BrotherTri’s - Triathlon Training Support Group - CLOSED (Page 2)

Question for the group:  Are you using a plan this season?  Your own or a book/canned/website's (like BT)?  Or are you using a coach and having them write a plan?

I'm using Friel's "Your Best Triathlon," which I used last season, as well.  I'll likely make a few tweaks based on my experience last year, but like the general structure/format and also the way he periodizes within the season and within blocks.  I figure I'll try this one more year and then reevaluate...

What do you plan to do?

Matt

Hi Tom,

I feel your pain - literally!  I had a right shoulder 'scope/repair a few years ago.  Hurt it in college playing rugby but waited on surgery until I couldn't drink a cup of coffee without wincing (doctor's advice waaaaaaay back in my early 20's when it was giving me trouble while ski racing).  Fast forward 15 or 20 years and a season of coaching two of my kids baseball teams (coach pitch - ouch!), starting to swim, light weights, playing tennis with the kids… you get the picture.  BOOM!

There was not a single piece of my shoulder that was in good shape, including degenerative changes to the bone that you reference (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, cuff, AC joint, labrum, degenerative cystic changes in the humerus, spurs… you name it, it was messed up).

However, my surgery was a bit different than a full tear, most likely, as it was a massive clean up but no ONE problem big enough to thrwo a stitch (he didn't know until he got in if the labrum needed one, but thankfully it did not).  Did they throw any stitches or screws?  If so, the recovery takes considerably longer.

That said, when it is fully healed, it usually is pretty close to fully functional - even with stitches or screws.  I cannot pitch a ball fast, but I can now at least throw around (which used to be the worst!) and am having no trouble swimming (it's actually my other shoulder that hurts swimming - but I'm happily ignoring that, for the moment).

As for advice on how to GET to fully healed, all I can say is that you have to do two really hard things.  One is to follow the rehab plan and do the work.  The other is to follow the rehab plan and NOT come back too early or too hard.  If you overdo it before it's healed, you can start down a spiral of injury that will take much longer to heal (watched my father do this - repeatedly - and it's not fun).

With "hardware" in the shoulder (again, a stitch or screw), 6 months is the standard return time.  If it was just a "clean-up," which I doubt with a full thickness tear, then it's considerably shorter (you don't need to scar down to heal).  So, you might well be able to shave some time off the 6-months, but that is pretty commonly the time-frame for most surgeries like you describe (this does not constitute medical advice, mind you!).  

Not to scare or wig you out, or even suggest that an aggressive return isn't possible - but you really do need to follow a program that is right for you.  I absolutely agree that talking with the doc/PT about your background and athletic intent is the right way to build a sensible plan.  But if they don't modify the approach I do think you're better safe than sorry (and it's usually a matter of a couple/few weeks difference between an aggressive return and a "normal" PT/rehab plan).  Your call, of course - just my tuppence!

I hope it heals up quickly and fully and that you're back at it right quick!

Matt

Tom, I think there is a bunch of wisdom in the posts above. I have not had a shoulder problem yet, but I do know that as a more "mature" individual, I've had to learn to recover and not overdo. I try to push only when my body allows me to do so. I messed up a knee and lost a few months trying to run too soon.

Matt and James, I volunteered the first year at Rev3 Venice, and I have to say they did a good job. This year they changed up the bike route and added the Oly, and it was all seamless, from what I heard. The rumor at the LBS is that they might have a full distance in 2014. They do a great job and have a few things like the worst wetsuit competition and the family finish that are pretty cool. If you are considering them, I'd say do it. Quassy is supposed to be a great race, and I think it is in your area.

I am not currently following a plan, but I'll put something together on my own after Flatwoods Ramble in mid February. I am not coached and my goals are fairly modest. As such, I try to keep it all at as low a cost and high an enjoyment factor as possible.
Karl, I noticed about 3 things I have in common with you, #1 being my love of swimming. And yes, you'll see the occasional "ya'll" pop up in my posts.

Oh yeah, I completed my final "event" of the year last night, a Pub Ride fundraiser for the local Off Road Riders bike group. Fun Stuff.

I hope the weekend is going well for everyone!

Not in a coma at all!  My posts are much better soporifics…  

A dry-humored parrot head?  We'll get along just fine.  Sounds like you have some good goals this season, and all achievable (the HIM will test you, but you already know that you have to get the swim down for that).  I think it's great that you knocked down the swim obstacle and are now racing - terrific!

How long have you been in tri?  

This also prompts me to include two family members that aren't in my bio - two goofy labs (yellow and chocolate).  We're right now thinking on a Newfie, but that's a whole lot of dog and slobber!

Being from the North, I don't speak fluent Southern, but I'll try.  

Matt

Hi Christian!  I just started back into tri last year (Fall of 2012) after so long off (and only a few races even in the way back) that I might as well have been starting fresh, and I can tell you that those first races are awesome!  Lots of nerves, plenty of excitement and, for me, adrenalin.  Top that off with a great community - good stuff.  It'll be fun to go through that with you this season!

Like you, I have a good "shadow partner" in The Better Half.  She did those first two sprints with me, but didn't fall in love with it (she likes the training but not so much the OWS or going fast on a bike!) and did all run this past season.  She did, however, just mention that she might do a mid-summer Oly with me, so you never know when your wife might hop aboard!  Great that she's supportive in any event.

I hope your first season is the first of MANY!

Matt

For me, having the framework of a plan has been useful to figure the whole periodization/cycle thing.  Without the reference, I think I'd be doing way too much intensity too soon in the season (as I prefer going hard to long, usually).  That said, I use it more as a skeleton on which to hang the meat of the workouts (which I tend to personalize based on where I think I am).

The other thing it has helped with is keeping the time spent among the 3 disciplines more balanced, as I'd probably tend to run too much (kind of like I'm doing now!).  Once this HM at the end of February (Hyannis - gotta love the Cape in winter) is over, I'm going back to a more balanced approach - and maybe even a little heavier on the bike.

Someone once told me, "It's all about the bike because it's all about the run."  Oh yeah, and that you have to be able to swim or you'll have trouble biking.  

Matt

Sister Kate!  You're an almost local (I'm up near Boston - and as I'm sure you know, we're very geo-centric 'round here).  

Sounds like a great plan for the season, and some good challenge in it, for sure.  I did Timberman last year as my first (and thus far only) HIM.  It was a great race - terrific vibe (very family friendly, although I did this one stag), well run, great crowd support on the run, TERRIFIC swim venue and I actually quite liked the bike (although a lot of folks seem not to).  Happy to talk more course specific stuff as we get closer.

I might do it again this year, as it was a fun time and I have a bunch of friends that will likely do it.  All depends on whether I go to AGN a couple weeks prior.  My late July through mid-August is a little race-crazy (Nantucket Oly 7/20 or so, AGN Oly and sprint if we go on I think 8/10+11 and Tman sometime around 8/17).  Will be tough to figure for what to taper and what to train through, never mind the travel, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE racing!  

That in itself can be a problem and might be something worth discussing as we get into the season (how to plan peak/tapers for a given race schedule - I didn't do as good a job as I should have with that last year, but had a blast racing).  Some folks like a few races, others are like Eddie Merckx and want to race all the time.

Anywho, great to see a "neighbor" in the group!

Matt

Quick lazy question - what is Ragnar all about?  My understanding (aside from the name meaning something like "wise warrior," which I rather like) is that it's a looong relay… I think.

I'll google the basics momentarily, but am wondering about the non-wiki side of it, as most "types" of races have their own character, etc. (think WTC vs local tri).

Just curious...

Thanks!

Matt

Generally, it is a 10 to 12 person relay of about 200 miles (give or take). I am trying to gauge interest for next year in Key West. The run starts in Miami and ends in Key West. I met a guy on Saturday who has a team this year and has done it a couple of times. His last statement to me was that the post run party is pretty good. They are run throughout the country.