Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 72)

CC - good luck tomorrow.  You will do great!

Mike - are you doing an oly tomorrow?

Looks like NOLA 70.3 got a new swim course that may actually be swimmable.  Good thing I signed up for $150 for next year.  Almost tempted to try the 5150 this year but haven't been swimming enough to reasonably do it.

How are temps around the country?  ran at 4:30 today, hot and humid.  Miserable run that included running strides.  Glad that is over.

;-)  I mean stressful dreams.  I had one where after the swim I couldn't find my bike.  Walked up and down every row twice then after everyone else was through T1 realized my bike was in the trunk of my car. I forgot to rack it :-).  I had another one I blogged here http://blog.ransick.org/2011/04/funny-tri-dream-1-week-until-nola-703.html .

Oly is Sunday.

Hopefully they change the NOLA 70.3 finish line back to the French Quarter.  That was an awesome place to finish.

22 days to 70.3.  It's gonna be close to 80 and humid for a 10 mile run tomorrow after working overnight and coaching soccer at 8am.  I love running in the heat and I cannot wait, but I have to time it strategically so I do not abandon my family during my 4 waking hours...gotta work Saturday overnight as well.

CC- I guarantee this first one will hook you and you will be signing up for more and longer races next week.  This Tri thing has that effect on competitive athletic types.  The feeling at the finish is indecribable, even after doing it a few years.  Very addicting.

Mike- good luck Sunday in the Oly.

Gary- way to gut out your run.

Everyone else- have fun doing whatever you are doing.  We are all way ahead of 99% of the population just by getting to the starting line.  Be proud. FOP, MOP of DFL we are all winners just for trying.

1. I will probably be in Austin that week but unless I join a relay team I doubt I will race.  One of my goal races is an Oly that is the week before and won't be ready to run a 13.1.  If a relay team needs a swimmer and/or a biker I would do it, otherwise probably not.  Too bad they don't have an Aquabike.

2. If its really early then yes its on the trainer.  With my headphones (still love the Jaybirds) and a couple of podcasts (and a huge fan) I am set.  Saturdays (like today) I will ride outside but I don't get out early.

Hey all ... I started this week with the training regimen to increase distance to the Olympic level.  Right now, not much different (actually less) than what I'm already doing and it seems thedeeper I get into the program I mainly increase time and/or distance.   So the plan is to keep with the current training levels until I 'catch' up.   Have 2 Oly's planned for the last events of the year so might as well get started

Went out to the course today and was completely blown away.  Overwhelming stuff man.  Wind was heavy and the water was extremely choppy and had a strong current.  Those buoys look far away too.

Positive notes:  All transition slots were assigned by bib number.  I'm in the very last row so easy to find.  First row when I come in from the swim, last row when I bike in, but right next to the run out.  So not bad at all.  At least I'll be able to find it.

Most positive, the water temperature rose.  Head official (I sat in on the pro race meeting) had it at 75.8 at 4pm.  She's going to take an official reading at 5:30 tomorrow morning and call it.  Guess I won't be the only one without a wetsuit  I bet it'll be about 70 in the morning.

Walked around quite a bit.  Lots of friendly faces out there.  I must say I have complete bike envy.  There were many, very nice bikes out there.  And by very, I mean holy crap!  Was that a bike or the batmobile!!  I'll definitely be investing some coin in a new bike next season.  The LBS had a sweet Felt Tri bike on sale yesterday for $1400, 50% off.  I was very close to bringing it home but I'm not ready for that yet.  They even have a sign at the counter that says, "Your wife called.  She said it's ok."  But I'm not sure my wife has their number, or even knew I was there for that matter.

Going to go pack my stuff up and then cut my hair.  If you hear from me by late afternoon, I broke 1:45.  Later at night, I passed out and woke up in the ER.  Monday morning would probably be because I drowned.  If you don't hear from me for a few days I broke 1:30 and will be partying my face off.

Double post.

Hey, good luck man! Smile and have a great time and enjoy the feeling of being alive.  

I'm having serious bike envy too and I've been hinting to the wife that another bike is in my future.   

THe buoys always look far away.  It looks farther in the water.  Do not fret.  You have trained for this.  Trust your training.  Can't wait to read your RR.  Anything you do will be a PR tomorrow!

Oh my Goodness!

That was Awe - Some.

1:28:14

I'll write up a report and link it here.

Thanks for all the "Go Get 'Ems"!

Woohoo!!! Congrats!!!!  Mr. Triathlete!

Thanks Gary, and another big thanks for the Tri Shirt.  It worked out great!

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/races-edit.asp?raceid=222781

One last call before I put it out to the masses.

Correct link:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=441283&posts=3&start=1

Congrats triathlete!  Keep smiling!

It is 4:30 am and I am at work and looking at my logs. 

I am feeling a bit worried about my long rides, or lack thereof.  I will only have 1 3+hour ride before my HIM in 20 days.  I had 3 such rides last summer before the modified HIM in August.  My plan this time only called for one.  I will have had more bricks and more overall mileage but lacking in the long ride.

On the pluss side my swim volume is way up and my runs lately have been great.

I have a Brick to day after I sleep for 3-4 hours.  35 mile (1:50) ride followed by 7.6 mile (1:09) run.  Going to do a 15-20' OWS today as well.

Happy Monday!!

Sorry been MIA for awhile

PR'd the Cleveland Half yesterday 1:56:41. Splits for the first 9 were averaging around 8:30 (had my sights on going sub 1:50) then the bottom fell out. They tossed in a nasty hill this year around 9.5 and the heat was starting to get to me....never quite recovered. Taking the next few days off then will start training fir my first tri this August!

nice job bro! - you will only get faster from here

Nice job Chris ...

Thanks again everyone.

Have my next tri (corporate challenge) on Father's Day.  It looks a lot shorter on paper, but apparently the course is extremely hilly.  This weekend was 550 yds/12.44 miles/5k, and the corporate challenge course is 550 yds/ 9 miles/2.4 miles.

Trying to start some upgrades and I think pedals/shoes are 1 on the list.  Anyone have some suggestions of brand, models, etc..?

Legs actually feel real good today, so I'm going to go hit an easy 4 miles.  Lower back is a bit stiff though.

Thanks

CHris

Ride (actually it will be two) today and swam at lunch.  The paddle/pull sets are killers.  Got 45 mins on the bike this morning (over slept) and did (effectively) 2 min intervals with 2 on and 2 at regular pace.  30 mins more tonight to finish..

Chris - congrats again, take it easy today and get back to 100%

Oufly - congrats on the PR!  Nice job.

Left - I was a bit worried about the same thing for NOLA but I found the better base plus more intense shorter workouts paid off.  I was hoping for 19 and got 19.1mph and still left my legs in decent shape (although my legs didn't like the duathlon format).