Team Fall-dippides - November Challenge (Page 19)

Whoa Team!  Way to go! Keep up the pace.

Things are fine on this end. Got a run in on Friday, but had quite a few things going on so I haven't had a chance to get to the pool as of yet to knock out the last couple sessions of swimming. I did however manage to see the Saints continue to kick serious butt.
Speaking of kicking serious butt, let's do a little bit of that this week, eh?
Riley

Hehe race results are up, even with my longer um distance I ended up 3rd place in age group and 11th place overall.  First and second place live locally and have probably done the course previously. 

The knee doesn't fell too bad today, a touch stiff, but nothing achy.  It turns out that though they said the elevation gain was 3000 feet it was really 5000 feet.  There were 5 miles that had around 500 foot gains in them, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it kind of is, especialy with rocky footing. 

Perhaps I should do it again and well not miss any turns to see how I do.  The racers this year were overall much faster than in the previous 3 years.  Rest day here, keep at it folks not much of the month left.

Nice job...  Very solid finish even in the face of the extra miles!

Not very reassuring since my race in December is with the same group.  I think I'm going to try to get the coarse on my GPS to have for the race.

Basically bring all your water, all your calories and ya if you can walk any of the course before the race do so.  If not, try ti figure out how many miles to each turn and memorize those distances.   I just have never had to memorize every road turn or bring a course map with me on a run before.  Also multiply the elevation gain x 1.8 to get the actual elevation gain.  The course was beautiful and challenging.  So if you go into it right things should be fine.  I just didn't do enough homework. 

Morning team!

Got in some weights this morning. Working on that rock-solid core   There was the same weird runner on the treadmill this morning. It's very perplexing.  

Anyway, tonight is a run and that should be good. Puts me ever so close to my goals for the month and getting to 100% on the challenge! wooo!!

How's everyone else?

Wow! Congratulations!! Just imagine if you hadn't missed a turn!!

Good luck this weekend!

Good luck this weekend.  Which half marathon?  Your're more disciplined than me if you can stick to that training race mentality.

Good morning all!  Woke up to a nice quiet house this morning.  Since I have to work Thanksgiving, I left my little ones at grandparents house for the week.  I plan on squeezing in some big training hours this week in their absence.

Today calls for a dreaded 10 mile run with 5 x 1 mile speed intervals.  Really not looking forward to this one.  So, for now, I'm procrastinating on the computer, drinking coffee, and looking at the cold fog outside.

Yikes... Got 10 miles in with 5 x 1 mile speed intervals.  I think this was the hardest run workout that I've done to date.  Finished the third interval with slight fade and wasn't sure if I would be able to get back on pace.  Focused on how well the team has been doing and was able to power through the remaining two intervals.

Now, get some things done around the house, then take a spin on the bike after the wife leaves for work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There won't be a Sunday update this week. (Since Monday is the last day of the month.)

Please have the spreadsheets updated with your total November numbers by 8 PM EST, Tuesday December 1st. I'll pull the numbers on Tuesday evening, and give everyone the FINAL STANDINGS.

Also, since it's a Holiday, I'm giving you all a Holiday Present! (You do know I'm a giver, right? Heh.)

You may now reach 105% of your total goal! That's right, you can help out lagging teammates by achieving more than 100% of your total goal!

Have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!

Dee

Well 20 min exercise bike, 9k treadmill progression run, followed by swim lessons tonite.Swim lessons were not good tonite. Very unmotivated. I am officially stuck. My "kid instructor" says my kicks are good, great stroke, but I sink. Too much muscle & bone he thinks. I suspect that most triathletes are built this way!!! They have learned to swim!!! I think he has sort of thrown his hands up. Oh well, gonna watch some more Mr Smooth & keep going, but a little discouraged.Baowolf...Congrats on your race!!! You 'da man.BlueJay...Good Luck this weekend with your half Mary. You are still with us then, so we expect a race report!!!!

Great, someone can have my extra few km!!!

Hang in there.  One day it will just click.  I bet the majority of people on this forum were barely able to swim 25 yrds when they started.  I know I was one.  It's practice, practice, practice, and you guessed it, more practice.  If the "kid indtructor" can't provide further insight, it might be time for a new instructor.

Thanks, but I sure didn't feel that way.  It was more like survival.  I start my marathon plan on Sunday, so I'll be glad not to see this workout come around again for awhile.

Nice interval work, I did that workout with 9 mile run 5x 1 mile intervals last thursday, completely felt the same way, after number 3 was like omygosh 2 more I am going to die.  It does work out though. 

17 mile bike today just to get the legs moving, still sore from the race.  It is amazing how much harder sustained climb of a couple miles is versus a climb of the same hight, but with some ups and downs in it.  At least my marathon wil be mostly flat, only one significant climb and one minor climb in it. 

It looks like everyone is getting the job done, keep at it we will rule this challenge!

I tend to be more of a sinker on the swim.  What that really means is that you just need to work on your balance more with your head down more so your butt will be up more.  Otherwise ya you are pushing too much water.  If you have ever been on a surfboard you have the same thing.  If the tail is down you have no glide versus having the board basically flat in the water.

Edited by Baowolf 2009-11-24 7:57 PM

Morning team!

Got in a lovley 45-minute swim and will be going to spin class tonight.  Ran last night and it was lovely! It's been so mild here (at least for this time of year) that I am sad to see snow in the forecast for next week.  

I noticed with swim lessons - at least the ones that I took the instructors not only are kids but they are lifeguards not competitive swimmers.  They taught me the mechanics and what they knew but it really started to click with regular practice.  Baowolf has some great pointers for your specific issue.  For me getting enough breath and the endurance for the front crawl was the hardest part.  First of all, I kicked way too much and second I wasn't turning right to allow me time to roll and breathe.  Lots of practice, some drills (this site has a good beginner swim program that goes over 4 months) and mostly perseverance were the biggest factors.

x2. Sounds like a workout to test your barf threshold! :D