KVesey's Group - WORKING HARD (Page 9)

Marsha,

I don't have kids, so this is just coming from the gut.

I wouldn't do anymore than you are already doing. Keep it a fun thing to do with mom. No pressure. No expectations. The only thing you might want to practice are transitions. Help them figure out how to set up and then practice going from the swim to bike and bike to run. But, again, keep it fun. Make it like a game. Let them figure out the best way to do it for themselves.

My buck-fifty...

Hey, Todd...good to have you back!

And congrats on signing up for Team in Training. I did TnT a little more than 10 years ago and ran the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage. It was a fantastic experience for a great cause. Definitely put me on your list for when you start fund raising.

With TnT you will get a very thorough marathon training plan, and it will probably depend on the coach as to how you approach it.

When I've coached charity runners/walkers (I coached for the Arthritis Foundation's Joints in Motion program), I used the Galloway run/walk method (for the runners) and suggested run/walk times based on the individual's experience and fitness level. I personally run/walk my marathons...and no, it doesn't slow you down. Take a look at Jeff Galloway's website. It explains it.

Another thing I did for both runners and walkers was build in strength/speed workouts that started with hill repeats and then moved into tempo-paced intervals and cadence drills.

But, work with your coach. That's the person with the experience. Ask questions and discuss how your training is going. The coach will probably provide one training plan for everyone, but is likely willing to work with you to adjust it to your specific fitness level and time constraints.

Also, here's a fund raising idea in case you want to do something in addition to sending out letters/e-mails. I raised money for Livestrong through the Janus Charity Challenge when I did IMFL. So, to help, I hosted a "gourmet" (I use that term lightly since hubby and I cooked...but he's an excellent chef) dinner with a suggested $25 donation per person. It was loads of fun, and I made a few hundred dollars.

Good luck with it all!

Yay for vacation! Enjoy! (Are you going out of town or doing a "stay-cation"?)

We're going to the beach for the weekend. Not sure when we'll get a real vacation this year, though.

Not sure what I have on tap for rides next week, but I am tentatively planning a hill training ride on Thursday evening. Also, I'm willing to bet I'll have a long ride over the weekend (since I'm only riding 2 hours this weekend...I love recovery weeks). I'll PM you as I know more.

Todd,

Count me as one of your first donors. And I would be very appreciative if you would wear a purple band in memory of my cousin, Matthew Breede, who lost his battle with leukemia when he was 4 years old.

Thanks!

Yep. Doing Augusta. So far, I've been able to run outdoors. And during the week, I ride on the trainer anyway, so it's not any different than normal. This is an easy week for me, anyway, and I don't have to worry about anything longer than 2 hours on the bike this weekend. Shouldn't be a problem. Supposedly, we're dry (and hot) next week.

It's all good, huh?

Well, congratulations on your first race. It was all perfectly normal. I totally panicked in the water the first time, and it took me a couple of years before I finally totally settled down. It'll get better the more you do it.

And it's so very cool that you are already recruiting others to the "dark side."

Yep. The  goal for Augusta is under 6 hours...which would be a huge PR. Bike course sounded scary hilly at first, but now it sounds pretty good and possibly fast. If I can get that down to 3 hours and a downstream, wetsuit-aided swim around 40 minutes, that, in theory should give me plenty of time for the run. I did the first half of the IMFL run in 2:17...you would think I could do a stand-alone HIM distance at least that fast. Hopefully, it won't be a-gazillion degrees.

Todd,

I think you will find in training for the marathon that you will want to focus less on the bike and more on the run. But, I also don't think it will hurt your HIM training. Once the marathon is over, and after a suitable break, you can decrease your run volume and ramp the bike volume back up until it's time to taper for the HIM. And keep swimming as much as you would either way.

I'm actually opposite. I'm doing the HIM in September and then a marathon in January (a longer time between the two). Pretty much as soon as I get through Augusta, I am going to really focus on running and swim and bike minimally. Which probably will work out well since it looks like I will take a crack at the IM distance again next year. That way, I get a break before returning to the volume of that kind of training.

You are more than welcome to join us. We are a small, cozy, friendly group, and we would be delighted to have you.

That should get you started.  Good luck!!!

~Marsha