Beer Drinkers Appreciation Society (BDAS) 2023 Mentor Group - ALWAYS OPEN (Page 130)

Hi, all.  Back from a weekend of debauchery in New York City...no real training but we went for a long walk around Central Park yesterday.  Planned off day today before a big week, including a 5K test on Saturday weather permitting.

@Andrew - ugh hope the knee thing doesn't bug you for too long.  That's sounds like a patella tendon issue...have you tried foam rolling the bottom of your knee, or sitting Japanese-style?  That's my limit of internet doctoring for you today.  Really good July for you!

@Gretchen:  Also great July and may your taper madness commence (or get worse I suppose) - hoping for good weather for you.  And yes, we all could use more OWS practice.  Our water quality leaves something to be desired around here, though, especially with all the rain we've had recently.  Your taper plan and race plan look great ("pull with both arms" - I know that's half joking but it's really easy to neglect your weak side when two-stroke breathing, especially if you gallop a little)

@Nicole:  I probably won't be at Masters again until the 24th - this weekend we're running a 5K race and next weekend I'm in London.  Hold down the fort for me. 

@Robert:  yes, 4.5 miles as a long run to start sounds good; for my HM training I focus on run mileage in a week vs. nailing a long run...I think the max training run I've ever done was 12 miles.  I just try to string together 3-5 weeks in the mid-30s mileage-wise and I don't worry about the one long run.  The plane ride looks so fun!

@everyone re: strength training - I agree with you all to break up the different body parts (figuratively LOL) on different days.  I have a legs day, an arms day which is push ups, dumbbells, and planks, and then a third optional session where I do upper body on the stuff at the gym I don't have at home (bench, pull ups, dips).  Then there's Bikram which is strength training but in a different sort of way.  So max 4 days a week for me.  IIRC this is more or less the Gretchen method too minus Bikram.

Speaking of hot, my indoor pool is routinely like 82-84 degrees by the time I finish my workout.  They turn off the heaters overnight and turn them back on in the morning, so it's not too bad if you get there early enough, but some mornings it's just awful.  Hell, the OWS around here is like 86 right now so it helps you acclimate. 

Hope everyone has a good week!

I've found I can only focus on ONE of the leg-dominated disciplines at a time, plus get at it in swimming.  I have a really strong cycling background so it doesn't take long for me to ramp up, so I typically meh my way through cycling in my training plan and just try to get a few really good rides in the last 4-5 weeks before a race.  That works for sprints just fine, kinda for an Oly, but that would be no way to approach HIM/IM where the bike endurance matters so much.  Zwift racing indoors also is motivating, but I know you don't have a trainer at the moment. 

If dirt trails motivate you, then go for it.

You could run it over with your bike and saw off the lid like I did in my 2022 Oly. 

@Gretchen:  I agree with Andrew, that really is a nice progression.

You Coke disciples are just weird.  The Wife is one of them.  I couldn't care less what cola is put in front of me, though I prefer Pepsi a little bit over Coke but I don't get belligerent about it like you people. 

Or yeah, suck it up and HTFU. 

How about hitting that hill workout on the bike again and see if you've improved?