kenj's group closed, training hard and having fun!! (Page 28)

kenj - 2011-05-17 5:52 AM

Trout - 2011-05-16 2:05 PM

Decided to try practice sighting in the pool today and it was somewhat of a disaster.  I feel like I can't get my head up high enough to sight after all of the practice of keeping my head down while swimming.

What techniques do ya'll use when sighting?  Do you breathe then look?  Do you look then breathe?  Do you do both nearly simultaneously? 

Thanks for the help!

Good for you for practicing!  Tough to figure this out during the first race of the season!
One benefit of the race is that it is usually a larger orange or yellow ball that is a little easier to find quickly.

My technique is to breath, then look quickly.  One drill that can make you a little more comfortable is to swim freestyle with your head out of the water looking forward (kind of like a lifeguard swimming towards a victim).  Although I wouldn't spend a lot of time, it can help some with the balance issue of lifting your body.  Another swim skill that helps is to be able to breath bilaterally.  Meaning the ability to breath out of both sides comfortably.  That way if the buoys are on either side of you it doesn't matter, you can adjust.  It also helps on sunny days or rough days so you can breath on a side that isn't going to get a wave in the face. 

I also try and find some feet to latch onto to give me a little draft benefit and hopefully someone that is swimming straight so I don't have to look as often.

Thanks for the ideas.  I breathe bilaterally all of the time taking a breath every 3rd stroke.  I had a hard time taking a breath and taking a look at the same time.  I ended up taking a breath with one stroke, picking up my head for a glance on the next stroke (while pushing down on the water) and then breath on opposite side next stroke.  I'll keep working on it.  The lifeguards probably thought I was having difficulty!

BTW, when I first started swimming I learned to breathe to one side.  After a few months I decided to learn both sides and bilateral and I find that I'm more balanced and rotate better when I breathe bilaterally.  Every now and then I'll take a 2nd breath on the same side if I didn't get enough air and/or took in some water. 

Interesting.  I thought you would just ramp up more slowly and avoid injury more easily.    I started IM training in 2009

Ramped up to a half IM in September, then tailed back for Oct - Dec. including recovery from IT band, then have been ramping toward the IM since Jan. incorporating a sprint in June, Oly in July and maybe a half IM if I still can find one nearby that fits. IM is mid-September.  I'm hoping that ramping up at a moderate pace will avoid the leg issues...so far so good.

Nice work Ice!

I have a question for you all:

I've been "training" for a week and half now.  Generally, I can feel myself getting stronger and in better shape, but I've been experiencing some fatigue.

For example, Sunday eve and Monday morn, I had back to back workouts.  The run Monday morning was tough.  I blame part of it on the humidity, part of it on not being used to exercising.  Last night and this morning were also back to back workouts.  Again, my run this morning was tough.  I ran on a treadmill, stayed hydrated, stayed cool, but I just didn't have the power to go the distance.  I ended up running for 3/4 mi., and walking 1 1/4 mi.

Should I fuel up before exercising in the morning?  What do the rest of you do when you have an early morning workout?

Looking for advice, thanks,

Thanks, I'll look at all the plans and keep my options open for now.

Sherri's Stupid Question of the Day:

Hydration.  I am having a hard time with drinking my water.  I don't really know what my problem is.  I love our well water - but where I work is city water  = CHLORINE ~gag~  So I try to bring my own water to work.  I am just not good about drinking it.  Sometimes I forget it.  I swear I could do like my g-ma and NEVER drink water.   Trying to drink 8 glasses a day is like torture.  (all that peeing!)  I do drink a lot during exercise and after.   Is it possible that I just don't NEED that much water?  Or is it harmful that I am not drinking the magical 64 oz. a day? 

I know you can get free apps for your phone that can count the glasses of water you drink. Also livestrong has a free counter some place on the site.

You need to stay hydrated whether that means you need 64oz of water a day is open for debate. Clear urine is a good sign that you are well hydrated. You can actually over hydrate yourself but that a pretty rare condition.

Sherri, can you keep bottled water at your desk?  I do find that if I have drinkable water available, that I will reach for it throughout the day and drink enough.

I just accept that I'm going to make multiple trips to the ladies room throughout the day.

I can't have water with me, at all times.

Easiest way I see is 3 -  500-600ml bottles per day (equivalent amount...bottled water is horses$%t, IMO  If you like your well water, have it in those fancy steel containers).  That would be your 64 oz.  These are with each meal.  1 with breakfast, in addition to yea, coffee, whatever.  Same with lunch & dinner.  You can't forget it & still get you water in.  Workouts are in addition to this!

Very Nice road bike, Vivian!!!

Depends on length of workout, but generally YES.

If really early, I would have a glass of water & a banana or 2.  When you finish, have breakfast, with bagel, fruit, oatmeal, or whatever your carb source.

If a big workout, for example, priot to my 8:30 Sunday long run, I have to eat, to fuel a 2 hour workout.  Oatmeal is best for me...

If you are trying to lose weight, don't fool yourself & think you should skip breakfast, or you will gain weight!!

Just a few thoughts...

Great looking bike Vivian!

As for water - I do not measure the qty I drink. However, if pee is yellow I try and drink more.

Nice work Ice...

Vivan early morning workouts like Kenj said will vary from person to person I can get up and have nothing and be fine..So try some different stuff,muffins,toast yogurt,banana,etc..

try for at least a gallon of water a day, I have found this really helps..

Good luck to all that are racing this weekend..

I drink water at my desk all day - or zero cal sports drinks.  I can't get by without it.  Had to get into the habit of it.  Sip a little often from a bottle at the desk.  You will be surprised. Your body will thank you.  There are hydration estimators on line that will give you an idea of how much you need by body weight and activity.  Electrolytes are critical too. 

Beautiful bike Vivian.  Here is a better picture of my Orbea Ordu.  It was in fine form last night.  Too bad it doesn't have some one to ride it who can clip in right away   I will. 

(Scott's bike.jpg)

Sherri's Stupid Question of the Day (5-19-11):

Bike vs. run.  When I run, my heart gets going pretty high, I get out of breath.  I can really push it if I want.  But when I bike *(I've mostly been doing spin class and using a stationery bike - need to get outside more, I know) my heart rate doesn't get up like it does with running.  I don't really get out of breath... in fact, it seems my legs get tired long b/f my lungs do and I SWEAT.  I mean, dripping off of me, gross, sweating.  I sweat when I run, but not like that.  Why is that?  Should I be pushing harder on the bike?

Increase your cadence.  It transfers workload from the legs to the aerobic system. You can still turn out as much work without burning up the legs.   Sweat is why they make showers. I take 4 a day.   Be sure to drink water, replace electrolytes.

(No real content hear just venting)

Phew…3 trips to the LBS and finally I got the right tube for my tire.

I’m not a bike “expert” but thank goodness I know something about bikes. Some shops are friendlier than other and this shop is a couple stores down from my office so it’s really convenient and thats about it.

I walked in and had my old tube with me and asked for a replacement. They gave me one that was wider than the one I had. I wasn’t exactly sure of the tire size (hence the reason for taking the old tube to the shop since the size is printed on the tube) but I knew the tube they gave me was wider, about a ½” wider. I even walked back in the store to question it.

Anyway I get back to my office and look up the tire spec and find out it’s a 700x23c. They gave me a 700x28, maybe that would have fit but why not just give me the 23.