Scott's Mentor Group-Closed for training. (Page 22)

Great question. I have some personal mantras I repeat to get through and re-focus but usually I think about how I have never regretted pushing through but I have regretted giving up. 

- David

Here is a Pic of my bike......

Great job everyone on your recent races. To everyone that is not healthy I wish you a quick recovery!!                                                                                                                                    When I go to that dark, lonely place I as have a couple of  phrases that I like to say to myself to get me through it. Today I had my spin class @ 5am. When I got back from work I did a brick 20 mile ride followed by a 5 mile run. Everything went great for the mosr part. The humidity in Ohio today is CRAZY. Its like slicing through the air with your bike like a knife. Ohh well. Got a swim planned for tomorrow 2000yd.

Question: is commando recommended in tri shorts?? LOL

Sorry to hear of your loss Ben, it puts things into perspective!!! Hope the family hold up well!!

In reply to how do I push myself through, I (being a big guy) get negative comments (more in jest than serious) from some colleagues when I state that I am doing this or that - so when I need extra motivation if I am struggling, I think of these comments and how I love ramming them back down peoples throats!! Imagine it would work for most people!!!

Troy-Hang in there on the taper! Only a few more days!!

Caleb-Nice ride! And yes, go commando.

Ben-I know there's nothing anyone can say tho make that easier. I'm so sorry for you loss.

Ben- Hang tough...I'm really sorry to hear that.

All- here is a couple of the saying I like....

Ben,  

My condolences to you and your family.  I lost my mom in 2005.  Though everyone is different, I know at least a little bit of what you may be going through.  Feel free to PM me if you need to talk, though I'm sure you have great support around you.  Blessings to your family.  

Ben, I am sorry for your loss. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

There is really no set time of when someone can make the jump.  Most sprint plans prepare adequately to complete the bike and run portion.  The greatest difference between the two IME is the swimming.  For most you are tripling the distance in the swim.  So I would say that as soon as you can swim the distance safely and soundly then one would be ready to make the jump.  

Absolutely yes.  They are designed to wear by themselves.  Wear dark colors.  Black is best.  Lighter colors are more revealing.  

We unpacked our bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...and one was damaged.....

So! We are in the market for a new bike. My husband has graciously said he will take the one that still works, and let me pick whatever nice fancy-schmancey new bike I want, since I'm trying get in to this training (it's nearing the end of May, and I'm STILL trying to get on track *siiiigh*)

But I know nothing of bikes - we've been using hand-me-downs and garage sale types.  But now I'd like to get something more official. 

I'd like to get a bike that can both do pavement and trails - as there are both types of races here. 

Are there any things I should look for?  A good link to understand picking a bike?  Brands?  How it's made?  Type of materials?  How it should "fit:"  Types of handlebars, etc etc etc?

Kate-It's good to hear from you! I'm glad you are doing well. I don't really have an answer for your bike questions as I know little about bikes in general and even less about hybrid/trail bikes. My best is advice is to find a bike fitter you think you can trust and go from there. You also might want to bring your questions to the main forum where there may be people who are more knowledgable about bikes.

I cut my swim short by about 400yds last night. Not sure if that was the right decision but I was all over the place in the pool and felt like I wasn't doing myself any favors by practicing poor form.

Good morning, all!

Kate, I would love an excuse to go buy a new bike! I leave mine at the end of the driveway all the time and nobody will take it! I might tape a $50 bill to it. Go get a bike with those hybrid handlebars. The debate is whether you want a solid fork for the road or shock for the trails. What will you do more off in the long run? (funny, should be the long ride!) Is that a tri joke?

Is there any other way to go but commando?? Has man created some middle layer I don't know about? Please post pics or a link.

Ben, don't be afraid to make the jump to Oly distances if you have the confidence. Like Scott mentioned, the swims can be 2-3 times longer. The bike is twice as long which can be overcome but I hesitate a little over the run. I just started training in January and have not run 6 miles yet. I've been trying to get more solid on 3-5 mile runs. I'll be tackling 6 milers by the end of the summer but everyone stresses to not go too far too fast. I could physically make it 6 miles but it would be an ugly pace. I don't want ugly paces in a race. I'm going to get some more sprint experience this summer, experience my first open water swim, and get better. I'm going to tackle an Oly race next summer after I have a good winter of training. I also plan on getting a wetsuit over the winter so I can do more open water swims for the Oly races.  Just my 02.

I am trying to finish up my first solid week of training this month. With injuries, its been tough. I did a short slow run Wednesday. I ran 2 miles at a 9:40 pace to get my legs back in shape. I'm going to do 3-4 miles tomorrow. I'll get back on my 5 mile training plan by 6/1.

Hit the pool last night for 2000 yard swim. I can tell a big difference in my endurance the last two months. My interval training has been very encouraging.

Today will be a 25-30 mile ride. 2 more days till a complete week!

Ashley-You are right to build more slowly on the run. Any time I increase mileage too fast on the run I end up with shin splints. It's very easy to get injured running.

How often do you do the interval training in the pool? I've been doing about half of every workout but I'm not sure if that's right. I know it's not good to overdo in running and I would never think of doing twice weekly interval training in the run but swimming doesn't take the same toll on you body so I thought doing it every workout is ok. Am I right?

Nicole, I've been doing them the whole workout the whole month of May. I have been doing 20 100 yard sets at a 2 minute interval. Thats it.

I need to start incorporating other things into it. I need to focus on better right side breathing. I need to get faster but I feel endurance right now is what I need. I did a 50 yard sprint last week and did it in 35 seconds. My 100 pace is around 1:50. It is not lighting fast but respectable over a long distance.

Hey all,

I have a question....I dont want to buy a wetsuit, too much $$$$.  My question is, could I wear a Under Armor cold gear long sleeve as a substitute for a wetsuit. My OLY is coming up in 8 days, and I think the water will be about 70 degrees.  I know I would look goofy but I want to know what you guy think....

jonescal - 2012-05-25 11:19 AM

Hey all,

I have a question....I dont want to buy a wetsuit, too much $$$$.  My question is, could I wear a Under Armor cold gear long sleeve as a substitute for a wetsuit. My OLY is coming up in 8 days, and I think the water will be about 70 degrees.  I know I would look goofy but I want to know what you guy think....

Do the muscles come with the shirt? My cold gear shirt is actually insulated and I do think it might get weighed down a bit in the water but I've never actually tried it. If you really want to wear it you should probably try it in some cooler water before race day. 70 degrees is chilly but not really that cold so you may find you don't really need it once you warm up.

I did my planned run for Sunday this morning (4 miles) because I'm biking with Scott tomorrow and by Sunday my dreams may be so crushed I no longer have the will to carry on. Hopefully my legs won't be too trashed to run a couple of miles on Sunday.

Troy-Have a great race this weekend!!!

Is anyone else racing? I have a hard time keeping up sometimes. If so, have a great race, if not, train hard but safe!!

LOL...........I fill out the shirt exactly like the picture.......hahaha. Also the Material is that moisture wicking fabric, maybe it wont be so heavy?

Nichole- have fun on the ride

I'd be more concerned with whether or not it was race legal? I'd check into that before you even attempt wearing it into some nice cold water. They are usually sticklers about what you wear in the water as there is a HUGE, and understandable, fear of people drowning that drives this.

On another note, I also modeled for that top, Under Armour is a MD based company! I can't see why they rejected my pictures??? Mine were clearly much better than this fake muscular nonsense? See below...

-Matt

Now that is some funny stuff right there.  

I would definitely try that out in the water first.  I would think at 70 degrees and adrenaline pumping you wont need it.  Check it out first though.  

Just an easy ride Nicole.  He He He