Beth and Yanti's New Manatees - FULL! :-) (Page 4)

glad it worked!

well Manatees, the table is a little messed up on Yanti and my links - I think I know what I did wrong, but oh well, I'll get it right the next time, at least I didn't blow up the thread

you know where to find us

ETA

awwww Man, I left the n off of Susan

argh, still working on my typos

sorry folks :/

Susan is missing an n, and Peggy's link just flat out doesn't work, Yanti's links and mine don't go to the right place..............

but it sure does look good

I'll figure it out tomorrow - no one signed up for html lessons, right?

BunnyB - 2008-12-23 1:39 AM Just thought I would stick my little nose in and say hello. Yanti emailed me that another group was starting up and invited me to play along. Goodness knows I could use the inspiration/motivation. Since it's already so late tonight, I'll post a proper intro tomorrow. Looking forward to being a manatee again and getting to meet several new folks in the process!

WELCOME, MISS BUNNY!

For those of you who don't know, this is Melissa, who is a dignified Senior Manatee, having been on board with our last two groups (and they all get a free pass into the new group for their invaluable experience).

I love the little manatee gif.

Finally, success!  Here it is folks an updated table, the link to the thread works, Susan has an N, Peggy's link works, Yanti and I go to the right place and Melissa has been added - whew!

BunnyB - 2008-12-23 3:39 AM Just thought I would stick my little nose in and say hello. Yanti emailed me that another group was starting up and invited me to play along. Goodness knows I could use the inspiration/motivation. Since it's already so late tonight, I'll post a proper intro tomorrow. Looking forward to being a manatee again and getting to meet several new folks in the process!

Welcome back Melissa!

Thank you for the awesome new table, Bethie Love!

MENTAL TRAINING

Rather than put in a big block about mental training, I'll be dropping tips and techniques now and again. Browse and see if you find anything you like or would like to try. Here's the first.

1. Breathing Meditation

Endurance events rely heavily on your aerobic endurance, meaning with oxygen. And it's very empowering to know you can really give yourself that needed oxygen and utilize it well, and also calm/drop your heart rate at will--even (critically) during a race. Like all things, it's best practiced so that you can really use it when you need it!

This meditation can be done first thing in the morning, before workouts, during workouts, during races! In my opinion it's best practiced in a calm, non-workout setting first, then doing short bits of it to energize yourself before a workout, then integrating it into workouts. I do it for about five minutes, but it really can be done for just a few breaths.

Breathe in through your nose and breathe all of it out slowly, but very completely. Then relax and your lungs will naturally fill up deeply. Focus only on the sensation of air flowing past your nostrils, either in or out. Repeat.

It's amazing how much this simple technique makes you feel like you're getting lots of air, energy, and can really focus that energy.

P.S. I also do this at work when things are nuts and I feel like I need a break or to regroup!

By the way, Nathalie (although you already know some of this!) (and everyone else), I'm very much starting from scratch on my Ironman training since I'm just recovering from a long illness. So right now I'm just getting my body used to structured training again, and will be doing an Ironman plan that's longer than most (it's 30 weeks) because it includes an extended Base that begins fairly light (8 hours training/week in the first month).

I did a 23-minute run today and I'm very happy with that.  

Yanti, that is a very good thing to bring up during the season of potential illness.

It's important to listen to your body and to know where you are at - if you've been off for a while due to sickness or injury, you need to ease your body back to the baseline you were at, and like Yanti said - get used to regular training again (of course the length/severity of the illness or injury play a big part)

you will be surprised at how quickly you can get back to your base and get back to training full speed

my experience is that if I push it too soon after illness or injury, I just end up suffering a bigger setback in the long run

so, sometimes, although we feel like we should be out training, training, training - it's better to rest and recover so we can train to our fullest potential

hopefully that made some sort of sense

Outstanding job Yanti...I went swimming today...yes you read that right...I actually went swimming.  I also had quite the revelation today about workout plans.  I can't believe I didn't realize this before...I will post more about it after Christmas but it was eye opening...(at least to me....but I sometimes need to be hit right between the eyes to make me understand)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Steve

Yanti! That is wonderful! Yay for you  

Great job Yanti on your run yesterday!! I find that what motivates me is my OCD. LOL!! Nah, I see how far I have come from never being an athlete. I kind of feel like I have something to prove. To whom, you ask? I'm not sure. Probably my family. They know that I do this, but they have never come to any race ever. I think that is what motivates me somewhat. I'd really like for them to come to a race just once. 

 As for a training plan, I think I have found a sprint plan that I will use for my 4/19 race. I think then I'll jump into an Oly plan for my 5/30 race. I may use the sprint to oly bridge plan on this website. My other plan will come from this book: http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazines-Essential-Week-Training/dp/0446696765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230117923&sr=8-1

 Sorry about this link, I have a mac and the editing features don't quite work right on it. Anyway, I really like this book and you can get it cheap on amazon. Have a great day pod and I hope you have a safe Christmas Eve!!

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to take a quick minute and wish everyone a blessed holiday, whatever it is you celebrate. I'm (hopefully, fingers flippers crossed) will be heading out of snowy Milwaukee in short order to make it down to Tennessee to spend Christmas with my boyfriend and his family.  Nothing like meeting the family (some of it, anyway) on a holiday to add extra stress, hmmm?  My internet connection will be sporadic at best, so there might not be much of anything until I get back December 30th.

To answer the motivation question...I find having a plan from a trainer motivates me.  I have a trainer who is my friend, who is also local, who gives me crap if I'm not moving.  I don't want the crap, so I try to follow the plan.  Works most times, but not always.

Happy holidays!

Great job on getting in the pool!  I know how much you love it!  

Awesome job!

Every run, swim and bike ride - no matter how long it is, is another "brick in the wall" - IMO.

I am going to take the last week of the year and reflect back on my tri season, my workouts and training routine. I will post my thoughts on my blog over the last few days of 2008... 

I wish you all happy holidays and a great upcoming year!

Sam, glad to hear you found a plan that will work for you   Are you planning on putting it in your BT log?

thank you for the link, I'll be sure to check it out!

that must be great! 

safe travels and Happy Holidays Peggy!

I couldn't agree with you more!

I really like the idea of reflecting on the past year - I may just do the same

Happy Holidays to you as well!

It's great to see folks checking in and also saying what motivates them!