Scottt's Group - Closed (Page 6)

+1  & I made a poll in the main area

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=192784&posts=16&start=1

When I did my first try-a-tri I could only breath on my one side - sadly this was the side that the waves were coming in on... I think every other breath was met with a mouth of water.  So while I agree that you can get by without it - it sure comes in handy depending on the water conditions/wave directions on that day.  But yes... I think it's probably one of the last skills I'd focus on when learning to swim.

ETA: I agree with everything else Alex said... if you can swing it - go for lessons.  I've heard there's a DVD program called Total Immersion which is supposed to be good too.  No clue though

For those that might be curious when you see the crazy amount of running I'm doing in my logs...

I just finished the first of two PEAK weeks prior to my TAPER for the Carlsbad Marathon on Jan. 24.  I am not a natural runner and have worked very deliberately on improving that aspect of my performance.  If nothing else, the BASE I have accumulated in marathon training should help greatly going in to my IM training this spring.  Running definitely tears up the body and I am definitely feeling the effects.  The cross-training we get naturally in our sport undoubtedly improves our recovery and longevity.  I could definitely not be soley a long-distance runner.  It hurts too much!

Marcia,

They definately look high, to me.  I would think your Z2 would be in the 130/140s

Here is a pretty good article describing the different methods of determining Max HR/HR zones/Lactate Threshold: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=405

The 220-Age method  should only be a rough starting point.  Once somewhat trained, I'd recommend a field test of some kind. 

To determine Run LT (Lactate Threshold), the field test BT uses in its plans (and I use) is: 
   1. Warmup 10 -15 min
   2. Start 30 minutes TT - effort should be solid, sustained, leaves you spent at end of the effort
   3. Take average HR for last 20 minutes of 30 minute TT
   4. Warmdown
   5. Ignore all inputs but 20 minute avg HR from step 3

You can spend a fortune of lab testing of LT, but field testing is really just as good.

Hi Scott,

I posted this in my blog today and thought I'd ask you out here in case anyone could learn anything from it:

So as I posted last night I did an LT run test. The more I think about it the more I think it’s not right. Now I know that I haven’t done it in quite a while but the first time, in 2006, I tested at 180. The second time I did it, in 2008, I tested at 181. When I did it last night I tested at 168. That seems very low. Now I know that I could have made mistakes on the previous two but they are so similar I kind of doubt it.

Here are some ideas about why it might have been off last night:

1)      I’ve been under a lot of stress and yesterday was about a 10 out of 10 on the stress level.

2)      I did not run on a flat course. I’m unsure of what this does or doesn’t do to the test. The elevation gain was about 400 feet with about equal that on the downhill.

3)      Maybe there was an issue with my monitor/strap.

This is why I think it could be right:

1)      I ran as hard as I could for those 30 minutes. I know my pace doesn’t reflect it but I think that’s because of the hills.

2)      I was huffing and puffing and don’t think I could have given much more. I thought I might puke a couple of times.

Does going down 12 points in two years make sense? I’m confused and any help and/or comments would be appreciated.

(I guess I didn't mention my method. I warmed up for 15 minutes and then ran as hard as I could for 30 minutes, with the last 20 minutes of that being the test time. My AVG HR was 168.)