SWBKRUN MENTOR GROUP - OPEN (Page 15)

It sounds to me like you have the beginnings of a goal with your biking.  If you think a coach is the best way to improve, go for it.  Plan for some event, race or ride later in the season to test out how well you've done against the goal.  Get excited about it!

When I finish a race, I do feel a bit out of sorts.  If it went well, my initial reaction is to find another one and get training asap.  From my experience that isn't always the best approach because I am a little fried over the training.  If you feel that way, take some time away from formalized training (still work out) while formulating that next big goal.  Make the planning fun.    It'll help you in the long run. 

I know just what you mean Rachel, I've got nothing on the horizon and my usual Spring Oly - the Noosa Triathlon - is full already. I seem to need a race to scare me into training but now I've done the IM I don't think any of the other races scare me anymore!!!

I know my cycling is weak so I'm going to become a cyclist for a while and see if I can enjoy it and improve. I might do a few sprints when Spring comes round then try to get in to the Mooloolaba triathlon next March. I wish I'd planned ahead and booked a race to focus on but I didn't so I just need to acknowledge how weak I am on the bike and work on it!

Happy Birthday, youngster!

I like to have a goal out there, either a race or a specific goal for one of the disciplines. Right now I'm working on some long-term swimming goals that keep me motivated even though I don't have a race coming up any time soon. Working with a coach or a training group can help (and make training more fun), but I still need a goal or some way of measuring progress.

I will use my 1000th post to say how much I like the word Mooloolaba. Not only do you get to run along beautiful beaches and race kangaroos, you get to do races with names like Mooloolaba. Lucky!

It has been quiet in here.  Where is fatty when you need him to stir up the joint?  

As a recovering triathlete currently posing as a bike racer can I suggest riding some Cyclocross in your off-season?  It gives something to work for, is the best thing you can do for your bike handling skills, can be done on a mountain bike at the beginning levels, works your anaerobic and VO2 max engines like nothing else, the atmosphere cannot be beat, and best of all...... if you like it you have the perfect excuse to buy another bike!  (N+1)

No racing here.    I do most of my training alone.  I think it would be great to get out there with a group cycling once in a while and that is something I am planning on looking into. 

No, there isn't an FB MG page, but a bunch of us are friends with each other on FB.  If you want to start with me, look up Suzy Shain!

Enjoy that TT!

No racing for me this weekend.  Instead I'm going to start training like a triathlete again.  I'm spending the summer  (8 weeks) in New Jersey doing an internship.  I'm excited about the change of scenery, I've found the local gym, and I'm getting settled in.  I very rarely train with other people--except ows and an occasional run.  I don't seem to need others for motivation, and I hate the feeling that I might be slowing someone else down. 

Hey Bruce, aren't you from NJ?  What area?  Maybe we could go for a run sometime if you don't mind me slowing me down

Is this a swim focused HIM plan???? lots of specific direction for swimming, but less for the bike and run.

Got the $hit kicked out of me today.  My "training plan" (the one I haven't followed since my 50K race a month ago) called for 24 miles, and my next (50K) race is in 5 weeks.  So, I decided 16 miles would be a good distance.  Ha ha ha ha ha ha.  I took my hydration vest (full) two gels, a clif bar, and a honey stinger.  I thought I was good to go, and I was for about 6 miles.......and then the wheels fell off.  OMG I had no energy, and the nutrition didn't seem to make any difference.  Then around mile 10 my calves started cramping, and my mile 13 I was out of water.  I feel like I probably walked 6 of the 16 miles (probably more), but I just didn't have ANYTHING to give.  Biggest mistake was the lack of electrolytes, second biggest mistake was thinking I could just go out an run 16 miles given my lack of training the last few weeks.  Live and learn. 

All in all, there were some great people I met on the trail and the scenery was BEAUTIFUL.  There was this one guy who pulled over where a road crossed the trail.  He was in a suit (on his way to a wedding) and carrying a shoe box.  It turns out a bird hit his car as he was driving down the road, so he stopped to attempt to revive it, but the poor thing didn't make it, so he was giving it a "proper" burial.  Nice!

Jayne,

That sounds strange.  Was the weather much hotter and more humid than what you are used to?   Did you eat a meal sometime before starting your run?  You should be able to get to 6 miles without water or gel.

Hmmm.  The first swim doesn't add up correctly and the descending 25 swim actually has you doing 3,150 if I am reading it correctly.  Lots of swimming and I don't totally understand the over distancing so early in the plan. hey, what do I know?  I am not even a swimmer!

Dan, the first 6 miles were fine, it was the 12 more I did after that where I struggled.

Well, you've been pretty busy with the school trip and now relocating that it is possible you're just really run down and that your nutrition in the days leading up to it was a little off.  You have a great base, I am sure it'll come back quickly.

PS.  I don't agree with Dan on the hydration. I think the best bet is to start drinking H20 the way you do in a race when you're running distances like you are.  I don't think this had anything to do with the bonk though.  For me, that usually the 2m mark in something like a marathon and then every drink station thereafter.

Me too!