BigDH - Checking Off the Boxes - Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 11)

So I just finished my longest bike ride ever.  Keep in mind that for me this is actually really short, and still not as long as I will need to do for my first ever race in June, but I'm still feeling pretty encouraged.  Cycling will likely be the toughest leg of the race for me since I'm a really strong swimmer and a fairly experienced runner.  A few weeks ago, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish since the race at all since it's only a month away.  But as of today I have a renewed sense of hope and I'm thinking this might be possible again.

So - per Darren's suggestion I did 4x1200m with a 200m rest interval as my main set today.  Thanks for the suggestion!  Great workout!  Can't say I feel like a super stud, but I feel pretty good. 

Deb - glad you got your new medicine for your asthma.  Hopefully it helps get it under control. 

For this weekend - I have a long bike Saturday planned (18miles) and a long run Sunday (8miles).  Have a nice weekend everyone!

That was my 5k race pace.  7:40 was the average mile pace on the slowest 2 repeats.  So - I was cookin'.  The 200 Rest Interval was not jogging - it was walking.  So it was about a 1:50 rest.  Thanks again for the workout! 

Finally got my lifting in this week.  Met with the Abs class teacher and he had met with the pilates teacher so I learned some new stuff for abs: Pull belly button toward back during crunches.  Also when doing cross legs - go wider and pull armpit towards bent knee.

Ran to the local school track for the first time EVER!  Did 1 lap (.29mile) repeats.  I did a tempo'ish run on Wednesday so this kind of broke a "rule" of no back-to-back hard/quality runs.  But I had no workout at all yesterday - just could not grab the time and felt a bit tired.

Another busy week for me. Can't wait for the school year to end!!!  Had a race today.  It was a repeat race from last year.  I was five minutes faster than last year, that was the good part.  I was 2nd in the Under 39 Clydesdale division, which is also good, but last year I was 2nd by 33 seconds, this year, OVER 5 minutes!  Oh well, I had a great race and was able to make a family day out of the race and spend some time with my boys and wife at the beach.

Race report is here:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=252196

Chris - way to go in your race!  

Hey all.  I've had a great weekend here.  Headed out to the mountains with the family yesterday.  The only downside is the wind.  I did my bike yesterday on the trainer rather then outside.  It's been really windy, and truthfully I was worried about my stability on the bike.  Today was still windy, but better to run in it then bike.  I could physically feel it slowing me down a couple times when it gusted.

I've been pacing my long runs a lot better this week and last.  Previously, I almost never was able to finish at the same speed I started.  I slowed myself way down at the start, and have gotten a higher average speed out of it.  Plus, I actually ran my last 3 km much faster then the average overall, so I think I may actually be able to go faster then I have been.

Re: ab work - I don't do it, but it's the one thing (other then sbr) that I'm convinced I ought to be doing.  I really should start throwing some planks in, even if I don't do much else.  It wouldn't even be hard to find time for it since I can do it with the kids around.

So, is anyone else a race addict?  Seriously, I love the adrenaline from them, and knowing one is coming up really keeps me motivated.  It's been a month since my last one, and that was a disappointing one, and it's 3 weeks till my next one.  Too long for me!  Ideally, I would love to have one a month.  I actually had wanted to do one this month, but my husband was going to be going on a business trip (which then got postponed), so I didn't sign up.

I'm crazy, but I want to race and I want to do it now...

Regarding the wind - I did my 18 mile bike ride yesterday in the wind.  It was a steady 30mph gusting to 40mph.  It was nasty cold and windy.  I decided against bringing my bike back down into the basement to put on the trainer.  I'm done with the trainer.  It was a miserable ride, but I'm glad I did it.  I never felt out of control, but it was some hard work going into the wind and with a cross wind.  Was going about 12mph into the wind and 30mph with the wind at my back (that was the fun part). 

The 300meter marathon.

Training hasnt been really on the radar lately but believe me I have been busting my arse. I went on a white water kayaking trip on lake superior for the last 4 days. Kayaking can certainly be strenuous but in this case it went a little over the top. We tackled a river that hadnt been run in 10 years and has virtually no documentation on.  We relied on topographical maps and google satelite images but were pretty much going in blind. There were a few unrunable rapid that we had to get around. The worst portage was  in a canyon. This involved pushing pulling and dragging a loaded 80lb kayak through really dense brush alongside a slippery muddy bank. Slipping would have resulted in going into the river which could have be disastrous. In total that 300m portage took approximately 3 hours to complete. The cold, rain and lack of sun also added to the difficulty. Physically and mentally draining days ended with us all looking at our watches wondering if it was too early to go to bed. Bed time averaged around 8pm. Lots of great rapids to run and an awesome adventure. Not triathlon but I I feel I put in my physical training this past weekend.

The end is near!!! Only 17 days left!!!  And, my school's baseball team has made to the final four in the state playoffs, so I'll be leaving with them Thursday morning and hopefully not be returning home until late Saturday, with some hardware in tow. I'm trying to squeeze in all of my workouts around my schedule, so I'm planning on doubling up two days this week.  I was able to get in a swim before lunch and then a run this evening.  So far I'm not a big fan of doubling up.

Deb - I am a race junkie also.  3 races in 3 weeks and as soon as I knew I was going to the other coast for baseball, I check out races in the area, just in case I had a morning free. (There is a tri but the late registration fee is ridiculous!)

Ryan - Sounds like a great time. I have only done white water rafting once, and loved it.  I hope to take the family this summer on our way back from St. Louis.

Ab work - Not lately but was doing it last year as part of the Abs Diet program.  It really helped, I just got lazy and stopped.  I keep telling myself I will start strength and core workouts as soon as school is out.

Chris

DaveL:
I'd love to see some photo's of this Kayak expedition!

All:
Out of the blue - my right achillies tendon have become a bit touchy.  Doesn't really hurt, but it feels odd - sort of tight.  Since I just noticed it, I'm thinking ice.  Scratch that - it hurts when I palpate. Thoughts?

Racing on Thursday with the rest of New York's "Capital District".

I'm definitely in need of some speed workouts so I'll incorporate some of those in.  I usually try to do 1 speed workout a week (and maybe I'm not going fast enough - I haven't been puking!).  I have no definite running plan run now, just my BT training program which lists the mileage only.  So, I'll use those for sure until I'm back in marathon training mode - then it's back to the book.  

Re Ab work:  once a week.  I need to do it much more.  I like Darren's idea of doing it while watching TV and I've done that, but I still have issues with wanting to unwind after work or a workout with my favorite recovery drink (BEER).  And I don't think I should be doing ab work while under the influence.  That might be dangerous!  

Yes - I'm a race addict too.  I wish I actually had more time to fit a few more in.  

About my bike ride today:  I did 18 miles during rush hour traffic.  The car traffic was heavy, but the bike traffic was also heavy.  I nearly got run over by a 20 rider peloton of much faster and more experienced riders.  There is nothing more discouraging than nearly being run over by a bunch of other riders.  I need some help!  I need some speed!