stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL (Page 243)

2010-09-17 7:30 AM

in reply to: #3103723

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Gang!

I'm off to Lake George shortly, and won't be home until Sunday evening. If I can I will post from the lodge, but I'm not counting on it.

Have fine weekends, all!

LISA -

Thanks for the link to the Fexy-talk, which I will look at later.

hooslisa

2010-09-17 7:35 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

good luck!!!!!!!!!!

i'll be thinking of you!!

mindymcc

2010-09-17 8:04 AM

in reply to: #3100722

Veteran

481

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

My training has been difficult. Hopefully the weather will be cooler by race day and that will help. Ivan has not been running with the Newtons as far as I know. He has been running in the (cooler) mornings so has had better runs than me.

As far as the Braves, we are fair weather fans down here. We cheer when they win but almost expect them to implode by the end of the season. Bobby Cox will be missed though. He is a legend.

Another thought on training. This is my third half-marathon, and each one seems to get harder. I had the same problem with my tris last summer. The first one was the easiest to train for. Probably out of fear of whether or not I could actually do one, I way overtrained. That made the actual race easy in comparison. The subsequent races were harder to train for and therefore harder to complete. I felt like I was getting worse rather than better over the summer. Having the same problems with running now. Not sure what to do about it. I've had to walk a little on my last couple of long runs - something I've never had to do before. I need to run 10 tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. only 2 weeks until the 13.1.

Edited by mindymcc 2010-09-17 8:19 AM

2010-09-17 10:17 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

my 70.3 is California...on my birthday 4/2/10

I havn't decided yet on IMAZ11 or another IM...I think it depends on how I do this year. If I can improve 20-30min I may jump in again. Still not sure.

2010-09-19 9:37 PM

in reply to: #3103887

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

Argh! I'm sorry to have missed your post on Friday. We actually made a timely getaway, for once!

How was the 10km? I sure hope it did its part to snap you out of your slump. Yes?

Your theory about overtraining for the first tri and then having the actual race seem easier goes a good ways, probably, in explaing why subsequent training got harder. Another thought is something you mention, kind of, in passing, and that is the feeling that you are getting worse rather than better.

Turning that on its side a bit, do you think you have higher expectations now, that you have raised the bar higher than it was before Kiawah? That sort of thing happens to a lot of people -- that the first one is about having fun and/or just finishing. Aftert that successfully happens.......there's no place to go but up. There is a baseline time that has been established, and as with 99% of us who compete in these things, the goal then becomes to improve on the baseline. But that often amounts to pressure, which in turn is magnified by every little thing that seems to go wrong.

You have had a very difficult summer of training, with the crucible of heat down there effectively keeping you from training as consistently as you wanted. There isn't much that can cloud a picture better than when the training seems to keep taking one step forward and two steps back.

As for the walking at times -- is that maybe because you are pushing the pace some? (At least, relative to the pace you trained at for Kiawah.) Or, are you not properly before and during the runs?

Those are just some thoughts to mull over; they may all be entirely off-the-wall (but I suspect there is some element of truth in each of them!).

So.....how was the 10km run a couple days ago??

2010-09-19 9:43 PM

in reply to: #3107222

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Lake George went well for me! Although official results aren't up yet, post-race I was 1/14 in the a.g. with a 2:30:40, a bit better than last year's 2:31:46. A sub-goal was to improve in all three disciplines, and I succeeded at that. My only "setback" was T1, which reflected more the longer run there this year from a further-away finish point....I think. (Or, was the timing mat closer to the swim exit this year? Hmmmm. Gotta try really hard to visualize last year's timing mat location!)

The lodge was really neat -- we ate waywayway too much. More on that later, too!

mindymcc

2010-09-20 10:07 AM

in reply to: #3107222

Veteran

481

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Well the 10 mile (not km) was pretty terrible. I walked quite a bit on the way back while constantly questioning whether I should do the 13.1 at all if I have to walk it. Hydration not an issue. It was hot (close to 90.) I promised Ivan I would make one more attempt this Saturday and do it early (while still relatively cool) and see how it goes. Both my prior half-marathons were in cool/cold weather (both training and race day) so maybe that has something to do with it? I am not pushing my pace at all. I'm happy to be a 10 minute miler. I do not like to walk. Once I allow myself to walk on a run it is very hard to start running again. I suspect my problem is mostly mental, with a little bit of heat thrown in. We'll see how this next weekend goes.

2010-09-20 11:40 AM

in reply to: #3107695

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

I seem to have a terrible time keeping your various distances straight! I keep confusing miles and kilometers, and mess up whether your totals are for weeks or months or long runs on given days!

Anyhow, I am sorry to hear your were so disgruntled with the 10-MILER. I certainly understand your feeling about walking, as you are right -- once you start, it makes it soooo much easier to do so again. That happened to me at Half Vermont a few weeks ago, where I juts caved in to the urge/desie/need to walk.......and then ended up doing about six more stints of it. I mean, I think it was inevitable, but I just wish (hindsight is fabulously 20/20 in this regard!) for another hill or two (or three, or four.....).

Have you tried dramatically slowing your pace or - better yet - altering your cadence into more of a shuffle? The so-called "marathon shuffle" or ironman shuffle" is prefectly valid for things like half-marathons and half-irons (and, in fact, anywhere it might be required!!), and a few minutes of that can often help turn things around. I have been in plenty of races where people have passed me at something like mile two doing a marathon shuffle, so for them it is a technique they will use for the duration.

Are you getting some extra carbs in to you during the runs? I'm sure I've mentioned this before to you, so just view it right now as a kind of "courtesy call".

I think this was part of my subtle undoing at Half Vermont, whereas on the other hand, I think the gel I took at about mile 4.2 of Lake George Tri on Saturday enabled me to have a terrific final mile or so. I have had enough success with gels over the years that I ought to be practically a religious convert, but I tend to get lazy or slack at times.....and pay the price to varying degrees.

Hang in there, Mindy! You've done this distance before, and done it quite well. You know what it feels like to be on your running feet for 13.1, and I really think you can pull it off once again in another ten days. And I also really think you've gotten into your head on this, so try to find ways to redirect your psyche. Keep me posted on how it all continues to go!

2010-09-21 6:48 AM

in reply to: #3103723

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

JESS -

Say now, don't let the fact that you've started a new job AND moved to a new apartment get in the way of your presence here. After all. aren't we both family and Official Support Crew?

Anyhow, I hope you are doing well, and that at least one foot is firmly on the ground at most times. Check in next time you come up for air, eh?

2010-09-21 6:58 AM

in reply to: #3109219

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

You sweetie! Thank you for instigating the Rumpass vs Kinetic thread on my behalf!

I had to roll my eyes at the suggestion tat one of them could conceivably be an "A" race for me, as I probably wouldn't know an A race anymore if I tripped over it. Well, I guess I would know one.....it's just how to train for it effectively, as opposed to the run-of-the-mill training I sprecialize in these days/months/years.

Yeah, that was to be a goal for '10 -- pick a couple of races that really mattered and train for them accordingly. The other goal was to race less and space the races better, and I think I HAVE succeeeded at that one, but as for the first? Oops.

I guess for my and Rumpass and Kinetic it comes down to timing and whther or not I want a half that early. Until thosepost from Tom and Ernie I was leaning towards Kinetic, but their comments about course appeal has me questioning that. Well, still lots of time to waffle and waver!

Speaking of which, I beat the deadline for MAW, and will be there on Saturday. So if your friends decide to elope or simply call the whole thing off.......you know where to find me!

Cobra Kai? ??

2010-09-22 7:26 PM

in reply to: #3109226

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

GANG!

I'm lonely. Where is everybody? (Well, that would be the four of you who are still active here.)

I am off tomorrow morning for Make-A-Wish Triathlon, which is an oly out of Bethany Beach, DE, on Saturday. OCEAN SWIM, woo-hoo!!!!

My race report for Lake George is over at the other site, current page, if anyone is interested. It was all good, but all pretty straightforward -- no drama, nothing really to write home about (then why did I post a longish report?).

I hope you all are well and, verily and sooth, even prospering!

mindymcc

2010-09-23 6:48 PM

in reply to: #3113003

Veteran

481

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Steve - Hope you have fun this weekend at your tri! Sounds like a fun event. Enjoy your ocean swim.

What other site are you talking about for your race report - do you mean your other mentor group thread? I'll try there. I enjoy your reports.

Looking ahead to a last try at a long run this weekend. My success, or lack thereof, will likely determine whether I run the Atlanta 13.1 or go as a spectator for Ivan!

Edited by mindymcc 2010-09-23 6:49 PM

2010-09-24 3:29 PM

in reply to: #3115039

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

Shades of Atlanta here at Bethany Beach, DE, with temps in the high-90s. YIKES!!!! I thinki it will be a bit coller tomorrow, but if not it could be a bit testy -- the bike is about 85% shadeless, and the run is 100% shadeless. I think I can handle this for an oly, but it's still a caution. (Actually, the motel woman just told me in was a record-breaker for this date in September, at 101. Oh, my!

I did a 10-minute swim in the boisterous Atlantic, and that was fun. I'm hoping it's a bit calmer tomorrow morning, but at least I know what to expect if it isn't.

Yes, the RR from lake George is over at the other mentor group site, the page before the one that is currently in operation. In a few days I will post a second report fromn Lake George, that one dealing with the food we were fed at Canoe Island Lodge! (That was the plkace I won the stay at through the raffle at last year's race.)

I realy hope you get your groove back on your long run this weekend. I think you want the 13.1 a fair bit....but it also sounds like you are mostly okay with thought of being there as Ivan's support crew. Mojo coming your way that the run is a success!!

2010-09-25 7:20 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

I;m back in LA. Had to take a work trip this week to Vegas. It was difficult to workout. I managed a few runs on the treadmill but that's it. We are inm a confrence room just a few doors down from Interbike so I kept seeing lots of cool bikes coming in and out, but the room was not open unless you had an Interbike badge...which I was unsuccessful at getting. Lots od swag coming out and none for me :-(

Anyway, back today...it's Saturday, so hoping to get in some run/swimming and a looooong bike Sunday am.

4.5hrs on the sked...I'm thinking that's about 80ish miles. Nutrition will be important test. Took that for granted last long ride and ended up riding back hungry and fatigued.

2010-09-26 6:36 PM

in reply to: #3117700

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

So THAT'S where you've been!

Oh, my, though -- it must've been awful being so close to Interbike and not being able to sample it. I think you have to work at acquiring Friends in High Places!

Did you get in the run and swim and looooong ride -- and properly nutritioned, too?

2010-09-26 6:41 PM

in reply to: #3118498

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

GANG!

The race went great, as I won the a.g. by 5-something minutes.....but ended up with top Maters instead. This is a reversal from Columbia, back in May, when I "lost" the a.g. by 3 seconds, but then ended up winning it when the top guy was given top Grand Masters; for what it's worth, i think these are dopey designations.

I was 38th overall, I believe, which is very pleasing and should do wonders for my USAT points!

WILD ocean swim, which I loved. Very windy on the bike and run, and heat (low 90s) and humidity were Players on the run. More later, on what was a terrific event!

EDIT note -

It was 38 overall, not 30. I just changed it above. (30 sounds SOOO much better!

)

Edited by stevebradley 2010-09-27 7:59 AM

2010-09-27 1:37 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

UNfortunetly, I have not been able to get my long ride in. We have had a heat wave roll in. I tried for 2 days to get the ride in but it was over 100 degrees by 10am. Being that my race is in Novemeber I just don't see the point in the "heat training". I was able to manage a 1hr20min run on Sun. About 40min into it I came across a stream and stuck my head in it for a few minutes. Came back to the car and temp read 104. The run was rather slow as a compromise for the heat.

I am quickly running out of time however...and I need to get in some long runs/long rides real soon.

Good news is it should drop about 20 degrees by Thursday...but we are stuck with heat until then. I just hope no smog.

2010-09-27 1:39 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Another win for Steve. You are developing quite the resume sir.

Ever thought of giving coaching a shot?

http://picasaweb.google.com/hooslisa/Sable?feat=directlink

hooslisa

2010-09-27 2:21 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

hi everyone. i'm sorry i've been MIA!!!

steve, amy told me she saw you at MAW. top masters is, indeed, very impressed. amy was impressed too, and i hear vigo was as well. you are a first class stud.

so, i have some exciting news...........meet Sable. she is our new FOSTER dog. i'm trying desperately not to adopt her. she's amazing.

more later. really really busy day, but i really want to get back to you all!!!

2010-09-27 5:14 PM

in reply to: #3120008

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

Yeah but, yeah but, yeah but..........I wasn't top masters!!! That was a scoring mistake, or a listing mistake, or something. I woulda shoulda been top G.M., as I was the best of 55+, but several guys in each of the three 40-54 a.g. had better times. Yet, there was only one "old" person listed for each gender, and Vigo assumed it was for Masters. I shook my head as I headed up when he said top Masters, but he was looking down and saying lots of fine things about me -- which would've been great had he probably not offended a bunch of guys in the true "Masters" category, and I sure wish I could've straightened it out right then and there. Oh, well. In a few weeks nobody will remember anything about it.

Amy? Wearing Fexy gear? Blondish? Slightly heavyset? I thought about going up to her and saying something about you and Ryan, but I thought that just might be weird if she was new to Fexy and didn't know anyone. Darn! Another blown oppurtunity to expand my wobbly circle of tri acquainatnces!

MAW was my 100th multisport event -- 6 aquabikes, 12 duathlons, and 82 triathlons (including the two DNFs). Happy CenturyRace to me! It was a great event, complete with heat, humidity, wind, and a hoot-and-a-half swim. My totals (for which I have "seeded" myself into the M60-64 group):

S --- 27:08 (5/9 a.g., 167/384 o.a.)
T1 --2:41 (1/9 a.g.)
B -- 1:10:49 (1/9 a.g., 36/380 o.a.)
T2 -- 1:27 (2/9 a.g.)
R -- 47:26 (1/9 a.g., 38/368 o.a.)

2:29:29
1/9 a.g. (5:13 ahead of #2)
38/368 overall

More thoughts about all this later, but on to the next one to you!

Edited by stevebradley 2010-09-27 5:15 PM

2010-09-27 5:21 PM

in reply to: #3120008

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA again -

What a cool hound! The personality fairly oozes through the screen; of course4, I'm a sucker for dogs begging me to scritch their bellies!

Fill me in -- how does fostering work, and what is to prevent you from adopting? Is that the decision 100% yours, or are there ties to some other home for her? Does it come down to keeping more flexibility in your travel plans by not having a full-time dog?

Anyhow, pat her belly for me, okay? And woggle her snout, too!

2010-09-27 5:36 PM

in reply to: #3119877

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

Pretty damn good that you got in that longish run, given the heat. It was 73 at 4:30a.m. race day, and 76 by 5:00; I think our run was in the low-90s. Pantpantpant! Well, it'll all come together for you this weekend once the temps have dropped some. Thank god for small mercies, eh?

As for the coaching idea, well, that died a-bornin' back in 2006. I took the USAT Level One coaching program and got certified and all, but two things hapened to undemine my plans. First, that was the season of my meniscus tear and even though i did a handful of aquabikes, I removed myself from much of triathlon reading; it just hurt too much to be immersed in it when I couldn't race fully. Second, at that time the coaching world was changing dramatically, with Training Peaks and their brethren being the new frontier. that world required a decent computer (not dial-up), but moreover some decent computer skills --- which as you know I am sorely lacking.

So, i never pursued it "professionally". I guess I trust myself only so far as to do kind of "pro bono" coaching --- which is my function here with the mentor groups, maybe? I will probably write the RD of West Point Triathlon and volunteer to help out with their youth tri camps when they get them started........but beyond that I don't trust myself with the futures of those who might pay me for my services. So it goes!

Sending mojo that your heat disperses asap!!!

ThatGirl

2010-09-27 8:28 PM

in reply to: #3109219

Expert

745

Bethesda, MD/Northern NJ

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

stevebradley - 2010-09-21 7:48 AM JESS - Say now, don't let the fact that you've started a new job AND moved to a new apartment get in the way of your presence here. After all. aren't we both family and Official Support Crew?

Anyhow, I hope you are doing well, and that at least one foot is firmly on the ground at most times. Check in next time you come up for air, eh?

Steve - I am alive

Went under for a bit, but I'm doing well!

Love love love the new apartment, and now that I have my feet under me - it's making a huge difference in my ability to train. If I leave my house at 6, I can be at the gym by 6:15, and I don't need to leave the gym for work until 8:45. Wow! So much found time!

Work is crazy. Very busy. Kind of non-stop. BUT the people are super nice - I've already met and bonded with most of the other 'athletes' in the firm. There are always bound to be a few marathoners and triathletes in any group of 100 type-A lawyers! I really like everyone, like the work I'm doing, and can see myself growing into a good career here. It's just so so so different from the courthouse and it will of course take some time to adjust!

I'm getting back into training mode for Philly. Like Mindy, I don't think I'll be quite ready - I just took too much time off after HVJ, and now I only have 6 weeks! But I'll be able to do and enjoy the race, and I'll target another marathon in the spring.

I'm still working on plans for next season, I'll post with some thoughts on that tomorrow.

Lisa - LOVE the foster!!! So cute!!!

Steve - of course congrats on the race! Master or grand-master, no difference to me!