JohnnyKay's HIM & IM focused Group - CLOSED (Page 12)

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  My 5k didn't work out this week, but I'm hoping to try for another one soon (or maybe a 10k).  I am finally getting back to the pool.  I've taken some swimming time off before, but maybe not this long and I had already skimped on my swim some last year.  It's tough seeing the drop in fitness, but at least I know what it takes to get it back.

Every weekend, I keep hoping "this will be the one" when I get back outside for a ride.  Hasn't happened yet.  Maybe this week. 

Keep up the consistency of your training the best you can!

Well, I don't use fins so take this for what it's worth.  They can be used to help with some drills.  For example, if you are not taking many strokes or not taking full ones, you may hit "stall" speed and have trouble maintaining body position.  If the focus of the drill is maybe something to do with the catch or recovery, then you may want to use fins so that you aren't struggling with your body position and missing the focal point of the drill.  They can be used for kick sets--some fins can help strengthen and strech the muscles you are using there.  They can be used simply to get a "feel" for swimming faster.  I still wouldn't use them for a significant portion of your swimming, but they could be useful at times.

Nice job this past weekend.  And congrats on the run! 

Jimmy- Good to know I'm not the only one to fall off the trainer! Very glad to see you do some excellent training with the medication you are taking.

John- Too bad about the 5K, but there will be plenty more. Always hard to fit things in to a busy life. It does get easier when the kids get older, but then you miss all the fun stuff you did when they were little.

Felix- Nice weekend of training! Especially good to see you run 10K

I had a very nice weekend of training. Sunday I went for a 30 mile ride outside. Normally I ride early on Sundays to avoid too much traffic, but it was cold so I waited until afternoon when it warmed up all the way into the 30's. I tried to stay on back roads, but I'm really lucky to have great roads without a lot of traffic. In the 5 miles or so that I spent on "main roads", I doubt I saw more than 20 cars.

On Saturday I had one of those runs where I just felt really great. I did one of my favorite routes that goes to the top of the highest hill within running distance. I get to the top after about 2 miles so I am nicely warmed up, the view is great, so I really get a feeling like life is good and it's a beautiful world. Here's a picture that I took last Summer. It's hard to do the view justice in a photo, but this one isn't bad:

John, the hills in the background are the Shawangunks, where American Zofingen takes place, so you will be seeing them in a couple of months.

I'm doing something a little different in my training and am wondering what you think. I have always trained 6 days a week taking Mondays off because I also do not work on Mondays so it gives me the whole day free. The last couple of weeks I have run 3 miles easy on Monday just to up the running frequency and volume. Feels good so far, but I'm wondering if there are any possible drawbacks to no day off.

Anthony

Tust me, as much as I complain about being too busy to do all the workouts I want, I am truly enjoying all the business that my kids create.  I could skip some of their games, etc. and go running or riding but I will be able to run & ride later.  Their games will end. 

As far as not taking a day off, it really depends.  Generally, I don't plan rest days and just let them happen because I need one (or because the busy schedule requires it!).  As long as it feels good and its not causing you any problems with other workouts, then it's probably good.  I often find it's actually added stress from somewhere else in my life that forces me to rest versus doing a little extra training.  But, again, it's really an individual thing.  Many people feel they need a full day of rest just to stay mentally fresh week-to-week.  I prefer an easy training day when I can manage it.

Oh, and that view is both exciting and frightening.  May is coming fast! 

Very nice, your kids are lucky. That will lead to a closeness that will extend into their adulthood, and is very rewarding

Makes sense. A good workout is not really good if you can't do the next days workout like you want. I always feel very good after a 3 mile run both physically and mentally, so I'm hoping it will work out for me.

Oh, and that view is both exciting and frightening.  May is coming fast! 

I was thinking the exact same thing! Starting next week, all my rides will be on my hilliest routes.

John, I hope you have an awesome time in Florida!  It's been a tough Michigan winter...

Well, March is done and I just finished a short run to cap it off.  I like to try to get in even a little bit of running after a bike ride.  I believe it will help me in bike to run transitions if I already know what to expect.  Overall I'm pleased with my training this month with the exception of still needing to get to the pool.  I was very bike heavy and plan to continue to do so until I leave for Vegas in the 2nd week of April.  I won't have my bike with me so then I will focus on run and hopefully swim. 

This month I battled with atrial fibrillation including a few days with many hours of heart rates in 200's and then the opposite end of the spectrum when I take flecainide and Beta Blocker.  I prefer the feeling of afib over the medication any day!  I tried to run and swim with the medication but just could not get up any decent speed without getting winded.  I'm going to do my best to hold off on the ablation procedure until after my 2 IM's this year.  My cardiologist/EP doctor is OK with this. In retrospect, I have had this rhythm issue for many years, it is just more frequent, or at least I'm noticing it more with heart rate monitor training.

Tomorrow I get fitted for my new 2011 P2!  I'm so excited!  I am looking at Carbon Devox base bar/Alloy aerobars, and Shimano Ultegra Crank/BB.  All my other components will be Ultegra.  Anyone used these Aerobars or crank set up?  I toyed with purchasing a P3 but am having a hard time justifying the added cost and would rather invest in the better crank and aerobars, and a disk wheel.  Also a power tap is on my list, as was recomended near the beginning of this thread.

I'm starting to feel the "pre-race" jitters as IM Texas approaches.  I know it's still 7 weeks away but it does go fast.  I have my set goal of 12:30.  So far my best IM is 13 hours 5 minutes.  My first goal is always to just have fun and finish, and I will always feel good about that.  My very first IM was 15:15, and I am ever so slowly improving. 

Hope everyone has a great April and may everyone reach their goals!!  Thanks for the inspires along the way, they really do help.  Jim

rgattis - 2011-04-01 2:46 PM Heres a picture of my boy by the way....

Randy- Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy, and best wishes to you and your family!

It's good to hear from you. It would be interesting to hear about how it goes with the swim coach.

John- Have fun in Florida, but don't get too hot or sweaty or anything You know, it was snowing here whem I got up this morning, not even an inch though.

Jimmy- Your training is outstanding. Most people when they start a beta blocker have enough trouble getting out and about let alone s/b/r like you do. Whenever I need a little kick in the pants I just have to look in your log.

I have a short, 2 mile/14 mile/3mile, but hilly duathlon that I am doing on Sunday, and I am really looking forward to it. The temp is supposed to be in the 30's so getting the right clothing may be hard since I like to be cold when I run, but warm when I ride. Luckily, over the years I have collected all sorts of cold weather clothing, so I should be able to work it out.

Since it's finally time for baseball season, racing makes me think of a Yogi Berra quote: "50% of baseball is 100% mental", or something like that. Once the training is done, you have to use your mind to both execute your race well, and to squeeze everything you can out of that training.

Have a good weekend everybody!

Anthony

rgattis - 2011-04-01 1:46 PM Heres a picture of my boy by the way....

YEAH!!!!  Congrats my friend.  Have a cyber cigar.

Nice job to everyone getting in what they can during these past few weeks.  Winter is always tough.

I stopped logging on BT because loggin in two places kind of got to be cumbersome...sry.  Did a half marathon race last weekend then got sick from my 4 year old who just started pre-school (aka The Petri dish).  Today is the first day I feel about 80% so I'll most likely run sunday...do another 13.1 miles with a friend.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stay somewhat healthy this season with the little guy going to school on a regular basis now.  yikes.

I'm jealous of ANYONE going to Florida.  jealous, jealous, jealous!  Ride a few extra miles for me in the warmth and sun.  I can't wait for it.

Jimmy- How did it go with your bike fitting? I am unfamiliar with those components, but I do have a carbon base bar. The big thing I noticed when I switched from aluminum is I feel less road vibration, which for me means less fatigue in my arms and shoulders. Who knows, it could be all in my head, but carbon is always nice, and those Devox bars look mighty pretty and everyone knows prettier is faster

Felix- That is great that you will be training with your wife, and it is good to see you recovering and your running coming along so nicely.

Randy- That is some serious wind you were riding in! I'm not a fan of the wind. Don't like that feeling of getting blown around, and somehow the wind seems to suck the life out of me. Give me some nice big hills instead of the wind any day. That is good practice for you in case it is windy on race day which I understand is very likely in Texas.

I had a good race on Sunday. Was especially pleased with how well I biked, and how strong I felt on the second run. It's always good to feel a little spring in your legs when you get off the bike.

Hope you brought some of the FL sun & warmth back north with you! 

We did Universal this year, instead of Disney, and the kids really enjoyed that too.  Big Harry Potter fans. 

Ours are 11,9,6.  We were a bit worried they might be 'disappointed' it wasn't Disney.  Helps that the two older ones (especially the 9-yo) like the 'thrill' rides.  But even the youngest who's a little more leery of some of those rides had a great time.  And since the oldest is a boy, he was never a real princess fan. 

That said, they would all go back to Disney in a second as well.  Glad you and the girls enjoyed it!

You may all have noticed that our group has been 'archived'.  No worries, as I will keep checking in here as long as the thread stays active and look forward to seeing how racing goes for everybody as we get closer to the really fun part of the season.

I will also be co-mentoring a group for the Spring with Fred Doucette.  Fred is a very strong triathlete and also very knowledgable about long-course.  If some of you are interested in 're-upping' for a few more months, you can look for our group in the new forum.  And/or feel free to continue hanging out here in our smaller group.

Regardless, best of luck to all.  In this season and beyond!