Newbz' Spring Fling Mentor Group is FULL! (Page 53)

So I finally got my butt in the open water after work.  First time since my last tri in July, and first time in training since April of last year.  Holy crap...I had no idea it was that long.

So I did a popular 1k meter down and back (2k total).  The last time I did it in April (which was my PB), it took me 43:48.  21:05 going down with the current and 22:43 coming back against it.  The first time I did it was closer to 48:00

Today, it took me 39:05.  19:05 going down, and 20:00 coming back.  After about 1200k meters, I was in the zone...and I actually had to remind myself to push harder because my effort level felt too easy.  And when I pushed it...I wasn't gassing out like I normally would in the pool.  It was really weird.

So not only did my time improve, but the gap between the two legs has dropped (from 1:38 to 0:55)...meaning I'm not fading as much either.  I actually finished feeling like I could go another 1k no problem.

I also reminded myself how much I actually like OWS.  I honestly was getting sick of pool workouts.  The monotony of turning every 25 yards was getting irritating...so I'm going to try and make it out for an OWS at least once a week now that the sun stays up long enough so I don't have to swim in the dark after work. 

Yeah...I was thinking the same thing.  I was looking at previous race results from my last Oly (the swim was in the same area where I was swimming yesterday) and notice that my wave only had about 30 or so people (out of 120 that swam a faster pace than I did yesterday).  So I was really thinking about where I would seed myself at the start, and how I would try to stay on their feet.  Because there was a pretty big gap between the top 30 times, and the next 15 or so times.  So I really want to take advantage of staying with that group of 10-20 guys that can swim...say 5-10 seconds per 100 faster than me.  Because once I lose them...I don't think I'll be able to bridge the gap. 

And yeah...I also need to get some practice running out of the water.  But I will say that when I walked out of the water yesterday...my legs felt pretty good...and I could have run.  I remember some of my other training swims, or races where my legs were just rubbery.

I was pretty much slobbering all over my bike this afternoon.  I suppose that's a good thing effort wise.  Stepped up my intervals to 3x15 minutes, with about 5 minute recoveries.  Held 246, 247, and 261 watts.

The list of my tri club members that have signed up for the Hawaii 70.3 is growing.  Up near 12 now...not counting the other 10-15 people I know who are doing it.  The rivalries are brewing, and the smack talk is starting to come out.  Fun times.

well done my friend!

Just a word to the wise to everyone training in the northern states right now. As the weather starts to warm and we have more and more chances to ge to get out biking and running (if you have not already) watch your volume. It is easy to tack on added hours now that we have the luxary of not spinning our bike in the same spot day in and day out. Increasing your volume too much to fast can put your body at risk of overtraining and injury. In short, be aware of your volume and dont increase more then your body can hndle.

Also do not forget to ride on your trainer once a week, 10 days, or every other week. Trainers are usually stored away during the warmer months, but they can still provide great benefit for just one hour if you keep them in use. It is a great way to train hard in a controlled enviroment and best used for a hard interval session.

Just keep these in mind as the weather warms. My body already seemed smashed last night after getting in about 1:40 on the bike and doing some monster climbs 24 hours after I did a 10 mile run. This weather outside is great but at the same time is addicting to train in.

Nice work.  I feel the same way you do with the pool swims.  It's worse for me to stare at that black line on the bottom of the pool than it is running on the treadmill, and I hate to run.  I would love to have a good OWS location.  It seems much easier to get into a groove when you can just go instead of having to turn every 13-14 strokes.  Even worse when there is swim practice and I am relegated to the 20 yd pool.  I did that once and decided no more.  When I was in high school, that's all we had was a 4lane 20yd pool.  There were about 30 people on the team.  Talk about cramped quarters for training.  Now they have a nice 8 lane 25 yarder.  Spoiled punks.

Did shoulder rehab program and finished with some light bench press and then 3 miles on the treadmill. I'd forgotten how much I dislike treadmills. I'm going to try to get out and run on the dirt road outside of where I'm working, but it's dusty as all heck and the occasional truck going by can't help but dust anyone outside.

I'm going to try to get in my 1st OWS the weekend after I get back from this detail. Other than messing around in lakes and ponds when I was a kid, this'll be my first OWS ever. It'll be twice as bad since I've not been swimming in 3 or 4 months. I'm a relatively weak swimmer, so I need to get on this horse ASAP if I'm going to ride it.

hoping for good news

I hope it goes well.

Fingers crossed for good news

Well tomorow I go for my bike fitting on my new/old felt

I got in a 6.5 mile run this morning, and while it wasn't hard, it wasn't as easy as I expected it to be.  I'm probably going to take it easy on the bike this afternoon for the most part...but maybe throw in a hard 5 minute and 1 minute test just to see where my short term power numbers are these days. 

My CAAD10 is being built up tonight.  Hoping to pick it up tomorrow night to test it out Saturday.  If all goes well, I'll sign up for a hill climb time trial on April 3rd.  It's only 5 miles, but about 1400 feet of climbing.

First tri of the season is also this Sunday.  Wow...came up pretty fast.  Not really focusing on it, just trying to gauge where I'm at right now.  Hopefully the winds will calm down.  We're under a high wind warning right now with steady 15-30 mph, and gusts to 55.  It's supposed to calm down to 10-20 by Sunday.

Ben, definitely let us know what you find out.  You may not get test results the same day, but hopefully you get something out of it.

Jason, good luck on Sunday.  What distance are you doing?

Anybody get into the green beer last night?  I went to be at 10...had to get up for 6am PT this morning...great fun, but good news on the foot front.

Jonathan...it's a 750m/11.3/3.6

Going to take it easy today...maybe just a 30 minute run.  I was thinking about doing another 2k OWS as well, but the weather isn't looking so good today and my body needs a little bit of rest.

Ben: as with everyone else, I'm hopeful that whatever's going on is minor.

Got on a treadmill again. 4 "miles" in 37:08. I run better and feel better outside; treadmills suck! I also got some low-weight/high(ish) rep chest work in. I didn't do much; my shoulder told me when to stop, so I did. I pushed it too hard two days ago and it's still a little irritated with me.

Good Luck today Jason!  Hope it's nice weather for you.

I think your prayer was heard.  It was pouring at my house when I left for the race, but low and behold, the race area was dry...and the winds calmed down a bit.  Still about 20 mph steady...but nothing near the 30+ we were experiencing the past few days.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=245417

Had a good race...swim was definately short.  And to my surprise, another podium spot.  I guess moving up to 30-34 (even though I'm technically still 29) is benefiting me.  Finished 3rd in 30-34, but would have finished 5th in 25-29, or 9th in 35-39.

Hard work is paying off...speaking of which...I'm off to ride some hills.  Gotta scout the course for my next race in a couple weeks.  A short 4 mile time trial...climbing 1400 feet.

Okay...so who thinks what about buying a carbon bike on eBay?  I am looking into a Cervelo R3.  I know the measurements are what I'm looking for.  Finding a 61cm R3 is a bit tricky.  I have been on the hunt and found this one:

 ?http://cgi.ebay.com/2011-Cervelo-R3-61cm-Carbon-road-bike-Ultegra-50-miles-/180642318035?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item2a0f1f06d3

I emailed the guy.  He says that he bought it a month or so ago and needs a 58.  So the 58 is on order.  He says he has all original receipts/paperwork for it.  I'm skeptical because why the heck wouldn't his bike shop just take the 61 back in on a trade if the size didn't work out?  Is that a common occurrence?  The bike supposedly has about 50 miles on it.  I don't think the bike is stolen or anything...judging by the custom cabinetry in the pictures and the town he's selling from, he looks legit.  All his feedback is good...all that.  What do you guys think?