Jsnowash (Jenny)'s Mentor Group - CLOSED! (Page 9)

I have exciting news to share!

After 4 years of doing Tri's, I've finally taken the plunge! I just signed up fpr a Stroke class at the Y! First class is 1/19. This is a HUGE deal for me. I love the water, but I'm very self conscious of my poor swim technique.

Equally exciting is the fact that my husband and I are doing this together! This will be our weekly date night.

Good for you!  It probably won't take long to turn that poor technique into a good technique....

Making it a date night is a great idea.  I need to approach my wife with that idea....  thx.

Well, it has been a good 2 weeks of consistent training.  I've been focusing on keeping my heart rate in zone 3 to build my aerobic base.   With my HRM now, I didn't realize I was pushing my intensity too high.  I am planning to keep my volume steady for a few weeks, then start building.

It was a brisk 6 degrees in NH this morning so needless to say, I spent my time on the treadmill.  I hope to get out on the road this weekend when things are supposed to warm up.

So, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on "essentials" for cold weather gear?  Most of my stuff is good for warm weather activities or skiing.  I want to pick up some stuff so I can run in cold weather, but am not sure what to get.

Thx.  Dan 

Nice! Enjoy!

Dan, I have a couple different weights of jackets, and two different weights of gloves. I also have a couple pairs of long tights, sometimes I layer up with my long workout pants on top. I also highly recommend a balaclava of some sort. The one I have is called "the buff". You can wear it any way you want, really. If you have an REI or a local running store near you, those are good places to check out and talk to some folks. Keep your head and hands covered. I think layering is the biggest thing, combined with avoiding fleece.  

That's hard core. Wow. I got cold just watching it.

My new global trainer watch came with instructions on how to calculate my max heart rate.  It basically had be do a series of step ups over 3 minutes and then add a scale factor based on my age.  It gave me a max heart rate of around 190 bpm.  From there, the software broke down the max heart rate into zones.  Due to my inexperience with HR training, I've put a lot of faith in this device and the instructions it came with.  Do you have any suggestions on how to field test to see if I am targeting the right zones?

Well, I had packed my gym bag this morning specifically for a date with the pool this afternoon.  I worked my day so I could leave early and use PTB to go to the gym (the crazy things we do to train) mainly because I really wanted to use my Christmas present - the waterproof case for my ipod shuffle.

Well, while on lunch, I decided to put the shuffle in the case just to see how it worked.  Well, got the two out...fiddled and fiddled...AND IT DIDN'T FIT!

In case I was the only one dumb enough to miss this tiny detail...if a case says it fits the "4th generation shuffle" it won't fit the 2nd gen because the 2nd gen is wider.  So...my whole afternoon plans were shot (yes I'm TOTALLY whining here as I realize I could have gone and swam without my music, like i've been doing since starting this sport) but the point was I was so torked about the case I decided to save my PTB for a better day, went and picked up my kid, and came home to my domestic duties.

And then I shopped on craigslist for a 4th gen shuffle.  I pick it up tomorrow after the gym.

Oh, no. I would have also been disappointed. At least you get a new shuffle.

This is exciting! I took swimming lessons last semester, and I think it made a big difference -- especially with my confidence.

I'm sorry to hear that, Jenny. I hope she recovers more quickly than you all expect. I'll be praying for her.

I logged my clothes when I started running in the cooler temperatures as well. It took me a couple weeks to figure out what worked best. Then, I think I became acclimated to the cold because what had worked became too much and I overheated. lol

Good morning! I slept well last night, but I'm still feeling a little puny. It's been two weeks now, so I may have to break down and go to the doc to get some drugs. I really wanted to avoid that. But I'm not seeing much improvement.

I need to head off to work soon, but I think I'm going to try to run a little this afternoon if it's not windy and above 40. I keep thinking that the lack of training isn't helping me get better. But really, I just want to run. It's been almost a week.

I hope everyone has a great day today. It's going to be beautiful in central Kansas -- I think my five year old's daycare group is going to the lake this afternoon.