StephSprint... mentor group FULL! (Page 18)

Steph, looks like you've got some stuff cooking!

Quick update with me.  I just finished 7 weeks of my training plan.  It focused on lots of work at threshold paces for run and bike.  This week is a "test" week where I re-test my fitness level and compare to the first week of the training plan.  Then I make adustments to my paces in training based on improvements made in the last 7 weeks. 

I'm happy to say my bike threshold paces went up about 7%.  My run paces were flat (no change), but that's ok.  I believe in being very patient about improvements and not get down about lack of change.  Sometimes changes happen slowly.

So now I enter a 6 week phase of what's called VO2 work.  This means very short intervals at very fast paces.  I will re-test again after that and then go into the final 6 week phase of threshold work again. At the very end of all that, I will test again and determine overall improvement.  That will end my out-season training and then I'll begin my Half-Ironman specific plan.  

Anyway, that's what I've been doing and what my plans are for the next 14 or so weeks.  I'll sprinkle in some short run races and probably start getting my feet wet in the pool, too.  

Have a good night All.

stephsprint - 2012-02-19 6:51 PM Signed up for the A1A Half Marathon at the last minute. Did it with my friend and we enjoyed the morning on the beach in Fort Lauderdale.

That sounds like fun.  I hate that many of the good races around here fill so far in advance.  Especially annoying for us injury prone runners.

Hi all.

Did the Hustle Up the Hancock today.  It is a stair running race, 94 floors.  It is a fund raiser for Lung Health and I do this in memory of my brother in law who passed away 1 1/2 years ago from lung cancer. He was a non-smoker and avid swimmer.

Anyway, I did this race last year and my goal this year was to beat my time.  I did by 26 seconds and tied for 1st (of 160) in my age group.  (50-59).  I ran it in 15:24.  Bummer is that because my name begins with Z and the other women's with C, she is listed first and gets the award.  There are no awards for 2nd or 3rd in the age groups.  Oh well. But I was with friends and everyone did well.  Our team placed 10th of 144 teams so we are all very pleased.

Nice.  I love 10K's.  I wish I could do one every weekend.

Hi all.

Did the Hustle Up the Hancock today.  It is a stair running race, 94 floors.  It is a fund raiser for Lung Health and I do this in memory of my brother in law who passed away 1 1/2 years ago from lung cancer. He was a non-smoker and avid swimmer.

Anyway, I did this race last year and my goal this year was to beat my time.  I did by 26 seconds and tied for 1st (of 160) in my age group.  (50-59).  I ran it in 15:24.  Bummer is that because my name begins with Z and the other women's with C, she is listed first and gets the award.  There are no awards for 2nd or 3rd in the age groups.  Oh well. But I was with friends and everyone did well.  Our team placed 10th of 144 teams so we are all very pleased.

So busy these last couple of weeks.  I'm moving the family to a new house so it's been crazy busy.  Anyway, I'll be lucky to get my workouts in this week.  I can't find a damn thing (i.e. shorts, socks, etc) to wear!!  Everything's either in a box or in a bag or in the dirty laundry!

Me too...can't find anything....

Problem is...I'm not moving.  

I took the past 3 mornings off.  Been a bit tired and here's the reason.  Meet our new baby, 9wk old Harely.  He is a coon hound, lab, beagle mix (best guess) that we adopted last Friday from a shelter.  Our 12 year old Jack Russell is doing OK with his new little brother, but we are all a bit tired.  The picture was taken in my classroom.

I took the past 3 mornings off.  Been a bit tired and here's the reason.  Meet our new baby, 9wk old Harely.  He is a coon hound, lab, beagle mix (best guess) that we adopted last Friday from a shelter.  Our 12 year old Jack Russell is doing OK with his new little brother, but we are all a bit tired.  The picture was taken in my classroom.

Ok, its offical.  I just signed up and paid the entry fee to my first race.  Now its more then just talking about doing it, Im more accountable now.  Also I joined a gym today.  They have a running club that meets three nights a week.  Kind of cool...extra support.  I sure know I could use it. 

Although I have been training for two months, my weight is not coming down much.  I do feel good, and can tell my muscle tone is returning and I can see it more clearly.  I have 2 months to be prepared for my first race.  This is not my big event race, just one to get me use to running 5K.

Now the hardest part, which I keep putting off...quiting smoking.  I know smoking and running does not mix. 

Ok, its offical.  I just signed up and paid the entry fee to my first race.  Now its more then just talking about doing it, Im more accountable now.  Also I joined a gym today.  They have a running club that meets three nights a week.  Kind of cool...extra support.  I sure know I could use it. 

Although I have been training for two months, my weight is not coming down much.  I do feel good, and can tell my muscle tone is returning and I can see it more clearly.  I have 2 months to be prepared for my first race.  This is not my big event race, just one to get me use to running 5K.

Now the hardest part, which I keep putting off...quiting smoking.  I know smoking and running does not mix.