Super Cats Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 21)

Based on all of that i think the short answer is NO you do not need a 24 week plan to get there.

But... you do need to make sure you are running regularly even when you arent on a plan.

If you need a plan to make yourself get out there an run then do the 24 week, otherwise i would think the 16 week would be plenty of time focused training.

I would be interested to see what some of the other runner runners think too!

I'm gonna email a buddy of mine and see what he thinks.  Who are some runners I could ask on BT.  I would rather not ask somebody that coaches for a living.  That seems like I'm asking something for nothing.  I think I know of a few decent people here I could ask.  Who do you suggest? 

Ok  I would normally suggest TexOma as he is a great runner and him and I think similarly on training but he is away on holiday with his wife at the moment. (he can be terrible at keeping his logs up to date too)

Definatley talk to JoeBWan in our mentor group as he seems to have his head really in a great spot re: running

Sesh is also another great person to talk to re: training. He isnt on BT as much as he used to be but is around when you need some help. Like Tex he thinks similarly to how i do re: training and I trust his advice.

Finally WaterDog66 - running freak and you will never meet a nicer guy!

If you want me to get in touch with any of them let me know!

First try will definitely happen in Wichita, Ks in Oct.  if the goal doesn't happen then, I will go do the White Rock Marathon in Dallas, TX in Dec.

I thought of suggesting K but not sure how methodical she is with her running

Oh yeah... she has done a lot of marathons!

 Good in sight JoeB!  After thinking a bit last night and having a good discussion with my SO I think I have settled on a plan.  So here is what I'm gonna do....I think.

 Gonna continue to build my aerobic base by running and cycling until I'm about 18 weeks out.  Then I'm gonna implement the 18 week plan.  First week has 33 miles with the high being 55-58.  So I'm gonna build until I'm able to cover 30 miles a week.   Then go from there. 

Sounds like a great way to go about it! Get your training in... and then start a plan... great you have support at home too Im sure that makes a huge difference!

Hopefully you get some answers - come back and let us know what he says!

Hi,

Clearly I was too early with my above post.

There are lots of people on BT that have had trouble with arthritis so I think its a matter of managing it more than anything. You can probably do the elliptical for some of your run workouts (especially while you are startign out and are still trying to loose a little weight etc).

What did he think about just walking as an option? Water running is another excellent otion that has no major impact on your joints! Some people have been forced to do the majority of their run training this way with some success. There are some great articles here on BT about it too!!!

Also race walking is another option to look into... although the doc may feel its a bit too much impact.

Hang in there.... there are lots of options!

madkat - 2009-05-06 8:30 AM Um... yeah... sorry I've been a bit AWOL lately. I'm back now.

I haven't read through the five pages of posts since the last time I checked in, but I made it one of my goals for today to read through.  For now, just a quick check-in for me:

I did my half marathon on Sat. It was cold and raining and surprisingly not that bad. I mean, the run part sucked, especially the last 3 miles. But I did it.  By the time I got to the finish line, though, I was completely used up on energy and emotion, and I started crying when I saw my finish time.

Slow. SLOW. SLOOOOOW. I didn't even entertain the possibility of taking 3:15 to do the 13 miles. At the time, it was very upsetting. Half an hour later, though, when I did the math, it wasn't that surprising. I mean, I had hoped to better than 14 min/miles, but that was what it was.

I rested on Sunday, and enjoyed an evening with friends.

But work stress got to me yesterday. I worked from home, and let myself wallow in my stress. I wound up spending the entire evening on the couch, playing Bejeweled and eating half a container of ice cream. Ugg.

So, today, my first goal was to "no wallow."  So far, so good.

On Friday, to get ready for our 79 mile ride around Tahoe, I went and bought a bunch of cycling magazines.  To continue the theme, another of my goals for today is to set up a training plan to take me through the next couple of weeks.

I LOVE reading cycling magazines...  I havent bought one for ages so I might try and stop past Borders on the way home now youve mentioned it to see whats around for a bit of a read!!! I find it helps get me all motivated too

Super Cats 'To Do' List (revised - to exclude things Ive actually don)

- Traning solo vs training with a group - what, when etc

- How to plan your swim training

- Triathlon race day: What to wear, transition, what to expect

- Cycle training

Anyone got anything else Ive missed? Run training was on this list but we've covered alot of that?

Keep he thoughts/updates etc coming!

madkat - 2009-05-07 9:14 AM I think I'm mostly caught up. Sorry to hear about all the knee issues! Yikes! Although I think I'd find a new doctor if mine told me "we'll see" about running a 5k. At least I'd get a second opinion.

Flaco, I have no advice on the training plan. But I have to say that you've always been an inspiration to me, so I'm sure you'll find something that will do the job.

Me... I'm still wallowing on the couch. OK, I'm not really wallowing, but I'm still on the couch.

I just looked on the calendar and see that there are 4 weeks until the big 79 mile ride. Counting backwards, I think I can manage it, if I aim to add 10 miles a week to my long rides.

May 10 - 39 miles
May 17 - 49 miles
May 24 - 59 miles
May 31 - 69 miles
June 7 - 79 miles

Of course, Sunday is Mother's Day, and I'm sure we'll be involved in some kind of gathering for Eric's mother. In an effort to lower my stress level, I've backed out of the planning for that. I might put in my vote for scheduling a ride sometime during the day. Maybe we can have a picnic someplace that's 40 miles from our house?

So, that's a good start, and I think I can easily build up to the distance. But that won't help me build up the strength to tackle some of the bigger climbs. I don't know how much I can do in 4 weeks, but I'm going to give it a go. I've been reading in the current Bicycling magazine about how to climb, and they suggest hill repeats at least twice a week. That seems like a lot, compared to what I've seen for running, but maybe the legs recover a bit faster from cycling because of the lack of impact. Dunno. But I'm gonna aim to do two interval sessions on the trainer a week, unless I can get out and ride.

Oh I LOVE talking about cycling

Sounds like you can get the distance built up no problems!

In terms of the other sessions yuo are spot on... you need to work on leg strength for those hills so hill repeats even if its just simulated seated climbs on the trainer will make enough of a difference in the next 3 weeks (assuming the 4th week you will be backing off before the ride) for it to be worth it! Promise!

Bicycling magazine is for cyclists not triathletes but I think 4 rides a week would be excellent if you can fit it in... one easy/recovery type ride, 1 LONG ride, and 2 leg strength type sessions. You can include seated/standing climbs and also sprints/TT efforts... all will load the legs and give you STRENGTH which is what you are aiming for right?