BB's Really Beginner Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 19)

Good morning everyone! 

I haven’t been to the doctor but I decided it was time to gradually start exercising my ankle.  I did only 1k on the elliptical and plenty of kick in the pool.  It hurt a bit after that but I’m fine today.  I swam a total of 600m. 

I have trouble sleeping.  I went to bed early enough to sleep 7:45 hrs but I woke up after having slept for only 6hrs.  I’m starting to take pasiflora (homeopathy).  Is there any advice you can give me in order to manage to sleep more?

Have a great Tuesday! 

Hi,

I almost forgot, until someone kindly reminded me, to add Dan N to the master grid on everyone's dashboard.  Here is how you do it.

1.  Go to your training log and hit edit on your dashboard

2. Hit the html button on the tool bar

3.  Find Curt's name and after you see "Curt</a><br />" copy and paste this code "<a href="index.asp?memberid=222458">Dan Navarro - Dan</a><br />" without the quotations. 

4. Hit Update and you should be good to go.

The ever popular HR zone discussion.  I didn't start using the zones until after my first year.  IMO, it takes at least a year to get your body in shape and your endurance up to worry about that stuff.  Believe me I know how much we want to keep pushing ourselves in the first year because we are making huge strides.  But, I don't think training with HR zones in your first year for people coming right off the couch is a good idea.  That being said, everyone is different and learning about the stuff is good.

Here is the first article about HR Zones that I read.  It's from one of the BT coaches.  Describes some myths and facts about the zones.  There are a couple of ways to calculate HR Zones.  First is the way it was described in the article Dan posted about taking a number and doing some math to figure it out.  Second, and the most common way people do it around here, is to do a self LT test, which is described in the article I attached.  The third, and most accurate, is to go to a lab and jump on a treadmill or bike and get hooked up to machines and get blood taken throughout the testing to accurate O2 levels.  This is a bit extreme, but pretty accurate. 

I find the hardest part about doing the second option is trying to push myself to the level you need to be.  But in the end, it's still a guideline and if it helps you get out and train, then it's worth it.

playmobil31 - 2011-01-25 8:24 AM

Ail - 2011-01-25 8:22 AM  Anyone else have a block like that?

Yep, although the block is not as long as you
but it is always difficult to tell my body: Wake up!! Once he knows he has no other choices, he'll start kicking and working

Me too.  Unless I run right after jumping off the bike, it usually takes me 1.5 - 2.0 miles to get warmed up and in the comfort zone.  I will say though, the more I run, the shorter that time is. 

And with my 1,500th post I will answer your question

Here's my advice about sleeping, don't have kids Just kidding.  I find the more consistent my workout routine is, the better I sleep.  I slept like a baby after my 80 -100 mile rides this summer.  I know not everyone is doing that, but even when I workout consistently, no matter for how long, I sleep better.  Not so much longer, but a better quality, deeper sleep.  Other than that, I have nothing.

Chris - I don’t think it’s a plateau so much as just my body not too sure it want to do the run. I was much more of a sprinter/small middle distance when I ran track. Plus that and having a coach to yell at you as you moved in a pack made the 15 min block easier to ignore. I always seem to take a bit more time to get up to speed, an extra week of training in the pre-season etc…. I just peak later than most. I am cool with that. I am good to go after that. I have been seeing steady improvements across all disciplines and have added some changes to the workouts this semester. As for diet I am pretty good. I have no problem indulging, but being raised by a health conscious nurse I don’t really do soda. No caffeine for this kid, and try to avoid HFCS. I make most of my own bread and try to juice a few times a week (no not steroids, a juice machine juice) I love the carbs but try to take in protein in the AM and for lunch as the main part of the meal…..Just gotta keep logging the time. I am not really negative at this point, just hard to get out of the bed, as beds are warm and cozy.

Itzia- As for sleeping tricks, here are a few that I have tried over the years. Only use the bedroom for sleeping and other nocturnal activities. Try not to watch TV or read or the like in bed, that way you force your brain to see the bed as a place to sleep and that is it. Also if you can’t sleep, get out of bed and do something monotonous to make yourself sleep, like reading, solitaire, I play mahjong on the computer. I also wear an eye mask since the neighbors backyard light shines right into my bedroom, and I like a dark room.  Also you could try melatonin to see if that helps. It is the natural hormone in turkey (hence the post-thanksgiving coma we get here in the US) that you should be able to find at a health food store. And lastly how about the sounds in your room. I have my ipod play natural sounds, like a thunderstorm or a boat rocking on the waves, to help me relax.  I always have been a person that has had a hard time falling asleep, all my life. I know that exercise makes it easier, as my body is tired and wanted to recoup, but sometimes it just does not happen. (hope that helps)

Good morning!

I swam 984.25yards (900 m) last night.  Last week I felt dead after that distance, but this time it was a little easier.  I was only half dead LOL.   I feel great this morning! 

Thank you Ail and Marcus for your advice on how to fall sleep.  I am a worrier Marcus LOL  So I tend to wake up and start writing work or personal emails in my mind.  Light and noise are not an issue Ail, but I do use my laptop in bed to work, write personal emails or post on BT before I go to sleep.  I’ll change that.  I also have a CD with music to meditate, I’ll find it and have it at hand in case I need it to go back to sleep.  I woke up at 4am again, you are right, I used to get up at that time to train, but I won't do it any more because I'm swimming late.  This time I did go back to sleep and managed 7:30 hours!! 

I hope you all have a great Wednesday! 

(Sorry Marcus)

Curt, you will get there in due time.  Just remember, at some point in time, everyone was were you are.  One of the biggest mistakes you can do is try and do to much to early and get injured.  Keep it up, you are doing great.  The spring will be here before you know.  At least that's what I keep tell myself as another foot of snow is expected by morning. 

playmobil31 - 2011-01-26 3:41 PM Today is a big day: Just registered for Muskoka HIM 70.3

Can't wait

Very exciting.  Do you live close to the course?  I am always more at ease when I get a chance to at least swim and bike a course before the race.

playmobil31 - 2011-01-26 3:41 PM Today is a big day: Just registered for Muskoka HIM 70.3

Can't wait

Congratulations on Signing up! It's an exciting feeling isn’t it? Good luck training, at least you have a couple of half’s under your belt, you will do great!

Itzia – good luck on the sleep! I worked nights for 4 years and was only getting 4-6 hours of broken sleep a day, I have the same problem, as soon as I wake up my mind goes into high gear and I have to get up and do something.

Good job everyone on the workouts! Keep up the hard work, I am sure that I am not the only one that gets motivation from each of you.

I am also one that takes a while to get warmed up on my runs, it takes me at least a mile to start to feel good.

Speaking of which, I am having a real hard time getting going today! I did a long run yesterday and then swam with the masters group, only 1800 yards, but when I finally got to bed last night I don’t think I moved for 6 hours! Came home today and was lying on the bed reading your posts and got to Ails about taking a nap………..woke up about 30 minutes later when my daughter needed a ride.

Will try for a late night run after dinner. I’ll have to put the head lamp on and head out for a short run, Hopefully?