Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 54)

Morning all!

Slept in and now trying to clear the cobwebs enough to head out for a ride.  Swam and ran yesterday, the swim was good but the run was not fun.  Just had to gut it out.

For the swim I was talking with my Masters coach and asked her about swim paddles (had read a thread over on ST about them) and she recommended a brand.  But she loaned me a pair of her 2nd choice.  These are pretty much held on by one thread around your middle finger.  Really emphasizes good mechanics or they fall off.   Used them for 550 yards then swam without.  Wow, a difference that I could feel and it was great.  Not a big fan of using swim aids too much I will incorporate these.

Received my TI DVD's and book.  Book is aimed at Triathletes but a bit old.  Refers to gas going over $2/ gal.  So far the book hasn't told me much I haven't heard (Long body, etc) but only 1/2 thru.  Will watch the videos tonight.

Dorm - foot cramp while swimming is a common occurance.  It can be related to pushing off on the wall too hard.  The long term solution seems to be swim more and eventually they go away.  Potassium helped me somewhat and always have a X-ade drink with me when I swim.  Once you get one you can either stop and stretch or you can try writing the alphabet with your foot (I think Elizabeth recommended this one) to work out the cramp.

I don't get foot cramps but overheard someone that did receive the advice to eat more bananas and drink more electrolytes.  Can't hurt.

Have fun on your ski trip!

Oops never mind!!!  Need to learn to read a calendar!

Quick flyby.  Planning a 6 mile run then watching the Superbowl commercials.  The game interests me less than the commercials, hopefully they will be good.  Body has gone a bit off as I am eating junk and a lot of it (DW is out of town) but I am losing weight.  3-4lbs in the last 4-5 days.  Hmm maybe I can make it to 170 which I haven't seen since college.

So far on the TI video its a lot of what my Masters coach taught me except for one key item that I emailed her about.  When you extend the hand for a stroke the TI video has it placed at an angle about 30-40 degrees down.  Whereas my outreach is about 10 degrees.  Not sure if that is my mistake or just a fundamental difference in teach styles.

Thoughts?

First off, I am amazed when I watch TI videos at how smooth and fast the swimmers are with little motion.  From your question, I believe extending your arm in this downward angle works like a type of pontoon and/or rudder.  First off it adds some buoyancy with just being out there, and then the downward angle  ... doesn't this work to keep the torso more level?  As well, doesn't this affect the legs and feet, wherein it makes or helps these rise?

Hey all!
Got a great run in on Sunday.  Was heading out from the church parking lot and met up with another church member doing the same run.   He is definitely a faster runner but paced him to 8:55/mm avg for the 10k.  Felt good and definitely had some left in the tank to finish.  Nice to know that maybe I am picking up a little of my lost speed.

Dorm - I am talking with my masters coach who taught me a lot of the things that TI is teaching but the arm down is difference in technique.  For now I am sticking with how she taught me but we will be discussing in-person soon.

Texas - Not sure what to tell you on that one.  Did you stop and stretch?  New distance?

Well it seems this is like everything else.  First it was stretch! Then it was stretching is evil!  Then its stretching, when done properly, can be beneficial.

My take: Stretching after a run or after you have warmed up can help.  In your case where you reported tightness I think doing some stretching after the muscles are warmed up would be helpful.  When I did PT they would always have me warm up then stretch.  Just my two cents worth.

Congrats!!!!! Nice job!

Congrats on the great run!

[Dick Vitale Voice] Yeaahhh babeee!

Hey folks!

Writing this again as it ate my first post.  Thinking I am coming down with a cold as my allergies have gone haywire which is usually the first sign for me.  Easy swim today and a run tonight.

How is everyone's training?

Got a good 1k swim work out in yesterday and 4 mile run in today.

Starting to feel good with extending some distances out, so we shall see how that works itself out by the end of the week.

Training is going well.  Picking up the running adding some "speed" work.  Knees are a bit sore cycling which could be due to the speed work (or the 2 hour and 45 minute trainer ride Sunday).  Extreme fitness class is going well too.  It combines swimming sprints with push ups, burpees, squats, etc on deck.  Pretty intense.  

 Extreme fitness class is going well too.  It combines swimming sprints with push ups, burpees, squats, etc on deck.  Pretty intense.  

Congrats!

Got an old 310xt to sell? 

Just got back uesday night from Sarasota, FL.  I did my "long" run outside with shorts and a T-shirt.  Amazing running at 7am in 65 degrees and sunny.  Did 8.5 miles at a 9:35 pace.  Not amazing but reasonable.  I ran across the Sarasota Bay Bridge, which I did not realize was quite a climb, until I was on it.  Out and back over that really killed my pace. 

Hit the Drainer for an hour yesterday and planning 1:40 this weekend for my long "ride".

I am wondering why I live in the north.  It was sunny today, but a high of only 35.  What am I doing in Michigan???

My best to all.  I will be on BT at night.  I am starting a 5 day night shift stretch tonight.  Happy training!