TexasMPGal's Motivated Mentor Group (CLOSED- TRAINING IN PROGRESS!) (Page 15)

First--maybe it was divine intervention that your friend came along to help motivate you! Having something that drives you, beyond just you, is always good.

Second--running.  So, you aren't at ground zero, but you do have some building that you need to do (and yes, I think if you can stick with a plan from here out you can finish the HIM).  Running is the one area where we are much more prone to self-induced injury than anywhere else.  I successfully tweaked some plans last year to add in more of what I needed, and that was cycling and running.  So, adding a little more in isn't necessarily bad IF you have the time for it and IF do it gradually.  You DO NOT want to induce injury.  If your schedule allows you to add any additional now, I highly suggest doing it in a run/walk method, and then you can gradually lessen the walk time.  You can' "make up" for the last 10 days, but if you make the next few months quality, then you can do this.  Also, remember that biking and swimming afford the body cross-training time, still work your aerobic capacity, and still work your muscles...my run times started getting much better AFTER I started doing tri-training, and I think it was because the swimming and biking helped make the total me more fit. 

Those are my thoughts...hope they help some!

I hear all that. I am not quitting, I promise!

Okay--how is everyone doing? We're nearly done with FEB--1/6th of the year is DONE.  I am nearly done with month #2 of base building, and I'm in the important final stages of prepping for my HIM on 5 April and the Boston Marathon on 20 April.  No, I do NOT know what I was thinking when I decided doing a HIM and marathon in a span of 20 days....It will be interesting for sure.  But, I can tell you, I know I won't have huge workouts after the HIM as I need to recover for it and taper some for Boston.  I'm also having to keep my expectations for both races in check, seeing as they are so close together, I probably can't afford to get an "A" race taper in for the HIM...but the goal is Ironman Florida, so I'm okay with that (or convincing myself thereof).  I am tired right now, but I know I need to persevere through March, and then I get two fun races in April, and then some good recovery before I start Ironman specific training.  I think the biggest obstacle for me is the fact that I have to do unit PT (physical training) every morning.  So, while I need to do two-a-days, I'm often doing 3-a-days cause unit PT can be some decent strength training, but that's about it.  If I run at PT, it's often a recovery effort run or I split the distance with what I have scheduled to do.  So, I find that if I'm going to get in the key workouts, I gotta drag my butt out of bed EARLY...which means I gotta get my butt to bed EARLY.  Last night I was in bed by 8:55!!! Hahahaha!

Some days I think I must've been nuts signing up for an Ironman while having this job....but it was gamble in case I got deployed after this job (which was a possibility if I didn't get the grad school deal)....oh well! I am signed up, and I'm doing it!

Anyhow, just doing an "azimuth" check (Army saying, making sure everyone's headed in the right direction!).

double post...yippee.

Am I the only one who is super happy to see February almost over?  What a month!  And not in a good way.  Okay, it wasn't that bad but it was crazy!  I hope the rest of the year isn't as crazy but I am sure it will be! 

I went for a run today, first since Sunday's half.  My calf's yelled at me almost the entire time!  I haven't wanted to quit a run so badly since the summer time.  Ugh.  I was hurting.  I ended up walking up the major hill back to my house.  I used it as my cool down.  

I finally got to talk to a new doctor for Cole.  After all week of playing phone tag, we finally connected.  First appointment is scheduled for a few weeks from now.  

Bryan is going to have surgery on Monday to have his gall bladder out.   Should be easy but I'm not the one having it done!  

So, the next few weeks are shaping up to be just as crazy as the last few have been.  Let's just hope for no sickness and WARM weather to come!

Oh, I decided to to the Patriot Half Iron on June 20!   Yikes.

Feb has been tough for me to get into a groove too. I just had another big trial postponed until April though, so the next two weeks I hope to make some big gains. I am picking up my new puppy this weekend though and they are alomst as much work as a kid for the first month or so. Glutton for punishment. My wife was just appointed to the town board where we live so now political stuff is coming our way too!! Here is the link if your bored :

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090226/NEWS01/902260351/1003

February has been rough and sometimes I wish I would have signed up for my first tri in April!  I don't have a ton of plans for racing this summer yet as I'm just getting my feet wet right now :-) My fitness base is getting better, not close to where I want to be, but better so that is good.

I think I will restart the 'beginner sprint' training plan here on BT after my tri in two weeks.  It was designed for folks that have already finished a sprint or two, so I tried to manage my training above the "couch to sprint" and less than the "beginner sprint".  

Now that I have a new bike and the weather is getting nicer, I'm sure I'll be putting many miles in there.  I'm enjoying the swimming the most, even though I'm slow.  I really need to focus my efforts on running as it is by far my weakest of the three.

---

Wes

ebshot - 2009-02-28 7:57 AM Anyone racing this weekend?  I was supposed to today but it didn't work out.  Bryan had to work.  Stoopid work!  The kids and I are going to jockstrap though.  They hate jockstrapping!  Kind of boring if you're a kid.  Oh well!

 Jockstrapping??  That's a new one for me.  I wore a jock strap in sports in high school, never heard that term in any other sense.

wkirbytri - 2009-02-28 9:02 AM

ebshot - 2009-02-28 7:57 AM Anyone racing this weekend?  I was supposed to today but it didn't work out.  Bryan had to work.  Stoopid work!  The kids and I are going to jockstrap though.  They hate jockstrapping!  Kind of boring if you're a kid.  Oh well!

 Jockstrapping??  That's a new one for me.  I wore a jock strap in sports in high school, never heard that term in any other sense.

Haha, I think it's a BT originated term--a jockstrap provides athletic support--therefore, someone cheering on someone else at a race is a "jockstrapper" or an athletic supporter.  Now, I started off my tri-life in BT and learned the term. I thought it was a "normal" triathlon term and used it with some other tri (but not BT) friends of mine and I got the "crazy" look and then found out it wasn't a "normal" tri term!! Haha! But, hang around this site long enough and you'll find yourself using it!

No racing for me this weekend--no more races till April for me, and then it's two biggies that I'm constantly asking myself "why"??   I did have a VERY difficult run into the wind...the wind is KILLING me here in Central TX.  It's horrible!

Ha ha.  I asked my husband (before I saw the explanation) and he gave me that same crazy look.  Pretty cool word though...fitting.  Brittany, I hear you on the wind.  I rose bright and early, knowing it was going to be cold and windy.  But I was not prepared to have to run sideways.  It was ridiculous.  Mustered out nearly my botched race distance though at a good clip. 

 It's time for me to start interval work though.  I need to increase my speed.  I'm more sprinter than long distance runner.  But my fast twitch doesn't appreciate the thought of twitching fast at some distance that include's "mile" in the description.   I need to get my butt moving faster.  I've got some plans and paces (mcmillian.com) and I know that part of it is psychological (ie can I really hold this pace) but any ideas would be great.

I had a great swim today. I did exactly what everyone says not to do. I just relaxed and swam. I thought about everything other than my form (kid's pinewood derby designs, puppy stuff, payin bills). When I do that on a run it just flies by. I think I am a person who does better this way....Here is the monster :

TOO CUTE!!!!!!

Sorry for my absence...it's been quite the couple of days for me.  Sounds like February was quite a month for everyone either in the way busy or having to juggle a variety of events in life--good and bad.  Thus, the life of an age grouper, and it's something to keep in mind.  NEVER, and I mean NEVER worry about comparing yourselves to any of the pro's or elites out there...they literally live the training, that is their job.  And really, even comparing yourself to other Age Groupers can be a dangerous spot to be in because we all live vastly different lives and have to juggle a variet of different balls.  So, as the racing season, both running and soon tri's, has started...keep your goals, your motivation, and your journey in focus and have blinders on for everyone else.  In essence, each time you race, you race against yourself....everyone else out there just adds to the adrenaline!!

Just some thoughts I wanted to share!

When you want to check out the display, hit power button (top left) and it should turn on the light. Obviously don't hold it down to turn it off, but just one quick push SHOULD do it (does for mine!).

Hi,

Thanks for what you said about February Britt. Mine's been pretty challenging too. Registering for Captex TODAY!!!! I need to enter a race so that I have a goal. It sort of took the wind out of my sails when I found out that Lonestar was the same day as my son's junior prom. Sad that I won't be doing the race but I would NEVER miss an event like that!  March will be better.  Glad to see everyone has been doing so well.

Les

Nothing like throwing down some cash to get you motivated again!  

Erica,

Make sure you dress warm, especially gloves! I have been out in "warm" weather and my hands get so cold they hurt like crazy.....You will have great times on the new bike!!

Ahhh, memories.  Yep, first time I was on a group ride I fell over at a stop sign.  Joy, I mean, humility.

But yes, wear some thick gloves and some booties over your shoes if you have them. IF NOT, you should use the poor mans shoe warmer/bootie.  Take a plastic grocery sack, put your feet in it, put your sock on, put foot in cycle shoe...poor man's cycling booties.

Les- glad to see you again and look forward to REALLY seeing you at CAPTEX!  I would say your son's prom is pretty important, and we'll miss you at Lonestar, but the race will be there next year I'm sure!!

Oh goodness, typing Lonestar made me realize it's only 1 month away from today that I have my first HIM....good grief.