Kenj - triathletes in training CLOSED (Page 41)

I have heard for a new series that the HITS races have gone ok.  I think one of the benefits is they aren't selling out quickly so you can see how some of the races go this summer.  Not familiar with Barb's race.

Finally got my test out of the way.  I think I'm safe in saying that pass or fail, my academic career is over.

I got back out yesterday afternoon to get a run in.  It's gotten very hot here and I lost some fitness with 2 weeks off.  I left the house on my 5 mile path - quickly turned off on the 3 mile path, then quit at 2 miles.  I really struggled.  I think it was mainly the heat - I hope anyway.  Either way, I need to man up.

Will be back at it this afternoon.

You're probably right Bill.  I just used them for a couple of easy 100's to give the shoulder a little test.  I want soooooo bad to get back to using the paddles because my swim times improve so much when I use them.  I'm holding onto the pipe dream of qualifying for Vegas at Racine even though my times in training are clearly missing the mark.  I may have been pushing the shoulder a bit hanging on to that dream.  Truth is, I'll be lucky to be able to race at Racine at all and should be focussing on just having a solid race for the circumstances!   Sheeeeesh.....I shouldn't have thought that through and put it in writing!  Now I'm going to be all depressed about it!

Meulen - 2012-06-05 9:36 AM I'm starting to get tired!  My plan to be completely exhausted before I get on the plane is coming together well!   Last nights easy run was pretty hard.  I did have decent night in the pool.  I know......I know......my swimming is still dog slow, but I felt pretty good last night in the water.  I'm glad my wife had to go to the gym last night training for her Half Marathon, because I'm famous for skipping swims.  She made it easy to get to the gym.  I'm still not sure I didn't do something more serious to my shoulder as it still hurts late in the sets and I still can't lay on that side at night.  But I seem to be getting strength back and continue to see small improvements so I hate to go spend a bunch of money going to a doctor.  I did use the paddles for a couple of hundreds last night to try and start building some strength.  I was hoping to really step up my swimming for the next HIM, but it looks like I'll probably do more of the same with a weak swim and strong bike/run.  Every frign' year I wonder "what if I was a good swimmer?".  I'm convinced if I was a strong swimmer, not only would my swim times be better, but my bike/run times would be even better because I'd be fresher coming out of the water, and or I wouldn't blow it in the water by sucking in water/air etc.  I'm already thinking the plan for next winter is going to be swim focussed and finding a new coach to help me along. 

I have wondered myself about the same things when it comes to the swim.  I came close to contacting some coaches and switching from being self coached last fall.  I guess in hind sight it is good that I didn't, but still us non-swimmers are probably not doing ourselves any favors by not swimming more. 

That said, one thing I didn't mention is something the doctor found while he was rooting around inside my shoulder.  He found arthritis that he categorized  as moderate to severe and he was surprised that it was not causing me any problems yet.  So he has given me some choices and over the next few months while recovering I'll have some decisions to make.  Whether to swim or not and how much if I do.  Don't know how this has happened, but I can guarantee  swimming too much wasn't the reason.

Brian, I would be careful with the paddles, good tool, but notoriously tough on the shoulders.

Meulen - 2012-06-05 9:36 AM I'm starting to get tired!  My plan to be completely exhausted before I get on the plane is coming together well!   Last nights easy run was pretty hard.  I did have decent night in the pool.  I know......I know......my swimming is still dog slow, but I felt pretty good last night in the water.  I'm glad my wife had to go to the gym last night training for her Half Marathon, because I'm famous for skipping swims.  She made it easy to get to the gym.  I'm still not sure I didn't do something more serious to my shoulder as it still hurts late in the sets and I still can't lay on that side at night.  But I seem to be getting strength back and continue to see small improvements so I hate to go spend a bunch of money going to a doctor.  I did use the paddles for a couple of hundreds last night to try and start building some strength.  I was hoping to really step up my swimming for the next HIM, but it looks like I'll probably do more of the same with a weak swim and strong bike/run.  Every frign' year I wonder "what if I was a good swimmer?".  I'm convinced if I was a strong swimmer, not only would my swim times be better, but my bike/run times would be even better because I'd be fresher coming out of the water, and or I wouldn't blow it in the water by sucking in water/air etc.  I'm already thinking the plan for next winter is going to be swim focussed and finding a new coach to help me along. 

BTW, sounds like the plan to prepare for the 70.3 is coming together as planned!  The recovery next week will be good for you!

I agree, odds are it was the heat, especially if you were trying to run at your normal pace!  Glad you have finished the test, fingers crossed for a positive outcome!

Good advice!

I come home from every race with crap all over the inside of my car. It becomes a second event just to get it all where it needs to be when I get home.

Congrats to everyone's successes last weekend!

I completed the century ride and it went pretty well considering the longest ride previous to that was 48 mile. It became really hot (90s) and the course was very hilly.  It certainly was challenging.  We climbed over 5000 feet (according to my Garmin) and the highest elevation was in the 7000 feet range.  The highlight of the day was coming upon a beverage stand at the 85 mile mark. The two girls running it had the coldest water and ice!  I never tasted something so good. I really think it is what gave me the energy to finish.

Wow that sounds like it was a great ride!

Kathleen - Congrats on your first Century!! :-)

My RR is up. http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=444417

Hope everyone's training days are going well!  Today, I'm feeling a little queasy in my stomach. Not sure exactly what it is, but hopefully it'll settle out by tonight's ride. 

Anyone Racing this weekend?!

Yeah Kathleen!!! That is a hard course - you didn't mention wind so I am hoping that cooperated for ya! If you liked that course you should consider the Copper Triangle for next year - more sustained climbing, but beautiful.

Yes, lots of fast runners who took up the bike and swim later for cross training.   But they fade on longer distances  It was fun to scare the bejesus out of them. 

Kathy, great century.  They are fun aren't they?  

The rest of you, you all rock.  Congrats on races and your prep.

And to you injured, please take your time with recovery.  (Voice of Experience.)  Patience is your worst trait, or you wouldn't be a triathlete, so curb the impulse to push too hard too soon.  

Just my thought, right, but what those paddles may be telling you, my friend, is that your form isn't quite right.  The shoulder has all kinds of small muscles that you DO NOT want to use on the pull.  Rotate farther, roll ridiculously, so that you are pulling with your lats.  Big muscles, stronger, faster with less work, fewer injuries and more aerodynamic to cut drag.  Meanwhile, let the shoulder heal or the race year could have big trouble in store.   Just my 2 cents for what it's worth. 

I'm skipping Racine 70.3.  It was an add on.  Instead, I am buying a new bike!  Specialized Shiv.  My TT bike is at the shop so they can move some things over.  My compact Red crank.  My return to center shifters.  My Adamo.  They are going to put the other stuff on the old bike so I'll have a complete one to sell.  Charging $150 for that and they will keep it and a mountain bike I want to sell there in their used rack.  

I decided on the Shiv because it is aero, and designed with great adjustability in the front.  Made for age groupers like me with issues.  I am tired of not looking forward to riding a TT bike due to pain.  This will give the chance of alleviating it.  If it does, great.  If it doesn't, I'm only out a few bucks (after selling the other two bikes) and the Shiv is very salable.  It's the best shot and I'm only 60 so I plan to race a long while yet so what the hell. 

Racine was not an A race.  I am signed up for an Oly that same weekend here so I will race some distance anyway, have a mid-season goal and save boocoo bucks on entry and lodging so I'll have more when I go to Madison to sign up and volunteer and to Branson in September.  Made sense to the wife and I and the coach so there is it. I get it early next week.

Sweet bike Ice!  If I didn't like my Trek SC so much, I would have strongly considered the Shiv!  I am sure you will enjoy that!

You are right, having the patience to recover from injuries is something that most of us don't have.  It is wise, however to follow our doctors direction.  And if I keep repeating this, I may actually believe it!

gator22 - 2012-06-08 6:31 AM Looks like a sweet ride ice. I just dropped 2k at rogue fitness on the basics for my new garage gym. We decided not to sell our house so I am making it bad azz instead. Pics coming in the next month or so. Another murder last night and a shaken baby slowing me down a little

I was a crime reporter for 16 of my 32 years in journalism. - I wrote about it.  I delved into it deeply with victims and cops and lawyers and SAs and defense lawyers.  Cops would let me into crime scenes to see the body.  And, I never ever got used to it.   I know you won't have a good day, but please, have a safe one and then go have some fun.  

gator22 - 2012-06-08 7:31 AM Looks like a sweet ride ice. I just dropped 2k at rogue fitness on the basics for my new garage gym. We decided not to sell our house so I am making it bad azz instead. Pics coming in the next month or so. Another murder last night and a shaken baby slowing me down a little

Sounds like fun to be setting up a gym, and it always helped me with some renewed motivation when I add a new piece of equipment!

The murders are getting out of hand it seems this year, but there is a special place in hell for someone that would hurt a child.