jesse_d Mentor Group - Closed (Page 8)
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() WHERE IS EVERYONE AT POST: Just wanted to see where everyone is at in their training? How many weeks are you out from your next (first) race? Do you feel like you are on target for achieving you goals? What do you feel like you need to do to reach your goals? |
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New user ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Well Jesse... I'm 16 weeks away from my race. I'm happy with how my running is going. My biking has been improving, but I'd still like to get better. On Sunday I went to Devil's Lake and did the bike route the race uses. One of the hills was so big I couldn't make it all the way up, but the rest of the course went pretty well. It is hilly, though. I'm getting a little more concerned about swimming. To be fair, I haven't done any of the drills, so maybe those would help. I decided I'm definitely going to try the flippers, too. Also, since I haven't been putting as much time into training as I should be, I came up with a novel new schedule idea. I'm still working out the details, but I think I'm going to do either three or four days in a row and then take a day off. That way my days off will always be changing and I'd still be training either five or six days a week, but it won't seem like as much. Like I said, I'm still figuring out exactly how well it will work, but I kind of want to give it a shot. As far as my goal of finishing the tri, I think I'm on track to do that. I think I could probably do it now if I absolutely had to, but I would probably be dying at the end. By the end of summer I'll be ready for it. -- Nikki |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() njacobs24 - 2009-05-27 12:02 PM Well Jesse... I'm 16 weeks away from my race. I'm happy with how my running is going. My biking has been improving, but I'd still like to get better. On Sunday I went to Devil's Lake and did the bike route the race uses. One of the hills was so big I couldn't make it all the way up, but the rest of the course went pretty well. It is hilly, though. I'm getting a little more concerned about swimming. To be fair, I haven't done any of the drills, so maybe those would help. I decided I'm definitely going to try the flippers, too. Also, since I haven't been putting as much time into training as I should be, I came up with a novel new schedule idea. I'm still working out the details, but I think I'm going to do either three or four days in a row and then take a day off. That way my days off will always be changing and I'd still be training either five or six days a week, but it won't seem like as much. Like I said, I'm still figuring out exactly how well it will work, but I kind of want to give it a shot. As far as my goal of finishing the tri, I think I'm on track to do that. I think I could probably do it now if I absolutely had to, but I would probably be dying at the end. By the end of summer I'll be ready for it. -- Nikki Nikki - great. I think the riding the course several times is a great idea. On getting up that hill. Couple things. 1) try to hit the hill with a little more speed than you would normally 2) pedal in an easy gear - and have the bike in an easy gear before the hill starts getting hard. 3) You can gain some leg strength by doing drills in a hard gear. So, for example, do three 2 min intervals in a very hard gear only doing like 60 cadence. Swimming. Get busy! ![]() I like the schedule idea. The most important thing is to come up with something that you like, is challenging, and that you can follow! Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Hey Jesse, I have 2 1/2 weeks to my first road race - it's just a 6K run (weird I know) - which I don't think will be a problem. I have 2 tri's this summer - 8 weeks (7/26) till the first one - 1/3 mile swim, 15 miles b, 5K run. SWIM: I think my swim is coming along. I am up to 550M and plan to extend that to at least 1/2 mile by July. I need to get out and do some OWS soon now that the water is just starting to warm up here. (people are still wearing wetsuits in the larger lakes.) I'm gathering more ideas for drills and my next time in the pool I will extend my distance, do a longer combination of drills and more sets of intervals. I plan to have my husband tape me - hopefully he will agree to this! RUN: I feel on target and am planning on doing a few more 5 miles runs and hopefully extending them a bit. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mstone11 - 2009-05-27 1:11 PM Hey Jesse, I have 2 1/2 weeks to my first road race - it's just a 6K run (weird I know) - which I don't think will be a problem. I have 2 tri's this summer - 8 weeks (7/26) till the first one - 1/3 mile swim, 15 miles b, 5K run. SWIM: I think my swim is coming along. I am up to 550M and plan to extend that to at least 1/2 mile by July. I need to get out and do some OWS soon now that the water is just starting to warm up here. (people are still wearing wetsuits in the larger lakes.) I'm gathering more ideas for drills and my next time in the pool I will extend my distance, do a longer combination of drills and more sets of intervals. I plan to have my husband tape me - hopefully he will agree to this! RUN: I feel on target and am planning on doing a few more 5 miles runs and hopefully extending them a bit. Sounds like you are killin' it! ![]() I am glad to see that you really want to push beyond the distance limits of the race - and I think this is important to do really well. For example, the more rides you have beyond 15 miles the easier 15 miles will be and the better you will feel coming off the bike. I think you'll have the swimming down. The OWS clinic is an awesome idea. They will have you swimming side by side with others and hopefully you'll get to do some simulation. Also, exchange contact information with a few of the people there so that maybe you can get together after the class with a few like minded people and do more practicing. I think the short run race is great and it sounds like you are "on track" with your running. How has the cadence relaxed running been going? Have you been able to incorporate anything new into your running (like faster cadence running, etc)? 5 miles is great. Obviously if you can get longer ones in there it will improve your cardio but 5 miles is still good considering the length of the race. Bike: It sounds like you already know you need the most time spent here. I would do more hard interval sets in the gym to compensate for your lack of miles being put in on the road. And what I mean by this is do say 4 sets of 4 min long intervals where you are really pushing it. When you get off the bike you legs should feel tired ![]() I know it is difficult on the training front with the little one, the husband, and time contraints. Maybe you can take turns as well. If you both found a group that you liked to ride with maybe you can do it one week and he the next. And then every third week you can get a sitter and both go (this might be a stretch but just throwing it out there). The group rides will really improve your riding. Just random thoughts from the peanut gallery! Thanks, Jesse |
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Training!!! You mean you are not going to do the race for us if we are not ready. Some mentor you are!!! Swim - 2-3 days a week. Still need work I almost alwas do swim after run or bike. I am going to start do swim first or concentrate on one workout by itself. I do good with balance during part of the workout and then goes bad. I get my mind off of the balance. As long as I keep my mind on balance I should do better. Edited by Carter_83 2009-05-27 8:14 PM |
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Member![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Jesse, You couldn't have picked a worse week to check in on...or maybe it's the best--keeping me grounded!!! First tri is 8 weeks out - still waiting on funds to register, but so far, it's a goal to register! I have a 3K about 4 weeks out. Swimming is going really well. Getting to the pool at least 2X/wk. One day is my long swim (I swam 1/2 mi no problem last week!!!) and the other day I focus on technique. I am using flippers for my warm-up and cool down and have noticed a huge difference in my balance!! Biking, I am finding this to be the toughest to get out and accomplish, but I don't feel too horrible about this leg. I have been getting out 2/3X's/wk. My longest so far is a little over 10 - definitely know I can do more than that. I will be starting to commute to work 3X/week starting the end of June. This will be 8 miles each way. I am feeling like this will help a lot, although I am a bit nervous about the afternoon ride (I will be working at a camp, high energy all day long and in the summer heat. I am thinking I will need to focus on nutrition at that point, more so than I already am) Running .. really really trying to work on the form. I have felt a small improvement but I know this is going to be a long route and possibly the most challenging leg for me. I have been watching the video over and over - hopefully it will all start clicking soon. This week has been crazy, I have scheduled short easy workouts in. I am moving this weekend and classes for the summer have started up. I am adapting to the new schedule and trying to balance it all, so I figure something is better than nothing. Hope all is well!! Thanks - Christina |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Carter_83 - 2009-05-27 8:14 PM Training!!! You mean you are not going to do the race for us if we are not ready. Some mentor you are!!! Swim - 2-3 days a week. Still need work I almost alwas do swim after run or bike. I am going to start do swim first or concentrate on one workout by itself. I do good with balance during part of the workout and then goes bad. I get my mind off of the balance. As long as I keep my mind on balance I should do better. Carter - I wish I could race with some of you! Where are you racing, curious? Sounds like you are doing good. A couple of things regarding swimming. Again, if you have the opp I'll be happy to look at a video of your swim. And second, do you have the opportunity to get some open water swims before this race? Maybe look up a tri group like Michelle did. Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() dragonfly253 - 2009-05-27 8:29 PM Jesse, You couldn't have picked a worse week to check in on...or maybe it's the best--keeping me grounded!!! First tri is 8 weeks out - still waiting on funds to register, but so far, it's a goal to register! I have a 3K about 4 weeks out. Swimming is going really well. Getting to the pool at least 2X/wk. One day is my long swim (I swam 1/2 mi no problem last week!!!) and the other day I focus on technique. I am using flippers for my warm-up and cool down and have noticed a huge difference in my balance!! Biking, I am finding this to be the toughest to get out and accomplish, but I don't feel too horrible about this leg. I have been getting out 2/3X's/wk. My longest so far is a little over 10 - definitely know I can do more than that. I will be starting to commute to work 3X/week starting the end of June. This will be 8 miles each way. I am feeling like this will help a lot, although I am a bit nervous about the afternoon ride (I will be working at a camp, high energy all day long and in the summer heat. I am thinking I will need to focus on nutrition at that point, more so than I already am) Running .. really really trying to work on the form. I have felt a small improvement but I know this is going to be a long route and possibly the most challenging leg for me. I have been watching the video over and over - hopefully it will all start clicking soon. This week has been crazy, I have scheduled short easy workouts in. I am moving this weekend and classes for the summer have started up. I am adapting to the new schedule and trying to balance it all, so I figure something is better than nothing. Hope all is well!! Thanks - Christina Christina, Sounds like you are doing good on swimming. Just a few reminders to make you are working on good form elements with the flippers on. Don't just swim (and don't kick). So, for example really focus on your catch or balance or breathing or gliding or something while you have your flippers on. And then when you take them off continue the nice form. Good job. Your kick with your legs should be nothing more than a flutter kick. My feet probably go no more than 6 - 8 inches down and up (Relaxed ankles). The becomes easier with better balance. The 8 miles each way will go a long ways for sure. With 8 weeks out you still have some time to put in the miles. Definitely try to get in more than a 15 miles ride at least every other week. Most people struggle with running. There really aren't any good substitutes. You just have to put in the miles. ![]() Jesse |
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm racing in the Jacksonville Sprint Series #2 on July 18th. The have six sprints from May - Aug. Jax Sprint Series and Beached Fine Art Series. They just added Atlantinc coast tri HIM and I think Oly distance in Amelia Island. I though about that race but it is the same day as the BikeMS tour. Hopefully next year. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I hope everyone had a good weekend. I did a sprint tri yesterday. This was the anniversary of my first triathlon exactly a year ago. I was able to take off 3+ minutes in each sport - so overall I was pretty happy. I believe I finished 18 overall in a very competitive field. I finished in 1:13+ and the guys that win it do it in 1:04 (ish). So, really fast. Racing really helps you to figure out your weak points. And I took in a few more lessons from yesterday. So, that is good. I have set my goals for next year already ![]() Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Oh, and I woke up this morning and did a full workout. That is how I know I didn't go fast enough yesterday. I should have been sore ![]() |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Congrats on improving your time Jesse. I swam 700M yesterday, did some drills. I tried to do some intervals, but the pool was getting pretty busy. My husband and I were sharing a lane and when he was done another guy (who is recovering from breaking his hip) jumped in my lane. ![]() I did a 4.2 mile run today. Didn't feel loose and tried to focus on that. Will focus on that later this week. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mstone11 - 2009-06-01 2:10 PM Congrats on improving your time Jesse. I swam 700M yesterday, did some drills. I tried to do some intervals, but the pool was getting pretty busy. My husband and I were sharing a lane and when he was done another guy (who is recovering from breaking his hip) jumped in my lane. ![]() I did a 4.2 mile run today. Didn't feel loose and tried to focus on that. Will focus on that later this week. Hey Michelle, 700M is great. Tell your husband to gut it out next time and stay in as long as you ![]() As far as the video you can send to me directly if you want. I'm not sure how large it is (lmk)? The other option is maybe get a YouTube account and upload it. Then you can send me the link. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Hey Jesse - I sent you a PM with the link to my swim video. I got it on youtube. Let me know if you have any problems. Thanks - Michelle |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mstone11 - 2009-06-02 9:16 PM Hey Jesse - I sent you a PM with the link to my swim video. I got it on youtube. Let me know if you have any problems. Thanks - Michelle Michelle, Thanks for posting the video. First, I believe you have some good things going on there. It appears to me that you were going hard for this video. This appears to be more of an interval pace? That is okay I just wanted to ask/clarify. Let me start with some bullet points (the good and the bad). Then we can talk about what to do. Again, I am not a swim coach, or even a great swimmer, but I think the advice will be useful Issues:
Fixes
When you work on any of these things below do them slowly (or mid speed). You want to feel the water and feel the changes you are making. Don’t do them at top speed If you find a local tri group it might be worth asking some people if they know anyone with an underwater camera. I think someone charged my like $20 to video me underwater. It was worth it. Good job! Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Hi Jesse, Thank you for your assessment! This is very helpful! I knew certain things were wrong like my arms crossing over, scissor kicking and wiggling etc. Yes, you are correct I was attempting to do intervals and stopped after the first one when the pool started to get crowded. As you can see, I was a little off after my first flip-turn. A 3rd swimmer was suppose to join our lane and we were going to circle swim - I was a little confused and this resulted in a LOT of wiggling. Breathing: I do most of my breathing on the right (stronger side). When doing distances - I alternate breathing on both sides and then breathe just on my right every other stroke (like you said). When I do intervals - I breathe a lot less. I've been working a lot on my breathing - I am very concious of it while swimming - I've been focusing on not holding my breath underwater. I feel pretty good about this part. My catch is definitely something I need to work on. I agree that if I stop crossing my arms over - my catch and kick will improve. I am definitely going to work on these things. Thanks! |
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New user ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I just had to pop in and report that I had a really good swim workout and I'm really excited about it! ![]() -- Nikki |
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Member![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Hey Jesse, I am sad to say, the last week has been awful pertaining to training. I was sick and moving and exhausted. I did not get any real good training in ![]() Now, I am recovering from being sick and trying to get my place in order .. and I am having a very hard time getting into a routine. I'm needing some motivation... ....Frustrated... ![]() |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mstone11 - 2009-06-03 3:12 PM Hi Jesse, Thank you for your assessment! This is very helpful! I knew certain things were wrong like my arms crossing over, scissor kicking and wiggling etc. Yes, you are correct I was attempting to do intervals and stopped after the first one when the pool started to get crowded. As you can see, I was a little off after my first flip-turn. A 3rd swimmer was suppose to join our lane and we were going to circle swim - I was a little confused and this resulted in a LOT of wiggling. Breathing: I do most of my breathing on the right (stronger side). When doing distances - I alternate breathing on both sides and then breathe just on my right every other stroke (like you said). When I do intervals - I breathe a lot less. I've been working a lot on my breathing - I am very concious of it while swimming - I've been focusing on not holding my breath underwater. I feel pretty good about this part. My catch is definitely something I need to work on. I agree that if I stop crossing my arms over - my catch and kick will improve. I am definitely going to work on these things. Thanks! The great thing about what I saw is that by just focusing on a few things should correct a lot. And that is good. I think just getting your arms in the water at 11 and 1 o clock will make a huge difference. Other than when I am just mozying (when I bi-lateral breathe) I breathe every time my left arm is extended (so to my right every time). You need the oxygen to be able to swim fast. Breathing every time to your right will also make it easier to get into a rhythm with this sort of breathing (out in, out in, out in). I have been lucky as I don't think I have ever had to swim in a circle. 95% of the time I have the lane to myself. Just not that busy at my pool (knock on wood). So, work on those few things. Then get me another video in a few weeks (2 -3 weeks). Then we'll see about the catch and so forth. Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() njacobs24 - 2009-06-03 8:59 PM I just had to pop in and report that I had a really good swim workout and I'm really excited about it! ![]() -- Nikki Nikki - that is great. I would definitely keep using them then. I think you used them perfectly. I wouldn't worry about anything fancy right now. Just put them on to help you keep in balance. Then your stroke will improve - you'll be able to focus on correct upper body balance and stroke. Then once that becomes part of your muscle memory swimming be a lot easier when you take the fins off. You are probably kicking too hard because you feel you need to in order to stay afloat. This is just a balance issue. Once your balance improves you'll hopefully feel the need to kick less and less. IMO the kick of a triathlete swimmer should be pretty nill - I mean just enough to keep your balance and not really enough to propel you forward. (This is not true for the short course tri people that finish the swim in liek 7 mins - those people are crazy). Keep watching some of the videos I have posted of really good swimmers and try to envision yourself looking like they do when you swim. - where they enter their arms -what their body position looks like -a nice catch -breathing Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() dragonfly253 - 2009-06-04 7:31 AM Hey Jesse, I am sad to say, the last week has been awful pertaining to training. I was sick and moving and exhausted. I did not get any real good training in ![]() Now, I am recovering from being sick and trying to get my place in order .. and I am having a very hard time getting into a routine. I'm needing some motivation... ....Frustrated... ![]() Sometimes there isn't much you can do in the way of being sick. It comes on and you just have to rest. It sounds like you are more mentally exhausted than physically exhausted. You definitely need to dig deep and find some motivation from somewhere. (That doesn't mean get out and do 5 miles when you sick ![]() ![]() Watch some Ironman videos. If some of these people don't motivate you (and make you cry) nothing will: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE There are more - just search around. I just find myself in total aw when I watch some of these. You have to think there are people out there fighting for their lives. Shoot, I just have to get up and do a little workout!!! Jesse |
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New user![]() ![]() | ![]() Morning everyone, Hi Jesse-I’ve been away for a while. Haven’t been very good with sticking with my training plan over the last two weeks. I find it very hard to stay focused and motivated. I’m a little concerned that I won’t be ready for the sprint race in August. I’m not sure why I can’t find that passion I had before for training. Have you ever felt like this? Thanks Cheryl |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() cher - 2009-06-04 9:32 AM Morning everyone, Hi Jesse-I’ve been away for a while. Haven’t been very good with sticking with my training plan over the last two weeks. I find it very hard to stay focused and motivated. I’m a little concerned that I won’t be ready for the sprint race in August. I’m not sure why I can’t find that passion I had before for training. Have you ever felt like this? Thanks Cheryl Cheryl, It's time to get motivated now! You have less than 3 months. That is a lot of time and not a lot of time. It will come fast but if you can get motivated now it still gives you a lot of time to reach your goals. You need to ask yourself: What is the motivating factor for wanting to do this race? Get better at something. The challenge. To be a role model. Etc etc. Why are you training? To be better than I used to be. To be healthy. To stay healthy. etc etc Then, you really have to have a NO EXCUSES attitude when the alarm goes off in the morning. Really re-evaluate your schedule and make sure that what you have created is something you can stick with (that was the first rule of the schedule). If your schedule has workouts that are at times when you are already tired then you probably won't follow it. So re-evaluate that. Personally, I am very driven to challenge myself. I get depressed if I am not bettering myself. So, that negative feeling is enough to drive me (I am sure I'll have to get realistic as I get older but right now there is nothing stopping me from improvement). My primary reason I train is to challenge myself to get better. I really look forward to taking time off SBR. It gives me a great sense of achievement. I really don't have a difficult time staying too motivated. Maybe this happens a bit when my goals are too far into the future. I have tried to keep races within a few months of each other so that I always have something. Jesse |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Carter - how are your run intervals going. Were you able to do any yet? How did it go? And what did you do? Jesse |
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