Experior and Slornow's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 40)

No workout this evening; late school parent meeting.  Will probably go for a swim tomorrow night.  I have a 10 mile or more run this saturday morning with the group I have been running with.  Sunday it will probably be a bike on the trainer and another swim.  Little bit of a turn around this week.  3 bike workouts; 2 swims and 2 runs.  Nice recovery week for the run; although I'd would like to get some more mileage in each week running.  Weather has been pretty crappy all week (high winds and heavy rain). 

Enjoying reading the insight on swim training.

Brian

Just go ALL-IN!!! 

I actually didn't know they made crank arms that short.  I thought 165 was the shortest.  I wonder if there would be a difference because you no longer have as much leverage over shorter crank arms.

But yeah...for me to go from 172.5 to 160...that would allow me to raise my seat quite a bit.

Great training, guys! Got in a 6 mile run on the treadmill. Too dang hot outside to take it to the streets.

Sooo... I bit the bullet and purchased the P90X.

Morning all.  I'm off to Pensacola FL for a whirlwind trip -- me and my three kids headed there for my grandfather's 90th birthday.  I'm going to get in a 5K race while I'm there, but otherwise probably not much training...

Stu, try to stay sane over St Pat's weekend, and have fun!

Have a safe trip, Michael! Sounds like it'll be a lovely time full of family, food, and fun.

I was talking to my husband about the race and such. Told him how I was about 1 foot away from throwing my bike into the swamp afterwards. He admitted that while he listened to me blubber he was internally disappointed at the thought of him not getting a mountain bike to ride with me when he got home, haha! I told him I kept that bike in hopes of kicking butt all year long until my next Xterra attempt. I was stunned to hear him tell me to keep up with the swim team and to look for a road bike to do the road triathlons in comfort to train for next year's Xterra. He's amazing.

Swimming - yep, I'm a wimp.  Those harder intevals with shorter rest times, I tend to shy away from, but am going to make a concious effort to do more of them.  I'll accept the fact that form will break down a bit.

Cranks - on my road bike, it's a 60cm frame (long legs) and came with 175's.  Last year I switched to a compact crank and chose 172.5 - I couldn't really notice a difference.  This year I bought the SC and it came stock with a compact crank and 172.5's, but I don't think I could really see myself going much shorter.  I know some people will actaully go longer, though with my current cadence I don't think that's what I'd do.

I'm going to try and videotape my swim today.  I was hoping for suggestions in the Tri Forum but didn't really get any.  So I'm going to jerryrig my GPS holder and fit the camera into it with elastic bands.  I tried it in the sink last night and the suction held, so we'll see what happens.

Oh, and Randy - 105% for the last interval at 4min does not sound fun.  I did 15x30sec at 115% last night and that one had me sweating.

Well, there's your problem, Neil.  Swimming in a pool is a heck of a lot easier!  (sorry, couldn't resist)

Yep, agreed on all points about the shorter rest time on swimming intervals.  Killer, but a difference maker. 

btw, if time were no object, I'd agree about putting the effort in on swimming (or just if you enjoy swimming, or want to improve it).  My observation about my own trade-offs were more about marginal effort - given the choice between the payoff of a swim or a run or a bike, for me, the swim gives me the least payoff in a race.  The one caveat is that I'm not quite sure about is how much not being in good swim condition affects one's performance in the bike or run.  Jury is still out on that one.

Safe travels and sub 16s to you!

Happy St. Paddy's to all.  It's the one week during the year where I get a taste of what it would be like to be a professional musician.  4 shows down so far, 2 to go tomorrow.  I think I'll keep my day job!  But it sure is a blast!

Stu: That's pretty cool! Neat how those little robots just swim about undisturbed. Makes me think of the times that I've looked out onto the water in a distance and seen things I couldn't explain.

This morning I had a moment of "what the heck am I training for?" as I planned my day's training session. Kind of had an empty feeling.

Sub-16 -- you are funny.  I've never done that even healthy and trained.

Enjoy the shows!

We all have those moments.  The important thing is just to push through it.  Just tell yourself, you are going to get part of a workout in, and next thing you know, you will be finished with the whole thing, and feel VERY good about it.

You are training for fitness and health, to be a good example to your kids, to test yourself, to learn something new, and to be the best you that you can be!   

Just back at the hotel after a 5K with my sister, kids, and some or other relations from Pensacola.  It was hilly!  Kind of ironic coming to flat Florida to do a hilly race...

It was great to see the kids enjoying the race.  It made my day.

I kept it moderate and managed third overall, first masters.  I'm off now to cash in on a new pair of shoes!  Then party time for Grandfather begins.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Michael - Awesome job! Nice to roll in from out of town and shock the locals with a win.

Looks like my race tomorrow will be a duathlon due to rains, and water quality because of runoff.  Goingt o be be cold, wet, and windy.  Any recommendations are welcomed!

I was away for a bit because of a couple of things.  One was travel for work, and the other was an injury.  Last Friday packing for a trip out to a century ride, I went @ss over teakettle, and split my eye open pretty good.  I patched it up with steri-strips, but had a pretty good headaches for two days.  Was able to get back to training on Sunday, but had to stay out of the pool until yesterday.  Freaking out a bit about my first HIM in two weeks.  Mainly about the swim.....

In other news, Monday morning as I was flying out of San Diego, I met Chrissie Wellington.  She was sitting down waiting for the same flight as me.  I recognized her, and walked right up like a total fan boy and said hello.  She was nice, but busy on her laptop, so I left her alone.  When we boarded, it turns out she was sitting in the row in front of me.  We chatted again for a few minutes, and then she said she would sign something if I wanted, as long as it didn't go on Ebay!  I just happened to have a bunch of magazines I was behind on in my back pack.  One of which is the Road to Kona extra from Triathlete magazine with Chrissie on the cover.  Before we started our descent, I got it out and asked her to sign it.  Here is the result.  I was stoked!  She really is as nice as her reputation.

Cat - Good luck tomorrow.  I look forward to your hearing about your race.  My plan is to go as hard as possible, to get out of the rain and wind as quick as possible!  

Yes, I got back in the pool yesterday.  Eye is doing fine.

Michael-great job on the race result.  You won shoes?  Were they from Running Wild?  Yhey have a nice store in Pcola and really support the local running and tri scene.  They opened a store in Fairhope, about 2 miles from me, a year or two ago.  Nice to have a good running store nearby.

Bennet-very cool about meeting C. Wellington.  Was she flying coach??

Bennet/Rene-good luck in your races tomorrow!

Randy

Looks like I will be selling my current race wheels.  Williams Carbon Clincher 58's with Powertap Pro+  www.williamscycling.com  I've had the wheels for almost 2 years and they are in great shape.  Used only for races and a few pre-race training rides.  Wheels are Ant+ so hub transmits wireless signal to computer.  I found a great deal on a Zipp disc w/PT so I will not need these.  Just thought I would pass this along here before trying to sell in classifieds or Slowtwitch.

If someone is interested I can take pics and get exact mileage.

Randy

Awesome words, Bennet. You're so right. Super cool to meet Chrissie, and I just love what she wrote to you. Good luck with your race!!

Good luck with your race too, Rene!

My little 6 year old had her 1st 1.5K race this morning:

Bennett - nice memento from a very cool person.

Michael - only 3rd overall??  Seriously though that's a great result - especially considering you were out of commission for a while.

Rene - good luck with the race.  Hit those wattage numbers!!

Randy - wish I could ask you to give me a price, but it is unfortunately not going to be in the budget at the moment.

Blanda - great race pic!

I got in a solid 70km ride today.  Actually pretty proud of myself considering where the training was a few weeks ago.  Hoping this momentum keeps going.

I'm still in the midst of family craziness, but had to check in, and how can I not comment on that pic? Truly awesome.  I've been nearly in tears several times the past 24 hours, and this pic plugged right in to the whole family thing that's been going on for me the past day.  Blanda, you should be proud, very proud.

Neil-nice ride.

Blanda-that is a great picture!

Randy

Michael - hope everything gets better in a hurry.

Posted my swim video on Youtube.  Let me know any thoughts before I post on the Tri forum.

http://youtu.be/hxW1hC1Fsdg

Michael: You made me tear right up! I know you're soaking up all that family goodness. Hope Grandpa's feeling alright on his birthday weekend, and congrats on your race achievements. Huge!

I am very proud of the little girl. She is so shy and had a rough start with the race and all the people, but the second her brother threatened to beat her (he was too old for this kiddie race), she took off after him while he stayed just in front enough to keep her going. I'm very proud of him for encouraging her the best way he knew how, lol!

Neil: Great job with the swim video! Wish I had some wise words, but I look pretty much like that darling lady swimming next to you, especially when the limbs are tired.

We had a lovely weekend just the kids and I. Hope you all did too.