Elaine's Spring 2011 Mentor Group - CLOSED! (Page 8)

Wow, Nick, third in your age group!  Super!

My 'A' goal for July has changed...originally it was to beat my previous time on a tri that was supposed to be this weekend, but the race organizers unexpectedly changed the race date to Oct. 16!  I think it may have had to do with Fourth of July celebration conflicts, but I'm not sure and they didn't specify.  That was very disappointing as I was really looking forward to the event.

Since that race got changed, I signed up instead for a local race (July 10)  that I signed up for last year but DNS for personal reasons.  So I want to make this into a strong race, maybe even run the whole run.  I know, you runner-types out there are rolling your eyes, and as well you should.  But having knee issues (and therefore limited run training), running the whole run unfortunately isn't a given for me right now.  I'm also really looking forward to my first Xterra tri at the end of the month.

When is everyone's next race or event?

My only goal this month is to get through my training plan for August's triathlon.  So I got some brick workouts planned and need to determine how to keep fueled for my triathlon.  I am guessing since its a sprint 300m swim/15mile bike/3mile run, I don't have to eat much.  Any suggestion guys?

Also Melanie, what was your impression of the Lancaster YMCA triathlon you did last year.  I was thinking about signing up for it this year.   If I do it, I would enter the sprint.  Its on a Saturday one day before I run in the harrisburg half marthon relay.  Good news its just a relay so I will be only running 6 miles. 

Thanks, 

An Xterra tri sounds like a blast! Have you been out mountain biking much?

Keep working on your run. Injuries are tough and some seem to take forever to heal! If your knee feels great on race day, remind yourself that your cardio fitness is still there and push it hard to the finish! It's mentally tough when you feel like you haven't ran much recently, but find that confidence and you'll be ok. And if it hurts, use that energy to encourage others and have fun with it!

My next event is the Northwest Passage Ragnar Relay. I'm looking forward to it, and I'm telling myself that I should be glad my runs are mostly uphill because my IT band will be happier. Our team name is F*** That Hill.

Ken, are you following a plan from here or a custom one? I'd love to see it - and I'll check in with you to help keep you on track.

I don't eat during a sprint, but I usually have Gatorade or something on the bike. This article is trying to sell you on Hammer's products, but is a good source: http://www.hammernutrition.com/knowledge/less-is-best-the-right-way-to-fuel.8691.html. How do you feel on long workouts? What is your estimated finish time? Have you ever fueled with something other than just water on your longer bike rides?

Here's another helpful one: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/multisport-zone/fuel-station/fueling-for-the-sprint-distance

My july goal is to run a strong sprint July 10th going for a top 25 spot.  Also compete in one of the July Crit races. 

I like to hear everyones goals and training for the month.  Keep it up guys our goals keep getting met. 

We'll be cheering you on!

Will this be your first crit?

For this  sprint I really dont have much of an training plan.  I am basically following a running program that I found and added three session of swimming and three session of biking per week.  Just trying to build a good base of miles for those two new events.  I downloaded a training plan that I am going to try and follow for my next tri.  Just trying to see how it fits into my marathon training plan I start 7/11. 

I am estimating a 8 mile swim, 1h10min bike and 30 min run for the Tri.  Most of the bike rides I have been fueling with water.  I was going to try and do a bike to run brick workout this weekend and use Gatorade during it. 

If it were my race, I'd take some caloried about an hour in, weather it is gatorade, Gu, Clif shot blocks, or whatever. I generally will try to take in about 100 calories at the 1 hr mark, and 100 calories every 45 min after. Figure out what works for you and go with it.

I see by your Race log that you're training for the Select Medical Harrisburg Marathon. Looks pretty flat and the course looks interesting! Is it your first one? What plan are you following for that?

Good luck! Those races look so intimidating to me!

I know I did - I kicked off my 16 week Half Ironman training program

Yes this will be my first marathon.  It should be a nice run.  Good news is Harrisburg is only 10 minutes from my house, so I dont have to worry about a long drive before or after the race.  I start my 18 week training plan next week.  I am doing the Hal Higdon novice 2 marathon plan. 

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novice2.htm

I plan on using the same plan for ING Miami in January... you'll have to let me know how it goes!

A couple people raced this weekend! Looking forward to reports!!!

Question of the week:

If you could go pro in any sport, what would it be?

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=260134

My race report!  It was one of my strongest races yet.  i had a blast. 

Pro sports talk.  I played Semi-pro Paintball, I retired and got married but my team turned pro the next year.  That would have been fun.  I think a pro triathlete would be cool.  look at the great travelling they get. 

Race report here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=260303&posts=1&start=1  Good race overall.  If you take time to read it, please give me some feedback/suggestions of how you would have handled my T2 bike issue.

Pro sport I'd choose: I guess I would have to go with ice hockey even though there is no real opportunity for female pros.  Or more realistically, triathlon!!   Well, wait...realistically from a no gender-barrier-to-entry standpoint, not saying I'm anywhere close to having the ability!

I would have taken their bike an tried to throw it over the transitions barrier.  Just kidding.  But I would have thought it. 

USAT 2011 most commonly violated rules adn Penalties,

#4.  Transition area:

All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral.  No person shall interfere with another participant's equipment or impede the progress of another participant. 

Penaly Variable time penalty. 

I would have removed their bike and layed it down just out of the way.  Very gently with the gear side up.  It impeded my transition so it needs to be moved to not impede others and it lets an official notice the bike and assess the correct penalty.  Trust me they wont make the same mistake again. 

Sorry to hear that it happened to you.  good race. 

^Excellent advice

I made the mistake of following Chrissie Wellington on Twitter. I totally would want to be a professional triathlete! The traveling, the workouts, the races... and she's so happy about it all. I'm jealous when I'm at my desk, and I know that other people are out there riding, running, swimming and training. I want to play outside all day!

If I could go pro, it would probably be in football. I miss playing and I would be paid to play a game I love. 

Now its time to start training again, we took a family vacation to Hilton Head, SC then stopped at Nashville on the way back. It was a nice break and allowed my body to recover. I did watch a triathlon at Hilton Head Saturday morning and would have competed if I had known about it earlier.

What's on the agenda for the weekend??

I'll be volunterring at a bike expo - selling tri bikes!!

I'm also headed out for my first HIM distance ride. I'm currently plotting a 2-loop course so I can refill bottles at my car halfway through...