Ridgelake's Group - Filled up with Fantastic Folks! (Page 7)

Andrea, thats a good story about your fencing.  I did it a little bit in college and had a blast with it.  Nothing competitive, but it was fun.

I'm glad that you're finding your PT to be very helpful.  Staying healthy and consistent in training is critical to making long term gains.  I, too, am re-learning how to run so that I reduce my injury risk.  Its a challenge! 

Ok, final question for you:  What do you want to get out of participating in this group?

Dave, there are a couple of things in play here.  #1, my HR is lower than most people's.  The highest that I've ever been able to get it is 165 bpm.  And I was trying to see how high I could get it. 

#2 One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn is to slow down and take it easy.  I started into tris with the same mentality that your swim team had.  Go as hard as you can every day.  Well, not only does that NOT lead to maximized improvement, but it also leads to SUBSTANTIALLY increased risk of injury.   We could get away with it usually when we were 18 or whatever.  But not now. 

I strongly encourage you to go back through this thread and re-read the articles on heart rate training and pacing.  I also strongly encourage you to pick up the Jack Daniels Running Formulas book.  In it, you will learn why training at various paces, especially slow paces, is optimal.  

Some of the caveats that I've learned is: 1) being consistent is the most important thing for long term improvement.  2) Going easy brings about many positive adaptations without over-stressing the body.  Going easy allows one to work out most every day (e.g., consistency).  3) Higher efforts normally require long recovery periods and substantially increase injury risk. 

Not incidently, that article, "Interactions Between Training Sessions - Part II: The Timing of Adaptations" on page 4 has some truly exceptional insights in it.  The time required to recover from various types of exercises is a goldmine.  Generally speaking, you should be recovered from your previous session before your next one.  This maximizes adaptations.  And reduces injury risk.  

Dave, we're not 18 any more.  Going hard every time out not only is ineffective for maximum improvement, but it will almost certainly lead to injury and burnout.

February goals:

Biking: 50miles

Running:  75miles (including Cowtown Half on the 23rd)

Swimming: 10,000yds

Hehe, yes, there were some people ready to go postal after spending an hour looking at the pool bottom. 

Yes, I'm reasonably pleased with the swim pace.  Especially for someone who never swam competitively.  It might be interesting to see what I could do if I ever learn flip turns.  But anyway,  it was a good event. 

Ok guys.  Time for the review for the week and the plan for the week ahead.

I'll go first.  My week was heavily influenced by 2 events/races.  Last Saturday, I ran my first 10K. Recovering from that impacted was felt through Tuesday.  Then on THursday, I had the Postal swim.  That similarly impacted my Friday.  OVerall though, a very good week of work.

This week got off to a good start today with a 2 hour bike/run brick.  Tomorrow will be much lighter, with some upper body strength work.  Swim Tuesday and we'll see how the rest of the week plays out.

Good stuff, Teresa. 

And yes, sleep is good! 

Hi Cole!  Welcome!!! 

Yes, as Jo indicated, I've been out of town the last couple of days.  Just got back tonight.  Glad to have you in our group! 

Andrea, I'm sorry to hear about your new instructions.  What does the PT say the problem is

Brad, glad your trip went well!  Lost weight?  How did THAT happen?

Jo, thanks for stepping in while I was away! 

Ok, now to catch back up with everything going on.