Work your Weakness aka "Hey, Mike, STFU!" Challenge (Page 44)

I don't recall one this big in repetitiveness. They're usually a bit more broken up. We have had 24 x 100, but it was really 3 x (8 x 100) done as 1. swim, 2. pull, 3. descend by 4 or something like that. Or 18 x 150 with like 2 harder, 1 easier progressing faster every 3, or vice versa. Short sets have been 8-12 x 25 or 50 at most. And those will still have some variation of fast/ez. 1:1 or 2:1 depending on the goal. Maybe 6 straight fast ones at most, as far as I can remember.

The swim deteriorating could be a number of things. I can't remember having that after just a few days off. Was there anything big in there like long ride or long run? Or missing a lot of rest? After an entire week off, sure. Depends on why I took it off though. If I was still actively biking or running (otherwise healthy) then it seems to come back quick. If I was sick, then it'll take a bit longer.

A friend that I swim with is a former competitive collegiate swimmer -- she's a strong biker, but her running isn't as strong.  As a result, her coach had her swimming only two days a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) so she could add an extra run in.  After that much time back, she always complained on Mondays that she just wasn't feeling the water as well and felt off.  Her coach has given her "option" Friday swims as well, which she basically does every time....she says it helps her keep her feel for the water.

I don't really notice a few days off (or even the occasional week off, which I guess I've only really taken one and it was right after my A race last year, which coincided with me getting a cold....).  If anything, it might help as it gives my lats/delts/triceps/etc time to really recover.  But I try not to make a habit of it....I feel like 3x a week swimming is the minimum I can do to still make progress (though it is slower than if I were swimming more often, I suspect).

I knew this crap was going to happen when I went home for Thanksgiving.  I have a cold now, and I'm not happy about it!  Interval workouts simply aren't happening right now, but is it worth it to at least run easy mileage, or should I just completely rest?

I've hear  A LOT ofpeople say if it's above the neck, train through easy, below the neck, complete rest.  I don't know though, I think you come out ahead taking full rest even with "just" a cold.  Especially with as much as you train Matt, and as hard as you're going, a few days off would probably do you some good.

Btw, I fully expect you to remind me of this when I'm asking for the same input.  It's easier to give it, than take it;)

Yeah the thought of taking complete time off is nauseating, especially when you're nauseous.

Thanks for the input Ben and Nicole.  I have always noticed that Monday swims are a little "off" but this feeling this week is different.  I am more inclined to day to think that it is a combo of a biggish (for me) running/riding week last week and a little GI urpiness--don't feel sick but my number of trips to the bathroom indicate otherwise (sorry if that's TMI).

I am still trying to figure out what kind of riding I can handle and not compromise the other stuff too. The bike sessions always feel pretty good when I'm doing them, but they have a tendency to sneak up on me I think...

I'm of the mind that the best thing that you can do when you feel stuff like this coming on is to get as much rest as possible.  That being said I still will run easy but will not do much else and I try to get as many extra hours of sleep as is possible.

It is going around here with my wife and son going through bad colds.  Same thing for us as at Thankgiving dinner one family was very sick at the table and we just knew someone was going to get it.  Why are people so resistant to staying home when they are sick? 

Hmmmm, I remember in the Sheila T book about her talking about that athlete who was in the pool, dragging his hands in the water doing a "feel" exercises for a "workout." I don't know what your schedule is like, Elesa, and it may be WAY more work than it's worth, but I wonder if you could add a "feel" session on the weekend or something? Like, not a full on swim set but more of a short recovery type session.

If it were me, I'd get my bang for my buck and maybe do a combo workout consisting of a feel session followed by some aqua-jogging. I dunno ... it sounds kind of nice

Matt, another vote for taking some time to rest and recover. 

I had meetings in the city yesterday. Train and subways were SRO and filled with ppl hacking....I'm trying post-exposure vitamin C and zinc loading in hopes of staying healthy. Probably won't work but worth a shot.  Thanks all for the downhill running tips. I was able to focus on that a bit today. I also have easy access to a golf course which is fairly deserted this time of year so will give that a try as well. 

I've taken the time off in what sounds like similar situations. Might seem like salvaging something, but it's more like fighting battles on multiple fronts and could extend out the recovery time needed. It can be very hard to accept it, but get rid of that sickness as quickly as possible.

Sounds like sculling and the part on Gary Hall Jr. And with some more thinking, perhaps some drill/swim combos plus some alternating fast/ez work could help bring it back more quickly.

Thanks for the tough advice guys.  I'm getting better, but I'm going to hold off.  Hopefully by the weekend I'll be back in working order.

Glad you are going to fully recover before you get back out there Matt. I know it's always hard to make that decision. I think especially where you are in you training, you have a lot more to gain than to lose by taking some time, rather than training while sick and prolonging the whole dang thing.

I had a very solid Q session last night. It was a combo workout (meaning 2 purposes) fast finish/start and a steady "tempo" on a hilly loop. So it was 1000 M in 3:47, 2.5 miles at 6:25 mile pace, 3:47 1000 finish. It's interesting to see the struggle I had moving into the new group 2 weeks ago and yesterday I was leading the group. Training adaptations! 

Salty, I know I should know the answer to this at this stage, but, um, how does one "aqua jog"?

Go to the deep end of the pool (you need to have one to be able to do this).  Tie a floatation belt around your waist (they have varying degrees of buoyancy...some people don't use them at all).  Start a running motion.  You will be exaggerating your foot lift to compensate for the drag in your recovery.

You should slightly propel yourself forward with the motion if you are doing it right.  It can be a pretty good workout once you get the hang of it.  And if you think a treadmill is boring...

And you get the bonus of looking pretty ridiculous while you do it. 

The boring part, OTOH, might be the deal breaker.  It sounds tragically boring. 

Normally I would say STFU but that was perfect

Yeah, totally boring but a really, really good tool to have in the back pocket. Especially while injured. It's (other than an AlterG) pretty much the only low impact way to run while getting a comparable workout.

But the reason I bring this up is that it DOES offer you a solid run workout without a lot of the impact (as I said above) and as long as you are at the pool doing sculling drills actin' and lookin' a fool, it might be appropriate.

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Originally posted by switch

 

Salty, I know I should know the answer to this at this stage, but, um, how does one "aqua jog"?

Go to the deep end of the pool (you need to have one to be able to do this).  Tie a floatation belt around your waist (they have varying degrees of buoyancy...some people don't use them at all).  Start a running motion.  You will be exaggerating your foot lift to compensate for the drag in your recovery.

You should slightly propel yourself forward with the motion if you are doing it right.  It can be a pretty good workout once you get the hang of it.  And if you think a treadmill is boring...

And you get the bonus of looking pretty ridiculous while you do it. 

For some that might be a detterrent, but you know how I like to embrace the ridicuolous

The boring part, OTOH, might be the deal breaker.  It sounds tragically boring. 

Tragically boring is an understatement but you can get a workout. I spent many hours at the deep end of the pool a few years ago when my back was giving me fits. In addition to the belt (I used one the Y provided for aqua aerobics classes) it is possible improve the intensity of the workout with a pair of aqua-jogging shoes. They have "gills" that increase resistance.    aqua joggers  eta I'm sure a bit of creativity could be applied to an old pair of running shoes to make a close approximation. 

Hopefully you never need to go there but if you do, there is some fitness that can be preserved. I think gaining would be difficult depending on the individual's base. 

I did a bit of aquajogging last year when I was on my run hiatus....you do absolutely look ridiculous!  I have a pool at my house (not suitable for swimming laps, of course!), so I aquajogged in there....but at some point, the pool just got too cold and I had to suck it up and to go a real pool.  If you're interested, Active did an article on a swim / aquajog brick: http://www.active.com/triathlon/articles/a-new-kind-of-brick-try-aquajogging-to-boost-your-run 

Also, when I bought my aquajogging belt, I ended up with two (long story...) -- just say the word and it's yours if you want it!

BTW, everyone, I scheduled that MRI, and it's tomorrow at 2:50.  I think, after all this blaming of running, there might actually be something going on with my bike/shoe/fit/position, that is making my lower leg on the right wonky.  I will report the MRI findings when I know. *fingers crossed*

I think Elesa should take you up on this. But if she doesn't I will!