Ernesto's group (5th season) - Closed (Page 4)

Mitch,

September is a long shot. Focus on the "off" season now and forget about those big goals. This is what I would do if I were you:

- Get fast in the winter, keep it short but very meaningful. Weather in your part of the world is not really friendly so the treadmill intervals and the Sufferfest videos should be your best friends. It will also help you get tons of challenge points as those are short and easy to recover from. Never forget, it is easier to recover from intensity workouts than from long ones. Swim frequently if you can. To other people I would say not to worry but that is something you need to develop.

- As the weather improves, go into a "general preparation phase" with longer rides and runs at very low intensities, such as MAF training. Don't try to do both (long and fast) because you will be injured again. This whole phase should last two to three months.

- Starting in June, I would start coupling intensity with duration. This would be a race specific preparation phase. Long rides and runs with race paces or higher, some bricks, lots of swimming and a couple of visits to the track every week.

- After the HIM, lay the swim down, run a lot and ride only as cross training.

I'm in on the challenge, i'm all for that kind of thing. Whatever helps me get up and out of bed in the morning, right?  

First week of Jan i'm still on break, so i'll be pool limited but i'm focusing on just keeping steady. Any workout beats the couch, and I can still run while i'm out staying with family. I tend to feel naked without some sort of structured plan, but I just nabbed the book and i'll start diving in asap.

I feel for you Matthew... 40 is no fun at all. I drains all your energy and enthusiasm. I much prefer winters here. Hang in there!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. But not just water, electrolytes need replacement. Most natural way is coconut water but sports drink will do the trick, if you do the latter don't do it before the workout but rather during or after. This will avoid insulin spikes and the decreased performance that comes with it.

Light colored clothing, this is a no brainer, but I still see tons of "ninja" runners in the heat wearing black garments. White should be the norm.

Camelbacks for riding the bike or long runs, I know it is far from fashionable, and roadies might even spit on you (big sin for them), but these little things will hold icy water for hours, and large amounts of it if I may add.

Last tip: suck it up! Training in the heat will help you race in the heat. Most races are held in hot conditions, so getting used to it is necessary.

Totally in for the challenge. Sounds like what I need!

NAME: Darcie/Pixiedustlady

STORY: I am 42 years old and was born and raised in California.  I joined the United States Marine Corps when I was 19 and served for six years.  I currentley live in North Carolina.  I am a cast and crew driver for Motion Picture/Television and we just wrapped up filming a showtime show called Homeland.  My work hours leave hardly ANY TIME for training and by the time we finish a 14-16 hour day I want to just take a shower and flop in my bed. The hours also screw my body up because we start at 5 am on Monday and then by Friday we are coming in at 3pm for all night filming. I do LOVEW my job though!   We film five hours away from my home so I dont have access to my bike or swimming.  I usually drive home on weekends and workout when I can.  We film 5-6 months out of the year.  My husband is still on active duty and is leaving for Afghanastan next month for seven months. 

 I have always done dvds at home workouts such as insanity/P90X to keep in shape and I get burned out quickly doing the same thing.  Last year my husband decided to enter a 5K and I went to cheer him on.  I thought it looked fun and even though I hated running in the Marines, I was ready to give it another shot.  I entered my first race which was the Camp Lejeune half Marathon...I only had 10 days of running under my belt after a 22 year break from any kind of running....yep stupid but I finished in 3:05 LOL. From there we entered all kinds of 5ks/10Ks and half Marathons.  I was injured in the spring time and was off running for a few months.  I found I was getting super bored with running.  I was flipping through my Runners World and saw them talking about the Kona Ironman race...I went to Youtube and saw a video that changed my life LOL  The video was the 2011 Ironman World Championships and focused on the Pros.  I didnt know any of these people called Crowie, Macca, Andreas Ralert, Chris Leato, Chrissy or Leanda Caves...I still watch the video and have downloaded the song on my Ipod and play it when I feel like quitting on my bike or run, here it is if anyone wants to see what motivates me :)  http://youtu.be/2s5AbZyf1Js 

I heard a Sprint triathlon was coming to a city near me so I signed up.  I do not know how to swim except float in the water and dog paddle and the last time I had swim instruction was in the Marine Corps Boot Camp where we were taught how to float after crashing into the ocean from a helicopter.. SURVIVAL SWIMMING! Last time I had been in a pool was two years ago and that was a swim up bar in Cancun.  Back to the Sprint... I brought my big ole heavy cruiser bike with me that I had not ridden in six months and knew I could handle the run part.  I did not want to run out and spend thousands of dollars on equipment if I hated this new adventure.   It is HOT here in the summer and fall time so I picked a warm day to try my first sprint. The swim was a pool swim and I do not know how to do the front crawl or any other stroke for that matter...I kind of side stroked/breast stroked/ skipped on the bottom to finish.  I was the last swimmer to go and people were already finishing the entire race before I even got out of the water.  The bike part I LOVED and even though I cant stand running I made the 5k with a ok time...biggest thing is I FINISHED...worst part is me and three others were left out on the course and the event people were tearing everything down and no one was at the finish line...went in to the promised pancake breakfast and award ceremony and everyone was gone....I was starving and thirsty and they had packed up all the food and nothing was left but a warm diet coke.  I packed up and left and decided that it was not going to stop me because I just loved the entire race!  The hardest part is my training partner, my husband is leaving next month for seven months...the area I live in is full of a huge running community but no Triathletes or Triathlete groups.  The nearest training group is one hours drive away. I am excited to have found this site and have been waiting to find the right group to join!!! 

FAMILY STATUS: Married to my wonderful Marine! He came to one of my races and is now hooked on Tris.  He is a natural swimmer but not patient with me and unfortunately always tries to be faster then me even during training which is not helping me.  He placed third in his very first Sprint this year. Because of my past, I need encouragement, not yelling or put downs. We both LOVE watching the Ironman channel and Ironman Europe channel on Youtube and can name off all the of our favorite Pros and age groupers.  We would love to travel to many of the places to do the half IM someday!! I feel lucky to have a spouse that loves Tri as much as I do.

CURRENT TRAINING: We did our first full marathon at the end of October...the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.  We wanted to do this one as he is active duty and I am a former Marine.  This training took up soooo much time and I wont ever enter another one again unless it has Ironman attached to it.  Currentley we are getting in a few bike rides here and there and run here and there..have not swam in over a month because I get frusterated since I cant do laps. I have not run in a few weeks.  I have old injuries that pop up when I run.  I am trying to not injure myself more then I already am.

2012  RACES: Tons of 5ks, 10ks, Wrightsville beach half marathon, Lejeune Half Marathon, Crystal Coast Half Marathon, Battleship Half Marathon. Marine Corps Marathon, Wilmington Sprint Tri, Triangle Sprint Tri, Chapel Hill Tri and Divas Tri.  All were pool swims except Triangle Tri and we did a relay team...hubs just got out of a cast and did the swim and I biked and ran.  My first open water swim was the Divas Tri and it was a complete and total DISASTER. I had never swam in open water, the water was a lake and it was totally choppy and windy that morning...as soon as I could not touch bottom I freaked and actually turned around to go back...one of the swim patrol ladies calmed me down and told me to side stroke it out..I was gasping and panting and out of breath...I had to hold on to a Kayak a few times to calm down  BUT I MADE IT... I am the worlds worst swimmer and we have no swim coaches within a hours drive here in my area I live in.  I have a beautiful pool on base and gym to workout in..but no instructions for adults.  I have the ocean but I dont like swimming in it and always get stung by Jelly fish.   I know if I can get the right instruction I can get the fear of OWS out of my head!!! I am no longer interested at all in *just running* events.  Me and hubs got sooo bored during the Marine Corps Marathon I just wanted to stop and go home by mile 16.  We trained long and hard for it and I just didnt like the distance or the way my body felt for a week afterwards! My shining moment was at the Divas Triathlon...women only...after my disaster swim I finished number 6 on the bike and that was like a gold medal from the olympics for me! haha! Riding with all the guys from the bike shop DID give me speed and power to hammer away on the bike...now I just need confidence on the mounting and dismounting and going into fast/sharp turns.

2013 RACES:  Disney Princess half Marathon, Wrightsville beach Half Marathon,  Azalea festival Sprint Tri, Triangle Sprint Tri, Wilmington Sprint Tri,  Kure Beach Sprint Tri, Diva Sprint Tri, Olympic Tri at Whitelake and hopefully if I can do it...Half Iron distance in Charlotte.  The swim is what I am scared of and worried about. 

Goals: I need help so bad with swimming.  I wish there was a Tri group in my area.  I am excited to be a part of this group to at least have like minded people to talk with and cheer on.  I have to get over my fear of the open water swim.  I need to find a swim coach who can show me how to do the front crawl...I always hold my breath...I had some scary childhood stuff happen around water so I am scared of drowning.  Id like to improve my transition area and basically be in better shape for all the upcoming races.  I am excited but scared of this year as my husband will be gone till July.

Thank you for having me Ernesto and I look forward to meeting the rest of the gang as we move forward!!!

I'm in for the challenge. Also since I still have a wedding, another Christmas party, and New years to go, and I am 10 lbs up from my HIM wieght in September how about a weight loss challenge to boot?

Mitch-I am on board with running in the cold. I melt in the heat. My biggest problem with the cold, is if I go long my gels and water freeze. I am going to try taping a hand warmer to my bottle to see if that helps, before my 15 mile trail race next month. If you are going to do Tawas, and want to come up for a training ride on the course, let me know, I would be happy to show it to you. Its a great ride in the National forest, the last 12 miles are mostly downhill and the prevailing wind is at your back. The run is boring and flat. We have worked the swim, so that no matter which direction the wind in coming from it won't be cancelled.

I also have to say the Maffetone method works. For me, I had problems with Achilles tendonitis, I have been using his method for 11 months, injury free (Running injury) and more than doubled my miles over 2011.

Samyg: I don't know if this will make you feel better about your crash, but I crashed(?) this weekend on my trainer. It takes a special skill to put this off. I didn't unclip when I was getting off and pulled the whole thing down on me. I could just sit there and say to myself stupid. 

Thanks Ernesto! I forgot to add two things...

Weight loss goals~ In 2005 I started packing on the pounds...not from eating or lack of working out...had Metabolic syndrome X....long story short I had high blood pressure and was on meds for it.  No matter how hard I worked out I only dropped 20 lbs in one year...I had a full gastric bypass in 2007 and lost 125 lbs....it was very hard and not the easy way out as so many think it is! I am addicted to sweets and still am! I need to drop 15 lbs and I will be happy. 

Why I would be a good mentee~ I belong to a local running club which focuses on running with strollers.  I have no children but still attend the runs every once in awhile.  The group is mainly formed up up ladies who do not work and can workout in the middle of the day so its a bit hard for me to meet up with them since I have a crazy scheduled job.   There are no Triathletes in the running group.  Our local bike shop does group rides but now since it is winter they are over till it warms up.  The bike group is mostly men who are ultra competitive and think every group ride is the Tour De France LOL I get frusterated because I am still very new to all of this and it is a turn off to have them always wanting to race for 25 miles.  I am a great listener and I enjoy a group of like minded people who want to have fun and laugh and cheer each other on.  I need guidence as I train for my first half Ironman...I know I need to get a olympic distance done before that goal....I am a awesome team mate and never flake out on anything.  I look forward to getting to know you all over the 2013 year!!! Thanks again!!

@Darcie, you will get lots of info and motivation from this group. Start by joining the January Challenge and that will be of great help.

@Jim, dude, you fell off the drainer? that's a first one. Can't help but giggle, I know karma will catch up to me now and I will do something clumsy.

@Gabe, when are you getting off vacation?

@Chris Phelan (now we have two Chris'), are you fully recovered? any lingering problems?

Name: Katie

Story: I am back and ready to train for my 2^nd triathlon (the Naperville SheRox in June 2013). I completed that race last year and did the training alone at the gym which was very, very hard to keep myself motivated without any support. I did finish last year but I ended up walking the majority of my 5k run. I am getting married in May so I have a lot going on the first half of the year so I am really looking for support of fellow athletes. My goal this year is to (obviously) improve my time and not walk the run J.

Family status: Getting married to David on May 18^th. I also have two cats – Yogi and Booboo.  

CURRENT TRAINING: Ummm…let me get back to you on that one! I am going to get back into the gym Jan 1 along with every other person on the planet! I will be using the same training plan (22 week) I used last year – just need to stay on track this time!

THIS YEAR'S RACES: Naperville SheRox

WEIGHTLOSS: I am obese so any weight loss would be fantastic!

My SheRox race log: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=445628

Hi gang,

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and that Santa brought you everything you asked for!

I have not been able to keep up any consistency in my workouts during the last 4-5 weeks as I've tried to balance family time with work and holiday parties.  So I'm very much looking forward to a January challenge to start the year on a good note.

Merry Christmas to you and your family Ernesto! I got a two year subscription to Triathlete magazine, Cat eye Strada bike computer,  new bike jersey, body glide, some  knee high running socks (love the crazy colored ones) and a Road ID!  Today is the 26th and we were headed for the pool (it is indoors) it is raining very hard here today and a Tornado warning was just issued! This is very rare for this part of the country!  Pool was closed due to possible lighting.  Guess its back to watching movies and eating more candy! Me and hubs plan on a 50 mile New Years eve bike ride.  We have gone 35 miles as our farthest distance.  We are looking forward to it!  Medal hangers are fantastic! we picked up a coat rack type deal at Lowes and hang all our medals on it.  Much better then on the door knobs around the house! haha!

Randy,

Glad you like the show! It is very good! It won six emmys this year including best drama, best writing, Claire Danes took Best Actress and Damian Lewis got best actor and I cant remember the other two award catagories but it is a super fun show to work on! You will LOVE season two! We got picked back up from Showtime so Season three is a go! We start back filming in June....thats when I will have a hard time fitting in workouts as we work crazy hours! Nice to meet you!

Darcie

Yes, same here! I see them all the time dressed from head to toe in black 'compression ' gear running in heat! Stupid is as stupid does.

Camelbacks... like the idea and tried two of them, the water always tasted like melted plastic. Is there a good brand?