KathyG's 2012 Awesome Mentor Group-Full up (Page 35)

huh, wha????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Susan - I began training more by time than distance when I started adventure racing a while back, and have stuck with it now that I am focusing on IM distance training. It took some mental adjustment, but it has really helped me to slow down as much as I needed to on my long days. When I was focused purely on distance, it subsequently caused me to worry about pace, which then would cause me to go too hard. I was one of those folks that always went to hard on my "easy" days so I then was not able to go hard enough on my "hard" days. For long course training it is all about "time on your feet." So for instance, I have one bike ride that I go on that takes 5 hours, but only covers 70ish miles. I have another that covers 100 in the same amount of time. I have similar courses for running; the distance is variable but the time on your feet remains the same.

I will admit that this switch in focus is helped a lot if you already know you can cover the distances - for instance I know I can run 50k tomorrow, there is no need to do it in training. I have learned over time that I can take no more than about 2.5 hours of running without significantly increasing my chance for injury, so I never do it. But again I am very confident in my ability to run my distances - may not be for everybody.

Susan, I've always done training by time too.  It means all I need is a watch; I don't have to count laps or wearing a GPS to record the miles.  Occasionally I'll plot the route to see how long it was.

I had a great tri on Saturday, I'm still working on my race report and will let you know when it's done.  Thanks for all the good wishes and inspires xx

AWESOME! I love race reports!

I got talked into doing a race this weekend.  It's a boring local running club race called the Hour Run.  It's completely on the track at the local University.  There are three races associated with it.  There is the 400 meter, 1 mile, and then the hour.  Last year, the mile record for the race (since 1972) was broken with a 5:06 time.  This year, four people broke last year's record!  The new record stands at 4:48!  This time had to go to hundredths of seconds!  The guy in second for the whole race put in a phenomenal surge during the last 20 meters!  It was well worth attending such a "boring" race to see this go down!

As for me, my husband dumped me off about 5 miles away from the track.  I ran there, watched the excitement and then ran the Hour Run.  My goal was to get 11 miles done for the day without feeling destroyed.  I ended up with 11.5.  Success!

Happy Easter all.  I've been sidelined this week by a virus which manifests itself with nausea (but ravenous hunger), stomach cramps, loads of wind (much to the delight of my son as I let rip another belch) and just feeling plain yuck.  It seems to be going around all the Mums at school but not affecting the kids and Dads.  Over it today and managed an hour on my trainer before the Munchkin got up to hunt for his eggs.

I have at last finished my RR which is here

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=434091&posts=1#M4136277

Hope the Easter bunny was good to you all.

Been a long time. As you can see from my activity log, not been doing much. Been working 13 hour nights so not much time to get a session in. Hope all are doing well.

As I will be on this schedule for another 3 weeks or more, and have not been able to check in as often as I would like, I am bidding a fond farewell. I want to thank you all for the tips, advice, humor and comraderie. Most of all, thank you for your encouragement both in word and in action. I am reminded that life is a team sport. Our performance as individuals impacts the performance of others on the team. It is our duty, therefore, to give our best.

Thank you one and all! I will continue to check in and post inspires as I can. Good luck in all of your endeavours.