tcovert's Winter 2009 Mentor Group - FULL (Page 34)

Hey everyone! I haven't posted in a while. My left hip is hurting and other than an attempted run this week, I've been laying off of it. Bummer. I was going to do an XTERRA trail run in two weeks, but am scratching that.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend. Can't wait to read the race reports!

Way to go Todd! That's the way to start the season! Looking forward to your race report.

Jake

WOW!! Fantastic race, Todd. Nice job.

As for me, I'm not sure of my total results, no splits, and I just missed a podium finish. Think I got 4th for my AG. Oh well. Keeps me hungry, I suppose. :-) I had a really good race though. A bit chilly on the bike and run and numbness in hands and feet. Nice weekend away and in a really beautiful place. Snow capped mountains and warm desert air. Happy training everyone.

Great job Lynn and Todd.  You guys are the bomb.   I'm hanging with podium winners!

I ran in a 5K, the first race of the club year.  31:10, which was a PR for me during my oh so many 3 races since starting last August.  I felt so sluggish. 

Lynn way to go, sound like you fought the good fight. Podium is in your future!

Scott, way to get out there, and nice time!

 Good job all!

Jake

Todd, Lynn, and Scott - awesome job on your races this weekend!!!    I can't wait to read your race reports!

I ran in a bruuuutal 8K yesterday but I ended up with a 55 second PR.  I wanted to hit sub 10 min miles but I didn't make that goal... there were so many hills and my legs were jello by the end.  Oh well, I'm happy with a PR.

I hope that everyone had a fabulous weekend!  The weather here was faaaantastic, hopefully it will stay that way! 

Nice job, Amber. When your legs are jello you know you've worked them hard!! Congratulations on the PR.

And, Scott---Anytime you best what you've done before is a good day. I'm learning that one myself. Congrats on your 5K!

Happy Monday.

Wow, what a great freakin' weekend for all of you ... SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!

Todd, I asked this same question in your race report thread, but here it is again:  is it legal to swim under people to pass in a pool swim?  Seems like you'd be able to pass a couple of slow breast-strokers by going under them ...

WOO HOO! You are a couple of rockstars! GREAT JOB!!!

Sorry you didn't get on the podium...but a 4th place in your AG is still amazing! Congratulations!!!

Please don't feel sluggish. I dream of a 31:10 5k! My PR is still at about 44 minutes! A PR is a PR is a PR and it's great to get at any time. Be proud of yourself!

My RR is up if anyone's bored and wants some reading...

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=149762&posts=1#M2008436

Hey guys,

Thanks to you all for the kind comments.  I didn't mean to sound down about my time, though I'm hoping for better by the end of the summer.  Heck, last August I was doing a couch to 5K program trying to run 2 minutes at a time despite all the biking.  I'm doing well and I keep a perspective.  It takes work, and I'm doing it.

You all have a great week.  If the rain stops, I'm going riding.  If not, it's on the trainer I go. 

Hi all,

Well, I started my training last night for an International distance race in June, and it had me really back in the pool from day one.  It's getting warmer here and much easier to mentally prepare for swimming, and I actually found that I missed the swim a bit.  Did 1,375m in the prescribed 24 minutes and it wasn't that bad.  Next workout might test me more, though

I know this has been brought up and asked before, and I think I even responded to it, but I've got to ask again ... I'm doing one of the BT Bronze Member Oly plans (16 weeks), and aside from the swim I really, really feel ahead of the curve in terms of prescribed times.  I'm struggling with the idea of just following the plan and see where it takes me while increasing the volume, versus continuing with the times and distances I'm already comfortable with.

For example, Thursday I've got a 24 minute run scheduled, but I'm currently doing 50 to 60 minute runs on a regular basis.  Do I crank out a run as fast as I can in 24 minutes, or should I keep sticking with the time and distances I've worked up to?  Also, I've got nothing scheduled for today and the thought of not running tonight is driving me crazy   I'm almost positive I'll try to get 5 miles in ...

I know, I know, these training plans are guidelines and they're meant to help one finish the race as opposed to helping one win the race.  But I've never done anything as structured as this and I guess I want to know if it is the way to go as opposed to doing what I feel I can do.

In the end, I think more than anything I'll stick to the prescribed training days, i.e., swim and bike on Mondays, swim Wednesdays, run Thursdays, etc., but go more by what I'm up to doing than by the prescribed times ... except for the swim, which I'll probabbly follow.  BUT, I really would appreciate advice here ... even though I think I gave advice similar to what I'm asking not too long ago in this thread

I am a total novice at this stuff so this is from the perspective of a true beginner listening to people like Todd and soaking what I can up from all the people everywhere I go, the clubs, the friends who've done it, the great people on this mentor team;

I have a cycling coach, a pro, who volunteered to help me for free because I write about what I do for my paper and he says I'm an inspiration.  I've been called a lot of things but rarely that!  I mention it only to let you know I can't afford this kind of help on my own.

Anyway, I was a cyclist who went long distances before I met him.  Nearly 24,000 miles since 2005.  That's an average of 6,000 miles...reached 8800 one year.  Cancer in the midst of all that.  I thought going long was the key.   Or, in the context of this conversation, spending lots of time on a bike.  He said time is important yes, but intensity is what will make me go faster.  Interval training is critical.  I have to spend the time, but I also have to include periods where I try to crank up the wattage for a while to get my heart rate up and my lactate exchange more efficient.  As a friend of mine so aptly put it, If I want to ride faster, I have to ride faster.  You can do it with a watt meter like a Power Tap or with a HR monitor.  Either way, the goal is to elevate from easy to endurance to anaerobic and back down. 

I joined Masters and the coach there pushes the same deal.  Swimming "builds" where you start slow and increase speed.  Building in the middle then slowing to the end.  Pushing intervals in the middle to the end of longer efforts.  Swimming sprints where you go fast and limit rest time.   

Then I go to the running program for intermediates who can do 5K and what to reach 7 miles by the first Saturday in May for their annual Lake Run for the Lake Run Club. And, what do they have us do the second time out?  Fartleks, a Nordic word that describes intervals.  Running at pace, then speeding up for a period of time, slowing again, faster, slower, etc. 

I think I'm seeing a theme here.

I hurt myself doing intervals every time out on the run early on last summer.  But, I asked questions and was told not to do intervals on the run more than once a week, maybe even once every two weeks.  After some experience, I think once a week is right for me.

What Todd says is true, I think.  The generic plans teach concepts but we have to apply them to our own situation and fitness levels.  I love this stuff!  I'm learning so much from you all.  Many thanks!