Fred Doucette's Half-Iron and Ironman Focused Group! -CLOSED! (Page 25)

I've worked with several coaches over the last few years trying to resolve my technique problems. Currently, I'm swimming with masters 3X a week and using the Finding Freestyle program. Eventually something has got to click. Until then, I'm looking for any and every advantage during the swim.

Nice job on the weekend everyone.  I got in an 11km run on Saturday and then a two hour trainer ride yeaterday (split into two segments).  It snowed on Saturday, so outdoor riding is out for now.

Question on compression equipment.  I saw the thread the other day that compression wear is really good for recovery, but it's actual training/race benefits have not been proven.  I saw that Fred was wearing the socks in his pic, and was wondering if others do, and if they find it actually helps during longer/harder distances.

It went pretty well Kathy.  It has been snowing here for the past 24 hours so the logistics of getting to the gym (to use the treadmill) and then back home for the trainer allowed for a bit of down time between the two workouts. I am definately one of those people who likes to keep going and get everything done as once I stop it is hard to get going again. (I think that is why I have such a hard time with the run/walk thing though it would probably be better for me).  We have a snow day today and it is my rest day. Since I am officially working but have much more freedoms to ride my trainer or get to the pool during the day today I am tempted to do so. I am thinking that swimming on my rest day wouldn't be so bad as getting to the pool during the work week is so tough due to lack of lanes.

On the subject of running, I sometimes think that maybe some of us are just going to be slow runners no matter what we do to try and get faster or that the improvements are going to be much more limited that other people.  I read how people drop minutes off of their pace in months/years. That just doesn't happen for me.  I think it would be easier if this was the case instead of being discouraged by my lack of any improvement.  Then I could just go ahead and get focus on my bike since that is an area that I do do well in. I am half serious about this but I do think that maybe some of us are just going to show greater improvements in different area then others for whatever reason even if the same amount of training is done. What do you all think?

Hey Neil - I have never run or raced in mine, but I it seems that my CW-X tights have some recovery effect - I wear them after hard runs, bikes, and when traveling. I never found calf compression that I liked - the three different brands always seemed to cut into the top of my calves too much and did not seem to make much difference in recovery. I do like the tights though - seems to make my knees and quads feel much better. But could just be placebo effect - who knows - just my personal 2 cents - I would recommend giving them a whirl and see what you think.

Edited by TankBoy 2011-01-10 11:31 AM

Agree with that too - seems like everyone I talk to that is a lot smarter about these things than I am says the same thing: while a wetsuit will definitely help a weaker swimmer more than a stronger swimmer, the advantages a skinsuit offers to a weaker swimmer are negligible, at best.  While my freestyle is already pretty good, literally 10 minutes with a coach changed my backstroke from something that I despised to a way of swimming that is very enjoyable and relaxing - it has become part of my regular warm-up ans especially cool-down routine. Money very well spent...

I have an early-model Orca (aero II, I think?) hybrid suit that I still race sprint distance races in - it can be a bit of a bear on anything longer - especially if it is pretty hot. I get a great deal on DeSoto gear through our club - gonna try a liftfoil suit this year for the short stuff and see how it goes. I am interested to hear folks strategies for dressing for HIM and longer?

Edited by TankBoy 2011-01-10 11:44 AM

A scheduled day off today for me. What does everyone else have going on?

While I still do not get TOO excited about off days, I have found them to be much easier to cope with since I took up a coach. When I would layout my own schedule, it always felt like I was slacking on my of days, and I would get really antsy. For some reason when they show up on my coach's schedule, I actually feel like I am doing something "active." It is funny how the ol' brain works sometimes.

About 7" of snow has ATL shut down - I know its not much by most standards, but it is the most this city has seen probably since 1993. Of course my Michigan wife HAD to drive across town to the office to pick up work - I went with her just for fun - it is surreal to see 18 lanes of interstate with zero cars on it...

Hope everyone has a great day today!

It's been a busy weekend and it will continue to be a busy week but I'm ready for my 1/2 marathon on Sunday. Someone had posted that I was doing an IM but that is not the case. No IM for me this year but I'll do my 1st in 2012.

I plan on getting my training in this week since it's not very much volume wise. I should be able to get these in between work.

Just a few seconds to stop in and say hello to everyone. It will still be a very active week with the mass shooting here in Arizona.

I think it's all relative.  7 " sounds like a lot of snow for a city like Atlanta that has little practice dealing with it.  I lived in Michigan's Upper Penninsula for awhile, and one winter we received over 25 feet of snow.  Snow removal is an art form up there, and I don't remember school ever being cancelled.  Now I live in KY and school gets cancelled at the threat of a couple inches!

Oh man - I went on a week-long snowmobiling trip a few years ago in the UP, and it was crazy fun; I never knew so much snow could exist in one place! We try to get up to Northern Michigan (Traverse City area) a couple/few times a year - at least once in the winter and once in the summer - I never am quite sure which I like better - if you like the outdoors, it is fantastic.

We just got notified that the University was postponing the beginning of the semester for yet another day. If I were in elementary school this would be like a dream come true of epic proportions - but right now all I can think about is what a PITA it is with all the work piling up.

sort of...

Glad you hear you were able to work out the logistics despite the snow to get your run and bike in. I can't see your training to see how you went as your blog is either private or I'm not on your friend's list.

I've been at this since 2004. Interesting question about the run. I do think for some that do tris one, two or all sports of r s/b/r do come more easily than others.  For me I enjoy running, but in the scheme of effort, training consistently, I haven't improved much. How you train effects how your gains are seen. I'm not a run 5x a week person and 3 months later I set PBs at everything I do.

In regards to my running, since early May I'm slower than normal due to injury issues. But take that out of the equation, 2008 I was the fastest I have been...set PBs when I did 3 5Ks 3 weeks apart; did 2 1/2 Marys and PBed them; but run didn't translate to good IM run or other tris. I looked back at my 2008 training and try to figure out why I was running faster than any other time but nothing stands out...wasn't running much only 3x a week...wish I could figure out why.

In 2009 I ran more often 4 sometimes 5x a week as opposed to 3x a week for my early years as a triathlete, plus I ran many more miles.  I didn't race road races but I was slower than 2008 early season. I was able to run more consistent pace and even negative split in training in longer runs. My take away was that I was better trained for an IM run. Despite having big issues on the bike, dehydrated, very low on calories, probably bonking, I was able to have a solid IM run with first half and second half splits within 7' and run my fastest miles last 3.

2010 I did a couple 5Ks for testing and was more than 3' slower than I was in 2008. I ran 5x a week most weeks and had the best HIM run I've had in April...with a slight negative split and very consistent pacing.

As I've gotten older I have found if I take time off of running, it takes longer to get back to where I was prior to break. Even two years has made a significant difference.

That sounds like some places over here.

I grew up in Germany so we'd have a good few feet of snow every year but next to no trouble from it. Back to the UK and if London gets any snow it's pandemonium!

@Kath2163 - I know what you mean. I used to always be about the 9:30 - 10 min/mile pace. This year with doing lots of commuting on the bike (read: sprints from the lights, racing buses etc) I've dropped a good minute plus for the same RPE which I never thought'd happen. Have you had a coach look at your running for you?


Today was supposed to be swim and possibly a core workout however I've been struggling to keep my heartrate under control Spoken to my doc / brother and he's of the mind it's stress and dehydration. Turns out he's right about the dehydration so feel free to mock. Tonight will be some qi gong and an early night to try and balance the other option and reassess in the morning.

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A small victory -- I managed to swim for the third time this week and had no shoulder pain.  Progress!

Any victory should be celebrated!  Congrats!

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30' run and driving our son back to U Mass Amherst

Knee is feeling quite a bit better in general...curious how Pes Anserine will feel during run.

Always a challenge after injury to figure out how fast to build up and get back to where I was so I can stay injury free and avoid the desire to push it and catch up to where I was.

Edited by KathyG 2011-01-11 5:53 AM

Sounds like good new about the knee. 

C?h?a?l?l?e?n?g?e?? ?i?n?c?l?u?d?e?s? ?e?a?s?y? ?d?o?e?s? ?i?t

This is something I struggle with as well.  Hard for me to be patient.  Good luck Kathy. 

I had the X2U calf sleeves, wore them for awhile (recovery not racing), gave them up, then got back into them.  I do think they made a difference.  I lost one of the 2XU sleeves (anyone want a single XS calf sleeve???) and replaced them with the Zoot ones.  2 major changes - 1) they bite into my calf MUCH less.  2) They seem to have more compression and I like the material better (fabric-y instead of lycra/spandex-y).  In the 2XU, i was the smallest size, so I ordered the smallest again from Zoot - turns out that's a full size too small (I'm at the upper end calf diameter of the next larger size).  That could be the reason for the higher compression   They are a PITA to get on and off, but are comfortable, despite being too small.  I really only bother with them after a hard or long run.   As Rusty mentioned, I'm not sure it's anything  more than placebo, but if it makes me feel better, if only in my head, I'm more positive about my next workout and it's worth it to me.