Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 51)

Up here -- weather is starting to get warm enough to venture outside.  Though the snow has yet to melt so it looks like a frozen wasteland, but actually quite comfortable to run in.    Just got back from a trip "around the block" (5K run) right before sundown -- now able to do it very comfortably and regularly under 30 minutes.  

Headed down to Texas for a day trip this week -- I may try to run outside while there, if only for the sharp contrast in temperature!

We also just say goodbye to the last of a long string of visiting relatives -- the home front should be much calmer over the next couple of months, which should help as I try to reacquaint myself with swimming and biking.

One final note -- I'm now officially signed up for a Half Marathon at the end of May (my first) -- will be good to see all the running pay off!

Scott.

Good work Scott! You will be ready for the HM. Just keep up the consistency.

I was up early and on the treadmill so I could get my run in. Swim later and then daughter's soccer game this evening. Lots of activity going on around the house with soccer games, training and Spring yard work. Oh, and we are traveling Friday and Saturday. First race of the season, a sprint, is 2 weeks from Saturday and Galveston 70.3 is the following weekend. Busy time! 

I got in a decent swim today (1500 yds). I was actually able to bring my left arm around, although it was very stiff and sore. I alternated laps between the crawl and breast. I'm just glad I've been able to get even that much accomplished in the last week. Hopefully, by this time next week I'm back to all crawl and with better form (for me, anyway). I followed this up with a progessive 5k.

The weather is looking better for later this week, so I'm hoping to be able to bike ride to work (6.7 miles each way). I haven't been including this as training miles but I do mentally feel like it adds to my overall fitness. It certainly helps with my mental health!

Friends,

I waited for a few days after illness/lawyers/general trouble before posting this, but I think that, realistically, I have to say that while I'm not completely bowing out, you should assume that I'm mostly gone.  I just do not have time to come here, and frankly I feel really awful that some are diligently looking in on me (but thanks!) while I barely have time even to notice.  I will not say that I am gone for good, but I just cannot justify spending more than a tiny amount of time here with so much else going on that -- despite the awesomeness that I find in the good mentor groups on BT -- is more pressing.  I hope to look in sometimes, and I will certainly continue to train (if you are ever in my area, please feel free to get in touch for some training -- my contact info is just a click or two away from my profile) but I will not be checking in regularly, at least for the foreseeable future.

I wish you all the best, in training, tri, and life.

--Michael

Michael-as one of my first mentors I hate to see you go but certainly understand. I appreciate all of the guidance and advice you have provided. You are always welcome here and I hope you will be able to continue to do the things you enjoy while keeping all of the plates spinning. 

Jason-I hear you on the scheduling.

Just got home from daughter's soccer game. I was avble to get my swim in after court but before the soccer game. A bit of a milestone for me...a 4000 yard swim workout. It was the same workout Jason described the other day where there is longer rest with each 5X100 set but the intensity increases. I liked and hated it. Liked that I finished it and hated it while I was doing it. Mainset ended up being 7X(5X100).

Tomorrow is 3400 swim and bike intervals in the evening. Crazy week between training, work and family activities. 

Dave-Take it easy on your injury. Be careful not to push yourself too hard and injure it further.

Micheal-I don't know you or know what's going on in your life but whatever it is I hope it works out.

I've been busy and haven't posted much here but I am getting back on track with my training and for the most part feeling better. I'm not doing much right now-just keeping up my swimming and running enough to keep up with my HM training. I haven't biked much since I gave up the Winter Bike Program but maybe will work a little in soon-especially with the weather looking better.

Honestly, part of the reason I don't post much here is because I don't really have a lot of advice to offer. After a few seasons of running and 1 season of triathlon I found myself completely falling apart this winter. I'm still not entirely sure why but I have a few theories-really, it doesn't matter as long as I get back on track and avoid any future issues.

That being said I've come to a decision that may seem counterintuitive. I think I'm going to lower my emphasis on triathlon this summer. I'll swim and bike enough to allow me to jump back into training at some point if I'm ready and maybe if things go well I'll do a late season sprint but I think I'm going to focus on shorter distance running, stregth, flexibility and weight loss. The reason for that is that I kind of skipped over that step and went right into half marathon training a few years ago and never really looked back. The problem is I am truly an abysmal runner and just the act of doing it consistantly for the past 3 years has not made any difference. In fact, I've never really gotten faster (not much) and am slower now that last winter (probably because of my sucky training). Anyways, I'm hoping that taking a step back and focusing on getting stronger will help and maybe by next summer I might be ready to take it to the next level.

I'll stay with the group as long as it keeps going and will check in regularly but probably still won't post often. I really try not to unless I have something helpful to say and given the state of my fitness/training-I obviously don't have this thing down. However, I am following and celebrating all of your victories and I'll continue to post occasional updates to let you know how my training is going. I'm also still planning to finish my April HM-I've already signed up and am using it as a fundraiser.

Hope everyone has a great day and a great weekend!

Best of luck to you Michael

Good day today  back in the water after 8 days off or so from being sick and having PT appts and dr appts and work and yadda yadda yadda.  Also the snow has finally melted off the trail so next week I plan to run in the afternoons at work on the days I swim.  Trying to step it up a bit!

AND I decided to do that 5K next week to benefit the families and first responders from Sandy Hook.  With 15,000 runners I will probably shuffle along with the group and not be able to run anyway

Have a good day all!

"Nicole, Doing a running focused period sounds like a good plan. I have occasionally thought about going back to just being a runner for a year but I have worked so hard to improve in the water and on the bike that I am afraid to give up those gains. As far as offering advice; this is a very open and welcoming group. You don't need to offer advice to post on here. There are some things I can advise about and some that I can't, but it is nice to get on here and be part of a community of like-minded athletes, even if it is just posting your training for the day."

Nicole, I second what Jason said above.  I'm sure alot of my posts about family activities or the workout I did are not very interesting to folks. But, sometimes it feels good to know that you are not the only one struggling with schedules, family activities and what happens day to day. In being involved in the mentor program over the last few years some of my most memorable/satisfying moments have come from seeing people hit their goals and achieve what is important to them...whether that is making it from one end of the pool to the other or completing an IM. Do what you enjoy and fits into your life/schedule best. Hope you will keep us posted     

Ditto on what Jason says about Michael.  I always value his inputs/insight/wisdom etc.

Just back from pool for a lunch time swim.  I was in Chicago the last 2 days basically living it up, pigging out and having a blast.  Now that that's out of my system (I think), it's time to get back into the swing of things on this site.  The last few weeks have further driven home to me the fact that I need to strive to live in the now, enjoy life, prioritize those things most important to me,my children and triathlon among them.  I am going to reduce all the extra shifts I've been picking up (up to 8 per month) and spend more time doing whats really important!!

Michael, sorry to hear you must go. Definitely will send you a note if I'm in town! Good luck on all of your endeavors and look forward to seeing you again soon. Thanks for all of your advice and help while I've been here. 

Jim, a good philosophy to live by. Hopefully we all can incorporate some of that into our lives!

Today was my 4th trip to the gym for a strength training session. They've only lasted about 40 minutes on average and I'm going twice a week. So far so good. Last week was horrible since I had the initial Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) that always comes when starting a strength training routine. Powering through my S/B/R sessions was certainly challenging, but all the DOMS is pretty much gone now, so I'll keep up the weights while my body is used to them!

45m bike followed by a 30m brick run tonight.

Hope everyone is doing well!

This has thoroughly discouraged me from ever trying the flying mount/dismount...totally not worth it! 

Warning: Graphic Images!

Link

You got a new coach?

Sorry I have been MIA for several days.  Work has been consuming more time than usual and this arm in a cast has been far more restrictive than I was hoping.

Thanks to Jimmy I have some aerobars on my bike but still getting used to them.  Swimming is OK with the cast but to keep my hands in proper position is quite painful so that is out for a few more weeks.  Then I was running and apparently holding my broken arm funny, which threw off my gait, which caused some serious bursitis in my hip.

All I can do hard right now is a stationary bike.  I feel like i am regressing and it is very discouraging.  Hopefully when I see the doc again in a few weeks I can keep the cast off.  That will only give me two weeks to do whatever I can before my race.

Not much I can do about it right now except complain.

Yeah, when I first opened the thread and saw the photos, I assumed it was a wreck. I couldn't believe that he sustained those kinds of injuries all on his own. Maybe I'll try the flying mount/dismount sometime, but I certainly wasn't encouraged by those pictures!

Good morning! We made it to Friday. Early run on the treadmill done. Now work until Noon then we head to Tuscaloosa for daughter's soccer games this evening and tomorrow morning. Will also get to see our son for the first time in 2 months while we are in town. Roll Tide! I'm hoping to get my 10 mile run in early tomorrow morning before soccer and family activities get going. Hopefully will be able to do it on the Bama XC course which is an old golf course. I don't have the chance to do much running on soft surfaces and my legs will appreciate the softer surface. We will head back tomorrow night and I have a long bike and short brick run scheduled. Weather looks beautiful.

Anyone racing this weekend?