apw0397's group - Closed (Page 4)

Around here, March is a great time to get a new bike. That is when the new models come in and they try to get rid of last years' stock. So you may get a sweet deal on a good bike from last year.

I have uploaded my own plan before, but I actually find it easier to manually enter it. Working in that CSV file was a pain. Regardless, having an actual plan posted does a lot of things. It gives me a sense of accountability. If I have posted that I'm going to do a 12 mile run on Wednesday, then a 1 hour swim and 17 mile bike on Thursday, I've got it looking at me saying, "Hey, do this or else." And I know someone will call me out if I don't do it.

One of my favorite things to do is the Actual vs Planned calendar. That's always good motivation.

Morning all. I had a fantabulous run this morning.

How's the week going? Are you logging your workouts?

I've been a total slacker and only did a swim workout on Monday.  It's really cold up here and I haven't been able to get my butt out of bed (I have a heated mattress) to go to the gym in the morning.

Yeah, I'm getting my workouts in. Yesterday was a little bit off b/c Ididn't plan it out very well. I had my swimming group this morning. It was good. I feel like my technique is getting better, but as I get tired, it starts to get sloppy. I'll just have to keep practicing.

 I ran today at lunch. Only 30mins worth. I did ok staying in Z2, not great. Do I still need to focus on staying in Z2 on these short runs?

 I hope everyone has a great rest of the day!

I hear you. This is the time of year when motivation runs low. You have to make something up to motivate you to keep going. Here is one of my tricks.

There is a coach from a local tri company that is in my Age Group. Last year I was usually about a minute or two minutes behind him in races that we did head to head. Yesterday, when I woke up at 4:20 to run 12 miles in 20-something degree weather, I pictured him sleeping in. Anything you can do to keep yourself motivated helps. You'll be all the better for it once the weather gets nice outside.

Technique falls apart the longer you swim. Just try to focus on form rather than speed when you feel yourself going wonky. Odds are you will go faster without even trying. Focus on a long stroke, hold the water, and keep your hands perpendicular to the floor as long as you can.

Yes, stay in Zone 2 on the short runs. That actually very important. Easy runs should be easy. Hard runs should be hard. Most people will do their easy workouts too hard, and their hard workouts too easy. Train yourself to do it the right way and you will see results.

easy. Hard runs should be hard. Most people will do their easy workouts too hard, and their hard workouts too easy. Train yourself to do it the right way and you will see results.

Zone 3 you start to get into the "gray" area. You aren't really building your aerobic or anerobic base.

Overall a pretty good week.  Swimming is coming along.  Running is about the same.  The 1/2 mary is sneaking up (Feb 15).  I'm ready to start focusing some on the bike.  I guess I'll just do a little for now and then hit it hard after the 15th. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

HR training is very frustrating at first. You will have to slow WAY down. Eventually though, you will see the benefits.

Try taking your resting HR first thing in the morning. Lots of factors can affect it during the day. It's always going to be lowest right when you wake up. 80 sounds about right for the middle of the day. That's about where I am when I start a workout. 

Sounds like a great plan. With 3 good weeks (and a recovery week), try throwing in a run workout like this once a week:

1 mile WU

3-5 miles at 1/2 mary goal pace + 10-20 seconds

1 mile CD

Maybe start with 3, then next week do 4, then the next do 5. You want your body to get used to going hard as you get closer to go time.

But make sure that you balance that out with solid, steady aerobic (easy) days too. Don't beat yourself up. It's only January.

I certainly am. My company filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy last week, so I have been looking for more work before I lose my job. Thinking about that all the time has made my workouts seem less important. Still getting them done, but performance and desire have been less than stellar.

I don't know what it is, but I've been super tired lately! I switched at the start of the New Year to a Pescatarian diet, which means vegetarian but fish and eggs and dairy. So, I'm not sure if that's the cause or not, but whatever is going on, I'm feeling it! It could be the fact that my four and three year old boys come and climb into bed with me every night about 1 AM, which majorly disrupts my sleep...

I've been doing JUST swimming (working on the freestyle and really beginning to see my arm strength sucks), running, and biking. I go to the Y and do either 5 miles running and jump immediately into the pool after, or 13 miles biking and then to the pool. I've been feeling it though in my arms and my legs the next day or two days after I train.

Today was the first day I did strength training (chest and back) and I felt very out of shape. This afternoon I m going to the Y and running miles.

I think I am in need of  firm plan. Andy, would you be able to work with me to put one together, with strength training as one of the components?

I am not limited at all as far as time goes.

Thanks so much!!!

Erin

Andy,

I am so sorry to hear about your job. If there's any way I could be of assistance to you, let me know. I have tons of connections!

Sure, we can probably piece something together. Send me an email and we can take this offline.

Appreciate the help offered, not turning any favors down at this point!

I've lost motivation to go to the gym but my swim coach really has me amped to swim.  I swam 1000m for the first time EVER in my entire life.  If felt amazing and I wasn't really tired afterward.  

Sorry to hear about your job Andy.  It really sucks when this kind of stuff happens.   I've started walking with a quick pace outside when it gets above 25 degrees.  I just can't stay motivated when I have to run on the dreadmill...  I try with music and stuff but I just keep staring at the same wall and ... blah.  I can't wait to get my bike!  March can't come soon enough...

I have continued eating healthy though and I'm dropping the pounds... that's really my only motivation at this point.  I have a pretty relaxed weekend ahead.  Maybe I can spark a trip to the gym to get back into it.

Awesome job hitting your first 1000m swim. Next milestone is to get a mile swim in. The 2000. Then 2500...and so it goes.

Keep up the good work! Congrats on the weight loss.

Sorry, should have mentioned if you click on the Profile button it will show someone's email address.

Anyway, it's [email protected].

Well Group... another week - another milestone... I just became a BRONZE member... is it worth it?  The workouts look structured and that's what I like.  Any feelings for or against?

How is everyone else doing?  I was looking at some of your logs and I noticed that you guys are really training hard (or what I percieve to be has hard).  How to you prepare for race season?  Do you taper down or take it easy?  How do you plan your peak?  How do you maintain during the season?

Sorry for the million questions.