Fred D's Ironman/Half-Ironman focused Mentor Group --CLOSED (Page 8)

The cramp discussion and the use of salt tabs is one that interests me.  I have never had cramps and I never use salt.  And I sweat a lot, basically becoming a salt lick.  I have a hard time believing that they work for anyone.  Sorry Thomas.  But I just find it odd that humans should need to ingest that much salt at any one time and the amount of liquid that would be needed for your body to properly deal with that.  I have a hard time with the science on this one and tend to think along the lines of Fred.

I don't typically live off the course cause I can't see me using Gatorade products for that long in training.  HATE THEM.  But, went to my last HIM in New Mexico and half way there realized I forgot my Heed.  There is no where in Elephant Butte, New Mexico to buy more Heed, trust me on this.  So, even if you don't plan on living off the course, it is probably a good plan to make sure you can live off the course.  I sucked it up and used the Gatorade and I was fine on it, but had the biggest urge to brush my teeth for like half the course.

I believe in making a plan (never been coached) as a guide to what I want to do for the week and adjust it according to how I feel that day. This morning would have been a good example as I had to stop half way through my trainer ride due to pushing too hard and coming very close to being sick!

To do or not - http://www.usatriathlon.org/events/usat/2012/04/duathlon-national-c... national du championships is April 28th.  Doing the HIM on April 1st in Texas.  That should be more then enough time to recover and get some light workouts in right?  I do tend to recover fairly well.  I'd like to beat my results from last year and with HIM training under my belt I should be able to I'd think.  I barely went into it trained last year as I found out about it kind of late and wasn't training for anything in particular over the winter.  It is a lot of money for a DU but they did a really nice job last year.  The swag alone was the best I have ever had at a race.  First race I have ever done where you got a marked spot for the bike, carpeted lanes in the transition, etc etc.  The course is not easy either.  A somewhat hilly bike course that you do two loops on (nor overly hilly) and the run has a nasty hill you end on.  Not so bad on the first run but my god, cruel on the second run.

Can change tire in 10 min or so. I think that is reasonable and hopefully wouldn't ruin a good ride. I don't check my spares very much though. I have loops of varying distances that I ride and all have good cell coverage. I had to be picked up on two rides last year, both heat related. One was a flat about 8 or so miles from home. It was so dang hot I just didn't feel like changing it. The other was 85 miles into a 100 miler. I miss judged my start time (or just lazy) and was into the heat of the day. The loop I was riding has a steep 2 mile climb and I bailed at a little restaurant just at the base of the climb. It was around 112 and the waitress gave me free Gatorade until my ride showed.

  My diet goes from reasonably good to just rediculously bad. I've lost around 80 lbs over the last 3 years so I can reel it in but I go through periods of just terrible eating. Almost like my body can't be satisfied. It's weird. This last time was after IMAZ but I 've gotten back on track and hope to keep it there through my first race in April.

  I still don't use a program for training. I use some philosophies that I think work for me . I use BarryP's running threads as a guide. Trying to run 5 to 6 days a week when training for a race. all easy with 1 tempo and a long run on the weekend. I also try to ride 4x per week with a longer ride on the weekend depending on the distance I am training for. Try to swim 4 days  with a longer OWS on the weekend. This fits my schedule but calls for some supper early runs and rides. 2 -3 AM wake up calls are the norm during the run up tp races.

Do any of you train or race with a form of caffine? I find this very helpful but have reservations about using large doses when my heart rate is already elevated. Love that stuff though!!

hi team and happy new year!

that's actually a good reminder to practice changing a tube and tire.  especially since my tri bike has 650s.  i have only had to do it once but i ended up with a second pinch flat.

I have pretty much decided that I am not going to use a generic plan.  I have a training structure in place and it works with my schedule and time allowance...and I enjoy it more this way.  Motivation is definitely not a problem at all for me as well.  I have my goals laid out there and I know I have to do the work to get there.   I have used generic plans before and it was a nice outline but I would tweak it on a weekly basis. 

i've developed my own plan for run training only.  i dont feel that i have enough knowledge of the other two disciplines to dothis well.  though when i have done my own run plan i generally follow the strengths of other plans that worked for me.

it's a brutally cold day and it makes me happy i picked up a cheap gym membership for tbe place across from my work from groupon yesterday.  i wont use it alot but the access to a treadmill is worth it.

who uses a gym regularly?

Well I am in a taper week for a Trail Half Marathon this Saturday.  I am starting to get pretty nervous but also excited as I love running trails but it has been a couple months since I last raced.  I feel like I have done the work though to perform pretty well.  460+ miles of running Oct-Dec.  I was anticipating a snowy run but looks like it is going to be bare trail which is fine.  It should be pretty hilly but nothing I am not used too.

I am a little worried about how to pace the race as trail running is completely different than a road race.  Normally, I would just use McMillans calculator to get a reasonable target but thats kinda out the window.  I usually do pretty well matching RPE to HR/Effort but still worry a bit.   No matter what...I am going to have some fun .

Not me!

I'm lucky enough that the weather in FL generally facilitates working out outside. I've got a bike trainer to handle the dark in the winter, and the rain in hurricane season. I'll run in most of the weather Mother Nature hits me with down here. The only downside is that I don't have an indoor pool, so swimming requires braving the elements every time I go.

I did hit the treadmill while visiting my parents in PA over Christmas. 38* and rainy isn't ideal running weather for someone not at all acclimated to the cold.

I'm pretty much in the same boat.  Although Tucson does get fairly cold.  If you can wait until the sun has been up for a while though all is golden.  They get rather drastic temps swings between night and afternoon.  I even have my own strength training equipment so I don't need a gym for that as well.  Let me tell you though, getting in and out of a pool when it is 32 or colder on deck pretty much bites.  But I am not complaining...

Nice, good luck this weekend.  I bet you have a blast.  I am also in taper this week for a HM on Sunday.  I don't expect any stellar times in my race though.  I hear the Disney course is quite packed and it is kind of hard to just run your pace.  So the goal is to have fun.

Well McMillan has me at 6:42 min/mi for 13.1 based on a 10K time (39:19) from May of last year and I feel I am in better shape right now.  Although, this course is going to be fairly hilly and technical.  I am hoping for something around 6:55 - 7:00 min/mi and see how I feel...give it all I got the last 5K.