brick94513-GoGoGo Mentor Group - Closed For Now! (Page 83)

brick94513 - 2010-08-02 8:26 PM

Saw frustration, not whine.  It's "good" to see that even at the higher levels of fitness, folks run in to the same challenges. 

I'm definitely no expert on training, but normally do a fair job at problem solving.  It always seems to help to go back to the basics -- is your training plan designed to match your objectives?  Seems obvious, but it's a great place to start.  If the training's aligned to the objective, are you on track with the training?  Finally, sometimes less is more -- could it be that you're training too much?  Not sure if the above are the right questions, but think that stepping back and reflecting a bit might help to bring things in to focus.

croixfan - 2010-08-02 7:53 PM

I'm definitely no expert on training, but normally do a fair job at problem solving.  It always seems to help to go back to the basics -- is your training plan designed to match your objectives?  Seems obvious, but it's a great place to start.  If the training's aligned to the objective, are you on track with the training?  Finally, sometimes less is more -- could it be that you're training too much?  Not sure if the above are the right questions, but think that stepping back and reflecting a bit might help to bring things in to focus.

shmeeg - 2010-08-02 10:07 PM I always like reading race reports.  Pretty funny about the insoles!  I never thought of trying to don the helmet while stepping out of the suit.  Good tip. 

Sooooo, I've got an 18 mile bike leg on my race this weekend.  Does that merit wearing the geek helmet or should I just stick w/ the regular roadie?  I am in no way even going to be close to top 3 in my AG and I don't really think an extra 30 seconds is gonna move me up a spot.

brick94513 - 2010-08-02 2:59 PM I personally would like to see the group stick together until the end of the season. I'm pretty sure we all have races still to come this year. As such, I think a learning opportunity still exists from our shared experiences. So, I will leave the decision to each of you. I will continue to check the forum often as long as people still show interest.If you decide to pull out, don't be a stranger. Inspires are a great way to say a quick hello and provide a little motivation.

shmeeg - 2010-08-02 10:07 PM I always like reading race reports.  Pretty funny about the insoles!  I never thought of trying to don the helmet while stepping out of the suit.  Good tip. 

Sooooo, I've got an 18 mile bike leg on my race this weekend.  Does that merit wearing the geek helmet or should I just stick w/ the regular roadie?  I am in no way even going to be close to top 3 in my AG and I don't really think an extra 30 seconds is gonna move me up a spot.

norcal_SAHD - 2010-08-03 8:19 AM

If you don't use it for a race, when would you use it?  Embrace the dorkness.

brick94513 - 2010-08-03 6:28 AM If you bought it, wear it!   You might as well get comfortable with racing in the helmet.  I can guarantee you won't be the only one sporting a "geek" helmet.

How's the ventilation in the helmet?  I've never worn a aero helmet, but heard they can get a little warm.  Is it suppose to be warm this weekend in San Diego?

brick94513 - 2010-08-03 6:42 AM

If anyone is looking for a new GPS for running, I would recommend the Garmin 110....

brick94513 - 2010-08-02 8:26 PM



You're not whining but I feel the frustration in you post. Your still doing great this year. I know the competition is stacked! I know I've put in some times I thought were going to be solid mop's and ended up being sub mop. I know I need to up my game the much more for next year. I'm hoping some steady work on swimming may get me close to those podium spots next year. This year I just want to continue to have fun! And you should too Tim! Your points so far will get you to the race. You've already done the work. Now it's time to just have fun and trust the training you've done so far.

Good luck

Meulen - 2010-08-03 8:49 AM

 I have a friend that has been using it swimming too. I've had this on my want list. I'd be curious how it works as an addition to the 705 on my bike.

brick94513 - 2010-08-03 6:42 AM

If anyone is looking for a new GPS for running, I would recommend the Garmin 110.  I've been using my wife's Garmin Forerunner 305, but it just became a hassle when we needed it at the same time.

norcal_SAHD - 2010-08-03 5:35 PM Timely post.  I went to grab my 305 for a run today, and my wife had swiped it for her workout already!  Her birthday's coming up.  Wouild it be too tacky to give her my 305, and buy myself something newer?  Don't answer that...

croixfan - 2010-08-03 6:28 PM

Any idea where Richard's been?

shmeeg - 2010-08-03 8:29 PM

Ok sports fans, since I'm already slow and inefficient in the water, how do I swim slower, easier, or....more relaxed?  I have two speeds in the pool.  On or off.   I really want to try and just swim easy and not concern myself w/ time or speed in this weekend's race but I just can't seem to do anything but churn my arms, do some semblance of a 2bk and gasp for air when I turn my head to breathe.

brick94513 - 2010-08-04 9:31 AM



So, you really need to focus on slow and relaxed then....  With the race this weekend, it is going to be hard to make any major corrections in such a short amount of time.  However, there might be a couple things you can focus on to use less energy and remain more relaxed.

1.  Breathing.  Remember if you lift your head to breath, your hips and legs will sink.  Breathing is a function of body rotation, not lifting your head to gasp for air.  To breath on the left, right arm passes your head, right shoulder and hip rotate about 45 degrees to the bottom of the pool, right ear stays close to right shoulder, head will rotate just enough to clear your mouth and one eye out of the water.  Practice this in the pool with a pull buoy.

2.  Kick.  For now, ignore it!  In endurance swimming, the kick provides very little propulsion.  Its main purpose is to prevent the hips-legs from sinking.  But, if your kick is not refined, most likely you are creating more drag from attempting to kick than if you just kept your feet together at the surface of the water.  Wide scissor kicks create a lot of drag.  Try not to allow your legs to seperate when you breath.  This takes core strength and balance in the water.

3.  Positioning.  Try to keep your body streamlined in the water. For lack of better words, this is similar to a plank position.  You want to keep the body straight and long.  Eyes looking down and slightly forward to keep your head in the proper position.  Again, this will require you to keep your core tight to achieve.  This will be the path of least resistance through the water.

4.  Tempo.  Keep your cycle smooth and long when possible.  In the open water, its easy to forget and become short and choppy.  If you can get out of the crowd, try to settle in and focus on form.

Did you check out the article series "Learning to Swim" posted on BT's front page?  Sara Mclarty is an awesome swimmer and coach.  There's a couple of nuggets of information there and some drill focused workouts.

Not sure if this helps, but it was a couple things that came to mind.

brick94513 - 2010-08-04 9:31 AM

So, you really need to focus on slow and relaxed then....? With the race this weekend, it is going to be hard to make any major corrections in such a short amount of time.? However, there might be a couple things you can focus on to use less energy and remain more relaxed.

1.? Breathing.? Remember if you lift your head to breath, your hips and legs will sink.? Breathing is a function of body rotation, not lifting your head to gasp for air.? To breath on the left, right arm passes your head, right shoulder and hip rotate about 45 degrees to the bottom of the pool, right ear stays close to right shoulder, head will rotate just enough to clear your mouth and one eye out of the water.? Practice this in the pool with a pull buoy.

I have been workin on this a LOT lately because I am having so much trouble with it.  Finally got it to click for a little bit yesterday and it felt better. 

2.? Kick.? For now, ignore it!? In endurance swimming, the kick provides very little propulsion.? Its main purpose is to prevent the hips-legs from sinking.? But, if your kick is not refined, most likely you are creating more drag from attempting to kick than if you just kept your feet together at the surface of the water.? Wide scissor kicks create a lot of drag.? Try not to allow your legs to seperate when you breath.? This takes core strength and balance in the water.

Yeah, that's the plan for race day.  I usually just let them float behind me.  I'll try to keep in mind to keep them together.

3.? Positioning.? Try to keep your body streamlined in the water.?For lack of better words, this is similar to a plank position.? You want to keep the body straight and long.? Eyes looking down and slightly forward to keep your head in the proper position.? Again, this will require you to keep your core tight to achieve.? This will be the path of least resistance through the water.

4.? Tempo.? Keep your cycle smooth and long when possible.? In the open water, its easy to forget and become short and choppy.? If you can get out of the crowd, try to settle in and focus on form.

Did you check out the article series "Learning to Swim" posted on BT's front page?? Sara Mclarty is an awesome swimmer and coach.? There's a couple of nuggets of information there and some drill focused workouts.

I did.  I read it yesterday morning, tried to execute some of it in the pool yesterday.

Not sure if this helps, but it was a couple things that came to mind.

Anything helps me at this point, thanks!

This is good info right here!! I might add to this INTERVALS, in response to Jay's question. I feel the same way Jay. This week my coach had me start breaking up my endurance sets and doing some intervals. I have to say it has started to make me feel like I have more speeds in the water. Even though, right now, it's slow and slower! I think doing short speed work will give you the feeling of a faster gear for short periods and then you realize it can be tamed down for distance. Look at my last swim log. It has the workout my coach gave me to do this and create balance between speed/endurance and teach pacing.

brick94513 - 2010-08-04 11:02 AM Errrr.... Two flats and I'm sitting on the side of the road waiting for my wife to pick me up. So much for my ling ride today. I was planning on 50, but only got 28 in before the fiasco begun.Damn!