Manatee Mentors 2016 - Part deux (Page 55)

Originally posted by marysia83 I need some moral support and training advice… I did almost 25 miles on the bike last Sunday. I wanted to run after that to get a sense of how it feels to run in Oly distance. I was unable to run a mile (I did 0.8). My legs had the jelly feeling, but it was not that. It was a combination of mental and physical. I think I was out of energy. My whole body felt as if being made of clay that is getting hard and dry. I just could not move. It made me super stressed and upset. I really started to worry about my Oly race in August. If I cannot do a mile, how am I supposed to run 6?? After swimming for over half an hour….?? Once I calmed down I made a couple of notes/points: 1. Not enough nutrition. Which is mea culpa and I really need to have more pasta and rice and get better breakfast. I actually started to feel hungry in the middle of the bike. 2. Not enough bike training: I only did few rides to/from work, which is around 8 miles one way. I only once did 20+ miles on the bike few weeks ago. 3. Even though I thought I was running super-dooper slow, the pace was actually 8:16 – which is crazy, because I normally run races around 9, and train at 10:30-12. So it could be that I just hit it wayyy too fast and my body was not used to it, thus, screamed to stop. I guess what I’m looking for is an advice how to train to actually run 6 miles after 25 miles of biking. Should I increase the bike mileage slowly? Or continue the 25 miles and increase running slowly? How to pace myself when off the bike? It always feel like 15 min/mile – how do I know I am being too fast? In June my training cannot change too much, unfortunately. All that I can do is biking to/from work, swim and run during lunch break. I have two triathlons in June and the weekend between them I will probably go for camping. So nothing spectacular can happen this month. In July, however, my kids go to Poland for a month, so I will be able to train all day and night. I really want to take an advantage of kids-free time to prepare the best I can. ….I would also like someone to just pat my head and tell me the feeling will eventually go away and running 10k in Oly triathlon will be just fine….

Originally posted by jmkizer

I vote for Nations Tri first.  Close, probably can get family support, monuments.  Sounds fun.  Is it spendy?

My concern about Patriots is that I think the swim is tidal.  Do they change the course based on the tide that day?  I know someone who did the HIM there a few years ago and he said the swim was difficult with the current/tide.  The bike and run course look nice though!  And I love a racecation!

The Reston one has three laps on the bike?  Hmm.  Could you drive out and do a lap of the bike course and then decide if the course is to your liking and select a race?

Originally posted by marysia83

I need some moral support and training advice…
I did almost 25 miles on the bike last Sunday. I wanted to run after that to get a sense of how it feels to run in Oly distance. I was unable to run a mile (I did 0.8). My legs had the jelly feeling, but it was not that. It was a combination of mental and physical. I think I was out of energy. My whole body felt as if being made of clay that is getting hard and dry. I just could not move. It made me super stressed and upset. I really started to worry about my Oly race in August. If I cannot do a mile, how am I supposed to run 6?? After swimming for over half an hour….?? Once I calmed down I made a couple of notes/points:

1. Not enough nutrition. Which is mea culpa and I really need to have more pasta and rice and get better breakfast. I actually started to feel hungry in the middle of the bike.
2. Not enough bike training: I only did few rides to/from work, which is around 8 miles one way. I only once did 20+ miles on the bike few weeks ago.
3. Even though I thought I was running super-dooper slow, the pace was actually 8:16 – which is crazy, because I normally run races around 9, and train at 10:30-12. So it could be that I just hit it wayyy too fast and my body was not used to it, thus, screamed to stop.

I guess what I’m looking for is an advice how to train to actually run 6 miles after 25 miles of biking. Should I increase the bike mileage slowly? Or continue the 25 miles and increase running slowly?
How to pace myself when off the bike? It always feel like 15 min/mile – how do I know I am being too fast?

In June my training cannot change too much, unfortunately. All that I can do is biking to/from work, swim and run during lunch break. I have two triathlons in June and the weekend between them I will probably go for camping. So nothing spectacular can happen this month.
In July, however, my kids go to Poland for a month, so I will be able to train all day and night. I really want to take an advantage of kids-free time to prepare the best I can.

….I would also like someone to just pat my head and tell me the feeling will eventually go away and running 10k in Oly triathlon will be just fine….

Originally posted by marysia83 I need some moral support and training advice… I did almost 25 miles on the bike last Sunday. I wanted to run after that to get a sense of how it feels to run in Oly distance. I was unable to run a mile (I did 0.8). My legs had the jelly feeling, but it was not that. It was a combination of mental and physical. I think I was out of energy. My whole body felt as if being made of clay that is getting hard and dry. I just could not move. It made me super stressed and upset. I really started to worry about my Oly race in August. If I cannot do a mile, how am I supposed to run 6?? After swimming for over half an hour….?? Once I calmed down I made a couple of notes/points: 1. Not enough nutrition. Which is mea culpa and I really need to have more pasta and rice and get better breakfast. I actually started to feel hungry in the middle of the bike. 2. Not enough bike training: I only did few rides to/from work, which is around 8 miles one way. I only once did 20+ miles on the bike few weeks ago. 3. Even though I thought I was running super-dooper slow, the pace was actually 8:16 – which is crazy, because I normally run races around 9, and train at 10:30-12. So it could be that I just hit it wayyy too fast and my body was not used to it, thus, screamed to stop. I guess what I’m looking for is an advice how to train to actually run 6 miles after 25 miles of biking. Should I increase the bike mileage slowly? Or continue the 25 miles and increase running slowly? How to pace myself when off the bike? It always feel like 15 min/mile – how do I know I am being too fast? In June my training cannot change too much, unfortunately. All that I can do is biking to/from work, swim and run during lunch break. I have two triathlons in June and the weekend between them I will probably go for camping. So nothing spectacular can happen this month. In July, however, my kids go to Poland for a month, so I will be able to train all day and night. I really want to take an advantage of kids-free time to prepare the best I can. ….I would also like someone to just pat my head and tell me the feeling will eventually go away and running 10k in Oly triathlon will be just fine….

Originally posted by Atlantia Stacey - Awesome picture, those are some gorgeous smiles! Adam - way to go!! Can't wait to hear all the dirty details Janyne - nice running in some soupy humidity! I had loads of fun at my sprint on Sunday, and am already thinking about what's next. Actually, I was hoping to get some opinions from the Pod about my Oly in September. Coming up: 5k on July 4th - just to have something on the schedule, and to see how I do running an open 5k without a pacer like I did in April. No pressure, just fun! OWS on August 7th: http://www.harborfestswim.com/- I think a standalone swim even sounds fun, especially since finding open water to practice in around here seems to cost a fair chunk of change. I figured since I was prepping for a fall Oly I'd do the 1.2 mile swim. September 10/11 - Olympic distance tri. Here's where I don't know which to pick. I've got three on my mind: 1. http://www.restontriathlon.org/tri/Reston Triathlon. Lake swim, kind of hilly bike and run. This would be super close to home (less than half hour drive) and my family would likely be able to come out and cheer. I'm a little wary of the hills. 2. http://nationstri.com/The Nation's Tri. River swim, flat bike and run (so they say.) This is also closer to home (probably only 30 minutes, not sure if I could metro to the start that early) and my family may come out for it. I've heard that the bike course is quite congested. But....monuments! 3. http://www.vtsmts.com/patriotsinternational/Patriot's International. This would need to involve a hotel stay, since it is a 3 hour drive and starts on a Saturday morning. That being said, it is cheaper than the other two. River swim, flat bike and run. My husband would drive down with me, and we'd make a little mini getaway of it and see Williamsburg and stuff. I don't know....all things being equal, which would you pick?

Originally posted by rrrunner

Well you pointed out the likely factors. Nutrition and jumping to a bigger distance then trying to run after. So work on those. But also, some training days just suck. My run on Sunday was TERRIBLE! I just had no energy. Could've been my busy week or lack of sleep the night before, or it could have been just one of those days.

Don't get discouraged, it'll be fine. Just keep training consistently and you'll see improvement (although running off the bike never feels quite right). I call it C3PO legs.

Originally posted by msteiner

Nations Tri is easily my choice.  I want to do that race one day.  

Originally posted by marysia83 I need some moral support and training advice…

I did almost 25 miles on the bike last Sunday. I wanted to run after that to get a sense of how it feels to run in Oly distance. I was unable to run a mile (I did 0.8). My legs had the jelly feeling, but it was not that. It was a combination of mental and physical. I think I was out of energy. My whole body felt as if being made of clay that is getting hard and dry. I just could not move. It made me super stressed and upset. I really started to worry about my Oly race in August. If I cannot do a mile, how am I supposed to run 6?? After swimming for over half an hour….?? Once I calmed down I made a couple of notes/points:

1. Not enough nutrition. Which is mea culpa and I really need to have more pasta and rice and get better breakfast. I actually started to feel hungry in the middle of the bike.

2. Not enough bike training: I only did few rides to/from work, which is around 8 miles one way. I only once did 20+ miles on the bike few weeks ago.

3. Even though I thought I was running super-dooper slow, the pace was actually 8:16 – which is crazy, because I normally run races around 9, and train at 10:30-12. So it could be that I just hit it wayyy too fast and my body was not used to it, thus, screamed to stop.

I guess what I’m looking for is an advice how to train to actually run 6 miles after 25 miles of biking. Should I increase the bike mileage slowly? Or continue the 25 miles and increase running slowly?

How to pace myself when off the bike? It always feel like 15 min/mile – how do I know I am being too fast?

In June my training cannot change too much, unfortunately. All that I can do is biking to/from work, swim and run during lunch break. I have two triathlons in June and the weekend between them I will probably go for camping. So nothing spectacular can happen this month. In July, however, my kids go to Poland for a month, so I will be able to train all day and night. I really want to take an advantage of kids-free time to prepare the best I can.

….I would also like someone to just pat my head and tell me the feeling will eventually go away and running 10k in Oly triathlon will be just fine….

Originally posted by Atlantia Stacey - Awesome picture, those are some gorgeous smiles! Adam - way to go!! Can't wait to hear all the dirty details Janyne - nice running in some soupy humidity! I had loads of fun at my sprint on Sunday, and am already thinking about what's next. Actually, I was hoping to get some opinions from the Pod about my Oly in September. Coming up: 5k on July 4th - just to have something on the schedule, and to see how I do running an open 5k without a pacer like I did in April. No pressure, just fun! OWS on August 7th: http://www.harborfestswim.com/- I think a standalone swim even sounds fun, especially since finding open water to practice in around here seems to cost a fair chunk of change. I figured since I was prepping for a fall Oly I'd do the 1.2 mile swim. September 10/11 - Olympic distance tri. Here's where I don't know which to pick. I've got three on my mind: 1. http://www.restontriathlon.org/tri/Reston Triathlon. Lake swim, kind of hilly bike and run. This would be super close to home (less than half hour drive) and my family would likely be able to come out and cheer. I'm a little wary of the hills. 2. http://nationstri.com/The Nation's Tri. River swim, flat bike and run (so they say.) This is also closer to home (probably only 30 minutes, not sure if I could metro to the start that early) and my family may come out for it. I've heard that the bike course is quite congested. But....monuments! 3. http://www.vtsmts.com/patriotsinternational/Patriot's International. This would need to involve a hotel stay, since it is a 3 hour drive and starts on a Saturday morning. That being said, it is cheaper than the other two. River swim, flat bike and run. My husband would drive down with me, and we'd make a little mini getaway of it and see Williamsburg and stuff. I don't know....all things being equal, which would you pick?

Originally posted by brigby1

Think it might help to slow down for a sec and take a mental breath. Careful in looking at too much at once since something freaky did happen. It's really easy to dive into worst case or doomsday scenarios then. Remember that you did run a half marathon fairly recent. You can run for a ways, and you did so without a lot of run training.

Think you're getting the idea with some things in there. More biking will help. Are you ever able to ride hard? That can help becoming stronger and handle these bigger ones a bit better since you're limited on time. I'm also thinking of running after biking. Since the main idea of this is to get used to the transition of biking to running, I'd suggest even less than the 20-30 minutes that was recommended. 5-10 minutes is probably fine. Maybe just around the parking lot at work. You're not really trying to get a run workout in, at least with the way I'm thinking of it, but learning to get through that transitional phase. Both how your body responds and your ability to feel it out. I think when that happens you'll find the distance you can go will increase quite a bit. You saw that pacing is tough. I'm always all messed up. It's all felt the same to me too from like 6:30 to 10:00 pacing. I've heavily relied on the gps watch in the early going. It's ok to start really slow. Test out a little faster for a few steps at times, but don't feel the need to really push yourself constantly. I think these early few minutes off the bike are a close second for the worst feeling part of the run, with just before seeing the finish line slightly ahead.

Think you and Matt had the idea with the nutrition beforehand. Both that morning and over the couple days prior. For this size especially. It was only about 90 minutes. While big for you it's still not really *that* big where you'll end up really depleted unless you were going gut-busting blazing hard. A little during the workout may help some, but shouldn't really make or break it.

Originally posted by jmkizer

Darren, it looks like you finished your sheets, correct?

Originally posted by mcmanusclan5

Sounds awesome - no way to lose, only to optimize the goodness... 

**FOR ME,** it would likely be Nation's tri.  I ran the Marine Corps marathon a couple times and LOVE running around the Capital.  Sooooo cool.  Plus, logistically easy and maybe a family cheer squad - pretty good stuff.  Reston hills wouldn't bother me, but monuments and that atmosphere would be the draw for the Nation's.

The Patriot would appeal **TO ME** for the mini-getaway with The Better Half.  Thing is, I'm not so sure it would appeal to The Better Half (not a huge tri-tourist, as the race tends to get in the way of vacationing unless we stay after the race - which is not what most weekend races are optimized for, with a Sunday race day being typical). 

So, I'd go with Nation's. 

Now, what I would do means absolutely nothing!  What does your gut tell you?

Matt

Originally posted by brigby1

Think it might help to slow down for a sec and take a mental breath. Careful in looking at too much at once since something freaky did happen. It's really easy to dive into worst case or doomsday scenarios then. Remember that you did run a half marathon fairly recent. You can run for a ways, and you did so without a lot of run training.

Think you're getting the idea with some things in there. More biking will help. Are you ever able to ride hard? That can help becoming stronger and handle these bigger ones a bit better since you're limited on time. I'm also thinking of running after biking. Since the main idea of this is to get used to the transition of biking to running, I'd suggest even less than the 20-30 minutes that was recommended. 5-10 minutes is probably fine. Maybe just around the parking lot at work. You're not really trying to get a run workout in, at least with the way I'm thinking of it, but learning to get through that transitional phase. Both how your body responds and your ability to feel it out. I think when that happens you'll find the distance you can go will increase quite a bit. You saw that pacing is tough. I'm always all messed up. It's all felt the same to me too from like 6:30 to 10:00 pacing. I've heavily relied on the gps watch in the early going. It's ok to start really slow. Test out a little faster for a few steps at times, but don't feel the need to really push yourself constantly. I think these early few minutes off the bike are a close second for the worst feeling part of the run, with just before seeing the finish line slightly ahead.

Think you and Matt had the idea with the nutrition beforehand. Both that morning and over the couple days prior. For this size especially. It was only about 90 minutes. While big for you it's still not really *that* big where you'll end up really depleted unless you were going gut-busting blazing hard. A little during the workout may help some, but shouldn't really make or break it.

Originally posted by popsracer

I just wanted to emphasize Ben's question if you ever ride hard.  I saw my biggest biking improvements when I changed one of my rides a week to some hard intervals.  Lots of miles on the bike are great but if they are all at a low to moderate intensity it is not a very efficient use of time

Originally posted by marysia83 Thanks Steve and Ben for that point. I remember some other posts where you guys, and some other folks, mentioned the importance of intervals and "biking hard". I do, once in a while, push hard until the tree, or whatever destination point, or amount of time. Few times I also stick to a better rider and try to push as hard as I can to stay behind him (another good thing is I watch what they do when approaching a hill). So yes - I do include some "push harder" moments. Even during my "bike to work" rides. I probably don't do them as often as I should and I bet this is the area where I can improve.

Originally posted by brigby1

Also, with as much as I've been talking about harder efforts, remember to just enjoy being out on the bike (or other activities). This is supposed to be fun! I'm often riding 5 times a week, sometimes 6. Only 2 of them are hard with some minor things in another on occasion. Have had some very enjoyable rides that just go along the path for quite some time.

Originally posted by Atlantia Stacey - Awesome picture, those are some gorgeous smiles! Adam - way to go!! Can't wait to hear all the dirty details Janyne - nice running in some soupy humidity! I had loads of fun at my sprint on Sunday, and am already thinking about what's next. Actually, I was hoping to get some opinions from the Pod about my Oly in September. Coming up: 5k on July 4th - just to have something on the schedule, and to see how I do running an open 5k without a pacer like I did in April. No pressure, just fun! OWS on August 7th: http://www.harborfestswim.com/- I think a standalone swim even sounds fun, especially since finding open water to practice in around here seems to cost a fair chunk of change. I figured since I was prepping for a fall Oly I'd do the 1.2 mile swim. September 10/11 - Olympic distance tri. Here's where I don't know which to pick. I've got three on my mind: 1. http://www.restontriathlon.org/tri/Reston Triathlon. Lake swim, kind of hilly bike and run. This would be super close to home (less than half hour drive) and my family would likely be able to come out and cheer. I'm a little wary of the hills. 2. http://nationstri.com/The Nation's Tri. River swim, flat bike and run (so they say.) This is also closer to home (probably only 30 minutes, not sure if I could metro to the start that early) and my family may come out for it. I've heard that the bike course is quite congested. But....monuments! 3. http://www.vtsmts.com/patriotsinternational/Patriot's International. This would need to involve a hotel stay, since it is a 3 hour drive and starts on a Saturday morning. That being said, it is cheaper than the other two. River swim, flat bike and run. My husband would drive down with me, and we'd make a little mini getaway of it and see Williamsburg and stuff. I don't know....all things being equal, which would you pick?

Originally posted by marysia83 I need some moral support and training advice… I did almost 25 miles on the bike last Sunday. I wanted to run after that to get a sense of how it feels to run in Oly distance. I was unable to run a mile (I did 0.8). My legs had the jelly feeling, but it was not that. It was a combination of mental and physical. I think I was out of energy. My whole body felt as if being made of clay that is getting hard and dry. I just could not move. It made me super stressed and upset. I really started to worry about my Oly race in August. If I cannot do a mile, how am I supposed to run 6?? After swimming for over half an hour….?? Once I calmed down I made a couple of notes/points: 1. Not enough nutrition. Which is mea culpa and I really need to have more pasta and rice and get better breakfast. I actually started to feel hungry in the middle of the bike. 2. Not enough bike training: I only did few rides to/from work, which is around 8 miles one way. I only once did 20+ miles on the bike few weeks ago. 3. Even though I thought I was running super-dooper slow, the pace was actually 8:16 – which is crazy, because I normally run races around 9, and train at 10:30-12. So it could be that I just hit it wayyy too fast and my body was not used to it, thus, screamed to stop. I guess what I’m looking for is an advice how to train to actually run 6 miles after 25 miles of biking. Should I increase the bike mileage slowly? Or continue the 25 miles and increase running slowly? How to pace myself when off the bike? It always feel like 15 min/mile – how do I know I am being too fast? In June my training cannot change too much, unfortunately. All that I can do is biking to/from work, swim and run during lunch break. I have two triathlons in June and the weekend between them I will probably go for camping. So nothing spectacular can happen this month. In July, however, my kids go to Poland for a month, so I will be able to train all day and night. I really want to take an advantage of kids-free time to prepare the best I can. ….I would also like someone to just pat my head and tell me the feeling will eventually go away and running 10k in Oly triathlon will be just fine….

Originally posted by rrrunner

So here's the latest on the coaching conundrum...

I talked to Justin, the ultra guy. He was quite honest that he doesn't know the first thing about writing a bike plan and told me to go with the Ironman guy and that a 50 mile plan is similar to a marathon plan with longer long runs.

Well yeah but...

So I text Scott, the Ironman guy, and he apologized for not having gotten the info to me (it's been two weeks) and said he'd have it within 48 hours.  I responded that I am still contemplating writing my own plan and that I would understand if he didn't want to spend the time putting together a proposal since I might decide not to hire him at this time. He said it's no problem and that he hopes to get to it tonight.

So there we are.

Originally posted by rrrunner

So here's the latest on the coaching conundrum...

I talked to Justin, the ultra guy. He was quite honest that he doesn't know the first thing about writing a bike plan and told me to go with the Ironman guy and that a 50 mile plan is similar to a marathon plan with longer long runs.

Well yeah but...

So I text Scott, the Ironman guy, and he apologized for not having gotten the info to me (it's been two weeks) and said he'd have it within 48 hours.  I responded that I am still contemplating writing my own plan and that I would understand if he didn't want to spend the time putting together a proposal since I might decide not to hire him at this time. He said it's no problem and that he hopes to get to it tonight.

So there we are.

Originally posted by jmkizer

Well, at least Justin was honest with you.  If you decide to go down that path at later time, he seems receptive so that is good.  Michi is a no go?