Manatee Express Mentor Group - closed (Page 4)

Everyone, I need some run training advice (please?).  I think I mentioned that I'm training for a half marathon in early March, but that I had a bad January because of travel.  So now I'm struggling with playing catch up -- trying to get the miles in and regain my fitness.  I'm not having a problem doing the miles.  Instead, I'm noticing that my HR is higher than it used to be at the pace I previously trained at.  So, should I be slowing down my pace to keep my HR down, or continue to run at the pace I know I can?

Thanks!

Hey Chip, I see you joined the challenge and you got put in my group.  The constant posting is a bit overwhelming, isn't it?  But they are definitely doing a lot of running too!

Thanks Ken.  I'm a little confused, though.  Were you looking at my 5 1/2 mile run as a long run?  Because I did do 9 minutes for that one, but some of that was at race pace.  My last long run was Saturday a week ago, and I kept that at about a 10 minute pace.  My HR was in mid zone 3 (remember I'm an old fart so my numbers should be lower) most of the run, and crept into zone 4 at the end of the run. 

Anyway, very soon here I'm going to go out for a long run, and the plan is to keep my HR down no matter how slowly I have to run.  We'll see how that goes.  I'm expecting to be disappointed though.

And thanks for the reminder on the speedwork recovery.  I tend to overdo, despite knowing better.

I'm a very bad example for nutrition and hydration.  I choke on water during a race!  My plan is to be well hydrated before the race, and I rarely take anything at all during the race.  That has worked well for me, but I surely wouldn't recommend it for anyone else.  And I haven't raced anything much beyond two hours, so this is probably not a good plan for longer activities.

Sledge,

    I am having a heck of a time trying to post my miles to our challenge group.  Please help as I thought that I was a bit computer savy but obviously not.  A quick PM or email to [email protected] would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks. 

A so-so week for me.  Running was good (4 times), but my LSD on Sunday was pretty disappointing.  A few bikes, including one actually on the road (YEAH!).  No swims yet...  hopefully that will change after the Seaside HM.

And speaking of the Seaside HM -- Ken, I'm so sorry you won't be there!  I understand why, but still I was looking forward to seeing you guys again.  Hopefully at the Mullet Man Tri (and it's ok that girls do the Mullet "Man", right?).

Can we talk about wet suits vs. not?  Ken, I was reading your race report from Mullet Man last year, and it seems like you were having a discussion right before the race on whether to wear one or not.  What factors into your decision making? 

Being a novice triathlon competitor, I haven't ever been faced with that question.  And I'm a wimp when it comes to cold water...

Thanks for the thoughts on wetsuits.  I know it seems like a funny question from a Floridian. 

Does USAT have particular types of wetsuits that are authorized?  For example, my husband has a shorty wetsuit he used for water skiing.  Not that it would fit me, but it seems that one like that might be easier to get off.

Unrelated to my question above -- I'm a big wimp when it comes to cold water.  I did a search on gulf temps in April, and it looks like around 70 for the Mullet Man.  That sounds cold to me.  Did your wife wear a wetsuit last year?

Ken & Gang,

 Last week was good for me - I am def noticing a difference in my runs - I have alot more left in me at around 3 miles now - this base building plan is really working!!  Swimming is coming along and I am getting better on my breathing and stroke as well.  Bike - I need to get some actual road time next month - the stationary bike is good, but I need to get out on the road and get some real riding in.  Overall - I see improvement in all my training - the base building in really payin off and I feel like time my 1st race comes round ( March 29th ) then I will be ready.

papa  :-)

Ken,

Well - we shall see!!  I may give her a run for the money but in the long haul she is gonna smoke me!! LOL.  I dunno - she has been not gettin in as much training as she likes because of school but she will do just fine...she is a vet and knows what it takes to get to the finish.  When we trained last year ( and I mostly rode bikes with her...that's about it for me back then! ) she was always running out in front of me towards the end of the ride...cause she knows what it means to pace and build a solid base - so you can endure.  I was just ridin....no thought or training about it back then...so..in light of the fact I have been training for this race it will be interesting to see the difference...and hopefully ...noted improvement!  Never-the-less - it will be fun and I am lookin forward to crossin that finish line with a smile on my face and someone waitin to hand me a beer at the end!!  LOL...they had a beer stand at Latta last year!!  I was like - wanna get a quick buzz...just chug a beer after your race.....  hehe....  GyGy almost got one then she decided...nah..I need to just hydrate....me..I will be lookin for he beer stand!!  Celebrate!!

 Cheers! 

Rusty,

     Way to stick with it.  Last week was better but I was away on travel and the base in California had a broken pool.  Needless to say that for a week,  I did not take my bike but that is the least of my concerns in the three disciplines.  I got in a couple of runs at altitude so that was a little bit unique as I was not able to control my heart rate like I am able to at sea level.  Any thoughts on that one other than the fact that there is less oxygen in the air?  Getting back in the pool this week and doing some ride specific training and keeping the distances somewhat shorter to focus on speed.  The first tri of the season is a little less than a month away.  Best of luck to all.

Ken,

     Good luck with the race.  I have used a saying over the years in the military and it is " If you fail to plan then you plan to fail" and it looks like you have a solid plan in place.  I will have to say that I am horrible when it comes to planning out my endurance events as I never thought of it as a requirement.  Since I have done a couple of long bike rides I have definitely worked out a nutrition plan for the bike but have not done as much planning for the run.  Hydration on the run never seems to be a problem as I try to take in fluids, water or a  sports drink, every 10 minutes or so depending on my sweat rate but I have never worked nutrition into my run.  Definitely something that I am going to work on in the future.  Is this a necessity for an Olympic distance as I will definitely fuel up and hydrate on the bike portion?  Just curious as I don't see it as a necessity on the shorter Sprint events as I am finished in less than 90 minutes normally.  Thanks for any advice that you have.

Chap,

 As for the running at altitude - you gotta factor in a couple of things - depending on where you were, the farther your up above sea level - the less O's you got going in.  Another is just simple weather-man stuff like barometric pressure and humidity.  Same applies -  folks that train in higher elavations will be crankin in lowers cause their bodies are conditioned in to use less oxygen  - you put them in a hi oxygen place and they are gonna be machines!!  The wife and I were talkin about this the other day  - it's pretty cool when you see how your body acclimates.  I know your strong on the bike - I would focus on where you are weaker - not sayin your weaker in any of the tri activities - but your know - find your balance in all 3.  I am getting there - my swim still seems to be the weaker of mine - so - I am workin that the most next month.  I am feeling good on the running and biking.  Controling your HR in an environment your body is not conditioned to is challenging to say the least, so I would not worry to much if it was higher then normal and sorta out of tune  - it's most likely because of where you were and not how you were running.  Where in Cali were you? Northern ? South end....N Cali is soooo awesome!!  Loved it out there when I was traveling a couple years ago....man - I am starting to sound like a mentor!!!!  LOL  !!  Not yet - I am such a novice !!!

 :-)

Ken,

 Looks like your on track mate!! Good luck with your race and keep us posted on the results!!  Man - I am getting soooo ready for Tri season to start!!  its been great training - I cannot wait to see it pay off with my first race on March 29th.  I sorta have an idea of my plan of attack - pool - well - I am gonna swim steady and take my time, well, not that much time....but not gonna rush it.  Bike - gonna smoke the tires on that part of the race - this is where I can make up time should I lose it in the swim - then finally the run  - as long as I stick to my plan keeping the hr in the zone for the better part of this  - then maybe in the last 1/2 mile or so  - open it up just a bit more and push on thru to the finish.  Currently - I figure my times should go like this - swim(500y)  = 20 - 25 min, bike(11 mile ) = 30-35 min, run(5k) = 30-35 min maybe lil less, so - I should be able to finish up in about 90 min or just under 2 hrs.....that's my plan.  For me though on this 1st race - it's all about finishing, I am not racin any clock ...just wanna finish....I think I am well on my way to acheiving that.