Ernesto's group (third season) - CLOSED (Page 121)

On my side, I will be heading down tomorrow with the family for a few days to the colonial city of Antigua (just 1 hr away from Guatemala City) to enjoy the Holy Week preparations and events, which are truly impressive and have been going on for centuries (due to Guatemala's strong Catholic faith).  Almost everyone in the town turns out to the streets to help prepare colorful rugs made of sawdust and flowers, to pave the way for the different processions that come out of the multiple churches.  Jim, did you ever made it to Antigua during Holy Week?

Here is a Google link with a collage of images from Antigua https://www.google.com/search?q=holy+week+in+antigua+guatemala+pictures&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=OzV2T_LPCNOctwe0teSBDw&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=643

I've been to antigua during lent but never during Holy week. We were fortunate enough to see the procession and the carpets. The carpets are so beautiful. What talent to create those. It was an incredible experience. It is a powerful expression of faith to see the penatent during the procession. You are a lucky man!

Brick today 30 minutes on the trainer for 10.5 miles, then 9.5 mile run in 1:26:23. Very pleased with my run kept my heart rate average at 131 or -9 from my MAF.

-Gabe S 11 / B 17/ R19; Total = 47; 66:34:02
- Joe P S 12 B 17/ R 13 Total = 42; 48:46:05"
- Mitch: S 6 / B 14 / R 20; Total = 40; 29:09:47"
- Matthews: S 13 / B 10 / R 12; Total = 35; 29:10:00
- Jim S 0 / B 19 / R 17; Total = 36; 27:52:30
- MarkZ: S 4 / B 11 / R 13; Total = 30; 39:11:00"

- Charlotte S 7/ B 12/ R 10; Total =29; 20:47:00
- Rachel S 7 / B 10 / R 11; Total = 28; 37:04:08"
- - Kev: S 5/B 8/R 13; Total = 26; 34:03:45
- Jackie S 11/B 8/R 7; Total 24; 33:40:32
- Chris S 0 / B 1 / R 21; Total = 22; 27:42:45
- Samy S 5 / B 7/ R 8; Total = 21; 16:58:58
- Jennie S 5 / B 4/ R 9; Total = 18; 13:53:17
- Ernesto S 3 / B 5 / R 13; Total = 21; 22:48:26
- Scott S 2 / B 4 / R 8; Total = 14, 11:36:54
- Mark H S 3 / B 6 / R 2 ; Total = 11; 7:15:00

Finally managed to train today.  Hour swim at the tri club session.  Actually felt really good.  Hopefully that's me out of my little training fug.  We'll see.

Congrats to Gabe on the challenge.  Everyone's done such a great job, well done.

-Gabe S 11 / B 17/ R19; Total = 47; 66:34:02
- Joe P S 12 B 17/ R 13 Total = 42; 48:46:05"
- Mitch: S 6 / B 14 / R 20; Total = 40; 29:09:47"
- Matthews: S 13 / B 10 / R 12; Total = 35; 29:10:00
- Jim S 0 / B 19 / R 17; Total = 36; 27:52:30
- MarkZ: S 4 / B 11 / R 13; Total = 30; 39:11:00"
- Rachel S 8 / B 10 / R 11; Total = 29; 38:04:08"
- Charlotte S 7/ B 12/ R 10; Total =29; 20:47:00
- Kev: S 5/B 8/R 13; Total = 26; 34:03:45
- Jackie S 11/B 8/R 7; Total 24; 33:40:32
- Chris S 0 / B 1 / R 21; Total = 22; 27:42:45
- Samy S 5 / B 7/ R 8; Total = 21; 16:58:58
- Jennie S 5 / B 4/ R 9; Total = 18; 13:53:17
- Ernesto S 3 / B 5 / R 13; Total = 21; 22:48:26
- Scott S 2 / B 4 / R 8; Total = 14, 11:36:54
- Mark H S 3 / B 6 / R 2 ; Total = 11; 7:15:00

So is anyone else up for an April weight loss challenge?  So far I've got me, Charlotte, Mitch and Kevin.  If anyone else wants in, the more the merrier.

My suggestion is that we have a weekly weigh-in day.  Since we're starting April on Sunday, we could make it a Sunday?  If anyone else has a preferred day, then let me know.  I've come across another group that does it on Mondays because people tend to snack more at weekends, although Friday night seems to be my bad night, so if anyone has a preference shout up.  I'll try to put together a table like we had last time, and everyone can post their starting weight (as of 1st April), along with the latest weigh-in.  If we go for % weight lost again, that seems to be the fairest way to judge it.

Final judgement will be 30th April for the winner (who will receive nothing beyond the praise of their fellow weight loss challengers).

-Gabe S 11 / B 17/ R19; Total = 47; 66:34:02
- Joe P S 12 B 18/ R 13 Total = 43; 51:01:05"
- Mitch: S 6 / B 14 / R 20; Total = 40; 29:09:47"
- Matthews: S 13 / B 10 / R 12; Total = 35; 29:10:00
- Jim S 0 / B 19 / R 17; Total = 36; 27:52:30
- MarkZ: S 4 / B 11 / R 13; Total = 30; 39:11:00"
- Rachel S 8 / B 10 / R 11; Total = 29; 38:04:08"
- Charlotte S 7/ B 12/ R 10; Total =29; 20:47:00
- Kev: S 5/B 8/R 13; Total = 26; 34:03:45
- Jackie S 11/B 8/R 7; Total 24; 33:40:32
- Chris S 0 / B 1 / R 21; Total = 22; 27:42:45
- Samy S 5 / B 7/ R 8; Total = 21; 16:58:58
- Jennie S 5 / B 4/ R 9; Total = 18; 13:53:17
- Ernesto S 3 / B 5 / R 13; Total = 21; 22:48:26
- Scott S 2 / B 4 / R 8; Total = 14, 11:36:54
- Mark H S 3 / B 6 / R 2 ; Total = 11; 7:15:00

Today for the final day, 2:30 on the drainer and had to cut it short and skip my brick run b/c I had to go to a funeral.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated in this fun March challenge!  It was a blessing for me to have the challenge with you guys to keep me motivated through the increasing frequency and volume of my training (especially since I'm only 6 weeks away from IM Texas) and I don't think I would had been as good without it! 

In addition to the weight loss challenge, I propose a weight gain challenge for Joe and myself, anyone else, hahaha!

Have a great weekend everyone!

- Gabe S 11 / B 18/ R19; Total = 48; 69:04:32 
- Joe P S 12 B 18/ R 13 Total = 43; 51:01:05" 
- Mitch: S 6 / B 14 / R 20; Total = 40; 29:09:47" 
- Matthews: S 13 / B 10 / R 12; Total = 35; 29:10:00 
- Jim S 0 / B 19 / R 17; Total = 36; 27:52:30 
- MarkZ: S 4 / B 11 / R 13; Total = 30; 39:11:00" 
- Rachel S 8 / B 10 / R 11; Total = 29; 38:04:08" 
- Charlotte S 7/ B 12/ R 10; Total =29; 20:47:00 
- Kev: S 5/B 8/R 13; Total = 26; 34:03:45 
- Jackie S 11/B 8/R 7; Total 24; 33:40:32 
- Chris S 0 / B 1 / R 22; Total = 23; 28:47:45 
- Samy S 5 / B 7/ R 8; Total = 21; 16:58:58 
- Jennie S 5 / B 4/ R 9; Total = 18; 13:53:17 
- Ernesto S 3 / B 5 / R 13; Total = 21; 22:48:26 
- Scott S 2 / B 4 / R 8; Total = 14, 11:36:54 
- Mark H S 3 / B 6 / R 2 ; Total = 11; 7:15: 

March in Review

 March was a solid month.  Volumes and distances for each discipline were both higher than Feb.  Run distance hit a new all time high of 114 miles for the month.  The biggest improvement was getting back to the pool with some regularity.  

April goals will focus on the areas where I could have improved in March.  Bike volume needs to be higher and I've found that I am backing off my bike workouts to manage my run workouts.  I have a HM in Mid April and early June with my first tri in a few years in mid-June.  The tri will be a sprint distance so I feel that a bit of run focus months will be fine.  Still, I want to start pushing the biking along with maintaining my current  running volumes.  The other main goal will be to get to 3 swims per week.  I know I need more volume to build my stamina as well as focusing on drills for technique.  

Congratulations to Gabe and Joe for March challenge and keeping the bar high.  What a great inspiration!  i am thrilled and humbled to be part of this awesome mentoring group.

For April, i will concentrate on hitting 85 - 90 % of my volume and workout goals on my training plan and participate in the weight challenge.

Yesterday, i bought a new pair of shoes from Leah Thorvilson who is a Little Rock native and came in 10th or 12th in Olympic trials for marathon.  i spoke to her about my Pose running class.   She told me she was a heel striker, and encouraged me to "play" with my stride a little but ensured me that there was nothing wrong with heel striking if it was working for me.  She said if she was advising/coaching a young person at the beginning of his/her career she would recommend them to start not heel striking .  As for me a 54 year old recreational triathlete, the key is to not get injured and have fun while meeting and setting new goals.

My weight today is 139 (5' 4.5") and my goal weight for end of April is 129.  My peak race weight for Age Group Nationals in August is probably 119.  Thank you Rachel for initiating April weight challenge.

I am pleased with my March totals, my highest training month. The unseasonably good weather and the challenge helped to motivate me.

yes my swim total was 0! The pool has been closed because the swim coach wanted time off, just because his season started in the beginning of August. He is going to start tri specific workouts this month for the small group that came out during the winter. Hopefully I will get some swimming in this week when I go downstate to see my parents.

I am in on the weight loss challege starting weight was 171. Our kids are spead out all over the country. My wife and I had our first weekend alone at home in 17+ years. We went out and over ate last night. I would like to drop down to 165, this spring would like to hit 160 for my HIM in September.

Also, post your workouts, eventhough no workout challenge, I like to see what everyone in doing. I think it keeps us engaged.

Gabe- I you are carrying one of the floats, that counts as a workout.

Congratulations to everyone in the March challenge especially Gabe, Joe and Mitch those are some awesome training numbers.

I'm in for the April challenge. Starting weight 215 Lbs. Weight, by far, is my biggest fitness challenge.

I PR'd today's 5K on the same course by 40 seconds at a slightly lower average heart rate and maximum heart rate. Although my breathing was off today I managed pretty much even splits.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/163727961

Ernesto - Looking forward to another session.  We will need to carry the April challenge to the new mentor group as well.

Today I had a PB for 15k.  I had done my own 15k race back in fall of 2010 per a training plan I was following.  Started my run today and around mile 5 decided to push the next 4 to see how I would compare.  I ended up at 1:13:48 today vs 1:14:11 in 2010.  Avg HR was 165 today vs 174 in 2010.  Also, pacing was much better - definitely a negative split today.  Today's workout has links to both runs: 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/index-weekly.asp?memberid=67785&year=&month=&day=

I'm encouraged because I know that I could have pushed the first 5 miles more as well as the last 4.  Definitely wasn't at the wall like I would expect in a race scenario over the  last couple miles.  Two weeks to a B race HM - interested to see how that race turns out!

Congratulations to Gabe, Joe and Mitch! And everyone else for consistent training last month. Gabe, I like your idea of weight gain challenge - my weight has been the same since teenage years and maybe it's time to put some on. Just kidding, I'm very fortunate I don't have to worry about it, maybe being a vegetarian helps, maybe being lazy to cook, who knows.

As far as upcoming events - Gold Coast marathon in July and at this point not much else. Few days ago during a local surf life saving race a 14yo kid died while going through the surf on surf ski and this made me reconsider the Anaconda race. 3 competitors died in the last 2 years during the surf part... I'm still not decided.

OK, 5am, time for a short bike ride.