2010 Molly's Mentor Group - IS ALL FULL UP (CLOSED) (Page 11)

I have a question about days off. I know they are necessary and I have taken the advice of a friend to take one today since I haven't in a while. What I wonder is if I do a very easy ride on the trainer for 30 minutes, I sort of figured that would be a day off. Are days off when you do absolutely nothing other than regular day to day stuff or can it be an easy, short workout?

A day off is exactly that - A day off. Even a short easy trainer ride is still working the same muscle groups that you are supposed to be resting. Your body needs that time to repair and heal itself. I know it's tough, believe me, I know. But you have to take at least 1 day a week off with no swimming, biking or running. You should relax, spend time with your family, maybe get a massage, sit in a jacuzzi, take a steam, see a movie or whatever, but no gym or tri training. Off means off. Your family will appreciate it more and believe me, so will your body. However, on your off days, pay a little more attention to calorie intake and eating healthy. 

Ok folks, good news. I found a morning swim class in my area that starts March 31st. The only problem is that it is a masters class and they require that you can swim eight lengths of the pool continuously. Four lengths of the eight must be completed in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Considering I have no clue if I can do this, I am wondering if in the next 3 weeks I could work up to it. I am going to call them tomorrow and see how strict they are with this and maybe they can assess me to see if I can join. Any thoughts?

Congrats on finding a swim group!  I would definetely get in the pool a few times to get back "in the groove" of swimming.   What is your swim history?  If you have had a swimming background, I think you can work up to the 8 lengths they require.  If you have NO swimming background, I would get in the pool now to get use to the water and practice your swim strokes.  

Either way, I hope you have fun and learn a lot.  Since I started swimming last October, I have really enjoyed a whole other way of exercise.  It was slow going... heh, still is, BUT I enjoy the way swimming makes me feel.  Ahhhh,  nothin' like a full body workout. 

I'm a novice, so swim experts feel free to chime in.

I would say to try to get in the pool for the next few weeks and try your best to swim your 200 yards without stopping - no matter how long it takes you to start.  Try not to focus too much on the time at first.  The more you're in the water, the more endurance you'll build, and the faster you'll get.  It's also about technique, so they'll be able to help you with some of that so you'll be able to swim faster with less effort.  Get in the pool and time yourself swimming your 200 yards and see how long it takes you.  That's your starting point.    You've got a month to swim your 200 in around 5 minutes.  

Have you timed yourself before to see how fast you are?  I have a Timex Triathlon watch that I wear when I work out, and I keep track of my intervals on my watch with my lap timer.  It works great, and then I dont' have to remember them.  I just go through my watch at the end and match up my workout with my times and write them down.  Be sure to write your times down.  It's a great way to see your progress - even if it's only a few seconds - progress is progress!! 

I'm sure they'll let you in.  If you're motivated, and willing to try hard, I can't imagine that they'll turn you away.  Swimmers are a very social, gregarious bunch!!  (Spoken from a swimmer, by the way!!).

Keep us posted how it goes! 

Happy Sunday everyone. I hope your training is going well. As we start to move into March everyone who is racing this season should be either in race prep mode or at least starting a program. If you are still having difficulty picking a training plan, please post or even IM me and maybe we can find something for you. For those just gearing up and getting into your programs, remember to get plenty of rest and keep your nutrition on task. Avoid the "I deserve mentality" when it comes to eating. Enjoy your workouts, race day will be here soon. For those that have started and have a race coming up, now is the time to get focused on making your sessions count. Keep in mind that as we get closer to the race you will start to taper. Taper period is not equal to rest. Your sessions will be shorter, but they should be faster. This where you are going to see all that hard work pay off. You will be concentrating on speed and race day feel. You will also back off longer sessions. Make sure to watch your nutrition during this time, get plenty of rest and stay injury free. As always, make sure you are warmed up appropriately and make sure to get stretching in on the cool downs. Happy training everyone!

February's totals:Bike: 24h 06m 06s - 401.03 MiRun: 15h 01m 37s - 99.87 MiSwim: 9h 25m - 25250 YdStrength: 1h 25mPOST YOUR FEBRUARY TOTALS!

I don't have a training plan yet. I haven't decided on a race and it may only happen in August. I am getting close to buying a road bike and I plan to sign up for a Masters swim class that starts March 31st.

February's totals:
Bike:	10h 31m  - 16.45 KM
Run:	6h 57m  - 61.19 KM
Elliptical Training:	1h 05m
Stretching:	1h 50m
Yoga:	20m

February's totals:Bike: 3h 51mRun: 5h 38m 05s  - 28.5 MiSwim: 1h 04m  - 3500 YdSkating: 1h 30mSnow Shoveling: 1h 30m

February's totals:
Bike:	11h 00m  - 204 KM
Run:	10h 07m 57s  - 101.72 KM
Swim:	7h 55m  - 13800 M

I start my training plan for Muskoka 70.3 in two weeks - still just maintaining and building a base.

February's totals:
Bike:	2h 30m 25s  - 16.04 Mi
Run:	3h 58m 05s  - 21.53 Mi
Swim:	4h 35m  - 6000 Yd
Strength:	3h 40m

Here is a little race report and a few pics of my race this weekend 
http://cordeliajane.blogspot.com/

Edited by blockertri 2010-03-08 4:10 PM

February's totals:
Bike:	7h 16m  - 15 Mi
Run:	8h 12m 28s  - 52.87 Mi
Swim:	6h 34m  - 14450 Yd
Strength:	2h 05m

My training plan is a running based plan from a half mary group I was with at the YMCA last year.  I've tweaked it to add bike and swim sessions.  I've got my first tri April 18, so it's exiting that it's only a few weeks away.  

Awesome race Amanda!!  Looks like it was a fun way to start the season. 

Great race. The first one is always a learning experience. Now you will know where to focus for next time and where you can improve. If you dont learn from each one, then you aren't paying attention. Even the pros will find something they can work on for the next race. Most important sounds like you had fun! COngratulations.  

great job in february everyone! numbers and miles are looking strong. So I have to post that my new pair of Zoot racing flats just came in the mail today. I am super excited for my first run in them tomorrow. 

I'm in the market for new shoes - the old Asics Nimbus 10s are just not working for me anymore. Let me know what you think of the Zoots - my brother swears by them.

I LOVE my Zoots! And thanks to everybody who checked out my report

You don't like the Nimbus anymore, how come? I bough the Nimbus 11 and I am adjusting, I think I liked the Nimbus 10s better. When we go to running free, I may buy a new pair.

They're just not working for me - I don't think that I need that much stability. I'm hoping someone at Running Free can do a better assessment of my feet. I loved the Nimbus 10s when I first bought them, but my feet keep changing or the shoes are changing - one size is too small, and the next size up is too big. Hopefully I can find THE shoe (and maybe they won't cost as much as the Nimbus!)

I love the Zoots, but will caution that I don't think I could do long runs (anything over 13 miles in them). There is not enough cushioning for me. They really are racing flats meaning they are flat. If you are not a neutral runner or require cushioning or stability they are not for you. I have heard the Avi Bolts are pretty good and have a little more cushion than the Zoots. 

I started Jillian Michaels 30 day shred (DVD) today.  Will be interesting to see how it works.   I lost 35 pounds with Weight Watchers (and a lot of exercise - hence the triathlon in September  ) last year, and have been on maintenance since last July - scale hasn't moved, so I supposed I'm doing something right, but would love to take off just 5 more - maybe this will do it.  Am going to try to add this in with the rest of my workouts, so we'll see how it goes.  Did the Shred this morning and swam this afternoon, so that worked out, but I usually workout in the mornings exclusively, so I'll have to juggle some.  I'll keep you posted. 

Anyone else do the Shred??  would love to hear your thoughts. 

Feb totals
Bike: 105.25mi  7h 12m 32s
Swim: 3601.27  53mins
Run: 47.23mi    7h 55m

I'm running in my first road race of the season this weekend and I have mixed feelings about it. One of my students/former soccer players asked me to run with her. She just had knee surgery a few months ago and this will be her first time running pain free in a few years (what a way to go through  high school). She wants me to run with her because she knows I won't let her stop. I think its great she wants that and I think its important as a coach/teacher to do that for your players/students. But, at the same time, I'm competitive, I want to run and beat my times from last year. we'll see, I keep telling myself its just one race, who cares but I know when I get on the starting line I will want to run hard.

Good luck in your race this weekend!

I've done the dvd along with another workout plan. I haven't done it for 30 days though. I did Jillians making the cut book. The workouts are about 45 min and hardcore, and the diet is pretty strict. I wish I would have done it earlier in the off season though, because the workouts don't really complement triathlon training. I did drop a few pounds and could tell a difference in my shape.
Good luck chicka!