cathyd's group - Closed (Page 4)

Jenny, I have had several excellent coaches over the years, including Lorraine Moller who was a 4 time Olympic marathoner.   Right now I am coaching myself.   I am struggling a bit because all of my training (and the coaching I have received for it) in  the past has been devoted to a very specific goal race and time, usually a marathon.  For the 4 or 5 years prior to my break a year ago, I was a runner who was focused on peaking at one or two key races a year.  The training plans were long (usually 6 months), periodized  (base, strength, speed) plans meant to culminate in one or two PR race performances a year.   Right now I am in a bit of a flux. I am not sure whether I want to continue as a marathoner, and I am not sure how the triathlons are going to fit into the scheme.  So, for right now I am on what I consider a general all-purpose plan, which is much different than the periodized approach I would use if I was a bit more focused in my goals.

Since I already have a good solid year of base training under my belt, I am in a holding pattern right now where I do (or try to do) three key run workouts a week:  a long run (which I am currently stretching to 2 hours), an LT workout, and some easy intervals to keep my speed up.  I fill in the rest of my workouts with aerobic or recovery runs and biking.  This type of training assures that I can produce decent run performances at the local races from 5k to half marathon that are coming up, but it is unlikely to produce anything stellar.  I am also in the off-season for triathlon, so my only tri related goals are to keep building distance and speed in the bike so that when I settle on a training plan for next season, I will be ready. 

As soon as I decide what my goals really are, then I can create a better program that will be focused to a distance and periodized properly.  I believe strongly in the idea of building a solid aerobic base, doing strength work with hills (which is really difficult in FL by the way), and then moving to speed in the end stages before a key race.  I use several books for reference, including  Friel's Triathlete's Training Bible  for the triathlon stuff.  My approach to run training is not what is popular today.  I am a disciple of the 70's type of training, especially as presented by the great New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard.  It involves higher mileage and faster training paces than are popular today.  (You wouldn't know it, though, from looking at my training logs right now )

As for pointers on self-coaching, I would say that in the beginning it is a very good idea to follow a pre-prepared plan, such as the ones on this site or in any of the good training books (maybe making small modifications to fit your individual parameters, but within the overall predesigned program).  I did that for the first year or two that I ran.  I began with Galloway's run/walk plans, did Hal Higdon, and several others at different points.  ALL of the reputable training programs work -- if you stick to them and are consistant. 

After a person has some years of experience, knows what works and doesn't for him/herself, and has read some training resources, such as Friel's book, then one can begin designing plans for oneself, if he/she wants to, but it is not easy. 

The key, though, is to have clear goals because the training plans vary with the goals, both in terms of whether the goal is a distance (i.e. Oly vs. Ironman) and in terms of the goals for performance (i.e. have fun and finish, place in the age group, improve the bike time, or win the race).  Other factors to consider are the realities of a person's life in terms of training time.  Loftier goals usually involve bigger time commitments, which is not always possible in reality. 

I am not sure how helpful all this is.  I spend a lot of time studying, thinking about, and agonizing over training plans.  Anyway, that is my 2 cents -- for what it is worth.

jsnowash - 2007-12-22 6:58 AM On a non-training related note, though -- I really do love the Christmas season, despite how busy it can be. My kids are just about to explode! They just can't wait for Tuesday. I love seeing how excited they are, and how much they love picking out presents for each other and other family members ("Oh, she's going to LOVE this!". It's just all so much fun for me! They're growing up so fast -- it won't be long before they won't have the same excitement they do now, and I'm gonna enjoy it while it lasts!!!

You are soooo lucky to have kids that age!!  You have the right attitude for sure -- enjoy it!!  I am in that no-man's land -- grown children but no grandkids yet.  Christmas is just not the same without kids to enjoy it.  It is a lot less hectic for sure, but it is a lot less fun too. 

hey Lori.. if you are talking about technical clothing (the wicking stuff) make sure you aren't using fabric softener (liquid or 'bounce' sheet type) as it renders the wicking properties ineffective.  It's best to wash the items and hang to dry, (they dry fast), or wash and dry them without fabric softener.    I'm a big time sweater and don't notice any sweat smell on my clean workout clothes.

I have heard of a special laundry detergent for workout clothes I think.. not sure what it was called (or maybe it was just for getting the chlorine smell out).  I'll try to do a search for it.

Found a couple threads to check out:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=88183&posts=15&highlight=laundry%20%20detergent&highlightmode=1#M940032

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87924&posts=15&highlight=laundry%20%20detergent&highlightmode=1#M933657

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=86300&posts=12&highlight=laundry%20%20detergent&highlightmode=1#M916784

Keep in mind that people have lots of different opinions about what works and what doesn't .  Hope this helps

The countdown to christmas is really on now.  I'm heading out for last minute shopping today. Monday will be prepping for xmas dinner on Tues.

Hope everyone enjoys the holiday. 

I'm in the middle of a week off work but will pay for it after xmas as I work 8/11 days starting Dec 27, so I'll have limited training for the next 2 weeks.   I'll post the summary thread early as may not get online Monday.

Cathy

How did you do last week?  Did you meet your training goals?  What are your plans for the next week?

I'll start - I did 3 bikes, only 1 run 2 runs, and 2 core workouts..  didn't eat any ice cream,  and did work out every day off work (that's assuming I do something today which I haven't yet but will update this later  updated)  so i missed my goals but I'm ok with that .

Plans for next week... hmmmm... I'll do something Mon, Tues and Wed.. Friday work days so that'll be a rest day.. Sat work nights so I'll train that day and Sunday also... just not sure what I'll do each day.. if the weather cooperates will do some runs outside... and try for core every day.

Now I'm off to shop !!

hello all.  I've been kind of awol - combination of lack of access to BT and some recovery (I hurt my hip a couple weeks ago, overuse mostly)

I'm motivated right now by a few things - an aggressive tri schedule for '08, including my first oly, good natured competition with my husband AdCo, and a big bet about the local thanksgiving 5K for next year.   Oh, and I'm sick of being fat.  There's that.

So now, I just pull one of those out when I'm tempted to skip... the hardest for me has been making myself take it easy for now until my hip gets better.  Took a few days off, and now I'm raring to go.

I don't have a completely formal plan yet for when I'm back to full stregnth.  I have a lifting plan to build some muscle, I have a running plan (higdon's 12 week novice) for when I can run again), but I'll need to figure out how to fit biking and swimming into that as well.  I think for now I'll start by taking a spinning class at my gym on weekends - I work harder that way than on the stupid gym bikes, and I am without a real bike right now.  Swimming starts tomorrow.

Cathy and Jenny,

Thanks for the ideas about the laundry.  I will definitely need to get some Oxyclean, as lots of people recommend it.  Those links were great, and I got several other ideas to try.  Hanging clothes up to dry is a big problem down here most of the time, which is probably part of why the clothes stink.  It is so humid here that nothing gets dry most days.  I take off my running tops, rinse them with fresh water, and then hang them up to dry.  Eight hours later, they are still wet and stinky on top of it.  I had to move the hanging rack and laundry hamper for my running stuff to the garage because I hated the smell in the house.  They will dry if I hang them in the sun, but then there is that whole sun problem with breaking down the lycra.   I will let you know if any of the things seem to work.  Thanks for the help.

Monica,  It sounds like you are ready to go.  Take it easy on that hip when you start back to running.   The swimming may help loosen it up some.  Good luck with getting back on track.

If the hills are scarey big please lie to me barbara, wait until after I register then tell me the truth!!!

Enjoy your holidays.

Last week I didn't meet all my goals because of those two missed days.  I only got 24 miles running (trying for 30) and 1 bike workout (shooting for 2-3).  The long run went well, which is good. 

Probably the best thing that happened last week is that Jenny helped me realize that I need to get a more focused goal so that I can plan my training accordingly.   So one of my new goals is to find an Oly to focus on and make a training plan related to that.   I think it is too late in this running season to put together a proper training plan for a running race, but I can focus on a tri and make a coherent plan. 

My goals for this week are pretty much the same as for last week in terms of training: get the key running workouts in, get 2-3 bike workouts in to start building a base, and get my running mileage up over 30.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm unable to write on a daily basis, I'm spending Christmas with my folks some 650 miles away from Toronto.

As far as training goes, I was unable to do so but I will get some done once I'm back in Toronto this coming Saturday. I'm feeling much better now and it's about time!

Gotta go for now... I have to help my mom get the big bird ready!

Holidays can be a big obstacle to getting in your training; other obstacles could be work, family commitments, illness and injury... the list goes on.

What have been your biggest obstacles in the past? How about now? What do you foresee causing you problems  in 2008? How do you deal with them?  Part of your training plan should include how you will work around things so your training doesn't suffer, so lets try to identify what could cause you problems, and if you have ideas to help your mentormates - post it here.

I'll start... the main obstacle in my life that can negatively affect my training is my job.  My job involves working 12 hour shifts and a 25 minute one way commute, so 13 hour days.  At the end of a day shift I am beat and find it hard to do anything except hit the lazyboy chair for an hour before bed.  Night shifts all I want to do with my time off is sleep.  I deal with this by scheduling rest days on the days I work, and on my sleep  days between night shifts. I also design my training schedule around a 9 day cycle because that's how my work rotation is - 4 on, 5 off. 

The biggest obstacles in my training have always been the "significant others" in my life.   There has always been impatience and varying levels of resistance for the amount of time, energy, and money which go into my training.  When I miss a day of training, it is almost always because someone wants me to do something "first thing."  If I don't get my training done first thing in the morning, the chances I will do it later in the day are pretty low.  This is a horrible thing to say, but my recent separation and impending divorce will probably be good for my training.

Injuries have been a limiting factor for me in running training in the past.  However, multi-sport seems to be helping with that.   

My job (college instructor) has always been one that has allowed maximum flexibility for training.  I am starting a new job in Jan., though, at a private college. I have been warned that they treat it in a more "business-like" way, so I am a little worried that it may cut into my training time.  Also, I am going to be teaching 6-10 at night, which may interfere with my propensity for early morning runs. Right now, that looks like my biggest worry for my upcoming training. 

I, too work 12 hour shift.  Midnight - noon.  I have NEVER been a 'morning' person, so working out when I get up is usually tough, unless I'm doing something WITH someone else. i.e. riding/running.  I like to work out when I get off work.  My legs are shot (usually about 12,000 steps carrying 18 lbs of gear), but I just consider it a 'brick' session.   When I've been off for a day or two, my legs really come alive.....sorry, I've digressed...  training obstacles should be non existant since I live alone (now), but I am my biggest obstacle.  I have always crammed for events in my life-college finals, research papers and athletic events.  I seem to always put things off-then have to walk a tight rope of intense training v. injury or overuse.  That was  easy at 35, however 45 brings a whole new challenge.  I have come to the realization that I should STAY in shape and not always try to GET in shape.  (I'm a freakin genius).   Maam, yes Maam-NO OBSTACLES!!! 

That is a great point and part of why I am so consistent.  It hurts a lot more to try to get back into shape at 45 than it did at younger ages.   Fear of having to go through all the soreness and agony of getting back into shape if I let it slide gets me out the door.   That is also why I am having such a dang hard time getting a weight program going.  I get so sore from the first day at the gym that I don't want to go back even though I know it is what I need.   Getting old is hell!!!!

Ok everybody, the week is over as is the year 2007.  How was your week?  Did you meet your goals? 

Looking back on the year how did you do?  Can you identify your strengths?  Areas you need to work on for this season?

What are your goals for January, and for the first week in particular?

Everybody try to visit your fellow groupee's training logs and leave an inspire - to motivate, congratulate or just say hi.

I work on Monday then going out after work so may not be here again before 2008.. everyone enjoy your New Years Eve !!

Cathy

I had a great week last week.  I finally got a week in with all planned workouts and the running mileage is finally up over 30. It feels like I have been working on that forever.

2007 was a good year for me in terms of running and triathlons.  I had taken 2006 off, so early 2007 I got back into running.  Then in the summer I discovered triathlons (and  BT thankfully) and did my first three of those.  I managed to stay mostly healthy and uninjured through 2007, with just one minor groin strain slowing down the training for a week or two in late spring.  My biggest strength is probably the consistency in my training, and I will try to maintain that in 2008 (but now with juggling a job in there too).

My goals for January are to get some running races in, continue training for the Sarasota half marathon, and to continue building my cycling base for next tri season. 

This first week, I am taking it a little easy because of the trail race on Sunday.  My goal for the week is to get in all planned workouts and to start Simplefit.  (Thanks Cathy and Jeff for motivating me on that)