Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 7)

It's one of the world's best feelings, isn't it? Many congratulations!

Man... the solution is "run even more" -- what kind of mentoring group is this anyway?!?  Where's the shortcuts??  Where's the easy way out??

Just kidding -- solid advice and many thanks -- I'll take it (mostly) easy on the pacing for now.  In honor of this advice, I did 35 reasonably easy minutes on the treadmill this evening.  I liked the advice from Experior/Michael (reposted by d3term1ned/Michael) along the lines of "for the vast majority of runs, I should arrive home feeling like I could go out and do the same thing again."  Good benchmark to apply.

Nate -- many congratulations on the engagement!

Congrats, Nate!

I don't have a Carbon bike but mine also lives in the house. In fact, when I bought it I had no furniture in my living room. My mother was really upset with me for spending money on a bike when I could've bought a couch.

Mary-Don't worry about being slow. I've done 5 HMs and still I find myself running with at the back with the walkers. I'd like to get faster but it's still great to run.

The discussion here has got me thinking about running more frequently as well. I'm not sure about working it in soon because I'm trying to make the bike program my priority but I sat down yesterday and made a tentative plan for spring/summer that involves 6 days of running a week. If I keep the runs short enough I might be able to get up a 1/2 hour earlier to do them. It's possible I'll do something sooner as well but I still have to work that out.

On the topic of running, it does seem like the thing I talk about most with non-triathletes. It seems like the only sport most people can relate to, and my #1 piece of advice is always run slower. At least 1/3 of the people who hear what I do say it's bad for me (knees, back, feet, etc.) and I always have to tell them I think a lot of people have a bad impression of running because they go out with that 'Just Do It' attitude and push hard...all the time. Then they tear/strain/pull something, quit running, and then it seems like it's bad for you. I don't try to give people I talk to a lot of athletic advice, because I'm far from an expert, but the only piece of advice I ever give is to run slowly. 

Getting ready to head to my family's house in NC for a few days, but I'm bringing my bike and running shoes! They live in Raleigh, which is where I'm doing the HIM in June, so if I get a chance, I might check out the course a little bit, just for fun.

I want to thank Stuart for the swimming advice.  I'm always up to trying new things.  I swam 1700 yds last night, all drills.  I had not done the kicking on my back drill for a very long time but after a few laps it got easier as I was better able to balance myself.  I am going to find 2 tennis balls for the fist drill.  I'm feeling the soreness after doing the pool wall pushups. 

I had a friend shoot a video of me swimming laps and one thing that is glaringly obvious is that my legs are all over the place.  I can see where it is costing me lots of speed and wasted energy.  He suggested I use a band around my ankles.  Anyone else have experience with this?  Jim

Mary-sounds like a good plan for the year. You have come a long way in the last year...keep it up.....consistency! Seems to be the group mantra. Good job.

Michael/d3-my tri bike lives in the garage on the trainer/rollers. I would treat the frame gently but not be obsessive. I'm sure the frame would do fine hanging on a regular bike rack or even hung from its wheels. Folks use carbon frames for things like cyclocross so should be plenty sturdy.

Jim-I'm going to give the tennis ball thing a go as well. On the ankle band...I've reincorporated it into my swim sessions and use it for both swimming and pull sets.  Make sure the band is tight enough to keep your feet from kicking. I really concentrate on keeping my feet together on the pull sets where the areas just under each big toe are actually touching. Its tough and when swimming without the buoy makes you really keep your chest down in the water to keep your legs/feet from sinking. I also find that if I engage my core and increase my stroke speed it helps as well.

Blanda-you will do great on the road bike. With all of your time on the mountain bike you will have solid bike handling skills that will transfer over onto the roadie. Don't be intimidated....hell if you can swim butterfly you can sure ride a road bike!

Randy  

HELP!

I'm trying to sign up and register for the Hammer Sprint Duathlon organised by endurancesportmanagement.com in April.

It says to register to go to their homepage. I did this and I was met by a blank, grey page with no information on it at all. How do I check the event exists and register?

I've emailed their contact man on the beginnertriathlete contact sheet, but I'm awaiting a response. They have a phone number to use, but I just find it really odd that the company organising a triathlon and Duathlon would have an webpage and therefore knowhere to register for their events.

Paul

Email just returned to me "Contact name not found"

Am I being conned?

Paul-that group has been around for awhile. I get periodic emails from them about races since I have raced up that way before.  I did a google search for "Hammer Sprint Triathlon" and it took me to a viable site. Also found registration info on imathlete. Will try to link below.

 http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventOverview.aspx?fEID=14612

Randy

Hi All,

Just dropping by to wish my old crew a Happy Holidays / New Year!  For those of you who are new to the group, you have some fabulous mentor leaders (and, I'll just add that there a several in the group who might as well be mentors as well b/c they are so knowledgeable).  Best wishes for a fabulous 2013 season and keep in touch!  (I'll be lurking for sure!)

Stu

Afternoon all!

We FINALLY got some snow here in the Northeast today....followed by rain  So my day began at 5:20 am clearing the driveway followed by having the ENTIRE POOL to myself.  Between vacations and the weather I guess no one wanted to venture out.  Too bad I was running so late from clearing the driveway so I really only had 30 minutes.

I need to try some of Stuarts drills and get some type of plan going

Have a good day all - and congrats Nate!

Randy

Clicked the link and found the group. Thanks a lot Am now fully registered for my 1st ever race!

Good job Paul. You will have a blast!

Randy

I was just about to ask about nutrition and food I am tending to eat a lot of chicken salads with grilled chicken and sliced nuts and light vinagrette dressing on it, breafast is just a normal cereal, orange juice and a banana.  I am tending to drink only water throughout the day.I consider this a major acheivement as there is two fast food hamburger places within 30yrds of our house....LOL

I haven't had chocolate or fries of any kind in ages. But my Mom hzas sent me a load of British chocolate in her Christmas parcel. This will be VERY tough...

"Beer=fuel" Hahahaha.

I can't drink beer. I take too much medicine. Seriously.

Everything in moderation. As mentioned before, I'm going to try to make some headway on my after dinner snacking problem. But, for now I will enjoy a few more pieces of candy and at least one more glass of red wine.

Short bike tonight...only to find that batteries in powertap hub were dead. At least it happened when I was just getting on the bike to spin.

Randy