BamaDC's Mentor Group v4.0 - Closed (Page 13)

I was prior to NOLA, not really in the last week or so. Should I? Thinking of mixing in a little strength training to.  Hows the FIL doing?

 My post earlier today got me thinking bout race entries. Just signed up for 2 sprints and an Oly in June, and B2B half in Oct.

Any of you folks looking for a great late season half, B2B is a good one. Great town, cheap entry fees, and usually nice weather.

My week:

Looks like your calendar is filling up nicely.  I need to register for some of the races I'm planning on doing.

Which brings up something I've been thinking about recently.   Do you taper any, if at all, for a B race?  I'll race an oly or two before Atomic Man (which I haven't registered for yet) but I'm not sure how to handle training the weeks of those races.  What have you guys done?

Holy Crap, since that last post I've added an Oly, the date after a sprint, and a Half Marathon. Someone get me away from the computer please.

As for the taper, Yeah, even races that I plan on training right thru, I still sort of taper a little for. Maybe just cut the duration down the week prior, but keep the intensity high. I would maybe even take a day or two off before the oly's. You are gonna want to compete, and it will frustrate you if you start the race with trashed legs. I always ask Mark how I should taper, and he hasn't screwed me up yet.

Not too crappy.

I'm thinking I should've gotten something on the calendar! AHH...

I do have plans setup for my half & full marathon, and my olympic tri though.

Low effort week. Now that I finally seem to be over that cold I'll be getting back to more normal numbers

I've been having a lot of trouble uploading from my garmin so my logs are out of date.  But not a great week.  About 15 running, 3000 yds swimming and around 60 miles on the bike.  I'll try to get my logs updated here shortly.

Need some input or advice.

I competed in two sprints last summer and kept up some training  through the fall and early winter. I was just starting to get into the grind and I had to have surgery on my arm.  I have not been released from the doctor (should be tomorrow).  I have just recently started to run and began to hit the core.  Is it enough time from April 26 to September 25th to be ready for a HIM.  Or should I maybe look at a race in October.  The race in September is in Agusta, Ga and the other race is Austin, Texas.  I guess you could say that I would be coming off the couch. 

Any advice or thoughts .

Also...how should I go about reaching that goal.  Should I start working with a sprint plan or Oly.  I know that I would not be able to reach HIM workouts in the week.  I work evenings...3-11 so that leaves me with sunrise to about 1:30 pm to train each day.

I think either is doable, if you have the time to train.  Look at the 20 week HIM training plans here.  The beginner plan here starts out pretty low on volume.

Austin HIM is supposed to be pretty tough.  the bike course is pretty hilly, and the run course is also.  This is all from what I've heard, because I thought about doing this one last year.

Do some research on the courses.  Even though Austin is a month later, it may be more difficult.  I haven't done either, so all the above is just a thought.

Help me decide on which HIM, I know little about these two races.   Atomic Man or Augusta on 9/25?  Who has done these and which would you recommend for a first HIM?

That date works best which is why I'm looking at these two and the difference in drive is only an hour or so for me.   

Actually, I just noticed the Howlin' Half in Jackson, MO and it's a shorter drive on the same date.  I can't find much info on it so far.  May not be looking in the right places yet. 

I have a locking bedhead (that mounts to the rim of my truck bed) for my bike. It holds on.

I did use this one over the weekend: http://saris.com/bike-racks/vehicle-racks/hitch-racks.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=72&category_id=8 and liked it. It held 2 mountain bikes and just attached by the wheels. I'm not sure how well it locks down on our skinny tires, but it says it does just fine.

Personally, I'm scared someone's not going to pay attention and run into the back of me, taking out my bikes and my truck...

x2

I know I can get a locking reciever pin but is there a way to lock the bike in the rack? 

Yes. A cable that wraps around the bike and has a key lock on it.

We have the Yakima 4 bike rack that is hitch mounted, and have liked it so far.  No problems and it does the job.  Most of the time, i'm only carrying 1 or 2 bikes.  I'm planning on the future as the kids get older.