Girl Passing on Left (FULL) (Page 121)

kew - 2009-04-14 8:00 PM OK ladies I need your advice... As some of you know, I have spent most of this year dealing with some family issues. I hope this will all be behind me in the next month or two. I would like to get back into some structured training. Here are my thoughts... 1. Sign up for a 10 K for June. 2. Aim for a Sprint in early August. 3. Continue building from my 10K distance and train for a Half Marathon for mid/late October (using Jeff Galloway's 19 week training plan). Have completed several Half's in the past. 4. Then...continue building up to a Full Marathon (my first) for early March 2010 (using Jeff Galloway's 30 week program/adjusting the weeks a bit). 5. Sprint distance for late April 2010. 6. Olympic for early May 2010. 7. Depending on how things go a HIM for June 2010? I am a single mom (boys are 14 and 17 at the moment) and work full time so will have to juggle the work/family thing. I have always wanted to complete a Marathon and HIM. Am I being a little too ambitious? The marathon would be a non-timed event (best poker hand wins) so I wouldn't be pressured about completing within a certain time. Also...my endurance is completely shot. I have gained 15 lbs and in many ways I feel like I am starting from scratch. The Jeff Galloway's program looks interesting (recommends lots of crosstraining which would make it easier to incorporate the swim & bike part of my tri training). Do any of you have experience with Jeff Galloway's way of training (eg. using walk breaks - run 5 minutes & walk 1 minute). How long were you doing tri's before you attempted a HIM? Should I gain more experience by doing more Sprint and Olympic races before doing a HIM? Any words of wisdom ?

Karen, I LOVE that you are so ambitious, and can look that far into the future.  I'm more of a short term goal kinda girl, so it would be difficult for me to project as far as you did.  But in general the progression looks good (except for the Oly/HIM timing that was already pointed out). 

I do have a few thoughts, but it's purely from a personal standpoint and doesn't apply to everyone.  And I have no desire to do a marathon because I'm afraid all of that training would wreck my knees -- they are getting old and are a little shakey already.   Anyway, here goes:

• I think that marathon training and HIM training may be in conflict.  At least for me, as I was training for my early March half marathon I tended to neglect the biking needed for my early May HIM.  I hope that doesn't come back to bite me.  You, on the other hand, have more time between the two races so you may be able to handle it better.
• I don't have teenagers, but I do have one big kid (my dh ), and the time required for training and the rest required afterward (and the sleep I need) really interferes with family life.  If you can find a way to get your boys involved with your training, do it!
• I have some friends who use the Galloway method for long distances.  They are in their 60s and had a history of running, but found that as they aged they were losing some of their capability.  Jeff Galloway has lots of clinics in our area and has a big following here.  But... from my standpoint, I find it much more affective to stick with a steady pace.  The interruption of walking in my running makes it that much harder for me to get back to pace.  But that's just me.

You also asked how long we'd been doing tris before trying an HIM.  I've only got two tri seasons under my belt, and they were all sprint races.  I'm skipping the Oly, but that wasn't the plan.  I was supposed to do an Oly last fall, but it was cancelled because of a hurricane (the hurricane didn't end up hitting here, but they were just playing it safe).  I'm sure I'd be better prepared with an Oly behind me, but that's not going to happen.  And I'm probably pushing the timing of this HIM, but it's the fifth anniversary of my car accident and I'm doing it to celebrate life.   So the timing is set, and off I go!

I finally made it to St. Louis yesterday, a day late.  Travel is such fun!   Anyway, it looks like it is going to be another wasted training week for me.  I went to the hotel fitness room this morning and only one treadmill was working.  I got there first, but they were lined up behind me (not literally ) so I had to cut my run short.  I can't wait for this week to be over!!!  Ok, time to quit whining and do what I have to do, right?

hi everyone - this has not been a great trip and I am soooo sorry that I have not been around or had time to check on you all! my dad is doing pitiful! no good days! I hate this...and it is going to be terrbly hard to leave here in a few days! I thought about extending my time here, but I would be taking away from my daughter who worked sooo hard to get these cabins in San Diego for us...I may come back...not sure at this point! not much I can do...I have done all the home improvements possible and dad gets up goes from his bed to recliner...I can make and serve him meals...and converse with him...but not able to get him out...like I was hoping! I am taking him to Ruth Chris steakhouse tonight - as long as he is able!

will be back online regularly next thursday/friday! til then...sorry about my not being around for you guys...will catch up next week! hoping everyone is doing well! and sorry if I missed your races last week or this coming weekend! i will be able to go back and read thru the thread when I get home...right now...all I want to do is spend the time with mom and dad! hugs to you all! have a great hump day! and weekend!

Happy Hump Day!

Lisa I still have not called you! I am sooooooooooo sorry! just crazy round here! I feel like I am going round in circles! and not getting anywhere! I know I have done a ton of stuff for the parents that they wouldnt do but just no time for my old school buddies or my new BT friends! will still try and at least call you! and I know I will be back soon...but feel terrible cuz i just knew we could meet this go round! definitely been in your area a few times but with my mom! sorry Lisa! hope you dont think I am a flake! I just not finding time in these busy days!

thank you for all your inspires guys! it means a lot...and I promise that I will get back to you all soon! rignt now I am not even responding...just wanted you to know that its because I cannot find the time...but will make up for it soon! especially needing your prayers for my dad...I am sooo worried about him...today he woke up and looked sooo puffy and can barely move back and forth! thanks yall! hugs!

Hi everyone.  I'm still here.  I'm slowly getting back into my rythm and being a little cautious about pushing too hard.  Hoping to get out for a bike ride tomorrow.  We have a 40% chance of rain.   I can't complain about the weather lately.  We've had some gorgeous spring days.    Have a great day!!!