Kenj - triathletes in training CLOSED (Page 28)

BQ for me is 3:05. With 3 to go I still had a shot at it but it wasn't in the cards. I'm really starting to think/believe that it was salt/electrolytes. 

Anne,

I don't want to scare you but there was a coyote attack in Illinois recently.  The article outlines how rare they are and does mention another animal around when the attack happened.  The guy probably got in the way of the coyote's food.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-aurora-coyote-20120509,0,6472044.story

Steve, for me, when I'm on a long course (HM/HIM/Marathon) its a balancing act for me.  I never have a problem in training because I'm never going that hard for that long.  Most training plans are designed this way so you can recover in time for the next workout.  In a race, you are basically burying yourself.  Those last 5-6 miles for me I'm on the verge of cramping.  Personally, I know I've done my pacing right if I cross the line just before it happens.  The first time I do a distance I almost always cramp during the race.  You don't get the racing effort experience in training and don't have that race fitness till you have at least one under your belt.  Sometimes I've been able to get through this with salt/endurolytes, but not always.  And for the record, I went through this on Olympic distances when I was coming up too.

I have a question for the group......

there are a couple of questions on the open forums about eating on course and getting things down while racing.  One thing I found hard to do this weekend in my race was to get down fluids at pace.  I train with a camelback bottle on the run, so I found it hard to gulp down a cup of water before the trash area was passed by.  Most of the cup went all over me, which is ok and cools me down, but I could only get one gulp per aid station.  So that was every couple miles.  I don't know if that's enough? or if there is some other trick I'm missing short of stopping on the course and drinking it down?  What do you guys do?

I was just about to ask the exact same question.  I end up with most of it on my shirt and what does go in my mouth kinda chokes me. 

I try to squeeze the cup and create as small of an opening as possible, but that doesn't work very well. 

I prefer to drink gatorade when running, but I avoid it at aid stations because I don't want it all over my shirt - hopefully someone has an answer for this.

That sounds great - glad to hear that you're getting back at it.

I slow way down at the aid stations, unless I'm passing it up completely, not walking, but definitely a jog.  It allows for drinking 1/2 cup of water/gatorade.  Also, I like to slow down and keep my wits about me as they can be dangerous places.  I watched a lady go down at mile 9 of a HM because a well-meaning kid thought he'd clean up the cups out of the road with a big push broom at the wrong time.

So, I guess I don't have any tips/tricks, but its a few seconds well spent for me.

I don't envy you younger guys!

I have tried about everything I think for this and a couple of things that work for me is to rely on gels for the nutrition and just before an aid station every 25 to 35 minutes I will take in a gel on the run and for this station slow down and make sure I get in a good solid drink of water.  The ones in between I will just sip by squeezing the top of the cup enough to try and get in enough.  If it is going to be warmer and I think I might need a bit more I will put one of my fuel belt bottles in my pocket with a sports drink mixed a little more concentrated than normal.  Those bottles are a little easier to drink out of.  Most of my running shorts have pockets for this reason, although they are getting tougher to find.

For a full, I have just always used a fuel belt with all the bottles (4).  Again it is a concentrated (a little) sports drink, I have used Gatorade Endurance, Infinit, and now Poweraide Ironman Perform.  Then I don't have to worry about the amount of water so much.  It would be nice to live off the course, but half the time I can't figure out whether I am getting water or whatever sports drink they are passing out.  I think I could do the gel water combo for a full, but I have just never tested it. 

Not sure there is a real good answer to this other than to slow down, or aim better!

Race report: A little long but I tried to make it a good read! 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=439528

For my HM last year I went against everyones advice and wore my fuel belt that I had been training with.  It worked like a charm - very nice to drink water whenever I felt like it w/o it drenching me.  Ran out the last couple of miles so had to rely on aid stations after that but no big deal.  The fuel belt didn't bother me as i had been training with it - however if I was trying to PR or achieve a bigger goal other than finishing I may have left it behind.

I have also seen ultra distance trail runners with the handheld bottles but have never tried them (I personally think those would be annoying!)

speaking of wild animal attacks - realized on the trail yesterday that I need to get out the bear bells and spray.  Probably no one can answer this as they haven't needed to - but I am trying to figure out how to carry the bear spray and 1) be comfortable and 2) get to it quickly if needed. I guess it will be trial and error.  In actuality bear attacks are very uncommon here - moose attacks are much more likely

I've never felt the need to carry anything like this in my neck of the woods.  When I would hunt in Michigan with my grandfather we usually had a sidearm with a holster for emergencies.  Going off that knowledge and my old competitive shooting days, I'd say a bear spray with a holster would be your best bet.  My first choice for placement would be on my person somewhere.  For me I'd use an accessible pocket on my camelback or your jersey pocket.  Second choice, if you have problems accessing it on your camelback/jersey pocket or don't use/have one I'd find a place on the frame to attach the holster too.

Hey everyone,

   So reading all these past posts here are some thoughts. If I was running and there was say like a bear, I would probably crap my pants at that moment. Coyote? Not sure how I would feel about that one. I do know on the route I have been running I do smell skunk so I do worry about that. Of course with the 2 stupid dogs I have, I keep a bottle of Natures Miracle skunk something-or-other so if I do get sprayed I'm covered.

Drinking and runng...I have a problem drinking while running and biking myself. For the bike I love haveing the containers bc I could squirt it. Makes it so much easier. When I get a drink at a station I have inhaled it so still learning how to drink/run.

Ken, sent you a message on your phone.

My running has been going well. I am slowly getting to where I would like to be, but not happy overall. I want to speed up my run times, but I know that I should be happy because a year ago I was sitting on my couch, smoking and 70#'s heavier. I am just not the most patient person.

Peter - keep going and you will get there and when you do - it will be MAGICAL! And then you will immediately say - "hmm Iwonder if I can do....." Enjoy the journey and don't get hurt - 'cause starting over sucks.

Yes starting over does SUCK. I remember back in december when I had to have ankle surgery, I'd only been running a short period of time. Eight weeks later I had to start all over again and I hated every second of it.

acv - 2012-05-09 12:10 PM

Race report: A little long but I tried to make it a good read! 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=439528

It was a good read Adam! Nice!

Didn't get the text Peter for some reason.

As far as the running, patience is your best friend.  Too much, too fast, too soon is the cause of most injuries and set backs.  Embrace the small successes!  Consistent training is the best recipe for longevity in this sport!

My advice is to run with slower friends!

gator22 - 2012-05-10 5:43 AM Sorry if I missed the response to the bear spray question. Robin, I think that stuff is intended for black bears, not grizzly. I have used the same product on people and it is not the magic in a can that everyone thinks. You are more than likely to get it on your own face and eyes and enhance your trouble. Talk to the dec guys and gals. I know with black bears you make noise and challenge them. I think with grizzly you lay still and play dead. I have had many bear encounters in the Adirondacks and I am still here

I guess when in Rochester I better behave!

Hows the training going Kirk?

Moose meat tastes pretty good.

kenj - 2012-05-10 5:17 AM

gator22 - 2012-05-10 5:43 AM Sorry if I missed the response to the bear spray question. Robin, I think that stuff is intended for black bears, not grizzly. I have used the same product on people and it is not the magic in a can that everyone thinks. You are more than likely to get it on your own face and eyes and enhance your trouble. Talk to the dec guys and gals. I know with black bears you make noise and challenge them. I think with grizzly you lay still and play dead. I have had many bear encounters in the Adirondacks and I am still here

I guess when in Rochester I better behave!

Hows the training going Kirk?

Coming along. I actually have a couple two mile, outdoor, non stop runs under my belt. Next stop : Western States!

I think the best advice I received on running is summed up in one word "frequency"!

Even if you don't have a race, I think it's a good idea to find a plan like higdon or something and stick to it.  It will teach you frequency and slow building to stay injury free.  For me, running 5 and 10k's I could get away with 3 runs a week.  But if I did that for 1/2 or full marathon I'd get injured.  Even if I didn't get injured 3 runs a week is not enough to get me ready for a long run of 12-20 miles.  That leaves me with a low quality long run workout and little improvement from them.  It's hard being a triathlete because you have 2 other sports to worry about.  But I really think you need to run at least 4 days a week to do anything more than a 10k.

thanks for all the good advice on drinking and running.  Ken's advice is solid........more margaritas! LOL

I think I may look for a race belt with a gel flask holder.  I like mixing gels with water anyhow.  It's a little easier on my stomach.  I can get a little more fluids in me that way.  I may even try my fuel belt with the little bottles.  ONly bring 2 instead of the 4 and mix some of the EFS I like in there for electrolytes.  This is all good info for my 70.3 later in the summer!

Today's training felt like the first real test of wether I am willing to pay the dues to go long distance. Up at 3:30 to get in a 3 hour brick before work. 3 weeks till the HIM and I felt pretty good. 2 hours on a trainer is definitely a record for me, and not something to make a habit of. I think the physical benefits of 2 hrs of zone 2 inside are questionable, but i wanted to grind it out to get over the mental. Plus i got to watch 3 episodes of Sons of Anarchy on the tube. Not much time for TV these days :-) The run was 7+ miles with some good hills. I learned that i will no be going sockless for anything longer than a sprint. I have been getting used to it, but a wet morning left some of my toes in bad shape.

Tomorrow is just swimming, hopefully 2 swims, masters in the AM and first OWS for the year if i get out of work soon enough. This will be my last chance to get in a lake before a 5/20 sprint. They dont even let you in the lake beforehand to warm up.

Who's racing this weekend? Happy training!