Chet's Group is out doing it!- Closed (Page 14)

Mel - great explanation of how you use the virtual partner feature. I have a Garmin and I've only used that feature once or twice.  The way you described it sounds like a good plan.  I'll have to play around with it on my next long run.  

Thanks,
Chris 

Did 1400m swim followed by 25km bike ride this morning, starting feel stronger on hills, I think my strength training is responsible.
I found a great exercise program on Mark Allen's site, 12 exercises specific to tri activities.

Had a great skinny cappuccino at a cafe by the river in Noosa after, I LOVE coffee!!!

Like the advice about using the Virtual Partner feature on the Garmin, I'm just getting used to my garmin but I already love it. I find it really helps you stick to a pace and makes running more fun.

Anyway, have a great weekend!

Dave 

Hey guys,

Here's a quick update:   I've been pretty consistant over the past week!   In the past 5 days, I've run every day, 3x0:25, 1x1:10, 1x1:48.   While I'm still not as fast as I used to be, my pace is slowly improving (at least when compared to a week ago).   :-)

Running in Vancouver is a mixed bag: the city is pretty hilly (I'm still getting used to that), with lots of suburban sprawl, automobiles, and traffic lights.   However once you leave the endless gridlock, there's some nice features.

I just discovered Pacific Spirit Park (75km of beautiful trails) - it's ~35 minutes running to the nearest trailhead.  Awesome!!!



The False Creek Seawall is another favorite place to run.  It takes ~20 minutes running to get to it.



Cheers!

Mel


Edited by grrlrunner 2011-01-21 8:35 PM

Second group ride, here I come!

Thanks for all the advise. I usually don't use a Garmin racing but I am this time. I may practice a little with the Virtual Partner. I am tubing today with the family. Hoping to be healthy monday. Hiking in the snow at elevation is getting me some cardio! Big coffee drinker here too.

How did your group ride go? I have always been a bit scared of cycling groups because of exactly the experience you had on your first go. They seem to see it as a victory to ride you off the back of the group. Much prefer the ethos of runners.

I used the virtual partner on my marathon but found it a bit annoying in the latter miles when he was beating me (and continued to do so.) It is a great way to keep your pace over a set distance though, kind of gives you an average pace I guess. In some other races I have found it a great source of reassurance to know that I have a couple of minutes on the VP and only a few miles to go. Its a great feature.

I've been put off group rides for the same reason, they just seem too fast for me at the moment!
Any advice on getting faster without having to ride 5x per week?? 

The group ride went MUCH better today.  I planned on getting to the LBS early to make sure I was ready to go when they rolled out, however, there was a road race near the shop that had traffic re-routed so I ended up pulling in right as they were getting set to leave.  They did wait for me.  In a rush to leave, I forgot to take off my gym shorts so I ended up riding 13+ miles into the wind wearing a parachute.  At the turn around I took them off and put them in my jersey pocket.  The ride out was tough, 17-19 mph into a 10-12 mph headwind.  The way back we were flying 24-26 mph.  I felt much more comfortable in the pack and was able to hold the wheel in front much better than last week.    

Found us on page 2, had to bump.

Have been away from my computer the last couple days. Coming home tonight. Hope every one is having a great weekend. I spent the the last couple hours chopping wood. Wonder if it will help me run faster?

Got my run in early today so I can veg and watch the football games this afternoon/evening.  I really don't like the heart rate zone runs.  It is frustrating to run slow enough to keep in the right zones.  I know its building my base, but running 2+ minutes per mile slower than my target race pace it depressing.  Oh well, on a positive note I did weigh the lightest I've been in the past three months, 240.5 lbs.  5 more to reach my race day goal weight then another 10 by the start of tri season.   

240lbs? I presume you wear the wetsuit and sit on the bike for that weight? Your pictures don't look like that unless you are around 8 feet tall.

Thanks, but that's just me.  Although I am 6'5" so it is spread out over a greater distance. 

Go Green Bay, Go Green Bay, oh hello everyone!!

I have been MIA, just sick, sick, sick.  Been hybernating at home for the last oh 5 days.  I went to the Dr on Wed and had bronchitis. Zpack, cough med and lots of rest and I feel much better today. Back to work tomorrow and hopefully back to some exercise.  The cough is still there and such an annoyance.  Anyway.......

There has been alot going on.  I could write a novel, lol.  I'll just say:

Chris, congrats on the sponsorship. That is awesome.

Everyone else, great job on the training, fun, relaxation and dedication to yourself and the group here.  Getting back online today and catching up is getting me geared up to get back into my journey towards my first Tri.  I sure hope this cold covers me for the year, I do not like being sick.  I am really grateful for my health and I look forward to doing more of what I can to live a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Onto the next game.........Go Jets!!

Chris - Congrats on the weight loss progress!  I find on the easy days it is better to leave the watch at home and just concentrate on the distance and/or heart rate.  That way you can just enjoy the run.  The two biggest mistakes runners make is not running slow runs slow enough and fast runs fast enough.

Sheila - I hate when I get taken out by an illness!  There is no time to be sick   I hope you feel better soon. Remember to jump back in slowly.  Go Packers!

I have an important run in the morning.  Going to get some rest after the drive tonight and hope for some smooth painless running.

Sorry to hear you've been sick Sheila, I don't have time to be sick any more, 3 kids and self-employed so I just have to ignore it! Luckily exercise seems to keep me healthy

I've had a rest day today, got a strength session tomorrow morning then 1.2k ocean swim Wednesday depending on ocean conditions - still a bit brown and yucky after the floods...

Got to work next weekend as well as do beach patrol so will have to plan carefully to get my training done.
Hoping to get out on a bike ride Sunday morning with some old Uni friends.

Short run this morning on tap.  Checking in before I head out.  It is going to be some work to keep us off of page two it looks like  

David- quick question:  I had some terrible chafe on the back of my neck from my wetsuit during a long ocean swim.  I usually only swim in fresh water so the salt was new.  I had never had problems like that before and did use Body Glide before the swim.  Any suggestions for future ocean swims?

Edited by cbarnes1 2011-01-24 11:10 AM

I've always wanted to try Orienteering, that just sounds like a fun way to fool yourself into a good workout.  Safe travels. 

So got a short run today to see where I was.  Heel still sore and stiff but it didn't get worse on the run or change my stride.  Looks like I will be able to run Surf City!  

Here is a swim set to try for those that are in the pool these days:

10 x 75 yds/ m.  25 easy, 25 all out, 25 recover and repeat.  

I like it because it it is easier to keep track (end on opposite side of pool each set) and gets the HR up.  Think long and smooth with good rotation (drive the hips).  

Hi Chet, I'm no expert with swimming in wetsuits, we don't use them up here in Queensland much, current water temp around 23 deg Celsius (74 F).
When I wear a wetsuit for surfing I'll sometimes get chafed around the neck and it's often due to my skin getting exposed to a bit of the stitching or velcro. 
Body glide and careful positioning of the neck material seems like the only solution but I think chafing is always a bigger problem in salt water.

Thanks David.

Anyone racing this week? 

Morning all. Waiting to see what the weather does. They are calling for a 100% chance of rain with the potential for severe thunder storms this afternoon.  Today's bridge run may have to wait until tomorrow.

Morning all. Riding the trainer at work then a short run. Everyone have a great day!

Sheila - Sorry you have been sick. You'll feel better after the Zpack I hope. Oh, and CheeseHeads Unite! (means Go Packers for all of you other kind of football fans).

Getting back on track for the maintanance program with my own fun added in. Still enjoying the snow while it is still here.  I'll try a pic here.

Durn. Ok, I WILL figure this out!




Edited by StrayDog 2011-01-25 11:50 AM








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Mt. Shasta snowshoe approach Jan 2011.jpg (74KB - 5 downloads)
Bunny Flat approach Jan 2011.jpg (64KB - 11 downloads)