Super Cats Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 16)

Relax Dee, That is the exact reason I did two runs today.  I knew you had a busy day planned and would need some help.  So you can have one of my runs.  Just let me know which you want........ 

THanks - Im not getting worse so hopefully its just a basic cold and NOT going to go any further...very tempted to take tomorrow off work just to make up for being sick all  weekend but I know I wont

Still feel hideous BUT Im off for a run/ride with some of the girls from the office shortly... I can never convince myself to stay home when its not raining and there are people to meet if there is riding involved!

D001 - 2009-04-25 3:02 PM

El Flaco - 2009-04-25 3:49 PM

Relax Dee, That is the exact reason I did two runs today.  I knew you had a busy day planned and would need some help.  So you can have one of my runs.  Just let me know which you want........ 

Decisions, decisions.... should I take the longer one, or the harder one? I don't even need to look at your log to know that both are wayyyyyyy beyond my running capability. LOL Yep, I just looked at your log, and I was right. Yay for running with your BIL. What's up the vision thing though?

 The vision thing happens every once in awhile.  I don't understand it but it doesn't bother me.  It comes and goes and sometimes it lasts for a while.....who knows!

Ok so I ended up having a run/walk and a coffee.... felt hideous so went home and hung out on the couch for the rest of the day..

Sorry team, it looks like as the month is coming to a close soon, that I'll not hit my goal.  I guess I was way too aggressive wanting to get 9 mins and some change off my run time in a month.  I got to about 6 mins off, and I'm really happy with that, but I hope I didn't cost the team the challenge.  I'll get the spreadsheet updated by the end of the month and hopefully I can eek out a few more percentage points.

I *think* this was meant to go in the challenge forum!

D001 - 2009-04-27 2:43 AM Dear Mentor Group, YOU GUYS ROCK! I ran today, and tried to follow everyone's advice. The ankles and knee seem to be holding up just fine. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Cat, your checklist for pre-race stuff was great.)

WAY TO GO DEE!!!!!

Did you wear yuor new shoes???

Is there are RR???

Im so so so so very happy for yuo!!!!!

D001 - 2009-04-27 9:09 AM

kaqphin - 2009-04-26 6:57 PM

D001 - 2009-04-27 2:43 AM Dear Mentor Group, YOU GUYS ROCK! I ran today, and tried to follow everyone's advice. The ankles and knee seem to be holding up just fine. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Cat, your checklist for pre-race stuff was great.)

WAY TO GO DEE!!!!!

Did you wear yuor new shoes???

Is there are RR???

Im so so so so very happy for yuo!!!!!

No, I didn't wear the new ones. I went with the "old" ones (which are still pretty new). Yes, there's a RR. And believe it or not, I wasn't DFL. LOL Plus, thanks to you and everyone in this Mentor Group, my knees and ankles actually feel OK! (Right now, at least. Let's see what they say tomorrow morning. LOL)

Ok once my head is a bit clearer i will go read it!!!

What else am I going to achieve at work today since Im feeling so yucky?

D001 - 2009-04-27 9:38 AM

kaqphin - 2009-04-26 7:17 PM What else am I going to achieve at work today since Im feeling so yucky?

1. Write posts to your favorite mentor group. 2. Plan your next tri season. 3. Plan this week's workouts. 4. Post messages to your favorite challenge team. 5. Plan a new challenge for June. 6. 7. Sip some hot tea with honey and lemon. 8. Keep your chair warm. 9. Shuffle some papers back and forth across your desk. But if you really feel icky, go home and get some sleep!

THanks Dee!!

Lets see:

1 - There is lots of things i keep saying I want to post up so maybe I can make a start

2 - This is pretty much done but needs some revisions

3 - Good idea since my week has been thrown into disarray with the whole being sick thing

4 - Done!

5 - Nope... next challenge will be the 3rd annual Tour De France Bike Challenge

6.

7 - Will coffee do?

8 - Working on it. I have a nice fluffy jumper to help me

9 - Nah - I dont deal with enough paper to get away with it!

Hi Lisa!

How was your weekend?

Hi Joe,

Its great to see your ankle is back in action... a couple of general tips for you:

1 - Its better to go into a race slightly undertrained than slightly over trained

2 - This close to a race you are not going to GAIN any fitness so whatever you do should be to aid your body for the weekend NOT take energy from it

3 - Do not do anything that may risk aggravating your ankle ahead of the race. If it plays up on the day so be it, but dont do anything that may set it off before hand!

4 - Outside of training do what you need to do to keep your body in top shape this week. Plenty of sleep (esp if nerves will make sleeping difficult closer to the race), good nutrition and anything else you find beneficial (stretching, massage etc)

Basically be conservative and get to the race in tip top shape should be your focus for the week!

Training Solo vs Training in a group

One of the original questions from the introductory posts was around training solo vs training in a group as well as working out things like where to ride etc by yourself.

So I thought it might be time to take that question on! These are just my thoughts so please add any of your own - Im bound to come up with some more stuff once Ive read this and have to come back and post more!!

The main advantages of training solo:

- You can work out whatever time you like

- You are in complete control of your workout: Recovery, intervals, hills - yuo can get the workout you NEED when you need it

- You are able to adjust your plans/workout on the fly based on the feedback given to you from your body

The main disadvantages of training solo:

- Its easy to skip a workout when you only have to justify it to yourself

- You can get bored spending all the time in your own company

- Its easy to just cruise along with no purpose

The main advantages of training with others:

- Training with those better than you can make you push yourself harder than yuo would alone

- You are much less likely to skip a workout and complete the full workout if you are meeting someone

- It shares the responsibility of planning the workout/route

- Can be a great social occassion interacting with others

The main disadvantages:

- You are trying to fit into others schedule

- You arent in complete control of your own workout and my push too hard for what you need, or in reverse not push yourself hard enough

- You cannot change things on the fly if your body isnt responding well or tired or injured

Basically both options are GREAT options! You just have to make them work for you - so if you know you tend to just cruise in the pool for example OR you are someone who always skips your morning swim workout then finding a masters group or adult learn to swim class at a time that you can work into your schedule may be a great alternative.

If you need to learn where to ride in your area then hooking up with a group ride at your ability may be great. But you may find they dont always ride the kind of workout you need so you may need to do some solo rides to allow for the workouts you need. Or you may find that due to your life schedule making the group ride is not realistic and you are better of training alone rather than missing yoru ride together.

Alternatively you might find all the riding solo gets a bit lonely and a spin class once a week in the gym environment allows you to consistently get another ride related workout in that you enjoy even if it isnt a specific workout on your bike.

The same applies for running groups. If you are not a strong runner you might find the super track interval sessions dont currently work for you so that session with the run group might not be your best option!

Basically workout what time you have available FIRST and WHEN that time is available THEN look at yuor options. When planning available hours take into consideration everything including travel time to and fron training, family demands, work, eating, showering etc that comes with training, organisation time (like packing bags nad getting petrol) and anything else that comes up regualry.

Then yuo know what you can realistically commit to with training and find what works for yuo!

Cat

Safety While Training

While we are talking about training solo vs a group I think we should cover off some of the key things to consider when out training solo or in a group!

Some considerations for all training in the great outdoors:

- ALWAYS carry with you a mobile phone, some cash and some ID... NO EXCUSES

- If you have a SO (Significant Other) or live with someone, try to make sure they are aware of where you are going and when you expect to be back just in case. If your plans change let them know! (thats why you have a mobile phone)

Running and Cycling in the great outdoors - where to go and what to do:

- At all times follow the road rules and put your own safety first (do NOT wear an ipod when riding on the roads.. I want to say NEVER wear an ipod when riding but I know some people do)

- When riding in a group make sure you know the calls/signals/ettiquette - if anyone is unclear I can write up the basics of group riding for you. Also call the ride leader BEFORE turning up for your first ride to let them know you are new so they can keep an eye out. Most groups will be happy to help out a newbie if they have been given forewarning.

- Work out a cycling route where you feel comfortable. Learn where the good places are to stop for food/water if needed. Personally I drive to areas that I know are more cycling friendly and ride there - often this means riding loops in order to get the distance in which Ive accepted. I stock the car with backup water and food just incase I have problems. The only problem with riding loops is it can be tempting to just call it quits and go home if you arent having a good day out riding but this goes back to SAFETY FIRST!  

- Check the weather conditions before heading up and make sure you are prepared for what mother nature may throw at you. Also never ride without a helmet. Gloves are also highly recommended although I often dont wear them and KNOW I should!

- Never go riding without a spare tube/puncture kit, tyre levers and pump. A multitool  can also be handy to have with you

- If you fall off your bike or while running. Get yourself off the road immeadiatley and sit down. Then do a mental and physical scan of first your body AND your bike. Check the seatpost is lined up, the wheels are not bent, that the brakes are working and that nothing is loose or rattling. Then check the gears are changing and that your chain is still on your bike. Check your wheel for missing spokes and visually inspect the bike to see if anything else does NOT look mechanically sound. If your bike is in good condition AND your body is not overly bashed up head for home. Otherwise call for assistance (remember that mobile phone?).

- Remember your helmet is ONLY good for one impact. If it takes one, even if it still looks like its visibly in good condition, do not ride again until you have purchased a new one - once again... NO EXCUSES!

- On inspecting the bike... you should be checking your bike over before every ride... the basics are checking your helmet, your brakes, your tyres, your gears and that nothing is loose before you head off.

Ok Ive JUST realised this topic is quite HUGE... so Im going to stop here until I remember something else... but a little common sense does go an awful long way!

Stay safe out there!