kenj mentor group - back for another great season! CLOSED (Page 20)

My morning nutrition depends on if I'm in weight loss mode or not, or if I need to roll out of bed and go or not.

If I need to roll and go:  I usually just mix a quick sports drink to sip while I workout.  That will get me through an hour and a half.  If I need more time than 2 hours I go to gu's or perpetuum.

If I'm dieting I'll go up to 3 hours without anything but water.  I'll just accept the workout will suck.

The more I think about it the more I think it may also be from the strength training I did yesterday.  Lots of squats and lunges.

I have no excuse though for not getting at least a snack of some sort.  I usually work on the computer (or play around here) for a bit while I wake up and have some coffee.  I don't think it would take more than a piece of fruit or a gel to improve things some.  Certainly plenty of time for that.

Good luck with the Masters program!  Generally they are good and are of value to improving your swim.  I just wish mine didn't start so late at night!

Good luck Bill, I don't envy you guys this time of year.  Run focus will probably help some as it is the easiest to fit in when not at home, but it doesn't help with the fatigue from the long days. 

I don't mess around with fly or breast stroke either, my masters group (when I go) will have sets that are free or alternate stroke.  Since the group is about mixed with triathletes and swimmers, some of use the Australian crawl as the alternate stroke.  It looks remarkably similar to freestyle!   I am a big advocate of getting some lessons or filming of your swim though from time to time.  Learning to swim efficiently is of great value to your overall race, especially at the longer distances.

I am not a fan of evening workouts.  But, during the summer I will force myself to do them and even now occasionally.  It is easier in the summer, especially on the bike.  Running is a bit of a challenge just from the smells of people grilling out!  I am not sure if running in the evening offers any acclimation benefits for the race, but there are just going to be days that you need to workout twice a day and sometimes that means the evening for a lot of us.  

Masters swim has been a good fit for me. I did take a series of lessons last year and while I didn't feel like it improved my time a whole lot, it did make me more efficient so I came out of the water with some energy reserved. I'm not a fast swimmer but I was expecting about a 2 hour IM swim and I came out in 1:42 so I think the lessons/masters helped a lot.

I'm not an evening workout person either but sometimes I intentionally plan something later in the day so I would get used to it leading up to my IM. I'm not sure if it helped physically but it did mentally to get out there and workout when I didn't want to

Yesterday, I went out for a ride with my Wednesday Women cycling group. We rode a little over 30 miles and I was beat! I think it was a combination of getting back into my routine and it being day 3 of my little detox. I finished the detox last night so I should be back to regular energy soon. I wouldn't do it any later in the season. I need/love my calories

This morning I did a Spinnerval ride with Dave and then this afternoon a run with my daughter.

Here's a question for the group. I'm pretty good about taking a day off a week. This early in the season I usually don't schedule one and just take it when I feel like I need to because some days are pretty light and I feel like I can 'get away' with it. Bad plan or good plan?

rquinn23 - 2013-01-10 12:32 PM I also have had an aversion to evening workouts, especially running, but that was mostly because I really have to watch my nutrition during the day so that I don't get stomach cramps while running, which I am prone to. The other challenge with evening workouts is if I go home first, I have a hard time getting back out the door. I try to avoid this by going to a workout immediately after work so I have no choice but to get it done, no matter how tired I might feel from work. That tiredness usually goes away once I get the blood pumping! But I also had that thought about preparation specifically for Ironman Louisville, which is in August and will be super hot by the time I get out on the run. So I plan to do some midday runs (which I RARELY do) in the heat just to get a bit used to it. Being in Florida, it's hot in the mornings and evenings, too, but I figure during the IM I'll need to wear sunglasses and maybe a hat or visor for sun protection, and I never run with either since I am typically a pre-dawn runner, so I'll want to practice a few times. Speaking of IM Louisville: 1. Do any of you have suggestions for a lightweight hat or visor to wear during the IM? Especially if you are someone like me who does not like running with hats but has had to because of race conditions? 2. Ironman Louisville just announced that they are providing a free, six-month training plan to anyone who signs up before February 1st. Anyone interested in joining me? I have heard nothing but great things about this race, other than the heat, of course. One more thing, VeloNews put a short video on their FaceBook page today about keeping things interesting on the indoor trainer, targeted towards those new to using a trainer. Not sure if this link will work, but here it is: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1885156937001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAABAI06Hk~,I3WnLiyY6veyJIWmm6HYxvqso_xLUtKb&bclid=1884765673001&bctid=2082068673001[/QUOTE]

 

The Ironman branded Headsweat one you can get at the race expo works great!

You people who have done Kansas 70.3, any suggestions on what hotel to stay at?

I didn't have a problem w/ the cut off but sitting on the side of the road in the freezing cold rain wasn't fun last fall. 3 flats that day....

I would say yes, you are overthinking the evening workouts a bit. I'm no IM expert (just the 1) but its more like a reeaally long morning workout. I dont think its anything like working out after work/school, etc. Whats going to get you through is building a strong base followed by a nice taper. In order to build the base, i would make each workout as enjoyable as possible. You cant wear an ipod running outside or watch tv on a bike during a race either, but I wouldnt give them up during training. Only Brian does that (and I sure wish he wasnt in my age group with that kind of drive) :-)

Have fun, whatever you do!

rquinn23 - 2013-01-10 1:32 PMSpeaking of IM Louisville:1. Do any of you have suggestions for a lightweight hat or visor to wear during the IM? Especially if you are someone like me who does not like running with hats but has had to because of race conditions?2. Ironman Louisville just announced that they are providing a free, six-month training plan to anyone who signs up before February 1st. Anyone interested in joining me? I have heard nothing but great things about this race, other than the heat, of course.

I'm not a hat fan either. When conditions call for it I use a Headsweats visor that Rev3 gave out as swag. Thats really for long training runs/running races. If I'm in a long race, that i ride a bike in (IM) I do wear a Headsweats hat that doesnt feel quite as right, but its branded to match the bike race kit.

I'm not sure how to take that.... LOL

I used my Vibrams in the pool run last night.  MUCH MUCH better!!  My feet are happy and I was strangely able to raise my HR easier.  Maybe the grip on the bottom of the pool. IDK.  But I'm happy with it.  We'll see what the chlorine does. 

My legs are still toast lately.  I can't hold power numbers on the bike.  I even get tired going up stairs!  Coach says he's trying to break me down some.  The added weight lifting and lack of carbs in my diet is killing my efforts.  He's telling me to work my way through it.  He wants to break me down and build me back up for spring.  Funny thing is I usually get this way right before the season starts from all the hard winter workouts, then struggle to build up the rest of the season.  I'm hoping this is a positive change in cycle.  Testament to how hard it is to get things right training on my own.  I guess we'll see.

I am a fan of getting the swim help, but that is your call of course as to what is best.  Is this gym where you do your cross fit or is that a different one?

Either way, good for you getting back to the pool!

Happy Friday Triday!  Or at least it is for me!  The only workout on my plan today is a short run, but I usually do the Friday spin class and hop in the pool for a short swim afterwards since I am there with a little time. 

Another race in our winter racing series tomorrow.  10K and it looks like the weather will be warm for January (mid 40's) and hopefully no rain! 

Good luck to our Disney folks this weekend!!  I wish I was there with you!

TGIF!!!!

Awesome job getting back in the pool!!!! Sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead - enjoy!

Sounds like my HS swim coach!  He would punish us for months to break us down.  But it was amazing once we tapered and got ready for state and jr. olympics!  Great job keeping up the water running!

x2!!!  Have a great race(s) and enjoy the warmth!

Hey Kurt are you out there?  I was thinking of doing the Over the Mountain Triathlon and saw that you did it last year.  I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it?

My MIL bought this Fuel Belt for me for my birthday in pink.  It is the older Helium model.  She bought the small, and as much as I would like to be a small, after wearing it around the house a couple of times, I think it is just too small.  It is too late to return it (my bday was in September) so I thought maybe someone here could put it to good use.  I never actually used it while running, and it still has the tags.  If you want it, let me know and I will send it your way.

Good luck to those racing this weekend!

Karen

Bill is exaggerating my dedication! LOL   I mostly train with, at least, music.  Honestly, I train without it sometimes just for a change, especially outside.  But mostly I listen to music and sometimes watch tv too.  I just can't pay attention to it.  On the bike trainer, if I watch a movie or something it's just there.  I'll miss half of it!  I tend to zone out in intervals and just stare blankly at the wall in front of.    I'm sure my wife thinks it's pretty scary! lol

I'm working on a pain cave now with a virtual reality trainer (computrainer or wahoo, can't decide) with a big tv monitor.  So there!  

I can sum up Sheila's book for very quickly.....work on your pull!.  I was a little dissapointed in the book.  It wasn't very eye opening or help me swim faster.  It didn't give you anything to work on or a plan or drills to do.  It was well written though and stories were interesting. 

Light run and bike for me today. Now I'm watching the girls get a workout at the bounce house place. Tomorrow another bike power test (just 5', thank goodness).Happy Training!