BB's Really Beginner Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 16)

Interesting... This programme seems very different from what I’ve seen so far.  Sorry Curt, this may be a very silly question, but I don’t understand what the times refer to when you say “The time is very modest -- for the sprint program it's a 6 week routine with times being 4:05, 4:30, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 3:30 + race.”  Could you explain please?  I’d be interested to know more about it.

Thanks!

Chris -  I read the same about the kick not being so important… where was it?  Didn’t Josh write it at the beginning?

Josh -  Glad you made it!  

Mike -  You got back on track in no time... and planning for a HIM. Good!

Jackie – Wow!  58 K and 96.5 K!!  And then you ran 8K.  You are really fit!    How long has it taken you to get to ride such distances?  I’m tired just reading it… You are my hero.

Alex -  You’ve made a lot of progress!  And going for HIM!

Mountain Dan – I hope you managed to run between errands today.

Marcus – Thank you.  I was up at 3am today. :-S  but I’m hoping to be able to swim again tonight.  Just a little one…

Ail -  Thanks! I’m still not well yet.  Since swimming is good for my ankle I’ll concentrate on that for the moment.

Sterling -  I agree with you.  Swimming is definitely technique driven.  I can swim faster than tall and slim men who have less technique than I do.  But I still have to correct some things and get back in shape.  I’m so out of shape that’s unbelievable.

I’m planning to do a couple of Sprints, run a 5 K and a 10 K.

Going for a short swim now before I fall asleep.  It’s been a very long day…  zzzzzzz

Unfortunately work ran late and with the ice build up on the car on the way home, I skipped the pool.  But....  I did get in the first bike workout.  10 minute warm up, 6 minute push, 4 minute easy, repeat two additional times, 9 minutes easy.  While it was not exactly enjoyable, it did feel good working through it.  Only problem is that my legs were already killing me from the strength set the previous evening.

While it's only one day, I'm very optimistic about the program.  It looks to be compact with "pushes" of sustainable length.  More to follow in the coming days....

Thanks. No, not too bad at all if you have a busy schedule.  Although it seems very intensive! 

Thank you Mike!  Your message is like a breath of fresh air.  I really needed that this morning.

Medium swim tonight, 400m.  Team A was at the pool last night.  I have to confess that seeing them depressed me rather than inspire me, because what they do looks so impossible to me.  But I must choose to be inspired.   

Have a wonderful day everybody!

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday.  So I have gone back over the past few pages to catch up.  Before I respond and comment to all the great questions, breakthroughs and achievements you guys have posted the past couple of weeks, I just wanted to thank you guys again for keep moving ahead during my crazy time.  Having done a mentor group twice previously, I can tell you with 100% certainty, the success of the group has nothing to do with the mentor and has everything to do with the members. 

Ok, here goes -

Jackie - Congrats on the weightloss and the new trainer.  I piece of advice so you don't start another " I fell off my trainer" threads, make sure you lock that back wheel in tight.  I feel off it once.  It's pretty embarrassing and you can hurt yourself pretty good.

Itzia - Congrats on the new bike.  That's really exciting.  I actually borrowed a bike for my first year of doing tris, so I understand the excitement of having your first new bike.  Also, congrats on the new tri group.  I know lots of people who are in clubs and they really enjoy it.  I don't know if I would do the 4am thing, but you gotta do what need to do.

Mountain Dan - Welcome back.  And again, thank you for all you do.  I hope your wife is feeling better.  Sounds like you get a pretty good workout running around all day.  Moving is moving, and it doesn't matter if it's on the bike or getting in and out of your car 10x a day.  As far as the 20 HIM training program - I did it and I enjoyed it.  I have done all my training with plans from this site, everything from 5k to IM.   I think they are really good.  I don't use a coach or pay for other plans because I can be pretty self disciplined and don't have any extenuating circumstances that needs specific training plans. 

Bill - Sponsors.  This is a tough one.  They are out there, but they tend to be for the more successful triathletes.  I also think some sponsorships have gone away the past couple of years because of the economy.  That being said, do a Google search on athlete sponsorship and there will be some that pop up.  You basically have to apply during their application period and if you meet their criteria, then they pick you.

Marcus - I agree with Sterling on the swimming stuff.  Everyone has a weak side.  When I first started, I would swim to the right all the time.  My first couple of races, I must have swam an extra 100 yds to get on track.  I know I have said this before, but it's worth repeating again.  First, slow down and focus on even strokes.  Training is your time to work on this stuff.  It doesn't matter if it takes you 5 mins to do one length of the pool.  I find using a pull buoy helps a lot because you don't have to worry about kicking and it keeps your legs high and balanced.  This is good for practicing strokes and breathing.  And second, drills, drills, drills.  They will help tremendously.

Mike D - I guess their has to be one slacker in the group JK.  Thanks for posting the IMAZ video, even though I am not in it.  I will post a link to some pictures in you guys want.  Congrats on the weight loss.  It's amazing how quickly a year can go by and how much you can accomplish.  I did my first half marathon almost to the day I started training as well.  You really have accomplished so much and an inspiration for others who want to do the same. 

Before BT eats my post, I am going to continue this on another post. 

Part 2

Ails - Spinning is a great way to build strength and endurance, in addition to changing it up.  You can really get an awesome workout in if you have the right instructor.  I have done a few classes, but not lately.  I can't seem to find the a class that fits into my schedule.

Alex - How's the computrainer? I would love to get one, but it's not in my budget, this year at least.  Have you done a course yet that you were able to do in real life and compare?

Dan N - Welcome again.

Dan 120107 - Congrats on the picking your race.  I always find I kick it up a gear training wise once I hit the submit button.  I am the type of person that needs the carrot at the end of the stick to get motivated. 

Curt - I am very anxious to hear how the new training goes.  I think the biggest obstacle we all face is find time to train.  I see a couple of different programs out there for shorter number of training hours but still getting the same results.  Please keep us posted on how it goes.

Chris - I find it frustrating as well when there are big guys just gliding effortlessly through the water. I know some folks who are big than me and swimming a 1:30/100 is an average swim.  I agree with Marcus though, I don't think kicking adds much to your speed.  If anything it just makes sure your legs are in the correct position.  Balance is the key to swimming. If you find yourself exerting too much effort, that means you have drag somewhere.  Most likely your feet.  Your body is like a see-saw in the pool.  You lift your head, your feet sink.  You want to swim downhill.  What I mean is that you almost want to over compensate on your feet to be up out of the water and your head down because it's in our nature to lift our chest and head when we swim.  Again, grab a swim buoy and do 300 - 500 yards and get a good feel on what position your body is supposed to be in. 

I hope I got everyone.  I know I still owe you guys a spreadsheet.  I am going to work on it today.  We are almost through January and everyone is doing great.  Keep it up guys. 

You might be a bit sore tomorrow.  I highly recommend getting compression tights.  They work wonders after a workout.  They basically help the blood flow better throughout your legs.  More blood = more oxygen = quicker healing, at least I think that's the way it works.  I also think the more blood flow, the more lactic acid gets flushed away, but again, I could just be making this stuff up in my head.  But it sounds good.

Bill – Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me.  Jackie is right… it’s a great post.  I was thinking about it while I trained.  I was closer to team A tonight and had a better look at what they were doing.  You know?  You are right.  I’ll get there at some point.

Chris – Thanks, I’m positive… Just a little insecure sometimes.

Curt -  So you have to do two of the sports one after the other?  Is it like brick work?

Josh -  I used to get up at 4 to train.  But I don’t do it now since I’m training in the evening.  This week I had to travel to a course.

I swam 600m instead of the 400 I had planned.  It was easier today!