swbkrun's group- CLOSED (Page 62)

Hey Stanley--congratulations on your race.  Sounds like you had some fun and learned some things for next time.  Good stuff.

I'm in a quandry.  Supposed to do my 24m long run this weekend.  We are now expecting 3-6" of snow on Saturday which will surely be on the ground on Sunday.  Both days will be in the 30s. Can't decide if I should do it tomorrow which is really close to yesterday's Tempo run and will be cold or suck it up and do it on the TM which sounds positively gross.  Legs have been tired the last couple of days.....what to do?

Did you read this months runners world article about switching out the long runs for more tempo runs?  I personally enjoy my long runs, not children screamin, no wife nagging (she busted on me in her mentor group this am, so I can do the same to her....), but it said you could get the same value out of 2 tempo runs.

I did not read the article.  I would be interested in seeing it if possible.  Seems like the two efforts work different systems so I am curious about the rationale.  Personally, I would rather do a second Tempo, but doubt it would fly with my running coach.  I'll ask him about it.

On a separate note, I am really glad my spouse isn't on BT.   

HAHA it isn't so bad.  We do our own things in training and races.  We both have found that we don't train well together which is also pretty difficult to do if we wanted to because someone needs to be home with the kids while the other trains.  It is nice though to have someone to complain about your training to that truly understands.

There is no way we could both train for HIM's at the same time. She is putting in a ton of hours and I am doing a lot of Mr. Mom.  It will be interesting this summer when we are both doing our marathon training hers is 2 weeks or so after mine.

You're already used to running outside so I would suggest doing it there if possible. I ran the treadmill all winter and would not recommend it for a 3+ hour run. If just to avoid the mind numbing  sameness (word?) of it if nothing else.

Here is my latest conundrum.  My HIM is in 77ish water temperature.  I will be wearing a wetsuit but was thinking about buying a sleeveless one.  So the question becomes which brand?  I am debating between the blue seventy nd X2U.  Does anybody own either of these or have any experience with either?  I know there are countless posting in the forums about this but I am being lazy and so I'll ask you guys instead.

I used the X2U for all my races last year and will be using again this year. They are an excellent wet suit and I would Highly recommend them. Very good construction with no bulky seams to bother you. ONce you have warmed the suit either by swimming or self warming before the race you will find they are very comfortable and move easily with no confining areas.

Suzy- Why can't you split up the run?  By this I mean start off outside near your club (or treadmill) and if it gets to bad then jump on the treadmill.  Even if you can knock out 7-10 miles outside this may be better.  Find a little 5 mile loop of something?  You never know, once you get going it maybe ok?  If you are stuck to the Treadmill, can you do 12 in the morning 12 in the afternoon?  Split it up that way?  Just a couple ideas?

Tony- Please make sure you communicate with your wife VERY SPECIFICALLY about what your workouts are supposed to be, and what her's are! That way there is no fighting over who workouts out when!  Compare schedules!

Tracy- I am a huge fan of Blue Seventy.  I love the way they feel.  You must try them on, and see what feels the best.  You will notice a difference in each brand, whether it be the shoulds, the legs, or even something silly like which way the zipper goes?!

For Suzy... http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13071-0,00.html.

I read that article also, Tony, and honestly thought to myself, wow, if I never had to do more than 18 miles as a long run, I might go back on my word after my last marathon, where I said, this is my LAST marathon, I cannot think of doing another 24 mile long training run!

Sorry Suzy, I know you have to do it but dang.

Thanks for passing the article along to me and the great ideas.   I sent it on to my running coach to get his POV, but I am pretty sure I know what it will be.   For me, the risk of running two speed days is greater than one speed day and one long run, especially during rehab.  I also don't think there is a good substitute for the mental part of getting through those long runs, especially as you approach your MP (I think sometimes this whole notion they should be run at a SLOOOOOOW pace is exaggerated).  Those 20m+ runs have taught me a lot about fueling and pacing over the years and end up being invaluable come race day.  Doesn't mean I like them and is one of the reasons this will be my last stand alone marathon. 

I've decided I am going to attempt the 24m tomorrow outside on tired legs and give myself the out at 10m if things aren't going well. I need to get that 10m in at some point this week anyway. If I bail, it will mean 3:30+ on the TM over the weekend so I have a VERY big incentive to make it work.

Tracy---are you sure you want to go sleeveless?  I am no swim expert (that is an understatement!), but when I brought that up to my OW coach he strongly suggested having arms for the buoancy.   He did not believe the sleeveless provided measurable cooling compared to the benefit of the sleeves.   He works with a ton of IM'ers,but of course it is one mans opinion!

thanks for the feedback guys.  I'm not convinced on the sleeveless idea, but I do like the price diffference.  I was debating the whole sleeve issue b/c I have an olympic later in the year that is cold, to put it mildly.  So the thought was I would rent a full suit for that, but then what's the point right?  I was thinking though that more of my races will be in "normal" temperatures (not in 64degree water and 45 degree air!) and the sleeveless would be fine.  Such decisions.

And Suzy,  no matter how you slice it, I can't imagine a 20+ mile run!   You are a stud in my book no matter what you decide.

Do you have room on your aero bars to attach the computer mount?  You can buy one like Trevor did or make one.  I'll take a picture of mine tonight which has both the aero bottle and my PT which is about the same size as the garmin.

LOL steve, been married for 15 years, we have a good communication line set up, she tells me what to do and I say yes dear...

Also was watching Universal Sports and they have live coverage of Boston, so Suzy make sure you sprint out into the lead so we can all see you on TV.  Or run in a wacky costume, those always get on TV... : )

Yes the mirror... It is to watch your form as you stride.

For Tracy... The picture below... You can mount your watch at the bottom of the bars and set the mount up on the outside of the bar....

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Steve, is the watch mount in front of the aero bottle?  How can you see it when the bottle is in place?  It's hard to tell from the pic. I have been reluctant to get an aero bottle system for the very reason that Tracy mentions.  And I've heard the spongy thingy is always popping out of peeps bottles! 

You mount it on the bar pointing out.  So it won't  be between your bars... Here is one on ebay for CHEAP...  Also the Spongy thing by Profile Aero Design now has a cap.  MUCH BETTER!

Here's my setup.  Once I get my fit dialed in I will cut the straw down a bit.  That is just a piece of PVC I painted black and drilled a hole in each side for the zip ties.  Total cost $1.00

*rubs the crap out of my eyes*

I'm up, I'm up.