Jonathan22's mentor group - CLOSED (Page 9)

Wetsuit question all...

 I live in NJ so more than likely almost all of my races will be wetsuit legal.  I plan on doing about 4-5 events, and dont want to have to rent all the time and have nothing for it.  I was wondering if anyone has a wetsuit and if so which one?  

 I have a Blue Seventy "Sprint". I went to a local tri shop here and they took some quick measurements and recommended this suit. I didn't want to spend lots of dollars but wanted something tri specific so I'd be comfortable. I really like the suit and it fits me reasonably well. Because of my build (broad shoulders, large chest compared to lower body), I personally would also consider two piece designs but I wasn't as educated at the time I made this purchase. Its a very individual thing and fit is critically important. My best recommendation would be to go somewhere that has a big selection and try several brands on. If the suits too tight, it will be difficult to move and more importantly breath. If it too loose, you're suit may either balloon up with water or at a minimum you'll increase your drag. I would advise looking for a tri specific suit if your budget allows as they are constructed to allow for competitive swimming and for faster stripping. 

Crue and Jonathan, thanks for the advice.

I like both points and agree. I WOULD like to get faster, but I think I want to finish an Oly this year and push my endurance levels more than I want to get fast right now.

 Growing up I was always the "jack of all trades" in sports. Never made A team anything. Never was top athlete. So simply participating in things is big deal for me.  I grew up never being first or fast...so I am kind of used to it and it doesn't bother me too much (at this point in Tri training).

I'm doing a sprint at the end of April and that will be my first.  The oly is on Memorial day. I am on an Oly training schedule so I will probably stick to it for the May race.

When I did the duathlon last month and saw all the people starting the longer distance race before us sprinters began, I got competitively jealous watching them all, thinking of their fitness levels thinking "I can do that! I just need to train!"

ha ha. I am sooo competitive. I also have two guy friends in town who are doing the same Tri I am in May and I am hoping they do the Sprint! ha ha...so I can say I went longer. They ran the half mary I did this wknd and of course ran a lot faster than I did. BOO!  Just more reason for me to train harder.

Holly

 From my experience, that the only difference between an age grouper and a Clyde is that in the Clyde division, you will get smoked by fast, big dudes instead of fast, little dudes. All kidding aside, its as simple as your preference. If you're over 200 lbs, you could choose to race as a Clyde, simple as that. It could give you a different set of competitors if you think you may podium. For me, it really doesn't matter as I'm not that fast yet. 

Things are finially clicking for me this weekend on the bike and run.   I think I have corrected my diet so that I have more energy (now if I could convince my dog and kid to let me sleep...).  I was eating too few calories for the amount of energy I was exurting.

Yesterday I knocked out a 9 mile run at a 7:46/mile pace (which is my fastest "long" training run to date).  I felt very good even though it was cold and windy (at least by NC standards).  First time since my half marathon in December that I felt "good" on a long run. 

Saturday I put in a 21 mile bike ride by myself at 18.5 mph pace.  I got a new saddle and finally have my aerobars dialed in which made the ride way more comfortable.  My pace went up over 1/2 mph over the same ride last week.  Still have a long way to go but at least I see some progress.

Swimming wise I am doing ok.  I am up to 900 yard workouts and at least my head no longer feels like it is going to explode!  I thank Jonathan toward pointing me to the 3-month Beginner Swim program here at BT.  It is a very good and highly variable program that has kept me from getting bored (or pooped).  I am on the last week of month two.

I even felt so good this week that on Friday my wife and I submitted our applications for the NYC marathon in November.    Will have to wait until mid-june to see if we get in but that corresponds perfectly as my first triathlon is June 13th.  If I don't get in, I may do an Olympic in the fall (or another sprint or two in the summer).

That sounds like some good work bgraboski.  Sounds to me like you could do an Olympic much sooner than the fall if you wanted.  I'm envious of that run time.  If you work on that swimming a little you are looking good. 

Congrats though.  Its a great feeling when things start clicking. 

Question for Jonathan (or other experinced half'ers and triathletes).

How do you juggle workouts when you are training for a half marathon while also training for a tri? 

I have a half coming up in 8 weeks and with my current tri training, there is no way I can get in 4-5 runs a week like I did before my last half.  With my current schedule I get one easy, one speed (tempo or interval), and one long.  I currently do a 3x plan for all three sports and lift twice a week.

Is three runs enough?  Should I cut out a weekday bike/spin and add another run?  Maybe cut out the weights (I did this for the last half I did for the 8 weeks prior to race day to get to 5 runs a week).

Thoughts?

Hey everyone, what's on the agenda this weekend?  Any good sessions planned?

I almost had an off day today but the weather in CT is the nicest its been in awhile and I was fortunate to be able to take a "power" lunch and get the bike out for a little bit.

Hey, I just have to report this one.  I broke 200lbs.  I'm at 199.6 today right before lunch.  I started at 217lbs at Christmas and then 212lbs I think when I started the log on Jan 10th or 11th.  I'm getting there eventually, that is just a nice benchmark for me.

My second wetsuit is a DeSoto Black Pearl.  I love it and will never own another wetsuit.  Fits perfect and is awesome.  

I think you will find that triathlon is a sport were everyone generally encourages others. And you will find that there will always be folks faster and slower.  It definitly keeps me grounded like that. 

Tleah.....

I am also a contact lens wearer. I just went and bought Aqua Sphere goggles at Academy yesterday. (Kaiman-women's) and they are GREAT!! No fogging, no leaking, and you can see so much in the pool. It made my swim so much  nicer.

 I found them recommended on this site, so I figured I'd try them since they didn't have the vanquishers.  They were $16.

 Love 'em!

Holly

I wear my Tri shorts for everything too.  I have a couple pairs of the 2XU comp shorts and a pair of the 2XU elite shorts too and I love them.  I got sick of changing into the jammers at the gym after a bike/run/st session.  I also just love the feel on the bike without going to a full bike short because I have other parts of my workout to finish.  The shorts I bought say they are at least more resistant than regular Tri shorts to chlorine.  I know they'll get worn down, but I can live with that. 

Once in awhile if I'm doing ST and a run or something without a bike or swim I'll go to my under armour boxers that I also like.  They just ride up on the bike though.

 Alright...this isn't a 2XU commercial

So I have my first century ride (101 miles) one week from this Saturday. I feel pretty good for the distance. Got to get in one last long, but controlled, ride in this weekend. I feel that I've dialed in a reasonable nutrition plan for the bike to stay cramp- and bonk-free. My only unknown is really a good way to taper for a cycling only endurance event. My initial thoughts are:

- Sat or Sun: ~50-60 miles ride at 16-17 mph pace

- Mon: Go hard one last time at my morning interval spin class morning

- Tue: usual upper body strength routine at usual intensity, increase carbs in diet

- Wed: Go easy at morning 2hr spin class, more carbs

- Thur: go light but high rep at lower body strength routine, carbs + more carbs

- Fri: cross-train light intensity on elliptical, hit a crab high and go to bed extra early

- Sat: Drive down to race (leave by 6:15A, 1 hr trip, 8:30A mass start), have typical OCD moment about what I must have forgotten at home, try to befriend some (or a couple of) groups I can tag onto (101 miles would be mighty lonely solo and not to mention a lot harder pushin' wind)

 Any advice, recommendations are greatly appreciated.

I just bought Sugoi tri shorts and I was wondering about wearing them in the pool, too. I don't plan on swim training in them (I still have my board shorts that creates significant drag and I wear them every time I swim), but it's good to know I can wear my tri's a few times in the pool. I'll probably wear them one swim session the week before my tri, then for the tri itself. I wore them for a good ride this week and I love them. It was also warm enough to wear my tri shoes without socks and I liked that, too.

I haven't done anything since Saturday because of my Sunday recovery day and the snow and ice that hit Sunday night/Monday. Tomorrow I'll get back in the pool. My last 3-mile run was a 10:03 pace and my swim was 2:23/100m. I'd like to try to break 10 min/mi and 2:00/100m swim by the tri. On my 7mi ride I went between 16.9mph to 20.4mph. That's a steady 3mph increase since I got my clipless pedals and shoes.

I'm making good progress I think. And I've broken that 177lb plateau this week. I'm at 174.2 this morning and I hope to see 173+/- by the weekend.

 I am not exactly sure how people taper down for a cycling event.  But I did complete a 175 mile weekend last year (100 mile saturday and 75 mile sunday).  I started with a group but ended up keeping a pace many did not want to try to maintain.  So off on my own I went.  I ended up picking up a few riders here and there between rest stops.  My best advice to you is that if you notice people tagging along for the ride, make sure you drop back and let them do some work too.  I noticed that a lot of people were just hanging on to me and not sharing the load.  Once I found a few guys that wanted to attempt a paceline, it become really fun.  Unfortunately that was bout 75 miles in)  Everyone was encouraging as the leader dropped back and we kept a 25mph average.  Just load up on carbs and try to get as much sleep as possible.  I was so excited to night before I ended up with just a couple hours of sleep.  

 Good luck on the ride and let us know how it went.