Yanti & Salty RidiculoSnarky Almost Intelligent-Charming Manatees PART 4 - Full (Page 45)

jobaxas - 2012-08-14 9:36 PM

Well I went for a run - instead of my usual 4 laps of the short circuit of the park (1.4km) I did 5!!!!  And for the first four laps I did a 20sec sprint every five minutes.  With that and the little 0.2km to get to the park I did 7.4km in 47 mins which for me (Salty) is really fast.  And I am very happy - like a fast swim it felt slow!  Must be when your technique is right you feel slower because you are more efficient.

Ah life's good.

Asalzwed - 2012-08-14 10:24 PM Great job, Jo! I love it when runs come together like that. I hope that you as well as everyone else in this pod know that I don't compare your pace to myself or anyone else. I think progress and success are extremely specific to an individual. If I compared my own times to others to validate my hard work...well, I suppose I'd quit! If that's the impression anyone has gotten, first I apologize, and second I don't really know what I'm doing mentoring.

amd723 - 2012-08-14 2:11 PM Thanks for the bike responses - unfortunately, it sounds like i'm going to get my hands dirty

Asalzwed - 2012-08-14 10:24 PM Great job, Jo! I love it when runs come together like that. I hope that you as well as everyone else in this pod know that I don't compare your pace to myself or anyone else. I think progress and success are extremely specific to an individual. If I compared my own times to others to validate my hard work...well, I suppose I'd quit! If that's the impression anyone has gotten, first I apologize, and second I don't really know what I'm doing mentoring.

TriAya - 2012-08-14 2:10 PM

Dang. I'm never going to catch up ... (except on sleep) ...

My bike's on the trainer so it doesn't get that gross. Every few rides or whenever I remember I lube the chain up with Park Tool's 2-in-1 (it's supposed to de-dirt and lube at the same time, no wax, ingredients just say it's some kind of synthetic blend). Whenever I have an event coming up I take it to the bike shop and let the piglets loose on it--thorough cleaning and tune-up for $4. $5 with tip ...

When I lived in the States and was poor, and rode in the rain a lot, I'd wipe the bike down and lube it every week or after every rain. With Pedro's something or other. If there was crust in the chain I'd scrub it out with a toothbrush.

Once a month I'd wash the frame as well as scrub the chain and gears out (toothbrush again to get solution in and dirt loose, wiping with cloth) with a diluted solution of Simple Green, then lube all the moving parts with the same Pedro's lube.

I got pretty good at doing basic maintenance and repair by reading Sheldon Brown (on the Interwebz), Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (a book), but most of all hanging around watching the shop piglets work on my bike and others, and watching my roadie friends work on their bikes, and working on my bike myself.

I'd strongly recommend reading and being able to do Don Fink's 10-point Bike Check (it's meant for pre-race) as a basic maintenance/diagnostic for your bike.

P.S. I do pump my tyres up before every ride, even on the trainer (the rear one, anyway, the front one every week or so).

Asalzwed - 2012-08-14 2:38 PM

Oh my goodness! I was just reminded registration for Boston opens in less than a month!!! 

Also, made a really good connection this weekend. A woman who ran the trials this past year. She said I can send her questions any time, especially as things get closer and my more specific training starts ramping up. I am really excited to have this resource. 

jobaxas - 2012-08-14 6:30 PM

Well carrying an injury and not training run specific I was 30secs slower this year in City2Surf (last year was in the middle of marathon training) so I am pretty happy.  Below a not so flattering pic of me at the finish (no i won't be paying for this one!)  I have a bony chest, when did that happen?  Also thought I'd show you manatees the elevation, no wonder is feels tough!

Today weather looks alright - good enough for a lunchtime run with interval sprints, love it!

 

KansasMom - 2012-08-14 10:38 PM

Oh, my. That elevation does look tough. You had a great run, and you look terrific. Most importantly, you are wearing pink!!!

jobaxas - 2012-08-14 10:36 PM

Well I went for a run - instead of my usual 4 laps of the short circuit of the park (1.4km) I did 5!!!!  And for the first four laps I did a 20sec sprint every five minutes.  With that and the little 0.2km to get to the park I did 7.4km in 47 mins which for me (Salty) is really fast.  And I am very happy - like a fast swim it felt slow!  Must be when your technique is right you feel slower because you are more efficient.

Other good news, bought some towels online today - BARGAIN!!!  Retail therapy really is the best, oh and my colleague bought me a bar of expensive French chocolate called Lait Eclats Caramel - it's milk chocolate with chunks of salted caramel, the brand is Michel Cluizel and it's divine.  She bought me this because yesterday she came over very unwell and I got her through that and a panic attack (some candy, potato chips and lemonade my cure all remedy!)

Ah life's good.

jobaxas - 2012-08-15 5:10 AM

Stoopid time zones - I feel like I'm the only one awake on BT!  Then I get up in the morning and we have another 10 pages!

KansasMom - 2012-08-14 11:31 PM

Don't worry, Salty. I think we all know that you don't compare our times to your own. But it does make me remember something about Ben and his running.

He was complaining this morning that his mile run was 10 minutes and "so slow." I told him that it wasn't slow -- that I had set a goal of a 10 minute mile, and it took me a year to do. His response was classic:

"But those guys in the Olympics are running 4 minute miles . . . ."

Oh, the innocence of youth, right?

melbo55 - 2012-08-15 11:08 PM

OK, a couple technique questions for the group:

1. Swim.  As I am trying to improve my swim times, a friend who watched me swim at Lake Placid told me I need to move my arms faster.  I agree, as I tend to settle into a very casual pace when doing long distances because there is a (very subconscious) part of me that worries I will go too hard and tire out and not be able to complete the distance.  But I noticed that as I increase arm speed, I feel less in control and feel more like I am flailing and like it isn't as effective.  However, when outright sprinting, I don't feel this way, I feel strong and purposeful.  So the questions here are how to increase arm turnover and still feel like I am doing things 'right'?  Should the arm be relaxed during recovery out of the water, but yet still moving fast?  Should arm speed out of water match arm speed in water?

2.  Run.  Is there any good way to describe the movements and actions of the leg(s) through the stride cycle?  The main area I would like some description of is what the leg is doing after the foot meets the ground.  Is there a distinct surging/pushing forward effort, or is it more muted?  I realize sprinting would for sure involve a stronger push and drive, but I am asking for endurance running tips.

melbo55 - 2012-08-15 9:08 AM

OK, a couple technique questions for the group:

1. Swim.  As I am trying to improve my swim times, a friend who watched me swim at Lake Placid told me I need to move my arms faster.  I agree, as I tend to settle into a very casual pace when doing long distances because there is a (very subconscious) part of me that worries I will go too hard and tire out and not be able to complete the distance.  But I noticed that as I increase arm speed, I feel less in control and feel more like I am flailing and like it isn't as effective.  However, when outright sprinting, I don't feel this way, I feel strong and purposeful.  So the questions here are how to increase arm turnover and still feel like I am doing things 'right'?  Should the arm be relaxed during recovery out of the water, but yet still moving fast?  Should arm speed out of water match arm speed in water?

2.  Run.  Is there any good way to describe the movements and actions of the leg(s) through the stride cycle?  The main area I would like some description of is what the leg is doing after the foot meets the ground.  Is there a distinct surging/pushing forward effort, or is it more muted?  I realize sprinting would for sure involve a stronger push and drive, but I am asking for endurance running tips.

rrrunner - 2012-08-15 8:49 AM

I have the same issue on the swim. I wonder if the increase in speed should be gradual as strength/control/technique improves? IDK

So I went to my first masters swim practice this morning.  Getting up and to the pool wasn't too bad (although I could see myself being less motivated on a cold winter morning).

My first impression was a positive one in general. However... I was placed in a lane with another new person.  A young man (Reece) who was moderately faster than I and we split the lane.  So I didn't get the benefit of staying within the proposed times for each set because I was trying to keep track of my laps and my time.  Coach Andie, the woman who organizes the masters swim, was one of the participants and not the coach on deck.  The coach on deck didn't seem too helpful other than writing the workout on the board.  This could just be a first impression, maybe it was an off day for him.  Reece asked Coach if he gives pointers and Coach responded that he encourages people to ask questions . The swim set was (150, 100, 50, 50, 50, 100, 150) at varying speeds.  We did the set 3 times, supposedly getting faster each time.  Well to get faster each time the group added paddles the second time and fins the third time.  Most things I've read on BT and in Sheila's book discourage using "toys" for the purpose of gaining artificial speed.  I suppose I could have done the sets without the toys but if I were in a regular lane swimming circularly with the others then not having the artificial speed could be problematic.

Not sure what to think.  I like the idea of having others to push me. I like not fighting for a lane after work. The practice is cut off strictly at one hour because the lanes get taked over by the high school swim team so I won't be able to do more meters other than by getting faster.  Sorry for the essay but what say the MANATEES?

rrrunner - 2012-08-15 11:49 PM

I have the same issue on the swim. I wonder if the increase in speed should be gradual as strength/control/technique improves? IDK

So I went to my first masters swim practice this morning.  Getting up and to the pool wasn't too bad (although I could see myself being less motivated on a cold winter morning).

My first impression was a positive one in general. However... I was placed in a lane with another new person.  A young man (Reece) who was moderately faster than I and we split the lane.  So I didn't get the benefit of staying within the proposed times for each set because I was trying to keep track of my laps and my time.  Coach Andie, the woman who organizes the masters swim, was one of the participants and not the coach on deck.  The coach on deck didn't seem too helpful other than writing the workout on the board.  This could just be a first impression, maybe it was an off day for him.  Reece asked Coach if he gives pointers and Coach responded that he encourages people to ask questions . The swim set was (150, 100, 50, 50, 50, 100, 150) at varying speeds.  We did the set 3 times, supposedly getting faster each time.  Well to get faster each time the group added paddles the second time and fins the third time.  Most things I've read on BT and in Sheila's book discourage using "toys" for the purpose of gaining artificial speed.  I suppose I could have done the sets without the toys but if I were in a regular lane swimming circularly with the others then not having the artificial speed could be problematic.

Not sure what to think.  I like the idea of having others to push me. I like not fighting for a lane after work. The practice is cut off strictly at one hour because the lanes get taked over by the high school swim team so I won't be able to do more meters other than by getting faster.  Sorry for the essay but what say the MANATEES?

TriAya - 2012-08-15 10:39 AM

2. If you're naturally curious about human locomotion in terms of running, any good kinesiology reference (Google "gait cycle" and "running") will describe it to you. These are the same in all human beings who have normal lower limbs. In terms of improving your own endurance running, unless you're actually having some kind of pain or problem that is for sure NOT related to a) building up too far or too fast, or b) inconsistency, your specific manner of gait does not matter. Your body will naturally find and follow the most effective and efficient gait for you, and adjust that and adjust to it as you increase in mileage and pace. What's right is whatever you're doing. If you're having to think about it or consciously make adjustments, it's probably wrong for you because you're forcing something unnatural to you.

I found it astonishing (as I do whenever I watch top distance runners) in the Olympic marathons how many different running styles, body positions, and even BODY TYPES were represented. I know it, but it gets me every time to watch it.

rrrunner - 2012-08-15 10:49 AM

I have the same issue on the swim. I wonder if the increase in speed should be gradual as strength/control/technique improves? IDK

So I went to my first masters swim practice this morning.  Getting up and to the pool wasn't too bad (although I could see myself being less motivated on a cold winter morning).

My first impression was a positive one in general. However... I was placed in a lane with another new person.  A young man (Reece) who was moderately faster than I and we split the lane.  So I didn't get the benefit of staying within the proposed times for each set because I was trying to keep track of my laps and my time.  Coach Andie, the woman who organizes the masters swim, was one of the participants and not the coach on deck.  The coach on deck didn't seem too helpful other than writing the workout on the board.  This could just be a first impression, maybe it was an off day for him.  Reece asked Coach if he gives pointers and Coach responded that he encourages people to ask questions . The swim set was (150, 100, 50, 50, 50, 100, 150) at varying speeds.  We did the set 3 times, supposedly getting faster each time.  Well to get faster each time the group added paddles the second time and fins the third time.  Most things I've read on BT and in Sheila's book discourage using "toys" for the purpose of gaining artificial speed.  I suppose I could have done the sets without the toys but if I were in a regular lane swimming circularly with the others then not having the artificial speed could be problematic.

Not sure what to think.  I like the idea of having others to push me. I like not fighting for a lane after work. The practice is cut off strictly at one hour because the lanes get taked over by the high school swim team so I won't be able to do more meters other than by getting faster.  Sorry for the essay but what say the MANATEES?

TriAya - 2012-08-15 12:15 PM

So. Salty. Never mind all this swimming and running crap (except that it is very cool you co-opted a Trials runner! Woohoo!) ...

Do I need another peanut butter cookie?

Asalzwed - 2012-08-16 1:18 AM

Yeah, I am waiting to e-mail her because I am nervous I am going to sound like a total idiot. She's very eloquent, of course. DOH!

PB cookie? Ask Reece. OMG I get it now! Reece! Reese's Peanut butter cup! Ahhhhh. 3 months later. 

Case and point. 

TriAya - 2012-08-15 11:28 AM

CANTSTOPRAFFING

snort snort snerk

E-mail her. You're passionate and committed. What's idiotic about that? And she offered, so she means it.

I have no idea why Sheila indulges my idiocy but ...

rrrunner - 2012-08-15 12:22 PM Hey, I still need that recipe for his PB Pancakes!!!!!!!!!