$1.79's Mentor Group FULL of fast people (Page 11)

Hope everyone had a good weekend of training.  I'm trying to "qualify" for a slot in next years NYC marathon by completing 9 NYRR races and volunteering at 1, so lots of Sunday morning trips to Central Park.  It's only a 35-40 min drive from my house in Jersey, but a million miles away in many ways.  Yesterday's Japan Day run was no exception.  Was passed by running geisha's, samurai's, guys in combat boots with back-packs and someone in a goldfish costume.  Apart from the costumes, the piercings and tatt's are also much more interesting than at Jersey races.   The big news when I got home though was that I'd missed a bear who was cruising the hood.  Not terribly unusual around here, but still gets everyone worked up. Saw all the usual deer and fox on this morning's run, but thankfully no bear.  Amazing how such different worlds exist only 30 miles apart.

Yesterday sounds like a blast!  Talk about keeping your mind off of the run.  And how cool that you can "qualify" for NY by competing and volunteering.  Keep us posted!

I was running alone on a trail last week near an area where there have been recent bear sightings and got a bit spooked thinking about what I would do if I encountered one, and starting imagining that I was hearing 'bear noises' (not that I've ever heard a bear except on TV).  Spent the second half of the run checking behind me every few minutes to make sure no bears were following me.  I don't think I'll run that trail alone again.

Nice that you can get into NYC.. that will be fun for you !!

I don't know...I bet you could PR some runs if you thought there was a bear chasing you.

Since it's the beginning of June does everyone want to post their totals from May?  I'll start:

May's totals:
Bike:	13h 05m 43s  - 224.3 Mi
Run:	6h 48m 16s  - 44.23 Mi
Swim:	6h 28m 58s  - 20928.08 Yd
Yoga:	4h 00m

The swim total is almost half of what I did in 2008.  And I can tell.  I'm so much faster/more comfortable in the water now.

I'm really happy with my training in May.  I missed a few recovery runs and missed a swim in the last week but got all the other workouts in.  I am adding a bit of time to my run and bike workouts as I want to go overdistance in my long runs and bikes this year.

May's totals:
Bike:	20h 01m
Run:	9h 53m 53s  - 54.05 Mi
Swim:	10h 20m  - 22775 Yd

May's totals:
Bike:	13h 10m 07s  - 261.2 Mi
Run:	10h 04m 36s  - 69.9 Mi
Swim:	4h 22m 12s  - 13910 Yd

How is everyone feeling training wise?  Any aches and pains?  Frequently run down? 

I'm feeling pretty decent.  My legs are a bit sore, but that's pretty normal for me after a tempo run.  Hopefully today's easier run will help out with that.

Just curious if anyone out there uses anytime of structured stretching or yoga as cross training or injury prevention?  If so, would you share with us what you do? 

For instance, I know stretching is one of my biggest problems in this sport and partly to blame for frequent injuries.  While I have fallen off the bandwagon, I try to get in 2 yoga sessions a week.  I specifically pick sessions that are designed for runners, cyclists or target the core, hips, glutes area.  Personally, I enjoy the Yogamazing podcasts that can be found on Itunes. 

I'm feeling great !  Had a really good long bike and run last week and I'm recovering quickly from my workouts.  Following a plan has made a big difference in my training.  I've dropped about 5 lbs. since the end of April so feeling good about that also.
Aside from the dog bite May was a great month for me.  My totals look good compared to May of last year.

I used to do bikram yoga a couple times a week and loved it (it's done in a 110 degree room, takes a bit of getting used to).  Just haven't been able to make the time.  I am very disciplined about stretching after running since having a wicked bout with plantar fasciitis a few years ago.  I probably spend at least 10-15 mins stretching after runs.  That, plus good orthotics, have kept the princess feet happy and injury free.  I read about Meridian stretching, which looks very interesting.  Dara Torres attributed it to being part of her come-back regiment at Bejiing last year.
http://www.meridianstretching.com/

Will check out those podcasts though.

I used to do bikram yoga a couple times a week and loved it (it's done in a 110 degree room, takes a bit of getting used to).  Just haven't been able to make the time.  I am very disciplined about stretching after running since having a wicked bout with plantar fasciitis a few years ago.  I probably spend at least 10-15 mins stretching after runs.  That, plus good orthotics, have kept the princess feet happy and injury free.  I read about Meridian stretching, which looks very interesting.  Dara Torres attributed it to being part of her come-back regiment at Bejiing last year.
http://www.meridianstretching.com/

Will check out those podcasts though.

oops, sorry about the double post.  Not sure how that happened.

FYI, today is National Running Day!  I got 5 m in this morning to celebrate, but had to do it on the treadmill as we had a honking thunderstorm roll through.

I also try to make it to two yoga classes per week.  I do a strength yoga program which has helped me a lot with my flexibility.  I still need to do more work on my hips, as they are really tight, but I think it's helped quite a lot.  I started going last July when I injured my neck swimming and needed something to fill in that hole in my workout schedule.

Question re Garmin 305 (I think Lisa B and Andrew are both using).  I have never set mine up for the bike, just used it running.  Crazy, because I know it can do both.  I had ordered the new XT, which was going to be available next month but cancelled as I'm tightening the budget right now.

Anyhow, what do I need to purchase/add in order to be able to use as my bike computer?  I am also a little concerned about being able to read the display on the bike....darn old age.  Just jumped to the 1.5 peepers.

What are you wanting to do to use it on the bike?  Unless you want cadence, you just need to go to settings and change it over to bike.  If you want cadence there's an extra part you would need.

I did want cadence.  I don't currently have on my bike computer and rather than buy a new one was thinking I'd switch over to the garmin.

You can buy the speed/cadence sensor....
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1266


I think my bike computer cost less than that and is a lot smaller than the 305 so I'd be tempted to just buy a new bike computer unless you're looking to use the garmin and be able to download the info to your computer.

ETA:  I just looked at it again and it is wireless so may be a better option since you already have the garmin.


Edited by cathyd 2009-06-04 12:28 PM

To piggyback on what other have said:

Yes, you will need the cadence and speed sensor if you want cadence for the Garmin. 
In general, I just use my garmin for time, distance and heartrate (cadence before I switched to a powermeter).  Read through the user manual.  You can have it display up to 4 fields.  I recommend those above.  You just have to figure out what is important to you. 

I love my garmin and I don't think I even utilize 50% of its capabilities. 

I am a little very embarrassed to post May's total, but if I look at the positive side of things,  I can only do better, right?

  May      

Bike:	2h 31m 55s  - 30.86 Mi
Run:	1h 08m 04s  - 6.17 Mi
Swim:	39m 35s  - 218.72 Yd

Good job to everyone else.   I have decided  to stick to one of the training plans and get going.  I am really sore today after my 30 Shred Video that I did yesterday.  I think that its kind of funny that I am more sore today than I was after my frist race! 

Don't be embarrassed at all jess.. you've already done a race this year !!  Looking at your log you were doing well up to the race then you maybe got that post race 'what do I do now' feeling and let your training be sidelined. It happens to lots of us....for the last 3 months of 2008 (after my last race) I had a whooping total of 2h 47 mins of biking.  

Following a plan has helped me a lot the past 5 weeks.  I've never been this consistent before .  If you can commit to doing something every day, even if it's a 20 minute run, you build the habit and it makes it easier to stick to it day after day.  That and having a goal race that you're registered for and looking forward to. 

Be careful with that 'shred'ing.. you don't want to be too sore from that to do your tri training.
Keep at it Jess.. you can do it!

I agree with Cathy.  There is NOTHING to be embarrassed about.  Instead, I pose to you a (rhetorical) question:

If you are unhappy with May totals, what do you want June to look like?
What support/accountability can your mentor group provide?
What adjustments do you need to change in your life to make all this happen? 

Hey Jess.. I can relate to part of what you are saying.  
I've gone through periods of time where I got no support from my SO.. even felt he was intentionally trying to prevent me from training  (this happened moreso when we both worked a lot and had little free time, what time we did have he wanted (understandably) to spend with me and would not be happy if I went out for an hour run.  Over time he has come to accept that running (and now swimming and biking) are part of the lifestyle I choose.  He even occasionally goes to races with me.  
What I have done to try to ease any bad feelings is as much as I can I do my training, especially long sessions when he is doing something else, either work or his own hobbies.  It helps that he has a very time consuming hobby as well.   It also helps that I get a lot of time off from work and we do not have young kids at home.   He does still complain sometimes when I run after work in the city, which only happens once every 9 days, and is always a short run.
It also helps to sit down and talk about what you are planning to do, and how important it is to you.  If you are going for a Sunday morning ride maybe plan to do a family activity in the afternoon, letting him choose what it is.  If he has a hobby of his own try to be supportive of him as well.
Make sure he gets as much of your attention as your bike and running shoes do... so he knows that the family is #1.  But of course you know all this.  You just need to make sure that he knows too.

ETA.. one reason I do most of my training (all my swimming and biking and most runs) alone is that the local tri club workouts are always in the evening and on weekends... and I do most of my stuff during weekdays when hubby is at work.   It would be nice to train with the group but I'm not willing to commit to those evening hours.

Edited by cathyd 2009-06-06 9:25 AM