Fred D's triathlon training group CLOSED (Page 34)

I haven't had a chance to read the last couple of pages yet so I've missed the beginning of this topic, but this really sounds like me except it takes about 1:30 to go 25m!

Yeah, I'll agree you may have found your problem... and from my own experience Jason is right about the force of the push of the wall in a flip turn. Do you have the achilles problem in one ankle and not the other, or both? I had similar issues in my right knee two years ago and my coach pretty quickly figured out that it was really exacerbated by the fact that I was still in the act of rotation way too much during my push of the wall in my flip turn. Us triathletes are really good at going in one direction: forward. Add lateral or twisting force to our joints and most of us will find that we are really, really weak. I fixed my problem by A) learning to flip turn correctly and B) doing a fair amount of core and lateral plyometric work in the fall and winter.

ETA - I wrote that first part earlier today and then had to run off to a meeting before posting, so just got read this part:

In working with my own knee issues my coach and I talked a lot about his reciprocal issue that led to his own running injuries. He comes from an NCAA swimming background and has actually had to work to LIMIT his ankle flexibility due to the issues it causes with running in triathlon. Fred it sounds like you have been trying to develop the kind of ankle flexibility that he is trying to lose. Funny, huh?

At any rate - I think you have well-reasoned theory and a plan to test it out. About 10 years ago I had an ankle injury that kept me from swimming but in no way limited my running or cycling. It was completely frustrating, because swimming is supposed to be the thing you can do even when everything else is injured. I ultimately required surgery to fix my problem - I'll betcha yours is a much easier thing to fix than that. Good luck!

Aw come on Chris - enough with the awesome pictures already! I am going to have to start posting pictures from Alabama if you don't stop!

OK - well here is a little motivation for you - I have been on the fence about Leadman. Your reference to the discount code pushed me over the edge. I just registered for April 6, 2013.

I'm so in! That race looks brutally awesome. And now, I have hills to train on!

Until you get ankle flexibility, it's best to minimize the kick as part of your whole stroke.

A really, really good and simple stretch is to sit on your feet. Kneel down with your legs together and sit right on your heels. As with any stretch, don't push it, but it can help non flexible feet move more (especially common in long-time runners that start swimming)

Now that is the Spirit, Elaine and Fred!

LeadmanTri Epic 250, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 6th, 2013.

Here is the link to the Leadman Discount Code on Slowtwitch.

Chris?

Oh no! I didn't realize! That's when I'm in Nepal. Dang, that 5k swim sounds amazing!

I'd love to do it one day, but probably not next year.  Vegas is one of the very affordable places to travel coming from Hawaii.

I'm thinking about taking a break from tris next year.  Maybe just do a couple of olympics for fun, but I'm likely going to focus on bike racing in 2013.

The does look a great challenge! Should have done that when I was spending the couple of winters living and training in So Cal.  Not sure living in upstate NY would  be ideal for that hey, why not!  With A race this year as IMFL in November, probably not in 2013 though.

Hey guys - check in for the morning. Apallingly late to work and still not being productive. Gah! BUT! I am very happy with my HFTU attitude lately. I still suck at biking and swimming but I am getting it done.   And 'sucking' is a relative thing - my expectations for a strong IM finish are in line with my abilities.  I know what will make me happy come race day

Yesterday: 1 hour steady run - HR focused, 65 mins in the pool with longer tempo work and some sprints.  Got some pointers from the coach - he said that i can push my head too far down so i need to be more on top of the water. I don't think most people have that issue. I was late to swimming by about 10 mins - just busy doing other stuff at home.

Today: big gear intervals on the bike trainer - oh so sweaty, followed by a 20-minute T-run

I will tell you that I did not want to wake up and get out of my cozy bed to get this done but I did and I am very happy with that!

Planning to do my long ride tomorrow but due to logistics and how the day will work out I am hoping to do 50% indoors and take the other 50% outside - but i need to not be in morning rush hour traffic.

Do the trek to Everest Base Camp and summit Gokyo Ri and Kala Patar

Wow - that's pretty cool!

Wow.  You guys are fast     Rusty, did you sign up for the 125 or 250?

That is the week after Calif. 70.3, so I'd have to decide which one to do (Cal or LM).... and even if I did both I'd be in for the 125, not the 250.

Looks like Rusty is going to spend next winter climbing hills 

Fred D - 2012-04-26 6:23 PM

ratherbeswimming -Do the trek to Everest Base Camp and summit Gokyo Ri and Kala Patar

I've read a number of books on Everest and it is interesting for sure. What are the elevations of the 2 summits you are going to attempt? What other mountains have you climbed?

They are about 17,600ft and 18,200ft. I've been up Kilimanjaro, which is just over 19,300ft. I hear these ascents are easier because you don't gain altitude nearly as quickly on the few days' trek to them, and the route up, as you do going straight up Kilimanjaro. 

I don't see it as asking for sympathy or whining, but expressing what's going on to an audience that knows without any further explanation what's going on in your head, and why it's so frustrating (some might say devastating) to have ongoing injuries.

Sounds like you've got some good perspective on things though

Take care

ratherbeswimming - 2012-04-26 4:06 PM

Fred D - 2012-04-26 6:23 PM

ratherbeswimming -Do the trek to Everest Base Camp and summit Gokyo Ri and Kala Patar

I've read a number of books on Everest and it is interesting for sure. What are the elevations of the 2 summits you are going to attempt? What other mountains have you climbed?

They are about 17,600ft and 18,200ft. I've been up Kilimanjaro, which is just over 19,300ft. I hear these ascents are easier because you don't gain altitude nearly as quickly on the few days' trek to them, and the route up, as you do going straight up Kilimanjaro. 

I'll have to pick your brain about that trip when you get back.  It most likely is my next vacation after Africa.  Going to Africa in Feb for mostly safari (during migration).  I tried to get Kilimanjaro on the ticket since mountaineering is one of my hobbies but I'd have been doing it by myself.   Maybe another year.