Jenny's Winter "Find What Drives You" Mentor Group - Open (Page 3)

Jenny - Thanks for the comments and info.  The last running race I did was this same venue last year but the HM.  Avg pace was 7:51 - avg HR 163.  That plan had me doing longer slow runs and only running 4-5 times a week.  So yes, I see what you're saying about the difference in the two plans.  I guess I was comparing them and my OCD kicked in.  If you ever feel like saying, "Stupid. Calm down, stick to the pan, and stop over-thinking it" feel free to

This is the last race of my season.  I've done an Oly, HIM, now a Marathon all back to back and really need some time to rest.  I'm not looking at another race until May and it's a Sprint.

Thanks again...

Now, off to the store to buy a new keyboard.  NOTE: Do not shake your shaker bottle over the keyboard unless you know the pop-up lid is secure.

Hi there Jenny, I am hoping your group is still available to join? 

A little about myself, I am a 20 year old student studying Pharmaceutical Sciences. I have always led a very active lifestyle from hiking, dancing, horseback riding, biking and on and off running in the past. When I was in grade 6 and 7 I remember our elementary school organizing a triathlon that all students were able to participate in. I think this sparked an interest for me that I am finally turning my attention to. I participated in the "iron kid" distance which was short in comparison to a normal triathlon but it was still an awesome experience. 

Now fast forward almost 10 years and I am finding myself at a new point in my life where I no longer have horses to train or dance classes to take. This school year is the first time I have thought about seriously training for a triathlon as well as a half marathon. I started more seriously running over the summer in the Unfortunately something happened to my foot(a recurring soft tissue injury that the doctors can't seem to diagnose...)so I have been unable to run for a couple months now. This was the point where I turned to swimming (in December). I have never been a swimmer, however I did do swimming lessons as a kid and teen. I think my foot injury has really allowed me to realize that I enjoy swimming so that has been another deciding factor in my desire to compete in triathlons. I have also been an avid cyclist over the past year and a half, unfortunately my bike was stolen at school just 2 months ago so I have resorted to indoor spin classes until I can find an alternative! 

Basically right now I am currently swimming 3-4 days a week, strength training 2-3 days a week, spinning 5 days a week and doing very short and easy runs 1-2 times a week to rehabilitate my foot.  

I am currently looking into bikes for the upcoming summer season because I really do miss riding outside! I was always biking everywhere during the summer! My goal includes completing a half iron man in the near future, however i know that I will need a few shorter distances under my belt to get the hang of it!

Thanks! 

Sylvie

Started my training plan this past weekend, but...I ended up getting sick this week so I re-entered my plan to start again tomorrow!  Also, I just signed up and paid for my sprint tri on 6/15 so hopefully the germs stay away as I really start this weekend.

One question, does anyone have any recos on an indoor trainer?  I would like to do as much winter training with my bike as possible since it will be a couple of months before I am actually outside on it.

Started my training plan this past weekend, but...I ended up getting sick this week so I re-entered my plan to start again tomorrow!  Also, I just signed up and paid for my sprint tri on 6/15 so hopefully the germs stay away as I really start this weekend.

One question, does anyone have any recos on an indoor trainer?  I would like to do as much winter training with my bike as possible since it will be a couple of months before I am actually outside on it.

I purchased this trainer last spring and it seems to be holding up well.  It's 22% off on Amazon right now.  I shopped and shopped because most I thought were really expensive.  Don't forget to buy a riser for your front wheel.

Blackburn Tech Mag 6 Trainer

Sunlite Forza Riser Block

Disclaimer:  I bought my first road bike 11 months ago and my first trainer 9 months ago.  I'm no cycling expert!

Eating green is good!  Green leafy foods are like burning the high octane fuel instead of the cheep stuff in your sports car.  And, it's estimated that 80% of people with allergies are allergic to grain foods and don't know it.  Just don't leave out the proteins!  Remember:

Carbs = fuel

Protein = soft tissue growth and repair

Trainers brings up an interesting question.  I have two choices...

a) borrow my friend's trainer and work on my biking in the garage over the winter... I only have my old mountain bike, as i'm borrowing a road bike from my friend when she's too pregnant to ride it anymore (likely not until May or so), quit the gym where i'm doing spin classes and put that extra money into a swim pass at the local pool

Or

b) keep up with spinning classes at the gym until the loaner bike frees up

Which would you recommend?  Ride a real bike (albeit an old mountain bike) or keep spinning at the gym?

Jenny,

I would love to join your group!  I realize January is over so I might be a bit late but I am trying to do a sprint in June and I have never done anything like this before. Thankfully I have found this website and have been taking in a wealth of information. Now i just need to get organized so I can train.  Although I have worked out I would consider my self a flat out beginner. Also I hope to lose some weight in the process.  Any guidance is much appreciated!

~SarahK

Name: Eric, but 'neuronet' here

Story: I'm 42, and did five or six sprint tris, but then had a sequence of injuries (achilles tendonopathy) and then a bad bike accident (flipped over bars) at the end of 2011, broke both radius bones, three ribs, and a bone in my hand. I'm now just getting back into training this year. Right now ramping up basic endurance to the point where I can do 20/20/40 minute swim/run/bike and then plan to do a sprint plan once I get back to this baseline. I am presently up to 15/15/22.  Yes, wimpy I know, but moving up each week!

Long-term, my goal is a sprint this year, a sprint and oly next year, and half iron the year after that.

Family: married to amazing wife, and we have a sweet 2.5 year old girl.

Current Training: I presently work out in a 3 days on, one day off schedule, one of each sport each of the days, switching between "heavy" and "light" workouts each day.

2013 Races:  July sprint.

Weightloss:  I am 6' 4", and weigh about 207. I want to weigh 195, but short term I just want to go below 200! Goal is to start eating better breakfast, and smaller more frequent meals that are more healthy than the usual. This is so easy to say, but so hard to do.

Sleep: Sleeping well does wonders for my recovery, mental energy, and general mood. Unfortunately, I am a night owl, which is incompatible with having a 2 1/2 year old, so I am pushing myself to start going to bed by 11pm for a 7am wake up. My natural sleep time is 2am, and I am presently averaging about 1145 pm.

I really hope to learn a lot from everyone here and developing a group of BT-buddies. 

Hi Jenny! 

I have been thinking about that for a while now in terms of when to do the half ironman, I have been looking up a few races that happen later in the summer such as mid-end July. I am in good shape right now, but it is a matter of having the time to train as well as making sure my foot stays up for it! I would of course love to get a few shorter distances under my belt in the near future, and am currently thinking about entering a sprint distance on March 10th at our school! I know that distance will be easy enough for me to complete with my foot on the mend as well as a good way to get an idea of the transitions between the disciplines! 

Thanks for the reply! 

Sylvie

Signed up for my race yesterday!  It will be April 20th, a sprint.  Question for you all....when my training plan says 20 min swim, 25 min run I know the point is to brick the workouts (at least I think) but is it the end of the world if I do the run in the morning and the swim after work?  And also, sometimes I would rather run first then swim?  Is this ok?  Or should I try to stick with the way it will be in my race?

I just signed for my first sprint of 2013 as well, it's May with an open water swim.  Being a swimmer, pool sprints just kill me!!  It will eat up my "off season" but I'm excited about this one.

I've noticed that may times, but not always, the training plan will be specific when they want you to brick a workout.  You might look ahead in your plan and see if that's the case.  Or look for your answer in the plan description.  That would be my first thought.  Otherwise, if you can't fit it into your schedule then do what you can, split it. 

Welcome Christine, adult swim class is a good idea.  But there's no seceret.  You swim, you bike, you run, then you look around and go, "Huh, I did it."