Bill's House of Pain-No Vacancy (Page 3)

What I'm working on this week:

1) I'm making a table with the information you provided in your bio so I can have a quick reference until I know where you are and where you're going. This week may be a little slow in terms of flow of specific advice or ideas for you as individuals because I'm getting things sorted. But I'll be looking at your logs, sending inspires, and answering any questions you post in here as best I can.

2) I'll be completing the third week of my BASE 1 phase. That means lot's of aerobic base training, form work in the pool, lots of stretching and my usual strength training. I'll be going to physical therapy for my shoulder a few times. Arthritis got a little out of control... nothing serious.

3) I'll be mapping out my approach to each week as your mentor. I want to try and have one education topic for the week that I can post on Monday, and you can fire off questions through the week.

4) I'll be working as closely as needed with those of you who have races in the next few weeks. Cheri has a 1/2 IM coming up soon! EEEEEP! I mean... AWESOME!

What I want you to do this week:

1) TRAIN. Do something. Anything. Even if it's walking, or getting in the pool, walking in the pool. Just get moving. Do so within any personal limitations you may have of course.

2) INSPIRE each other. Get on the training blog, add your teammates to your friendlist if you use one and send inspires. You can of course do that here in the forum if that's more your style. Or you can do like I did and add a table to your "dashboard" and link to each other's blogs that way.

3) HOMEWORK: I want you to identify your "A" race or event for 2009. Here's what I mean:

What I'm talking about when I rate an event as "A", "B", or "C", I'm referring to it's importance relative to your training calendar. An "A" race is the ultimate goal of the training plan. So if you are training for a big late season race, or maybe one where you think you can place well in your AG or overall, this is your "A" race.

A "B" race then is like a dress rehersal for your "A" race. You use this race to practice your nutrition plan by executing it the same way you would in your "A" race. It's generally shorter (i.e. an Olympic Distance "B" race is a good way to practice for an "A" race 1/2 IM. A "B" 1/2 IM is a good tune up for your Ironman, which is pretty much anyone's "A" race unless you're a complete freak.

A "C" race is essentially a catered training day. You go do your thing and people serve you food and drinks while you train, They give you a t-shirt, some free chamois butter samples, an odd flavored gel or two, and maybe a waterbottle and a bunch of printed ad material that you dispose of in a proper receptical because you're a good person. So it's probably a local race of sprint or oly distance. What I want you to do on these days is race your weakness. So if you need a lot of work on your bike, you go out and swim easy, bike at race effort, and run easy. We can look at the bike in that case as a time trial, and I can help you sort out how to maybe tweak your training to improve.

So think about what you want to do this year. I don't want any of you to think this has to be a triathlon. It could be a 5k run (or walk). It could be "run 20 minutes on the treadmill at the gym without stopping". I don't care what it is. If it's important to you, and it's your "A" race of the year, it's important to me that you get there. I'd prefer that you get there comfortably (because you followed a good plan) and confidently (because you are well trained, you are motivated, and you know what to do in race day).

Post your "A" goal here when you decide. I'll plug them into my magic MS Word table (because I am functionally computer illiterate and it works for me) when you post them. If I have a blank spot at  the end of the week I'm PM you so we can discuss what you want to do. Fire away with questions.


Have  a great Week 1!

Bill

Hey Bill (and fellow Mentorees - is that even a word?), I have identified my Races for the upcoming season and here they are:

'A' Race - Noosa (Olympic) Triathlon - November 2nd

'B' Race - Gatorade Tri Series (Sprint) - October 18th

'C' Race - Bridge to Brisbane 10k run - August 9th

I've not done an Olympic distance tri before so my 'C' Race - the 10K run in August will be 'the race of truth'. If I can't complete that then an Olympic Tri is in serious doubt!

The Sprint Tri in mid October is the first in a series of local races and I figure it will be a good warm-up / practice for Noosa. In between I plan on entering a couple cycle challenges. Not really races per se but 60+ mile events that will keep me focussed.

Later in the season I have another 'A' Race which is the Luke Harrop Memorial (Sprint) Tri. That race is also local to me and is a great event. Apart from being totally fun it showcases the Gold Coast (home of this years' ITU World Champs) and raises awareness for the safety of Triathletes / cyclists. But for now Noosa is my 'A' Race.

I welcome feedback / comments. 

A race is the Gulf Coast HIM May 9th (and I AM crazy, and scared!).

I've already done my B races.

Lots of C races 'til the end of the year.