Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED (Page 27)

OOhhh Yes, the swimming! Forgot about the swimming

I need to get back to the pool!

Time management is often the biggest obstacle to triathlon training.  Compounded when dealing with small children.  It goes without question, that the family & kids are most imortant.  Keeping your goals in mind & remembering that this is for fun & health are so important. 

I applaud you for not giving up!  It takes a while to figure out what works for you, how to fit it in, what your body can handle.  Don't get too frustrated.  Regroup & go again.

Don't crash & burn.  Instead do the progressive, sustainable build...

Sarah- They have a free clinic at Robinson's REI on Sunday, April 3rd from 2-5 if you haven't already seen that. These things fill up quickly, so if you're thinking about it- register right away on their website. The clinics are usually more informative then the actual meetings.

Thanks! That's actually when I am supposed to be in DC for my race...if I don't end up running it though I will definitely go. I'll have to keep my eyes open for any other ones!

Hope everything is okay where you are with that tsunami so close?

Well, my weeekend plan...

Friday...Don't usually work, but did today.  Just got off, went to Costco, picked up a few groceries & some steak, which I will put on the BBQ tonite.  Having a glass of California Pinot Noir now & catching up on the day.  8 yo Son next to me playing Nintendo DS & asking me what "C4" is??  What is he reading on that thing?  Taking the day as a rest Day.  PS.  If anyone here from California, you guys are making some good Pinot Noir!!

Saturday...Spin Class, until weather improves.  75 minute class.  Instructor is a very type "A" lady who has done 2 IM & doing ?Arizona this year.  Will probably make it a "gym-brick" & do 5k just after.

Sunday...Long run with running group.  I run every Sunday, with a half marathon group, basically year round.  We are building the Long run again now, which works well with my winter injuries.  Expect 12k on Sunday.

My biggest training mistake or problem is neglecting myself over the winter.  It is a recurring problem that I always seem to deal with!!  I too gained weight over the winter, and didn't do much if any training.  Unfortunately, I know exactly how much I gained - but I am within about 7 pounds of my race weight from last year.  I WILL have that taken care of before my HM on May 15.  Eating is something that I always struggle with - but I have lost 120 pounds and have no intention of going back!!!

The best change I made (thanks to Brian) is realizing that I cannot combine a run specific training plan for my HM with general tri training without modifying the plan.  I was trying to do all the run workouts from that training plan, plus adding at least 4 additional work outs per week of cycling and swimming.  What was I thinking?  That was a sure plan for overworking myself.  Thankfully, smarted minds prevailed!

Tonight, I went to the typical firehall fish fry.  They also have some great baked fish with tomatoes, onions, and peppers.  Yummy!!  This weekend, I have an easy 3.5 mile run scheduled for tomorrow.  I go to a running workshop on Saturdays put on by a local female marathoner.  This week is actually a pilates class.  I don't really know what that entails, but I will give it a shot!  Sunday is a 5 mile run and some relaxing!

Enjoy the weekend!

Karen

That does sound tasty!!!

How long is the longest run planned, prior to your Half Mary?  When do you peak mileage?  

As you remarked, you can't do it all.  The cross training with biking will help with half mary training.  The long run remains essential, in my opinion.  The endurance to get you to the goal distance.

Anyway, just curious if you are going to 10, 11, 12 13.1 or 14 miles, as peak.  Have seen them all.

scary! i have some friends near where you live that had to evacuate. glad you are okay!

My plan maxes out at 12 miles.  Right now, that sounds crazy to me!  Hopefully I will make that, and the last 1.1 at the actual race will not be too painful!

I went to my running workshop today - it was the pilates class.  Wow, I am impressed by everyone who does pilates, because it was hard!  Hard, but fun!  There were a couple of times that I was just laughing at myself and my inability to do some of the moves well!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Karen

Cool

I went to the Pittsburgh Triathlon Club meeting for the first time today and it was so great! I loved being around other people with the same interests and actually "get it". Whenever I try to talk triathlons with my friends their eyes sort of glaze over and they think that I'm crazy. I mean, maybe I am a little crazy but that's ok .

There was a very good presentation about improving your power to weight ratio and losing weight a healthy way. A sports nutritionist was there and she stressed not trying to lose more than 1 lb/week or else you risk losing too much muscle and won't have the energy to train. She also stressed how important getting enough protein is and that the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to make sure that you get in some recovery fuel within 30-45 min MAX of a workout! Sometimes by the time I get home, stretch, shower, and get ready I go over an hour (more if I get distracted with the computer or something) before I eat anything. This is definitely something I'll work on--even if it's drinking a protein shake or something while I'm stretching or getting dressed.

They also went through how to change a flat tire and we got to practice on our own which was great because it was something I did not know how to do. 

I took a lot away from it and am so glad that I went---everyone was so friendly and encouraging...it made me really excited to go back to the next meeting and be more involved with the group. Many people there have even raced Kona, so there is lots of good advice and stories to be heard!

Henry - Glad you got in a good swim.  It does make you feel good, doesn't it?  I am sure your endurance will be back soon!  Hey, about the flax seed - does it have a flavor or texture to it?  Do you just dump it in as it is?  Sometimes I feel so uninformed!!!

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Karen,

It does have texture, but at least in the amounts I've used the flavors of my smoothie oatmeal overpower any flavor it might have. If the texture bothers you, you could throw a cup of it in a food processor and make it even finer. Check the nutrition content/calories: I think in a smoothie I've used 1-2 TBSP depending on what I needed nutrition-wise. I shop at a co-op and the cheaper brand there is Red Mill, I think. You might be able to get it in bulk too if you just want to try a little. You probably wouldn't notice it in oatmeal!

As for avocado, I think it's fantastic! Obviously you can make guacamole, but I like slicing it either for sandwiches or salads too. It does get brown sitting in open air (like apple slices) - a good trick is to toss it in a little bit of lime or lemon juice to keep it looking fresh. Also, if you use 1/2 an avocado and have to put the rest in the fridge, take a piece of saran wrap and make sure the plastic is in contact with the inside of the avocado. That will help keep it from oxidizing.

I agree that 2% milk tastes weird when you're used to skim or soy! My dad drinks whole milk...ew.

Sorry you're having to shelve some goals for a bit, but it sounds wise. Hope you are feeling TONS better by now! I can relate. It's taken almost 3 weeks after getting out of the hospital for me to feel like I'm almost 100%. I've finally been able to do significant enough workouts this week that I've actually been *sore* a couple times, which is a nice change! LOL

That sounds like a GREAT class! I will have to look for one at the REI's here.

Re: recovery drinks - I always make mine before my workout. If I'm going to the gym I take it with me and start drinking it even before I shower. If I'm outside I put it in the fridge so I can drink up as soon as I get through the door. Until it gets hot outside you'd be fine leaving it in your car if you're driving somewhere. I usually do 1 cup OJ, a couple frozen strawberries, 1/2 a banana and 1/4 to 1/3 scoop protein powder (you want a 1:4 protein:carb ratio) and it tastes so good right after the workout!

Best thing I've done since joining this group: figured out my training plan for my first tri & aside from being sick I've stuck to it. Since I'm just doing a Sprint my training plan looked easy - I could already do all the longer workouts before even starting. I can't tell you how glad I was after 3 weeks of not being able to do regular workouts I picked up the training plan this last week and have been able to do every single scheduled workout, even my first Brick! So with just shy of 8 weeks to Race Date I'm confident that I'll still be able to complete my race. Maybe not quite as efficiently as if I hadn't gotten so sick, but I'm not worried about my time anyway.

Worst thing I've done since joining this group: Eating habbits. I'm right there with a couple of you who "fell off the healthy wagon". While in the hospital I lost about 10 lbs and I'm sure that was all muscle. Then in the next 2 weeks I gained it all back and I'm pretty sure all in FAT! Ugh. I'm much squishier than I'm used to being. I keep sabotaging my good days too, but I'm slowly getting back to basics.

Other best thing I've done (gotta end on a positive note! LOL): went out this weekend and bought lots of toys for my race! Got my first race belt to hold my number & some gels, a new summer bike helmet (truth be told, I've needed to replace my old BMX helmet for several years!), speed laces (I'll let ya know what I think about those), water bottle cages & a frame pump for my bike AND...(drum roll please) a SIGMA SPORT STS BC1609/wireless Cadence bike computer. I've never used a bike computer before and this was my comprimise between low end (the cheapest I could get w/ Cadence was a $50 CatEye that had mixed reviews) and uber fancy/too expensive. Hopefully it will be awesome!

Meulen - 2011-03-14 11:53 AM

QueerDrummer - 2011-03-14 11:43 AM

Best thing I've done since joining this group: figured out my training plan for my first tri & aside from being sick I've stuck to it. Since I'm just doing a Sprint my training plan looked easy - I could already do all the longer workouts before even starting. I can't tell you how glad I was after 3 weeks of not being able to do regular workouts I picked up the training plan this last week and have been able to do every single scheduled workout, even my first Brick! So with just shy of 8 weeks to Race Date I'm confident that I'll still be able to complete my race. Maybe not quite as efficiently as if I hadn't gotten so sick, but I'm not worried about my time anyway.

Worst thing I've done since joining this group: Eating habbits. I'm right there with a couple of you who "fell off the healthy wagon". While in the hospital I lost about 10 lbs and I'm sure that was all muscle. Then in the next 2 weeks I gained it all back and I'm pretty sure all in FAT! Ugh. I'm much squishier than I'm used to being. I keep sabotaging my good days too, but I'm slowly getting back to basics.

Other best thing I've done (gotta end on a positive note! LOL): went out this weekend and bought lots of toys for my race! Got my first race belt to hold my number & some gels, a new summer bike helmet (truth be told, I've needed to replace my old BMX helmet for several years!), speed laces (I'll let ya know what I think about those), water bottle cages & a frame pump for my bike AND...(drum roll please) a SIGMA SPORT STS BC1609/wireless Cadence bike computer. I've never used a bike computer before and this was my comprimise between low end (the cheapest I could get w/ Cadence was a $50 CatEye that had mixed reviews) and uber fancy/too expensive. Hopefully it will be awesome!

Just a few notes : Speedlaces- I love them! not a necessity but essential for fast transitions frame pump- I had one for a while and never flatted. When I did flat, it was 2x in one day. After struggling with that frame pump forever 2x I ran straight out and got a CO2 set up!!! Bike computer- I love data! the more the better. I can't get enough! Can't wait to get my powermeter to add to my current setup!!

Re: frame pump: Yeah, I'm not expecting to need it (I forgot to look into the CO2 setup!) but we've wanted one in general for day trips and so I got one that the guy at my shop recommended that is a step up from the bottom end ones. I think it's the Topeak Road Morph and it has a fold out foot support, telescoping length and converts to Presta & Schrader valves so it's a frame pump that sort of acts like a foot pump. I'm hoping it's a happy compromise.

Have you tried the bungee laces vs. the...regular speed laces? I guess the bungee laces are more elastic but they looked cheap like they might break. I went with the ones that look like regular lacing but have the drawstring effect. I'll probably put them in my shoes tonight!

I'm a little daunted at the prospect of putting the computer on my bike. LOL If it looks too complicated once I've put on the new seat & everything, I'll just take it back to REI and ask them to install it.