QUEEN ZIP & KathyG - CLOSED (Page 9)

As 2008 comes to a close and 2009 will be here, it is a great time to reflect back on 2008 and set some goals for 2009.

I like to make some lists of accomplishments and cool things I did in my athletic life and then set up some goals for next year. In years past I have made distance goals but this year I'm more into quality issues like sleeping more.

I find it interesting to post them in my blog on January 1st each year and then throughout the year I can check back to see how I'm doing working toward my goals.

It would be great to share your review and goals with the group if you want to.

Splitting up by drills/routines helps me keep track and keeps me from getting bored on days I'm not terribly thrilled to be in the pool - I usually start out all my swims with a "10-10-10" which is 10 kick, 10 pull, 10 swim. If I don't have the motivation to just swim after that, I'll continue to do 10x10x10s. I can do a whole workout of 10x10x10 crawl followed by 10x10x10 breast/back (one stroke up the pool, another back) and another 10x10x10 crawl (if I have the time and am in the short pool) without ever losing count or getting seriously bored.

Somehow in the pool, I can't count past 10. Seriously... it's kinda a lost cause! Bust since I usually like just getting in the pool and doing straight vanilla swimming, I got a counter and I really like it: Chrono 100 That way I don't have to think about how far I've gone, it's right in front of me and all I have to do is click the button on turns. Cheap solution if you're really into just getting in and racking up the laps... but if you're not, having a clear, SIMPLE drill routine in your head before getting in the pool seems to me to be the best way to both keep track and keep it interesting.

One of my main goals will be to listen to my body more.

Having trained myself into pneumonia last winter and the torn hio flexors a couple months ago I realize that I need to actually listen when my body tells me to slow down.

I'd also like to see more balance in life so that the traiig doesn't force my family to feel like they come second.

Other than that, maintain the bike base I just bilt with Max's challenge and improve my swim with the winter swim challenge ...and of course build speed and distance back into the run while staying healthy.

Did I mention that I tend to overreach my goals?

barqhead - 2008-12-31 8:05 PM

QueenZipp - 2008-12-31 9:03 PM

One of my main goals will be to listen to my body more.

Having trained myself into pneumonia last winter and the torn hio flexors a couple months ago I realize that I need to actually listen when my body tells me to slow down.

I'd also like to see more balance in life so that the traiig doesn't force my family to feel like they come second.

Other than that, maintain the bike base I just bilt with Max's challenge and improve my swim with the winter swim challenge ...and of course build speed and distance back into the run while staying healthy.

Did I mention that I tend to overreach my goals?

OK, group. You'll have to hold Judi to this resolution! This woman is DRIVEN Of course, you probably already know that about BOTH of your mentors. Hijack over, mentor away

OUCH!  She got me!

So 2009 goals:

1) Finish sprint race Feb 1

2) Be sensible with my money so I can SAVE SAVE SAVE and get a new bike mid year

3) BASE: Post race I need to ride lots (to earn new bike), run some (CONSERVATIVELY) and swim a little (my strength but im too inconsistent with training to take advantage of it)

4) Reach  the 2009/10 season in good shape: no new injuries, good health and healthy weight range (I have quite a bit to lose)

This is my first time trying that quote thing. Let's see how it goes.

Anyway, I was wondering how long you had been using the Chrono 100, how long itook to get used to, and the extent to which it does or does not interfere with your swimming or stroke.

Thanks.

Leah

Flip turns are pretty easy.  There's a great video on them here on the site.

www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1388 - 44k -

Pros for doing them:  makes the swim set smoother, you learn better breath control for the flip and continuing on, you will save time on a flip turn once you get the hang of them which could mean a lot for a sprint race/pool swim time.  If you ever decide to swim masters competitions they epect flip turns and all 4 strokes (still working on leaning fly and breast here)

Basic method:

Swim...at the horizontal black line take a breath, one maybe 2 more strokes then:

Tuck chin like a forward roll

turn as if there was a skewer through your chest in a forward roll (exhale the whole time)

push feet off the wall, come up on your back wih a tight streamlne (biceps to ears one hand on the other) Kick 4-6x

gently roll to one side, keep kicking.  Whatever side you roll towards is the arm that starts the first stroke.  So if you roll onto your right side that arm should be first to stroke.

A good way to practice is swim the length of the pool doing a flip (forward roll) every 6-8 strokes

thanks for the push on flip turns - i'm going to make that #1 on my goals list!

I use a 100 lap timex ironman watch - since i don't flip i grab the wall with one hand and tap the watch lap button with the other..... i'll have to figure out how to make that work with the flip turn because my brain is NOT wired to count past 2 counting in my head is IMPOSSIBLE.

Goal #2 is to make a plan and stick to it.  This is my first full year. I'm very motivated by the races I've already signed up for and by the support here and at home. 

Goal #3 is to get close to140lbs by May 10th, our season opener. 15lbs in 18 weeks? doable with a lot of work (and support! )

That's it for now...  hope everyone did something fun today!

Happy New Year!  Hope last night was safe and fun for all, and that 2009 is starting off well!

I spent most of today convincing myself that I did need to bike - start off the year right, and all that!  Last night was quiet - 2 other couples and not too much over-doing.  I felt fine this morning, so I made myself a mimosa...then another.  Small nap, 2 cans of pepsi and off I went on my basic 21 mile ride.  It's a loop, and a good way to chart my progress.  One pretty big climb, and some rollers.  My slightly hungover, but not-imbibing-today husband laughed at me, and went to swim.  While I don't see myself ever actually training or racing on the mimosa/pepsi combination, I took 6 minutes off my best time ever, and actually held over 18mph for the first 15 miles.  Woohoo!!

I think one of my goals this year will be to stay peachy - I'm motivated!!

Off to Lake Tahoe with the family tomorrow.....do some skiing, try not to hurt any critical body parts!

Linda

I did do what I was supposed to do today - 44min ride (14.5 miles).  So I'm off to a good start I’m thinking!  Just have to keep going.

Great job everyone on first workouts in 2009!

Hope your 2009 is amazing!

Way to go fitting it in!!!

Sticking to a plan and finishing a race are AWESOME goals...it doesnt have to be more complicated than that...doing those two things would be an amazing ahievement!

I have  rest day today...some stretching and PT on tap for my peach but nothing strenuous.

Have a great day!

Today is going to be my first time on the bike since the LA Triathlon in September.  I am going to ride to work.  This is one of many, many New Year's Resolutions - to ride to work as often as practical on Fridays.  It is 16 miles of up and down, although it trends downhill, which is not to say that there is any coasting going on.  It just means that coming home is harder than going.  I will be taking the bus home with the bike because it still gets dark too early to ride home.  I figure that one-way will be a good plan for easing back into the bike 

Back when I was doing this regularly, I could get to work in under an hour.  I am not expecting that today.  So, I can feel noble about doing my part for the environment, get in my commute, get my peach, and burn a whole lot of calories - all in about 75 minutes.  Not too shabby.

Have a good day everyone.

Leah 

All I can say is "It seemed like a good idea at the time."  The last time I rode my bike it was warm so all my cold weather biking clothes are in storage.  So I got myself ready to go this morning and Chuck says to me, "Is that all you're wearing?  You do know that it is 42F outside, don't you?"  Well, no, I didn't know that it was 42F outside.  I then put on a long sleeve shirt under the short sleeved one (no tights and no full-finger gloves) and figure I will warm up as I get going.  Wrong.  It was very foggy/damp and very cold and in the end I bailed and took the train with the bike into work.  So on a day when it would have taken me thirty minutes to drive to work, it took an hour and a half.  Plus, I didn't burn any calories to speak of and I can't claim the 2-1/3 miles downhill to the train station counts as a peach. 

Bummer.  I will get my warmer clothes out of storage tomorrow and try this again next week.

Leah