Asphalt Junkies Spring 2013 - Closed (Page 8)

I just wanted to mention one thing about swimming. I had my husband take videos of me in the pool a few times. I used my cell phone. He walked along the side of the pool and recorded me swimming. Then, we put the phone in an airtight Ziploc bag and he swam next to me and recorded me under water. I cannot tell you how helpful it is to see yourself swim. I highly recommend it. I think you can post a video of you swimming on BT and have your form analyzed as well. Can anyone else confirm?

In short, yes.  Just get to work.

But the longer answer would be, for you, don't over extend yourself.  You had some trying times last season with all of the training you were doing and I would not want you to head toward burn out again.  You've got 5.5 months to get ready for Syracuse so there is no need to rush. 

My suggestions:

• Get 3 bikes a week in on Jorge's plan and try to get the long ride in as one of them. 
• Run 3x a week right now and slowly build the mileage up to what you would like to see.  
• Swim twice a week and pick up the third one when you feel good about the amount of time you have available.  you can pick up a third swim a week as late as April and have plenty of time to get more volume in.

Note- In my second Sprint last year I took first in my age group, which has qualified me for Age Group Nationals in Olympic Distance, which is in Milwaukee in August 2013. I am hoping that this group will help give me some guidance on whether or not to go for it. Is this a rare opportunity? Will I qualify again and should I just wait till I have my swimming under better control? Or, will I regret if I don't try? I do have 8 months or so to work on my swim. Of course the cost to go there is the very first issue and excuse to not do it. I will definitely be pondering this issue over the next 6 weeks since registration opens 2.1.2013 and I am sure it will fill up fast.  

Note- In my second Sprint last year I took first in my age group, which has qualified me for Age Group Nationals in Olympic Distance, which is in Milwaukee in August 2013. I am hoping that this group will help give me some guidance on whether or not to go for it. Is this a rare opportunity? Will I qualify again and should I just wait till I have my swimming under better control? Or, will I regret if I don't try? I do have 8 months or so to work on my swim. Of course the cost to go there is the very first issue and excuse to not do it. I will definitely be pondering this issue over the next 6 weeks since registration opens 2.1.2013 and I am sure it will fill up fast.  

Tony-

I am totally fine during pool workouts. In fact - a little too relaxed. My husband stopped by the pool a couple months back and watched me swim (he was hitting the weights at the Y while I was swimming laps). He said that I look great, but that I am very slow. He's no expert so I am sure there are several things I can work on when it comes to form. That's when I started working on pulling faster and as I pull faster, I am digging less and noticing that I am swimming more efficiently.

I grew up  with a surfing family and spent many years body boarding in the Pacific Ocean and have even body surfed in Hawaii where beginners should not swim.

My first Sprint last year was the FIRST time I had ever swam in a lake. The weather was not cooperating - raining and windy.The women swam after all the men, including Clydes and any other special needs. I was doing great on the swim till I rounded the first buoy and had to swim by men that were struggling. There was one gentleman in particular that needed to be rescued and I had to swim by him - I remember him looking at me and begging for help - the lifeguard was about 25' away and making his way toward the swimmer. I knew I should not help the swimmer cause he would've just pulled me under - a lesson learned from years of swimming in the ocean.

That experience carried over into the next Sprint. The three months in between the tri's I spent way more time in the pool (4, sometimes 5x a week) and my biking suffered. IN the next Sprint, I really concentrated on staying clam, but somethin happened when I hit the water.... I panicked, got short of breath, couldn't control my breathing, started screaming at myself in my head as the women in the front of the pack got further and further away. Then I got mad at myself for getting mad about that - Sheesh - I can't believe the gamut of emotions I went through during those 15 minutes. I spent most of the swim breast stroke or on my back and never did think about relaxing one time.

Thanks for the support - I am hoping to do some OWS with Karl when the temps get warmer. This is something I NEED to get over if I am going to go for a longer distance.

Jo63 - 2012-12-25 7:40 AM Jen, I used to panic when racing too it took quite a few races but I am finally at ease owsing. I guess what Iam saying iis the more you do it the better you will feel escpecially if you can remember to tell yourself to relax and breath. You will get it!! And I think that is awesome that you are starting a running group for Moms. Jackie, great goals, I just noticed your re from Vegas, my daughters friend asked her to do a tri in Vegas this year (she has never done a tri but she is an amazing runner) and then I was asked to go by default anyway if we find one we will have to meet up. Matt I like the idea of putting your goals on your phone! My Goals: This is honestly a tough one I know what I should do after last years failure, but what I want to do are two different things so with a lot of thought....here they are. 1. Loose 12-15 pounds 2. Cut out as much sugar as possible, this will make #1 much easier. I love sugar. 3. Focus on my biking & running to get stronger and faster. 4. Finish the Wisconsin Marathon 2:15 5. Hubby said its a go... So Finish Syracuse 70.3 ( Iam not sure I want to put a time to this) but.... 7:30 or under would make me happy. 6. Make sure I can learn everything I can about proper training and nutrition, and how to change a bike tire. 7. Working on my gratitude journal everyday! And give myself some relaxation time away from work and training.

JoAnne you shouldn't consider last year a failure, it should be considered a learning experience IMHO. There are no guarantees in finishing an IM and it's even tougher to do it when you're sick. You should be proud of your effort and carry that over for your motivation this year. I'm glad to hear you will be doing Syracuse I am looking forward to seeing you there with the rest of the BT'ers who will be there.

Wow the Junkies were busy on Christmas day...lol

I'll be out of town for a few days, so I expect to have a hard time catching up w/ everyone's post when I get back.

Those of ya'll still traveling, be careful and enjoy your time with your families.

Jen- if you've got the time and money, I say go for it!  

Jo63 - 2012-12-25 7:40 AM

Jen, I used to panic when racing too it took quite a few races but I am finally at ease owsing. I guess what Iam saying iis the more you do it the better you will feel escpecially if you can remember to tell yourself to relax and breath. You will get it!! And I think that is awesome that you are starting a running group for Moms. 

 Jen, i say go for it.... I live about 10 min from Milwaukee, do you know where they will be having it? And just throwing it out there you are welcome to stay with us. Now that the kids are gone we have 3 extra rooms or you could tent in the back yard .......and know I will be there to cheer you on if you decide to do it! What an amazing Christmas, everyone came for breakfast and stayed all day and we did dinner too, i am happy they all do Christams eve with their sig others families so they can spend so much time with us, nothing makes me happier. I have a strength training session today and am going to get a ride in.

If this race fits your schedule, I say go for it.  It's rare in that I believe you have to podium to qualify for the Olympic race.  The sprint version (which was in VT the last 2 years meaning I could have driven) was open.  I wanted to do it but the race was the same weekend as my A race the past two years.

It is always fun to race with and be around so many of the fast folks.  Not that there was any contact with them, it was really fun to see the premier 70.3 athletes in the world at Timberman last year.  Gambles passed me coming back on the bike and he was absolutely flying on his way to a 2:07 something.

Jen, if it's something you want to experience, I say go for it!!!  (Of course if you decide you can set aside the time and money.)  Qualifying for AG nationals might not necessarily be a "rare" opportunity for you, because you might qualify again, but still, you never know what's going to happen in the future- both in your personal life, and they might also change qualification standards with nationals gaining popularity... so if this is something that does spark your interest, and life will allow for it now, I say go for it now!

I know where you are coming from.  I qualified for sprint worlds last year at age group sprint nationals (the field was a bit weaker than the olympic distance ), and there is a part of me that says well who knows if I'll ever get this chance again!  From everything I've read, being a part of Team USA sounds amazing (plus the course is going to take place at the same triathlon venue as London Olympics 2012 passing by some historic sites), and my life situation at the time will allow it; who knows if I'll qualify again, or if I do, if I'll be in a position to be able to go, etc.  (or if it'll be at an awesome location )  Plus I tell myself I have expensive hobbies - travel and triathlon - so it's always good when I can put them together.