Beginner 1/2 Ironman Plan Group (Page 9)

pitman80 - 2010-10-10 5:53 PM Hey all,

A week essentially off, and back (mostly) on the wagon this week.  Mostly smooth, mileage and paces are definitely higher and faster at same effort levels as before.  Probably going to reset back a few weeks to match up to Bold Eagle, but the results are showing well.  Looking into the next week, a few questions:

I'm slower on a trainer than I am on the road, despite what feels like more effort.  Is this me needing to acclimate or is it normal?
On "build" in the swim, does this mean start slow then get fast?
What are your thoughts on swim toys, i.e. fins, hand paddles, that sort of thing?  I use a pool buoy and a kick board, but wasn't sure about the rest.

Well wishes to all this week!

mG

Morpheus - 2010-10-09 9:29 PM I just found this site after I completed my first HIM in Branson.  I used a full distance plan to get ready for it.   I was disappointed with my run in Branson, so signed up for Austin next Sunday.    After I complete that I may look at the plan here.  I found ST first and pretty much just lurked due to the back lash of asking a newbie questions.  It's good to see a forum that I may not be flamed for asking something simple i.e. terminology questions (FTP, TP, etc). 

Mellissa - 2010-10-11 2:12 PM I know this is probably a silly thing to ask: Are swim buddies allowed in HIM?

Malua Bay - 2010-10-12 12:03 AM

Hello everyone.

At a ripe-ish age, I'm being organised to do my first Tri.  I've stayed fit all my life, but the swim is where I'm lacking technique and knowledge.

Technique will come with training: the knowledge I need now.....

Having picked up this training plan, and read it right through, I need a couple of questions answered, please:

First of all, could someone tell me what is meant in the swim sessions by, say, 8x100. The plan gives me a target RPE, but no indication of how long to rest between each hundred. What is the aim here?

Secondly, I can't find where a 'tempo' run is explained. (I found it once....) What is the difference between a tempo run and the 'strides' that come earlier in the program.

Thanks for listening.

P

Wooden Bell - 2010-10-13 2:57 AM I just imported this HIM plan into my training log, but only starting in April (for an HIM in August).  I was just looking through, and had a question about the swim workouts... the plan, on day 1, calls for a 40min swim workout, but the workout (including wu and cd) is 2500m!  Is the 40min allotted for the main body of the workout only (1500m)? 

TriAya - 2010-10-12 10:02 PM It's a little heartbreaking, but I've been here before, so I'm keeping my spirits up and doing whatever I can!

I've been paid and well underway training for three iron races when I had to change plans. This time I switched to the Asia-Pacific 70.3 Championships. Unfortunately, I've been really derailed with a nasty tropical virus that's just been ID'd as chikungunya (Swahili for 'up the creek w/o a paddle,' I think, haha), and it doesn't look like I'll be back in stride for another few weeks, and I'll be starting from scratch at that point. I'll just have to see.

I'm still excited about all of your journeys and will be checking back in on this thread from time to time to see how you all are doing and if I have anything worthwhile to add. GOOD LUCK!!!

Mellissa - 2010-10-13 6:15 PM TriAya, hope you recover soon and continue to mentor, inspire, and advise the rest of us!

On a different note, I got up today and finally felt like I can do this-even without being able to afford coaches, lessons, etc. I just need a good support system

twalker0475 - 2010-10-14 7:47 PM Hi all - I'm new to BT and tri's in general.  Running has been my thing for awhile, I like to do road races here and there for motivation.  I did my first HM in fall 2009 and am doing my first marathon next month - NYC!  I decided to branch out into tri's this year to keep things interesting and did my first this past Aug., a sprint distance, and loved it! 

I'd like to do another sprint early in the season next year and then an oly or two, but I am intrigued by the HIM.  There is one near me in the Poconos next Oct. and I'm thinking - a whole year to train, I could surely be ready by then!  What do y'all think, is it too ambitious for a newbie?

The other thing that concerns me is the expense - $275 for one race!  The hubby is not totally down with racing expenses, and our budget is fairly tight with three kids and one income (mine.)  Still, I love that at the age of 35 I can do this stuff, it makes me feel young and like my best years are ahead of me.  I don't wanna give that up!  Any tips for navigating the financial part of getting into this sport?

Tiffany

Seren - 2010-10-17 8:49 AM

Hello everyone.   I had hoped to be in full swing by now but at the beginning of the month I think I had giardasis from swimming in the pond.  And now I find myself unemployed with all the time in the world and I find I am going thru this unwinding process with little energy to even start.   I am hoping by the end of next week that I find my spirit and motivation again!  

twalker0475 - 2010-10-14 6:47 PM Hi all - I'm new to BT and tri's in general.  Running has been my thing for awhile, I like to do road races here and there for motivation.  I did my first HM in fall 2009 and am doing my first marathon next month - NYC!  I decided to branch out into tri's this year to keep things interesting and did my first this past Aug., a sprint distance, and loved it! 

I'd like to do another sprint early in the season next year and then an oly or two, but I am intrigued by the HIM.  There is one near me in the Poconos next Oct. and I'm thinking - a whole year to train, I could surely be ready by then!  What do y'all think, is it too ambitious for a newbie?

The other thing that concerns me is the expense - $275 for one race!  The hubby is not totally down with racing expenses, and our budget is fairly tight with three kids and one income (mine.)  Still, I love that at the age of 35 I can do this stuff, it makes me feel young and like my best years are ahead of me.  I don't wanna give that up!  Any tips for navigating the financial part of getting into this sport?

Tiffany

JG_GreenCoast - 2010-10-16 8:21 PM Hey Everyone!

I'm new to BT and am really excited to get in to the loop and chat with some other present and future triathletes!  I'm 21 years old, grew up in NYC and DC and am in my final year of undergrad in new orleans. Have always been an athlete but have made a ton of lifestyle changes and promises to myself in terms of fitness that i have honored over the last year, and this is a big step and is very very important to me.

I'm 6'2", 195lbs, and have played collegiate squash for 4 years (tennis in high school).  I have been trying to make steps in the right direction towards tri-training for about a month.  2 days a week of strength training, a mid and a long dist swim, 2 spinning classes or 2 long bike rides, and 2 runs each week.  The swimming and biking have been great but the running has been a bit of a problem as I get pretty bad shin splints that haven't subsided despite doctors appts/stretches/shoes and what have you.  I got a comprehensive gait analysis and had a sports medicine appointment and got some custom tailored soles and shoes and running instructions, and i have run two days and about 10 mi shin splint free!!! I'm so excited to finally start in the right direction.


I am running the lonestar 70.3 in Galveston Island, TX in April and am solo as of now.  I'm also, for my dads 60th bday, running the Midnight Sun Marathon in June in norway, so I've got a lot of training to do.  My girlfriend said she would come cheer me on but i'd love someone to run with, or at least train with.  Anyhoo, I think my distances are almost there on swimming and biking, but need to get running much much much better.    Looking forward to being part of the community!! 

Seren - 2010-10-17 8:49 AM

Hello everyone.   I had hoped to be in full swing by now but at the beginning of the month I think I had giardasis from swimming in the pond.  And now I find myself unemployed with all the time in the world and I find I am going thru this unwinding process with little energy to even start.   I am hoping by the end of next week that I find my spirit and motivation again!  

pitman80 - 2010-10-17 9:47 PM Another week in the books, onward to recovery week! 

Lessons learned from Week 7:  The nutritional component is becoming much more important now.  I could get away with a night off from good food earlier in the plan, but if I'm finding that my body needs the better stuff more consistently these last two weeks and if I don't fuel up properly, it shows in my workouts the next day or two.  Also, the cooler temps make it less obvious that hydration is so important, but it remains critical for my performance.  On the roads, my right foot gave me some trouble this week, though only late into the long run.  Maybe one of my more medically-knowledgeable friends out here might have some insight on that...  I might get one or two more outdoor bike sessions, but the forecast is telling me that it's indoor time until I move south.  I did try paddles and fins in the pool this week, and had some interesting results.  Sure enough, I was about two minutes faster per 500m, and I certainly noticed a difference in overall swim stroke immediately after using each.  There is much potential speed through form using these new tools. 

Looking to the recovery week, this will be helpful to work form in the water and rest the feet.  I'm loving what I'm able to do when compared to beginning the HIM plan.

Have a great week all, and we'll see you again next weekned!

mG