Beginner 1/2 Ironman Plan Group (Page 62)

Great job on the training guys!  I really really envy the water babies among here.  My fastest time on a 1000m time trial in a pool is 18:20 and I think there is still a lot to improve.  I don't kick at all and always in a relaxed pace (I think that's Z2 or something low).  Although I don't think it's too bad since I'm able to keep up with a 6'1 triathlete buddy who's got 2 years of race experience.

Well with my HIM on the 16th, I have decided that I will not do it.  Sucks to decide on it but I decided to take a 1 week break then slowly get back to training starting next week.  As most of you don't know, I got into a bike crash...  I know again!!!  2nd time in freaking 6 weeks.  This time on the triathlon bike.  Stitches again but less than before but what's really bothering me are the bruises on the knees.  Boy do they sting!!!  I think it will also take a longer healing time since they are on a joint and stretching of the skin is done constantly.  I know it's a shame since I trained 24 weeks for the race to come down to this.  But like what my buddy said, not everything falls according to plan.  I'll savor this week and do some walks here and there at the most and let the bruises heal.  On a positive note, I'll have more time to train for my first HIM.  I really think it's just too bad because in all honesty, I think I can shatter my goal time of 6 hours by at least 15 minutes.  I got good form on the swim (per my friends), strong on the bike, and definitely faster on the run (my favorite leg).  My first HIM will most likely be overseas in my homeland (Philippines) and boy do I have good training plans for that race...

So yeath there's my spill.  Time to put my leg up again...

Oh yeah, te bike is ok but I probably need to get the rear wheels trued.

Here's an article written by a researcher who argues that's exactly what happens. Our bodies still have mojo but the mind quits.  His research re: endurance is very fascinating.

http://www.decide-2b.com/support-files/inside_tri_marcora.pdf

I feel for you arkmann, but not all is lost.  My girl told me today when I was being anxious about my HIM on the 17th that this isn't even about the race.  The training is what any ironman race is about and the journey to get there.  Regardless of how my race goes she was proud of me and thought that I should be proud of myself.  You've been kicking and should feel the same way. 

Hope you stay in touch in here and can keep trucking til your next race.  I'm now a bit hesitant about getting on the bike with my race 12 days away but don't think I can be that way!  Have a healthy and speedy recovery.

Thanks pops and JC for the encouragement.  I'm never gonna be out.  I'm actually itching to start running and cycling again but I have to fight the urge.  I think I might even extend the healing time for  the bruises to 2 weeks just to be sure that new skin is good enough for stretching.  It does suck for it to end this way but I guess things happen for a reason.  I'll be stronger and faster on my first HIM that's for sure.  I'll still be around lurking like I always do.

By the way, GOOD LUCK TO YOUR RACES!!!

How the heck did you crash this time? What are you doing out there?! (I'm teasing a little). Seriously though, I hope you heal quickly and get back to doing what you love. No doubt you will only continue to improve for your next race! So glad your new bike is o.k.

I'll bite...  I was in aero along the river bed and I hit a rock lost control for a second, fell on my left side, shoulder got a bruise, shades dug to my cheek and eyelid which resulted to cuts and stitches and left knee got 5 bruises as well.  Needless to say, I'm staying away from the river bed from hereon forward.   I heal unbelievably quick but man... The bruises are different...  Remember when you get a booboo when you were younger on your knee and it waters on the first and second day then it stings and starts to dry up?  That's what happened to my left knee but I got 5 booboos!!!!  It happened on Friday and it still stings...  Stitches are ok, can't wait to get them off tomorrow but it stings.....

Yes, I too am definitely glad the new used bike is A-OK!!!

Arkmann - Sorry to hear about the crashes and HIM postponement. We'll be here for you when you get back in the saddle! Heal well, heal fast, and race even faster

JG - The plan I'm doing is a modified version of the trinewbies plan and the Matt Fitzgerald plan in the Jan issue of triathlete magazine. I liked the idea of developing my own plan so I modified away. The one thing the two have in common is no brick sessions other than short runs (15 minutes) following long bikes. I'll just combine some Saturdays and Sundays into bricks. I have to Oly's planned that will give me at least two brick sessions! I know the bricks are important for both physical endurance and nutritional evaluation.

Ouch! Sounds like you're lucky nothing is broken. I'm going to be extra careful on my bike now!

Sorry to hear about your crash!  Especially with your race so close!  

I always feel that way for all my races!  They just kind of sneak up on you!  I'm already getting nervous for mine, and it's in July... But I know if I don't pay attention, it'll be June pretty soon!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for better weather for you as well!  I think I survived my HIM last year just coasting on my run training, but I could have been much faster if I trained more on my bike!

Ark,  gonna do cam-sur in Aug?  Awesome dude!  I hope you heal fast and maybe you can still do your HIM on the 16th.  Just dont treat it as an "A" race. take in lots of protein to promote healing.  Goodluck!

There's no better way to be at your best than the race in the homeland brother!  I'm on waitlist but I'm almost certain I'll get in.  I think most Ironman events let 10% of the total number of registrants due to the fact that there are registrants that pull out and get cold feet or get injured.  I think I'm number 20 on the waitlist and with 750 registrants, I should be able to get in. 

I'm almost certain I'm not gonna be doing my HIM on the 16th.  I don't think I can give my 100% to it and that's just not how I do each race.  Besides, I won't be spending a lot of money since I don't have to pay for travel, hotel, meals, party, and gambling.  I can save more for the trip in August which will cost a boat load of money.

Protein all the way pare!  I've been having beef, pork, chicken, and fish the past 4 days but I'm definitely cutting on the caloric intake since I'm not training. 

Thanks!

I'm in week 10 (Bike focused week) and am starting to feel a bit nicked up - kinda like a NFL player in the middle of the season.  Nothing really that disabling, just achiness and soreness in my knees, feet and hips.  Week 11 is a recovery week (or in NFL parlance a "bye" week).  Besides lower volume, more rest, some ice and some stretching anyone have any other pearls of recovery wisdom out there to speed up some of the healing process.

Arkmann - I feel for you buddy, but it sounds like your choice is a wise one.

That is quite the decision! You'll know best.

JC and pops: Yep, its quite a dilemma I got going for me.  I can "jog" the run route and "spin" on the bike route too.  Hell, I might even take a dip on the lake.  I guess I'll think it over and see how I feel.  In the mean time, I'll bring my training clothes, race gear, and bike with me...

Certainly sounds tempting-- let us know what you decide! In the meantime, hope you're healing well and quickly to get back in the game for your 'A' race!

T-minus two hours till my 1 hour run in the rain! I can't wait :-)

Question of the Day? For those using the BT plan, when it calls for a one hour run, do you consider your warm up and cool down part of the run, or only when you hit your stride? I usually do a 15 minute walk as a warm up and a 10 minute cool down walk.

p.s. I think I need to drop my plan and sign up for the BT plan. I have twenty weeks from this past Sunday to my A race so nothing really to lose. Are the explanations of the daily exercises and weekly goals worth the $55?

I always warm up and cool down for about 2 mi if the run is 1h30 and if the run is 1 hour or less I warm up and cool down for 10 min.  I don't really like walking as a warm up or as the principle cool down.  Needs to be a jog in my opinion, just maybe 1.5 or 2mpm slower than your main portion.  My striders generally are followed my a little bit of a rest period.

You can just do the HIM free plan if you want to save the $55 bucks and put it into calendar yourself.  All the help you need will come from this forum most likely.

Yeah that's what I was thinking; no on the run, yes on the bike.

After re-reading my last post about the $55 being worth it, I think I failed to recognize all the other benefits of Silver Membership. I'll be sigining up tonight and starting the plan accordingly!