Caius's Group - CLOSED (Page 29)

Hey Neil - Congratulations!  Glad everyone is doing well!

Good luck tomorrow Tim!

Alright everyone, since the family is in the middle of life changing scenarios in our home, I figured I'd implement a new username.  Not the sexiest username, but I never pretended to be creative.

I also added Timmeh's name suggestion as part of my new signature.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend (I actually got 5 hours sleep last night!!).

Neil

hey Neil love the new user name, fits you much better !

So I have been thinking of getting myself a HRM for my birthday that is coming up next month. Any advise on the  one , should I stick with a Garmin ?

And...I need a good base building winter traning program are there some on the BT site, I haven't been able to find them or I am not looking in the right place ....

Thanks and have a great start to the week everyone !!!

Timmeh - nice race report, and congrats on a solid showing.

Gloria - I couldn't recommend the Garmin more. I love my 305, and I think you can get them for less than $200 now.  You can also buy a separate cadence/speed sensor to mount to the bike.  Probably the single thing I use more than anything else since starting the Tri's.

Neil

All I can say is 'aw, how cute' x 2!  Congrats!

And I did a double take with the change in avatar & name.  Good name choice & pic...

Sorry I've been away from the PC for the couple of days. It's been busy at work and at home, but I'm back.

Neil, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is some fantastic. Addison, I like that name! Welcome to the world Addison!

Now to catch up on some of the posts.

Neil - Yes, for my IM training my sessions were focused on zone 2/3 work. That's not too say that I didn't do any zone 4 sessions. I did. They served as a way to bump up speed but really the meat of the training was focused on the ability to bike/run in zone 2/3 for extended periods of time.

P.S. - I like the new username.

P.P.S. - Oh man, I am so happy to have forgotten just how bad it was to be sleep deprived.

Gloria - There is no magic number of weeks. It depends on your body, the base level of fitness that you have and how it absorbs the training. I would say that the peak phase should be a minimum of 6 weeks and probably not more than 12. Start with something in between, somethink like 8-10 weeks and see how it goes. Adjust up or down from there the following cycle. All the rest of your time should be spend in base training. As for the HRM, I'm partial to Polar. I don't need the GPS functionality of the Garmins (even though that's pretty cool) but I do like the ability to use my Polar while swimming (only during races) which I understand the Garmin's don't do too well at. As for an off season training plan, there are quite a few on BT.

Tim - I LOVE your post about how your outlook changed as a result of your run. I have felt that myself many a times. I think it's what makes training so addictive. Fantastic job on your race and for toughing it out and setting a PR! Go you!

Nice race Tim!

Geez!  That one puts an exclamation point on the season!  Wicked confidence booster too maxing out the bike mph!  When I hit 35'ish, I start backing off for sure!

Have a great day yourself!  Guess this makes you a Libra since my baby brother (2 yrs younger) is turning 40 on Friday . . .

X2 - happy Bday.

Ok, I've made it official.  I'm signed up for a 1/2 marathon this Sunday (I pray for sleep on Saturday night).  I waited till 5 hours before registration closed before finally making up my mind, but I'm happy I signed up and think I'm ready to go.

Goal time is going to be arounf 1:41 - 1:42, but if I feel like I have the legs I'll try and break 1:40 (which would make me really happy).

Way to go Tim!  Getting spouse involved!

Neil - half mary!  You go, bud!  I may do a half mary in April, my 1st one.

Without a race to train for I find swim motivation to be severely lacking. I think if I can manage 1 swim a week during the off season then I'll be doing okay. And true, bike motivation is pretty tough too without a group or race to train for. Running is about the only thing that I find easy. I love just getting out there and having some quiet time and letting my mind wander.

Speaking of races, I signed up for next year's Muskoka 70.3 race this morning. I originally wasn't going to only because I found it a bit too late into September so the weather can be iffy. But, I signed up anyway. I had too much fun this year not to do it again.

Can I temp anyone else out there with a stretch goal? I believe all of you are capable of finishing the distance. There is no doubt in my mind about it. Some may be faster than others but if you are only concerned about finishing, which is what it should be for your first go at it, you CAN all do it. Guaranteed.

So who's going to sign up with me? Huh? Come on now! ...

Here's the link to the online registration form - http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/ironman_muskoka/

So funny you should post this. I got the email from TriSport and I'm currently in discussions (negotiations) with my wife.  It's a lot of money for a single race, and I do question if I'm ready for the distance (considering it's such a tough bike course).  But I've got a year to prepare.

I'm leaning towards it, but figure I need to make up my mind in the next 48 hours - think it may sell out really fast.

Neil

It is a lot of money for a single race for sure and it does take a certain amount of time comitment so be sure before you sign up. However, don't doubt whether you're ready. You absolutely are. Racing a HIM or IM is not like racing a Sprint where you just go full tilt. It's about measuring out your pace throughout the entire race. You can do this Neil. I know you can.

Give it some thought and if you can square away the cost and the time then go for it.

This page (http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/ironman_muskoka/confirm.htm) is a list of people that have signed up. At the very bottom of the page is a number of total people registered. As of this second, that number is 584. It will likely be capped at 1700 like last year so keep your eye out for that number.  I would say you have probably a month or two max to decide.

OMG - I went ahead and did it.  Caius, thanks for the pep talk, I signed up just now.  (630 now registered, I think it may sell out within a couple of weeks at this rate).

I promised my wife that I wouldn't eat out for lunch during the work week for the remainder of the year.  PB&J for me.   I'm nervous, but excited at the same time.  I really can't believe I just signed up for a 6-7 hour event when my longest to date is 2 hours!! 

I wonder if I can ride my trainer while rocking a crying baby?? 

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!

Well, I'm here for you. Whatever you need. I now can't wait for Sept '09 so that I can see you cross that finish line!

The humming of the trainer may help to put the baby to sleep

Ok ..after reading this post Caius , and what the others are doing I signed up to do the Salt Lake City Half Marathon on April 19th next year.  I was toying with the idea but now I feel totally motivated and exited about it. Now I am thinking about doing a OLY distance triathlon next year, it seems a little out of my range but hey so did a sprint one this time last year lol. I will find one to sign up for next summer and let you all know

As for HRM the Garmin 305 was one I am interested in but I agree with you Caius I don't need the GPS feature , Polar looks like it would work , there are lots of different models for Polar which one do you use/recommend? I was told I had to hurry and pick one out or it won't be here in time for my b-day ...silly family I don't care if it's a few days late it will still be a cool gift

Have a good weekend everyone, good luck to anyone racing !!