Brian and the Tri Tarts Group - Full

Brian,

Can I be in your mentor group?  I was in IronSteve's last winter and have a lot more to learn as this is only my second year of tris.  I did 2 sprints and a mini sprint last season. My goal this year is an OLY in late July and HIM in early September.  I'm planning on a run focus this season with my annual 10K in April and a half mary a couple weeks after that.  I also want to do the Richmond marathon in November--but if I don't feel ready to go there I'll do the half mary  option.  Biking is probably my wakest link but I'm doing spinnervals this winter to strengthen that

Judi, Jenny and Kristen,

Thanks so much for signing up!  We're going to have fun keeping each other motivated and consistent (that goes for you keeping after me as well).  I've already added you three to my "friends" list.  While its a January 2008 Mentor Program, I don't see why we can't start helping each other out now.

Brian.

Hi Brian

If there is still room, you sound like the perfect person for me to have as a mentor (and maybe I can help you some too).  I am a wanna-be swimmer, an average biker (who wants to improve a lot) and a proficient runner.  I have yet to do a tri, only running races and one duathlon, but I have my first on the calendar next July '08.

Suzy

Welcome Suzy!

It looks like we have a really strong group to keep each other going through the winter months.

Well, there's room for one more!

Welcome Kim!!!

That makes 5 ladies and me.. I'm so lucky. 

I know some of you are really working on the swim.  I think it's something common to a lot of triathletes.

As mentioned in my opening "story" I couldn't swim more than 50m at a time when I first started.  I did not use a coach, but did start the master's thing.  I was so uncertain at first but eventually "dove in" once I got the courage.

Seriously, looking back at my logs from Apr'06 - lots of 400-500m swim work-outs.  I also found a comment about 21-24 strokes per 25m.  I think I was in the 16-17 SPL last check.

I peeked at Suzy's recent logs... Those single-arm, catch-up and finger-tip drills are all great!  Keep it up!

Here's some great info on swimming/drills I just found:

http://www.cruciblefitness.com/etips/swimming-drills.htm

enders_shadow - 2007-12-10 11:36 AM Wow - it looks like this will be a great group. Thanks for taking us on, Brian! I'll start with a question...did you use a training program for your marathon or half-mary races? I haven't really followed a training plan thus far (for running or tris)...mostly because I was just kind of getting into the swing of things and I don't like to be told what to do. But since I'm looking to up my game this season, I figured I might try the planned workout thing. (It shouldn't be too hard for me to listen to a piece of paper!) I've heard Higdon's half-mary is good and I also checked out the FIRST programs based on the mary-training-plan threads in Tri-Talk...but if you have any personal experience with those or others, I'd be happy to hear about it.

I'm actually going to use the Runner's World Smart Coach tool for my April half. 

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/1,7148,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

It's cool because it figures out your various training paces based on a recent performance.  Of course, doing fancy tests and hiring a coach would be great.  But for most of us, this is not our #1 or even #2 priority.  I know all my extra "resources" go to American Girl, Hannah Montana, Disney and the Lego companies - happily!

For the Columbus marathon this past October, I was coming off a HIM and Oly triathlons in August.  I basically used Hal Higdon's beginner plan with the first half sort of morphed due to the triathlons.  I made sure I was progressing as prescribed on the long runs throughout the program, but some of the early shorter runs were sacrificed for swims and bikes.  You see a lot of threads on BT about combo tri-marathon planning.

I'm still a relatively new runner, and recognize that my body can't yet sustain the 40-50mi weeks of the more advanced marathon plans.  This year I'm starting with a stronger running base and will be able to increase that volume a little more.  I tend to be fairly conservative about run training.   I have two rules for myself:

1. Increase mileage/volume no more than 10% per week.
2. Don't increase intensity and volume at the same time.

Upping the game, eh?  That's awesome.  I sort of did this in 2007, transitioned from "finishing" to "RACING."

So Brian,

You're going to be surrounded by all these women   Last year I didn't follow any particular training plan.  One of my major goals this year is to follow one.  I have a book called "Triathlete  Magazine's Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide" that I'm planning on following.  The problem with most plans I've read is that they're in a code for the work out and you have to decipher the code to know what the heck you're supposed to do on a given day.  A friend is using index cards to write out the work outs so she can see what is should be and pull the card indicated.  Sounds like a lot of work but it may be worth it in the long run.  Another challenge is following the swim set they give when my coach plans our sets...I'm not ready to swim without coaching so I hope that deviating off the books plan isn't too much of a variance since the coach is working with the triathalon goals (most of our swim goup is into tris--I think we've scared off the non tiathletes some how)

right now, i'm using the beginner program on here (beginning to exercise).  i like it so far, it's been very helpful because it starts off low impact, so my knee feels way stronger than it did before i started.   I think closer to the triathlon, I'm going to switch over to one of the regular sprint program, like the 16 week one. 

 I used the Runner's world smart coach last year for 5Ks and it was pretty awesome.  I think I am going to use it again this year. 

And now my own silly question - I love the logs on BT, but for some reason it seems that strength training isn't really easy to track on here (maybe I'm just missing something).  Brian, do you want us to track that on our logs?  If so..a few words of advice on how to get it in there?

Hi All

This looks like a fun and very active blog group!

Ok swimming gurus I have a question for you.  In doing single arm drills, I feel much lower in the water so when I turn to breathe I can still get air, but find myself kicking my brains out (which I assume is a balance issue?).  What can I do differently?  I don't find myself to have the same issues when swimming with both arms.

For those that have a silver or gold membership there are videos of the swim drills. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1333

In single arm, he rolls both shoulders out of the water which is a mystery to me on how or why you would do that. Any clues? 

Thanks

Suzy

I agree about the logs for tracking strength sets.  It takes time, but I free text mine in each time I do them.  Feel free to look at them, I did a strength set today so there's one in there to look at

Judi

Jenny

Take a look at the link I provided above.  The one arm drill is free to all users.  The athlete (who happens to be the guy who had the fastest swim split at Kona) breathes on the stroking side. Right?

thanks for the thoughts,

Suzy

Suzy,

 When swimming you do breathe to the stroking side. BUT in one arm  drill you breathe to the on stroke side. (not sure why that is--maybe Brian can answer us)

This is probably my least favorite drill-but I know I need to toss it in there once in a while when the coach suggests drills...I LOVE  fingertip drag and catch up, getting more adept at the fist drill. My coach does  something called a freestyle drill.  It's a combination of several drills: start off in the 6 kick flip/hold position hold it for 3 counts then raise the upper arm perpindicular to the body for a count of 4 then bring it in for a catch up/flip sides and repeat down the pool.  Use flippers if you need to help keep your butt from sinking.

Thanks!  I'll do something similar than, so you guys can see my strength training.  

All the swimming drills look very helpful.  I don't have the upgraded membership, but I'm thinking of getting the TI DVD.

I actually messed up something on that freestyle drill so ignore the last post on that drill here it is corected:

step 1.  6 kick flip/hold count 3

step 2. bring the arm perpindicular hold for 3 counts again

step 3. shoulder tap

step 4. catch up, rotate repeat length of pool

Kim, I know lots of peeps here use TI.  I use www.triswimcoach.com his material is easily understood and the drills make sense.  He's also closer in line to what my coach is eaching so I don't feel crazy trying to figure out who is right

Judi

my pic is blurry..but i have one up here. i'm gonna figure out how to make it less blurry though...

okay figured it out

judi, i will check that site out too.  i think i'm going to sign up for the next cycle of swim classes that start in january if they aren't full yet.