Got Your Mojo WORKIN'! group - CLOSED (Page 38)

Welcome to the group Kasia.

Hi Kasia - welcome to the group! I'm curious as to what specifically happened in your Oly last year. You used the term "soul crushing" and "tri funk". Did you not finish? Were you injured? So was it a physical issue or mental issue? I've no doubt that with your energy and determination you CAN conquer the Oly this year! We'll be happy to encourage you along.

Welcome to the group Kasia!!!

SARAH -

Yes and yes!

That is, yes to the concept of jumping in wherever, and adding whatever. Not ony do I not want this to be labor-intensive and guilt-inducing for anybody else, but I don't want anybody to bail on the group because they feel they have fallen hopelessly behind.

And yes to the need-to-alter-plan plan. As I've said before, tell any 20 coaches that they need to create a training plan for someone doing an oly, say, and you'll get 20 different plans. My D3 coach, Erik Cagnina, used to say that creating plans is an art rather than a science, so don't feel bad about going to your own palette to add subtle shadings to your plan.

Something I have to broadside to the group is the problem that comes from missed workouts. Really, though, it isn't a big problem --- missed workouts should just be let go, unless they are key ones. This is very tough for some of us to do, as we just feel compelled to follow the workouts as fully as possible. But when we try too hard to "piggyback" workouts in order to get caught up, then all of the workouts get compromised. It really helped me to have my own coach basically order me to let lost workouts go; otherwise, I would've scrambled to get them in, somehow, somewhere.

So, while I agree with you in essence about hitting the volume goals, in some cases the quality of workouts is more important than the quantity; this of course is especially true of the "key" workouts. But however you have to make the changes in your training days to make specific workouts AND the volume manageable, you have to do it. So, unleash your right-brain creativity and craft those workouts so they work for you!

KASIA -

Glad you made it! Nice bio, too, and a very sweet-looking schedule; oughta be a good season!!

I think I will go back and find your bio from last year, as what strikes me about the new one is how confident you sound. I know your struggled with a couple of outcomes last year, but it seems that time since then has just strengthened your resolve -- not to mention that you ARE in fact quite experienced now. Anyhow, it's good to hear you sounding so focused and determined!

I guess both of us better enjoy our "inverse" year while we can, as there's no telling what next year will bring if an inversion is still in place. That is, will you be 36......or will I be 72. Yikes!

I'm more of an odd-number guy myself; maybe being born on 1-13-49 has something to do with it. (The "4" in there is just a token.) Having siad that, though, this past race season I had an inordiantely large number of race numbers that were evens and not just ending in an even number --- things like 2444. Race numbers pregnant with evens! And the season was a real good one, so maybe I have to reconsider the role of even numbers in my life. Hmmmm.

CATHY -

Having read your reply, my money says that the answer for you is consciously bringing your entry sightly wider. This maybe comes in line (as it were...) with the T.I. visualization of sliiping your arm up a coat sleeve -- you're looking to a nice, straight, smooth entry. But if you have had problems before in crossing your mid-line, then think what your arm might be doing -- almost slicing in front of you, so the entry of the hand is followed by the diagonal entry of your forearm. This would make for a lot of water turbulence, as opposed to what might happen if the forarm just follows the line that is created by the hand.

I once read that if the bubbles come back into your face, that is a very clear indication that the hand entry is too close to your mid-line. So, that's something to look out for, too.

At times when I do one of those watch-myself-swim lengths, I collect myself at the end of the lane first and take a bunch of deep breaths so my lungs are full. I can usually make it close to the whole 25m this way, and it really is helpful to get a look at what is happening at the front end of my stroke. Even if you can do it with just the odd breath or two, taking advantage of that vantage might tell some tales about what your hands are doing up and out there.

Finally, don't apologize about your stroke count! There is a lot of emphasis (T.I. camp, again) on a low stroke count, but for many people, and especially those with a poor kick, a low stroke count leads to dead spots dues to all that gliding. So, a high(er) stroke count is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, it CAN be..........but at least don't assume the worst in your own case, okay?

DANIEL -

Yes, the controlled environment does help the treadmill experience -- but only if there are big old fans doing their thing, and the TVs are tuned to tolerable stations!

STEVE --
I have been beating myself up for missing some workouts over the last 2 weeks even though it really is early in my training cycle.  It's tough to let myself get over a cold or slight injury without feeling like I am messing up my training schedule.  I really want to have a successful first Tri season (successful for me is being able to finish the races I am entering within the allotted time) How do you determine that a workout is a "key one"?  When in the season do "key" workouts start coming up?

Thanks!
Alex 

Welcome to the group Kasia! I look forward to seeing you CRUSH your goals this year and we will all be right there to support and motivate you along the way!

This is the best group out there...
David

Jut checking in.....

Welcome Kasia! It'll be fun to hear about your progress this year. I did Muddy Buddy last year and had fun. They age group the teams with combined ages so my friend and I were almost 100! We won 2nd place! There's something to be said for getting older and having less people in your AG, at least in Muddy Buddy  I think Tough Mudder sounds like fun.

There's been some talk here about missing workouts. I'm one of those people that feels really guilty for missing a workout and I'm really trying to work on that. I'm 7 weeks away from my first marathon and the run volume is picking up. I'm running more that I've ever run in my life! It's been hard to fit in the bike/swim/strength workouts that I want to do but I'm forcing myself to deal with it. I missed one of my runs this week because I'm having some nagging leg issues that I just needed to rest. Then I feel guilty for not getting the miles in. My primary goal for the marathon is to finish and to be able to enjoy the finish without totally trashing myself so I keep reminding myself about that. It's a tough mental juggling act ;

Yesterday, I was invited to talk to one of the women's groups at my church about my personal fitness/nutrition story. I made a short little powerpoint (mostly to keep my wandering mind on track) presentation with lots of pictures. I was a little uncomfortable talking about myself but then I started getting into it and I loved reliving the races from last year as I was telling my story. I think weather it's your first year or your 20th year of tri's, we should all really appreciate being able to train and race and enjoy this whole process. One of the things I shared was using a food log to help with weight loss. I've used one off and on through the years and I've been the most successful about healthy eating when I've owned up to it in writing So.......Monday (yes, I'm putting it off because I have a couple of dinners between now and then that I don't want to log!) I'm going to start tracking my food again to get myself back on track. I think I'm up about 8 pounds in the last couple of months which isn't too bad but I've been stagnant and staying in this weight range long enough. It's time to help out my joints. If I'm really brave on Monday I'll post my weight so I have all of you to keep me on track

I'm taking today as a rest day and I'm really excited about it! Tomorrow I have an 18 mile run to do. I'm having lunch with my 2 friends that are doing Napa with me and another friend who did it last year and qualified for Boston! She's also an Ironman! She's going to give us any helpful tips she can think of  

This has been my morning, I just drank a big cup of coffee, I don't have to workout today, I think the sun is coming out today, Friday morning ramblings!
Johanne 

Its nothing major, a phillips screwdriver and a 9/16 wrench. The walking belt tension was fine but it was slipping when I was on it. The only other moving parts are the motor and drive belt. I like to tinker with stuff from time to time I remember taking the lawnmower engine apart among other things as a kid.

I just pulled the trigger on my first triathlon of the season-a sprint March 27th in Ft Worth. I also signed wife and I up for a "Cupids Run 5k". This was her idea and a big deal since she doesn't run

George --

I'm also intersted in exercise & nutrition, and have done some reading on energy management, which focuses on both physical and mental well-being.

Here's a link to a file that has 12 simple tips for nutrition & movement, as well as a list of healthy snacks (http://hpinstitute.com/PDF/training/Nutrition_and_Movement_Guidelines.pdf).

The list is from the Human Performance Institute (http://hpinstitute.com/).

The founders also published a great book if you are looking for more detail:

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743226747/qid=1104361470/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-3170832-2229544?v=glance&s=books&n=507846).

The book provides a great foundation for physical and mental well-being that will help anyone maximize their energy so they can accomplish what matters to them in life.

Thanks, Adam.

Edited by akaye 2011-01-14 12:06 PM

Everyone is healthy and doing well, Booker, a boy, weighed in at 9 pounds and 20 inches.

double post

Edited by grannygear 2011-01-14 12:55 PM

George and Adam - good question and info on nutrition. I need to be thinking of that also but I really struggle with making that a priority. After working out so much, it seems like I deserve to eat this big piece of chocolate cake.

Johanna - I just love your attitude and you write very well so I'm sure your powerpoint was really fun and informative for the ladies. Enjoy your rest day and let us know how your 18 miler goes tomorrow.

Gene - Booker is a very cool name. Glad he's healthy. Congrats!

Jeff - Yay for getting a tri on the calendar! And a 5K with your wife sounds so fun. How nice that she suggested it - she obviously wants to share in your exercise adventure.

Melinda - Pink, pink, pink - made me laugh. 5 miles is great! Enjoy your bike ride.

I just finished a "hill climber" treadmill workout using Coach Troy's "Runervals". Yesterday I strapped on my Yaktraks and did about an hour on the trails. It was 22 degrees out with the sunshine. Fresh snow had fallen and it was so beautiful out there. This weekend will be a bike ride using Coach Troy's "Spinervals" and an hour or so in the pool then strength training. The rest of the time will be watching football playoffs.

Happy Friday to all of you!

This is a test to see if I can attach a photo. My niece and I went to a talk Chris McCormack was doing.





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Went to the gym after running some errands and the pool is still closed - they are having some kind of ventilation problem, so came home and will ride the trainer.   My swim experiments will have to wait til monday now.

Gene, congrats on the new grandson, wow he is big one.. Glad to hear everyone is doing well.

Adam, thanks so much for the links, I will look into them.

Jeff, congrats on signing up for the tri, that is great and good luck.. You still have time to train. My first sprint Tri is June 4th.  I hope I will be ready by then.

Johanne, nice picture, where did yall meet him at?

Thanks
George

NICE pic, Johanna - LUCKY!!

Cathy - bummer about your pool being closed. That's happened to me before and just throws me all off. Hopefully your trainer ride was good.

Steve - So what did you do for your big birthday? Anything special?

George, 
I met him at a talk he gave that was sponsored by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. All ticket donations went straight to his foundation that honors his mother. It was really fun to hear about his experience at Kona.

Yes, you WILL be ready for your sprint in June!
Johanne