Got Your Mojo WORKIN'! group - CLOSED (Page 34)

DAVID -

Luge! It's gotta be great cross-training!

Well, you know that down there, pretty much what's on the ground today will be gone in a few days. So just stockpile those pent-up energies, cuz by the weekend you should be able to run shirtless and do a century ride!

Hopefuly, though, the pools and gyms will be open real soon. And I may joke about your climate, but I certainly feel your pain about losing your mojo. I'm seeing a five-day forecast here thta looks chillier than I would like for running, and I'm trying to figure out the best days to squeeze in a couple of runs. But with none of the days looking good.........oh my! What's a workout-junkie to do!

The saving grace, of course, is that it's January, and I am a few months from my likely first race of the season, while you still have 2.5 months until Cool Breeze ---- plenty of time to get that mojo firmly in place!

Enjoy luge today; I have the feeling you'll be a natural at it!


(And as for me being more savvy than I know....I think it's more a matter of my being more lucky than I normally I expect!)

DANIEL -

Thinking some more about the swimming question, I managed to find what I printed out for part five of "Learn to Swim", AND I looked over several of the olympic plans. If you go to the latter, and maybe just so through the 8-Week Beginner Olympic plan, you'll see that aside from a few 1500 and 1800 swims, the rest are all 2000, 2200, 2800, 3200 -- that sort of thing. That is pretty big yardage, just much more in keeping with what will realistically prepare someone for a 1500m oly swim.

As I said in my last post to you about this, however, there are exceptions to the rule and certainly many people have graduated from "Learn to Swim" and made it through an oly, but in most cases a happily successful oly swim will require much more yardage than the 1700 and 1800 mostly drill-based sessions of "L to S".

I will also say again what I said before -- "Learn to Swim" is a VERY good introductory program! If you can follow it and accomplish most of the workouts, you will be in great shape for (a) a sprint-distance tri and (b) the more demanding workouts of whichever more advanced plan you choose to follow next!

DAVID again -

We cyber-crossed! While I was writing to Daniel, you were writing to both of us about the same topic.

Do great minds think alike, or what??

LAURA -

Do you see this as the end-of-line for your own pursuit of higher education, or do you have loftier goals maybe a few years further down the road?

I was a real slacker about all of this. My entry into treaching was as a full-time teaching assistant in the geography department of University of Toronto, and from there I went to teaching at private schools in the U.S., where all thast really matters is one's overall background and a willingness to cointribute to all aspects of School Life. That is, no specific teaching degrees required! So, I did six years at schools in the U.S., and then 19 years at Akwesasne Mohawk School, all without any extra or advanced teaching degrees.

I think that worked well for me; certainly it saved me the angst of having to be a student again! I didn't go to my first position in the U.S. until I was 32, I guess it was, so by that point I was feeling too stodgy to be a student again.

So, maybe it didn't work perfectly; certainly, I envy and admire your initiative in pursuing a higher degree!











Edited by stevebradley 2011-01-11 7:56 AM

DANIEL again -

I HOPE the 10 is better than the 9! That is always the ideal in running shoes, but back in the day that I was using Asics DS Trainer, it was very frustrating to see how radically they sometimes changed one version from the previous one. For that model, it was never enough to do "subtle tweaks" -- it was often complete overhauls! So I would order the 8, say, hoping it was mostly like the 7, and then when it arrived and I realized it was virtually a whole new species that wouldn't work for me, I would then sxcramblea nd try to find palces that still carried the 7 and stockpile a few of thsoe.

One of the things I love about Newtons is that for their four basic models - Distance, Gravity, Distance S, Motion - they are 98% the same bnow as they were in '07. Cosmetics (mostly color) have changed some in Grav and Mot, but everything else is the same. I find that incredibly reassuring, that I can order a new pair without fear that the change will be like going from slippers to work boots!

Three cheers for consistency in running shoe incarnations!!!

DANIEL once more -

I just checked the Adrenaline in the new catalog from Road Runner, and they are now carrying the 11. Just so you know!

Tried out the cleats pushed all the way back in spin class this morning and really liked how it felt.

Please keep in mind that this was only my second time with cleats, so not sure if I can discern the difference between cleats and toe cage vs. forward and back cleat position. Spoke to a few people in class who made the switch to cleats and the consensus was that cleats puts more focus on quads & hamstrings and less on calfs than toe cage, so hard to tell which is having the impact for me.

Overall I felt that the full pedal stroke was easier and more comfortable...like I had a more stable, longer platform to push & pull against vs. more forward cleat position where I felt like I had a smaller more targeted area to direct the force. Seemed like I was using my calves much more to direct that force. And the upstroke seemed less natural for me with the cleats more forward. But it's quite possible that I just had the cleats too forward before, and all the way back is now just properly lining them up with the balls of my feet.

Thanks for the watchouts on toe overhang and other bike adjustments. Given the weather, I haven't even been out on my bike yet for the first time! When things warm up a bit, I'll go back to the shop and get re-fit based on now having cleats and having them placed back.

Not ready to drill holes in my shoes to get a true mid-arch placement, but more back seems to work for me for now.

I got fitted in the Brooks Adrenaline 11 as my first running shoe this year, and really like it so far.

It won Runner's World "Best Update" award two years running (http://talk.brooksrunning.com/2010/11/02/brooks-adrenaline-gts-11-wins-runners-worlds-best-update-award/, so that might give a little confidence that this year's version is not a total overhaul.

I think my big worry about jumping into the L to S plan is I know I can get about 300-350 yds straight before my form starts to degrade.  I could not imagine doing the full distance.  Maybe I will try the plan the way it is intended to be used, if it gets overwhelming I will repeat the week until its not over whelming.

Any thought about my plan of attack?

I have a run planned for today hopefully I can get out the door to actually do it!!

I decided to change phase 2 of the training plan from balanced to a swim focused plan.  This will allow me to continue with the  L to S plan.

Oh, my -- sparse traffic in Mojoville today!



?

ADAM -

Nice photo!!!

And, good preliminary success stroy about the cleats! I don't know where my copy of TTB is, so I haven't refreshed my memory on what Friel says. I will keep digging around, though!

The sensation of a "more stable, longer platform" is highly desireable, as I guess you know. However you can access that stiffness and make it work for you is the desired effect; sounds like you're about there!

I have now doen two trainer rides since you made the post about cleeat position, and on both of them I have forgotten to pay attention to how it all feels to me. I'm sorry about that, and I'll try to make that a focus when I'm on the bike again (maybe that's a good reason to ride again tomorrow! )

Talk about "second nature", though, and I guess that's how the bike is for me. I have had the cleats since '01, and excepting a minor adjustment with my big fitting in '03, they are the same now as they were then. I have logged xxxx miles in them (yes, they are fairly disgusting, i suppose.....), and the fact that I can't describe where my power is generating in them tells me it's just all second nature.

Tomorrow or Thursday, however ---- I focus, focus, focus on them!

Are you also snowed under this evening? Drive carefully tomorrow!

ADAM again --

I wasn't aware that the Adrenalines are cleaning house these last two years. It's a dynasty in the making!

(Sorry about the Iggles, by the way.)

DANIEL -

I think that sounds good! mind you, i now ought to check to see exactly what you've done, but I know that the original plan was gnawing at you, so at least you've created a situation that you can look forward to. As is often said, the best plan in the world only works that way if any given individual can accommodate it and make it work for them. Hopefully, your new attack with work well for you!

And ---- Did you make it out the door for your run? Inquiring minds want to know!

Yo!

ADAM and Daniel have been granted immunity, just by virtue of showing up here today. As for the rest of you.......

COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!!



I'm off to bed now. See you ALL here tomorrow! (I hope!)

Is there a way to do private messages? if so, if you would like to send me your email I can shoot you a copy of my training plan for you to review.

I did not go for a run today, I however did do L to S week 1 day 1, followed by a 15 min speed walk on the treadmill.

Sorry I have been missing in action...  I have been working a lot and with the winter snow that has thrown a wrinkle into training.  My hip is feeling better, still a little nagging but much better than Sunday.  Hope that all of the group who are here on the east coast have had a safe couple of days.  I hope the roads clear up enough here so I can hit the gym for a swim this afternoon.

Alex 

We have finally dug out of the snow and ice, a little bit at least, and slowly getting back to normal. Of course the gym was closed yesterday again, but used the time to get out of the house with the family and grab something to eat. Working out of the house cause some major "Cabin Fever" and we all needed a break! It appears the gym is opening at Noon today so planning on getting in there tonight and getting a swim in and something else...not sure yet. I need to majoly rearrange my sechedule this week!

Good luck to those in the NE as the storm has hit you now!

Hi,

The last time I posted I asked about training plans.  Your response was helpful but I have another issue with the canned plans from BT.  I put the days in that I thiought I could do the 3 workouts per week per dicipline.  However, since my race is a HIM in June it starts with a very low volume.  Is there a way to tell it I want to pick it up a little?  If not, I can do this on my own but I thought that was the benefit of being a gold member.  I may just be missing something but I can't see how to do it otherwise.

Ellen

Wow, I have been to the gym for 3 weeks now and going 5 days a week and I still have not dropped 1 pound.  I weighed in last night and still 227.  I have changed the way I eat, before it was sweets, fried foods and other stuff that is not good.  For the last week I have eaten this good tuna salad I made with no Mayo and I have been eating it over lettuce or spinach.  I have also been eating baked chicken, brown rice and either baby lima or field peas.  For breakfast if Im working out that morning I eat 1 banana and 1 cup coffee before the gym and when I get back I will drink a whey protein shake with 1 banana and 5 strawberries mixed together and then 1 boiled egg not mixed with the shake.  If I'm not working out I will eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal.  I snack on dry roasted peanuts during the day.  I'm a really picky eater and its hard to find good foods that I like.  I dont know if its just that for the last 3 years or so I would not eat breakfast, sometimes I would eat lunch and then dinner I would feast.  I guess my body is not used to me eating food all day long now.  I also know that muscle weighs more than fat and I, building muscle but I thought I would have dropped atleast 2 pounds.. Any thoughts???????????  Just so yall know, I'm not giving up, this just makes me want to work harder, but I also need to watch my training to make sure I do not over due it and get injured.
Thanks
George

LORI -

Yet another thing we seem to have in common! Lynn has on a few occasions referred to me as Imelda Marcos (although I think just the reverse-cross-dressed version), and I always feel guilty looking at my piles of old running shoes that just take up space. Periodically I drop some off at a shelter or to be sent off to the Third World somewhere.....but ultinatley they seem to increase at home faster than I can shuttle them away. Urp.

For several years I had my own CompuTrainer --- and I guess I still do. I loaned it to hooslisa last May, on a kind of borrow-to-buy basis, but I'm not sure she has set it up yet. I went the past couple of seasons not using it once, mostly because the place where the computer is may be dimal for typing, but deathy for riding.

ANYHOW, the SpinScan functions are very cool, and also (and more importantly) informative to a degree most riders won't be able to determine on thier own. I was pretty good at getting the axis one evened out at the moment, but once I left that screeen and started pedalling intensively again, it would show that my stroke had gone askew. When really focused I can get it evened out, but in races I cannot keep focused to that degree. It's that slightly lazy left leg that won't cooperate and carry its full share of the load!

Now that the CT has been gone.......I miss it! Didn't use it for two full off-seasons........and I miss it! I guess it's true, that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well, if Lisa ends up using it and liking it and buying it, that will be good; I can always use the money. But if not, then I will happily welcome it back in my home!

Anne ("latestarter") from my second group ("hooslisa" is from the first) has been doing CT sessions and has shown big improvements over the course of a couple of intense VO2max tests. Altogether she feels more powerful and efficient. Good stuff!

ELLEN -

Ah-ha! The benefits of this silly system I am trying this time around -- keeping track of who posts on which page here! So, I can see that you last posted on page 37, and so I probably responded to you on 37/38/39, so I will go back there and refresh my memory about what you asked and what I said.

It'll take me some time to do this, as I have to leave here in a while, but I'll try to get back to you this evening.

I too am Gold, but haven't done a thing with it yet; I'm not even sure of its full range of benefits. But one of them, I am sure, is using the Gold forum to ask questions directly to the D3 coaches who are "working" that forum. Amy Kuitse is one, and she is a terrific person whom I met on a couple of occasions through my former D3 coach, Erik Cagnina.

I will certainly do what I can to help you at this end, but if I'm slow o not really helpful at all ( ), then going to the D3 coaches on the Gold forum should help.

A quick answer for now is to jump ahead a wek or two until you get to the level of training that you think you are capable of right now. We all enter this point of an off-season at a different place in a Base or Build phase, so while you might be at, say, Week Four of Base, the plan you are following has you at Week Two.

Does the plan you are looking at count backwards nicely from Eagleman to get you to Right Now, or is there a "gap" in it where it would end a week or two or three before E-man?

Onwards, but i shall return!

DAVID and ALEX -

This is looking uncannily like last winter, where there were all the snowstorms that pounded the mid-Atlantic and on up the seaboard, but missed us. Once again, it is "dribbling" snow, is all, and it is almost a stretch to call it flurries! My birthplace, Boston, is getting clobbered, and all that's happening here is faux-flurries. I may not want to shovel 15 inches......but I'd like a bit more than just cold and snow-spittle!

Steve,

I would really like to "improve " my running. If I run 3 days a week is that enough or should I try and run more often? So here are my questions in a nut shell since I don't have a formal plan other then just do something 3 days a week.

How often
How far/long (which should I chose)
What paces.