Slornow's and Wannabefaster's Summer Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 77)

Originally posted by wannabefaster

Originally posted by WoodrowCall Ok gang, before we all break up, I need one more piece of advice. I'm on the cusp of a terrible/great idea, inspired by the Bucket List...I need some input on training to Boston-qualify next year I've researched a few races, and there is a popular BQ race in Georgia on March 1st, which would be just enough time for a 16-week training plan...but what does everyone think about doing this during the off season? My thoughts are that this would be my chance to focus more on running, since I don't need to follow a tri-specific workout plan over the Winter months. However, I also don't want to risk injury, as I've already set up my A-race next year with IM Chattanooga. So, am I just crazy, or what? Don't hold back, give me some candid advice! P.S., I have a tendency to be like this. An idea hatches in my brain, and then I get a little focused/obsessed with it. It's how the first IM happened!

I think that it is an awesome idea. I think you will have to have an obviously run focused off-season and if you are using a run plan for a marathon it will have to be modified to allow some cycling. If I were doing this I would make all of my cycling short and super intense. Three one hour sessions (more or less) per week and 5-6 runs/week. Days that you do the bike workouts will be "easy" or recovery run days. You may have to adjust the plan so you aren't really hurting yourself the day before a key run so you will have to identify each week's key run(s) and plan accordingly. If it were me, I would be training seven days a week but the seventh day would be super easy running miles or swimming but I think it is imperative that you be running as much as possible. I used a Runners World, free, online plan for my two best marathons and would gladly use it again. There is no substitute for running mileage. Biking will help build your aerobic fitness but you will need to run! I personally don't think you need to be running 70-80- miles per week to BQ if you are bike training too, but you will need a few weeks of 50+ miles (IMO) to run as hard as you will need to for 26.2 miles. Suzy has BQd several times. Any input on this? (too late--I see she has already chimed in )

I do have a couple of thoughts on the above.  First, I agree that the bike workouts I did during marathon training were short, but very intense.  Given I live in the land of snow all of those intense workouts were on the CT and some sort of intervals, including HIITS.  I believe that this actually helped my running.  Second, I don't necessarily agree you need to run as much mileage as possible.  When I was just a runner, I logged upwards of 70m/week and did two marathons per year.  When I trained for Oakland ( hadn't done a marathon since '09), my weekly mileage was around 35-40 with two peak weeks of 60m.    Other than during recovery weeks, I did a long run every week with 10m+ of MP work.  Also included a fair amount of hill work.  Neither is easy in the dead of winter in WI, but I loved it.  I think that we are multisports athletes the B and the S (ha!) help the run.  At least it seems so for me.

I'm totally stoked to start training for an April marathon.  It's nice to work on something you really like and see tangible results!

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New topic!  Swimming!!!  Who has used a tempo trainer before?  results?

One of the things that I've been told to work on repeatedly by my coach is turn over.  I've drilled myself to death on technique, made some reasonable progress, but am still like a sleepy turtle in the pool.  I invested in a Finis tempo trainer and took it for a spin today just to see where my stroke rate is and compare it to where my coach wants my stroke rate to be.  Holy Cow.  Big difference between the two--currently sitting at around 56 and need to get it to between 70-80.  The good news is I liked using the little metronome.  Gave me something to focus on other than the seven things I feel I am doing wrong!  

Mary-glad you are "OK". Take plenty of time to get better...don't push yourself to workout too soon. Hope you will get a good report from the doctor.

I have a tempo trainer and my experience is exactly like Jason's. I have not used it in several months but think I will get it out and experiment a bit.

Jamie-Can't offer much help with the marathon...have not done one.

Just got back to the in laws after a day in Tuscaloosa visiting with our son, touring the athletic facilities and watching him race. He had a solid race as Bama's third finisher running 25:48 for a little over 8K/5 miles. Back home tomorrow for a run and bike on Sunday. 

Please take care of yourself!!!  Very scary.

I did an impromptu10K today to kick off the Fall running season and to see where I stood after three weeks off post IM. I turned on my GPS, never looked at it and went as hard as I could.   I won!  Gotta love smaller races.  I took a 22 year old female 2 miles in and then 3 guys the final mile.  Puked at the end so I know I gave it all I had at this point.   Here's to more racing soon!

I like it!  Two things that resonate, 1) form might slip a bit and 2) pushing every set.  For some reason, I can totally destroy myself accomplishing running or biking workouts, but I never seem to when it comes to swimming.  Part of it definitely has to do with worrying about form and I think the other is I don't like to be short of breathe in the H20.  Time to rethink both!  Thanks Jason.

Stuart-great effort to do the race! Keep us updated on how things go with the hip surgery. Always nice to have you check in .

Finally got around to putting together my race report from last weekend:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=503492&posts=1#M4880867

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

So much of what Jason says above describes me, except his definition of slow! If I was Jason fast, I would consider it a huge victory and be completely psyched for my '14 season.

Stuart, I have worked on technique for the last few years.  It is significantly better than where it was, but I am not a natural swimmer in the H20 either and my 100 pace is still north of 2:00.  I'm willing to sacrifice a little form, for speed.  The TT won't be used for every part of my swim, but only for a few sets to see if I can ingrain a TO closer to 70.   If I find at some period of time the TT is making me slower (God forbid!), then I will definitely reconsider the approach. Thanks for the advice and welcome back to the group!