Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 88)

Jim-good work on the swim. Looks like you are getting toward the end of a tough stretch at work. Hang in there.

Randy

Jason, I often wonder what's more important in endurance races, mental or physical.  Many times I wonder.  I find it curious how many can suddenly find the energy to pick up the pace in the last mile of an IM, and often charge the chute at a fast pace.  There's got to be some mental block that we can overcome that will allow us to push ourselves harder even when we feel 100% spent.  Likewise, when racing and I see family or friends rooting me on, I also find I get an added burst of energy and the physical pain goes away, even if ever so briefly.  I also sometimes get this with music as well.  I wish I could tap into this "energy" continuously, or at least more often when I need it most.

By the way, I am traveling solo to Arizona.  I'm going to try to convince my son to join me as he is attending College in San Diego.  We can arrange a meet up as the race gets closer.  Maybe at the athlete's dinner or something?  Are you going to use Tri bike transport in Fraser?  Sure wish they had more drop sites in Michigan.  jim

Yeah Friday! Do we have anyone racing this weekend? I've got long swim and easy bike today. Long run tomorrow and 2.5 hour ride on Sunday followed by a short brick run.

Mental/Physical-I was thinking about this yesterday when I was doing track inervals.  Basically, how can I push a pace in a long race that I stuggle to maintain during a training session? I think we are able to push harder for several reasons. 1) IT'S A RACE...we're excited and the adrenaline allows us to go faster/harder at what seems like an easier effort level 2)Hopefully, we are more rested from a taper leading into the race. 3)Mentally its tough to prepare for a race during training unless we challenge ourselves both physically and mentally during our training. Knowing that I can push hard and maintain mental focus during a really tough workout makes me believe that I can do it, or more, during a race. Also, hard workouts are confidence builders. Reassuring ourselves that we can complete the race and are well prepared.

Again, my hat is off to you IM athletes. Months of training for long distance is not only grueling but also mentally taxing. The day in day out of getting on the bike, running and going to the pool can get old. All you guys with IMFL and IMAZ on the calendar are almost there. I check your training logs and see how hard you have work.  The hay is in the barn. You've done the work both mentally and physically to put yourselves in position for a great race. Can't wait to see it all come together on race day. 

Randy

Randy, you have no idea how much this post means to me right now. I have been battling a cold all week, and a had a few bad workouts, while logging my best/strongest swim to date ( I guess you win some, lose some). I have a 4.5 hour ride Saturday, and a 2:15 ride with a 55 minute brick on Sunday. After these two workouts I will officially start my taper. The mental grind has definitely gotten me, especially with being in intensive training at work the last few weeks. I find myself imagining my best friend, and marathon partner yelling at me on the run course, seeing my family on the run course, and making that final turn into the finishing chute and enjoying every second of the culminating event of this amazing journey.

Mental training this past year has been so key for me. I have learned that deep down I am far more gifted than I really think I am. I compare myself to the person who was 100 pounds overweight 5-6 years ago, linking my current athletic performance to those of the out-of-shape version of me. I learned and found this whole other side of me, a side that loves to push my self to continually improve, and really embrace the suck. 

To the rest of the IM athlete (both rookies and vets alike), enjoy the last few weeks of training, and as many racer's have said, it's the journey of getting to the start line that the largest victories are made. 

Oooh Trainerroad.  Just did a 90 min ride which had 27 sprint intervals each for a minute.  I'm exhausted but feel great.  I'm really enjoying this program!!  Wish I had purchased it a long time ago!!

Have a good weekend all.  I'm off to my son's last high school football game of his career.  Hopefully he'll play college as well so I can keep watching him.  He is torn between that and college Rugby.  Tough kid!  Unfortunately Rugby has minimal scholarships.  I told him though to go and do what his heart wants to go. 

Hey everyone.  I had a horrid drive yesterday -- was supposed to be 10-11 hours but ended up 14 (which, for me, is the difference between a long but manageable day and a horrid day).

Anyway, picking up on Jason's philosophizing, I agree that the question about what is mental versus what is physical is a huge issue, and honestly I have yet to come to terms with it.  Some days I feel like I've given everything to at least certain races (by no means all of them), and others I feel like I'm copping out and I've never really put my full effort into a race.  Most races, I feel, at the end, that I didn't have another ounce of effort to give, and then, about 4-24 hours after, I feel like I could have gone harder.  But the psychology of this situation is so complicated that I really have no idea which feelings to trust.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have nothing useful to say on this issue... 

Anyway, Jason, I'm glad you got in a good sleep.  That's just as important as the training.

Good morning!-Beautiful morning here. 58 degrees and blue skies when I headed out on my run this morning.  First time in months that I have felt cool through the first mile or two. Warming up quickly but it sure was nice.

Was proud to escort my daughter in the homecoming court last night. Hard to believe she is a senior.  Time passes so quickly....except when I'm swimming

Enjoy the weekend!

For our IMFL folks...wasn't it MC Hammer that said "Stop....taper time!" or something litke that.

Randy

Catwoman - 2012-10-21 10:35 AM I actually have a REST DAY tomorrow! Can you tell how excited I am am??

Rene, hang in there! I'm very impressed by your training; frankly, it's a little scary and awe-inspiring to look at that volume. You're so close...treasure every minute of that rest day!

I did a bike and short run yesterday, followed by a 10-miler last long run this morning before my HM coming on Saturday. My legs feel like they're back to normal, which is nice.

So, a quick question, I plan on continuing some level of training November and December, then my HIM training will begin in January...so, how does everyone structure their training when not on a regimented plan? I feel like if it's up to me everyday, I'll always give priority to running, then some to biking, and then swim whenever. Anyone have an off-season plan they follow?

Dang Jason! That's fast...like Superstar fast....like I look at guys running that fast with awe, respect and a more than healthy level of jealousy   Nice work.

Randy

Jamie-there are several different "winter maintenance" plans in the free plans here on BT. Looks like you can choose between run, swim or bike focus. Might be a way to have some structure without spending any money for a plan.  I have heard good things about the Endurance Nation Outseason plans but they can be pricey....although they seem to always be running some sort of special.  I think EN focuses solely on run and bike during the off season. Do you have a bike trainer? Probably the most important piece of equipment in terms of maintaining bike fitness during the Winter. With shorter days and cooler temperatures it's hard to get outside as much.

Randy 

Thanks, I'll check out some Winter Maintenance plans; I didn't even think to check if those were out there. As far as the bike trainer goes, I'm looking for one of those, but also trying to budget for a new bike  

And Jason, that is awe-inspiringly fast. If I didn't know people, like you, who ran that fast, I'd say it couldn't be done. Good job!

Jamie-I would check the classifieds here, on Slowtwitch and Craigslist for a nicely priced trainer.  Kurt Kinetic seems to be a well liked brand.  I was on www.bicycledoctorusa.com the other day and they were running a sale on Kurt Kinetic trainers. The website there kind of stinks and you have to email them for a price but I bought some wheels from them a few years ago and was please with their service and price. 

Not sure what type of trainers folks here would recommend.  I have e-motion rollers, which I love, but they are pricey compared to fluid type trainers. Although I recently saw a set advertised on Slowtwitch for pickup in NC/SC.

Randy

Jason - I hope at some point in my life I can get even remotely close to those times ... like within 20-30 minutes close ... pretty amazing.

Jamie - I say it often and I stand by it ... a good bike trainer and trainerroad.com and you will be set for the winter. 

I had a very busy weekend but it was well worth it. On Saturday I tested for my 2nd Degree Black Belt in TKD and passed. While sparring I kicked and hit my buddies heel with my instep. Within a few seconds it swell up pretty good. I also injured my heel while breaking my boards. I iced it after testing and took some anti-inflammatory. 

I woke up this morning with pain in my foot but decided to participate in the Triathlon anyway. The foot hurt pretty good during the tri but it was manageable. All I wanted to do was finish. 

Here is the race report:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=465384

Overall I am not very happy with the results but I guess it was the best I could have done with my foot. I still managed to shave almost 7 minutes off the result from last year but I was nowhere close to a PR. 

Time to watch "The Walking Dead" 

Good Night

Michael/d3-congrats on the new designation and a solid race result despite the injury. Good work.

Randy

Jason-even more impressive given the lack of taper and the long work shift before the race. Good job.

Randy

Excellent race, Jason.  Very solid.  Congrats!

And to you too as well, Michael.

I had a horrendous drive to and from Indiana, but a great time while there.  I have more work-related travel this week -- struggling to keep the training going while traveling so much...

Have a great day everyone.  I'll try to catch up with everyone tonight.