Gray Guys/Girls Maturing Triathlete Mentor Group (Page 9)

Chet - Just wanted to give my 2cents here (if that's OK ).  I haven't used rollers but I do have a trainer.  It's a fluid trainer but it's very basic.  I got it from Nashbar.  Check out their website - they usually have some pretty good deals on trainers (I think I paid $130.00 for mine a couple of years ago).  Like I said, it's very basic - not a smart trainer.  I use it with the Sufferfest app - $10/month and you get access to all their cycling/running/yoga videos and some training plans - and use virtual power, so no need for an expensive power meter.  You will need a speed and/or cadence sensor though to use the virtual power.  I've found that it's a fairly inexpensive way to get in some good training when you're stuck inside.  

Janet

Pretty good week for me last week.  I was a little short on the swim based on my plan, but since I'm focusing more on running right now, I'm OK with that.  I still managed to get in 2 good swim workouts.  

Re: The Mental Side.  I struggle with this like most people I think.  Some days I can go out and run 5-6 miles no problem, other days I struggle to finish 3 and I think a lot of it is mental.  When I just don't want to be out there running, it makes it harder.  What helps me sometimes is to not overthink things.  For example - when my alarm goes off at 5:15, if I just get up and get ready and head to the pool, I usually have a pretty good swim.  If I lay there and think about it too much, I may still end up going, but it won't be a good workout.  I'll spend the time thinking about how much I'd rather be home in bed.  Same with running or biking after work - if I change my clothes as soon as I get home and tell myself that 7pm is workout time and then at 7pm head downstairs or to the gym, I'm good.  It may not always be the best workout, but I won't struggle as much as if I had overthought about it.  

Janet

Decision time...

Do I go out for a 4 mile run after work (it's a little chilly but at least the sun is out, something that has happened all too infrequently this winter), or do an interval ride on the trainer tonight?  I'm leaning towards the trainer ride only because I'm kind of in the mood to do intervals, which I know sounds a little strange.  Most people don't like intervals, I kind of enjoy them .  I guess we'll see how the evening goes.

Hope everyone is having a good week!
Janet

Hey Janet,

This highlights the need to have a plan.  I know in my case, if it were to come down to me choosing which discipline I'd prefer to do, i will almost invariably choose the bike.  I don't like running.  I do it, but only because I have to.  After nearly 50-years of swimming, if I never see another lane line underneath me I wouldn't be disappointed.  If I had a 'choice' my triathlon training would consist of cycling, cycling, and some more cycling.  During the summer I'd get in the pool now and again, not because I wanted to put in yards but because I can cool off.

Having a plan takes "ME" out of the equation and allows my triathlon training to remain balanced and focused on becoming a stronger and faster triathlete.  There are a number of free plans available here on BT.  If you choose to write your own plan, a ratio of 1:2:1 for swim:bike:run is a good starting point.  Remember to include adequate recovery time.

So what did you choose?

Another weekend is upon us!  Anyone racing this weekend?  Any special plans?

One of the athletes I am working with is racing down in San Diego on Sunday so my wife and I are going to make the drive down, watch his race and make a day out of it.  Looking forward to spending the day in the "birthplace" of triathlon.

Scott,

I actually do have a plan.  It's a combination of a BT plan, a triathlon plan I got from a book and a 25k run plan that I got from another book (since my main race for spring is a 25k trail run).  The run is what was on the schedule for last night but I was considering doing the bike (which was originally scheduled for tonight) because I'm doing some adjusting of my weekend workouts and didn't want to have long/hard bike workouts on Friday night and again Saturday morning.  As it turns out, I didn't do either one last night .  I had decided on doing the trainer ride but our electricity went out last night, for no apparent reason.  I realized (after it was too late) that I didn't actually need electricity to do the trainer ride.  I'm just so used to taking the computer down there with me for the videos that I didn't even think about going downstairs, turning on my MP3 for some music and just riding in the dark.  I got a headlamp for Christmas that I could have used if I wanted a little light.  

So I guess I'll just end up skipping that ride and doing the run tonight.  We're having another chilly but sunny day so I'll take advantage of that.
Janet

Hey Kelly,

Bummer that the race was cancelled but great job getting a good ride in.  That's "turning lemons into lemonade!"  And you added to it by doing some strength work . . . I mean shoveling snow!

(thumbs-up-sign.png)

The big game starts in about 20-minutes.  Anyone care to make any predictions?

I'm pulling for the Falcons.  I've been saying all year that nothing would make me happier than to see New England lose their last game.  Yeah, they're great and all that but it's time to share the wealth.  I just think Atlanta is too fast and is going to pressure Brady all night.  Guess we'll see soon enough how much (or how little) I know about football!

Go Atlanta!

This was true for the first 3 quarters.  I really thought they were going to pull out the win (and we're Patriots fans at my house - Steven grew up in New England).  One thing about the Pats though - they don't give up.  Even down by 25 points, you can't count them out.  And I don't think the Falcons gave up so much as just maybe "ran out of gas."  They played well and hard for the first 3 quarters, but when the Patriot's went into overdrive to try to come back, the Falcons just couldn't keep up.  It was a great game though on both sides.  

Checked out another new trail yesterday with the trail running group.  I actually found someone who runs my slow pace so we stayed together for the whole 7.65 miles.  She had run there before so knew the trail.  It's a pretty nice one, hilly but no steep hills, lots of switchbacks and a couple of places where they are some nice waterfalls (small ones) in the springtime.  I'll definitely head back out there again sometime.  

Got up early for a swim this morning and planning on a 60-75 minute trainer ride tonight.  Have a good week everyone!
Janet

Yeah, the Falcons kind of let me down in the third quarter!  Tell me, who takes a 5-step drop on a third and one play when all you have to do is run the ball and kick the field goal?  That sack, followed by the penalty on the next play was the game.  Oh well, it was a great game.  I enjoyed every minute of it, even though it didn't quite end the way I was hoping for.

I'm feeling a bit frustrated today.  We had a great day yesterday weather-wise so I tried to take advantage of it and stopped at the park for a run after work.  It's not often we get 60*F weather in February (and it's snowing today ).  Anyway, about 1/4 mile into the run - intense pain in my right foot, on the outside just below my ankle.  I had stepped on a rock that was hidden by leaves on my run on Sunday and twisted it a little but it seemed to be OK.  Trying to run on it yesterday was a no-go though.  It's still a little sore today.  And I'm supposed to be running a 5k on Saturday that I was really looking forward to.  I'll hit the trainer for some easy rides the rest of the week and see how things feel on Saturday.  It may end up being a 5k walk instead of run.  

Janet

Hey Chet,

Hard to tell what's going on from your description.  Typically, stretching will help cramping, although once you cramp, it's not uncommon to "re-cramp" frequently in 'the same session.'  If you are cramping, WHY you are cramping is even harder to determine - dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are a couple of the most common causes.

That said, I don't like the "pulled and tightened into a knot."  Yes, that could certainly be a cramp, but it could also be something more sinister.  With it having been there are a number of days, I'd rest it.

Personally I ALWAYS come down on the side of caution.  I would take a couple of days off.  Better in my opinion to lose a couple of days training and avoid something more serious than push through pain and cause an injury that could sideline your for weeks or months instead of days - especially as we get older.

If it recurs after a few days of rest, I would consider seeing my physician just to make sure nothing is going on.

Just my humble two cents.

Hey Janet,

R.I.C.E - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate

You have some time so I would start with that.  Next thing you might consider is taping.  Here's a video showing how to apply kinesiology tape for ankle stability/strains.  I've had very good experiences with kinesiology tape, both personally and for athletes I have worked with.

http://www.kttape.com/instructions/ankle-stability/

Hope that helps.

Good job Kathy!