Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 70)

Jamie-nice job! Always good to have a quality workout where you feel like fitness has improved.

I've spent alot of the weekend checking the TV and computer to see what Issac is going to do. Unfortunately, I flip from optimism to despair with each update.  Right now thinkgs are looking better as most of the models having it go west of me. Still alot of time until it actually makes landfall so .......wait and see mode for now.

Randy

I've tried the Gatorade Prime and the chews but found them way too sweet - and they made my stomach hurt. I've also tried FRS energy chews and they taste like medicine. Don't know if they helped me any.

What I've used for the last two tri's and really like is mixing 1/2 to 2/3 coconut water with OJ. I drink a full bottle's worth on the bike leg and haven't needed to hydrate during the run at all. It's easy on my stomach and I don't have to choke it down like I do with the other energy products.

For non-liquid nutrition I like Larabars. They have a short ingredient list. There was an Ironman segment on TV once about a 70-something triathlete. He was eating a baked potato on the run - said it converts to energy almost immediately.  I've been thinking about trying that.

Hey all, 

Looks like everyone has been doing some serious training...props to you. Super windy the last few days, which have in turn led to some interesting bike sessions. I cut my 'long ride' short due to getting a new seat this past week (ISM Adamo), which is a little bit uncomfortable, but only because I have not sat on a sit such as this. 

Anywho, I posted a thread in another part of the board, but was wondering what some of you thought, especially those in their own IM plan, or have done IM prior. Sorry for the copy and paste, but just too lazy at this point to paraphrase (again).

"I am in the process of training for IMFL, with a waypoint of Augusta 70.3 5 weeks out (I know, mixed reviews about racing a 70.3 before). Anyway, I am using a pre-made 24 week plan that I had cut out the first 3 (base) weeks as I was working with a coach in my lead up to Florida 70.3, and working off a plan provided by them. In preparing the weeks I thought I had mapped out the weeks to November 3rd properly, however the human side came out and I made a mistake. Now I am faced with having to omit a week between now and then. I am about to start week 1 of 2 left of my build phase, and then (after my recovery week) will begin the peak phase of the plan. Am I better to cut out an early peak week, or one of the final build weeks. Thanks in advance all."

Looks like everyone is putting in some serious training these days.  Kudos to you all!  I'm staggering (literally) toward getting on plan with the marathon training, but I guess I let my running go more than I realized over the summer.  It's been a struggle to get the miles in from a physical point of view.  First run yesterday in a long time of 10+ miles which put me at 35 miles for the week (with sadly one bike and one swim, but that's another story!)  I've got one more week of some scheduling challenges and then after we drop my daughter off for college, things should fall back into a more normal routine.  Key few weeks here that will determine whether it will be the half or full in November.

Rene, I don't know what it is about the triathlon, but it seems like one of the fundamental challenges is that there is some discipline that just makes you crazy.  Even though I'm MOP, I share the same frustration with the run that you have on the swim.  But I swear, it is what keeps me coming back for more... wanting to have that breakout run someday.  Probably battling windmills, but why not :-)

On non-tri topics, on Saturday, my daughter and I and another friend played a show at a local venue.  Usually, we're both just a session players (meaning we play in bars and no one is paying particular attention).  This, however, what a show with about 40 people who came to listen.  Kind of a last minute opportunity that presented itself and she took it on.  Pretty intense few days of practice leading up to it trying to put together 2 hours of music.  The show went well and can't tell you what a thrill it was to share a special moment like that with Katherine.  Music has always been a special bond we've shared... almost like another language where we communicate things that can't be expressed with words.  Anyway, it was a great way to wrap up the summer before she heads back to school.  Have had some really good Daddy-Daughter time the last few weeks :-)

Planning on doing a bike ride with an old friend today.  Probably won't be pushing the pace, but the body is feeling kind of banged up this morning anyway :-)  Hope you all have a good day of training!

Stu

Thanks for the reply. I actually had used a coach to develop my plan, but I really did not 'jive' well with the individual, and in turn wasn't utilizing the direct communication as I should (especially for what I was paying). My rest week will start 2 weeks from today. Not sure what specifics you would like about my build...Since I had a rather strong running base leading into this season, my longs runs alternate (about every other week with different time break-ups),with a brick workout (helping me out tremendously as off the bike running, and cycling in general are my weak points). If you want, I can message you my plan for the next two weeks, as I do not want to clutter up the board with the text. Thanks in advance.

Nice work.  I did 3100 at lunch and I always find the long continuous swims to be mind numbing.  I have to pay attention to what I'm doing and keep up with lap count so can't just zone out.  Even thought the effort level is harder I like intervals in swim training better than continuous swims.

Looks like the storm is headed west of us. Yay! But, we will likely be closed tomorrow since most businesses/court house etc. are closed. Just glad I'm not outside putting up hurricane shutters......at least for now.

Randy  

Nice job on the swim, Jim.  My last order of business is to get in a couple of long swims before race day -- you provided some good motivation.

I think I figured out my nutrition problem from yesterday -- I didn't pay much attention to the caffeine content of the new gels I was trying out.  Whoa!  Those suckers pack a punch.  I can get wired on a single cup of coffee, and I took in the equivalent of about 8 during my workout.  Yikes.

Good morning everyone-well, my office is closed today in anticipation of Issac approaching the Gulf Coast.  Most businesses are closed in the Mobile area and schools were closed yesterday and through tomorrow. No bad weather here and it looks like we will just get wind and rain with some storm surge.

It was not raining when I woke up so I headed out for a quick run.  Started raining about the time I got to the road so I just ran close to the house in the rain and wind.  It really wasn't bad.  Of course the sun is out now   Not sure what we will do all day although I am scheduled for an hour on the bike later.  I'm tired of watching the weather channel!

Randy

You gulf coasters take care and send some rain to Texas would ya. Gearing up for Tri Rock Austin this Labor day. Taper week. yay.

Been organizing open water swims here on South Padre Island. They've been very well received. We've got one more on Sept 8th. I'm loving OWS, of course its in a protected bay. I have "Shark Week" blocked on my TV. Just getting over not getting freaked out about critters in the water.

Take care, Train hard and be safe,

Dewayne

Major rain and thunder here -- I guess you all closer to the storm must be feeling a bit more.  I have relatives in the thick of it who have fled inland.

'Swim' training today was relegated to a makeshift 'VASA' trainer (weight bench plus cords) in the garage while the thunder sounded around me.  We have storms predicted for the next few days.

Stay safe, those in the path.

I had a great brick run today, broke the 8 min mile pace for a 55 min run, after a 36 mile bike!  I think one of the biggest reasons is my run volume and consistency with running.  I don't feel as though I'm working any harder, in fact it is seeming to be much easier.  Last year my total  mileage running was around 750.  I should be passing the 1000 mile mark this week!   This is proof to me that consistency and volume make a huge difference! 

Working the night shift all week, so it will be a challenge (not impossible) to meet my training goals for the week.  Hope everyone is well, and that all in the path of the storm are safe.  Jim

Jim-another great workout. That consistency is really paying off.

Another wet nasty day here. Worked for about half a day but most things in downtown Mobile were closed. Pool was closed so no swim but was able to get in a solid bike workout this afternoon.  Long run scheduled tomorrow....hope the weather improves by then.

Randy

Amen, brother!  And well done!

I had a good run today too (not a brick).  Last long run (or run of any consequence, in fact) before IMWI.  The demons told me to stop a few times, but thankfully I passed the mental toughness test -- this is not the time to fail that test!

Hey folks....still a bit soggy on the Gulf Coast. Long run planned for this evening....hopefully outside rather than on the treadmill.

Anyone racing this weekend?

We are headed to Tuscaloosa tomorrow for my son's first cross country meet  Saturday morning.....kind of a preseason meet with just a couple of other schools participating.  He is very excited to be a member of the Alabama team and has had a good preseason.  Hopefully, he will have a good race and remain healthy throughout the season.  It will be exciting to see him race at the college level.  Neither my wife or I attended Alabama so we are not extreme, football crazed Alabama fans like half of the State but I have found the words "Roll Tide" slipping into my vocabulary recently.  Who knows what the next few years might bring. Any Michigan fans out there? Big game Saturday night.

Randy

Randy, I grew up in Ann Arbor.  Lived less than 2 miles form the stadium.  I've always been a Wolverine at heart.  Should be a great game!

I just did a 13.5 mile run.  Went well.  My challenge this week is I am working nights (I do this about one week out of every 10-12 weeks).  Totally throws off my schedule.  I used to think I would be better off training right after I get done at 800 am but I find I'm just too exhausted to do this.  Now I just go right to sleep after work and try to get my training in as soon as I wake up.  I always feel in a mental "fog" all week, no matter how much sleep I get.  I feel like I'm a zombie at times as I put in the mileage.  I keep telling myself to HTFU and just keep going.  Anyone else have experience working nights and trying to maintain high volume training?  Jim