HILDEBEAST'S Magnificently Motivational Mentor Group - CLOSED!!!! (Page 40)

Melanie, I like that Torhan's bottle system!!  I had never heard of it before, so I looked it up, very  nice!  Of course I have a perfectly fine functioning Profile Design set up, so there are other things (like races) I will be spending my money on right now!

Gels... I'm a Gu girll too.  I forgot to post a review of the Peanut Butter flavor... I LOVED it!  It's sweet, kind of like a honey peanut butter, or peanut butter frosting... I just went and bought 4 more of them!  I've used the Gu Roctance, Clif Shots, Accel Gel, Power Bar gel, and probably some other brands too.  They all work about the same.  I like the ones with caffeine for that extra special burst of energy! I do look at consistency, the chocolate ones can be rather thick, not so good in the cold, and the fruitier ones have a more viscuous (ew!) consistency to go down easier, but can be really messy to deal with.  Lots of trial and error, and I must have a good stomach, because I can't remember any of them rebelling against me during a race.  I havent' done any salt stuff, and am a pure water girl too!

So how was everyone's weekend?

I got in a 40 mile ride on Saturday and 6 mile run on Sunday.  Hmmm...40 miles is way different than my normal ride.  I can tell that my HIM in June will be very different from the Olympic in April and sprint in May.  Daunting task ahead.  Legs will be pretty darn tired after the bike segment.  Saturday's ride made me realize I have to get in quite a few long, long rides before June 10.

Got out the wetsuit and gave it a bath.  Rehydration for the wetsuit!  Haha.  Will take to pool next week to get a mini practice swim in with it on.  Will be first race with full sleeve suit.  Water temp expected to be about 61F for my race in two weeks.

Melanie... not having done a HIM, take this however... but, I think the idea would be to finish the bike comfortably.  Correct nutrition and hydration, keeping the legs fairly fresh so you have lots left for the run... different than an Oly or sprint where you want to go hard!  That said, the more long rides you do between now and then, the more your legs will adapt to a faster "cruising" speed.

Thanks for the reminder to soak the wetsuit... our lake temps are about the same here, time to get in some OWS's!

I'll be here!  I feel so spoiled by having you always checking my logs and cheering me on every step of the way.  You have really helped me push things to the next level and to have more fun, so I'm not going any place!!

Hi everyone! Yes, I'm alive, I exist! (or so I'm told!)

Tech week for the show this week-- we open Thursday, so I'm off soon to dress as a nun and stand under hot lights while we make small adjustments to things. Ah, the glamour of the theatre...

Am back at IM training now that the conference is over, whew. Will log when I can this week-- things will return to what passes for normal around here after that, I promise!

Hope everyone's weeks go well!

Alex

PS: A big ol' X2 to the tastiness of Peanut Butter Gu! LOVE that stuff!

Awesome long bike ride on Saturday, Melanie!!  Questions about the wetsuit...  Am I supposed to bathe my wetsuit before OWS season begins?  I have never done this before!  Also, are you taking your wetsuit for a swim in a chlorinated pool?  I thought that was a big no-no since the chlorine may degrade the wetsuit material!

Andrea - yes I would consider color - only because of the "I want it to look good" factor, lol

Hilde - I check my training most days. I love seeing your inspires each morning btw. Oh and this group has really helped me sort out what I need to be doing and to stay on track.

So with that said here is how I'm looking to approach my running for the next 6 weeks (inclusive of this one) to prepare for my 4k on May 13:

Note - all numbers are in minutes. I'll be following Micheal Pate's plan regarding intervals for run 1&2 and doing the interval from the previous stage for long - e.g. this week my intervals go to 4:30w/2:30r so the long run will be 5w/2r - and the recovery run will be on a 10 min cycle where the run interval is 1 min less than run 1&2 - e.g - this week's recovery run was 8:30w/1:30r.

I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do after this - it'll take me to week 11 of my current plan - I'm looking at another race - either a 5 or 10k in July (week 20 of my plan) but I haven't decided which one to aim for.

So what's everyone think?

Kristen... yes, if your wetsuit has been not worn in awhile, like since last year, you should soak in the bath tub... it will absorb some of the water and rehydrate and get more supple again.  And technically you shouldn't use it in the pool, chlorine WILL hurt it eventually, but in a pinch you can use it in the pool if you are sure to rinse it well afterwards.  Some people don't have access to an OWS to practice in, so they have to!

Suzie... run plan looks good, nice gradual increase.  To me it looks like the intervals are backwards though, that you should be running more than walking, so more like 5 minutes of running to 2 of walking.  But if that's what it calls for, by all means follow it!  I know the couch to 5K plan has you running 20 minutes continuously in week 5.  And if you really like the walk/run thing, you should check out a Galloway plan, I know lots of people that swear by it and they are speedy! 

Someone on BT mentioned that it's a good idea to put your wetsuit in water if it's not been used for sometime.  Like Hilde said to make sure it is supple before you put it on.  As for the pool, I will just swim few laps to get the feel of the suit.  No more than 4.  Then give it a good rinse.  I've not had on a wetsuit since last spring and don't want to be surprised by the feel at the first race.

Today I plan another long ride.  Daughter has orthodontist appointment this morning.  Then she needs to be at her rowing practice (it is spring break and they are practicing all week).  They row close to a nice area for a long ride.  Then I'll ride and pick her and some schoolmates up to bring them home.  Hope to get in 40+ miles again.  It is a beautiful day here!  It's lucky I remembered that I have to bring kids back.  I had to make sure the bike would fit with four kids in the car.  Thank goodness we can take the front wheel off.

Try this site Louise:  http://www.cafepress.com/+triathlon+t-shirts

Lots of funny T-shirts and I bet you could get something custom on the back locally somewhere.  I had custom MMMer shirts made last year here but don't know if they will make just one??  The more you order, the cheaper they are...

http://www.customink.com/

Hope you find some good shirts.  I don't have any recommendations.

Question:  Does anyone wear their heart rate monitor during their races?  If so, do you put the HRM strap on for the swim and then remember to put the watch on at transition?

Time to start thinking about transitions....

Im confused? Am I in? It says closed.

Please be patient with me. I am really really new, to this site and to Triathlons. I am a true beginner!!

I am 35 y/o, Married for 12 years, 2 kids (one 6y/o and one 15 months).  I stumbled upon Triathlons by way of a friend I met while biking. I did a duathlon (becuase of drought conditions) last year, a 54 mile bike ride(Waco Skittles) and I have done a 1/2 marathon and a 5k(with jog stroller) and a 10k this year. Just did my first long ride of the year (57miles) last weekend. I love being active and am lucky to have a couple of great friends who have got me all started. My next event is a triathlon in May. Oh, I forgot to mention that I am also training for a figure competition in September. I have an awesome trainer buddy for that. She is really good at getting me into shape and cracking the whip that I admit I need!!

My hubby is helping me out with the Cheerleading, and sometimes the tough love. I don't much like the tough love, but hey like I said I can be a weenie

Hilde - The plan goes from walk/run (more walking than running) to run/walk (more running than walking) - so that too gradually increases. It basically just transfers 30 secs from the walk to the run and keeps the 7 min cycle. The recovery thing is essentially of my own invention based on the fact that I originally used the Agressive C25k plan w2 for my first one. Then stealing the same strategy of stealing 30 secs from the walk to the run.

I have been considering the galloway thing for my long and recovery runs but I'm not totally sure yet. I need to finish my current training plan first.

CRBURT - welcome to the group. I look forward to following your triathlon journey.

Hey, all thanks for welcoming Connie to the group... just so you know, she has actually knows me and she did the ride last weekend with Tucker and me!!  She is looking to be a great little triathlete!!

Melanie, as far as cold tris??  My coldest was around 60, and I just wore my regular tri stuff.. I was a bit chilly on the bike at first, but warmed up fast, and by the run I was fine.  I just know that putting clothing on a wet body is almost impossible... maybe just a wind breaker??

Thanks Hilde!!

And welcome Connie!

Here's one:

http://www.astonrep.com/home/doubt

(I'm the one in the front with the glasses, natch.)

There are others that have been put up on Facebook-- I'll see if I can find a link to them. We just took a bunch in our *real* costumes  and set last night-- actual stills from the show, so if I can get a link to work, I'll set it up. The costumes and set are GORGEOUS...

Speaking of which, time to get ready for tonight's final dress rehearsal. Previews are tomorrow and Friday, and the OMG OPENING is Saturday. Yikes!

Hope everyone's weeks are going well! (Welcome to the madness, Connie!)

Alex

OK, here are some more photos from the company's Facebook page. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001770609016

Now I *really*  need to get going...

Alex