Mad Manatees Mentor Group - VERY CLOSED!!! Sorry! (Page 30)

How long did it take you to recover from the IM last year? Where you completely wiped out for a week or two? I have not done a race longer than a HM so I may not be a great insight.

If you had no significant issues I do not see why you could not race both of them. Again, I do not know how from personal experience how much an IM takes out of you, I have a idea.

I have a weird question. I am enjoying running outside but I am not sure that I could do a long run of 8-10 miles outside in these temps. Would a double/triple workout day be close to beneficial? For instance, if I did 6 miles, came back and warmed up then did another 4-6 miles about 30-40 minutes later. Would that be close to the same benefit as a 10 mile single run?

I think you can make them whatever you want in terms of A, B or C races.  However the results may not be A results for both!  Why not make the Expedition Man your A race, as it sounds as though you really want to do well there.  The Leadman could be 'just for fun'. Kick E-Man's a$$ this year, then make L-man your A race next year?

I am looking at a HIM, maybe a late year IM. My entire schedule is dependent on the training I will have when I get to TN. The unit I am going to is deploying between Nov 13 and Feb 14. The training required before deployment is what is going to dictate my race schedule. I will not know all of my required training until I get to TN in June/July.

I would love to get an IM in but think I will have to wait until late 14/15 for the IM length. If I am not able to go to IM length then hopefully HIM and HM. I do have one Oly I plan to do that was my first and I want "revenge" on it. I did it with 1 month tri training and finished in 3:08. I was in the early stages of training for a HM so running was the easy side.

If you have access to a treadmill, you may want to consider running half outside and then half inside.  At the pace you run, unless you are talking a 5-6 hour run, there is no benefit gained by splitting the run.  I don't usually run outside if it is less than 0 degrees.  That is my cut off, as is 90 degrees on the flip side. I have run in those temps but I prefer not to.  

You body will be shocked by the warm temps indoors and that is a hard adjustment.  Layering well, if you are running out doors and just getting it done would probably be better.   I use those hand warmers.  Those seem to help keep me toasty even in frigid temps.  I have asics gloves that you can insert them into on the top of the hand. 

I'm convinced, even more after looking at your logs for the past 2 years, that you and I are the same person (in a non-gender specific sort of way). The amount of miles in the past year, the increase in miles since 2011, etc. We are in the same boat.  And your observation about it getting easier is right on point with how I feel right now.

I'll let someone else go nuts, this seems to be working for me

Good job, you got it done.

Great job Joanne!!!! Push through the yucky parts and enjoy the awesome parts. We should all be that lucky.

Thanks to all ya'll for the swimming discussion. Good Golly, do I have a long way to go.

I wish I could embrace swimming like I have the bike and run.

One of Kevin's friends just move to Nashville.  He talks about being "at altitude." We're like, it's 1000 feet at it's highest point.  Wikipedia gives it 597 feet.  What the heck is he talking about?!

Raleigh is at 315 feet.  I guess that other 282 feet make all the difference...

Costco has Blendtec right now (well, the one near me does at least)/

It's hard to answer given that you have not been logging on BT for that long.  I would say "trust the plan." 

What say you, Manatees?  Can someone chime in to help Stacey out?

I know it's hard enough to get to a pool and all that fuss, especially in the winter months, but ... if at all possible, schedule some "play time" in the water. Don't work out; muck about. Go off the diving board, if there is one. Try to "tread" water upside down, with your head pointing down. See how many somersaults you can do before you a) run out of breath, b) feel like puking. (Obviously, don't take that one TOO TOO seriously). Bring a rubber ducky. Bring pool rings (the sinking kind) throw 'em all in and go fetch. Let a kid ride on your back while you swim (the ultimate strength and pull-form workout).

Why did you choose that plan? If it is to get a base and develop all 3 disciplines, then Janyne is 100% correct. Trust the plan, follow the plan and enjoy the plan.  If, however you feel like a more run focused plan is for you, maybe you should look at a different plan. Concentrate on the discipline that needs the most help. If running is weak, then work on that.  

However, I also know that when Janyne speaks, Chris should listen. She is FAR more knowledgable on this then am I. And if you are starting out, then building a good foundation for all three disciplines is in your best interests.

Janyne and Chris gave you some good thoughts and here are mine as well.

A plan that has you running 2x/week is simply to get you acquainted with running and through the distance on race day. And it should do that just fine. But it won't significantly improve your running endurance and definitely not pace--it will simply keep you able to do continually somewhat longer distances so you're able to handle 10K on race day.

If you're finding running fairly challenging, SLOW DOWN. This just cannot be emphasized enough, especially at the beginning. You shouldn't be struggling AT ALL--find a pace to run or run/walk at which would allow you to hold a conversation with someone (or yourself).

Also, I hope by "interval" it means a run:walk interval. Any other kind, unless it's slowrun:REALLYslowrun just is not appropriate for someone starting out in running.

That said, there's nothing wrong with adding a VERY EASY 10min, 15min at most run at this point, although I wouldn't sacrifice a swim for it. Another option is to run off the bike for an easy 5-10min each time you cycle. It does add up.