Dirk's Junkie group - CLOSED (Page 3)

NAME: Allison

STORY:  I started running about 8 years ago for exercise and then started racing about 5 years ago.  I did my first (and so far only) sprint triathlon in 2008 and won the beginner division.  I have been anxious to do another one and have decided that now that I am done having children I am ready again.        

FAMILY STATUS: I have been married for 8 1/2 years.  We have two beautiful children- a 2 1/2 year old daughter and a 3 1/2 month old son.  

JOB:  I make people smile... I am an orthodontist

CURRENT TRAINING: I am currently running about 3x a week and swimming and biking 2x a week.  I used to train a lot more, but I am learning to balance my workouts with family time.

LAST YEAR'S RACES: Last year I got pregnant in January, so I didn't compete in any triathlons.  However, I did compete in one running race in each trimester of my pregnancy and placed in my age group in all 3 races.  Unfortunately, I have been having trouble getting my speed back and could use some advice on how to do that. 

2012 RACES: I am planning to compete in my first olympic distance triathlon this summer and possibly a half ironman later in the summer.  I'm not sure if this is too ambitious for a beginner, but I know that my strength is endurance. 

WEIGHTLOSS:  I still have about 4 pounds of pregnancy weight that I wouldn't mind losing, but weight loss isn't my primary goal.  Exercise is more of a stress relief and feel-good mechanism for me.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE: I am a beginner.  I could use as much advice as possible!  Hopefully I will learn enough to be able to give some back one day.  Thanks for letting me in your group.

Dirk

Is your group still open? Second year at TRI, and in need of a big PUSH. Looking to move from Sprint to OLY distance this year - and want Jan/Feb/Mar/April  as a base for the summer.

Thanks

Paul

Paul,

Jump right in and welcome to the group. We can definitely help with the push to get everything rolling.  Make sure you post your bio when you get the opportunity.

Allison and Paul if you have any questions, regardless of how simple or elementary you feel they are, ask away.  Remember that the mentor group is a place where people can ask any questions and get a response  that will help each individual grow as an athlete and it is a place where you can vent personal issues (if you choose) or job concerns.  There are no off limit subjects within the group.

Welcome Paul.  Are you looking at all around base, or working on a weakness?  My main race this year is an Oly as well. 

I have to give huge props to the 3:2:1 running plan to build running base.  I'm running 6 days a week, all easy pace, on the 3/2/1 plan.  Coupled with some amazing advice from the guys in this group it's really working to get my mileage up.  I was rehabbing an Achilles/calf issue 2 months ago, and today's long run was 72 minutes with no pain.

To address a couple of things right out of the gate that you have in your bio, I will ask..........more questions.

You would like to get faster.  What is your current running base?   Miles per week?  How long at your current weekly mileage?  It is important to have a solid base before doing any speed work so these questions can be key to making sure you stay injury free.

As far as races for this coming season.  What are your goals for both of these races?  Are you looking just to complete the distance or be competitive in your age group (AG)?  You can do both the distances you are looking at but it will require quite a bit of base building if your current levels in all 3 disciplines are low.  The Oly is a piece of cake to get to a good base to complete those.  You could have that base by spring.  The half ironman (HIM) will require a fair amount of time in training.  What is your available time for training?

4lbs of weight loss will be really easy once you get into the full swing of training.  Put that check in the bank. LOL

Name: Stan

Story: Started training last summer and completed one sprint race. Also, had 2-3 more races scheduled, but due to injury (compression fracture of lower lumbar and 3 disc problems) I wasn't able to compete in those races. I'm a chef here in Lake Tahoe at Harrah's Casino, have 2 kids, 1 daughter 18, out working and going to college, and 1 son 20, living at home. Been married now 15 years. I've doing PT for 2 months and getting better everyday. I'm still unable to run (axcept in the pool), but hoping that will change soon. I do get to bike as much as I want! Love the high altitude training and mountain climbs. My first race scheduled is in June. Not a tri, but my first century Race.

I'm drawn to this mentor group from everyone's stories and hope we can all help each other and motivate each other to better ourselves.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and good luck and wellnes to you all!

Go ahead and jump in JoAnne and post a bio as soon as you get the chance.

Welcome aboard and I may be a little prejudiced but I agree with Jonathon's sentiments.

Stan, Welcome to the group.  It sounds like you have had a round of bad luck.  But that has just changed.  You have indeed pick a pretty good group but that is not because of me, instead some of the first people in this group have vast amount of knowledge and can contribute a lot.  We will certainly do what we can to get you on the road to a successful first season of triathlon without injury.

name: Paul

Story: Second full year - started after watching oldest son compete at Eagle Creek - he has a smile on the whole time. Had hamstring injury prior year - and biking was part of recovery - I had a blast on my MTB and bought a road bike. Its been fun riding. Swimming is a challenge - took swimming lessons, but open water is nothing like the pool. Swim and bike have helped my running - my best marathon is 3:58 - I do 2-3 mini's a year - but run 3-4 times a week - any more, and things get sore...

job: claim adjuster, so kinda like a fireman - never know exactly where I'll be day-day  and storms tend to factor in work in Spring/Fall. I try to keep on training - but keep things as flexible as possible.

current training: Two in One - I follow the OLY distance BT plan, 3x run, 2x swim/bike. I combined a Hal Higdon marathon plan, which he runs 3x week and x trains. The two plans combine ok. Swim 5am T,Th - run M,W,Sa (M=easy, W=speed, Sa=LSD)  ride on T evening and Su. (tomorrow I ride 1:30) (if work gets in way - I'll double - am/pm or use my Friday rest day as a make-up day)

2012 races: March: half marathon: April: indoor sprint tri and a half: May: Indy mini. June: Morse tri sprint: July: Eagle Creek sprint: Aug:--Goal Race--I want to do an OLY tri (Tri Indy). Fall: marathon.

weight: at 178, I'm 6 less than last year this time. I'd like to race at 172+-. less would be better -but not giving up the Budweiser.

Goals: Run: Mini sub 1:42. Tri: complete an OLY distance....and do it well. Not going to win - but want to compete a a high level for me.

Group? Provides a ton of motivation - helps reading good/bad from all - input and suggestions always good, no matter if pro or con - all is info is good. A kick in the .....always good as well. Accountability. I'll add all I can figure out to my log - I do log workouts and food on BT - Its helped a lot - Times you look at food log and wow - you see exactly where the junk is coming from.

Advice: see above - all welcome.

Cool deal!  Yes it will be my 1st half.  I found a cheap one in Iowa, so I didn't have to shell out a ton for race fees.  After getting back in the pool today, I'm questioning that but I'm very hard on myself.  I am doing an OLY late May just to hopefully get another one under my belt and feel really good about it. 

Guess I better get my profile set up and info on me here. LOL

Definitely planning on it, Dirk. Will get to it now Coach!

BTW, Fort Wayne? Indiana????

NAME: Heather (username: hmjenneman nickname: Juicy (funny/stupid story))

STORY:  I played volleyball a majority of my life through 2yrs of college then picked it up again when I lived in California in the late 90s then again off and on while we have been here in Nebraska.  Not as competitive in it as I'd like, but it all depends on who you play with and the girls that asked me to play are out for a fun night out away from the house.  When kids came starting in 2002, I completely shifted my focus to being mom.  I was definitely out of shape, and big.  I'm an Olympic junkie and love watching them as much as I can.  In 2008, I caught the triathlon and thought "hmmm if they have small one's I could do something like that. I have a chance not getting bored training". So I started googling and reading up on tris thinking I would do one in 2009. WRONG! Devine intervention (lol not exactly) and I would have to put my tri plans off until after Oct 26, 2009 when my daughter was born.  2wks before birth I had some friends talk me into doing the half marathon in Indianapolis (I'm a Hoosier) in May 2010.  I thought why not even though I hate to run and have never ran more than 3mi at one time the least I could do is walk it and for 2.5mi I would be walking around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  During this training and with the training I was doing for a sprint in June & Sept, I looked forward to my long weekend runs.  I completely lost my mind in 2010 because I love getting the medals.  I ran 3 halfs (Vegas down the strip was awesome this year at night was even better), 2 10ks (1 ending on the 50yd line in Notre Dame Stadium), and the 2 tris I mentioned.

Also during my training in 2010 we went to visit my inlaws that live in a Vegas suburb. While I was riding a spin bike overlooking the strip I had time to think, so I planned out 2010 would be my sprint year, 11 my OLY, 12 HIM, 13 IM which coincidentally aligns with my 40th bday.  So I think there's a reason for me to do all of this.  I am already stressing about completing the swim for my HIM & IM.  

FAMILY STATUS: Married 11 years (together for 17), 2 sons, 1 daughter - 9, 5, 2.  My husband brings the kids to all of my tris and they are my biggest cheerleaders.  In 2010, my husband ran a lot of the races with me or found a way to get shirts for most of the races and had an awesome t-shirt quilt made for a Christmas present.  He & the kids also made me a medal hanger which I love.  The boys have ran a few kids races at Halloween.  My oldest tried a tri, but swimming made it bad for him but the run he kicked butt and the bike wasn't bad either. My 5yo is dying to do a tri. 

A local university has a few small tris over the year.  My husband informed me in Sept that he was going to do one in the Spring because I dropped weight so easily and can also eat us out of house & home because during the height of my training I am never full.

JOB:  I'm a systems engineer for a big defense contractor.  I have the luxury of working from home which makes it nice when I have workouts to get in because I don't have to worry about smelling.

CURRENT TRAINING: I have planned out training plans for my OLY starting on the 30th, and then the HM starting right after that race.  I need to find a good base plan.  I found one, but the swimming in it is HUGE.  I have been having some issues with my knee.  Doc says nothing wrong, just go to some PT and see if that helps.  My husband got me hooked on P90X last spring, and I enjoy doing that for my cross training. 

LAST YEAR'S RACES: Last year I was hoping to break 2hrs for 13.1, but since I focused on OLY tris I didn't run as many races as 2010.  Plus my body told me it needed a break after my sprint tri in Sept.  I didn't train right for Vegas 13.1 in Dec, and only did my long runs bc I didn't want to do it. Vegas was a night race, and I decided to fun run it.  Now I have to get my pics down the strip printed.  LOL But hey the medal glows in the dark. 

2012 RACES: My dog had some hefty surgery in November so I have to conserve funds to get that paid off.  So I found 2 "cheap" races a few hours from us in Iowa. Bluff Creek OLY and then Pigman for my HM.  Omaha has a women's tri at the beginning of June that I will do because it's the 2nd yr and I did it last year.  Might do another local sprint that is very hilly in June.  I'll probably still run Vegas in Dec because it's a good opportunity for us to check up on my inlaws.  I'd like to run Des Moines 13.1 again to see if I can break 2hrs there.  I set my PR there in 2010.  I did have the thought pop in my head of throwing in 26.2 late fall, but who knows.

WEIGHTLOSS:  I stepped on the scale this week, and have obviously enjoyed my few weeks off a little too much.  I don't need to lose lbs, but to get back to where I was last May I could use to get rid of about 15.  I'm sure it will come off easily when I get my butt training again.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE: Since I borrowed the format from someone else, I have to mimmick him.  My job allows me the chance to be on a lot, and since I have my phone & laptop at the same desk as my work its nice to have variety and a mental break. I have read a lot, but am really doing almost everything on my own.  I am VERY hard on myself. I don't like it when I can't do something.  My husband told me I should be winning everything I enter as much as I have read up on tris. LOL if that was all it took.  I'm open to any and all suggestions because I don't have many local that I feel comfortable enough to ask questions.

Welcome to the group guys.

I'm off to jump on the drainer for a couple hours, but I want to put this out there, hoping I get a response by the time my run comes around.  My left achilles is pretty tender after yesterday's run.  It doesn't hurt per se, but it is definitely irritated.  This is a new issue...started a couple weeks ago I guess, but it's steadily getting more and more noticeable.  I don't really notice it after the first five minutes of my runs....but now I feel it whenever I walk around the house.

What's my plan, coach?

ETA:  Cleats moved all the way back.  They were in the "center" of the slot on the cleat.

This was my life Jonathan.  I don't have much time right now, but quickly  I suggest backing WAY off the pace.  Like embarrassed to be seen in public running pace.  Do your run but maybe cut the time.  Reassess later today.  I'll be back on this afternoon with more and to give the stretches and exercises that have had me running again.

Long post; bear with me.

Ok, first thing Jonathan, I highly, highly, highly recommend you go see an ART guy in Manchester.  I know it's a little bit of a cruise from the seacoast, but the guy is an absolute magician with figuring out soft tissue issues and their true cause(s) and getting you back in the game.  He works with a lot of triathletes, so he "gets it".  At least get to him once for a check and see what you think.  His name is Baroody (can I publish a name on here?) and his place is called Artful Chiropractic.  Google it, or IM me and I'll give you his number.  Tell him I sent you and he'll give you special treatment!

In my case, calf issues are the real culprit of my Achilles issues.  I don't want to get too specific in case this isn't your issue, but I think some stretches I've  been doing are great.  Also, Jeff's advice for warming up before running is great too.  I go by the rules of warm up before, and stretch after, running.  There are some "dynamic stretches" Baroody has had me doing before runs, but they are really designed more for warm up that a classic stretch.  The idea is to not stretch a cold muscle, and remember stretching isn't a no pain, on gain thing. Stretch only into the place where you feel it, but nowhere near pain.

The stretches I do every day which have really helped are simple.  I hope this description makes sense.  If not, it's much easier to show it so ask the doc when you go see him.  With shoes on, put your toe up against a wall or a pole.  Then go into a light calf stretch by leaning into the wall, and they key is at the same time use the muscles on the front of your shin to "pull your toe up".  The toes doesn't actually come off the wall, but engage that muscle to counteract and help with the calf stretching.  Once you're into an easy stretch with the front muscle still engaged, stay there for just a few seconds and then ease it off slowly.  Count to 4 and repeat 10 times.  Do this 2 or three times a day.

I guess my bottom line is to get this taken care of asap.  I started with that type of pain in Feb while getting ready for my HM last year.  I was running 30-35 mpw at the time and it didn't bother me running, but like you it was an issue during the day (and driving).  Eventually, it caused me to stop running, and to make a long story short I essentially spent all last season not running while trying to figure out how to do races with with Achilles pain.  Not a fun situation.  Now, with some rehab, patience, and with Jeff and Dirk's help, I'm building my miles back up and feeling good again.

So you know him and you're asking US about a soft tissue injury before seeing him???  Don't make me come back there!

Wow, that's a tough setback.  Hopefully you can get on the bike enough for that race.  It looks brutal!  11,000 ft climbing?  How's the back while on the bike?

Heather,

(I don't think I am going to call you juicy.)  It sounds like you have led quite a competitive lifestyle thus far.  Your love for the HM distance is shared.  That is my favorite distance running race to train for.  I have done the Mini-Indy 3 times and last year ran the Geist HM, which I liked better.  The course is more challenging and WAY less crowded.  (It's a couple of weeks after the Mini.)

What type of knee issues are you having?  It will be very important to approach your training with this in mind.  Possibly a slower approach to run training and a higher approach to cycling until you have a strong cycling base and the leg support muscles that are so important to proper running techniques.

Stan, the injury last year sounds like it could have been much worse.  Hopefully you can get back on the horse (so to speak) and complete some tri's this season.  If you can't compete in triathlon you might want to give some aqua-bike races a look.  I have never done one but the running would be limited to the transition from swim to bike.

Make sure you stick closely to the docs instructions before running.  aqua-jogging can prove to be quite a benefit too, so don't short change that type of activity.  Keep up the strong cycling focus for the cardio but understand that there is only so much bike to run fitness carry over.  I have found that running fitness carries over to cycling better than vice versa.  I believe it is directly related to the impact forces of running.

Paul,

It looks like you like the HM distance too.  As I said in another post, that is my favorite distance running event.  It is long enough to scare a lot of people away from serious training yet short enough that anyone can actually do it with a little dedication.

I used the same Oly training plan for my first season racing and it seems to do a pretty decent job of covering all you need.  I liked the plan fairly well but I am focused on a HIM training schedule for this year and most of last.  You mentioned Tri-Indy.  That is a staple race for me.  My wife tells me I MUST race that one because it is spectator friendly.  She loves being able to walk the side of the canal for the swim and see me on the bike at the beginning of the second loop and then seen me after the first run loop and then the finish, of course.  In my opinion the Tri-Indy race is a very good race and you should definitely make a plan to compete there.  Also you may want to look at the Muncie-Multisport races.  They offer a lot of races at a reasonable price with a lot of options for each race.

It looks like you are in a similar 5 lbs. of weight loss like I am.  I could stand to lose that but I don't really care too much at this point to bring it down that far.  I will probably try to get there by June.