Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 69)

Welcome Gregory!

Hope everyone has had a great week.

Gregory, have I heard of it yes, even read some of the books.  Does everyone use it, no.  Its just another training system along with several others out there.  Its like any other item, some people swear by it others didn't find it helpful and tried something different.  I don't have any direct knowledge of weaknesses but what I have seen debated (both on BT and on Slowtwitch) is that it produces slow swimmers and that to get faster you have to do something different.  Is that true?  Couldn't tell you, just what I have read.  One thing, unfortunately people on the forums sometimes get overly attached or emotional about things like this and often the true benefits and weaknesses get lost in the emotion in the discussions.

Speaking of slow swimmers () I am reading Swim Speed Secrets from Sheila Taormina.  So far found two good tips that seem to help.  My normal warm up is around 1:58/100 meters.  Applying that time I have had one at 1:50/100 and another at 1:45/100m.  Now this could be related to my recent break from training.  But I do feel a better pull so maybe its working.  Hopefully time will prove this out.  The next 100 pages of the book are the meat of the subject and will let you know my thoughts.

I was thinking about putting a pair these on a pair of my running shoes...does anyone else like these?

I have these on my shoes also.  Saves a lot of time in T2.

Sounds like you have a great perspective on things.  Moving and being outside is a gift no matter what we do.  I'm never going to Kona (unless I enter and win the lottery) either so it always seems odd when I spend a lot of money on equipment.  

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Yanks were in town, so I got to take my son and some friends out to the park on Friday night.  They only come to town once a year, so I can't miss.

Had a nice 5.5 mile run for lunch, and a 15 mile bike for dinner.  Hoping a shower and a cold beer is for dessert!

Less than 2 weeks to go.  I'm so ready (Lord I hope)!!

Glad to see your hip is making good progress Liz.  Stay the course.  Patience, determination, and resolve has put people back doing things they told they would never be able to do again.  I hope the same for you.

Have a great training week!

If I could figure out how to mount those tires to my running shoes, I'm sure I'd save a lot of time too!

I have a question for the group.  I am really new to this whole triathlon thing, so one of the first things I did when I decided that I was going to do a sprint in August was to download a Sprint Triathlon Training Plan.  It happens to be a 12 week plan, so I am scheduled to begin in 12 days. 

I am already bicycle commuting to work 2 or 3 times a week with a round trip distance of 20 miles.  I am already swimming 1,000+ yards in the pool twice a week.  (Just wait, the question is coming, I promise ). 

Should I follow the times and distances for the bike and swim on the 12 week plan, which are significantly less than my current training level, or should I continue doing what I am doing and consider myself ahead of the game? 

I dont think that I want to attempt a Oly or Half for my first ever triathlon.  I am really excited about doing the sprint distance, and doing it as a team with my daughter running for me.  Any help or personal experience that you could share would be welcome.

Thanks, Scotty

I would keep doing what you are doing unless your body starts getting too worn out when you ramp up the running.

Another 5 mile run at lunch and 15 mile ride after work.

Headed off to my last night of classes for the semester!

Dang system ate my post, lets try this again.

Scotty, most training plans have goals for each workout.  As long as your your works out match the goals of the plan (or get close) you are okay.

The question I have is how hard are you riding for your commute?  If its a relaxed pace and your only doing 10 miles each way (with 8-10 hrs in between) my guess is that you are not getting the training you need.  I am on a sprint training plan and it calls for an hour ride which for me is 18-20 miles.  But two 10 mile rides at a slower speed don't achieve the same goal as one hour ride that hits 18-20 miles but incorporates intervals, etc.

Mainly if you ride relaxed to work and then hit the Sprint, get caught up in the race and go too fast you will burn your legs and make the run a miserable experience.

Back to my first point, if your workouts match the goals for the sprint training plan you are fine.  If not, time to re-evaluate.

Chris and Rob - Great workouts!

Was supposed to workout yesterday and today be a SRD but with work I skipped last night, got up early this morning and got a ride and a short run in.

Okay everyone else, lets hear what you are up to!

I love it, Rob shares his weekly workouts which would put all "normal" people in the grave, and says he hopes we are having as much fun as him !

My first 10k ever coming up Saturaday morning, I have set a goal to finish with my PB. Running is still a chore for me, but have logged 100+ miles in March and April and am ready. Supposed to be around 50 degrees at race time and a chance of rain, good ole Michigan weather, 80 in March and 50 in May. Looking forward to starting training for my July 7 sprint next week, haven't been in the pool since February.

Stay strong and keep smiling!

David

RAWR!  That's awesome stuff.

I need to work on increasing my MPH, but I just worry about the run after.  I think at about 16/16.5 MPH I can still gut out the run in decent time.  I'm going to train more bike after this Sprint and try to work around 18 MPH for the Sprint in June, which is only a 9 mile (Hilly) instead of the 12.5 mile ride.

And I'm 10 days away.  I know I'm supposed to go out, relax, and just have a good time since its my first tri experience, but my body and mind just don't work that way.  Too many years as a competitive athlete to ease into anything.  I need goals.  And constant goals.  You guys have any decent time suggestions?  I'll let you know what I'm thinking when I figure it out.

HaHa.  Just hitting my peak over the next 2 weeks then tapering nicely to a strong race.  This summer its only 5ks and Sprints.  This is the most consistent I have been...ever.  The late spring 70.3 is perfect timing.  I get to do nearly all of my long days when my kids are in school, and very little marital discord.  I am having a total blast.  We are truly lucky to be able to do this for a hobby.  And to be able to come to an online community like BT.  Very lucky indeed.

Gary...do you use a rear hydration set up?  I have an Aqua-Cell aerobar mounted water bottle and a standard down tube cage/bottle.  Would I be better off carrying 2 bottles mounted behind me or just getting refills during the race?  If I have never done it before, will getting refills slow me down considerably?

Rob

Never did get to the pool.  I got on my suit and just did not feel like swimming.  Hit the hot tub for 15 minutes and hit the pillow for an hour.  I am learning to listen to my body and when I have a non-key workout that I just don't feel like doing I don't do it.  Planning on swimming Saturday instead.

Rob, for an HIM I carry an aero bottle and one on the tube.  I am not a fan of the rear mounts but thats personal preference. Actually in my 4 HIM's two bottles have typically been enough each time.  A couple of times I have grabbed a bottle at the last aid station to have something to drink in T2.

Getting refills do slow you down a little but not that much.  Just slow way down, look at he person you will be taking the bottle from, maybe even yell, and grab the bottle.  Avoid swerving, when you are going into an aid station make sure you know who is around you.  I consider bike aid stations to be one of the danger areas.  Watch for folks swerving while refilling, diving in at the last second to get something, or generally not paying attention to anyone else.  As for time lost, stopping and pee'ing will lose you a good bit of time but grabbing a bottle or a bar won't cost you that much.