Julia's Group - Full (Page 12)

I wouldn't be able to tell you much from a photo, but there are a FEW key things.  First of all your knees should track straight over the pedals - not too much towards the top tube and not out to the sides too much.  When you are at you nost forward knee position, if you hang a plumb line from your knee cap it should not be in front of the center of your metatarcel pressure point (the ball of your toes).  Other than that, you need someone who knows what they are doing to look at it.  Sorry I can't be more help!

YEAH!!!  That is GREAT!  I think you should be proud and don't worry about a jelly bean here and there.  Remember everything in moderation.  I have honestly found that if I pack in a ton of fruits and veggies, I don't crave the junk as much anyway.  After a while there's no will power, just habbit.  I actually love having granola and yogurt for breakfast instead of the bacon, eggs, cheese, hash browns that my hubby orders.  Plus then I can keep up with the kids

Anyway CONGRATS

That would be FANTASTIC!!!  My goals would be somewhere around Swim 10+ hours, bike 25+ hours, run 15+ hours.  We'll see...

I think doubling would be a lot but if you think you can - GO FOR IT!!!

Megan,

It sounds like you are dealing with a lot right now, the whole house buying/house selling/moving process is so stressful and time-consuming. I wish I had better advice about lighting the fire again. I totally agree with the advice about saying to yourself that you'll just go for 20 minutes, because sometimes once you get started you actually want to go longer, and even if not at least you got 20 minutes in.

I find you and others in this group that manage to put in the long training hours despite being busy really inspiring, and it helps me kick my own butt when I think I just can't get out there for that 45 minute bike ride.

Good luck with the house inspection! I bought a house last year but I was coming from an apartment, and just the thought of trying to juggle things so that the sale of one house goes through close enough to the purchase of another that you don't end either up in limbo or owning two houses totally stresses me out.

Megan,

         Hey I forgot to mention if you have any seminars that your local clubs put on, go to one of those for some inspiration and reinforcement.  I joked with my P.T. last night that since I can't run, I went to a marathon training seminar....but it was very inspiring and helped me to stay focused on rehab to get back out there.  Today I am walking like a mummy with my ankle and knee taped with some funky tape.  Hey if it helps, great!  Parent conferences tonight and tomorrow morning, then spring break!  I can't wait to get this research project done and have some time to relax!  Best of luck in your house hunt...I am going through that too even though I don't need to rush right now it can pay a toll.  P.S. I think I might have recruited another member to our tri club last night! 

Kersten

Motivation, motivation, motivation....  Let's see.  A few pointers - one BE CAREFUL and take care of yourself.  One thing that I have found is that personal life stress can lead to physical stress and illness if you don't take care of youreslf.  My first and foremost recommendation would be not to cut out sleep and to eat right and if you take supplements, continue to take them or think about it to avoid ending up sick.  My second pointer would be QUALITY not quantity.  When training for a big event, the base hours are important, however, at this stage rushing through a 40' bike might not help much.  Make sure that when you are training, you are there mentally and physically.  Try to make the time to FORGET about the other life stressors.  If you have a recovery bike or swim - skip it for a nap.  But don't miss the intense workouts that will keep you going on race day   Try to block out fewer, but more quality sessions.  Instead of trying to cram in a 30' bike and a 30' swim.  Pick the bike and get out there for the full hour.  Plus after 20' you might forget about the stress

Other than that, yeah, keep those magazines handy.  Another MAg I like is HerSports.  They feature athletes that are just like you and me and just reading some of the stories is inspiring.  I went through a LOT of stress with work at this time last year and I rebounded fine after pretty much taking a month off (not totally off, but really struggling to fit in my workouts) and I got stressed and I was sick for about a month!  Remember that this stuff is YOUR outlet, YOUR fun, and YOUR time.  HAVE FUN!!!!! 

YIPEEE!!  I finally had the time to swim 2500 yds!!!!  Good thing for parent conferences pushing the start of work a little later....so this morning my first swim partner came and we swam, then when she had to leave a coworker came partway through to finish the time I needed in the pool(I open the pool for just the two of us..).  Good one last workout before I take another week off as I am heading North for Easter (yea it's 25 degrees out this morning!) to my folks.  Have a good one everyone!!!  There is some motivation and positivity.... 

Let's see - I'm running the math for conversion in my head for km/hr vs mph...  Here is my thought though.  When I first started training for my FIRST race, I did the SAME thing you are doing.  I trained at running 10' mile pace.  Occasionally I would do a faster run at 9' pace.  I rode my bike at 15 mph with a faster ride at 16.5 mph avg.  I never even timed myself swimming.  When it came to race day amazingly I hit 18.5 mph average and 8:30's on the run.  WOW!!  So first of all don't think about your training time as equivalent to your race time.  If you really push yourself, prepare well for race day and taper correctly, you will find some speed you didn't think you had. 

That all being said, I think progression is different for everyone.  After that first race, I got a little more serious about my training and by the end of the season I was at 20 mph on the bike average and down to 7:30 miles running.  BUT one thing to remember is that every person is different.  Some people have a natural ability that might come out and some will have to really work to get there.  I think the biggest challenge you have is on your list there is the swim.  It takes a LOT of technique work and general swim fitness to get to 1.5 min/ 100 meters.  The run - I think you can get there with some general endurance training.  The question is what will the adrenaline do for you and how will the bike affect your legs running.  IF you really prep for race day, you should see some speed that you were unaware of .  The bike will again mostly be time in the saddle and maybe a few extra gadgets on the bike.  Unfortunately, on the bike a LOT of it might have to do with the bike you ride and the equipment you have to go with it.  All in all, don't shoot for the podium on your first race, but think about it by the end of the season.  It took me one year to get on the podium from when I started. 

Yeah, stress all around for me.  And of course that leads to sick...  So I'm down with a slight cold in my chest and looks like I'll be SNOWED in again for tomorrow!!  Holy CRAP I'm sick of the snow.  I thought it was over, but then I remembered APRIL.  We're supposed to get well over a foot and then another storm on Monday - how JOLLY!!!  Can anyone sense the sarcasm   Looks like a bunch of us are feeling that mid early season funk.  don't worry, it'll come around!!  Don't be afraid to take an easy week and then back at it

Happier weather wishes to all!!