Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 73)

I have a super sprint Saturday and then a sprint Oct. 6th.  That will likely do it for the season.  I may do a few running races and possibly a half marathon......just depends on how motivated I am.  I'll definitely keep training through the Winter but cut back a bit. After these last 2 races that will give me 5 sprints, 2 olympics and a duathlon for the season. 

Next year......I had not really given it much thought until I was invited to join the tri team. They would like the team to do at least 2 local events which is not a problem.  Most likely I'll do 3-4 of the main local events. They are all sprints/olympic distance so consistent with what my focus has been.  I may look to do a HIM next year depending on my motivation level over the Winter.  I've only done one and really enjoyed the distance.  Given my training since then I think I could put together a solid race. Gulf Coast HIM is in early May on the same course as IMFL so that is a fairly close early season option. I suspect that after a couple of Winter months of "just training" I'll be itching to ramp up the intensity and race come Spring.

IM distance......just not sure I am ready to put all my eggs in that basket.  Good thing about the shorter races is that if something happens...family emergency, injury etc., it is easy to not do the race and move on.  Alot tougher when you have invested in getting ready for IM distance.  Maybe I'll wait until I age up again or maybe when I hit the 60-64AG and then try to KQ

Randy

Hi! Computer's finally fixed, yay!

Go, Michael, GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I'm just running lately, and handling business on the home front. Somehow, life's gotten pretty dang busy! I cannot wait for my better half to get home. 2013 is going to blow up for me, yo!

<3 you guys. Don't forget me the next mentor go 'round. I'm so ready to go.

Blanda-we've missed you! Glad the computer is working. You are putting in some quality run work...great way to keep up a solid fitness level.  Do you find that it takes you longer to recover from a soccer game than a run of similar time?

Randy

Aw, thanks, Randy. Good luck with your sprint this weekend!!

It takes much longer for me to recover from soccer game. A lot of all out wind sprints that involve my arms, so they get sore. The physical contact makes for tender limbs (even my skin hurts!), and the joints are a wreck from all the twisting, turning, and stopping on a dime from a sprint. Run training is is so painful till at least Wednesday from a game on Sunday. I always dread the 1st run of the week. I ran for almost two hours yesterday, and even though I was sore right after, I'm fine today.

My Dad's place of work is holding a 5K this weekend, so that's my "race". I'll have the kids with me so I don't think I'll be actually racing.

Have a great weekend!

Michael-you are going to have a great race.  You have made it through so many challenges leading up to this point. The race will be a breeze. (unsolicited opinion from someone that has never done IM ).

Busy day at work yesterday and today. Looking forward to racing tomorrow and following Michael and a few others on Sunday. Going to be FUN!

Randy

Michael - Kill it on Sunday ... you can do it ... the training is going to pay off

Randy - Kill it at your race on Sunday. To everyone else that is racing go out there have fun and give it your best. 

I am participating in a Sprint Tri on Sunday and I am trying to get a PR out of that race. Last year this same race was my first triathlon and I am looking forward to beating my last years time. I can only hope for a good weekend after the day I had yesterday. First I get a call from the wife telling me that our AC doesn't work. I think great ... the two days where we have record highs 106/104 I am without AC. 30 minutes later my wife calls me again at this time on her way to pick my daughter up from school .... she rear ended someone ... luckily the family is ok and the cars don't have that much damage. It was nice spending the night in the hotel with AC but I would have rather saved that money ... :-)

Something is telling me not to buy a tri bike. I have had my eye on the Quintana Roo Seduza Tri bike and was waiting for the price to come down ... the day I can get the bike for $1600 all the above is happening. 

So after paying $600 to get my AC fixed and $1000 deductible for my car ..... there goes the bike ... oh well. I hope this is not an indication on how this weekend is going to be. 

Good luck to all!

Hi everyone!  Good luck Michael, Randy, and anyone else racing this weekend too.

my 2nd triathlon is this weekend. boy it got here before i knew it.  I guess the main thing for me this year was buying items and doing a couple of triathlons to know if i do indeed want to participate in them.

I bought my bicycle, read a book about Ironman, got onto this website for training plans/hints on forums about training and racing. inspiration and hints found in this group. Bought bike shorts (those really do make a difference from plain shorts).  Did my 1st triathlon in June, did enjoy it and plan to do lots more at different levels.  Fell off training because of trips.  Then added clip on pedals to my bike.  and a bike rack for my car.   I think I am now set on items needed for triathlons at least for a little while.

In two weeks, I'm riding with a friend for the MS Ride: Waves to Wine.  150 miles and it will be very interesting since I don't have too many miles under my belt in training.  and then 2 weeks after that is a 1/2 marathon.  I know the KEY thing for me to improve on to have any chance at good times in races is consistent training.  once I get that routine down, i'll be good to go for next year for sure.  I have been glad to read from you all in this group and see the ups/downs and others questions/hints you share and know what I can be looking forward toward once i have more training and consistent routines down. 

Oh, and reading about your weather problems all season have made me appreciate my pretty good weather even with 110 days, they aren't humid. just dry.  and we are starting to have days in the 90s.  

Good luck on your IM Michael. You'll do great!!

I'm doing my last tri of the season tomorrow. 20% chance of rain in the AM, increasing to 80% by the afternoon. Eight AM start. Hopefully the rain will wait 'till I'm done.

Good luck to all the racers. May you all have a dry race!

-Mark

Michael, I hope you achieve everything you hope to on Sunday.  Channel your inner Michael (Phelps) on the swim :-)  Randy, do your new team proud.  Good luck to everyone else too!

I had a great bike ride up on the Skyline Drive this morning.  36 miles and lots of climbing.  Caught up with some friends on one of the hills which was fun and saw an incredible buck on the side of the road.  It just watched me as I pedaled by... totally unphased by my presence.  A little eery actually.

After one more day of thunderstorms, we're apparently in for a week of cool temps... can't wait!  And Sunday I'm scheduled for a long run, so the timing is perfect.  Those long runs in the heat totally destroy me.  Anyway, I'm starting to get there... and losing a bit of weight as well (finally). 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Stu

Headed out to race.

Mark-hope you can get another dry race in.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Randy

Congratulations, Randy!!

Good luck, Michael and Randy! Show us how it's done!

I'm through my workouts this week, and I sure am glad. I'm feeling beat up...time to let my body rebuild some

Blanda-you can go to www.ironman.com   They should have updates by race/bib number during the day tomorrow fot IMWI.

Had a solid race today finishing 2nd overall. Water was much rougher on the swim than last year. In the interst of full disclosure....there was also am olympic race in addition tothe super sprint and many of the studs were racing that race. About a 3.5 minute improvement over last year 49:xx to 46:10.

Randy

Race report done.

Successful race on several fronts: weather and performance-wise. The rain held off just until after the race (we've been on a tornado watch since that lasts 'till 9PM).

I PR'd the race by 9 minutes!

Since the swim is short (440 yds.) I decided to crush it as an experiment. It felt good to power through the swim and it didn't detract from the rest of my race.

The bike leg was good. I kept see-sawing with another competitor so we chatted a bit as we exchanged places - me usually taking the lead on the downhills and she on the ups. I pushed it a bit harder than during the West Point tri. Legs felt good throughout.

The run kinda sucked but was average for me. I didn't blow myself up, it's just that I am slow. I realized on the return portion that I was running the speed I trained (or didn't train) for. I was able to avoid walking which is big for me and I believe I negatively splat the second half.

The excess weight is really dragging me down. I have a hard time pushing myself during runs b/c I fatigue so quickly so I hold back until I see the finish line.

So, overall, it was a good race for me. I felt like I was racing (myself) instead of just completing a triathlon.

-Mark

I always negatively splat the run.  Sorry couldn't help it... typo of the year as it totally describes my triathlon runs - might have to steal that one for my BT signature!

Anyway, congrats Mark and Randy on excellent performances... on to Michael!

Ha!  In my defense I must say it was an intentional typo. :-)

Super PR Mark!  I think the run sucks in any triathlon. Some may suck less than others but, assuming you are racing hard, its going to hurt on the run.

Looking forward to following Michael tomorrow as well as ome other folks at IMWI.  We are forecast for some cooler temps the next few days and I am READY!

Stu-nice win for the HOOS today. Tight one....did you go?

Randy