Gray Guys/Girls Maturing Triathlete - Always OPEN (Page 23)

Steve,

Thanks!  I already spend WAY too much time on ST and now I'm presented with a must-read thread!  

I wonder if they are actually sitting somewhere, wondering why people are so upset with them.

Hey Nathalie,

I remember not so long ago when two races was a lot in a year!  Nice to see you are getting into a more active race schedule.  Good luck in your race today (maybe I should say, hope your race went well today?).

Had my first race of the season on Sunday.  It didn't go as well as I had hoped but I finished it and learned a few things for the next one in 2 weeks.  This one was a super sprint (150y/10m/2m) with a pool swim, somewhat hilly bike and run.  It was a chilly morning which made me a little nervous.  I wasn't sure how the bike ride would feel being wet after the swim.  The swim ended up being the best part.  Granted it was only 150y but it felt easy and I finished in about the time I expected so happy with that.  I about froze on my way out to transition though.  T1 was a little long (as usual for me ).  I took an extra minute or so to dry off a bit and put on a jacket for the ride.  I'm glad I did.  I was a bit windy out there which didn't help with the temperature.  The bike was slower than I had hoped but considering I had only ridden outside for less than a mile since September (and that was the day before the race just to check my brakes), I can't really complain.  I was a bit hesitant at first being on the road, but once I got going, it was OK, just slow.  Good news is I made it up all the hills without too much trouble, even the last one which is not especially steep but it's long.  I failed on that hill 2 years ago when I did this race, this time I made it all the way to the top.  The run was my usual run/walk thing.  I couldn't seem to keep my HR down though.  My legs felt pretty good, just had trouble with the breathing and HR.  

Overall it was a good warm-up type race for Gateway in 2 weeks.  I think I'll be OK with the swim (as long as the water isn't too cold, it's an OWS and we haven't had too many days here where it's been hot enough to warm up the water), the bike there is completely flat but it's usually a little windy,  and the run is rolling hills.  So if I can work on my run over the next 2 weeks, I should be OK.  

Janet

WOW!  That was a great race result.  10-minutes over last year, a 4-minute PR over a race only four months ago.  Good job!

Hey Janet,

Sounds like you had a good race.

Making it up a hill that beat you two years ago is called progress!  Always nice when you have confirmation the training is working.

There's no shame in "run/walk" during the run.  Ironman World Champions regularly employ a run/walk strategy.  You might consider actually going into the race with a deliberate run/walk strategy - plan to run/walk.  It will help with your HR and mentally you won't feel like you were reduced to "your usual run/walk thing."  Just my two cents.

First OWS practice on Saturday morning.  I needed to make sure my wetsuit still fit since I've gained a bit of weight since the last time I work it.  It went on better than expected although I had some trouble getting it all the way up over my shoulders.  Luckily a teammate was able to help me with that part.  Water temperature was warmer than I expected (around 69*), but it's just a small man-made lake so that's probably why it was warmer than I thought it would be.  Hopefully the lake at next weekend's race won't be too much cooler.  I just did a short swim to get the feel of the suit again and being in a lake - went well so I'm encouraged for the race.  

Nice outdoor ride with the tri club after the swim.  I only did 16 miles (stayed with some of the newer people) but it was a nice ride.  Not too windy for once on that route and I even led the ride for a while (again I was with the newer/slower people ).  It's a similar course as the race route so that should go well also I think.  

Just need to get through this week, then leaving on Friday to stay overnight for the race on Saturday morning.
Janet

Just found out my race this weekend has been cancelled due to low registration .  I had heard that the company was considering not doing it after this year - I was hoping to do it one more time though.  So do I find another race to do within the next 3-4 weeks or just concentrate on training for the one in July?  I really want to do well at that one but I'm doing so few races this year, I was really looking forward to the one this weekend.  

Janet

OK, so I've got 3 possibilities to replace this weekend's race (4 if you count not replacing it at all).

1 - The RD for the St Louis Tri on 5/20 has offered a substantial discount to those of us who were registered for Gateway this weekend.  It's a good race - I've done it the last 2 years - the course is similar to my race in July (lake swim, flat bike and run courses) and I'm already prepared for the distance.  I'm already set to volunteer at the race so I was planning to be there anyway.  It would be a good fit but for some reason I'm hesitant to do it - not really sure why.

2 - I could do a biathlon on 6/10.  It's a 4 mile run/20 mile bike, both flat courses.  It's also a race I've done before and I like it.  The issues here are that it's usually extremely hot there, and I'm a little worried about the 4 mile run.  My hamstring has been acting up and anything over 3 miles is a little tough on it. 

3 - I could do a sprint triathlon or duathlon on 6/16 (the race offers multiple distances). I've done both at this race I enjoy it but the bike and run are both very hilly so totally different than the race I'm aiming for in July.  On the one hand, the hills could make me stronger, on the other hand, running hills (and to some extent biking them) really does a number on my hamstring.  I don't want to make things worse before the July race. 

I feel like if I really want to do another race before July, option 1 is my best choice.  And I know a lot of people who are also doing the race.  I just need to figure out why I'm hesitating to sign up. 

Janet   

ro

Hey Rob,

Nice job!  16-minutes is a great improvement for anyone!

Hi Mitzi,

I have a question for you.  How much fitness do you need to complete a 70.3?  Do you know?

Because I don't know.  Every time I think I have it figured out, along comes another athlete that proves me wrong.  I know this - I have an athlete who will be competing in a 140.6 next weekend who, because of ridiculous career demands, has less training volume than you do.  Is his or your training volume optimal?  No, it's not.  Will either of you challenge for a podium finish?  Probably not.  That DOESN'T mean you can't complete the race or shouldn't start the race.

The reality is that for the vast majority of age-group athletes, long-course triathlon is about a personal journey of discovery and conquest.  The only person you are really competing against is you.

At it's core, long-course triathlon isn't about the level of fitness you have on race day.  Rather it's about having a plan that best takes advantage of the fitness you bring to the starting line on race day.  The mistake many of the most superbly trained athletes will make on race day is assuming their fitness will carry them through to a successful finish.  Many of those well-trained and highly fit athletes will be walking a death march before the end of the day because they don't have a plan or can't execute a plan.

Would it be REALLY hard if you attempt the race?  Yup!  Is there a chance you won't make a cut-off somewhere along the way?  Yup.  If that happens, you get up, and try again next time.

I know this, because I've been there - if you don't start you will always wonder "What if?"  It's been nearly 30-years since I didn't start a race because I'd convinced myself I was under-trained.  It still torments me at night.

Janet,

Well, that sucks!  I'm sure there are races around.  I know there's an OLY up in Muncie Indiana next weekend.  Not sure you want to drive that far but I'm pretty sure it's still open.  LOL, we could finally meet after all these years!

LOL, or you could do any of those three possibilities!

I went ahead and registered for St Louis tri (opt 1).  With the discount Rich gave us it was hard to pass up.  I was supposed to volunteer at the race (water station right outside transition starting the run)and I think that's what was holding me back a little.  Sounds strange, but I was looking forward to working at that water stop and cheering on the runners as they went by.  I'm usually so far back of the pack in a race that I don't get much chance to cheer on teammates and such.  But I'll have the chance to do that at some other races coming up, so I might as well do this one since I can.  

Janet