Holt's Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 4)

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would share because my endorphins are in high gear right now.  This is the first week back to training (because of a race last week).  It is going amazing!  I actually just did the race distance of my swim in the pool this morning without stopping. (only 300yrds).  I'm feeling a lot more confident about the races I have set up for this year and know that if I keep up with the training that I'll be just fine!

-Andrew

Andrew, that's great!  Did you post a race log for last week?

I'm feeling pretty good too.  Per suggestion, I did a mini tri last night - race distance s/b (450 yd, 12.5 mi) and a 10-minute run.  I got bored with the run b/c it was on a very small track indoors, but still felt good after the 10 mins.  So maybe I can complete a race after all!

I'm a little concerned about weather though.  Winter returned to Chicago this week, and I only have 3.5 weeks until my race.  I hope spring comes back!

OK everyone, all these success stories, btw Great Job Andrew/Steph, have me feeling a weeeeee bit more motivated than I have been.  Weather in Idaho sucks in the spring, too cool, too damp. 

If you all don't hear from me every few days.  Please feel free to KICK ME IN THE BUTT!

So.....what's everyone got planned for the weekend?  Me, I'm hanging with the GF, group ride Sat. morning and leave for a week in Little Rock, AR on Sunday morn.

Andrew,

Outstanding-that is a great accomplishment in the water (trust me I know, I teach swimming for a living!!)  Congratulations and thank you for sharing!!

Marnie

Truer words were never spoken!

I'll chime in here. As this is my 2nd racing season, I lived through a broke & simple first season. In the last race I did last year, I was so fortunate to station my bike next to what looked like an all-you-can-eat buffet (we were stationed numerically). The person next to me had so many snacks, crackers, grapes, skittles, you name it, that it took up her entire towel and left no room for the important stuff (running shoes, towel to dry your feet). And on top of that, I may have accidentally trampled her set up since her towel was a half sized beach towel and impeding into my space.

So my mantra is this - bring as little into transition as you will be wearing, drying off with or eating/drinking. I also make sure what I put on first goes on top of the pile (I raced last year in my one-piece suit and put clothes on top - slow transition I know...but it was cheap). So I had my shoes on bottom (which I rode in), socks inside shoes. My socks were rolled so I could put my toes in the very bottom and then just roll them right up. Next my shorts, then bike helmet with sunglasses inside and on top was my shirt. That made for a very small, manageable transition where I didn't forget anything since I just put on everything in the pile. 

My goals in April include 25.5 hours total training per plan: 7.5 swim, 12 bike and 6 run.  I also have a personal goal by first week of May to run consistent <10 min. miles. 

Not sure I'll make the first goal since I had a bad week last week, but I'll see how much of it I can safely and practically make up.  As to the second, I've run 9'38 miles before, but I can't pace and my times recently have all been above 10.

Problem is I don't have a nice Garmin and don't know how far I'm running unless it's on the health club track.  Weather necessitates that right now but hopefully I'll be back outdoors soon - the track is boring!!!

Good luck with the goals.

As for distance, there are some other options to the "nice Garmin".  If you have an ipod there is a piece you can add on to measure distance, speed, etc for about $30.  You can also use this site to plot a route ahead of time (or others like mapmyride.com, googleearth.com, trainingpeaks.com)  with a little planning you can map out our running route ahead of time.  With time, and many miles, you will learn your pacing at different levels of exertion.   

Thanks!  Yea I posted a race Log for it!  Of course it took me a week to realize I didn't make it public, but it should be viewable now!  Good job on the mini tri!

Wow I had never heard of swimming with your socks on! 

My question about transition is with bike shoes.  If you guys leave your shoes clipped in, how long or how much practice did it take to get used to sliding your feet in your shoes after getting on the bike.

My plan was to spend a couple of days during my Taper week preparing for that transition by practicing that in a parking lot a couple times that week.  Is that enough?  I've also heard of people using rubber bands or taping one of the shoes in an flat/horizontal position so that it makes it easier to get that first foot in.  Anybody do that?

Hey guys!  Haven’t been around much lately – it’s been one of those weeks.  Hopefully I can “recover” some over the long weekend.  I get tomorrow off work and am not planning to do anything except for maybe a swim – and catching up here.  I’m still trying to get all my workouts in although I did miss a short run on Monday.  I just wasn’t feeling well. 

I registered for my June tri yesterday.  I’m familiar with the run course, but not the bike course.  I downloaded a map though so I may go check it out this weekend.  It would be nice to know what kind of course/road surface/etc I’ll be dealing with.  It’s supposed to be fairly flat – but other people’s idea of flat doesn’t always mean the same to me, lol! 

Practice this EVERY time you get on/off your bike.  When you finish a ride, slip out of your shoes just before ou get to your driveway.  When you start your ride, position you crank arms (and you still-attached shoes) at 3 and 9 o'clock, step onto the shoe, throw a leg over and go.  Wait til it's safe to slip your feet into your shoes.  I rarely ever take my shoes off the bike.

Something I did in a former mentor group was have everybody post their goals for each discipline for the month.  That way we can hold each other accountable and help motivate you.

My goal:

  GET OUTSIDE!!  It's April and it's still winter in Wisconsin!!  It's not just cold, it's cold an WET!!  I was so ready to get out about three weeks ago (had finally overcome a lot of fear training in my first season!!) and the opps are just not there yet!  I know they will be soon and I am still following a schedule, it's just all inside! 

  So that's my first goal, my second being to feel WAY more comfy on the bike.  I thought running was intimidating, not even close to biking for me.  Now keep in mind I haven't gotten outside yet but even that freaks me out!  I am a little high anxiety!

  All things will come together in due time but man, I could use a little help in the weather dept!!

Pray for warm!!

Marnie

A quick question:

  If there is any first or second timers on the sprint tri's-what is your average swim workout distances?

Cool idea on wearing socks to swim! I think I'd have to try coupling that with having dry socks rolled up in the shoes and just have a towel to dry off the extra moisture at first. But I'm not looking to be in competition on times. I'm just looking to finish ANY sprint Tri this year.

I'm way behind most of you here. I am still working out a time to meet a swim coach. I have two I'm in discussions with now and whichever one has a time slot open will be the one I go with. My bike is in the shop getting a tune up so I'm still on the stationary and I started the Insanity workout because I couldn't get to my cross training classes anymore since they're in the evenings. Six kids and evening activities don't work out very well during the school year.

Running is still slow beginner level. I'm just creating a base. I can do 2 miles consistently but not quickly. Working on moving up to a consistent three mile run and then will do speed workouts after I get that base. Can't find a good running buddy. I tried to pair up with another runner last week and she had knee issues. Motivation is better for me when I meet with someone. Does that make me a fraud???

I guess just trying is better than not trying at all though! - Maureen

Greetings all - I've been reading, but haven't had time to join in the posting until now.  

I'm a brand new triathlete so I can't offer anything on the transitions.  

For my monthly goals, I'm focusing on improving my swimming technique while prepping for a century ride Memorial day weekend.  As a result, I'm sacrificing some run fitness to make sure that my legs have the cycling miles in so I can enjoy the long ride.

@Pete - Our tri team swims on Tues and Thurs for an hour and most of the novice folks will do 1500ish+, the more experienced folks will get over 2K, and the former college swimmers, well, I don't even ask them.

@Used2Be - Realizing you need a friend (i.e. accountability) is not a weakness at all!  I've found that even if I just let folks at work know what my goals are, they hold me accountable by asking how it's going.