left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 52)

scuba, excellent question. I was wondering the same thing. I'm also slow. (although it's a banned word around here...sorry for bringing it up)

If I were to run my current mileage, I'd need close to double the time they say in those time-based plans. I look forward to hearing our mentors on this one. Thanks for asking it.

I'm also training for a half. In February. After that, I'll be training for my first full. In between, I plan to do two sprints.

Here's how I'm doing it. I'm following the running plans for the distance races and working in bike and swim as xtraining.  It works for me because sprint tris are so short. So I just make sure I can swim and bike the distances of the race. Plus a little extra for confidence sake.

About six weeks before my first tri, I started doing brick workouts to combine running and biking in the same workout. About two weeks before, I started doing rehearsing transitions. I did fine. It was my first tri and I finished closer to the middle than the back. So I'd say it worked for me. 

Going forward, I am wondering should I do the same thing or follow a different plan. Right now, I'm definitely run-focused. 

Scuba, I've asked that question in the past... the answer I got is that your body knows time - not distance... So, if you can train for the amount of time you estimate the race will be, you should be fine. 

My current plan is based on time too... same thing went through my mind... if it says 25 minutes for me, it's only 2 miles (if that) for most, it's 2.5 miles... but I'm going to trust the plan & my coach (who says he'll get me there)

The other thing I will add is that plans are exactly that plans.  They are guides and only you know what is best.  Now that does not mean if is says to run 40 minutes you should run 13 miles but if you run 50 minutes to make the 4-5 miles you want, that is fine.

Use the plan as a guide and let your body tell you the rest.

Interesting point -- your body knows time not distance. Makes sense.

Also seems to be two ways of saying the same thing. For instance, a half marathon takes me close to 3 hours. So if I train for mileage, at the peak say I'd run 13 miles. If I trained for time, it would be three hours.  Works out the same.

The issue with the BT plans is they didn't go up that high...

That's why I prefer SmartCoach (RW plan) distance based plan.  From runner to runner, times will change, but the distance is the only true constant.

At least that's how I see it as of now. I'm really interested in the mentor response to this one.

I actually have used Runnerworld for my last 10K.  I really like their plans and may use them again for the half.  But I haven't seen anything on there for tri-training. 

I also am planning on doing swimming and maybe biking as cross training while I train for the half.  

Cardholic - 2008-12-23 11:27 AM One thing nice about running for time not distance, is that you don't have to push yourself... you can go slow, keep your HR low - Have you ever tried it? It's pretty freeing

I'm too addicted to seeing those mileage numbers on my chart   (One thing I don't particularly like about BT log charts, it just shows times ..I want to see my MiILES baby! )  I do keep my HR low most of the time, so I'm not really pushing it.  I think if I were worried about the time I would run faster than I normally do because I would feel like I needed to get a certain amount of miles in during those times. 

I found it in my log under

1.Control Panel

2.Edit your training settings

3. tab that says goals on the right

Click on your control panel button, then the Goals are on a tab way to the right.

As for distance or time I think a factor in this is speed.  Is your goal to finish the race (which for many it is) or are you going for a particular time?  My training mantra I picked up from RW (when I was running) was distance than speed.    For my first Tri it will be to finish but after that I will be going for faster times. 

Some people like speed work some don't but I don't typically train at my race pace until I can run that distance comfortably then I pick up the pace.  Either way there are many different ways to train.  Whatever gets you across the finish line!

Went by the Tri store and picked up new goggles (TYR's) and Zoomers.  Bryan, I tried your tip about trying each on.  The store had several pair out, liked the TYR's, picked out the color I wanted, tried them on just in case.  Wow, swimming without water in my goggles will be a new experience.

I must admit when I pulled out the Zoomers my first thoughts were "This is it?".  Definitely not going to give me the speed normal fins do but should give me just the lift I need.  What I found today was without fins my legs and butt were sinking.  Kept having to do the "belly button thru the back" thought to get my lower body higher in the water.  Even with fins but not kicking I didn't sink (I suspect a combination of bouyancy and water pushing on the fins helped keep my legs up).

WAEF - According to the instructions the smaller blade doesn't work the legs as but do give you some lift.  This might be a good balance for you and your cramp issues.

sounds like the next equipment I pick up should be a heart rate monitor...

I am run/walking for time tomorrow. Two leisurely hours.  (Wed is long run day).

Not sure if I'll do set run/walk intervals or just walk when I feel like it. Sometimes I do 5/1 or 10/1 or 20/1. Sometimes I run the whole time. It all depends on my energy level. Sometimes I think I'm going to do run/walk and feel great and just decide to run the whole time, switching from jog to slow jog and back. About six miles from finish, the jog turns into a run. I really don't have a set plan. Just go with the flow.

Since I don't have a HRM either, so I just gauge effort by finding a pace I can hold for two hours. That usually ends up being pretty slow. I imagine it'll be around 9 miles total. Gradually building up to my next half.

But all this talk of HRM makes me curious. 

Went to the gym today and for the first time ever did the trainer (bike) and then ran 2 miles.   Guess that's my first Brick work out huh?

Yep, I got the Blues also.  Didn't realize you had them.  How do you like them compared to regular fins?

When I first started running I wore mine but gave it up as I wasn't looking at the data.  I am going to start wearing it during rides.

when you find it look around and see if my car keys are nearby....

I think the little people are taking stuff again.

almost forgot. Was able to get outside on the bike today. I'm still concentrating on trying to keep my heart rate under control. For some reason it's a lot easier for me running vs. the bike - I always thought heart rates were generally lower on the bike vs. running. Of course it could be that I'm just more out of shape on the bike....

Any hints on how I can get this lower?

Cardholic - 2008-12-23 4:58 PM I'm a techno-geek/analyst type... I can't live without my Garmin... I'm getting the cadence piece tonight - can't wait to use it on my rides

Cool, let me know if that works well for you!

I love zoomers. Have been using them for about a year. Coach told me to get them for the same reason you mentioned. She said my hips were too low and my kick was weak. We did a lot of other things too to work on those problems but the zoomers certainly played a key role.

Now when swimming freestyle, I swim fine with or without them. Even with three stroke breathing, I don't need them.

Although for some reason, I do find they help me quite a bit on side kick drill without the stroke. I note a definite difference in body position with or without them.  I'm lower in the water without them. Try though I may to push my shoulder down, I am in a different position with vs. without zoomers.

I haven't tried regular fins yet. My swim coach says longer fins will help my ankle flexibility, and increase strength and speed even more. She wants me to get the non-split fin.  She wants me to get used to the feel of swimming faster so that later when I take them off, I can try to mimic that tempo.

I guess it's like what speed intervals do for you in running. They teach you the feel of running faster. Before I tried speedwork, I was actually afraid to run fast. Now I've learned I can survive it. So at times I push myself to find that feeling again. I think she's trying to teach me the same thing in the water.

This is a very exciting and cool journey we are all on. I'm so glad we're sharing it together. 

I don't have an HRM but even without it, I know I work MUCH MUCH MUCH harder on the bike than I do running. Running is a piece of cake compared to biking. I'm huffing and puffing and working like mad on hills. I can imagine if I had a HRM on, the thing would beep constantly warning me that I'm about to have a coronary.

Hmmmm, on second thought it might be for the best that I don't have an HRM.