kenj mentor group - back for another great season! CLOSED (Page 49)

Interesting post Becky!  I fully understand some of it, probably most of it. 

I hope your run and swim went well.

I enjoyed reading your blog post, Becky.  You write about things in a way I can identify with, thanks for being so honest.

I'm still having a bit of a hard time getting back in the groove with my harder workouts since vacation.  Usually I have two-a-days, or at least long workouts on my days off, but here I am at the end of my weekend with not a lot to show for it.  I don't think it's because I'm physically tired anymore, and I don't feel burnt out, just a plain old unexciting lull in motivation.  Boo.  Suggestions?

On the bright side, I have now had 2 months of my most consistent training EVER, and as long as I can get back on track soon this could be an awesome season.

Maybe I need to go shopping. 

Jaime

My Y has fairly new spin bikes, I didnt spin that often this winter but I do like their bikes.  Only problem is that they turn the lights out and the computer screens aren't lit so I try to grab a bike near the door so I can get a little light in through the window. 

It is so tough to hear about the people getting hit on the bike.  Such a great and healthy activity should not carry the risks that it often does. 

Use getting to 3 months as your motivation!  Maybe shopping works, IDK, unless it is for bike or tri gear I can't relate!

Awesome Robin!

Bike on the schedule today so I will get a short strength workout done here at the hotel this morning before heading back home.  I will do the bike after work when I get home.

Keep the training going folks!  It is almost spring!

MY GOD ROBIN!!!   I'm a sucker for mountains.  If I had that to look forward to I would start running and never stop!!

Masters got cancelled last night.   Got a run in at work, but then had to go home and shovel myself out.  I got a good 6"+ of snow last night.

How is everyone doing this week?  Busy week for me at work, but getting my training in as well as participating in a 30 day Insanity challenge with our company trainer. 

Thank you for the info about the bike shop Ali!  I really appreciate it!

Since we are all dog people here ....

I have a two year old Cocker Spaniel.  My previous dog was a Cocker as well and he and I were together for 16.5 years. Never having human kids, he was my kid.  My current dog Casey is a piece of work and is certainly more challenging then my previous boy. I guess we really do love them all but differently   There might be a new addition to the family soon (I must be crazy) and will know more about that soon. It is another dog (puppy). Like I need another dog and a puppy no less leading into the heart of the training season. Fortunately my season will be shorter this year so that will help. For those of you with more then one dog, do you find it a lot more work with two?  I know some of you have more then that

Other hobbies.. hmm.  I like to read and used to blog but I just don't have the time these days. Between work, training, training my dog and trying to find some time to just relax, that about sucks up all my time. I work with people who have disabilities so I find myself pretty much spent in some ways at the end of the day. I need to work less and play more

Glad your week came back around and you finished strong Becky!!

Omahabritt - 2013-03-08 10:43 AM

ramiedd - 2013-03-06 7:24 AM I am really struggling to get run and swim workouts in. I was in a much better place last year around this time. I was two months away from my Half and was getting lots of riding and running in. I am glad I did not sign up for any major event in May this year. At least (I think) I am getting good in-door cycling workouts. 34 weeks till my race.... and I better get in gear.

Don't think about last year & beat yourself up over where you WERE, you need to focus on where you ARE. Are you following a plan? Always helps me. Just get out there, get consistent about it & you will feel better!! Becky--liked your post, & can really relate. Especially during training finding the "off" button when eating, even when I know I'm full is almost impossible. I have to tell myself, being hungry is not going to kill me! Our neighbors have chickens, & they do make noise (especially when they are about to lay an egg), but it's fairly quiet, & I'll take that over a barking dog any day! Robin--I usually prefer mountains sans snow, but that is an amazingly beautiful sight. Were you smiling the entire time you were running? Brian--right there with you, can't stand the poop! One of the reasons we only have one dog, & I've been known to throw away shoes that have stepped in it, so I don't have I deal w/it. It's been a good week, just plugging away with workouts. Headed out in a little bit for my LR, then to the pool this afternoon to swim. Had my first continuous 2500 swim on Mon. I was a little nervous, & took it nice & slow (who am I kidding all my swims are slow), but it wasn't bad at all & wasn't tired after.

Good work with the swim, building the distance for continuous swimming helps with the confidence, although in the pool it is mind numbing!

Agree with Ken here on the confidence building, and the potienial for boredom.  I think most swimmers will say that long slow sets aren't the best use of time in the pool, but I'm not swimmer :-).  Last fall I did one set of ~4,300 in my crappy little gym pool just to convince myselt that I could do it before the IM.  Glad I did, but will never do it again unless I'm swimming around a lake, or bettter yet, around a small Island in the Caribean :-)

I've had a pretty consistent week, at least with running.  Even put in 11 miles on a treadmill this morning because of the weather here.  Some of KenJ's consistency must be rubbing off...  This weekend is supposed to be fantastic weather, so crossing my fingers to get out and put some miles on the new roadie...

Enjoy the new ride Bill!! 

Good for you Eddie getting the runs in while traveling.  That can be a challenge some days!

Retested with the blood lactate test again.  Funny results I guess in that I lowered the numbers meaning I am much more efficient in the Z2/Z3 range, and the overall curve flattended out which is good, but in the end the FTP number stayed the same.  But my coach was very happy with the progress as the flattening out of the lactate curve continues, the FTP number will go up. 

Also making headway with the swim.  I have been reading Swim Speed Secrets and it focuses on the pull.  One thing that I have discovered is that I have a fairly strong pull, but it is a slow pull.  I am working on increasing this speed and when I do I gain 5 to 10 seconds per hundred.  I need to build the muscle memory and the endurance, but I am very pleased with the direction.

How are the rest of you doing?  Any training to report?

I did my FTP test for the mesocycle last Wednesday. Killed it.  Only 2% from my highest ever.  I and Paleo Diet are no more.  I had no energy.  Now I have all I seem to need. 

Run is going good.  Ran 17 last Saturday, 20 the Saturday before that.   I got the 17 done in 2:45.  Sore after but recover fast to do a intense bike on Sunday.  Not bad for an old guy.

Swim is good.  Working on form (don't we always?) Now trying to incorporate the high elbow emphasized in Swim Speed Secrets.  Rather than reaching low into the water which is easier, she says fastest swimmers keep elbow near the surface under the water.  Lowers drag.  Also, ordered a pair of Zogg Flex Reactors.  Pricy, brand new product.  $70.  But photochromatic and anti fog.  If they work I will only need one pair instead of three for different light situations.  Cheaper in the long run.  I'll report.