QUEEN ZIP & KathyG - CLOSED (Page 7)

Balanced program coming up for me.,  I have a couple weeks left on my bike focused plan and need to build my run back post injury--some days it's better than others. 

I wil probably do the winter swim challenge to focus on getting my 500 times down, I'd like to focus on a longer distance but I think my coach will say 500's...

Hi All,  I will continue the schedule I have been using (or hoping to use) since joining BT in September.  Run 3 days, swim 2 days and teach spin 2 nights.  At this point I will not be doing 2 sports in 1 day except trying to add in strength training twice a week probably on a swim day. Once the weather is warmer I will try to add a longer outside bike to a swim day.  I am really trying to improve my running first and swimming second and feel that I learn better if I am not too tired by doing too much in one day.  I will be gradually increasing both my swimming and running time with the Hyannis half my running goal on 2/22.  Avoiding injury and slowly building my muscle and cardiovascular fitness are my main goals.  I will probably not do a tri until July or even August so I have lots of time.  I am looking forward to working with you all.

Kathy

My plan is swim Monday, short run Tues, short bike Weds, swim Thurs, ?? Friday, Long bike Sat; Long run Sunday.  At some point, probably soon, I'll need to add double days.  I may today, to make up for my lack of swim yesterday (6 teeth pulled!  Zach needed his mom more than I needed to swim!)

Having said all this, we're going skiing Fri-Sun, so that messes it all up!   Kids are back to school Monday, that should ease things up a bit!

Happy New Year, all!!

Linda

Kristin,

Key now your A race is far away so good to have quality family time now. You are a good swimmer could take 2-4 months off swimming which suck up a lot of time driving to and from and changing and focus on easier to accomplish workouts like run/bike. A group of folks from Endurance Nation about 84 folks doing IM last year didn't swim for 4 months at all some did it 1-2x a month and found that when they went back to it they got it back within a month. Biggest gains in IM is strong bike and run. I'll see if I can find their article about the concept. I'm working on swimming as my technique needs improving and now is the time to work on it and I have free time.

I wouldn't feel bad not swimming and spending time with your younger child while other one is in preschool. Special alone time is hard to come by.

We are off to a great start!

Just some ideas of how to get the most out of our mentor group. Many of these things are already happening like the Ironman January challenge, but it is always good to review the basics. Those of you newer to BT may not know all the features available to you.

The biggest problem that I see with new and sometimes not so new triathletes is motivation and focus. Hopefully that is what this group can provide you. Here are some of the things I would like to try to keep this going.

1. Use this thread daily (or close to it).
   The worst thing that can happen for motivation is being away from training or sometimes being away from other triathletes. So I don't want you guys disappearing for days at a time. Even if you check in just to say "Hi", that should be enough for you to stay connected with the group.
2. Pick a race and register for it.
   After you register for the race, print out your confirmation sheet and post it on the fridge (or somewhere you will see it daily)
   If you are anything like me, you will suffer through a tri just so you won't waste the money you spent on it If your first race is months and months away consider signing up for a running race 2-3 months from now.
   
3. Check in and say what you plan to do for the day, then if possible, come back and say what you did and how you felt doing it.
   Being held accountable really helps with your motivation. You are not expected to workout every day, so your daily goal could be something as simple as "Eat healthy all day".
4. Use your training logs.
   The training log button is located at the top of the screen, next to forum button. This is a great way to track your workouts for the year. There are a bunch of options in the logs, so everything you could possibly do is in there.
5. Inspire each other.
   The "Inspire Me" button is located in the training log section. You can view other people's workouts, so you can drop in a say something about their workout. If someone leaves you a message and you want to return a message, you reply to their blog using the "blog" button in the "Inspire Me" area.
6. Add the members of the group to your friends list (On the left side of your training log)
   This makes it easy to check on your friends and other mentees. On the top left part of the screen, you will see a button labeled "Control panel" If you click this, you can change your training log settings. Somewhere along the top, near the middle, is a button labled "friends". If you click that, you can add people (I think up to 50). You need to type in their screen name (correctly) or you can click the "..." button and type in something close, and it will give you the closest names possible. Then find who you want and add them. 
7. Try to come up with goals for the group. I would like to have daily, weekly or monthly challenges to keep us busy during this winter season. The problem is, I am not very creative. So, if you can think of something, let us know. We want this to be fun and challenging.
8. Topics of interest.
   I don't even pretend to know everything about this sport, but from time to time, I will try and post something I have learned about this sport, including race day and training nutrition, equipment and workouts. If you are interested in a topic, let me know and we can discuss this. If I am not familiar with this subject, I know lots of people that can help, so please throw out ideas.
9. Ask questions!!!
   This is probably the most important thing and one thing people are afraid to do. If it could be done wrong, I have either seen it or done it. So please, please please, don't be hesitant to ask. Even if you don't want to ask publicly, you can "PM" me and ask.

I think that is everything. I want this group to stay active and for us to all have fun. If there is anything you want to add, please do.

Have fun!

IdealMuse who is Debb is going to join our group!

Welcome Debb!!!

Good call Kathy.

 I'm still battling the crud. Number one goal for the day "Get Healthy." If I feel up to it I have a trainer ride and a run this evening. Plan is to keep effort level in Zone 2 since I haven't been feeling great. Lots of water and tea to wash out the bad.

Thanks for the great 9 commandments

I have to say that yesterdays 1 line post from QueenZipp saying "hope everyone is training today" was just the little nudge i needed.  i made a date with a friend for after-work and wanted to skip the gym SO BAD but i didn't - THANKS ( i did have to skip the planned swim - due to no swim suit (silly NO NUDITY RULE) but i really cranked up the treadmill! 

I have a question for those that workout in the AM....  i'm not usually STARVING when i wake up so i just take a spoon full of peanut butter out of the jar (sometimes i drop some honey on it, too) and i'm out the door with my H20 bottle.  My bf however hates working out in the am because he is ALWAYS STARVING.... how can i help him (and myself if you think i'm nuts with the PB+honey).

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Wow, this year blew by!  For the last two days of the year:

Today: longer bike (long for me is anything over 30 min!) and then maybe some strength training or abs.  Edit- Additional goal=no drinking tonight!  Saving for moderate celebration tomorrow night!

Tomorrow: My plan's 3mi run + a short warm up and cool down.  Missed yesterday's planned run, but my schedule doesn't have me doing any consecutive days running, so I think I'll stick to that this early into it rather than trying to make up a day.

I don't think he peanutbutter & honey are crazy.  Great source of protein, fat and carbs all rolled into one! 

Your BF may want to either try that or eat light such as a banana or granola bar and refuel ASAP post workout.  I usually don't eat before my early workouts but they're also short.  My morning runs are 2-4 miles maximum and swim set does take a bit out of me but eating before swimming = puke on the deck.  Keep a gatoraid to sip on instead of water for the calories and sugar.  I do hit Starbucks (across the street from the gym) for breakfast as soon as I get showered and dressed though. I have a 40 minute commute to work and that's way too long to wait to eat breakast.

Kathy, great thoughts on the ways to keep motivated and connected.  Personally, I find the inspire me button a great way to keep in touch and get to know people.  It really is one of the best features here   If I don't hit the inspire me button it means I got caught up in work suckage and will hit it later  

I JUST REGISTERED FOR THE SWIM LEG OF A HALF IRONMAN!!!!!!!

 oops - it's me - RedSoxChick, on Friend of Harpoons lap top.... its still valid though because he and aquagirl are my team mates

 GO TEAM '2 HENS AND 1 COCK'!

I missed something, not meaning to imply negativity...what  prevents the swimming?  Yes, if you are unable to swim use the time for another form of cross training but if there's no physical reason keeping you out of the pool start gently and swim

So I just shared a recipe in the challenge foum that I thought you all might enjoy.  Sharing healthy food ideas is also welcome since weight issues seems to be a common theme.

Emeil Lagasse's Lentil and Brown Rice Soup:

5 C chicken both

1 1/2 C lentils , rinsed

1 C brown rice

32-35 oz can tomatos , reserve liquid to use in this

3 carrots peeled and chopped

1 onion peeled and chopped

stalk celery chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

1/2 tsp basil and oregano, 1/4 tsp thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 fesh parsley, chopped

2 T cider vinegar

Add all ingrediens through the bay leaf to a pot with 3 cups water. Simmer, covered 1 hr.  Add in parsley and vinegar, season with salt and pepper to taste.  Discard bay leaf.  Soup wil be thick and thickens as it stands.  It can be diluted with chicken both if needed.

YUMMY