jsnowash's Spring-into-action 2011 mentor group -- Full Up & Ready to go! (Page 16)

Well, if the sprint bike leg is 12 miles and you regularly bike 20 for your long... the bike leg won't seem so intimidating.  If your long run is 5 miles and the race is 3.1 miles...that's not so bad and if you swim 1500 yards continuous and the race is 500 yards... putting them all together is not gona be hard for you. 

That said the plan will get you ready and you will do fine if you follow it.  Fearing the first race at any distance is supposed to make you nervious about finishing it 8).  It is all part of the sport and universal human experience.  But for a sprint we are really only talking about 90 minutes or so.  Eventually that will be a short workout for you 8). 

peteacher - it is totally normal how you feel.  I've only done 1 sprint tri so far, so am not that far removed from those feelings.  Thinking about the whole thing IS overwhelming, so my advice would be to do your best to focus on one workout at a time.  I don't think I ever put all 3 events together in training, so race day was a leap of faith in that regard.  For what it's worth, the part of the Tri I was most nervous about (swim) wound up being my favorite part.  There will no doubt be plenty of other folks there who are also doing their first tri, and feeling the same first race jitters you are.  Some will likely have been talked into it by a friend, and not even have trained.  Go out there with the goal of completing the distances just as you are doing in training, don't worry about time, and I assure you that you will have a blast!

First of all, ignore those of us apparently crazy people doing 20 mile runs and IMs and such...  We were beginners once too.  And trust me, things still seem overwhelming - it's just at a different scale now.

I'd say first, trust your plan - it's been designed by someone who theoretically knows what they are doing and will get you to the event ready to go.  Don't panic if something comes up and you miss a workout.  Just jump right back in.  Like Jenny said, you can already swim the distance so that's a big plus!  Can you enter a stand alone 5K or other running event before your tri?  That might help give you some confidence there.  And remember, like Jenny said, you can always walk if need be or coast on the bike.

One other thing that has helped me - do you live close enough to where your race will be to either actually ride or at least drive the bike course?  I did that before a race 2 years ago and it really helped.

Keep asking questions - your situation is exactly why we have these groups.  We're all rooting for you!

I signed up to run a half marathon, my first, on April 16. But I've been running minimally to not at all for 3 weeks because of piriformis syndrome and sciatica. I ran through the pain until I simply couldn't anymore and then went to a PT. Got the OK from her to start running again. Pain has diminished a lot and I'm doing my exercises.   

 I am a relatively new runner and done plenty of 5ks but have never run more than 8 miles continuously. I was trying to be smart and not ramp up the mileage too fast, but here I am injured anyway.

Since I am healing well, I wonder if it is realistic to think about running the half marathon in 6 weeks. If it is, then I need a plan.

I had been following Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan, but now am considering switching to his beginner plan for the next 6 weeks, modified for my tri training as so:

Higdon's Novice Half Marathon

Opinions or suggestions?     I am open to all, even the opinion that says don't do it!

Thanks for your help! ---Beth

Hehe, I can't ignore you crazy people, you are my inspiration!! 

Thanks for mentioning the 5K idea cause I am thinking that might be a good idea.  Of the three, I am starting to feel more confident in the run.  I feel that "knocking out" a 5K would be great just to complete that part in my mind. 

My first tri is local so I am planning on tri-ing (hehe) to do parts of it ahead of time to get a feel.  I think the freakout is coming is living in Wisconsin and not having spring yet.  I don't have any desire to get outside right now for a run or a bike, holds zero appeal.  Once the weather gets better I am thinking some of this anxiety will pass.

I had a friend talk to me again about open swims later in the year, so not ready for open swims!!  Yeah, I can knock out 1800 y but put me in a lake with weeds and fish and watch me freak like a little kid!  (the first race is in a quarry thank God!!)

Okay, I took a deep breath and we are hitting the stationary bike later today for a 6 mile ride....phew.

Thanks for the positive words and you all kick some butt this week!!

Peteacher you said exactly what I have been thinking! and I have only 30 more days to go! Monday while I was swimming I got in panic mode just thinking about it and it was bad! there is days when I think that my swimming is better but I don't know if enough to make it, I have not been training as much as in the beginning, I just feel tired and yes I am thinking what did I get myself into?

On top of that my crossfit trainer signed me up for my first crossfit competition (March 26th) and I am freaking out!

Sorry I am venting! I didn't have a good workout this morning :/ I hurt myself doing box jumps, I hate burpees and the wind was horrible during my bike ride!

I could race a 4-miler this weekend.  Is that OK 2 weeks out from the marathon?  I suspect it would end up being faster than marathon pace - maybe closer to a tempo run. 

Maybe I'll wait and see what the weather is doing...

Does anyone have and good suggestions for after workout meals or snacks?  I would say my average workout is around 60-120 min with both cardio and lifting on a normal day.  After that I am Starvin Marvin big time!  Thanks!

Marcus

Beth, sounds like the right decision given your goals and the timimg.

Sorry, but I'm not the one to ask about post workout fueling.  I'd like to drop a few more lbs, so unless I need to eat to get my blood glucose levels back up, I tend have a little coffee and just wait until the next regular meal. 

Did my first brick of the year today....10 miles on my mtn bike + 2.5 miles run.  Also swam 1750 yards and did a little strength training this morning.  Didn't really plan to do all that in one day, but the weather was great, so I seized the moment.  Had a calf cramp as I started running right off the bike , but walked a little and worked it out.  Decided that was my cue to come back and take one of my dogs with me on the run.  She was very happy with that arrangement.  Probably buying a bike this weekend....going to test drive a couple at the local bike shop and see which one I like. 

I tore a calf muscle roughly 10 weeks before my IM last year.  I was allowed to walk on it, so I walked up to 20 miles a week.  I then had to go to a walk 3 minute jog 1 minute alteration for a few weeks and just kind of work up from there with a good 1 mile warmup walk and cool down walk.  I was able to run the entire IM, but then took 2 months off running to try to let the legs heal up.  You have to start off really slow or risk reagrovating things.  The sports doc said basically 2 months to heal a minor tear/pull. 

As for the 4 miler 2 weeks out from a mary... I wouldn't.  It depends on how hard you run it, but if you go full tilt like I did last Saturday, I am still feeling it 5 days later.  Yes I can run and such, but my top gear is not there and I have less umph than if I were rested.  I find it hard to be in a race and not race it.  But up to you and how much you are able to not go full tilt in your race.  Tempo for me is much slower than a LT 5k pace. 

Hi Jenny,

Is it still possible to join?

I'll introduce myself a bit. I'm a 28 year old guy from Belgium. And I have been doing a lot of sports in my life, but to be honnest, never was very good at anything, well... maybe powerlifting, that was not too bad ;-)

About 3 years ago, I started running with a neighbor, but because he didn't have time, we stopped, and I tried to keep training myself. But I also had several months of inactivity.

About 2 years ago, I started cycling with 4-5 other neighbors, and we are doing this every week from march till October. This year, I bought myself a crosstrainer for during the winter.

I've always been too heavy, and now in februari, I started with a protein diet, and already lost 10kg (20lbs) with it. In total (less "bad" food, and more training before I started the protein diet) I already lost 14kg (28lbs). And I'm going for 10kg (20lbs) more.

2 weeks ago, I started running and cycling again, and now I also started swimming, because I really want to do some triathlons (sprints or 1/8s first ofcourse).
I did swim a lot when I was young, but that was 10-15 years ago, so I lost all my technique. I just purchased the TI freestyle made easy, and plan starting with it on sunday.

Kind regards

Tim

Okay so here is my latest question.  I used the custom workout tool on here (the free one) and so far I feel super good about distances and expectations.  I had limited knowledge when putting it together but I have been reading and spending time on here like crazy (yes, even a little OCD).  I put the workouts on what appeared to be best for my schedule but am now second guessing one big thing.

Obviously bricks are good but I am wondering if it matters how we place the bricks.  For example, yesterday I did a 650y in 12m and followed it by a 1.14 m run (14m).  Should I be doing bricks in the order they are on race day or doesn't it really matter what order I train in as long as I am building a base??

peteacher, I'm not sure the answer to your question.  From my extremely limited experience and a lot of reading (I hear you on the OCD thing), I think the most important thing re: bricks is to get used to going from bike to run. 

tim, hope they let you into the group.  Congrats on all you are doing to restart already!

OK, are you guys tired of me yet on the bike questions yet?  Here's the deal.  I'm hoping to test drive a 2009 lightly used Scott Contessa Speedster.  Shimano 105 components, 47 cm (I'm 5ft3.5).  Hutchinson Tires, Alexis Rims, Cat Eye bike computer and water bottles cages included. Priced at $899, but hopefully could get it down to $800....was $1100 new (and 2011 models are around $1,300). Supposedly very few miles....ridden in one 1/2 ironman on a gal's bucket list and now she's not interested in riding.  Said I could have it checked out at the LBS.  Said that the LBS where they bought it will do free tune ups on it for life and they are within probably 20-30 minutes drive.

Other option in my range seems to be new 2011 Specialized Dolce Elite (Sram Apex components) for $1,300 from the local bike shop.  Again, I plan to ride it and compare.

So my question...if I like both bikes, does the 2009 Scott sound like a good deal if it fits me?  Anything positive or negative about that particular bike that anyone knows of? It would be very nice to have that extra $500 to spend on shoes and maybe a couple of race entries. 

As long as the bike fits and checks out (I'd take them up on the offer to have your LBS look at it), I've heard good things about Scott. It has good components. The test drive will tell. I'm not sure if Apex is the Sram equivalent of Shimano 105s--maybe someone else knows? 

Happy shopping!!