Savannah5799----FULL (Page 5)

hey guys -- training has been going pretty well for me, but last week I attempted a 40 minute endurance swim, got 13 minutes into it, felt myself get a little panicky, and had to hold on to the side for a minute or so before I was able to get it together.  I did try switching from freestyle to breaststroke, but that didn't seem to help either!

My first race (ever) is in June and I'm wondering if, by chance, you get panicky in the water, are there things to hold on to?  I've read in some peoples posts that they were able to hold on to lifeboats??  Is it like that in every race.  Or if you freak out.. is that it for your race?  I'm pretty sure I'd be able to continue if I had a minute or so to get it together.

Of course I plan to be physically and mentally ready for the open water swim in June, but I guess there's always a chance my body could go into panic mode like it did in the pool.  That's the first time that has happened to me in the water and it kind of freaked me out!  I'm just hoping if it happens on race day.. there will be something to hang on to and get out of panic mode

Hi All... Training is going great for me... it's only my 2nd week of "planned" training and it feels good so far. Biking is still my strong point, but my running HR is getting much better. Doing intervals of run/walk is really helping. I'm itching to get in the pool, but have to wait 2 more months until the pool is done... there's no ows in MI this time of year!

I would have to agree with Savanah on the importance of being completely comfortable in the water. At my first race last summer I started front and center and was "trampled" and a freak out soon followed... I was able to just side stroke for a minute to catch my breath and re-compose... but be prepared for elbows in your face, arms all over and people swimming right up on you. It really is not pretty. My second race was much better, I knew what to expect and I made a personal choice to start on the outside and swim into the pack... Just take it slow and easy...  

When I run on cold days (I haven't run outside in weather colder than 25 though) I wear under armour everything and it seems to do the trick.  I wear sweat pants, a tshirt, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, gloves, and a hat.  If it's 40 or warmer, I won't wear the fleece jacket.  When I feel myself start to get too hot, I'll take off the gloves, then my hat if necessary.  I never thought I'd like running in the cold, but I prefer it over the treadmill or indoor track. 

I'm looking for some sprints to do before the Philly tri, but I'm doing a 1/2 mary in mid-May and most likely I'll be going to Atlanta for volleyball nationals at the end of May so I am running into some scheduling problems. 

did most of you have your bike fitted for you??  I'm not sure whether I should spend the money to have it done or not.  I don't have much experience on a road bike, so the biking position is uncomfortable for me anyway.  I've spent some time on the bike, nothing seems to hurt or go numb while I'm riding except that I feel I'm putting a lot of weight onto my hands... maybe that's just inexperience.  I'm thinking of taking a picture of myself on the bike and comparing it to what the biking position is supposed to look like.... but  if feeling comfortable on the bike (and not injuring myself.. ugh!)  is a matter of the seat being a 1/4 of an inch off..it would probably be a good idea to let someone who knows what they're doing fit me? 

As for cold weather motivation.. I have a hard time in the winter.  It's tough to get moving, but once I do, I feel so much better.  My motivation is, after I graduated from college (and from playing volleyball for at least 2 hours, 6 days a week), I started to put on a few pounds because my activity level had gone way down, but I didn't change my eating habits.  I moved into an apartment and thought the dryer was shrinking my jeans.. but it was actually my bootie growing.. ha!  I worked really hard last year to get the post - college pounds off and my motivation to keep going is keeping that extra weight off...without changing my eating habits ;-) 

This weekend for me holds a brick, hanging out with gal pals, walking the dog and missing my hubby who will be in Utah snowboarding! I'm going to try and do 1 brick a week, bike/run ofcourse, until I get into a gym with a pool.  Funny enough, my run feels better after biking.

Has anyone else ever had body composition testing? Our gym offered it this weekend and I took part today... very eye opening for my hydration level (it's too low!)... and affirming as far as my BMI.

It's also great to get my "real" basal metabolism number, now I feel I can really focus my nutrition correctly.

They used the electodes hooked up to my wrist and hand and then one on my ankle and foot. She said my hydration level should be about 60% and I was at 51.57%... therefore in order to get my cells back up to the plump grape level (as she put it) I needed a few days of 80oz a day and probably to keep that up because of training. Seems like a lot!

Weekend training went well, I had two very good runs with weight training yesterday. My left hip is a bit sore today, I'm thinking stress on my hip flexor... so hopefully that subsides.