Whizzzzz's Group -- Full! (Page 9)

This week I'mnot very exercise oriented.  I have mid-terms this week so I'm kinda in a tunnel-vision mode.  I have a 5K on the 25th and my first indoor tri on the 26th.  I'm going to use the indoor tri as a way to gauge my training so far.  McFuzz and I are still trying to decide if I'm doing a tri in both June and July or just one or the other.  I know that I'm doing one in mid-August.

Beth

For me this month has been HARD!! I missed all of last week's training because I was so wrapped up in projects and tests (it ws mid-terms) that I quite literally just couldn't find the time without dippping into the sleep time.  I had a 5K planned (&signed up) that I will have to miss out on because of a prior commitment (didn't realize they were on the same weekend) BUT am doing the indoor tri. 

The indoor tri is one that the local tri-club uses to generate interest in the sport.  I'm using it to see how well my training is going so far and where I need to work more at.  It is a 10 min swim (pool), 20 min bike, and 15 min run (track).  My goals for each are: 350 yds, 12 miles, and 1 1/2 miles.  Those are prety consistent with what I do during my training sessions, maybe a little more. 

I think my first real tri will be in mid-June (Indiana Downs).  McFuzz did this one last year with his brother and he said it was pretty good.  Not a friendly race (nobody cheering other participants on, etc.) but a good race to use as a first.  I think I'm excited but right now I'm worried about not living up to my times on Sunday.  Pani has set in!!!

I will continue to run 5K's each month but doing more than 2-3 tris in one season puts a crimp in the budget, if you know what I mean.   I am so ready for spring to finally be here.  I'm tired of cold, running indoors (could run outside but every time I go to run outside it's raining and I won't run in the rain for fear of falling ) and using the stationary bike.  I have a mountain bike that I can ride but it's so heavy that I'm actually starting to hate it.  I can't wait to be able to find a road bike, at least, that fits me and is the right price. 

Two of the girls in McFuzz's group have become a great kick in the pants for me. We are  students, parents (one  is a single mom) and such.  Matter of fact, we made a deal that we would each get out and do something today that it tri related.  It is spring break for me and I thought that I would be doing something every day---well, I am but it isn't exercise related.  It's 2 weeks or more of house work, laundry and basic running around that has piled up. 

Well, that's my sad little tale  Oh woe is me  

Hope to get outside in between raindrops today.

On the running shoe/mileage question I ran a pair of shoes I loved up to about 800 miles before switching them out, and honestly I still think about running in them once in a while.  I certainly wouldn't want my advice to result in injury for anyone, but I'd say 3-400 miles is when you need to start considering if your shoes are holding up.  If you get that soreness like you've been on your feet all day but haven't really changed your routine then it is definitely time to change.  Don't forget to visually inspect them too, especially from the bottom and sides.  From the side look for spots where the EVA foam (softer white stuff) may be compressed or showing deep wrinkles.  Other things like peeling/missing/worn through tread are more obvious. 

I think saying 300 miles is being a little over cautious, especially from a store that wants to sell you more shoes.  On the other hand I'm NOT recommending 800 miles.  That was just an example and maybe I just got lucky.

For those of you with experience buying ROAD BIKES I need some help. 

 See these links:

http://cgi.ebay.com/KHS-AEROTURBO-ROAD-BIKE-RACE-LUGGED-45-CM-TRIPLE-BUTTED_W0QQitemZ220092961529QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Louis-Garneau-Espoir-1-0-Road-Bike-44-cm-msrp-830_W0QQitemZ120097909223QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-Specialized-Dolce-Vita-Multi-Sport-Road-Bike-44cm_W0QQitemZ320094564058QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Those are just a few I've found.  I have about a 28.5 inch inseam and stand 5' dripping wet.

Before I respond to this post, I have to mention this.  I met up with Whizzzz last Sunday at the Half Marathon in Cary, IL to cheer on some friends.  If you ever have this opportunity, do not pass it up.  She's fun to be around and cheering on a race is fun in itself.  Check my log from Monday for a more detailed account of the experience.  There is no one else more enthusiastic about what we do than Whizzzzz. 

----------------------------------------

Great time to ask these questions.  I just went through about a month period where I slacked off.  I've never really felt like I needed a break to avoid burnout before and I still don't think I was burned out at the time.  However, being a slacker while I went through illness and then vacation and working my way back into it has me WAY MORE EXCITED for the upcoming season than I thought I would be in mid-March.  I am so STOKED!  I can't wait for my first race which is a 5K in 6 weeks.  My legs are bouncing just sitting here thinking about it. 

No question - the hardest thing about missing workouts for a week or a month is getting over the guilt and getting back into it.  It is HARD!  But you know what?  Nobody cares.  Nobody else at the gym cares, and nobody here on BT cares.  You are the only person that feels bad about it.  Don't let it bug you.  Even your own body doesn't care.  It will simply respond to the workouts once you start them up again.  So just work your way back into it.  I now feel better/faster than I did before my break.

Right now my biggest problems are fitting in bike and swim time with the aggressive running training schedule I've set for myself.  After my break I realize that's a nice problem to have.  I'm just glad to be training consistently again.  Looking down the road a little bit my biggest concern is getting in 3-5 hour bike rides in preparation for my HIM this summer.  I just don't know when I'm going to find the time.  I'm going to have to leave the house at 3am on Saturday mornings, which makes me nervous about drunk drivers. 

It's almost 2007 race season, gang!  WOOOHOOO!  Here we go!

Awwww shucks, Marty, you're going to make me cry!

Thank you for the nice compliment.

Do what you love, love what you do.

You need a step back week. Every 3 weeks... your body needs a little rest in order to absorb what you're throwing at it. I promise you, you won't lose fitness, but rather, you'll be able to surge forward with that much MORE vim and vigor after a well placed recovery week.

I live for my recovery weeks. I "work like a dog", and then relish my rest days and recovery weeks. On my rest days I do **NOTHING** remotely athletic. The most I do is lift a laundry basket. No short spin, no tiny run... no nothing. Just rest. And recovery. Sleep in.

And I stick to my recovery weeks. I swim with a Master's program and I had a 30 minute swim on my docket during my recovery week... well, Master's is a 2500 minimum, 1 hour workout... it took every ounce of will power to stick to my recovery week, not let my fellow swimmers "race" me and LEAVE after my 30 minutes was up. Regardless of their chiding.

I could have done more... but my recovery week is simply not the time for me to "work like a dog." I do the dog stuff 3 other weeks of the month. Recovery I enjoy. And I'm still in base training too...we've got a long ways to go. We must pace ourselves...  

Of the choices listed here... I'd say the Specialized has the best components and looks like the nicest bike. The Louis Garneau is nice too... and it's RED, but the components are a lower end Shimano. Still good, but not AS GOOD as what you get on the Specialized, which looks to be a mix of 105 and Tiagra.

Shimano has several levels of components. Shifters, derailleurs, pedals, etc etc... they are, from lowest to highest:

• Sora (which is recreational, good gears, not for racing, necessarily)
• Tiagra (a step up from Sora)
• 105 (the first racing level from Shimano, your entry level race components)
• Ultegra (a step up from 105... smoother, more durable)
• Dura Ace (What LANCE uses... and what most high end race bikes come equipped with)
  

FIRST AND FOREMOST, you need to figure out what SIZE you take. A cool bike is only cool if it FITS you and you RIDE it. You are not going to want to ride a bike that does not fit you... Vicious circle. (!!!)

I'd recommend going to a bike shop and telling them what you're up to... get measured. Then buy your bike shoes there or a jersey and shorts, or something. I wouldn't just go get measured and leave. Throw them a bone... make friends with your LBS and they will be happy to help you whenever you need it! Maybe even test ride some of these models if you can find them. You should be able to find Specialized out there pretty easily... Compact geometry can be a little weird... (the LG) but that was for me... I'm quite tall. It was like riding a miniature bike. For you, it might be OK!

Hmmmmmm..... your thoughts on this???  I'm 5'9" and my road bike is a 54", BTW... Good Luck! New bikes! Always exciting.

Hey you guys! The Posse is expanding! I've received a request from Nate_21 to join the group! He's going to post his general information here in this thread, then we can all add him as a "Friend" in our blogs and inspire the heck out of him!

PS... He was a Provincal level swimmer in Canada! We can pick his brain! Get your swim questions ready, and welcome Nathan! (Nate_21)  

How long will you have to wear them? You will love the results... a temporary inconvenience toward a future improvement.  I had them in Jr. high... complete with head gear and the whole nine yards. The most important piece of advice is to wear your RETAINER! 

Good Job, Mary... you travel Goddess!

Happy Monday Night, Posse! Hope all is well. We have put together a couple of really solid months here! We should all be very proud. 

Well,  I survived my first mini indoor triathlon.  It was on Sunday.  I had my goals all set, I used the equipment on Friday so that I knew my goals were obtainable.  What I hadn't counted on was: 1) nerves, 2) so many friends there cheering me on, and 3) following advice that is contrary to how I practice. 

The pool water was cold but I didn't do any warm up laps.  I don't usually anyway.  I get in get wet and do a few flips.  This time someone suggested that I get in and swim the first 25 yards real hard and then back off.  I guess my brain wasn't really in gear because I actually did what they said!  I DIED OUT THERE!!!!! I lost my form, my stroke, my rhythm, everything. At practice I swim a good pace.  I was confident I could swim for 10 minutes.  I did swim but I think that half of that 10 minutes was doing the backstroke!!  I've never been so embarrassed in my life. One of my friends even stayed later than she should of (she had a meeting) so that she could watch me!  Fell short of goal by 50 yards. Got out of the pool and dried off.  Next up---stationary bike.

Got up to the stationary bike and was not feeling to trerribly confident .  Got on and started out.  It was a 20 minute flat ride.  Couldn't find the right resistance (I knew I had a good one on Friday) so kept it adjusting it up and down.  Tried to maintain a smile and positive thoughts.  My friend asked me what I was thinking as I was riding along and I told her "I hope that this is like giving birth----after a couple of days I'll forget how hard this is!" Fell short of my goal by 1/4 mile!  By now the track is waiting to chew me up!

Off the bike and to the indoor track.  My legs weren't to bad!  It's 7 1/3 laps for a mile.  I started running when about the 2nd lap my left calf started complaining and knotting up on itself.  I ran for a bit and then walked a few steps.  I did this for a while and then finished the run running.  I lost track of what my laps were.  Other than the calf I didn't feel too bad.  It's alot different to go back-to-back-to-back then it is to even do bricks.  I have done bricks before and not suffered like this.  This was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  The unofficial results had me completing 10 laps ( I did 11 on Friday).  That means I missed my goal by one lap.

Part of me wants to blame the fact that I was out camping over the weekend.  I was on quartermaster staff and, therefore, was on my feet all day.  Part of me wants to blame the fact that McFuzz was out camping also and so I did not sleep very well with him gone.  That is true!  I NEVER sleep very well when he is gone!  The house is always so much cleaner and homework is all done when he isn't home because I can't sleep.  But I think the truest thing that I can say was that I wasn't mentally prepared to have friends there and I wasn't ready for a major case of nerves.  I hope that doesn't happen at my first real tri!