Mad Manatees Mentor Group - VERY CLOSED!!! Sorry! (Page 38)

Alright guys I am about to drop a bomb on you guys. I have a decision to make in a couple weeks and I am extremely open to suggestions. I just don't know what I should do.

I am halfway considering the Oly Nationals BUT I only want to go if I think I can be somewhat competitive and have a chance at finishing in the top 20.

It appears (from last years results) that means approximately a 1:40 per hundred swim, 22 MPH bike, 43 minute 10K. Obviously these are ballpark numbers and due to the nature of triathlon there is some give and take with these numbers.

Now, unfortunately I don't have a great indicator of exactly where I fall because my last and most competitive triathlon (sprint distance) I have done was with no bike training (other than riding to work) and about 4 weeks swimming (2 times per week) Also, it was a sprint.  But, it's a place to start. My times were 1:59 per hundred m for the swim, 19.29 MPH for the bike course (hilly) and, well I think the run is not something I will worry about for now. 

Now IF I am going to do this, training needs to start right after Boston. I was thinking I could take a few weeks off running (which I will have to do anyway) and go straight to the pool. If I can get someone to help me with my stroke early on (Chad? ) and be consistent I think there is a lot of room for improvement for my swimming (obviously.)

I think in terms of biking I just need to do some longer sessions and work hard and pushing the pace every time I am out there. But I am not sure specifically how I will tackle this.

The running will drop down in MPW but I would probably focus on more intensity.

Other information you should know: If I start right after Boston I would have almost 4 months of training. 

So, I don't know exactly what I am asking. I guess first off, how does this sound? Doable? What else should I keep in mind? Is my little roadie that doesn't really fit me very well (I am pretty sure) going to get me where I need to be? Should I invest in a proper fit even though I am quite certain it's too small for me? Most important, is this going to set me back in my long term running goals?

I would be happy to help!  I, of course, buy into the Manatee Mantra and say "DO EEEET!"  

I agree with Yanti, but want to interject a slightly different view point: (I created a spreadsheet to help understand my viewpoint)

I had to convert your times to yards (it's how I think) - so your current swim time of 1:59 per 100 meters = 1:43 per 100 yard = 103 seconds.  

The bottom row is what I would suggest as a goal.  If we shot for the bottom # (1:35 per 100 yards) the difference in your performance on race day (from a 1:26 per 100 yards) would be 2 mins 24 seconds of swim time.  I think you could more easily make that up on the bike - or by kicking a** in the run OR IN THE 2 TRANSITIONS.  There is a pretty big difference in 1:35 and 1:26 per 100 in both swimming ability and energy output.  I think you would have lot's of energy left at the 1:35 pace.  

You want to get almost 18% faster... IMO, that is a big goal in a short time.  If a runner told you that they wanted to go from 8:00 miles to 6:34 (18% faster) per mile in only 4 months - what would you tell them?

I am not trying to be a negative nancy here.  I totally support you in your goals and if you want to work with me, I will do everything in my power to help you get there. (It will involve a lot of short intervals that you will either love or hate ) And I would suggest plenty of Open Water Swims (think once per week) as you can lose a lot of time on the swim with poor sighting .  When is the race?  Will we have time to swim in lakes for a month or 2 before the race?  I hope this information is helpful and I really, really, really hope I didn't talk you out of it (because I want you to do it).  

I am being lazy and having a hard time finding motivation to run today.  Not good.

Salty, I think you need to sign up for Oly Nationals.  But, that's selfish because I plan to sign up for Sprint Nationals and then I could meet you.  

I was just about to comment on you logs that I'll see you in Milwaukee 

I was just about to comment on you logs that I'll see you in Milwaukee