Scott's Mentor Group-Closed for training. (Page 44)

My full RR is here if anyone is interested:

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=457820&posts=2&start=1

Some highlights:

1. I had run a long training run 2 days before the race because it was the only way to fit it in. The run took priority even if it meant blowing the race. I definitely felt it a little during the bike but all in all I was actually ever so slightly faster this race.

2. The reason I was slightly faster was because my swim time was faster by almost 2 minutes. It could've been a discrepency in the course but I think I also threaded myself better.

3. I tried standing on the pedals while going uphill and it was faster. Does anyone else do this while racing? Is it worth it?

4. My wtf moment from my RR:

      As I was heading back to the beach after the second loop I had to watch out for runners sharing that portion of the course. One guy was way out to the right so I started to swerve left around him and I was about to call out "on your left" when he veered left right into my path. I was surprised and ended up yelling out "whoa!" while trying to swerve right to avoid him. Unfortunately, he alse swerved right into my path again. I yelled out once more in surprise swerving left and braking hard and AGAIN he swerved into my path. WTF? I was barely moving when he finally got out of my way but I was pissed because I knew if I had hit him I would have looked like a jerk because I was the one on a vehicle and he was a pedestrian but what was he doing running so far to the right when bikes were still coming by?

-What do you guys think-Did I do something wrong here?

5. Overall, I'm happy with the results but I know I still have a lot of improvement I can make. I'm looking forward to working on improving my bike this winter, hopefully getting stronger AND lighter.

Gareth-It seems hard to get back out there after taking time off until you do it-then it's kind of easy. Glad you're over the hump.

Paul-I know the feeling. When I complain about having to buy smaller clothes I have to remind myself that it's a good problem to have. If I had forgotten the plateau I've hit this summer is a helpful reminder.

Good races, Nicole and Paul.

I hope the group is not falling apart. I know everyone is busy. It has been a wild 3 weeks since the twins were born. Everyone is doing well.

The training has taken a hit. I wanted to race on 9/23 but now feel like I won't be ready. It is a 800M/18/4. I was very excited about this one given the distances.I know I can finish it and do okay but the results will not be how I wanted to finish the year. I am still debating what to do.

Hope everyone is doing well. I hope I have a group to come back to when I get my training routine going again! Hang in there, people!

Diapers to change.....later!

If you can finish it my advice is to do it. It's a break from routine and a will help you stay excited about training. I don't want to say this wrong because I don't want to imply that having a family is a burden when it really is a joy but it can be easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle when you're too busy to work out. Racing will help you stay focused on your fitness goals so that you'll want to find a way to fit it into your family life.

Oh and the part about the results not being what you wanted-that's when you have to HTFU mentally. Your ego will take a hit. Mine does EVERY race but you can't let it keep you from getting out there or you'll never reach your goals. So let go of the ego and go race and have fun!

Hi everyone,  it's nice to read up on what you all are doing. I've been gone quite a while. My November race was just too far out, and I didn't feel like coming here every day to post about swimming lessons. I've been dropping in occasionally to read, but now that the race is 3 months away I've started my training program and I'll visit here more.

I just completed a pretty rough fitness program last week (AX2, the follow-up to Athlean-X which I've done several times). Last week I started running again, it's been a while, and I've done a few 4-5 mile runs to get back into the swing. But the most interesting thing is that for the first time in my life I took a road bike on the road!

I've got a training partner here in Bangkok who has biked his whole life, is a young guy, and has run a number of tris. He bikes to my house in the middle of the city and then we're off. We have to travel about 9km through morning rush hour traffic to reach an old mostly-unused highway that is a approximately 20km loop. Then back home through traffic.

On my first ride, I was very nervous with buses pulling in front of me, the crazy motorcycles weaving in and out, cars entering the main street from side streets without stopping (yes, it seems people entering from the "T" have right of way in Bangkok -- just crazy). Our first ride was out to the loop, one time around, and back for a total of 38.83km. On the way home we approached a major intersection and a crazy car pulled out quickly forcing me to brake hard, I couldn't get my shoes out of the pedal locks, teetered while standing still and finally crashed to my right hand side. Fortunately it was in a space without a car, and although I broke the fall with my hand I didn't hurt my wrist. My leg was sore for a few days where that hit the ground and I had a bruise on my hand. Since then, I've practiced getting in and out of the locks, and loosened up the locks quite a bit. I'm feeling a lot safer now.

Wow, I can't believe I accomplished that. That was a week ago.

This morning we did the loop 2x, and my total distance was 54km. The bike leg of my race will be 55km so at least now I know I have it in me. Right now my legs are tight, my lower back is sore, my neck is stiff. But I did it! Total time is meaningless now because of the very slow going through traffic. But on the old highway I'm averaging around 35km/hour, and my max speed today was over 42km/hour.

Tomorrow I hope to get to the pool, and Friday I'll run.

I'm considering a team sprint with my friend in a couple weeks. Will let you know.

I got out today for a 3 mile run in the terrible afternoon Bangkok heat. Kept it pretty slow, averaging a 10 minute/mile pace. Just trying to get my legs back.

More next week. Have a nice weekend everyone. Andy

Where is everyone??? Is the group officially dead?? We made it 8 months! Where is our fearless leader?

Nicole, I do need to HTFU. My wife tells me that at 3am when I am trying to stake awake and burp babies!

I went for run yesterday with my son and jogging stroller. It was a slow run but a run none the less. Went for a ride this morning at 6:30. I went with a buddy who just started training for his first tri. It felt good to train two days in a row- gonna try for 3!

I am here, hope the group doesn't fade away!!

Good week training, semi back into the grove of training!! Managed 25 miles running this week, didnt make the tri clubs swim training though as just don't have the time to everything and unfortunately that had to give this weekend!!

Need another good couple of weeks for my sprint tri on 30 September, happy with running and swimming, it is my bike that I am not getting out enough on!!

Lets get this group going again, miss reading how every one is doing in training!!

Gareth

Quick question

If your road bike doesnt have triathlon aero bars would you add them?

I have looked into this a bit - there are some great aritcles online about this but its not as simple as just putting aero bars on your bike, your seat position needs to change, and you may find you're better off without them. I plan on trying them out next season now that I am comfortable on my new bike and with the fit.

- David Colman

I sent him a text because I was a little concerned. He replied and asked me to message the group that he's ok but has been straight out with family obligations and work. he says he'll be back with us in a few days and is sorry he hasn't posted.

I know the feeling. It's been a week since I was able to get in a workout at all. I left for South Carolina last Thursday with 3 toddlers (4,2 and 1-the SO's grandchildren). We drove down for a family reunion-about 20 hours or so on the way down with the kids. We broke down on the way back and had to rent a car to get home-leaving one car in Charlotte, NC to be repaired. I've had very little sleep (we didn't get much when we were there either with all the events packed into the weekend) and am back at work today. Anyway, I have a long run (my peak before my HM) scheduled for this weekend so my priority is to make sure I get well-rested and get a good run in before I start a mild taper.

I'm hoping our little group gets going again as we get out of racing/travelling season. I know for me it's the travelling/vacation schedule that eats into my time. Not that I'm complaining-I know that I am very fortunate to be able to do those things but it does make it difficult to train and check in here.

I am alive - been trying to train and balance kids back to school combined with getting heavy at work (Fedex) ... I am getting beat down and am getting less sleep which has now resulted in my first cold in many months ...

First Oly distance this weekend - my concern is the run - hoping for a low humidity cool day so I can try to push a solid effort and not bonk.  The race is an hour and a half away so will be sleeping at a friends house the night before that is closer (30 minutes away) ... hope that does not mess with my pre race mojo ... stoked and nervous at the same time.

I have to do well here - need the confidence boost leading into the HIM at the end of the month.

Good luck for your Olympic disctance Paul, lets hope you have another podium finish!!

Got a 10k race tomorrow, will get no where near the podium, but it is about 'charity'..... so I dont really care!! Aim to do between 55 - 57 minutes, so fingers crossed.

Have a good weekend

Well, 10k race done, felt relatively easy even though unseasonably hot in Cardiff at the moment, wife and neighbour both said I looked like I had jogged round not run and they felt I had more to give, but I ran with my brother who is recovering from symptons similar to glandualr fever that sidelined him for 3 months (he is running NYC marathon in November), so I wanted to make sure that he got round comfortably and without stopping - anyhow, to my time..... 55 minutes 52 seconds, am I happy, yes, a bit quicker than last year, without putting in the same amount of effort.

Got another 10k in 2 weeks, and will be running for me and my time!! Also need to start increasing mileage for a half marathon in 5 weeks!!

Keep smiling

Gareth

RACE WEEK

Well here it is. First Triathlon this Saturday. Can't wait. I've put in the time and effort. Now just to put it all together and finish strong! No matter what happens on Saturday I am a changed person. My health has done a 180, my attitude is 100% positive, I'm a better father to my kids, and I've met so many new friends that I can share my new found sport with. Back in May when I started training I set goals of finish times. I will wait until Saturday to share those but I have a feeling that they will be surpassed pretty significantly.

Can't wait

JJ

Enjoy the race, the thrill of crossing the line is fantastic, knowing that you have put the 3 disciplines together into 1 event and cme out the other end!!

As Scott said to me when I did my first (only done 2), remember to have fun, enjoy it and smile, and thank the volunteers!! I did these things and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!!

You will smash your expectations and start researching for your next race!!

Good luck and let us know how you did

Gareth

Good morning, group remainders!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I have not been training like I wanted. It's been a month since the twins arrived and it is time to get back to the routine. It will cause some issues but I do not like the way I am feeling.

I went on a run last Monday. I did 5 miles in just under 45 minutes. I have been trying to maintain some kind of respectable pace. I haven't swam in several weeks. The pool closed for maintenance but is open again.

I had a race planned for 9/23 but it is scratched. We are heading out of town for a job interview for the wife and my grandmother's b-day. I am bummed I'll be missing it but the results would not have been pretty with the missed training.

JJ, good luck this weekend. Race week is always very exciting! You have put in the work and crossing the finish line is an amazing feeling. This sport has has changed my life as well and I will never go back. Based on your current training, what is your goal for Saturday? Goals you set in May should not apply because you didn't know what you would be capable of 4 month later. Thats why you always go back and adjust them.

Go JJ!!!

Successfully completed first OLY distance ... no podium but I did respectful ...

Full RR here http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=460118

Go JJ - live your dreams this weekend!

************

Race organizers just sent an email out saying water temp is now below 78 making it wetsuit legal. This is a complete surprise since water temp this time of year is usually 85. I haven't trained in a wetsuit nor have I ever even put one on so looks like it's just gonna have to be a cold swim for me

Great race report Paul!!

It's actually 80 right now but they highly expect 78 or colder on Saturday as we are having unusual cold temperatures for this time of year.

Keep in mind when I say "cold" I don't mean cold like most of y'all do. Just cooler than it normally is. Normally still over 100 for us in early September. High Saturday looks to be 77 and about 65 during race time which could make for some great racing conditions.

I've heard so much variation in tire pressure. Is there a reliable website or book or other source where I can find the proper tire pressure for my bike, tire, weight, etc......

Also looks like rain Saturday and I heard I should lower 5-10 pounds but need to know where to start first.