Gray Guys/Girls Masters Focus Triathlete Forum (all levels welcome)--CLOSED (Page 33)

Morning James,

Not feeling the drop when you go several strokes without breathing pretty well confirms this is a breathing issue.

Yes, swimming is highly technical in that you need to have proper stroke mechanics to truly become a proficient swimmer.  That said, I caution against 'over-thinking.'  You said, "It seems like when I concentrate on one thing I lose the other 5 things that I should be thinking about for a good stroke (Reach for the wall,  good rotation, brush thigh with hand, don't reach too deep, point toes, kick, exhale, relax neck, don't turn head too much, etc.)."  If you look at the 9 items you listed, several of them are related to each other.  I changed the order of your list to group things together and put in bold 4 things that are directly related to each other (rotation), put in italic two things that are related (kicking), and the remaining normal text items are related to each other (breathing).  By my count, the nine things, just became three things, which is probably a bit easier to manage.

I would use my warm-up time to work on technique and get ready for the workout.  As you warm-up, focus on the various aspects of your stroke that you need to focus on.  Then, when you get to your actual workout, you can turn your focus to the workout.  If, during the workout, you note that a technique item is causing a problem during the next interval specifically address that problem, then return to your workout.  Remember that technique 'trumps' everything else.  Your workout is not going to suffer by dedicating one repetition during the workout to 'fixing' a technique flaw.

Yes, it takes time, but getting in the water three times a week will quickly begin to show dramatic results.  Keep it up!

It os over.  Mom died peacefully around 3 PM this afternoon.

Judi, I'm so sorry.  I'll be thinking about you and your family the next couple of days.

Janet

Sorry Judi,

Condolences and prayers for you and your family.

Congratulations!!!! you have LOTS of time to train.

(I got the other e-mail )

I am glad it was peacefully. You are in my thoughts, Judi

Judi - very sorry to hear this.  I'm sure she will be dearly missed.

Bummer...but I am glad they are now doing the lottery for this race.  Seems like a better way to handle registrations than having the race fill up in an hour or so.

I went to a TriMania expo today.  It was pretty good.  Lots of vendors.  Picked up some bike shorts and Newton's at a very good price.  Also lots and lots of freebies.  Some of the race organizers were giving away shirts and socks from prior races.  So I got something for each of my daughters (they like to wear my gear) and my husband. 

The seminars I sat in on were pretty good too.  One on exercises and foam rolling to stay injury free.  Another on swimming by Terry Laughlin (total immersion guy).  He was actually pretty good and talked about being streamlined and efficient rather than powering through a swim.  He said you should swim at your target pace as easily as possible so that you are too tired for the rest of the race.  Next was Danny Dreyer, author of ChiRunning.  I had him sign the book that I've had since about 2005.  Then Timothy O'Donnell and Mirinda Carfrae did a question and answer session with Bob Babbitt.

Now I am psyched to train and race!

I agree, the lottery is a better way. I am disappointed and relieved at the same time that I didn't get in.

Weight = .5 lbs lost = 5 points

No weight gain = 5 points

Training = 313 minutes = 10 points

Total = 20 points.

This was a so-so training week for me. The work week got away with me.

260 min training = 9

No gain = 5

2 lbs lost = 20

34 points.

Hey Dave,

There is a saying, "You can't win a triathlon during the swim, but you can lose it during the swim."  What that statement refers to specifically is that you can use up too much energy in the water (reducing or depleting glycogen stores in the core and/or legs) and have little or nothing left for the bike and run.  You mentioned that you 'performed better in the swim.'  Then you said your legs never felt right on the bike and your run was less than you expected.  I am wondering what your swim splits were in relation to your training swim splits?  The cycling segment was only 11 miles so I think your seat adjustment would have had to be WAY, WAY off for that to have had a serious negative impact on the rest of your race. If the adjustment was just a little off, you likely would not have noticed it until well into the ride and it wouldn't have impacted you that adversely.  As an alternative thought, I don't think you hit a wall, however I question if you may have been 'running out of gas.'

For low intensity exercise, your body can store up to 90 minutes of glycogen, give or take.  However, it is possible to fully deplete your glycogen stores in as little as 10-20 minutes with high intensity exercise - the length of a 650 yard swim for a newer swimmer?.  Also, glycogen is a 'local resource.'  Meaning that the glycogen stored in muscle is used directly by that muscle during exercise, it cannot borrow glycogen from other resting muscles and glycogen cannot be replaced during exercise - when it's gone, it's gone.

A sprint triathlon (or near sprint in this case) is a short enough race that I think a pacing issue may be more the culprit for you feeling like you 'didn't have it' than food choices before the race.

Just my humble two cents.