Brian and the Tri Tarts Group - Full (Page 12)

I do both mornings and evenings.  Just depends on what's going on I guess.  If I know I have stuff to do after work or need some free time or it'll be a long work day (and I can guess that ahead of time), then I try to make sure I do a morning workout that day.  If it's a big workout, then I'll do a morning and evening workout set sometimes instead of doing it all in the evening.  Sometimes I am exhausted from travel from work and I let myself sleep in the extra hour and just do an evening workout the next day.  If I get to bed late - it's not gonna happen in the morning so evening only.  So I guess I just kind of take it as I go and plan ahead as much as I can, but know that it changes and try to be flexible with it.  I do like the morning workouts b/c I start the day much more refreshed and I have more energy and I find it helps me make better eating decisions all day long.  As far as light vs. dark well either way, it'll be dark for me right now.  My morning workous mean i'm up at 5am and I don't get off work and into workout clothes until 5:30/6pm.  But my gym has a nice area to walk/run indoors, so it makes it a little easier until the sun is up more. 

x3 on the all over the place workouts.

  I schedule myself in at 11 AM on Tuesdays (work the 11A to 7 P shift that day) for swim and off on Thurs so I can swim again and go to the core endurance class.  My bike and run time is mostly after work or the Sunday morning before church which means getting better organized to be ready for church on time...Most of my running is a loop variation in my neighborhood and currently the bike is on a trainer.  I'm debating getting rollers while they're on sale at the LBS...not sure I'm really ready to try them but it would be more interesting than the trainer thing...Sometimes I squeeze in the strength set at home with a video, other times I use the machines at the gym.  That depends on how much I need to get done on my day off from work.  My philosophy is "find a way or make a way" when it comes to my training...

WOW, our group is full of amazingly well educated, successful people.  I am no PhD, only a measley MBA.  What a slacker!

I am mainly a morning work out person, but occasionally I will try to get in a second aerobic session at night.  I consult, have no kids and a husband who travels about 75% of the time so my training schedule is uber-flexbile.   The body feels better in the moring and I really am a one shower gal if at all possible.

BS in Chemical Engineering, MBA.  Wow!  Maybe we should be the Tri Nerds instead of the Tri Tarts. 

I am all over the place with my training schedule too.  Mostly evenings except when I get up early - which I'm trying to do more of, but need to get to bed early first - vicious cycle....

I have about an hour commute each way and work 8-6.  So, that leaves little time for weekday workouts.  My wife stays home with my little ones (4&7), so the kids are all mine after dinner through the bed time routine.  I often do a short run or hop on the trainer after they are asleep (9:00ish).  So, that kind of messes up the getting up early thing.  Occasionally, I leave work early to get a run and/or swim in.  However, I often feel like I should make it home for dinner instead, and feel a little guilty working out on family time.  Morning work-outs (5-7am) really would be better for me and the gang.  I just need to get into the routine.

That's almost me...i have a BS in chemical engineering and am working on Masters of Engineering in project management...

Go Tri Nerds! LOL 

Don't feel left out.  I read your logs every day and see the work that you do.  Way above me.  Like you, I would love to have gotten a degree in exercise physiology or kinesiology, but at least what I do pays the bills. Of course my husband says I spend 10 times what I make!

I tend to run on the hot side so I would be wearing shorts and a sports bra and a headband to keep the hair out of my eyes if it was 40-50F, maybe throw away gloves.  I would probably have a throw away t-shirt over it until the race started.  You will see all sorts of outfits--tights to shorts, sports bras to long sleeve dri-fit shirts.

I usually have about 50 miles on my shoes when I do a race.  That means they are nice and broken in , but still offer plenty of cushioning.

You are thinking about all the right things, but be prepared for the weather to shift and the need to do a complete re-work on the outfit (e.g. if it rains bring a baseball cap).

Kimbery,

PV=nRT, but don't ask me anything else - haven't practiced engineering in over 10 years...

I would experiment with clothing as the race gets closer.  For a short race, I err on being a little warm as its tough to dehydrate during a 5k in March - much better to sweat than to risk straining cold muscles.  Plus, it sucks being cold waiting for the race to start.  Make sure you have warm, dry clothes to change into right away when you're done to avoid hypothermia.

For shoes, plan to get them at least 4 weeks before your race.  You want to make sure they are right by doing one or two treadmill runs. It may take more than one try to get the right pair of shoes and running stores should let you return a pair that's only been on a treadmill a couple of times.  Then once you know they're good, take them outside to practice your racing plan (pre-race meal, warm-up, race pace, attire, mental focus, etc...). 

Hehe I have done engineering since graduation, but not really chemical.  I don't know what you'd call me...my business card just says that I'm an engineer, LOL.

That's a good point about the clothes, I guess I'd be even worse off being cold prior to the race.  I'm def going to bring dry clothes and all that.  I haven't even thought about a race plan!  I have never really had one before.  I'd dress and grab whatever to eat...usually a banana and out the house.  Sometimes I don't eat at all.  Warming up...yeah that's smart too, LOL.  I haven't thought about any of that stuff...just training for the distances.  Hmm...something else to think about.  

 That's a good way of looking at it!  I have a family history of both and that's one of the big reasons I want to get the weight off.  And don't feel uneducated!  Do you know how freaking amazing nurses are???   You have to be pretty smart to retain all that info on the human body AND be able to use it at 100 miles a minute when a patient comes in. 

Kimmi,

I was cold as hell waiting for the start of my 8K in November.  Had sweat pants, a long sleeved running shirt, the technical T over it and a sweat jacket, wore a headband and baseball cap.  I felt way too hot when I finished and then was chilled to the bone with the wind after I cooled down a bit.  It's a delicate balance to dress so you can move comfortably but not freeze before the race or be too hot during the race.  Pay close attention to the weather during the week prior to the race and expiriment with what feels best for you.  Personally, I am a wimp about being cold but in hindsight to the Nov. race I should have worn less and had throw away stuff or some things to hand over to my family minutes before the race start that they could have given me post race.

My first 10 K was HOT for a late March race, I did it again last March and it was a good bit colder.  The first year I did it  there were multiple folks taked to the ER dehydrated and having heat exhaustion issues.  People in the neighborhood we ran through were hosing runners down to help them cool off.  Last year there was no need for the garden hoses to come out.  I'm doing it again this year--2 weeks prior to my half mary...

Kimmi,

I find that any stretch post swim works well.  If I do a lot of hard kick sets I stretch my legs as if I were coming from a run--lots of quads/hams.  If ther's more pulling do a good upper body set.  For example: extend one arm in front of the body. Grasp at the elbow with the other hand then stretch gently across your chest.  Repeat other arm.  A variation on that is taking the arm over your head so that the hand of the stretched arm goes in your trapezius, it really gets the triceps muscle well.   I bought a great stretching book last year and use a lot of the stretches in it--unfortunately I don't have a scanner to send copies of the stretches to you.

Brian,

As a veteran longer distance runner...did you find unpleasant GI issues post runing long runs at first?  I spent Tuesday morning in the ladies room after Monday's long run.  Today I did 8 mies and again I feel nauseas and need to be close to the bathroom. I have no other symptoms of illness so I'm thinking it's a matter of either adaptation to a longer run or timing of my pre running meal.  Any thoughts?

Besides the stretches recommended by Judi, also try cooling down with some nice, slow elementary back stroke.  Focus on relaxing neck and shoulders.  Your stiffness may be due to some tension/stress while swimming.  Try to keep the neck and back relaxed as you float and gently pull yourself through the water.  Adding a pull bouy to this cooldown may help, keeping you level in the water.

Veteran runner!?  OK, two years is something I suppose.  Suzy is the REAL veteran runner.

I recall this happening on occasion.  I don't have any great advice though, except to wait 3 hours after a full meal before embarking on any 90min + runs.  It's fine to have some liquid or gel carbs a few minutes before and/or during the run.  Definitely have a nice recovery snack within 30min afterwards.   Articles by Marni Rakes on this site has some great info with regards to workout and race nutrition.

OK.   Here is my take on training/race nutrition.

Gatorade or any other drink with High-fructose corn syrup does not agree with me while exercising; although fine, even preferred afterwards.

I've gone to Heed drink or Gu gels w/ water for my race/training nutrition.  Heed has no simple sugars (uses dextrose) and Gu has mostly longer branched carbs (maltodextrin) - 25 total grams of carbs of which only 2g of sugar.  Hammer Gel is good too (same carb profile as Gu).  I've got a nice supply of that, but discovered it's electrolyte profile is inadequate for longer/warmer races  Hammer Gel has just 22g sodium.  While Gu has 50g sodium plus 40g potassium.

I've discovered Gu in my race belt and water from the aid stations has been a real simple solution for my races (1/2 marathons and run portion of all triathlons).

I do use Perpetuem on my long rides 90+ minutes, and used it as my bike nutrition for my Olys (1 bottle) and HIM (three bottles, 2 scooops each).   I may experiment with other long distance drinks as Perpetuem is not the best tasting product in the world.

I also agument with Enduralytes for electrolyte replenishment.  I keep a minibottle on my racebelt and in my Bento Box. 

I'm a pretty big fan of Hammer Nutrition.  I just wish they could do something about the taste and consistency of Perpetuem.  Their site has a ton of info (although surely biased) on race and training nutrition.

That may be too many links in one post, but figure it would save y'all time looking all this stuff up. 

My favorite flavors:

Hammer Gel:  Apple Cinnamon, Espresso*, Raspberry

Gu:  Vanilla Bean*, Strawberry Banana

* w/ caffiine