SWBKRUN- Miles and Miles ahead!!!! CLOSED (Page 177)

As my first (and very likely only) marathon approaches (17 days to go) I thought I would share some thoughts.

When I started triathlon last year bikign was my best event and swimming my worst. I had worked on running before doing tris as a way to lose weight. Unfortunately, while the BT plan I used for my olympic seemed to help my swim, my run fell apart. I found myself walking in my last two triathlons including the olympic.

So I decided to work on my run in the "off season." The marathon I am doing seemed like a good way to keep myself focused on running. I chose to do this one because: 1) it is relatively flat, 2) it imostly on unpaved but smooth trails, and 3) it is still cool out and I SWEAT!

I have found that running more than 13 miles is complicated. Just like moving up from shorter to longer tris, running longer makes for complicated nutritional issues. Hopefully I can use this in my HIM. I also learned I do not get a great deal of satisfaction from running long distances. There is too much chaffing (which I am trying to solve) and a lot of aches afterwards.  I have had adductor, calf and hamstring issues during this training. None of which has been overly debilitating.

My legs have changed. They have always been big, but I think they are a little more balanced now. My focus has changed for the race. My major goal is to finish it without walking. 4:30 would make me happy. Anything faster is gravy (originally I wanted to break 4:00 (My coaches estimate)).

Doing so much run focused exercise has made me miss triathlon. I have a race in April, but it is really a tune-up race. Real racing for me starts in June. That I am really looking forward to.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Oh, and by the way, hoist one for me saturday as I turn 49 on the 6th!

Doug

As my first (and very likely only) marathon approaches (17 days to go) I thought I would share some thoughts.

When I started triathlon last year bikign was my best event and swimming my worst. I had worked on running before doing tris as a way to lose weight. Unfortunately, while the BT plan I used for my olympic seemed to help my swim, my run fell apart. I found myself walking in my last two triathlons including the olympic.

So I decided to work on my run in the "off season." The marathon I am doing seemed like a good way to keep myself focused on running. I chose to do this one because: 1) it is relatively flat, 2) it imostly on unpaved but smooth trails, and 3) it is still cool out and I SWEAT!

I have found that running more than 13 miles is complicated. Just like moving up from shorter to longer tris, running longer makes for complicated nutritional issues. Hopefully I can use this in my HIM. I also learned I do not get a great deal of satisfaction from running long distances. There is too much chaffing (which I am trying to solve) and a lot of aches afterwards.  I have had adductor, calf and hamstring issues during this training. None of which has been overly debilitating.

My legs have changed. They have always been big, but I think they are a little more balanced now. My focus has changed for the race. My major goal is to finish it without walking. 4:30 would make me happy. Anything faster is gravy (originally I wanted to break 4:00 (My coaches estimate)).

Doing so much run focused exercise has made me miss triathlon. I have a race in April, but it is really a tune-up race. Real racing for me starts in June. That I am really looking forward to.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Oh, and by the way, hoist one for me saturday as I turn 49 on the 6th!

Doug

John-  I couldn't find your post about Atlanta.  I keep hoping you and Jarrett will come to SA so we can ride and then drink a few. 

Hair...I cut mine drastically short late last summer and am just now growing it out (per hubby request).  It's going to take a LONG time.  Was this post yesterday?  What did you decide to do?  Here's my pic.

Update on me...  I ran for 20 min straight on the TM with no walk breaks and relatively no pain!  Yea!!!!  Hopefully I can do it again this weekend outdoors.  Got a massage yesterday and holy cow my IT band was tight and sore.  Going to try and get another one next week to keep it loose while I build the miles back up.

Just catching up...sorry if some of this is late.

Tracy- CONGRATS!!! That is AWESOME!!!!    Do you have Computrainer already?

Hair...I cut mine drastically short late last summer and am just now growing it out (per hubby request).  It's going to take a LONG time.  Was this post yesterday?  What did you decide to do?  Here's my pic.

Trina- Good Luck this weekend!  You are going to ROCK IT!!!  Can't wait to read your race report.

John-  I couldn't find your post about Atlanta.  I keep hoping you and Jarrett will come to SA so we can ride and then drink a few. 

Kim- I hear you on the schedule.  Yesterday was CRAZY.  I felt like every second was scheduled from the time I got off to the time I went to bed so I could get everything in.

Update on me...  I ran for 20 min straight on the TM with no walk breaks and relatively no pain!  Yea!!!!  Hopefully I can do it again this weekend outdoors.  Got a massage yesterday and holy cow my IT band was tight and sore.  Going to try and get another one next week to keep it loose while I build the miles back up.