Brian and the Tri Tarts Group - Full (Page 2)

Sounds like a plan...but first, I have to get a bike!  I'm planning on getting one soon...right after the holidays. 

Speaking of races - just officially registered for the Cherry Blossom 5K   I wanted to get right in there since I hear it closes really fast typically.  Hopefully next year, I'll be registering for the 10 miler instead of the shorter race.

Thanks for the link to that video.  It was really eye-opening for a couple of things.

1. I noticed after his entry, he keeps the lead hand extended, gliding for a moment before pulling through.  I think that I've sort of begun this, focusing on higher SPL, but not as pronounced and deliberate.
2. On the one-arm drill, I've always just stayed on my side vs. rolling that is demonstrated in the video.

I'm definately going to try these things tonight! 

Um, for your original question.  I also feel like I "slip" deeper into the water when I recover.  Although, it seems to be less and less as I get more experience with the drill.  One thing that I've found helpful is to focus on a good, strong pull.  Through this drill, I discovered that my left pull was kind of week, just going through the motions and was "sinking" between strokes.  Something to try is the use of Zoomers, so you're not "kicking your brains out."

I guess the take-away is that all these drills really take work; perhaps even more than straight swimming due to the "restrictions" inherent in the drill -e.g. using only one arm.

Happy training everyone!!!

Awesome that you're already signed up for a 5k.  Also a good idea to look into bikes after the holidays.  You'll probably find good deals on 2007 models and won't have much chance to ride outside between now and then anyways.  I got a 2005 model in March of '06 at a pretty good discount ($800 vs. $1,200 MSRP).  I just set my bike up on a trainer last night and it won't see the open road for about 4 months anyway.

morning everyone!  my schedule is a MESS...oh what an exciting time of year.  i have made it a goal that after things die down a little at work (so probably post holiday season), i'm going to start doing at least 2 AM workouts a week.  I have no clue how this is going to work in reality since I am really not a morning person, but I need to start.  At least the writer's strike means there is less on tv. 

 brian - i hope i can find a really good deal in jan or feb on a bike.  i'm sick of the upright bikes and watching the wall in front of me at the gym.  i love the spinning classes, but i would rather have a bike and a trainer so i could do workouts at home since a late night at work or having to run a post work errand means i miss the evening classes.  and if i had a bike, i could ride to the gym, which is only about 2 or 3 miles from my house. 

hope everyone else is having a good morning! 

Hi All

I actually have the TI DVD and think seeing the drills is useful. Many of the same drills are now available on the BT site if you are silver or gold. I also took a 2 day TI Workshop which for me was less useful.  I was so new to swimming that I could not grasp many of the concepts they were introducing and my entire class was already doing tris, even IMs.  Probably would be more useful now.

Zipp1 I totally lost you on the drill you were explaining.  Is there a visual somewhere?  I learn the best that way!

Enjoy your day,

Suzy

I think I may sign up for the silver membership in the new  year.  sounds like it's better access.  i have a co-worker who i happened to be talking to about TI and he said he has the book that I could borrow.  So between the videos on here if I upgrade to silver and the book..I think that would be a good combo for swimming.  Some of these drills, I just need to see to understand what they are and what I should be trying to do. 

About the memberships..you guys have any advice on where I should start w/ the signup?  The silver sounds good b/c there are videos for swim drills..which is by far the weakest area for me.  Thoughts?  What do you guys use most on the upgraded plans?

There really is no visual for that as my coach mixed several drills together for it.  Look fo a 6 kick/stroke drill, then add the upright arm.  Look for a shoulder tap drill and a catch up drill.  These should all be on www.triswimcoach.com and he does have videos on the site. Hope that helps you.

Judi

Brian,

I have a bike gearing question.  Spinervals refers to the back rings in numbers which I am unclear on.  I have 9 rings in back.  Which one coresponds to the "12" and so forth?  Sometimes they say "second one from the biggest in back" but the number is most commonly referenced and I'm confused.

Judi

Great question, Zipp1.  I have 10 rings instead of 9.  I have been getting very greasy counting the prongs to determine 15 which seems to be the most popular.

I had a good table that illustrates different bike gearing set up, but cannot seem to find it tonight. If I do, I will post it.

Kimberly

I started with the Silver membership and found it to be very useful.  Now that they have exclusive content for higher paying members, it is even more worth it. If you are looking for a certain training plan there are plenty to select from.

I recently upgraded to gold so that I could communicate with some of the coaches when I had specific questions on biking or swimming. That has been useful, but I have not used it much. I really am trying to support this site since I think it is so good that I do not mind paying the extra for all that it has to offer.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Suzy

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=96887&posts=7&highlight=bike%20gears&highlightmode=1#M1066278

Here is a pretty good explanation of the gearing.  Still cannot find the darn illustration anywhere!

Thanks.  I think I may just start off with silver.  I have some access to coaches in person that can help me tailor the programs..so I may use both together.

Keep overall volume increases at 10% and increase your longest run by no more than 10% each week.  You are probably OK upping the bike and swim faster.  Also, don't forget about a recovery week (fall back in minutes/miles) every 3rd or 4th week (~40% less volume)depending on how you're responding.  When I'm in "tri-mode" my goal is to dial back volume every 4th week.  For marathon or run-focused training, I've discovered my body needs more frequent recoveries, or every 2-3 weeks depending on volume/intensity.  I  wouldn't freak out too much about going up 12-17% one week, just make sure the next is week is more conservative so that the average is 10% max.  Mostly, just pay attention to how you feel and make sure you plan recovery days and weeks.

I used to feel that way about recovery weeks until I started seeing greater improvement in my speed and endurance as a result of them.  My running coach is pretty adamant about reducing mileage.  I don't do them every X number of weeks, but after a major building cycle.  A step-back week for me usually includes a shorter long run rather than extra days off (which helps me).  For example, I will do a 16,18,20 followed by a 13m run on the fourth week.  As a result, the mileage is lower and the stress on the body less.  It may also mean doing one or no speed work during a given week which also encourages the body to recuperate.

I am only able to squeeze in two, maybe three bikes in a week so I usually don't alter those during step-back weeks.  And since I am such a poor swimmer those work outs have little negative effect to the planned recovery times.

Make sense? What do others do?