Manatee Express Mentor Group - closed (Page 6)

Did ok last week.  After the half marathon on Sunday, I took a couple of days off running and rode my trainer instead.  Recap:

3 short trainer rides

3 short runs at a decent pace

1 long bike ride (outside!)

I'm glad it is now daylight savings time, which means I'll be able to get some biking in on some afternoons (assuming work lets up at some point!).  But I run before work and I'm up now, and it is pitch black out there -- that's definitely the down side of this time of year!  I'll run with a flashlight and stay off paths for awhile.

Ken & Gang,

Had a good week this week - I took more time off then usual - but I ended up finishin the week out strong with some actual road time on the bike and I really stepped outta my comfort zone with the swim today.  My running is on point - I feel pretty strong with that so I am really focusing on swimming and bike for the remainder of the training before MAP Tri which is on the 29th!  I actually rode with the members of the tri club this weekend - QCTC - Queen City Tri Club here in Charlotte, all these folks are super cool, most have alot of Tri's and Ironmen under their belts so good group to learn from for newbie like me!  We rode the actual course I am riding for the tri this month - it's about 12 miles and not to shabby  - not alot of hills..there are some but mainly nice gradual ones - no steep's...there is one where I had to crank down to my middle chain, but other then that one hill I plan on ridin the whole course on my hi chain and just stickin it out....my pace was a lil slower since I was ridin with the slow  - medium pace group - I really just wanted to get a feel for the course and plus me being the only mountain biker on the ride - well - that just seemed smarter to hang back and not try and keep up with all the Trekkers on the road bikes in the fast group.   After the ride - which the wifey did with me - we took off for a run as soon as we got back - so I could get a feel for what it's gonna feel like to actually ride  - transistion  - then run.  My legs were pretty stiff from the ride so the 1st 5 min's or so was sorta just gettin my body to adjust to running now..ran for about 15 minutes then stretched out.  Felt good to get a taste of what's in store come the 29th.  As for the bike course - I should be able to smoke it  - seriously  - not bad at all, I see me getting in done in about 35 min......

My swim today - I stepped outta my comfort zone - I attempted my 1st real non stop distance swim today over 100 yards ....I have not done this yet.  The most I have been doing is about 100...non stop.  Today I did 200 non stop in about 5:30 - and then after catch my breathe - 300 yards in about 8:30 min's ...so that averages to just about a 3 min x100 yard pace..which in my book..is A-ok for now.  I should be able to finish my swim for the tri in about 15 min.  I really focused on rolling over on my back - recouping - then rollin back over and swimming on....  Next time I hit the pool - 500 yards non -stop is my goal.....but I had a good swim today..and learned quite alot about how well my training plan has done for me..and I feel like I am where I should be.

Ken,

 Thanks for the tips - I will def take you up about that for the T2 going from bike to run.  I can understand why I would want to spin my legs a little faster since the run is like that....I remember coming into the T2 this weekend during our practice ride and I was on my hi chain...so..when I got off the bike my legs were used to that slower pace but with resistance of course cause the last 300 yards of the cycle course is uphill and it's a lil steep - I came out of the saddle and pulled up the beast!! ..so..that makes total sense what you are sayin.  For the swim - that also is what I have been told by other tri veterans - over swim in training and come race day it will not be such a shocker.  I will do that as well - this Friday I intend on swimming the 500 non-stop just like I will on race day so I can get a feel for my pace and time...then the next day - I will go further - like 7 to 8..depending on how I am feeling...but I think your right.  If I had a swim coach standing over me he/she would be telling me to get off the wall and keep going...you can do this...LOL!  So - that's the plan...swim like a fish...nice and relaxed - but steady on my pace....rollover on my back if I need to regroup and catch my breathe - then roll back into my stroke and swim on!!!  That's how I gotta do this ....no more stops!!!  ANyway - thanks again for the wise words and encouragment...I certainly hope I do well...as long as I finish and finish strong..then I will have met my goal.  I really think the cycle part is gonna be my strongest part of the race....after mapping and riding the course I know the terrain and I know where my pace should be...I hope to catch up any lost time on the cycle part....that is w/out blowin my reserves for the 5k run....gettin amped about this now...it's really gonna happen..my 1st TRI!!! 

This is going to be such a great rush for you!

Sledge,

     I had a Garmin 205, the little brother of your 305, and it has a multisport function that allows you to switch between swimming, biking, and running effortlessly.  You will not get much data during the swim as the HR and pace will be off somewhat from being submerged in the water. It was good for keeping the time and gave me a good split time when I did some bricks during training.  I never had any issues with putting mine in the water, pool or salt water, and I always made sure that I rinsed it off really well after the race.  Hope this helps out.  There is also the Virtual Training partner mode that will act as somewhat of a pacesetter during the bike and the run if you set it up that way.  I am still looking at getting either the 305 or the new 405 but I want to read some reviews first.  Good luck and I am certain that you will do great with or without the technology.

Chip, before deciding on the 405 vs. the 305, you should definitely read the link Ken sent.  I don't know anything about the 405, but the folks on that thread were saying that the 405 does not have the multisport feature.  It sounds like that is important to you.  And it also sounds like you were lucky with your 205 -- sometimes people did have problems with water resistance.

And Ken, as always, thanks for doing the research for me!  I don't think I want to risk wearing it in the water.  Someone on that thread said they did exactly what I was thinking -- switching from my watch to my GPS after the swim. 

I'm not going to be able to do the Mulletman Tri this year.   I had forgotten, but when I looked at my schedule I had signed up for a class in Atlanta that weekend.  So it looks like my first tri this year will be My First Tri (again!) in June.

Thanks for letting me know about the races over there.  I probably can't do the Alabama Coastal (my plan right now is to get the collarbone plate out that week), but I might be good for the Grandman!

Welcome Natalie!,

You could say I am the rookie of the group so I have a feelin I will be learnin from you more then you learning from me, but anything I can do to help I will.  We have a good group and I look forward to chatting with you.  Ken and Sledge and Chapman - all good folks and lot's of knowledge here...you came to the right place!!!  Welcome aboard the Express!!!

Regards,

Rusty  :-)  AKA: papahawk