Eli's Tri-ing to get ready for an IM (and a sprint, and an olympic, and some running) (Page 5)

If you are feeling that tired, you may want to either skip a session, or take it easier during a session. Although I am not saying you should skip training all the time, what you don't want to do is follow your plan into a brick wall.

Missing a workout or two won't dramatacally affect your performance, but overtraining and injury will. I have heard it said that you are "Better showing up 10 % undertrained thank 1 % overtrained."

Damn you Science Fiction!!!

Since I am traveling for work, I have been abusing my kindle and reading science fiction from the .99 cent pile at amazon.

I know that doesn't sound like a bad thing, but I stayed up till 3:30 AM reading something (it wasn't even that good). That may seriously affect my training.

On the other hand, I had a GREAT treadmill run yesterday. I ran 5 miles, ALL of it at an incline. It varied between 2 and 6%. I felt strong, but man, did I sweat.

I am contemplating signing up for a HIM or OLY on June 2....a friend is doing the OLY, but an HIM might match my training better.

How is everyone doing?

Just thought I'd check in as I've been lurking...6 months to IMFL started last Monday and I had a pretty productive first wknd of training: 60 mile bike, hour swim then 12 miles the following morning. I was pretty beat up on Saturday night afer the bike/swim. I went from 35 miles to 60 *outside* and I felt every one of those extra miles. I've done plenty of long rides (2.5 hrs +) on the bike trainer but being outside for that long this wknd wasn't easy. But...I survived and am looking forward to this wknd's workouts!

Any thoughts on an aero helmet? Should I get one?

Whew, that is a big weekend for a first weekend.

Funny how the bike goes from not too bad to extreme suffering. What is this weekend looking like.

As for an aero helmet- it is the biggest bang for the buck in terms of aero treats. I just bought one for me last race, and I swear I could feel the difference, especially down hill. However, if you won't be in aero 85%+ of the time, it won't be worth it.

Plus, you will look funny. That is half the reason I got one.

How did it go? I have been doing more long runs recently, but slow and easy.

It went well, I was happy.  Did 17 in 2:37 which is good for a dude my size (6'6")..so no complaints!  Thanks for asking! I keep my training log up to date so if you're ever wondering what's going on and why I don't post much...that's why lol.

Well here it goes I am jumping in and going out for my first open water swim tomorrow. I joined a club here in Indiana to help me out and meet some new people. They have lots of activity but first thing is that I have to get open water certified. When I started working out for this late last year I couldn't swim a lap but since my running was curbed from injury I worked hard to get at least one race element down. I was in the pool all the time and made dramatic improvements. (Mainly due to my competitive side. I don't like 60+ yr olds out doing me in anything. LOL!) I get to jump in and measure my progress against seasoned triathletes. Stoked would be an understatement. 

Need advice:

Trying to PR at Bayshore Half May 26...have a 2 hour long run scheduled for this Friday, which would be 8 days from the race.  Would it be stupid to try to run it at race pace, just to see how I hold up?  Or is that too close to race day?  My tri training leading the week of Bayshore is in recovery, so very light, short workouts.

I wouldn't go crazy, but that's me.  Should be sort of a recovery run for you that close to the date.  8 days out and that's quite the long run too...

aero helmet = "plus you'll look funny." i agree, i hate the way they look. but i will be in aero for almost the entire ride since I'm doing FL...all flat. guess i'll add that to the list. i still need a wet suit, aero water bottle, calf compression sleeves and now a new helmet. most...expensive...hobby...ever.

survived my second wknd...68 mile bike/1 hr swim, 13 miles following morning. despite falling when i got off my bike at mile 24 and cutting my knee open, the ride went pretty well. i held up MUCH better than week 1. i like the physical act of riding the bike but man, that thing really scares me. the whole race i'm just going to be looking forward to having my feet on the ground.

Everyone's training sounds like it's going GREAT! I completely concur - indoor/trainer miles seem so much easier than outdoor miles. At least for the first few outdoor rides after being indoors all winter. I was able to get outside for a bike ride yesterday - but it was much shorter than I had hoped for a variety of factors...but the biggest factor being guilt...being away from the family on Mother's Day - so a two hour VERY hilly ride was what it was.

On Saturday, I got it into my head that I needed to get into the water at a local pond with my wetsuit just to get a feel for 1) OWS again 2) swimming with the wetsuit and 3) the temp of the water. Holy jamoly! It was 51 and my hands were like blocks of ice when I got out! I LOVE swimming outdoors so much more than pool swimming I was hoping it was going to be warm enough....but now I'm thinking I'll try again next weekend but most likely nothing regular until June. One of the disadvantages of living in the frozen north.

Eli - I seem to remember you did a 100 days of running plan a couple of years ago - I'd really like to hear your opinion of it now (in the rear view mirror). I've been following BarryP's program (from ST) which has me running 6 times a week for between 35-40 miles a week at a fairly slow pace...but I'm really liking it. What I have noticed is the long runs aren't nearly as painful as they have been when I'm only running 4 days a week. Did you find it helped with recovery? What about pace?

Way to go! That sounds awesome. Glad to hear that the swimming you have been doing has paid off. I am sure the running and biking will come along now that you are back at it.

annec - 2012-05-14 9:04 AM My heart wants to zoom, but my brain is telling me to take it slow.  So, you confirmed for me.   Thanks!

I agree, you don't want any nagging pain or soreness from a race pace race distance run so close. Go for a solid effort at least 30 sec per min slower than your race pace.

I would say that the aero bottle, calf sleeves and helmet are more on the "nice to have" than have to have. Then again, I love my aero drink bottle, mostly due to size and ease of refilling. Did you mean that kind of the more expensive frame shaped bottles they have for some bikes?

The wet suit you will want, although you can always rent or borrow.

Calf sleeves...I have never worn mine during a race, and I haven't seen any research that says they help during, however, I love mine for when I am sore.

The hundred runs thing was great, and yes, it did seem to cut down on the pain for most runs. I liked having the bar at 2 miles minimum, since that meant I could always get in the 2 quick and feel like I had done something. 

I have heard good things about BarryP's program, but haven't tried it yet.

Funny you mentioned it though, as I have had more pain and soreness this year than I remember. However, that may be because I have been going to the gym more.

Whew,

after a very lazy Sunday, life is getting back to normal. Managed an hour on the spin bike yesterday, and got in a morning 5 miles with .5 mile intervals.

Funny how some days are better than others. I swear that today my intervals were much slower than some of my mile repeats just a few weeks ago. Doesn't seem fair.

Thinking about swimming this afternoon, but not sure I have the motivation.

Now that my IM is less than 12 weeks, I have to start getting serious about my training again. I think I will load my plan into the system and tweaking it for my life.

It is going to get crazy over the summer.

annec - 2012-05-15 10:41 AM What "system" do you load your plan into?  Remember, I'm new to this...trying to avoid using official coaches as long as possible due to finances...

Anne, you can load a plan from excel into BT. I think you need a certain level of membership. 

Gotcha!

Hahahahaha - eyeballing a full ironman for 2014....