Colin Cook's Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 17)

michgirlsk - 2010-06-23 10:01 PM Well, all day today I ate less than I usually do (or so I think), and the last time I ate was around 3p (a bagel with cream cheese), so about 3 hours prior to the race start.  (Race start was at 6p.)  I did have a hammer gel 15-20 minutes before the start which I've never had before, but I really don't think that was the problem... or maybe it was who knows... I got the gel for free at my last tri so decided to consume it.  I had a GU gel about 15-30 minutes before the start of my half marathon and thought it was fine, so thought I'd try it here too.  Figure I'd like the extra calories since it seems like I was going for so long without food.  (Also, it may be worth noting, as soon as I got on the bike I was thinking about how hungry I was...)  The drinking... I was just continually drinking throughout the day.  I pretty much always had a cup or bottle by my side, and in the 3 hours leading up to the race alone I probably had around 40oz of water, if not more... G2 powder form (gatorade), green tea, water. I am not sure if this is the problem, but I might try to drink less next time...

It could very well be that I went out too hard... when I got out of the water today I was all frazzled and such.  My mom yelled out at me and I barely had any energy to mutter anything back.  At my first tri, I came out of the water quite happily and had spotted my dad and freely waved and smiled lol.  But at that tri I also felt I didn't try so hard... I dunno, how should I be feeling after the swim?  Like the former, or latter?  Perhaps something inbetween.   I usually swim bilaterally in the pool, and during today's swim I would not have been able to do so because of the amount of effort I was putting forth.  Perhaps for my next tri, I will try to go at a pace which I will feel comfortable swimming bilaterally?  That way I will know that I am not expending too much energy.  Colin, please let me know what you think about this!  Pacing (for all three) is an area I can definitely use improvement!

mdgould - 2010-06-23 10:58 PM Wow, y'all are a great group.  It's awesome to see so many doing their races, but tough to see the injuries; hang in there and get healed up.

I've spent most of the past 2 months on the road, either working or at shooting competitions.  However, I've been training reasonably consistently.  

We had a death in the family last week while I was at Nationals, so I had to drive up here to Arkansas.  Fortunately my wife was nice enough to bring my wetsuit (she rules) on the airplane, so I'll be doing my first OWS tomorrow morning and I've been keeping up the running.  Borrowed my Dad's mountain bike for a few bike rides and really really longed for my road bike.  Wow, what a difference.  I never worked so hard for so few miles in my life.  I know I'm not fast, but that was ridiculous.

Have my first Tri (a mini) on July 11th in VA, so I'm really looking forward to that.  I'm still pretty slow at the swim, but I'm not worried about completing it.  Should be a good time though.  The "big one" is still in September, but I expect to get a few sprints in before that.

Keep up the good work everyone.  It's inspiring watching everyone succeed.  Very cool indeed.  I'll be joining the ranks of you triathletes in a few weeks. 

Take Care,
Mark

michgirlsk - 2010-06-24 3:07 PM Thanks a lot Colin.

umm yes, I have repeatedly heard "nothing new on race day," as well as GU and Hammer possibly acting different.... oops, I decided to ignore that, ha.  Okay, I will try not to ignore such things in the future.

Hammer products are what's going to be on the course during the HIM, so I hope that wasn't the problem!

For my next tri I'll try to take it easy for the swim.  I definitely don't want to set myself up for failure right from the beginning.

I'm definitely happy about doing these sprints, because like you said, they are great learning experiences!

My foot- um yeah, really didn't think much about it during the run... today it's hurting.  Honestly I may have run more than a few steps on it without thinking, because I caught myself doing that a few times (mostly at the start of runs like during transitions), so I'm hoping that's the reason, as opposed to it hurting from the toe running. During the run I was more concerned about my cramping than my foot, so!  The only thing I really know to do is rest.  Also in thinking rationally about the HIM.  I don't know what's going to happen between now and then with the foot and run training, but I e-mailed the RD today about switching down to the sprint or Olympic, and he said no problem, so at least I do have that option...

At this point I'm becoming a bit concerned about my lack of running.  I know it's not an absolute substitute, but I may start doing the elliptical...

The most frustrating thing about this all is that this foot problem isn't a result of training or anything related, it was from my clumsiness... or something like that!

shake-n-bake - 2010-06-25 6:19 PM Hello Guys

Man what a week this has been, I'm in the heating and air conditioning business and it has been extremely busy,  been having to try and work the workouts in..After long days in the heat pushing through the training is tough.. Was suppose to swim today for 1 hour 17 min. but could only mustard 25 min. in open water, the water temp. was 90 degrees way to hot...I will try and get it over the weekend hopefully one morning... Colin as long as I get my time in weather it be at one time or split up over the week I should be okay for my next Olympic tri on July 11th don't you think... I've logged a bunch of training hours since Dec. 2009.. This week I had to do most of my running at 4-5am in the morning do to the workload.. Thanks for the help... Hope all is well with our other members..

Tim(1)

hockeyhands - 2010-06-26 9:43 PM

Hey Tim,

That's a great question.  At this point and especially with how consistent you have been with your training, I wouldn't be worried about not getting all the recommended workouts in.  90 degree water?  Wow!  I'm impressed you got 25 minutes in.  In general, its important not too worry about it when you have to cut the occasion workout short or miss a workout because something comes up.  Unfortunately, none of us are pro athletes and work among other things can get in the way.  The important thing is to not let it bother you and just do what you can with the time you have.

With that said, make sure you're getting enough sleep.  If you're having to get up early and/or stay late at work because you're busy, make sure you're getting your sleep.  As long as this isn't a common occurrence, you're probably better off bagging the workout and getting enough rest.  Remember, your training isn't going to do too much for you if you don't give your body time to recover.

Great job Tim.

michgirlsk - 2010-06-27 6:40 PM Colin, would you say the stairmaster may be a better alternative than the elliptical?  I just thought of this as I was climbing the stairs at home as I was thinking I need something that I can do as a replacement for running.  (In the past when I've done the elliptical it just doesn't seem like I work as hard as when I am running.)  But I have always thought the stairclimber can be quite tiring, although I haven't been on it much (there's probably a reason for that. )  So perhaps it will be a better cardio workout, and thus a better substitute for running?  As I've mentioned, being on the toes isn't really a problem... I've thought about running on the toes, but I think that might be a bit too much impact and might also affect the bad part of my foot.  (I was going to test this out with a short 1-2 mile run tomorrow, if I can even get that far without pain.) But with climbing stairs there's not as much pressure being on the foot.

Okay, I've said a lot, most of which could have probably been left out , but basically, what do you think about the stairmaster vs elliptical as a substitute for running?  As always, thanks for your thoughts!

shake-n-bake - 2010-07-01 9:56 PM Colin

Still been busy at work, got up the other morning to go for a run and about 15 minutes in a freaking dog got me on my leg, advice to our members carry something with you just in case!! Everything should be fine.. I'm heading to Florida tomorrow for the fourth with family, I will get my runs in while I'm there... My next Olympic triathlon is July 11th!! My training log has me planned for a  47min bike/ 30 min. swim on the 5th, 23 min. run on the 6th, and bike 1hr 18 min/ run 31 min on the 8th.. does this look okay or do you need to modify for me?? Leaving for the event on the 10th..about a five hour drive.. Thank You!

Hope everyone has has a great fourth!!

Tim(1)

sbright - 2010-07-01 10:09 PM Hi!  I know I've been quiet, but I wanted to check in.  I feel like my training is going well.  Here's a little update:

Swim:  getting faster while keeping my stroke count the same.  My husband says he'll go with me to Lake Michigan for an open water swim.  I grew up in San Diego, going to the beach all the time, and have swam (swum?) in a lot of different oceans/seas/lakes, so I'm hoping this will not be too challenging.  The biggest problem is that the lake is so darn cold!!

Bike:  Better.  I've been riding both indoors and out.  My greatest challenge on the bike now is that I don't have any place to ride that isn't filled with cars, pedestrians, runners, other bikers, roller bladers, dogs, strollers, etc.  Living in the city, its tough to find a place to ride and really see how fast I can go for how long.  Does anyone else have this problem, and what are your solutions?

Run:  Had a few really rough runs, but on the whole things are coming along.  I'm not at all concerned about the running portion of the tri, but I still am increasing milage for the half-marathon.  

Right now, I just have questions about logistical stuff.  Silly as it may sound, I feel like I don't have anything to wear in the tri!  What am I supposed to wear?  When should I start doing brick workouts?  How do you practice transitions?  I'm 2 months out right now, so any advice is appreciated!

Sarah 

hockeyhands - 2010-07-02 10:30 PM

Oh my gosh Tim!   Very sorry to hear this.  That is terrible, but I'm glad to hear you're ok.  That's must have been pretty scary.  Just curious, what kind of dog was it?

shake-n-bake - 2010-07-04 9:55 AM

michgirlsk - 2010-07-05 3:09 PM Congrats Colin!


Sarah, as for the what to wear question, I'm assuming you don't have any official tri clothes and don't really want to make the investment for your first tri... in which case I think it'll depend on what you currently own.  What I've worn for my triathlons are cycling shorts and I guess what you'd call an athletic top. I didn't want to make any tri specific purchases, and these were clothes I already had.  So I think one option would be to wear the tightest workout wear you have.  (You don't really want to be dragging too much along during the swim.)  I had swam in my clothes before so I knew I'd be alright.  Whatever you wear, I would test it out beforehand so you know you'll be comfortable with it during the race.  (for both the swim and the wetness during the bike/run... which honestly isn't a big deal at all, but just so you'll know!)

OR... even easier, if you're comfortable with it, just wear your swimsuit during the swim, and then throw clothes on during transition.  I would especially practice this so you'll know how to quickest get on your clothes.  And you'll probably want looser fitting clothes so it'll be easier to put on while you're wet.  You actually wouldn't even need to put anything on if you don't want to I'd think.  All about your comfort.  I guess there are people who just wear their swimsuit the whole race.  But at minimum, you'll want to wear something to be able to pin your race bib onto... or maybe you already have a race belt from your running races?  I don't, so I pinned my bib onto a pair of shorts and slipped them on during transition.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas, good luck!