David Gillen's Group - FULL (Page 26)

phoenixrising404 - 2007-07-23 10:16 AM Totally jealous that you guys get to train together! But glad for you, too! Been wanting to see Chuck and Larry. Not sure if it's a kid appropriate movie? I can be on a team with 3 other gals from LaCrosse. The one lady just emailed me and though at first she said they were 16-18 mph gals, she said they went on a 46 mile ride and slowed down with time (like me) and were more like 15-17 mph. I think we'll be compatible. Especially if we all agree to just try to have fun. I think I can sit and spin the pedals all day at 14-15 and now I see the 20's quite frequently. But I don't know how the course will be, how hot it will be, etc. I figure I should try for a total of 150 miles this week. Does that sound reasonable? And then next week I'm resting up. Or at least that's the plan. Might take the kids to the lake on Thursday and water jog with them for a couple hours. I'll look funny, but I really don't care

Just go out there to have fun and remember, you can always skip a few sections by taking a sag vehicle to the next rest stop. 

That'd be great if you could get in 60 miles outside this weekend. It'll probably be tougher than on the trainer, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the change of scenery.

I'm not a doctor, nor have I had much experience with injuries of my own, but the advice you've received seems valid. Take it very easy on the run and ice it as often as you can if you think it's inflamed at all.

Here we go again, Pene being aggressive and somewhat impatient. :) The "Big Day" training you describe is probably too big even in your peak IM fitness. Running a half marathon after any significant ride is just too much even in your peak. You'd be putting yourself at risk of injury for very little, if any, aerobic benefit. Long bricks do have their place, but most coaches will recommend a maximum run of 1 hr after a long ride.

I know you're anxious to know if you should sign up for IMWI '08, but instead of worrying about your current level of fitness, I'd think more about if you're going to sufficiently prioritize training in order to make time for 10-15 hr weeks of training next spring and summer. In other words, do you think you'll be able to find a reliable babysitting situation for Sat. mornings while your get in a 5-6 hr ride? You won't have to go this long necessarily every weekend, but the more long rides you can do the better. Also, the weekday's can get tough when you work up to training for close to 2 hrs or more a day during the week (say 1 hr in AM, and another in PM).

I'm obviously not trying to discourage you. I truly believe that if you want it bad enough that you can do it. In short, your ability to maintain a reasonable weekly volume and at least bi-weekly long sessions next spring and summer is more important to your IM success than your current fitness level.

On a related note, I'm still considering IMWI '08 myself as I just decided not to do IMLP. My mom has a sister in Madison, and another about 2 hrs away. My parents are retired and just bought a really nice RV, so they'd love to drive up there and give me a place to stay while being able to see her family also!

Don't worry, Pene.  A lot of races have professional photographers these days.  I bet MS150 will have them!   

Or you also have this link to show the reason why you don't want your picture taken http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=81113&posts=129&highlight=photo&highlightmode=1#M880748.

Pene - Try not to push the injury issue.  Take the time to heal and you'll be able to race better in the future.  I have the same issues with doing an IM and I really want to do one, but I just don't have the time to fit it into my life right now.  I start PA school in December of this year and that will take up the next two years of my life, very little training and no races at all. 

Right now I'm really trying not to let my HIM goal slip away but it seems like just trying to do this is really difficult for me.  Baby boy due in middle September, 2 yr old daughter, German Shepherd that is pissed off becasue he's been neglected lately (not a good thing), trying not to neglect the wife so she won't get pissed off, and trying to get ready to move back to the states in November.  Sometimes all you can do is vent to your BT group and do the best you can with what life deals you.

I really like this idea!

JBrashear - 2007-07-25 3:03 AM If it makes you feel better, I have no desire to do an IM. It's too much training and it kills your free time for a whole year(or more). I barely get to see my gf these days and she's only training for a half-IM, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when she kicks it into gear for the full IM. I support her because I want her to achieve her goals and I want her to be happy, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't times when it caused issues(at least on my end). I love her to death and she makes me happier than anyone else ever has, but I'd like to have the party girl back once in awhile. One weekend without hearing about a 60 mile bike ride or brick workout would be nice. Anyway, I don't have a desire to do anything beyond an olympic tri....and even that my desire is fading on. I'd rather work on having a balls-to-the-wall sprint effort that lands me a medal than finishing near or at the back of the pack in an oly. To each their own, you know? Do what your heart tells you, this training is for YOU. You don't HAVE to do an IM.

I can relate to sticking with the Oly and Sprints.  I wanted to try to fit in as much as I could this season (my first) and I'm regretting it.  I did my first Sprint and now I want to go back and do it again to try to beat my time and actually get better, but theres no time.  Also, the time commitment is just way too much, I think when I get back into things I will be shooting for the Oly route for a long while (enough to stay in shape but not too much that you can't have a life).

This is a good discussion we're having about IM so let me chime in with my 2 cents, kinda my own internal point/counter point:

1. IM is just another distance - IM training does take a lot of time, and many athletes with busy jobs and demanding families will struggle to find the necessary time to train. However, I don't think any less of them. In fact, I commend the ability to balance work, life, and family with our wonderful sport. I have the utmost respect for sprint/OLY triathletes who focus on improving their times at those distances instead of moving up to long course. This often affords them the opportunity to spend more time outside the sport while still improving their fitness and overall performance. This could be considered the best of both worlds.
   
2. IM is the pinacle of the sport. Much as the marathon is the hope and dream of many runners, so to is IM to triathletes. It has a powerful, gut-level draw. The ultimate endurance test. It changes you in ways shorter distance can't. It alters your perception as to what is possible. It expands your boundaries. And believe it or not, you don't have to be single and un-employed to train for one. I averaged 11 hrs a week to train for mine. Granted I have a some-what flexible 40 hr/wk job, and no kids yet, but I do own a house that needs maintenance and 2 dogs that require lots of attention and a daily walk. My wife is very supportive and understanding, but I also made sure to have a special date night once a week during IM training that we both could look forward to and I'd try not to talk about training! In short, IM is more achievable that you might think. You don't have to train 20 hrs a week or workout 6 hrs every Sat. All you have to do is want it bad enough to prioritize it and work it into your life!
   

Seehttp://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/long338.html)
or
http://www.selftranscendence.org/

 I think the problem with Triathlon is 3 sports as opposed to 1 with run only events.

Double Deca Ironman Triathlon!  NICE!  I had heard of the Deca-Ironman and the Self-Transcendence but not the Double Deca. 

I'll probably start training for that after Timberman!  

phoenixrising404 - 2007-07-24 12:46 PM What do you think of this strategy: I work up to being able to do the swim in the required 2:20, do the bike in 6-7 hours and then WALK the darn marathon! I'll have about 8 hours to do so!! Piece-O-cake!!

One of my good friends, Brad (Ken you met him at the party) does exactly this.  He went 14:14 at CDA last year with a 5:51 "run" split.  He sped walked the whole thing, and had a faster run split than many people who did the famous IM shuffle.  He also doing Florida this year, and LP next year!  

He has a bad knee that doesn't allow him to run, but he's really fit and can ride at a decent pace and walk fast.