LaurenSU02's group - CLOSED! (Page 39)

Hey, nice job! You mean you didn't work out all the stats as soon as you got back from the race? Thats what I would have done

Hee hee!  It's a low budget operation.  I just found out that someone calculated the times.  It is pretty impressive that they can pull off such a wonderful event with so little money!  I'll keep doing this race.  Maybe one day I'll do the century.  It is supposed to be the hardest century in the country.  Wicked hills!

Question - (thought I would ask here since the answer could help all of us...)

Lauren suggested ice baths for recovery.  I never used one except for times of injury during high school athletics.  But long runs/bikes can cause some stress/damage too, so ice could/should help.

SO - Ice baths...  How much ice?  Enough to cover the entire surface of the water?  How long?.....

I think I may do these considering how beat up my legs feel after long training sessions...  Not hurt, but REALLY tired (and I feel it for a day or two after.)

Ice baths rock, and you will see serious improvements in your recovery. Use enough ice and water to cover your entire legs (quads completely covered; this will also ensure hips, butt, etc. is taken care of).

The amount of ice really depends on the size of your tub and the temp of the cold water that comes out of your faucet. "They" say ice/cold water baths only need to be in the 60s to be effective, but I definitely find that the colder they are, the more effective they are. I know it's a good ice bath if when I get out of the bath, I can feel all the blood gushing to my legs. The feeling is even greater if you get in the hot shower right afterwards. I seriously spend almost $20/week on ice this time of year (can get away with less in the winter when the ground water's cooler).

How long is a typ. soak?  How often a week do you do it?  Just when it was a tough workout?  Only after long runs?

I guess I just need a jumping off point and then figure it out as I go.

I usually soak about 12-15 mins.

I like to do it after as many runs as possible, and sometimes after long rides. I will ice bath at the very least after each long run, and any substantial brick run. All other runs, I do my best, but it's tough to always fit it in the schedule...

Have you guys ever tried Epsom salt?  When I had my massage last week she recommended it and said it would help out with soreness. 

I did wind up buying The Stick and I love it!!

I have not used Epson salt. I can see how it can work at reducing some discomfort; but as a recovery method, I think I would choose the ice bath. Wouldn't mind it for some nice soaks eveyro now and then, though.

The Stick is great! Enjoy !

That seems to be the story...  My wife says that lots of dancers use it too.

To be honest, I haven't noticed anything significant when I tried it.  But I probably haven't given it a fair shake....  I know ice should work, it help with injuries, so it should help with this too.  I'm actually looking forward to getting on a routine.  Probably after significant runs to start off with (or after anything that the legs feel a little wasted after doing it)

Hey, did you guys ever read the "ode to the ice bath" thread? I loved this one:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=109023&posts=17&highlight=ode%20to%20the%20ice%20bath&highlightmode=1#M1313109

I haven't been at the point yet where I'd voluntarily stick my body into a cold tub.  My legs have felt pretty sore before from all day vball tournaments, but I never thought to sit in some ice.    I'm a weenie! 

Although, when I rowed in college for a season I learned that you really have to toughen up your hands for that sport.  I used to get pretty awful blisters.  My coach said to soak them in Epsom salts to help dry out the blisters and heal the hands faster.  That was seriously the worst pain I have ever gone through.. sticking open wounds in salt water.. whoopie!!  So maybe I am tough enough to brave the ice bath. 

Yeah, you totally get used to it and then you get hypothermia and start imagining things like unicorns and fairys and that gas prices are going down.

Lauren, let me just say for the group, you are much tougher than we are.  45-60 minutes- ugh!

Traci, I just loaded the marathon training plan.  I'm not sure it really fits my schedule, but I'll try to keep up with it.  I have to go buy new sneaks today.  The ones I shipped-back because they were too tight have still not arrived at Foot Locker so I am going to go out and get some and then return one pair when the new shipment comes-in.  What a pain.

Hope everyone's doing grrrreat! I feel like Jerry Seinfeld in the Kenny Roger's Roasters episode "I'm on no sleep! No Sleep!"

Nooo, I don't sit in it for 45-60 mins; I only sit in it for 12-15 mins. I said it takes about 45-60 secs to get used to it.

Love the Seinfeld reference .

When you find the answer, let me know. Trust me, no one gets as crazy as me. My coach says he's going to have to go back and get a PhD in psychology to learn to deal with me...apparently I am above and beyond any of his athletes or any other athletes he's ever been around when it comes to nerves, etc.

You'll be fine. Trust your training. Don't look back, and don't do anything to try to change things now. Hang in there and good luck!

I don't get that worked up for some reason.  My first couple races ever, I was pretty tight.  But now it's just another race.  I just tell myself that missing a workout or two doesn't make or break me - just like adding a workout doesn't make you any faster.  (but the worry DOES creep in a little).

I don't sweat the training, I know I did enough and heart takes over.  But I DO worry about mechanical issues.  I have them in about 20% of my races.  I worry that a bike problem is going to knock me out of a race I trained 4 to 5 months for.

(ahhh, sorry if I just added to your worries!)

I say control what you can control.  If your mechanical concerns are worrying you, you can check the things that you expect to fail to give you some confidence.  I was almost certain that I'd have a flat on the bridge this weekend, but when I didn't and several other people did, I just thought phew.  I think we just need something to worry about. 

My last mentor was a psychologist and he gave all those pointers about the "taper" that I posted back a few pages.  Most of them focused on the mental preparation and assuaging fears than anything. 

Anyway, just talked to someone about the ITU Age Group World Champs.  Weren't you invited to that Claire?

She said the water was at 50 degrees and that she's never been so cold in her life.  She said they changed the men's race to a duathlon within the first 5 minutes of the start of the women's race because so many women were dropping for hypothermia. ugh.  She then said her bike is missing.  It's floating around the Atl Airport she thinks.  How bad does that suck?

That is good advice, thanks. I will read through that taper post once I get to the taper period, not quite there yet.

Is the ITU Age Group World Champs the one in Vancouver? That was the one I got a lottery slot for.  That is too bad about the low water temps. What is normal for that time of year up there anyways?

The ITU is the one in Vancouver.  I thought I remember you saying you had a slot there.  She said there was a cold-front that made the temps drop.  I heard there was a blizzard in Montana yesterday so I'd say that's a freak cold front in June.

She brought back the strangest picture.  I'll try to post it. Makes me never want to go to Vancouver...

(Canadians.JPG)

Lauren,

Sometimes when I have a chance I take a look at the training logs of people that post on the IM forum because I'm curious about the training they do since I'm considering IM for next year. One thing I find when I do this, is that you are a friend on every single blog I look at! I am really just curious, have you met some of these people in person? How did you make so many BT friends? Were you in lots of mentor groups?