Gat's Mentor Group - Closed (Page 8)

Kinaiahi,

Well, I have raced both ways.  I have a history of going out slowly because I have bonked in the past.  I usually am able to finish strong, but I know that I am leaving time on the table, as I start out too slowly.  This is usually true in the way that I run marathons.  However, with tris, I have gone hard in the water and then blown up on the bike leaving me in a sufferfest on the run.  Not much fun, I do not mind telling you.  My advice would be to go hard and steady but keep in your mind that you still have to run.  I ran quite a bit last year and completed two marathons before my tri season.  I neglected the bike a bit as a result.  I thought I would be able to get off the bike and make up some time on the run.  However, if you go out too hard on the bike, I do not care how good a runner you are, you will suffer and your time will reflect this.  Have a good strategy for you and try to work it.  Also, remember that you are always going harder on race day than you did in any of your training sessions. 

I have no real basis for what I am about to say other than what I have read.  I do not think that anybody has really looked at trainer time versus road time with any scientific data. However, this question comes up often and the answer that I have read most is 1.5 to 1.  Thus, one hour on the trainer is comparable to 1.5 hours on the road.  It is all about coasting.  You can work hard for a few moments on the road and then coast.  You cannot coast on a trainer.  I hope this helps. 

jana0317 - 2008-05-22 11:24 AM Thanks! I was worried because most of my rides will be on the trainer considering our town is not bike/runner friendly.

 That's too bad!!!  What town is that?

Gat-

Thanks for the advice.  Does going harder in races mean going faster too?  I'd love to average >20 mph on the bike!

Seriously though, I going to try to pace off of my HR and not my speed.  I have speed goals, but I know that conditions can do a lot to change how we race.  Kona is always hot, hopefully it won't have all the volcanic haze that's been floating around lately.

Jana,

Not to worry.  I might have mentioned somewhere in this forum that I know a triathlete that only takes his bike off the trainer when he rides long.  All other rides are on the trainer.  He claims it helps him get the most out of his time.  He seems to do pretty well.  As long as you ride hard on the trainer, you will be fine. 

As an aside, I would love to average 20 MPH on the bike as well for an HIM.  However, I am just not strong enough on the bike.  If I were to average 20 MPH on the bike, I will follow that up with 13 miles of 14 minute miles on the run.  Not to worry, you are going to do just fine.

Just a post of encouragement.  I was having a very rough time swimming. I could barely do 200 yards without needing to stop.  They i went to a smaller warmer pool for a week and a half (4 swims) I learned to calm down a bit. and watching the demo of triswimcoach i tried to slow myself down.  My first swim back in my old pool i was able to do 3700 feet without needing to stop.  Of course i did it pretty slowly.. BUT i did it... which was a hugh confidence booster for me. 

 Happy long Weekend Train Well

BUT i did it... which was a hugh confidence booster for me. 

This is what it is all about my friend.  You did it.  Next time you will do it again and do it faster or longer.  Keep working at it.  Nice job.

I am hoping to get in 3,500 yards in the pool tonight.  I will follow that up with a short/slow run (2 miles) and a 60 minute spin bike ride on Saturday.  Sunday is my first race of the year, a marathon.  Monday, I will spin, stretch and try to walk normal.

Have fun this weekend.

I have a last minute question before my raced sunday......

For you experienced folks, DO YOU WEAR SOCKS?

I always wear socks with both the bike and run in training but am concerned about when to put them on.  I have gotten to the point I can have my bike shoes already in the pedal and get into them easily while riding.  But I went and looked at the transition area today and depending on where my rack is I could be running a long way on dirt in socks. 

Is this an issue or am I just getting overly nervous?

John-

I'm not very experienced, but in the sprint races I've done I got blisters on occasion when I didn't wear socks.  I like longer events, so I don't think taking a little longer in transition for socks will make too much of a difference for me.  I actually plan to change socks in T2 as well for my HIM.

Gat-

Thanks for the encouragement.  My recent bikes >50 miles have come in at around 19mph w/ training tires, specialized elite.  I'll be racing michelin ironman tires though so they "should" be faster.  The course I train is about the same effort as the race course.  If I just stick to my training pace I'd be stoked!

My weekend plan:

45 minute spinerval

1-3 mile run

Detail my bike. Not much, but that's tapering.  Oh, and try not to over eat during my carbo load phase.

Hello -

Glad to see the talk about trainer vs outdoor. Because it is thunderstorms and wind all weekend long. Thus...my bike will be on the traine.

 Duffers - awesome job on the swim breakthrough! I need to get to the pool this weekend.

 My plans this weekend...ummm 4 hours of dance for my 5 year old each day:-) and a few workouts. Hoping to run for an hour on the treadmill during son's bball practice this morning then a indoor trainer ride later on in the day.

Later....

ctnord

Bike question????

Is anyone else using a mountain bike. Unfortunately I bought a new bike just before deciding to do a tri so I am stuck with it. I've swapped out the tires, and that was a big improvement, but its hard work to pace at 18 mph. Has anyone swapped out gears? Im not that concerned about my time for my first tri, but wondering what everyone else is doing.