Kenj - triathletes in training CLOSED (Page 56)

Hey all,

Just checking in.  I'm trying to get more focused with the training.  I finally got my power meter up and running and love it.  I did my first power based 20' test this morning.  The results aren't so great, but at least I have some objective results to work with. I HATE these tests, and it seems like I stress out the night before more than I do before a race.  I've also totally blown these tests before when testing heart rate, going out too hard and dying before finishing.  At least that didn't happen today.

I also took my first swim lesson last night.  I'm using a Total Immersion affiliated coach.  The downside (other than the cost) is that they insist that I not swim freestyle for a couple of weeks and only work on their drills, or other strokes for general aerobics.  They want you to "unlearn" bad habits, and I guess I get that.

Tomorrow afternoon and all day Saturday is IM NY/NJ volunteering duties.  It looks like there is a chance the swim gets canceled.  For the racers' sake, I hope the water is safe and they get to do the full race.  For my sake, I'd prefer to deal with happy racers in the pre-dawn hours than folks who trained so hard for a letdown...

Brian - heal up and come out leaner and meaner in 2013!

I'm the same way with the tests Bill.  I'm usually able to prescribed workouts at a much higher FTP than I test at.  I just always blow those tests!  The 30' ones are the worst!!!!!

Meulen - 2012-08-08 7:04 PM Thank you sooooooooo much! Robin an Ken. You guys have been a huge help!

Besides the race I've done minimal running in the last week. The sock seems to really help with the mornings. Unlike my broken collarbone, which I attimately denied, I think I may have caught this early enough where it may not hold may back too much.

I took the day off of work today. Went to the PT fascility this morning for my weight program and helped my wife get a new printer for our business. Not sure what to do with the rest of te night yet, but I'm going to hol off on running a bit. I'm kind of trying to figure out where to go from here. I've still got my group fitness job at LTF so I'll still be doing those on the weekend. But I'm seriously considering finding a coach for some guidance. I'm thinking I may plan next years races now and ask a coach what I should do between now an when I need to start te training for next season. Then hire the coach for the race training month to month when it starts. Otherwise I may seek some swimming instruction and start working on jorges winter cycling program. I'll start running again lightly when my PF starts to subside.........DECISIONS!

Hopefully you caught it in time to avoid any issues.  Sounds like you are having the same thoughts on coaching for next year as I am.  I may start the conversations with potential coaches in September, but my thoughts are to wait till after the marathon to hire and start their program. 

I am interested on your thoughts about the racing weight book as well!

I generally do ok with the 20 minute tests, but there is nothing fun about them.  One thing that makes future ones easier is that you'll have a better idea where you think you are and can watch the number instead of the clock.  Either way, you'll be sweating buckets!!

I hope you don't have to deal with unhappy racers this weekend, cancelled swims at an IM are no fun for anyone!!

Ok, its Friday again!! Who's racing this weekend?

I have a 5K tomorrow, but expectations are for a good effort and an improvement over last months race.  They are on the same course so it should be a good indicator of progress.

Speak up if you are racing and TGIF!! Have a great weekend!

kenj - 2012-08-10 4:46 AM

Meulen - 2012-08-08 7:04 PM Thank you sooooooooo much! Robin an Ken. You guys have been a huge help!

Besides the race I've done minimal running in the last week. The sock seems to really help with the mornings. Unlike my broken collarbone, which I attimately denied, I think I may have caught this early enough where it may not hold may back too much.

I took the day off of work today. Went to the PT fascility this morning for my weight program and helped my wife get a new printer for our business. Not sure what to do with the rest of te night yet, but I'm going to hol off on running a bit. I'm kind of trying to figure out where to go from here. I've still got my group fitness job at LTF so I'll still be doing those on the weekend. But I'm seriously considering finding a coach for some guidance. I'm thinking I may plan next years races now and ask a coach what I should do between now an when I need to start te training for next season. Then hire the coach for the race training month to month when it starts. Otherwise I may seek some swimming instruction and start working on jorges winter cycling program. I'll start running again lightly when my PF starts to subside.........DECISIONS!

Hopefully you caught it in time to avoid any issues.  Sounds like you are having the same thoughts on coaching for next year as I am.  I may start the conversations with potential coaches in September, but my thoughts are to wait till after the marathon to hire and start their program. 

I am interested on your thoughts about the racing weight book as well!

I'm still taking it easy.  Seems like I got hit with a $hitstorm here right at the end of the season.  Probably my own fault for the way I deny and procrastinate issues.  Once I started rolling my foot it started hurting more.  I'm limping a bit during the day even now.    I also got an ear infection and came down with a fever the last few days.  Maybe, the body telling me it needs a rest!

I'm about 1/2 through Racing Weight.  So far I really like it.  I just read another diet book on eating cleaner, but I can never perceive maintaining most diets while training like an athlete.  Fitzgerald's plan seems to really fit the athlete, adding in just enough carbs and allowing gels and sports drinks during workouts to sustain energy.  He writes his plan in a way that you can get REALLY detailed and intricate in record keeping, however, realizes and gives options and concepts to not be so overwhelming with the data.  The general concept seems simple and concise, eat cleaner and don't consume more than you need or at times that the body will store fat.  That's what I got from it so far.

The book convinced me to finally buy a scale and look at my body composition.  I just got it yesterday.  Mine is a little less forgiving than the one at my gym!   Weighed in this morning at 173lbs.  I'm 6' .5" tall and it's got me at 22% BF   According to the book my BF is pretty high.  I kind of knew that though.  My weight sounds skinny for my height, but I have a small frame and have never been able to get rid of the belly and love handles, even though I've lost more than 50lbs from my peak.  Hopefully, this is the kickstart and motivation I need to finally get that lean look I've always hoped for and take my performance to the next level.  I tried like he!! to do it on my own this season, but just can't seem to get it done.

Good luck this weekend Ken!  Kill that 5k!!!

Ken - How did your 5k go?  I hope you killed it.

I spent a very long day at IM NY/NJ yesterday (not quite as strenuously as the athletes).  I feel terrible for the man who passed during the swim, but was impressed by the whole Ironman experience.  So proud of the folks toughing it out in some challenging race conditions.

I did not return this morning to register for 2013 as planned.  I did a lot of soul searching while bustling from place to place to support the event and afterwards before deciding not to.  I was going to leave the final decision until this morning and give myself time to think about it during my planned long run in Central Park (stayed in NYC for job and registration last night).  But my long run never happened because I fell in my hotel shower/tub last night, resulting in some deep muscle pain and perhaps a cracked rib or two.  Ugh... That was the icing on the cake.  Anything can happen to spoil the best laid plans of mice and men and I'm not willing to commit to another Full a year out.  It just causes too much stress.  Also, I'm not even sure that 140.6 will ever be the distance for me and now I can just focus on IMAZ without looking past it.

Also, my wife has thrown her unconditional support behind a repeat IM journey but she really would prefer that I keep it to lakes, or at least to upstate portions of the Hudson.  She may have to make an exception to the lake swim idea when I qualify for Kona ;-)

Sorry to hear about your fall!  I hope you didn't break a rib

I have been reading the posts about IMNY and the very large increase in price (at the last minute I guess) and the shortened race time. (15.5 hours).  I haven't seen that time posted on the website but did see the $1200.00 for general entry fee.  I never had a thought of doing that race but of course the subject is of interest to me. I feel for the volunteers who stood inline only to find out of the increase right before registration opened.  It makes me wonder what will happen when I go to WI to volunteer in Sept.  If this race sells out, I am sure that we will see price increases at the other races. Maybe you should sign up for IMWI 2013 since it is a lake swim and hopefully the price will stay "reasonable" for another year.   

Thanks Kathleen.  I don't know what's worse, the pain when I breath deaply or stand/walk (and how it will hurt my training), or the lame way I injured myself... It's not like I was wrestling bears or racing in a criterium.  I cracked a couple of ribs when I was a kid in the Army and the doctor laid it out pretty simply - that sucks, nothing we can do for you, so try to take it easy.  That was pretty funny since I had a job that never let me "take it easy".

I think and hope for your sake that the crazy price increase in NY was a one off thing and won't flow to the other races (at least not too quickly).  This was definately a last minute change.  Yesterday they briefed us on registration and were still quoting the old pricing.  I didn't know until I saw it here today. If they were only basing fees on a race's ability to sell out, I think they would jack up all of the races that sell out in under a day.

As for me, I'm going to completely clean my plate before I ask for more.  If that means I miss out on some races that sell out, then it is what it is.  If it means I end up doing a HITS 140.6 my wife has promised to follow along with a moped or something so I don't have to feel totally alone doing a long race with 10-15 other athletes... The only thing I'm going attempt to sign up for that sells out is the SOS http://www.sostriathlon.com/course.  They only take 150 racers and it seems like so much fun and challenging in its own way.  Its an 8 leg tri with 1 bike, 4 runs, 3 swims and its nice and close to home. 

5K went well Bill, thanks!  Pace dropped off more than I would like, but not unexpected as I went out at a pace equal to my best pace for that distance but I couldn't hold it for 3. 

I hope nothing too serious from your fall, that had to hurt! Hopefully you get back to training soon!

I am wondering if staging a race in that area turned to be more expensive than they planned?  It is the only IM that I have heard them raising prices that much.  It is good that your family supports the training, but it is probably a good idea to get your first one under your belt before laying out the dough on a 2nd, especially one as expensive as NY.  As far as the swim goes I think they all have their own challenges.

The time change will get people excited as well! I think you are probably safe at WI, I hope they hold it for Florida too as I want to do that in 2013.

Here's my equipment question of the day - Calf compression, do you use anything? If so, what brand? Socks? calf sleeves? with or without stirrups?

I got to thinking about these as the blood pooled in my feet for 18hrs on Saturday.  Do you use them before, during, after workouts/races, or all three?

Thanks!

I used Zensah Calf Compression sleeves no stirrups or socks.  I tend to use them after my long workouts or if I feel a twang of calf tightness.  Seems to recover quicker that way.  I also use them as a "preventative", so I don't get tightness in my calves after a long ride or run.   I've used it a couple times during my run, and I did notice a little difference as the calves aren't so tight. This was when I was transitioning into different brands of minimalist shoes (now I'm fine with them). 

I haven't tried the others to really make any judgement. I don't know if there's really a huge difference between $100 calf sleeves compared to $20 medical grade calf sleeves with stirrups that you can get at a drug store. The big difference between the two is the color.

Well, 

   I'm back!  I had a WONDERFUL weekend in Prescott, AZ for a invite-only bike ride and rode the 53 miles of Skull Valley Loop on Sunday, and 25 miles of hilly ride on Saturday.  I felt kind of special because the people who invited me to go felt that I've become a much stronger rider than the past two years. Ironically, that weekend was the weekend that I started cycling three years ago, so Happy Anniversary to me!  

It was just a BEAUTIFUL ride! Totally different from desert Las Vegas with lots of trees/forest surrounding you/animals (saw some sort of Hawk or Eagle flying just a few feet by me, Angus cows, horses, etc), lots of switchbacks and of course, lots of climbing! I believe it was about 3500' of climbing for 20 miles. While it was a little hot, but not as hot as LV. 

Due to the fact that many people were much stronger riders than I am on the hills, and I held myself back some because I wasn't sure how I'll be after all that climbing, I had quite a bit of alone time with me and Roulette 2.0. It gave me a lot of time to think about what to do for the rest of the year training-wise and Triathlons. 

I realized that while I enjoy doing triathlons and training for it, that I really just prefer doing Sprints/Olympics (even though I've only done one).   The past couple weeks was just lackluster training-wise and I found myself NOT enjoying the training.  Cycling is a different story. I have NO problems cycling long, short, trainer rides, etc. It's really my favorite thing to do.  Running - I enjoy doing short runs, some long runs, but not too crazy going for 6+ miles. Swim - ugh.  However, I am finding myself drawn to cycling a lot more than anything else.   In a way, training for a HIM started to feel like "work". I obsessed too much on missed workouts, trying to squeeze in workouts when I really don't want to. Etc. 

At Prescott, I decided to forego HIM this year.  It did pained me to just take a step back and say, "Next time".  I was encouraged by my fiance and a couple friends of mine that if I'm going to start a family, NOW is the time to do a HIM PRIOR to a family because of NO training time. I was a little taken aback because there's PLENTY of women who started a family, and trained for Triathlons, heck, even for IM's.   I'm not saying I will start as soon as the baby is born to train...I have plenty of time...Triathlons will always be there.  Will I regret it? Perhaps a twang, but with serious lack of motivation, I frankly don't care at this point. 

So what am I going to do with my "more" free time? I have a couple big rides coming up.  I have Park to Park Pedal ride in Northern Nevada - 103 miles in October. Pedal to the Medal charity ride in September, MS 150 in November, and I have a lot of rides on my bucket list that I want to tackle. The only way to do that is: to do lots of riding!  I will still continue to cross train, and run short distances, and perhaps do one or two 5K/10k runs.  My runs has improved, and I would like to keep that up with lots of short runs vs. long runs.   I wanted to tackle all of this before I am "too" pregnant. I know after pregnancy, the fitness level will not be the same, and it'll be a while before I will be at the same cycling peak I am at now.

Sorry for such a novel! :-) It feels like I had a breakthrough day at Prescott. Mind-clearing type of thing...totally awesome, I highly recommend it. :P

I have the 2XU calf sleeves, they feel good, but I am not convinced they do anything.  But, if you look around the races you see a lot of them so a lot of folks think they help.  I have a friend that is a PT that wears them for most running that he does.

I haven't worn them to train or race, just post workout. 

Sounds like you had a great ride DJ!  It also sounds like the time on the bike gave you some clarity for the rest of the season which I am sure is a relief to you. 

Enjoy the saddle time and rides you have on the schedule, your cycling will be super strong by then end of the year!

I went to the dr.s this morning since the ribs weren't feeling any better. The good news is that nothing is broken and all organs are intact. Just contusions on some ribs to be treated with ice and motrin. I asked about training and she says since nothing is broken, pain is my only limiter, in other words "suck it up buttercup". So back to it tomorrow. I'm going to get a bit behind plan since next week I'm off to Cancun with the Mrs. I'll try to keep up with running there, but in a way, I can't think of a better place to be slightly injured than an all-inclusive beach...

DJ - I'm sure its a relief to narrow your focus and stick to what really draws you at this point. Long course triathlons will still be there if you decide to do them ater. Plus, all the biking gains will have you most of the way there!

Has anyone tried Strava.com?

It's pretty cool.

DJ,

After doing the marathon early this year I thought to myself "This is my year". I couldn't have been more wrong. It was, and still is, a real struggle to put together my training for my races this year. The actual race took way more out of me than I thought it would. I had no idea how hard it would be to come back - I just thought I'd keep rolling along but that's not what happened.

I'm still thinking about the HIM at the end of Sept and if I feel like I can do it, I will.

But good for you to do some soul searching and figure out what you really want!

Oh and none of this is easy, keep that in mind.

I load my data up to strava.  It is pretty cool to see the KOM's for the local hotshots and disappointing to see how far I have to go to catch them.