Baowolf's Create your Own Saga Triathlon Group (OPEN!!!) (Page 4)

My past shin splint problems were all biomechanical problems (scoliosis makes my hips uneven, fallen arches, etc.) and lack of strength. I spent several years off an on in physical therapy working on it, and seemed to have finally kicked it. Lack of strength combined with trying to ramp up mileage too fast was just a recipe for problems. I've been running solidly over a year now with no problems, and if something does flare up, I can get in to my PT/running coach pretty quick for active release therapy which has worked wonders for me. I also hit the foam roller about 5 days a week, which helps too. SO glad it's finally under control, now to just keep it that way! 

Actually, this was the reason I found triathlons in the first place - I knew I should stop trying to train for long distance stuff for a while, so I viewed the swimming/biking as cross training and finally just signed up and took the plunge. The year off doing really low mileage stuff and cross training worked wonders, and made me a lot stronger - seeing running paces I haven't hit in years. 

Started speed work this week for my half marathon training - 2x1 mile repeats @ 8:00 pace. Not very many of them, but mile repeats are difficult no matter how many there are. 

Just popped in to post February totals:

Swim: 11h 24m 50s - 19775 Yd
Bike: 11h 07m 10s - 161.1 Mi
Run: 11h 30m 23s - 56.55 Mi
Strength: 5h 07m
Device Upload: 1h 00m

I LOVE the fact that BT gives me credit for "Device Upload" - even tracking the tracker..  ;-)

Wow, looking back at the numbers, pretty consistent 11 hours for each discipline.. 

Finally did a run LT test - ouch! - will need to go over the data w/ my coach..  Didn't push as hard as I could, yet burnt out at 20 minutes - he wanted 25. Hit laps intervals at 5, 15 and 20 ish..

Mitzi - I will not be in Boston.. Did not sign up for spring swim clinic, will pop in as a drop in when and if people post their vacancies.

More to come later..  busy, busy busy..

@Steve - you WILL get faster..  no negativity regarding your swim speed... 

Best,
-Dennis

P.S.  I have started a "beginner triathlete" section to my personal blog and will also help to mentor new people through HEAT, my tri group..  Please read the last post and send me feedback / suggestions / topics..  I KNOW you will see a LOT of information I have gleaned from this group..

http://dennisbosse.com/triathlon/a-beginners-guide-to-triathlon/

Hope to post the next installment later today / tonight...

Would like to see your thought process as you work that out?

Congrats on the race.. sounds like it was fun all around... Kids are doing well.

A lot of good stuff happening so early in the season. - Really nice.

For the swim clinic - I went from 5:40 for 200 yards to 4:35 - dropped 1:05 for 200 yards. in the past 3 months..  Now to shoot for sub 2:00 / 100yd. - that will take some time..

Saturday's training run did a PR for 15K and 10 mile..  overall a good weekend..

Half marathon in 2 weeks..  last years result was 3:04

This year's goals

1. Finish healthy and with a smile
2. Beat last year's time - sub 3:00 hour
3. Finish under 12:00 min/mile (2:40)
4. Performance / stretch goal - sub 2:30 (11:30 min / mile)

Glad to hear everyone's training & races are going well. I did a 4 mile St. Patty's Day race last weekend, it was incredibly humid that day and I was overdressed, but it went pretty well - 8:18 average over 4 miles, and out sprinted a lady I ran the whole way with at the end, both a success for me! Unfortunately, it left me pretty sore for a few days, plus another speed work session on Tuesday, by the end of the week my chronic shin problem was griping a little. This weekend I've spent quality time on my bike, and spin class, and did a 6 miles on the elliptical (thank goodness for streaming TV...), and seem to be doing a lot better! Hitting up a little PT Tuesday and then will be back to running. I'm sure a few days of no impact helped a lot. 

I opted for the road bike & clipless pedals all at once - I bought a road bike yesterday! But it was not available in store, so I am waiting to have it shipped and built. Nothing like dropping a ton of money and not getting anything to show for it for another week. I ended up getting a Trek Silque SL. 

I have also had a really weird rash crop up that my doctor thinks is a strange reaction to chlorine??? I went to a different pool this week, it's the only thing "different" I did all week long - I tripled checked everything I ate (I have celiacs, so I'm pretty rigid in my eating habits), soap/laundry detergent is the same, no new lotions, etc. Has anyone ever heard of this, or had a problem with it? What do I do about it? The doc gave me a two week dose of steroid to get rid of the current rash, and told me to stay out of the pool for two weeks which I'm SUPER bummed about because I've been making such great progress!