. So it seems to vary from day-to-day.

Sorry to hear that you didn't make the NYC lottery but hopefully you get into some other races that you want to do. 

And Jeremy hopefully that swim coach works out for you. If not maybe you can meet some more advanced swimmers at a local pool to give you some tips and then just train on your own.

No workout for me today.  Although my core is exhausted from all the gardening I have been doing. 

I have been thinking about this race.  A friend wants to get a team together.  Considering the most I have ever run is 10 miles and I have only done that about 4 times perhaps I (we - my husband also) are indeed crazy. 208 miles 12 runners 36 legs.  It would take 30 some hours.  Don't want to do it at all, but it might have to be done. 

 http://www.blueridgerelay.com/maps/summary_chart.php

And there is this run

http://sites.google.com/site/thegoldrushgoldrushrace/

Of course the problem with this run is the whole altitude thing.  Not sure why these races even sound fun.

Bummer about not getting into the NYC Marathon. 

Well.. the swim today sucked!

I just didn't feel right, couldn't get into my normal rhythym, and my breathing was horrible. Just couldn't get past that warm-up wall.  I felt fine afterwards, but I know I pushed really hard yesterday, so I'll chalk it up to my "old" body being out of shape and needing a little more rest.