Ken Nail's Group -- Closed (Page 8)

That is a great bike, I looked at it but I can only drool!  It will make a difference.

Had another good race this weekend.  It is the second of a 3 race series.  Things went well and I was faster so I'll call it a win.  I got on the podium this time.  I switched to the Public Safety division (Police, Firefighters, Military) and got 4th.  It's a smaller group than my AG, but it's fun to race against cops =).  The whole field was slower on the swim this time compared to last, me included, but both my bike and run were faster.  Good stuff.  The report should be up.

Anyone else race this weekend?

Jim, great to hear your getting to race and do well, if you get time tell us why you were able to do a better job this time for bike and run, what did you do differently or are you just rounding into shape? Keep it going!

I think for me it's a combination of increased fitness and comfort on the race course.  I'm fairly certain that the swim was longer than last time and there was some chop and a current.  All of that affected the entire field, times were all slower top to bottom.  Irregardless of that, I felt much better coming out of the water which set me up for a good ride.  I didn't spend the first mile getting my wind back, but I used it to get myself on a good pace.  I was wearing down toward the end of the ride, but that's because I'm still building my bike legs and I'm spending a LOT more time working on the swim.  It's a work in progress.  This was my first race using speed laces.  I can't recommend them enough.  Basically for around 5-6 dollars you can buy almost 30 seconds off of your T2 time.  The run is my strength and I think the overall training is helping my time there.  My swim time was over a minute longer but my overall time was almost 2 minutes faster.

Also, I was much more comfortable on the course.  This was my 3rd Tri and the second one on the same course.  I think that helps, especially as a beginner.  There were no surprises so my comfort level was very high.  If you can find a series at the same location to race I think it helps.  It's cheaper overall (always a plus), your comfort level raises quickly, and it's very easy to measure improvement. 

I signed up for an OLY in September so I'm training for that.  The increased distance and time probably has a great effect too.

Just got back from a week at Summer Camp with my Boy Scouts.  Didn't get a chance to do a single work out.  I think it actually helped (a little bit of recovery time).  Came back on Saturday and Sunday found me in the pool.  Funny story, there.  I had a 1 mile swim time trial planned ... jumped in the pool, made 1100 meters, and then the lifeguard blew the whistle for his break.  Showed up the next day to re-do the time trial.  Did my warm-up, and hit the lap button on my watch to start the time (or so I thought).  Finished the swim, looked at my watch, and I hit the stop button instead of the lap button.  At that point, I just took the hint and gave up on the time trial thought.

All this said, I've felt pretty good getting back into the swing.  In addition to the swim on Sunday, did a 1 1/2 hr run, did a 40 minute circuit workout, and a 40-mile ride this evening (longest of the season) and did well (19 mph).

So, what they say about recovery, really does work.  I should build it in a bit more often.  Well, now time to update my workout log and get some rest.  How is everyone else coming along with their training and racing??

Just finished my first race a few hours ago, the Lake Geode Triathlon (if anyone is in the midwest I highly recommend it, very well put together event).

Overall I feel like I trained hard enough to enjoy the race, but not hard enough to be competitive.  It was a hot day--the water was 85 degrees at 6 am and got up to 90.  The *water*.  Ridiculous.

Swim - This went surprisingly well.  A few minutes into the race I realized I had no idea how to sight my course and, to make things worse, I couldn't see the buoys because I'm so near sighted, but I was able to find other swimmers who evidently were on a pretty good line.  I shaved 3 minutes off my fastest 1650 time in the pool.

Bike - I knew was going to be my weakest leg.  I just didn't put enough time in the saddle.  That said, I got a lot of benefit from my training loop.  The hills at home were much steeper than what I came across during the race, though the racing hills were significantly longer.  Total climb was larger on my training course as well.  I'm pleased with how I did on the hills, never really doubted that I'd make it up or felt like my legs were going to give out (a big improvement over where I started--I'd have to get off the bike and walk it up some hills).  I managed to shave 20 minutes off my best race length ride.

Run - By the time the run came around I was pretty well spent.  I ran the first mile, up hill most of the way.  After that I just ran the flat and downhill portions.  The breathing muscles in my back were tired by this point so I was fighting that.  I didn't choose to train with hills much in my running, and that was a mistake since this trail was basically all hills.  I cut somewhere between 5-10 minutes off my best 10k time.

I'm pleasantly surprised by how I did today.  I thought I'd go slower with all the events back to back than I did doing each individually.  The outside of my left foot is pretty sore, but otherwise I feel good and had a lot of fun during the race.  Looking forward to some recovery time and planning my training for next season.

It sounds like you did great! Geode is a pretty location for a tri. I live a few miles away from Geode but I had to work so I missed the race (watching it). The water was up to 90, for those that don't know this is not a small lake. With how hot it was today that makes your times even more impressive. After your recovery keep up your training, again great job!

This year hasn't quite been what I wanted.  Different things coming up in July have precluded me from good training.  However, the thing I keep reminding myself of is .... we're in this for the fun of it.  Training is a bear, but the races make us (at least me) feel on top of the world.  Even if I don't finish first, I realize I finished before all those who didn't even start.

This being said, the time I've been "out of the loop" have left me "loopy".  Training still helps me feel better. I did have my sights set on the Ireland Half IM, but will have to change that due to other requirements/ family issues.  What I have learned is:  keep your focus, know what you want, and keep moving forward.  I may still do a half IM this year, but even if I don't, I'm having fun.

I had to take some time off, and with the break, I feel almost better about my events.  Though I haven't "gone the distance," I feel as if I can.  Coming from a guy who used to push it 7/7 and only take about 2 breaks a month, believe me, rest can help overcome.  

From my understanding, we do this for the feel we get when "racing."  As said previously, we only race against ourselves.  Keep going out there and setting a goal.  Eventually, when we reach that peak, we will surpass.  I did a ride last night with a group, supposed to be a "relaxed" ride.  Going along the open road, we stayed at 24 mph, and averaged over 20mph by the end (my tire blew at 30 mi).  Mind over matter, just know what you want and work for it!!

Good luck on the rest of the season (realizing it can be much hotter in the US than here).  I look forward to racing with (NOT against) you when I return to the US. ... Rich