Experior's Group - CLOSED (Page 32)

With more snow coming, I couldn't sit still.  Against doctors orders, I went running today.  I did 5 miles on the indoor track at the Y.  I'll ride tomorrow.

Scout

Scout -- shoulder OK after the run?

I had my first swim coaching session in many months last Friday.  If you can find a good coach, and aren't already blazing fast (Stu), I can't recommend this enough.  In just an hour we made some adjustments that took several seconds off my 100m time.  Right now, I still have to focus on each one individually, and even then I easily slip back into old habits, but I think that once I make the fully adjusted stroke the 'new normal' I will hit my goal of being able to maintain 1:35/100m for a HIM distance swim.  That is a very enticing prospect for me -- enough to keep me going to the pool!

I'm a bit nervous about this week, because it is a big volume boost.  I'm just praying that the injury really is gone...

That would be an enticing pace prospect at that distance for me as well!  Michael, I think we have the same LT goal in the swim, so hush on your blazing fast stuff ;-)  Now, if I could just do something about the bike and run.  Actually, I can definitely see the combination of less weight, the intervals and maybe even the recovery runs making a difference.   All good motivators.  I'm never going to be very fast, but I sure would like to be in the hunt in the local age group (notice that I'm already counting on losing my Clydesdale qualification this year!)

More snow today, but typical Virginia stuff - a couple of inches and not much sticking to the road. 

I'll update the chart with the latest tonight after I get home from work.
-Stu

Edited by juneapple 2010-02-15 5:53 PM

No problems other than taking the time after my run to walk enough to stop sweating.  I didn't want to remove the bandages at the Y, so I waited until I got home to shower.  Getting dressed while sweaty and going outside in cold weather sucks.

Rest day today.  Went down to the local Running Store and got a lesson from the owner who offers classes on Trigger Point Therapy.  Bought the lower leg kit so I can do it at home.  Comes with DVD's and the lower leg equip.  She really took the time to show me some of the major techniques and then I did it as well on my leg that it having problems.  I didn't want to get to far into the season without addressing it. 

Stu-I have at least one goal for Feb.  do Trigger Point 3-4 times a week on both legs.

Life is finally slowing down. Club volleyball season is now on hiatus while HS season starts up. Gives me 3 months of no travel. Yah! Here's believing for a state championship!

Had a great workout tonight, 75 min in spinning class followed by 5 mile run. Felt like I could run forever. Normally I despise the first 2 miles of a run, but getting good and warmed up on the bike really makes a difference. Back to the pool tomorrow and looking forward to shedding these last 12 lbs. to reach the 100lb. mark...............I'm back in the swing again. Feels great. BTW I'm not bi-polar.....just excited.

Phil

Phil...Get after that last 12 lbs.  You can do it!!!  Hitting the Century Mark that is totally amazing and will be a great accomplishment.  My total weight loss was 60 lbs.

Brian

Scout - you are seriously hard core.  I sit here shaking my head in shock or awe (or something).

Mike, in terms of the time management, I do pretty well, but the band thing is not indicative of it.  Other than the week of St. Paddy's which is like a gig marathon, we usually just play out about once / month and that doubles as our practice time.  So, it is very relaxed, and for me at least, a great evening of fun... basically a recovery run for my mind.  I always feel refreshed for a couple of days after we play.  Total blast, singing old pub songs and playing as jigs and reels as fast as we friggin' can.  Last night was especially fun as we didn't really expect a good reception on Valentine's Day with song lyrics like "and if the devil would take her, I'd thank him for his pain... etc."  But somehow people really got into it... had folks dancing on the jigs and singing along on the verses.  Usually only have that on St. Paddy's when everyone is a wee bit Irish (and have enjoyed too much Guinness!).

You're right about the travel though.  Hard to push through those weeks.  Fortunately for me, the travel isn't a constant that it is with some jobs.  Seems to come in clumps... long enough to screw up training a bit, but not so long that it is insurmountable (like yours sounded).  Glad you've found a better balance.  Have fun in Costa Rica... that has been on my list of places to visit for awhile now... I'm envious of you now!

-Stu

Good to have you back in the goal list, Brian.  Seemed wrong without you.  I think I've updated everybody's progress as well in the chart.  If not, we'll catch up this weekend!

Brian,

60lbs wow you look great. 100 lbs just means I got fatter than you.  I am really pushing hard. I'm too close to the goal now. Although, the closer I get, me thinkest more and more I may need to lose an additional 30lbs. But when you lose a hundred pounds another thirty doesn't seem that bad.

BTW. When I hit 100 I'm changing my avatar to an actual action photo of my lean self!

Phil

actual action photo of my lean self!


Don't you mean actual action photo of my BAD LEAN SELF!!!

I stand corrected. MY NOT-SO-BIG BAD LEAN SELF!

I'd be very interested to hear your impressions as you get some experience with it.  I have a constant stream of niggling injuries in my right leg that I'd love to get rid of...  (With several sprained ankles and two knee surgeries in my past that might not be easy though.)

Focus, focus, just need a little focus.

Mile swim followed by 3 mile run. Man, running after a swin is difficult. I think it's a hydration thing. Need to drink more water after the swim.

Phil

Edited by StlPhil 2010-02-16 7:37 PM

I'll have to watch the hydration tonight as that is my exact plan for this evening.  Swim and then a run.

Have a great day everyone.

x2.  Once I stopped swallowing half the pool during my swims, I really began to get dehydrated during them. I often bring a water bottle to the pool now and drink between sets, especially if I've got a run or bike afterwards.

Have a great day everyone.  I have one more week of high-pressure at work and then things will, I hope calm down.  I'm still going to try to get a big day of training in today.

I guess I'm swallowing less water. My swimming must be improving. That must be the answer.....water bottle to the pool it is.

Have spinning class followed by 5 mile run after work. Feels great getting back into the swing again.

Phil

Did 30 min easy run on treadmill this morning. Pretty interesting this morning as my HR took almost 10 min to drop down to normal levels. I started with 2 min walk then increase to 12min/mile, which is good warmup pace but my HR was not coming down so I stayed at the pace for the remainder of run. I do have sinus cold, but don't know if that would affect it as this is my first year wearing HRM. Only other thing I can think of is had 1/3 of bagel and mouth full of milk (small amount sugar added) before leaving for workout. I'll need to experiment some more.

The had my swim, last week of 0 to 1 mile in 6 weeks plan. Very good swim, half way through my 1200m set I found an extra spring in my wrist which gave me an extra boost on each stroke. Amazing how such a small part of the arm generates so much power. I actualy thought I was doing a full stroke until today. I'm sure I've got more to learn, I haven't even performed any speed work yet. More progress to look forward too.

I can't wait until my first tri.

Sylvain

Edited by sstucker 2010-02-17 9:07 AM

i am just checking to state that i have been consistently inconsistent this month. work, life, tennagers all have impacted my training. not to mention i am without a pool. but i believe that i can make my goals for the month of february. i have about 75 miles of cycling and another 30 miles of running to complete in the next 11 days. i am much happier when i am consistent. i am actually missing my morning workouts. have a wonderful wednesday everyone.

After taking 10 days off to (hopefully and finally) heal my knees, I'm happy to report that it appears to have worked.  I spent 30 mins on the treadmill yesterday and 30 mins in the pool today and they feel good so far.  I'm hoping that I'll be back to where I was before the injury by the time the snow melts.

In the mean time, I was looking for a gear recommendation: do you prefer a one-piece or two-piece tri suit?  Also, do you have a favorite brand?

Thanks,
Mark

Yep, a cold will raise your HR.  (Anyway, it does mine, and I think that's normal.)  Lots of other things do as well.  You are doing the right thing -- pay attention to it, and you will learn how to 'discount' for the other factors that are affecting HR so that you can focus on what it is telling you about your effort.  For what it's worth, here are some things that I know raise my HR and also increase the time it takes for my HR to come down after exercise:

   * dehydration
   * lack of sleep
   * hot weather
   * lack of nutrition, or lack of good nutrition
   * ate too recently before workout
   * illness
   * stress

Most people (myself included) also experience a natural 'drift' in longer workouts.  For example, after running a long time (90+ minutes in general) my HR will start to drift 5+ beats higher at the same level of effort.



Nice!  I had the same experience the other day.  My swim coach told me I wasn't pulling all the way through on my left.  I'm finding it VERY hard to stay focused on fixing it, especially when I'm tired, but I can definitely feel (and time!) the difference.  It's going to take a while before it feel natural, but I love making progress!



I'm excited for you!

You can do it!

Good 'all healed up' thoughts being sent your way...

On the tri suit, I think it is pretty individual and has a lot to do with fit.  I personally prefer the two piece suits, because I can hunt for bottoms and top that each fit perfectly.  I definitely won't win any style points with different brands/color/designs on top and bottom, but I never was very stylish anyway...

As for brand, I really like Orca stuff.  It seems to fit me well.  I also have a pair of Sugoi shorts that I really like.  But again I think you should go largely by what feels comfortable.  I think that at least with the name brands (and probably with at least some of the others), the quality is mostly comparable.

Just a lil' bump for Team Experior.

Hope everyone is having a good week.  My legs felt invincible yesterday...today they feel downright rickety.  As such, I decided to scratch my evening workout in favor of a cold beer and some Olympics (Chicagoan Shani Davis skated for gold).

Keep up the good work everyone...race season is just a few snow storms away.
Mike