The Frozen (not so) North Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 13)

OK, we were on page 2 folks!  Don't make be come back there!  (old folks station wagon joke!)

Good point on the chlorine, and not even all swim shorts do well in chlorine.  Keep stabs on that backside material.

I'm staring at yet another blizzard, wondering when the roof is finally going to cave in.  Hopefully I'll run a bit today - running in snow can be a blast but the wind is a bit high right now.

Happy Ground Hogs Day!!

We here in Maryland are getting rain, which I will take over the snow and ice.  To our fellow members who live further north, stay warm and be careful if you are going to run outside. 

Warren, do you feel the bike rollers will give you a better workout then the fluid trainer?  I have tried the rollers (at the lowest resistence) for 20min and it felt more difficult to me.  For one, you must to pay attention.  I never felt comfortable, but it was only the first time.  

For swimming, I am learning that technique is everything.  I can swim 3000-4000yds but I wasn't using good form, it was all wrong.  I was tearing up my rotator cuff and just pushing water, not gliding.  I believe Warren said that the race is just starting after the swim.  With good technique and form you will be less tired and ready for bike and run.  I am now just doing drills to make sure I am rotating my shoulders on each stroke, the distance will follow and I should be less tired after. 

The trainer can definitely be set to give much higher resistance.  I just like the feel of the rollers so much more than the trainer now.  The bike and your body can move more naturally. 

I think some of the more expensive rollers may have resistance settings, but I just have the cheapest Nashbar version.

Snow is mixing with sleet and freezing rain here, it is really a mess out there.  We gotten about 13 inches so far, and now I hear there's another major storm coming Saturday!  Can't make this stuff up!

Well our group is living up to its name!  We didn't get too much snow with this latest storm,  maybe 6-8 inches but it was followed by rain and sleet so it is very compacted down.  Lots of street flooding since the storm drains are covered with ice and snow.  High of 25 tomorrow will keep everything very crunchy.  I haven't ventured onto the roads since this past weekend.  Just no safe way to do it :=[  Plan to take my husbands truck to the Y tonight to swim.  This is not a good winter to drive a sporty rear wheel drive.  I am afraid some of the puddles will be over the floor boards!

Congratulations Warren! 

Hello to all, and sorry for being MIA. Worked all weekend (out of town) with access to nothing but icy roads so did nothing in terms of training Friday/Saturday. But I'm still working on a modified C25K plan on the treadmill (will get back to the track next week) and am closing in on the 'marathon' portion of our challenge. I am up to roughly 42-45 minutes of half jogging and half running (alternating 3 minutes/1 minute -- unless I get too distracted by '24,' and then sometimes I am walking 2 minutes before I realize it). Soon I think I have to jog in 5-minute intervals, and that will be harder for me. But one foot in front of the other and I will get there.

It's snowed about a bazillion inches here, maybe a little less than that. I am wishing I had some time off tomorrow to go out snowshoeing -- talk about some serious exercise in snow this deep! I may go out before work with the dog (though he may disappear underneath it; he's a cocker spaniel so isn't so tall.)

As for the earlier posts re: do races keep people motivated -- Right now, it is this group, and solely this group, that keeps me motivated. Knowing that I need to come log in here, and that I have a (modified) challenge to finish by Feb. 13 -- that is what is keeping me going. Once I am further along in my training, having the races ahead of me also will motivate me. But as I still cannot run a 5K without stopping, thinking about any races is just intimidating. So I focus on each installment on my plan and know that by the time I hit my March race I will be capable of jogging a 5K, and may even be able to do most of the 10K jogging. 

Lovey - congratulations both on meeting your weight loss and longest run goals!
Wendy - when I am cleaning the 12 inches of snow off of my car after work, I think of you and the minus 99 biking miles you racked up. ;-)
Kelly Sue - you're almost there! Good luck with wrapping up your thesis!
Jennifer - all I can say is WOW - 13 miles on a treadmill.... that is so beyond intense I don't know what to say. Did you watch a few movies?!?
Ally - congrats on getting the bike trainer set up! The rule in our house is you can't watch certain TV shows unless you're on the spin bike or the 85-year-old treadmill. When I have a series I like, it's a motivator.
Rachael - sorry to hear you were sick :-(  I hope you are feeling better and are getting back on track
Kathy - stay safe on those roads!

Happy Groundhog Day to all. I didn't see my shadow today, did you?
Kim


 

You know, with the weather you all are having, I feel so lucky to have escaped to Nevada in November. I can't remember a worse winter for New England. I feel for you all and know how challenging it can be to keep going at this time of year.
Would it make you fel better to know that it was so cold here today that many water pipes froze and broke. I actually had to wear long pants and a sweater to work today.
Ooppps..I wasn't going to mention my weather.......sorry

Hey Scott,
I've noticed that my rotator cuff is bothering me after swimming lately. I'm really concentrating on drills instead of distance right now. sometimes I think I try to rotate my body too much. Do think swimming is different than running or biking where we try to keep "centered". Do you exaggerate the roll?

Wendy,
Have you watched any Total Immerson videos?  Here is a link that may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOM8BunXCM&feature=related

My problem was having my shoulders square in the water, not rotating and just plowing through the water.  Without rotating I was just like a windmill in the water (moving more water, like swimming uphill) and tearing up my shoulder. If you watch the video you will see how they are gliding using less energy and are more efficient.  

As for the weather, I will trade with you any day!

Wendy - about swimming & rotator cuff issues

Are you making sure to maintain your rotation through arm recovery?  If not, and your shoulders are back square to the water when you recover, you'll wind up using your smaller shoulder muscles to move your arm forward instead of your larger/stronger back muscles.  If you stay rotated, it should be easy to get a nice high elbow lift on recovery.  More efficient, fewer shoulder issues.  (this, my take on what my swim coach has been telling me - I'm a novice, of course, but she's representing Team USA at Worlds this year for long course triathlon)

as far as over-rotation goes, I haven't heard about that causing shoulder issues, but it is less efficient

Scott - thanks for the link to  Total Immersion video.  I plan to check it out. 


I'm still working on putting together a consistent swim stroke - sometimes I don't maintain my rotation, sometimes I over-rotate, other times I get both of those right but don't make a strong arm pull, etc.  When it all does come together, though, wow - it's a beautiful thing!  I look forward to getting this all down in muscle memory so I don't have to think about it so much.
--- please, someone, tell me it will get to that point...

I think the problem with shoulders is NOT rotating can cause problems.  You are reaching up and over, like Scott says, if you don't rotate.  There are a lot of ways to work on rotation, and a good start is bilateral breathing since everyone tends to rotate less on a breathing stroke.

As far as Total Immersion, you can start a 100 page thread on the main site if you say ANYTHING about TI!  I am one who think TI is great for learning a comfortable and efficient stroke.  Maybe not the best for elite athletes and swim racing, but in my opinion great for typical AG triathletes.  I used the videos to get the basics down, and I have kept much of what I learned through TI though I don't really have a "TI" stroke any more.

And yes, Ally, swimming gets to be like riding a bike.  I am not a great swimmer, but I was amazed that jumping into the pool after 3 months away, after 200 yards I felt effortless again.  Again, I'm ont going to win any gold medals or leave the water first in a tri, but the swim stroke was very comfortable and natural.

hi everyone ,
I will try and go back and catch up to where everyone is.  Sorry I have not been on.   I have been working out.  Will catch  up on logging workouts as well.   I found out on Monday that my third son (he is  2 1/2 ).  He needs austist invention.  This means that I have to set aside  more time to work one on one with him.   I am waiting to hear back from more specialists.  Not sure if I will race this year or  not.  Going to train where and when I can . 

Tara, I can relate to what you're going through (sort of).  My youngest, who is now 8, has Down syndrome.  We did early intervention, which I think really got him off on the right path and has been a big part of his progress to date.  My wife and I both spend a lot of time doing special one on one work with him, though in my wife spends a lot more time than me.  It can be a draining thing at times, but its so worth it when you look at the big picture.

Definitely spend the time you need to with your son, he's one of 4 right?  You won't regret anything you give up to help give him a better life.

I actually spend a lot of time thinking about Jeremiah when I train now, and I use him for motivation.  So many things which are easy for us and we all take for granted, like being able to speak clearly, or hold a fork, are very difficult for him.  But he has amazing tenacity and just keeps working at things until he figures out a way.  When I run, I think of all the people who are "natural" runners and as I struggle to get faster and fitter I think of J and how he just works and works.

Hi Tara,

Sounds challenging. My sister's youngest son is on the autism spectrum. I heartily concur with Warren - the time you spend now will pay off hugely in the future. Don't stress about the workouts - but don't forget to take care of yourself. My sister belongs to a few on-line forums that have a lot of great discussions/pointers. She also is a huge advocate for parental involvement in her public school system - and loves to help folks who are just starting this journey. PM me if you would like the links to the forums or my sister's e-mail address.

This brings up an interesting point for all of us - it is now about a month after the new year when we usually have all of the resolutions...4 weeks into it - do you all feel like this is becoming more of a habit or is it still a struggle to fit things in? What do you think would help it become more of a habit?

I recently decided to become much more aware of my food consumption. For the last year or so, I have just been eating whatever sounds good at the time with the knowledge that my workouts will burn off any additional calories...this has been working (I haven't gained any weight) but I have also realized that I may not be as well fueled for my workouts as I could be (oh - and I would love to drop those last tenacious pounds)...so I have started religiously tracking everything I'm eating. This has had the side effect of me being more careful of what I'm eating (I would much rather track a handful of carrots than a handful of cookies/chips). Every time I reach for something sub-optimal, I am asking myself if this is a choice I really want to make. We'll see how it all works out.

Have a great weekend all! We've got our last swim meet before the state meet at the beginning of March on Saturday...so I am anticipating a day spent in the humid pool viewing deck!

IM Challange Totals so far:

Swim: 2800 Meters
Bike: 75 Miles
Run: 22.75 Miles

Rain and sleet this morning sp group cancelled. Made myself do a mini mini duathlon. Run 1mi-Bike 4 miles - Run 1 mile on the treadmill and trainer. Did 15 minutes of yoga to help stretch out my muscles for my 14 mile long run tomorrow.

My crazy period at work is not done and it is time for me to get back on track.  I am way behind on the challenge but will do my best to make some good progress this week.  I have my sprint on May 7th, so it is time to crack down.  Hope everyone is doing well!

Is it spring yet?!!

Long run seemed so long. Had to do alot of walking around ice patches dropping my pace from a 12.4 to much much slower.
I saw a few people running thru it but I was slipping so I didn't think it was worth falling. I walked thru it.
I took a side road around some of it but it was so lopsided, the outside of my foot started hurting.

Can't wait for sprinG.

Good idea staying safe Lovey.  I did no running today, but shoveled my roof (!!!) for a few hours.  Brutal workout!  I'll be biking tonight during the Super Bowl.

I've also planned my races for the year.  Things may change and I might add a few 5ks, but I'll be doing one sprint a month from May-Sept.  And I have a half marathon May 1, so it's time to get serious about running again.

Hope everyone's weekend went well.

So..today I decided to downgrade my March race to a sprint. Maybe I wasn't prepared for the elevaton and elevation changes out here. I biked the last 5 miles of the race route in 34 minutes (elevation change like 1500 ft), coasted back in 12 minutes, did  3 short hill repeats and then a one mile run, felt like toast. Thinking  maybe it's better to do the shorter distance and really challenge myself timewise and try to compete than do the longer distance and try to survive.

48 days until my Spring Fling run -- a 5K or a 10K? According to my 'couch' plan, I will be a week shy of having built up to a 10K. But I've been running on a treadmill lately, so perhaps need to see what it feels like on a real track again this week.

IRON MAN CHALLENGE 1/16 - 2/13/11 
Swim - 2.4 miles (4225 yards): -- opting out --
Bike - 112 miles: 67 miles done/45 miles to go
Run -26.2 miles: 26.2 miles done/0 miles to go 

It's been pretty quiet on the blog lately. Are we all too busy either raking the roof or playing in the snow?
Kim 

Mornin' gang!

Just reading the last few pages of posts- good to see I wasn't the only one MIA.  Both girls have been sick, including husband, and I've got a touch of it.  I'm repeating what I was supposed to do for running last week.  I have dropped a couple pounds, so at least something's going on!  Would like to get back in the pool, but we'll see how the week goes with the girls.

Will update IM stats soon- not much to update though!
Question: What would people recommend to put on their feet to keep traction in the snow/ice?  I wasn't planning on running outside until spring, but I think by March ( for sanity's sake), I'd like to GET OUT....

I use Yak Traks when running on slippery snow or ice. A couple of my friends have really gotten into snowshoeing - so that may be in my future - it sounds like a great workout.

Finally finished off the IM Challenge with a swim this morning...how's everyone else doing?

I've heard great things about Yak Traks, and I know some people who have done their own version with old running shoes.  I just run in deserted neighborhoods as much as possible and try to avoid ice or stay really careful.  Not ideal I know.

Wendy - That sounds like some serious hills!  I think going short course vs. long course is a personal decision which we all have to make.  My entire 2011 year is a decision very similar to yours.  I'm doing only sprints and one Oly this year, though long term I really want to focus on halfs and fulls.  I'm actually going to train as if I'm doing long course, but not sweat missing workouts if (when?) life rears it ugly head.

Warren, I think that's how i"m going to handle it for the spring too. Keep training for the longer distance but run the sprints and see how they go. There's a couple Olys later in the season. maybe I'll feel more comfortable or more well trained by then.