Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 65)

Hello, hello! Great job with the races, guys! I've been busy with training and life, and just this past weekend I hit a little snag and this week was rough. One of my training buddies is in the hospital. She was attacked in her home. House robbed. Been pretty bummed over that, but she's improving. No more bleeding brain and can move a little bit. Still can't move the right side of her body, but the left is looking good. With that improvement and a new month coming up, I'll be back at it with gusto.

I read that GatorDeb thread. I'm confused by it. Does she want to improve, or is she content just making cutoffs to complete the race and she's just sharing for LOLs? Maybe she doesn't like the feeling of pain and discomfort and backs off when she feels it. Maybe she doesn't even know what it feels like. I understand pain in swimming and running because I have to do what I have to do to meet times with the coach. Biking, I had no clue because it's new to me and I had to do almost all of my training alone. I've been on fun rides, with people, but not training rides. I felt the heat in my legs and thought, whoa I'm pushing it. Then I went on an actual training ride with a girl who's an accomplished cyclist. I felt the fires of he!! in parts of my legs I've never felt it before, and was so confused that she said it's supposed to feel like that THE WHOLE TIME, lol!

I dunno. I can't understand just wanting to get by. I totally understand being slow. I still am, but as I learn how to train better, I'm slowly getting quicker. It's always my goal to do better than I did before. I thought most people were that way.

Ugh. I just wore myself out. Loooong weekend coming up. Races, parties, soccer games, oh my!

Blanda - I hope your friend will recover fast. What happened to her is horrible and I wish her a speedy and full recovery.

Jason - I just read through the GatorDeb post that you mentioned and you and many others are spot on. I don't want to be mean but I believe that there are a few things that are just wrong with the post. She is trying to improve but doesn't want to take any advice. She doesn't want to CONFRONT her coach because I believe its probably a friend who is coaching her. I understand some people are saying 16 months is not a long time but I have to disagree. That is an eternity and she should have seen huge improvements in her training. 

For the first time in my triathlon training I have lost the spark for training. It seemed like I had a week and a half where I wasn't seeing the results and just wasn't feeling it. Guess what ... its gone now after seeing the results of my races ... I am happy where I am now and what the future holds. 

I think I am testing out my wetsuit this weekend. I got my OLY coming up next weekend and need to get in a few good swims with the wetsuit. What else is going on?

Blanda-hope your friend makes a quick and full recovery.

On the "Gator Deb" thread there should be some improvement after 16 months given the volume she is doing. Have to agree that the coach isn't really doing something right. Seems like lots of mistakes or inconsistency in some of the basics of her training.

Its almost the weekend. Who is racing this weekend? I think Mary has a HM? Anyone else?

Blanda - please tell your friend a bunch of strangers on the Internet are pulling for her LOL (well, you know what I mean - tell her we are your TRI TEAMMATES!)

Those Hokas intrigue me just like Newtons!!  HHMMMM

Well it's Friday, peeps!  Who's racing this weekend?  We Let's make a list - and I can update it here:

I'll start:

me: Little 5K on Sunday.  

Best of luck everyone!  check in and RR please!!

Had a pretty good swim today....something that has not happened in awhile. Workout was jump in and go..6X400 leaving on 7:00 min. descending 1-3 (basically easy/mod/hard). Never really to sure what to expect in these workouts but sometimes I think the lack of warm up is actually a good thing. Of course it simulates racing to some extent but sometimes during my warm up I think I convince myself I'm having a "bad day" and let that thought interfere with my workout. Was really pleased that my two hard sets were 5:52 and 5:53. I pushed them both hard and felt pretty good.  So often I b**ch about swimming so thought I would begrudgingly say something positive

Long run, 90 minutes, this afternoon. Second run in the Hokas. Tomorrow is easy 4-5 miles before we travel 3.5 hours each way for first round of HS soccer playoffs for my daughter's team. They don't play till 5pm on Saturday so we will be late returning. Sunday is 3 hour bike. Hope the weather will be good as 3 hours on the trainer may be more than my mind and butt can handle.

Jason-my right hamstring always gives me problems. I've been rolling, using the Trigger Point roller/ball etc. Active Release Therapy seems to help. My chiropractor can find "the spot" and really work it to help loosen it. I sometimes take the TP ball with me in the car and will stick it under my right hamstring/upper leg and let it work on the area. A lacrosse ball is great but a little tougher than the TP ball.

Found an interesting site. www.mobilitywod.com  The wod stands for workout of the day. On the front page scroll down just a little and on the right there is a search function. I searched hamstring and there are videos/demonstrations on stretches etc. for hamstrings. You can search for pretty much any problem area and it will have stretches/exercises to help with problems....all free.   

They seem a bit pricey for me to go in blind.  There isn't anywhere close by I can go try them........convince me more  J/K

So Dave...Jason, have either of you tried this yet?

Did about 10.5 miles late this afternoon. Interesting contrast as I did warm up and cool down in Hokas and intervals on the track in Brooks T7 which is basically a racing flat. I continue to be impressed with the comfort and cushioning of the Hokas. I don't notice any difference in weight or the taller height of the Hokas. Looking at them you would think it would feel like you were wearing some sort of elevator shoes and there would be some instability. They feel just like my other running shoes other than the amazing cushioning. My only complaint is that I could probably go with a half size smaller. For most running shoes I weat a 10.5. Thats what I ordered on the Hokas and with the wide toe box I could have gone with a 10 and still be happy. I like some room in the toe box but have just a little more than I need with the Hokas. I could see running in the Hokas in a HIM. I have another run in the morning of 5 miles. Curious to see how the legs feel after the long run today.

This was my 2nd run in the Brooks T7. I bought these thinking I would use them sockless in up to olympic distance races. Pretty low profile, flexible shoe. Not crazy about the offset lacing and given the flexibility of the shoe I don't think I will be racing tris in them. I like a shoe with some stiffness so they are easy to slip on in transition. I can see using these for track work, tempo runs or running races up to 10k.   

Awesome Mary!!!!

Very well done Mary!  I'm aiming to join you in the ranks of half-marathoner in about 4 weeks.  Great to hear that you were able to push harder than you thought.

Question for the group.... I just finished a long treadmill run -- about 9 miles (90 minutes).  Toward the end, I had occasion to look behind me (to see if the boogeyman was still after me ) and discovered that my neck was INCREDIBLY stiff.  Couldn't turn left, couldn't turn right, difficult to turn very far up or down.  Is this normal?  It hasn't lingered at all (went away during the cool down).... just wondering if perhaps I need to do a better job stretching my neck muscles during the run?   (I was watching TV throughout so no reason to look around)  Perhaps I'm keeping myself tense when I run?    Thoughts?

Thanks,

Scott. 

Blanda-So sorry about your friend. I hope she's recovering well both physically and psychologically.

Randee-I'm a little late but good luck on the 5K today.

Mary-That's awesome!! What a feeling-finishing your first HM! Congrats!

Scott-My first thought was perhaps holding your neck and shoulders too tight. I would know because I do it too-not just while running but always. I've found things that reduce stress like yoga and meditaton help. Also this breathing technique has helped my stay more relaxed http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/running-air-breathing-technique. I don't think I even realized I wasn't exhaling forcefully enough. I really think it's why I PR'd my half marathon even though I limped the last 2 miles.

Speaking of which-I haven't done anything this week. MY IT band feels relaxed when I palpate it but my knee still hurts. It's been my experience that even swimming aggrevates it. I visited the accupuncturist yesterday and he thinks it's hamstring tightness (seems to be going around). I'm going to target that with foam rolling and my castor oil packs but if it doesn't improve I might actually have to consult a physician.

Was hoping to get out for a bike ride today and I may chance it and see how it feels. I can always turn around and ride home right? I had an easy ride planned anyway.

Weirdly, I've lost 2 lbs this week without working out or counting anything. Not to complain but really? WTF? Can't lose when I'm trying but I stop trying and it works. Odd.

Mary - Job well done!

I did my first outside ride of the season.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how strong I felt and how I was able to push strong thru all the hills.  51 miles.  I feel great!  Pace was good.  This further builds my confidence in using the trainer.  All the sprints I did in my garage this winter really did pay off! 

Scott-I think Jason and others have hit it on the head. I will sometimes have the same problem on the treadmill.

Jimmy-great work on the bike. I've had alot of outside days so far on the bike. Today was the first when it warmed up and was in the upper 70's. That's good and bad....means HOT/HUMID days are on the way.

I had a really good bike workout today. Basically 3 sets of hard/long intervals with result being 3 hours right at HIM goal watts. Glad I didn't have to run a half marathon after that. So funny how training can fluctuate. Last week I struggled with every workout. This week was a heavier week in terms of volume and intensity but I felt good. I guess its just part of the pattern of the body responding to training stress.  

Certainly not, what are you implying?!? 

Around here, it would be more like checking out the new tractor or the prize winning Holstein.  

Actually, there was evidently a plane crash last week, not far from my usual outside running route.    Luckily the pilot was OK.    That would have been a memorable sight.