Swimmer's Group (Olympic Distance Animals) - OPEN (Page 10)

Well I'm hoping I'm not too late here to jump on the wagon, I think I could use the help.

GROUP FOCUS: Progressively longer distances, Olympic for this season

NAME: Geoff

STORY: I'm 26 years old, living outside of Vancouver BC. I got coerced into running a half marathon in 2011 (never have been a runner, let alone any kind of long distance) Then in 2012 I did my first triathlon as a way to have a goal to train for and keep myself in shape. If I don't have that goal in mind, I tend to turn into a lazy couch-potato. There's not even anything good on TV to watch as it is. I could do with less time sitting down. I'm 5'1, about 204 lbs (on a good day) and work a rotating schedule that makes it difficult to follow any kind of standard training plans.

FAMILY STATUS: Common-law, no kids

CURRENT TRAINING: fairly directionless. I started picking up the training over the past 2-3 weeks now. I try to get in a balance of 3-3-3 work-outs but the run is usually where I'll drop one if I do. Generally going out and running 30 minutes, or biking 30-60 minutes and swimming 15-30 minutes. Its not much, but i'm in the gym, which is what really counts.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: 2012, I did my first tri. The langley Try-it Tri. Great little event. I did it with my girlfriend and we didn't have a whole lot of training going in, but did it together in 90 minutes. (Swim 400 meters   Bike 13.05 miles Run 3.11 miles ) Not really sure on those measurements though. I don't think we were really very fast.

2013 RACES: my first race is the north shore sprint May 20. Then i'm planning a sprint/olympic (haven't decided yet) for early july. And an olympic in September out at cultus lake. Probably a half-marathon or something in there somewhere I'm sure as my girlfriend prefers the running events over the triathlons.

WEIGHT LOSS: Ideally, I'd love to get down as far as 190lbs, but I think 195 is more realistic. We'll see how the training goes. My other problem is due to weird working schedule and long shifts, I have had a tendancy to eat fast-food garbage a lot. Since I started logging my food intake again when I started getting back to the gym its been much better though.

Are you able to provide an example/screenshot of how you setup your spreadsheet?  Just curious as to the detail you put into it for recording times, etc...

That is quite similar to what I have started, to record both the schedule time and actual time.  You have a bit more depth in your schedule it appears. 

Are you able to find time to hit the gym as well?

Hey Jason, enjoyed the blog on moving to an Ironman distance. I whole heartedly agree! I almost feel apologetic at times when I tell people that I ran a Sprint distance tri. Most are simply not familiar with the different distances and certainly, for the most part, have no idea whatsoever of the committment it takes to compete at the IM level. For those who have done the race after a year or two or in some cases their first year I think all they want to do is to try and finish regardless of the time it takes just to say they did it. For guys like myself and I think you included, we don't want to do the race unless we can do it well. Personally before I get to much older I would really like to compete in one HIM but I doubt at this point and time whether I could ever do an IM. But for me it will be one step at a time! The only part of your blog that I couldn't quite grasp was this comment..."when you put all three together in the span of a 10-15 race you will quickly realize that your body is going to reject it." Not sure what you were trying to say here.  Your bike races are insane!! I can't help but wonder how thick the testosterone in the air must be prior to a race! LOL! You go man!

Welcome Geoff and Joshua! Lots of great training plans, advice and encouragement on this site! Geoff are you 5'1" or are you 5'10"? Just curious as most men are just not that short!  Personally I am just over 5'11" and am currently weighing in around 212-214 depending on the day and I would really like to hit 200-195 this year!          Howard  

You put in 10-15 hrs per week?  That is total swim/bike/run/gym, correct?

What workouts do you typically do in the gym?  

Jason,

Ya i'm definitely 5'10, almost 5'11 when i stretch hard lol. But ya, definitely trying to see if anybody has any plans or anything that they've put together for an 8-day week, or where i could go about finding one. I'm on a bit of a steep learning curve I think as I've never really done any regimented training for any sports. The most I've done was a weight work-out plan when I was much younger, and even then it was always basic and not varied the way most people train now.

Ahhh...gotcha...and yeah...no kidding!!!

Geoff I hear what your saying in regard to a steep learning curve! Lots of information to digest. The weight training doesn't have to be to advanced. Some of the basic exercises are still some of the best. As Jason mentioned you need to switch it up now and then to "trick" your muscles as it helps with strengthening and muscle develpment. I personally do split routine because at my age I simply do not recover as fast as I used to. I think what you should do initially, is to take the time that you have to work out daily and divide that into the three disciplines. In time you will discover for yourself what it is your going to need to work on more. Some of the events we train for just come more naturally and other require more work. Remember that you need a recovery day at least once every seven days. Me I need two! As I mentioned in a prior post there is just all kinds of info on this site and others that will help you to kick start your program. Good luck!

Howard

Thanks guys,

Ya I do realize everybody is different, I think its just going to take me time before I can get things sorted out the way some of you do. I'm just competitive and have limited patience when it comes to myself. If I want to be able to do something, I generally decide I should just be able to do it. Sometimes it works out alright, but.....sometimes not. With triathlon it's definitely a not. There's way too much to learn and figure out. Though I'm sure it will come.

I'm just stoked to be registered for a race, even if it is still over 2 months away. Definitely a good motivator.

Hope everybody's training is going the way they want.

Hey guys,

Please don't laugh at the following! Okay, you can a little bit. ;-)

I ran a 5km fun run today. Bearing in mind, I am in an untrained state. I knew I wouldn't have a problem with the distance, I knew I would get over the line, BUT I knew it was probably going to hurt!

I'm proud to say that I did it and I was in the ballpark of my expectations. And, yes, it hurt like I thought it would. RunKeeper was telling me that, by the 4km mark, my pace was dropping off significantly and after I finished I checked my HR monitor and my avg HR for the run was 188!! I spent 10 minutes in Zone 3 (Polar brand) and the rest of the time I was way out of range!! Max HR was 201. No wonder it hurt so much.

I did it in ... don't laugh ... 32mins-ish.

I'm actually pleased with that. It gives me a great deal of hope for October's 10km. I have a platform on which to build and it's a good place to start.

(I celebrated with a chocolate Muscle Milk and lunch at Noodle Box - minus the noodles!!).

I hope everyone's weekend is ace!

Em :-)

Em, great run! Way to take away the positives! I agree I wouldn't worry about your HR monitor to much. It can be a good tool, but to analyze your data after the race. Your HR will fluctuate a lot during a race and it will also be delayed to what your body is currently going through. I think it is best to go based on feel. Each day is going to be different. 

Thanks for the support guys, I appreciate it!!

That run was a good place to start. It's something to build on and I was pleased with the time, all things considered.

I was even more pleased when I read the official results! My official time was 30.35mins!!

How about that?!! I knew I was slow to hit stop on my Runkeeper app, but I didn't realise I was two minutes slow!

Whoo, hoo you really did deserve the treat! 

Do you have Parkrun in your area? I have been going to that on Saturday mornings at 8am (not every one but regularly). I found it great to do the same run in the same conditions each week and have had some great improvements. PLUS they have a 30min pacer, so you just run and don't have to worry too much about pacing.

Cheers

Felicity

I had found I was struggling with motivation....and now the mornings are get cooler here...its a cool 18c when I get up brrr!

Last week was my triathlon weekend...I was down to do the womens tri (300/10/3),  on the Sat and a Team Oly with husband on the Sunday (I was doing the Swim and Run). Unfortunately my back strain meant that we had to get someone else to do the 10k run, but I was looking forward to the swim.

It wasn't meant to be my week as both the events had their swim cancelled due to debris in the water....this meant the run was increased to before and after the bike! I took it easy on the womens tri and my back seized from off the bike the week before... and the bike leg was great. Then I walked/ Jogged the run part...my back hurt until the last 700-500Metres when I picked up the pace. All up I recovered well and this morning did my first real run since the injury...a nice slow 5k on the tready....it felt good!!! Back at work and it is just sitting that is irritating my back.

BTW our runner did a sterling job and ran the 10K in 48mins with no nutrition/hydration and after just being dragged out of bed...we have talked him into doing a marathon!!

I would be lucky to do it in 65mins flat!

Anyhow thats my update. Still on my quest for Cairns Oly although if I can't get momentum I will do the Sprint.

Felicity