Scottt's Group - Closed (Page 2)

OK, so everyone who has asked to be part of the group so far is in!  I'm closing the group. 

I'll update the participant list on my training page in the next day or two.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

We're going to have a blast this winter/spring!

Could Michelle, Steve and Lynn please let me know where you live?  Thanks.

Alex

Yoga is a great way to get in your core and stretching work.  Just two months ago, I started doing yoga 2-3 times per week as a replacement for my core workouts.  I was getting lax and have found them to be a great change of pace and very motivating.

The exercises in the video linked below are the basis of my stretching routine.  Do not neglect stretching, especially in anything surrounding the hips (i.e. glutes, quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, IT bands).  Cycling and running will definitely try to tighten up this area.  It take work to keep this area flexible.  This flexibility will pay big dividends in injury prevention.  For those with knee or low back issues, you'd be surprised how much these areas are affected by structures thoughout the girdle area (hips).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iY5V0xiiKw

Here is one called The 8 Minute Stretch.  It is a little more complete and not so concentrated around the hips.  I'd slow it down a bit, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79sXwpZUeBw&feature=related

I hope this helps!

The plan is to have everyone develop an action plan to accomplish the goals they have listed at the top of their training log.  Over the next 7-10 days I will work with you guys to get an appropriate action plan in place.  This may be a BT plan or some other variation which better fits your situation.  I'd like to do this work in our group forum, for the most part.  The reason is so everyone can see the process each individual goes through and the action plan they end up with.  Everyone can learn from seeing the process with the other members.  If there is a specific reason a member wants to work through the process in private messages, I will accomodate, but will encourage them to go public as soon as appropriate.

Yes, Jason, logging all training activities is a vital part of me and the other members being able to see how you are doing and giving advise/encouragement.  Remember, there is a lot of expertise within the group.  I suspect we have some very good swimmers, cyclists and runners within our ranks.  Some of the best advise will likely come from other members.  I know I don't have all the answers.

I have created an area at the top of my training page which lists our group members and provides links to their profiles and our group forum.  This will be an easy way to get to other members of our group.  I encourage everyone to find a couple group members that you have have something in common with and make a point to follow their progress and provide encouragement when/if it looks appropriate.  It is very motivating to know someone is watching your progress and it is always nice to see some inspires in your log the next time you log in.

If you just starting your training, please do not wait until we develop your action plan.  It may take few weeks to get everyone going.  Just remember to start very slowly if you are starting from scratch.  You must give your body time to adapt to the new stresses and stimuli (Adaptation Phase).

In the meantime, don't be shy with your questions.

Look at this group! This is by far the biggest mentor group that I've been a part of. Scott, thanks a lot for taking us all on! I'm sure that it's no easy task following and helping so many people.

Scott, do you recommend that we "group" up with people that are doing the same distance type training, live in the same area or just simply a mix?

Anybody else training for longer distances?

I see there are quite a few people in my area, Orange County. Come say hi.

Right now I'm in Oregon for the holidays, so my training is basically on hold until next week. I'll be getting back home on Sunday and then will look to resume my training plan.

I hope everyone has a good holiday and I look forward to getting the 2010 season off to a strong start!

Jeff

Marcia - I'll attempt to answer your question but I'm guessing that different people would answer it differently. First off I think that whether training for a sprint, oly, HIM or IM there is always skill involved. I also think that at different distances people train for different reasons. For me training for a HIM the first time around, and this time around, are purely for endurance. I'm trying to finish the race, not win. I would imagine that this would apply to you as well since this will be your first go around at the distance. My thinking says that if you're training for a half and decide to do an oly instead you would be fine as you're training at longer distances and should easily be able to drop down to a shorter distance. Whether or not that translates into speed I'm not sure. Scott might be better able to answer that question. I hope this helps...

Craig,

This is the plan I used to train for my first sprint. My running was ahead of the plan, my biking not as good as my run and my swimming was just beginning. I followed the plan and did much better than I thought I would at the race. I definitely recommend using it if you feel that you can do the minimum it asks in the first couple of weeks.

I've used a BT plan for every race that I've done and they have never done me wrong. Personally I feel that if I follow the plan and put in the work than I'm set-up to succeed come race day. I of course like many people have hiccups in my daily life with work and family and have missed chunks of training here and there and have learned over the course of a few years that you can make up a day or two, but that's about it. Move forward and follow your plan and don't beat yourself up over it. Life happens.

Good luck!

Hey guys,

Don't give up hope on me.  I'm wrapping up our pre-holiday business commitments (trying to close the month strong).  I'll dig in with each of you shortly.

Thanks for your patience.