Timberman - Half Iron : Official Thread (Page 8)

Hello Everyone...chiming in...
I'm making positive gains and I'm being very patient.  I've had some early season setbacks that I've been addressing all along, and so far being very deliberate and gradual is paying off. 
I've been consistent with my weight training, cycling, and my running.  I haven't been able to swim, but I expect to pick that up in the next week or two.  I'm registered to do a duathlon in April, I'm looking at a10k in May, and my first triathlon isn't until June, so I think putting off swimming will be ok.
Keep it on!
Peace,
~Sam

Is anyone interested in doing some rides from Pennington/Washington's Crossing (either side) in New Jersey up to Frenchtown,NJ (or beyond)? I'm thinking of starting some group rides in late April - either Saturday or Sunday mornings. I know of about 3 or 4 people I can get to join us.

Most of us cruise in the 18-21mph range for the majority of the ride. I know Pennington and some other areas nearby provide some really nice climbs - i have gotten off my bike a handful of times to get to the top!

Edited by michael2_19030 2010-02-08 10:35 AM

Hi there Timberman Crew!

Hope training is going well for everyone.  I haven't been able to swim much (too far away - waiting for ice-out), but I have been getting my running and biking in.  Were any of you at the Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic in Cape Elizabeth, ME this weekend?  Fun race.  I got a PR!  Very psyched. 

Race report both here on BT and on my blog if anyone is interested.

Train hard and stay healthy!

Cheers,
Mandy

Mandy-
I read both accounts and enjoyed them both.  Thanks for sharing and congratulations on a solid 10 mile effort.
Peace,
~Sam

Thanks Guys! It is awesome to see the results of your efforts, and I think a winter race helps with motivation - for me at least!

Sounds like training is going well for all - awesome!  I just got my butt kicked by Coach Troy, yet again.  I think it is time for a new Spinnervals DVD...

Swimming? Yeah....I need to work on that more when the ice is out I guess, it is just so far for me to get to a pool.

Brownie, I just got all misty-eyed at the thought of taking my bike OFF the trainer and riding it on a road. Ahhhh....

Cheers,
Mandy

I haven't registered yet.  Any idea if it's close to full?  I did it as my first last year and want to go for round 2.  I'm looking to shatter my time if I do it.  I just looked this up now and can't believe there is already a 10 page thread!  You guys are diehard!

As of Feb 6th: "200 or so spots left for the 70.3 and sprint."  So you'd better get registered!

I'm in and I dragged two of my buddies with me!

Signed up during a conference call.  How's that for multi-tasking...

I guess I better start swimming at some point.....once a month isn't going to cut it anymore.

acumenjay-
Welcome aboard!  Giddy-up!

I'm pleased to say my swim training has been going very well, I'm averaging 2x a week, 2300 yds each session, and am feeling great.

Had a nice breakthru in my stroke/kick/timing this week, and was able to do several 100s at 1:30 - 1:40 per, instead of my typical 1:50 - 2:00 / 100.  Best part was the feeling that it was "less" work or easier ... just slipping thru the water.  For me this is huge, and I can't wait to feel it in a wetsuit!

There's something to be said about a two-beat kick  - take a look:

http://badig.com/2009/06/the-two-beat-kick/

Train Safe.

I was a late registrant as well but I'm in!  Will be my first HIM...pretty scary to think I'll be attempting 70.3 miles in ~6 months but I'm very excited.  Should be an awesome event!

Anyone have any leads for a 2 to 3 night stay up there.  Looking for 3 to 4 bedrooms.  Don't want to do the weekly thing that I see mostly on VRBO.com.  Or do I have to just scour it and contact them hoping to get lucky.  Am I already too late?

I remember last year I did it solo and waited too long and stayed 45 minutes away and it wasn't as cool...now that I have a little group I want to find something...if you know of anything, hook it up please.

acumenjay - the place i booked for a week was open to shorter-length stays.  www.summitresortnh.com   2BR 2BA condos, pool (which is key for my two boys) .  i would check with them.  it's in laconia which is close by.

i did a lot of searching on vrbo and homeaway.com - most places want a full week.  your other options would be a hotel listed on the lodging page of the race site.

Yesterday was excellent, because I had my first ride outdoors for 2010...on my road bike no less.  It was a 30-miler on varied terrain, averaging 18 mph.  My back was a little tight aftewards toward evening and today...I think I was a little more aggressive than I should have been, but it was great.  THEN...last night we expereinced a snowstorm which meant a snowday, so I was able to run without having to squeeze it in after school and before swimming.  The downside is with school closed, the pool is closed, but I digress.  I headed out on my 4-mile run with no real intention other than to run steady-but-relaxed.  However, I also had it in my head that I would pick it up if my calves were up for it.  I took the first mile out fairly easy-ish to get my bearings in the now snow covered roads.  My left calf was good to go, but my right calf was a little tight...as usual, as of the last few weeks.  It wasn't too bad because I foam rolled it ahead of time, so I decided to increase my pace.  I ended up negative splitting the run and I inserted a finishing kick, which I haven't attempted since September.  I averaged 6:25 and I felt pretty good, so I am having some fitness gains that will hopefully set me up to run a sub-37 minute 10K in May.  This is a bit ambitious, but if I'm healthy, I should be able to do it. 
Sorry, I realize this turned into more of a blog entry then I intended.  Just putting it out there for those that might benefit from reading it and getting inspired to head out the door.
Peace,
Tri Sam

Yeah Sam, way to get out there!  Sounds like you are my partner in calf issues.  Mine is the left one though.  Heal well.

I am heading for another backcountry ski trip this weekend, so I need to sneak in some miles early in the week.  11 weeks until Sugarloaf marathon! Wow.

We have a nice group forming, this is awesome.  Great work Sam getting it all started!

Lodging is filling up close to the start BTW - a few places I checked only had limited places left (still some full-week cabins though)...get yourself booked if you haven't already or else you might be in for a drive!

Cheers,
Mandy

acumenjay -

Try the Red Roof Inn in Loudon (603-225-8399). It's about a mile beyond the bike turnaround, but to get to Ellacoya in the wee hours of a Sunday morning is only about 30 minutes -- mostly a straight shot along 106. Rates are reasonable, I think about $90/night. Nice place, I've stayed there a few times, and will be there again --- if I can get it together to register before it fills up! (Time is NOT on my side. )

My family and I are staying here...788 Laconia Rd , Tilton, NH, US, 03276
...in a room with a fridge, and a microwave.  We can at least make, preserve, or reheat a couple of meals here. 

thx guys.

Hey, anyone have the Wave start info from 2009 by any chance?  I remember being in Wave 11 but can't find the file.  I just wanted to see where everyone was last time.

Also wondering if it is generally the same waves for the different AGs each year of if they are different.  Probably a tougher question to answer.

I think the 4 of us doing this are in 3 different AGs so wanted to know how far apart we may end up....

Hope everyone's training is going well.  I promise I'll start swimming before June.

I am getting a little nervous that I won't have the base I need for my chosen plan by April.  I have joined a challenge group on BT to light a little fire under me.  May I ask what everyone's training volume is right now (by distance)?  I'd like to know how far off target I am.

Hope you are all getting stronger and faster,

Jackie

I am training for a spring marathon, so my running volume is up right now from where it would be if I wasn't doing that (so 35ish miles/week right now and building).  But I am biking 3-4 days a week using spinnervals (1/2 hr at a time - so just say @ 28-32 miles?), and swimming every other week if I can get there (generally 1500-2000 yards when I go, mostly drills).  I also am xc skiing and telemark skiing a lot. 

You can just check my Logs.  They are 100% accurate.  I'm OCD about it...except right now my Garmin hasn't been synched for a couple weeks due to house renovations and lack of home computer....

Anyway, I'm running alot for a May marathong (just did a half marathon last weekend) and riding a couple times a week just to keep a small base before hammering it in a couple months and ramping up to 100+mpw.

Best way to tell would probably go to my logs, go to graphs>actual>filter by total distance by week and take a look back a few months...

Basically right now it's riding a couple hundred miles a month and running 150ish or so?  About to start running closer to 200 for the next two months though for the marathon build. 

I lift weights too but haven't been swimming at all...eventually I'll swap out most of my lifting for swimming...

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for checking in.  It's motivating to see what everyone is doing.

I just started swimming again.  I total around 1,400 yards each session, which includes a w/up and c/down.  To ease into swimming, I've been using the kickboard as well.  I swim two times a week. (However, last time I forgot my goggles.  A friend and fellow triathlete of mine showed up at the pool and asked, "So, Sam are you trying something new with the whole 'no goggle' thing you've got goin'?"  I said, "Yeah, the new thing is to not forget my goggles next time.").  I almost never forget my gear for training or racing...an indication of the whirlwind that my life is at the moment.

I cycle about 3x a week.  Generally two weekday 30 minute rides on the trainer and one weekend "long ride" (IF I'm lucky...outside).  My long ride this weekend will be 35-40 miles.  We have been blessed with moderate temps (high 30's, flirting with 40), light-to-moderate winds, and dry roads, so I've been able to ride outside a bit.  Yesterday, late afternoon I was able to ride 20 miles outside...good stuff.

I run 3-4x a week (usually 3).  My two mid-week runs are 4 miles each right now.  My calf is coming around, so I was able to average 6:30 and 6:26 respectively for my two, 4 miles runs this week.  I hope to run 8 for my long run this weekend...but not that fast.

I was lifting consistently 3x a week, but that has gone by the wayside over the last few weeks.  I haven't made time for it because I've been spent with general family responsibilities and other life obligations.  My intention is to start lifting again, but I will reduce my weight dramatically since I've been away from it.  We'll see if that happens...it's a goal, not a promise. 

My first event will be a duathlon at the end of April, which I'm looking forwad to with both excitement and fear (5k/30k/5k).  I'm going into as a fast training day, but I still want a respectable showing...and to come out on the other end injury free.

However, the big excitement right now is the anticipation of my wife running the Boston Marathon.

Peace,
~Sam

Awesome!! Wish her luck in training and racing from the Timberman crowd!