Slornow's and Wannabefaster's Summer Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 39)

So, I'll start this a little early.  Anyone racing this weekend?  First Oly of the season and it's a doozy with lots of climbing on the bike and big hills on the run!

I'm beginning to feel a little like I live in Calgary (no disrespect for what you're going through).  We have had so much rain that many of our freeway exits are under water, same for side streets.  Had to cancel a trip to Chicago because I wasn't 100% certain I could actually get there.  Where is my nice warm dry summer???

Randee-good job on the shortened race. Nice improvement on the bike!

I've always found the tri community to be very helpful and welcoming with new participants. I enjoy meeting new people while setting up transition and seeing them during and after the race. Regardless of whether its your first race or your 50th everyone faces challenges they are trying to conquer or overcome in order to finish. I can only think of a handful of times when someone has not seemed to be interested in a cordial chat prior to a race and I think that was probably due to nerves or being really focused on the race. 

Looking ahead to the weekend....anyone racing?

Well, now I know we have at least one racer! Sorry I missed that before I posted.

Swim at lunch then run this evening for me.

Here's a question for the group. We are almost halfway through the calendar year. How do you feel about your training and/or racing at the halfway point? I know some of you are just getting into race season and training will not peak until later on but in the big picture at this point in the year/season how do you feel.  As a guideline maybe we can put a 1-10 number on it.  1 being extremely dissappointed/discouraged and 10 being over the moon ecstatic with everything. Elaborate a little if you will about what you are satisfied with and what has been discouraging to give us a full picture.  I'll chime in later on. 

Funny you should ask because I've been thinking about it quite a bit.  I'm a little worried about where I am in my training given IM is a little over 2 months away.    I feel behind.  I've had some health issues we're trying to work through and our weather has been awful which has limited my ability to do OWS or ride outside the way I normally do.  There are mornings I wake at 3am freaking out and I'm not a first timer.  I've also yet to race which adds to the tension.  I'd say I'm a solid 6 on the scale.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk

Originally posted by slornow Well, now I know we have at least one racer! Sorry I missed that before I posted.

Swim at lunch then run this evening for me.

Here's a question for the group. We are almost halfway through the calendar year. How do you feel about your training and/or racing at the halfway point? I know some of you are just getting into race season and training will not peak until later on but in the big picture at this point in the year/season how do you feel.  As a guideline maybe we can put a 1-10 number on it.  1 being extremely dissappointed/discouraged and 10 being over the moon ecstatic with everything. Elaborate a little if you will about what you are satisfied with and what has been discouraging to give us a full picture.  I'll chime in later on. 

I guess on average I'm a 5 because some days I'm psyched over the top that I accomplished something and on the next I'm frustrated that I can't get a handle on this leg pain so I can't get in any real run training.

Is your PT providing any insight?

I had knee issues after a Thanksgiving 10k last year and I hobbled my half marathon in December due to it. I decided to go to a knee specialist to get it done. My x-rays looked good and all he did was give me an injection into the knee which worked for about 3 weeks. I decided to go to a PT and he figured out that it was a muscular issue. After two sessions with him I was all fixed up ... long story short ... I think most of our issues with knees are due to muscular imbalances. I am now doing functional strength training with him once a a week and feel better than ever. I am almost pain free for now for 6 months. 

8 - Ever since I started with my coach I have been blasting away all PR's I had so far ... I am loving this season so far.

Right now, I feel like maybe a 4.  Increased travel schedule has made it tough to do high quality workouts -- and then when I'm back home, I want to spend time with family rather than doing 2 hour rides.   The last few times running, my head hasn't really been in it, and I've had to curtail the workout.   Swim training has been close to non-existent.    Not great.

But if I step back for some perspective -- and think about where I was at the beginning of the year... I've accomplished a lot.   Finished a HM in a pretty good time.   Broke the 1-hour mark for a 10K.    Finished an Oly.   Conquered (I hope) open-water swimming.  Bike speeds and endurance way up.  No injuries.   Weight down nearly 20 pounds since Jan 1.   Kids are starting to learn from our example -- now the 3-year-old runs laps up and down the driveway, and the 6-year-old talks about "playing triathlon".   That feels like an 8.

So -- to sum it up -- I'm glad you asked the question, because I feel a heckuva lot better now.  

Scott-that is a great post! Sometimes we focus only on where we are now and not on how far we have come or the accomplishments along the way. Excellent perspective.

I was up early for a 2000 swim now I'm headed out of town for the day. Back this evening with a bike workout on the schedule. I have not answered my own question about where I am at this point of the year/season. Will put it together tonight.

Have a good day everyone....the weekend is right around the corner.

Well, now I know we have at least one racer! Sorry I missed that before I posted.

Swim at lunch then run this evening for me.

Here's a question for the group. We are almost halfway through the calendar year. How do you feel about your training and/or racing at the halfway point? I know some of you are just getting into race season and training will not peak until later on but in the big picture at this point in the year/season how do you feel.  As a guideline maybe we can put a 1-10 number on it.  1 being extremely dissappointed/discouraged and 10 being over the moon ecstatic with everything. Elaborate a little if you will about what you are satisfied with and what has been discouraging to give us a full picture.  I'll chime in later on. 

Survived a really hard bike workout this evening. UGH! It was 90 degrees with a heat index of 97. I have 3 fans surrounding me in my garage and still managed to leave a huge puddle of sweat.  Summers are tough here in the South.......where did March go?

Looking at my season/year so far is really two different things. My race season started in late March and Eagleman was my 6th race on June 9th. 4 sprints and 2 HIM. So, while the year may be half over my season is probably 2/3 of the way complete in terms of number of races. The remaining races will be olympic and sprint distances. I've met several of the goals I outlined at the beginning of the year and there are several that will not be determined until later in the year. Fortunately, I feel that I am on track to meet thes other goals. So, in terms of my race season so far I would rate it an 8.5.

Training has gone well and I have been able to bounce back from a calf problem that kept me from running early in the year. Volume for swim, bike and run are about what I expected. I'd give s/b/r each a 7.5. I've made some progress in each area but really don't feel like I've had a breakthrough in any of the 3. 

So, I guess I'm at an 8. Would love to see that be higher by the end of the year.