Tony's Xterra & Short Course Tri Group - OPEN (Page 13)

A few thoughts on training recently.

1. I'm starting to like this long run thing. Good time to relax and I'm getting used to the time and distance. I didn't used to like long runs (10+ miles), but am starting to enjoy them.

2. I'm really bad at getting up in time for morning workouts. I need to figure out a way to fix this. I'm sure that my run volume and being busy with work and Master's classes aren't helping, but I'd love to be able to get 2 workouts a day in.

3. I miss swimming 4x weekly. I'll be back at it after the marathon. I used to make swimming my priority workouts, but have switched that to running. I like running, but need the work on swimming. 

4. Speaking of swimming, I need to practice swimming in a straight line. I've started trying to do laps with my eyes closed (simulating murky open water swimming). It's hard. 

5. I want to go mountain biking. Badly.

6. I want to ride my new cx bike outside. Badly.

7. I've been experimenting with eating little to no meat to see if it has any result on training. I'm not sure what it is, but I feel physically better and have an easier time getting quality workouts on days when I have not eaten meat. I may try to incorporate more of this into my life. Gotta love Greek yogurt with peanut butter for protein. Hummus has also become a good friend.

8. Time to plan a marathon race strategy and set a goal finish time. I have a nutrition program that is working pretty well for me so far, so I think I'll stick with that. I am starting to feel pretty well prepared for the race and am more confident in my ability to run it than I was before. But I think I'll need help picking an achievable finish time. My long runs on the weekends are run at a 7:30-7:55 pace. That's what feels comfortable to me. I don't end my runs dead tired (I actually feel pretty good). My weekday runs are run around 7:15-7:40/mile pace. I'm going to think about a good marathon time to aim for. Suggestions? 

Agree ^^^ ! 

I just bougth the MTB and was SURPRISED how much a new bike is now!  An "entry" level carbon bike for almost 3k!  If I wanted the fully upgraded XTR rig like my old one it was like $10k!  Insane, but I guess if people keep paying for it then the market is there... 

We can talk more about it this weekend, but for the sake of everyone reading here's my 2 cents.  If it's a backup bike, then not worth it.  A new bike is always nice, but for 5k I'm sure you can upgrade your TT bike with new components if their needed, or get the stuff to train indoors.  

Added some thoughts! 

Or, save up and get one of these... 

Thanks for the suggestions, Tony. Can't believe I didn't think of just sighting more frequently instead of trying to swim blind. I usually count my strokes when doing that to make sure I don't run into the wall. My thoughts with focusing on swimming so much was being able to get ahead of some of the slower bikers in Xterra, where passing can be more difficult. It's also good to hear your perspective on the meat thing too. I haven't cut it out entirely. I eat meat about 3-4 times a week. I might hold at that for awhile. Not sure yet. Thanks again!

Meulen - 2013-03-13 7:57 PM Tony's probably going to have a good pacing strategy for you!

But I can tell you what I did recenlty for half marathon. I incorporated the Yasso strategy into my workouts.
http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/yasso-800s
I put these in my training as speed work once a week. It was a good way to both plan a pacing strategy in a race and detail interval pacing for speed workouts during your training.

Holy crap! Can't believe I forgot about Yasso 800s! I did them once in late December on a nice day (5 repeats) and forgot about them until now. So I did 8 after work today. I didn't do them quite how the Yasso himself described them in the article. I'd read in another article describing them that you take the same rest time as you were running your repeats (repeats at 4 min, rest for 4 min). Loved it. I didn't realize until today that I missed the track. The track was still 60% covered in snow and ice, so I think my effort was higher for my 800s than the time shows. I'll give it another shot next week and see how it goes. Thanks for that suggestion! 

AM Run tomorrow (if I can get my butt outa bed) PM swim (1800-2200 m in prep for my big run Sat).

Happy training!

Happy Monday all! 

How did everyone's weekend go?  I FINALLY got to ride my new MTB only to crash within 60 seconds!  I think it was Brian's good luck rubbing off me.... 

Other then that got some work in, some solid training and family time.  Can't believe April (AKA racing season) is right around the corner!  

Hey, all! I've been spending a lot of time MTBing and swimming trying to get as ready as possible for Xterra.

XTERRA IS COMING. Lord, I'm a wreck.

I'm doing a little of everything this week, nothing strenuous. Friday I'm fully resting. Saturday is race day.

Here's a video of us walking through the run course to mark it. Yes, we will be running through this!

XTERRA Run Course

I'm the girl in long sleeved green top looking dignified coming off the waterfall right into a big hole in the water.

Happy training all! I'm gonna be a nervous mess all week.

Wow...looks like a fun (and difficult) run course! Definitely worthy of the Xterra name. Good luck this weekend!

10 miler yesterday, rest day, but I had some time free up so I did an easy 40 min spin on the trainer just for something to do. Tomorrow I'm back at it!

Good luck on that race, Blanda! You'll do great!

Lack of sleep had me cutting a workout short on Thursday and missing a short run today. It's ok. I think I'm being consistent enough to make it with no problems.

Long run tomorrow. Next weekend: Half-marathon!

Congrats on finishing!

That run course looked challenging and judging from the pictures you posted of the bike course, it was just as challenging. Good work!

Congrats on the race! 

LOL!!  That was fun to watch, thanks for sharing!   Congrats on getting through the race!

Question

I wonder if anyone could take a stab at how long I may be out on the bike course specifically in regards to xterra torn shirt.  If I average around 17mph during a regular sprint triathlon, assuming I have similar amount of fitness (which is questionable), what kind of average mph would you predict on the torn shirt bike course knowing what that course is like?  I realize there are many variables, but please, humor me

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a lot of fun.

Robpest: I'm very happy with my swim. My time last year was 46, and my training times were about that pace lately, so wasn't sure how well I'd do. My bike was right about where I thought I'd finish based on my pre-ride a few days before. I had done it in 2:30 and figured that after swimming I'd be a little tired and it would probably take me 10-15 more minutes. I'm still still hesitant on certain descents, and fell trying to climb some hills, but overall, I am pleased with how I rode. Running is my strength, but I wasn't as aggressive as I should have been. I was just so happy to have made cut-off to run that I just enjoyed the run.

Since I was the only one in my age group, I qualified for Xterra Worlds in Maui. I plan to hire a local coach and go. So excited! I may never get a chance like this again.