BigSkiesMentorGroup - COMPLETE! (Page 14)

Even though I have literally dozens of lakes within 15", I drive 30" to a beach that has 2 lifeguards every day (in season).  I'm a total wuss about swimming alone and can't often find someone to go with me.  I swim back and forth on the outside of the buoys.  I emailed the Parks/Rec director ahead of time and asked if I could swim outside the buoys - I'm not sure but I think the rules vary lake to lake.  He said I could swim anywhere but at my own risk.  I don't go too far past the buoys because of boat activity.  First time I went, I introduced myself to the lifeguards and told them I would swimming just outside the buoys and would they please save me if I started to go under - haha

Amusing story - my daughter was with me once, but on the beach.  She heard a little girl say to her mother "Mommy, that lady is swimming outside the lines"

My 1st open water swims were very difficult mentally because the water around here is very clear and you can see everything.  The weeds that grow in the lake by the buoy areas are huge - you literally swim with your face practically touching the weeds.  It took me awhile to get used to that.  Now I think they're actually very pretty, waving back and forth in the water.

Denise

I'm certainly not planning to swim alone. I was wondering if I should join one of the 3 clubs here in Winnipeg. All of them have at some point some open water training. I don't know. I think I prefer to run one or two triathlons first, see how it goes and then join one of the clubs. I feel I'm too slow to join any group and plus, I don't have all the gears that I'm just learning about. For ex. I don't have a wet suit.

It never occurred to me to buy a bright color swimming cap to add visibility. When swimming indoor I always prefer to stay invisible and the least noticeable as possible. I'm better now. It was very bad years ago. I always felt everybody was looking at me, but later I realized I'm not the center of the world I heard many people having the same problem. It might be a self confidence problem.

Sandra

Oh. I didn't think about lifeguards. I have seen them in one of the lakes actually. That's a good idea to try later in the season. Now that you mention the weeds, I didn't think about the algae either.  Two years ago we went with my family to the lake and there were more algae than water. But we had fun. for swimming that would be a different story!

I'm sorry for your husband's problems and glad everything is fine now!

I couldn't stop thinking all day about the dream I just had last night.

I'll try to recreate it. Be aware, that I still have some problems with english when I need to describe somehting. There is no need to read what follows if you don't want to It is not important.

In my dream, I attended my first triathlon. The triathlon consisted of 5 laps swim, 3 loops around an industrial park and 2 loops around the same park running.

I completed the swim and the bike portion of the race and was happily completing the first loop of the run. I was running over a bridge when I saw a tornado behind a building and one second later I saw the building on fire. I stopped running and somewhere was a TV showing two victims from the building telling their story. I can even remember the face of the girl. (can't relate it to anybody I know). I started running again, and at some point the course entered a two blocks dark and old town, gray old stone buildings  and cobblestone instead of pavement. Because of that, the course continued inside a few shops. All of them had two doors on the side like a big hallway. One of them sold antiques and I wanted to stop to take a look at a table. But I did not stop! I was very committed on finishing the run and was reaching the mid point of the second loop.

I was almost at the finish line, when I realized that I only completed one loop with the bike instead of three!!! I was very upset, crossed the finish line worrying about that and went immediately to a table to talk to one of the officers. He showed me my time: 58 minutes the swim (5 laps) 0:00:00 the bike because I did not completed the 3 loops and disqualified from the run because If I did not finish the bike, I shouldn't have run. I argued with him because he should have record my running time which I did finish. Now I don't know what the running time was.

I left very angry at everyone and upset at myself. I made such and effort on the run!

My husband was waiting at the entrance. The entrance looked like an abandoned yard full of junk. Gustavo, began to blame me (without even asking how the race went) that he stood there all the time, bored, looking at all those people not having anything better to do in their life than swimming, biking and running with all the wars, poverty and problems around the world. I remember that I told him: Don't even start! I'm not listening to you, I have my own problems with myself. I just started crying when I woke up!

My conclusions are: I have problems with running, I think I'm a slow swimmer 58 minutes for 1.25 yards and I probably overestimate my biking abilities Obsessed with swimming and running, I did not pay attention to the biking portion. Interesting.

I still have to figure out why Gustavo acted like that in my dream, he is very supportive of what I do.

Today Gustavo brought me breakfast in bed for mothers day! He is so sweet

Just a quick post. Crazy weekend with a baseball tournament.  Got to spend mother's day at the ballpark all day to watch my boys win 3 of 3 of their games. I think I've spent the last 6 mother's days at the ballpark ... can't think of a better way to spend the day (especially if we're winning!)

STEVE, I really don't think it's the shoes, as I've worn them on runs up to 6 miles without any problems at all. This was just a short little run. Unfortunately the hip is still giving me lots of problems and I may resort to having to go to the doctor. Sorry to hear that you are still having problems.

DENISE, so sorry to hear about Bruce. He's very lucky that they were able to diagnose the AAA and get him treated. I don't think that you have anything to worry about with your training. You'll be able to pick right back up and the week off probably did you some good!

SANDRA, funny dream! Gustavo will probably wonder about that dream as well!

My husband just called to let me know to expect a houseful of people this evening. Looks like we will be hosting a party for the Mamma Mia cast this evening, but my daughter can't tell us yet how many. Glad I'm at work and he'll be at home to deal with the planning and preparation. More later, but better get busy here at work!

LISA

Sandra - LOL! I've had plenty of triathlon dreams, but none of them included a tornado. Cool! 

Anyone - Why would my HR shoot up to 225 out of the blue? My Forerunner says it did last week on a 5K run....wth? I typically don't go over 170 when I'm running.

Trina,

Sounds like Veronica potentially hit it on the head (i.e... some type of interference with your HRM).  Particularily if that HR is way higher than your normal MAX HR.

For me I'll often experience a HR spike at the beginning my runs particularily if I have not done an appropriate WU.  I have no idea why this happens but it does.  It happens at the very beginning of some of my runs (ie.. in the 1st 1/4 mile).  My HR will hit my normal MAX HR (however, without the intensity) but it will settle back down within minutes. 

Lisa,

Sounds like you really enjoy those baseball games with your kids.  My last will be heading out of the nest for college in a few months.  My wife and I really miss the days we spent at the soccer, football, baseball, and softball fields.  They grow up fast.

Sandra,

That was one very creative dream.  Now you just have to visualize yourself completing the entire race strong and having your husband waiting at the finish line with roses!!

I wouldn't worry about how "slow" or fast you are.  One of the most valuable lessons I was taught in the beginning by a pretty darn successful world class triathlete was "there will always be somebody faster, we can't win that game.  If you remain consistent and positive you will improve relative to yourself - there’s value in seeing the return from our own efforts. So it’s best to evaluate how you do relative to yourself”.

I'm a competitive guy so that comment help me a out a lot.  Now I don't worry about how fast I'm going relative to other people.  I focus on looking at my improvements over time.

Hey, I thought you were going to write a little more about your race.  Looks like your run is continuing to be spectacular like last year.  Sorry about your physical problems - hope they go away or get fixed.  But you know I have a really hard time relating to 19.4 as a "bad" bike speed - haha.

What's up next - your next scheduled is in June, right?  What's going on with your groin pain?

Denise

Lisa/Jeff,

When our daughter left for college, we suddenly didn't have a social life.  She was active in sports year round and we spent all our time at games - and since we live in the boonies, travel time was often 1-2 hours one-way.  We had such a blast at those games. So enjoy it while you can.

Denise

What do you all think of lengthening ones stroke to be more efficient and increase speed?  I was watching one of the videos on the BT website and they discussed an ideal stroke rate per 25 yds according to height.  For my height the rate was 16-19 strokes.  I went and tried this out in the pool and it took some concentration to slow my stroke to hit that mark.  Interestingly I started out around 21-22 strokes and by the time I was done I could hit 16-17.  I think it did conserve energy, and maybe shaved a little time.  It did make bilateral breathing harder as I had to wait longer to breathe!   Has anyone else played with lengthening their stroke?  Did it increase your speed? 

Also, what are your opinions of the two beat kick vs. four or six?

Thanks for your thoughts...

Jessica

Jessica,

Here is a good drill for testing your stoke count and speed.

Swim Golf = Add up your 50 yd/m time and the # of strokes for the 50 yd/m – for example: 50 seconds and 50 strokes for a 50 yard swim would give you a golf sore of 100

Sorry to hear about your injury woes Steve.  I have some issues myself 4 days out from the 1st race of the year.  Very frustrating to train for something for 6 months and then potentially show up on race day with an injury.  Bummer!!

Right calf issue.  Almost feels like a pulled muscle that does not bother me while swimming or riding.  Just on the run. 

Yes, I am cruising.  The plan has me cruising but I'm cruising even more than called for.  Think I'm calling off all additional runs and bikes until race day.  Mentally it's difficult to lose some of your fitness but I don't think I have much of a choice.  Just short easy swims and a few preyers until then!!

Steve,

Actually no, I don't have a very good kick.  Frankly I like the two beat kick because I think when I try to kick faster I'm so grossly inefficient that I just create more drag.   I seem to conserve energy and not get as tired with the two beat kick.  I’m sure it’s a combination timing and technique problem.  I like your idea about just letting your legs come along for the ride during the swim, that’s about all mine do I think.

Jessica

I hope so!!

No foam roller or stick.  Just RICE.

Good luck with the needles.