Ran a 10k in June (5 Viewers)

[BassNBrew]

For the first time in a long time I went out and simply turned around and came home. My legs are still hurting from a couple days ago and I want to get 12-13 in tomorrow (i.e. a looong run). I didn't want to torch my legs before tomorrow. And my half is only a week away - I guess I don't want to overstress something this close to the race.So why do I feel like a lazy ###?

Probably to late, but I'd cut that run in half.He's a note from our tri team coach to some people racing next weekend...

Whatever your specific race goal is, now is the time to trust your training, let go of "last minute workouts" and give in to the Endurance Gods. You have done all you can do to control what happens on race day. You know your numbers, you know your plan, you know your targets. Now relax and see what happens. Not everyone is going to have a great day, some of us are going to suffer, some us are going run or bike slower than we wanted, and some may go faster than we thought possible. At the end of the day, the splits are just numbers. Grist for the mill that simply help us learn more about how we can train effectively. The secret is to learn from that data and make adjustments to your training regime. If it's not working - change something! If it is working - make sure you understand why!

seems like that might apply to you???

 

[Sand]

For the first time in a long time I went out and simply turned around and came home. My legs are still hurting from a couple days ago and I want to get 12-13 in tomorrow (i.e. a looong run). I didn't want to torch my legs before tomorrow. And my half is only a week away - I guess I don't want to overstress something this close to the race.So why do I feel like a lazy ###?

Probably to late, but I'd cut that run in half.

Not too late - I just got in from my kid's game and a good 2500yd swim.I'm gonna cut it to 10miles or so. This should make the half interesting as it will be a a significantly longer run than anything I've done up to this point. Last two weekends I have been conspired against in getting a good long run in.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Right now I am icing my calf after doing my 1st strengthening run after hurting it. I have followed a couple things to the letter and, go figure, it has appeared to work. The cold I have left my chest so I thought I would give the recovery plan listed in an article about "calf heart attacks" a try. The plan basically calls for alternating between running and walking up to a point where you are aware that the calf is feeling fatigue (then stop and walk only). It also recommends running on a track. I have an awesome HS track less than a 1/2 mile from home. My plan was to do 1/4 mile run/walk repeats and, if I was lucky, do 3 miles. I ended up doing 4.5 with ZERO issues with the calf (or related to the cold). My average pace was just over 11MM, but all of the 1/4 mile runs were sub 8MM. I didn't look at my pace while running as I just wanted to run comfortable. Looking at the Garmin data post run, I had several fastest paces in the low 7s & one as low as 6:57. I think I am going to stick with the run/walk recovery concept for the next two or 3 weeks before trying an extended run all at once.

 

[proninja]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

DT Swiss 240s hubset

Dura Ace 7800 shifters/brake levers

Thomson Masterpiece seatpost

I've been planning on building myself a set of wheels, but was going to ride my current wheels until I could afford a better set, built up by a local wheelbuilder I know who's been very generous with his time educating me on all aspects of the bike world, but I didn't want to spend much money on it until I could afford a hubset I could be very happy with for a long time. These definitely fit the bill, and I've got two wheelsets to sell that should offset a good bit of the cost of building with rr415 rims and aerolite spokes.

A quick suggestion to those of you looking for bike gear - I use google advanced search to search all of craigslist.org over the last 24 hours, and have a couple searches bookmarked depending what I'm looking for. I check 'em just about every day, and have gotten some ridiculously good deals - I paid $160 for that hubset shipped to me from Texas, and yesterday I got an Ultegra 6600 groupset (no chain) for a build I'm doing for my sister for $165 shipped.

What I've been doing for a while is waiting to get really good deals on upgraded gear, then selling the gear the new stuff replaces for about what I paid for the new stuff. It requires a bit of work, but you can get damn good deals. I'm sure I'll get burned sending a paypal to some ######## one of these days, but it's worked really well for me so far.

Also, my girlfriend's christmas present (long story as to why it's february) was a new wheelset. I hung out with the wheelbuilder and helped/learned/slowed hiim down last night, and we (he) built her wheels. It was a really cool learning experience, and she's got a good all purpose wheel - ultegra hubs (32/28), revolution spokes, rr415 rims.

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

 

[proninja]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

That makes a lot of sense, actually.

 

[BassNBrew]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

http://www.biketechreview.com/reviews/speed_for_sale.htmhttp://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273

 

[Sand]

For the first time in a long time I went out and simply turned around and came home. My legs are still hurting from a couple days ago and I want to get 12-13 in tomorrow (i.e. a looong run). I didn't want to torch my legs before tomorrow. And my half is only a week away - I guess I don't want to overstress something this close to the race.So why do I feel like a lazy ###?

Probably to late, but I'd cut that run in half.

Not too late - I just got in from my kid's game and a good 2500yd swim.I'm gonna cut it to 10miles or so. This should make the half interesting as it will be a a significantly longer run than anything I've done up to this point. Last two weekends I have been conspired against in getting a good long run in.

Ran 9.5 at a decent 8:30/mile pace. No pushing, just keeping the mileage up. Felt pretty good after.Next week is taper week!

 

[Sand]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

That makes a lot of sense, actually.

No, it really doesn't. Physics works whether it is short or long - the percentage time saved is the same. In the Bikeradar article there is a 25% decrease in the effort required for the same speed. That isn't a small difference. However, there is a lot of money better spent than set of Zipps. Buy an aero helmet. Use aerobars. Buy a good set of race tires. I'll probably get a set of Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX (great rolling resistance, standard width for handling, doesn't suffer from punctures like the Michelins do).

Want cheap aero for a wheel? Buy a Disc Cover. Then try and find an aero front on Craigslist or something.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

That makes a lot of sense, actually.

No, it really doesn't. Physics works whether it is short or long - the percentage time saved is the same. In the Bikeradar article there is a 25% decrease in the effort required for the same speed. That isn't a small difference. However, there is a lot of money better spent than set of Zipps. Buy an aero helmet. Use aerobars. Buy a good set of race tires. I'll probably get a set of Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX (great rolling resistance, standard width for handling, doesn't suffer from punctures like the Michelins do).

Want cheap aero for a wheel? Buy a Disc Cover. Then try and find an aero front on Craigslist or something.

No disagreement with the physics. BIG disagreement with spending 3-grand or more for less than 60 seconds in a sprint. You'd gain more time by practicing transitions and picking up a pair of Zoots or other slip-ons. AND that 25% gain is made by a pro, fit to their bike who can set and maintain in aero. Average Joe triathlete is not going to see 25%, if even 10% to 15%.

 

[Sand]

Warning: Bike nerd alert

Today was a good day

Question for tri guys - what sort of sustained speed do you have to be at in order to get much of a noticeable benefit from an aero rim? The price of some of these carbon tubulars is insane, and tri is going to be a pretty limited part of my biking - I'm doing some long rides this summer, and want to race 'cross in the fall. I can't afford a badass tri-only wheelset, but how much is it hurting me? The wheels I'm going to build will be 1451g according to DT's website, and that's 32 spokes on each.

I've been doing a bunch of reading the last few weeks and hit on a good post on another website that seems to make a lot of sense to me about this (I can't find it right now, but will keep looking). The crux of it was that it isn't really about speed, but rather distance when deciding on these. The guy's post basically stated that if the goal was to do sprints, don't waste the money as the difference will maybe be a few seconds. For an Olympic, save your money unless you think you'll be in the top 10, and that you'll really not begin to see the benefits of these until about the HIM distance.

That makes a lot of sense, actually.

No, it really doesn't. Physics works whether it is short or long - the percentage time saved is the same. In the Bikeradar article there is a 25% decrease in the effort required for the same speed. That isn't a small difference. However, there is a lot of money better spent than set of Zipps. Buy an aero helmet. Use aerobars. Buy a good set of race tires. I'll probably get a set of Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX (great rolling resistance, standard width for handling, doesn't suffer from punctures like the Michelins do).

Want cheap aero for a wheel? Buy a Disc Cover. Then try and find an aero front on Craigslist or something.

No disagreement with the physics. BIG disagreement with spending 3-grand or more for less than 60 seconds in a sprint. You'd gain more time by practicing transitions and picking up a pair of Zoots or other slip-ons. AND that 25% gain is made by a pro, fit to their bike who can set and maintain in aero. Average Joe triathlete is not going to see 25%, if even 10% to 15%.

Average Joe will see a lower percentage, but a greater time gain because he is going slower.And there is no need to spend 3k:

Aerobars: $75

Tires: $100

Disc Cover: $90

Aero Helmet: $75

~$350 gets you a LOT of aero for not much moola.

And I never understood the obsession with transitions - lay it out logically and you'll easily be above average. Also, why slip ons? My biking shoes have lock laces ($5) and I slip them on during transition.

 

[2Young2BBald]

I don't have a heck of a lot of triathlons under my belt (8 sprints & 1 Olympic) but I am just not seeing the disc covers and aero helmets out there (and Michigan has a strong tri scene). In a 400 person field, I'll see maybe a dozen closed wheels and even less areo helmets. Lots of Aerobars out there and plenty of tri-bikes. As for tires, I have Vittorias on my tri bike (although the much less expensive Rubinos), but have gone to a more rugged tire on my road bike after blowing out both tires on broken glass during a training ride. The roads up here just aren't suitable to high $ tires.

 

[Sand]

I don't have a heck of a lot of triathlons under my belt (8 sprints & 1 Olympic) but I am just not seeing the disc covers and aero helmets out there (and Michigan has a strong tri scene). In a 400 person field, I'll see maybe a dozen closed wheels and even less areo helmets. Lots of Aerobars out there and plenty of tri-bikes. As for tires, I have Vittorias on my tri bike (although the much less expensive Rubinos), but have gone to a more rugged tire on my road bike after blowing out both tires on broken glass during a training ride. The roads up here just aren't suitable to high $ tires.

Well, in terms of time lost a busted tire >>>>> time gained from a low resistance racing tire.In that case stick Armadillos on there to immunize yourself as much as possible from road debris. Changing a tire during a race would suck balls.Down here you'll see lots of aero helmets and a modest amount of closed wheels. I was the only one I saw with a disc cover. More than a couple people were interested and had no idea they existed.

 

[gruecd]

Hey, guys. Busy weekend, so I'll try to catch up on everything a little later. Was gone to Madison, so I did a hilly 16-miler with a buddy of mine on Saturday morning, and I did 6 recovery miles when I got back this afternoon. Here's how my week shaped up:

M: 11 @ 7:38 pace

T: Rest

W: 8 @ 7:36 (LT run w/4 @ 6:49)

T: 9 rec @ 8:27

F: 5 rec @ 8:27

S: 16 hilly @ 8:13

S: 6 rec @ 7:58

TOTAL: 55 miles

Time to go watch the game. Go ponies!!

 

[Sand]

Time to go watch the game. Go ponies!!

 

[gruecd]

For the first time in a long time I went out and simply turned around and came home. My legs are still hurting from a couple days ago and I want to get 12-13 in tomorrow (i.e. a looong run). I didn't want to torch my legs before tomorrow. And my half is only a week away - I guess I don't want to overstress something this close to the race.

FWIW, I would normally have zero problem with someone running 12-13 miles the week before a half. For someone properly trained, it doesn't take very long at all to recovery from a run of that distance. That being said, considering your legs are bothering you, I hope you cut it short today. The potential reward isn't worth the risk.

 

[gruecd]

Interesting article from last Wednesday's New York Times: Slimmer Doesn't Always Mean Fitter.

 

[Sand]

For the first time in a long time I went out and simply turned around and came home. My legs are still hurting from a couple days ago and I want to get 12-13 in tomorrow (i.e. a looong run). I didn't want to torch my legs before tomorrow. And my half is only a week away - I guess I don't want to overstress something this close to the race.

FWIW, I would normally have zero problem with someone running 12-13 miles the week before a half. For someone properly trained, it doesn't take very long at all to recovery from a run of that distance. That being said, considering your legs are bothering you, I hope you cut it short today. The potential reward isn't worth the risk.

I cut it to 9.5 miles. Legs are doing ok.

 

[pmbrown_22]

got hit with about 5 inches of snow this weekend so I did not get out Saturday to do my 7 mile pace run. I did force myself out yesterday to do 15 and make up for it though. I got up to run on Saturday, but the show was heavy and wet, windy and i felt that I would be taking a risk by going out and running. Turned out to be a good decision as the first layer was a bit of slush and ice so the hills would have been a problem. Yesterday was great however for the first time ever my camelbak hose froze up in the cold. It was 8 when I started and when i went to get something to drink could not get anything out because it was frozen shut. Had to stop and put it under my sweatshirt so that it would thaw out so I could get something to drink. Thought I was going to be in some big trouble if I could not get anything to drink.

More snow is supposed to come tonight. A great couple of days planned for me.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I missed a couple of runs last week since I was out town, so I did my five-miler yesterday comparatively fast for me (~8:00 pace). Felt great. It's cool how just a small amount of rest freshens your legs.

One of these days, some of the snow and ice will melt off and I'll be able to run outside again. We've actually had some decent days in the 20s and 30s, which would normally be fine for running, except that most of the sidewalks are still ice-covered. I'm getting tired of the treadmill and our wellness center's ill-designed track.

 

[tri-man 47]

Bike set-up: You know, I prefer to keep the same bike/same condition for two reasons - first, I'm incredibly cheap, and can't justify spending a few hundred bucks to knock off a couple/few minutes of a tri time, and second, when I'm using the same bike, I can compare current times to past times and see how well I'm maintaining my ability as the years march on. That said: carry on.

Great stretch of training for me as I start pushing things again:

Fri (am) 5 mile run, (pm) 45 minutes bike trainer

Sat (am) 45 minute swim, (pm) 1 hour bike trainer

Sun (am) yoga, (pm) 2 hours bike trainer

Added in yoga and 100 lunges this morning.

Encouraging that the bike felt good, even with the push for three straight days. Also, the swim, which was my first time in the pool in two months (!). Still was comfortable putting in 2,000 yards, and in the back half, did 9 laps (1/4 mile) in 8:45. My benchmark for endurance swims is a minute/lap, so having better-than-that pacing after such a layoff is exciting.

 

[Sand]

Also, the swim, which was my first time in the pool in two months (!). Still was comfortable putting in 2,000 yards, and in the back half, did 9 laps (1/4 mile) in 8:45. By benchmark for endurance swims is a minute/lap, so having better-than-that pacing after such a layoff is exciting.

Ramp up the intervals. If you can do this after two months off you KNOW you can be faster. Lots faster. It just takes a lot of pain to get there. (Whatever you're going to do, it can't be worse than what I have planned for myself! So you'll be in good company.)

 

[pigskinliquors]

Tri-Man: Great work! My benchmark for swimming is also 1:00 per lap Going that much under for the first swim in that long is very impressive. With my shoulder prob's, I have to ease into that speed, and try to minimize laps at that speed.

Wraith: For the price the Forte Classic is a no-brainer. I've used many saddles, but the Forte is the only one I ever recommend. I have at least 4 friends using it as well, all of who have stopped using a much more expensive one. BnB is correct, that saddles are very personal, but the Forte seems to fit quite a few people. At $35 you can't go too far wrong.

2Young: I'm interested to see how your calf training works out for you. I didn't ease back into it after my last injury, and unfortunately don't have peace of mind while running bc of it. Glad to hear you got the 2XU's. I really like them thus far, but can't get myself to not wear OxySox over the top of them.

Sand: great call in cutting your run short. No need to hurt your legs, that close to an event.

________________________

My update:

Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices). This schedule will last another 3.5 months as Mrs. Liquors won't finish the Academy until then. I did get a long run (11 miles) in this weekend, but it was very ugly. My HR was at 170 within the first mile, so I fought it for the next 10. It maxed out at 182 during the final mile, which is waaaaaaaay to high for a training run. I was running at what should be 1:00 slower than race pace, so my HR should have stayed in the 150's-160's = CRAP! I'm guessing the extra stress, and lack of sleep have had something to do with it. Hopefully it was just a "bad-day" and not a sign that I'm not as prepared as I thought I currently was my upcoming half. With the reality that I most likely will be running with a group (a very slow one), I'm ok being bit slow, but I could not have imagined that my HR would have escalated like it did yesterday

 

[tri-man 47]

liquors (and from other recent posts, wraith ..and others in the same position) - don't stress over the lack of workout time. It is what it is ...let the family come first. I set aside the triathlons altogether for ten years while my kids were growing from toddlers to teens. I was able to keep up my running, particularly 5Ks (which conveniently is shorter, though more intense, training). Now, I have more time than ever. I can create new race experiences and enjoy the freedom of training pretty much whenever I want. But all of those family experiences would have been lost. So I don't regret the lost years for racing; I would deeply regret missing family time because of misplaced priorities. If you can get the family involved, as some of you are doing, that's great. But don't force things, and again, don't stress over it.

 

[Sand]

Time to go watch the game. Go ponies!!

I guess I can retract this now that the good guys have won!There is going to be a party like no other down in NO.(I'll stop hijacking the thread now).

 

[Worm]

I think I talked about starting to do some barefoot running a while back.

Update: Started Thursday with two ~1-milers two days apart. Day after the second run (Sunday) I thought my calves were going to explode. I was shuffling around like an old geezer. Today they are better but still a bit sore. Trying to take it slow so I don't kill myself. I'll probably do another short run tomorrow. Goal is to eventually work up to 6 miles at about an 8 minute pace.

Love the Vibrams.

 

[gruecd]

Took a long lunch today so I could sneak in a run before the snow starts flying. Did 8 miles including 10 x 100M strides. Average pace was 7:33, but I cruised through the last mile at 7:14. Back to work!!

 

[IvanKaramazov]

My update:Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices).

One idea is to try to work in a run while your kids are practicing. I sometimes do this when I take my son to football practice; there's a track literally right across the street.

 

[pigskinliquors]

My update:Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices).

One idea is to try to work in a run while your kids are practicing. I sometimes do this when I take my son to football practice; there's a track literally right across the street.

Great idea, but when I'm at my 8 year-olds stuff, I'm in charge of our 4 year-old, who wants to do what the BIG girls are doing (= at soccer practice, we play soccer), and the little one's dance class is just 45 minutes, no where near where I can run, and I'm an Asst. Coach on her T-ball team = I can't leave

 

[gruecd]

My update:Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices).

One idea is to try to work in a run while your kids are practicing. I sometimes do this when I take my son to football practice; there's a track literally right across the street.

Great idea, but when I'm at my 8 year-olds stuff, I'm in charge of our 4 year-old, who wants to do what the BIG girls are doing (= at soccer practice, we play soccer), and the little one's dance class is just 45 minutes, no where near where I can run, and I'm an Asst. Coach on her T-ball team = I can't leave

Can you get up earlier in the morning and work out before the rest of the family wakes up?? A buddy of mine is up and on the road every morning by 4:30. He's back home by 6:00, so he's got plenty of time to help get the kids ready for school, etc. I don't have kids, so I know it's easy for me to say, but I don't think it has to be one or the other. Just depends upon how big of a priority it is for you to work out.

 

[tri-man 47]

I think I talked about starting to do some barefoot running a while back.

Update: Started Thursday with two ~1-milers two days apart. Day after the second run (Sunday) I thought my calves were going to explode. I was shuffling around like an old geezer. Today they are better but still a bit sore. Trying to take it slow so I don't kill myself. I'll probably do another short run tomorrow. Goal is to eventually work up to 6 miles at about an 8 minute pace.

Love the Vibrams.

Do keep us informed! I'm interested to hear how this develops. [i wonder how us northerners handle this. How's the transition from Vibrams during summer weather to 'regular' shoes during the colder months?]

 

[pmbrown_22]

My update:Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices).

One idea is to try to work in a run while your kids are practicing. I sometimes do this when I take my son to football practice; there's a track literally right across the street.

Great idea, but when I'm at my 8 year-olds stuff, I'm in charge of our 4 year-old, who wants to do what the BIG girls are doing (= at soccer practice, we play soccer), and the little one's dance class is just 45 minutes, no where near where I can run, and I'm an Asst. Coach on her T-ball team = I can't leave

Can you get up earlier in the morning and work out before the rest of the family wakes up?? A buddy of mine is up and on the road every morning by 4:30. He's back home by 6:00, so he's got plenty of time to help get the kids ready for school, etc. I don't have kids, so I know it's easy for me to say, but I don't think it has to be one or the other. Just depends upon how big of a priority it is for you to work out.

There are pluses and minuses with getting up early and running. I do this quite frequently and I do this during the summer to take advantage of no sun. For me it works well to put in my time before everyone else is up so I can help out with the kids and get to work at a reasonable time. The problem occurs if you cannot get to bed early to get your proper rest. It only takes a couple days of not enough rest to tear you down considerably. Eventually it will wear you down even if you are getting your proper rest just because of the odd hours. This at least happens for me. But like I said before, I enjoy running in the early morning and it does get you going in the morning. One other thing, is that usually by 2 in the afternoon, you can stick a fork in me. Especially on the days where you have to do 10+ miles. It just makes for a long day.Just my rambling .02.

 

[gruecd]

There are pluses and minuses with getting up early and running. I do this quite frequently and I do this during the summer to take advantage of no sun. For me it works well to put in my time before everyone else is up so I can help out with the kids and get to work at a reasonable time. The problem occurs if you cannot get to bed early to get your proper rest. It only takes a couple days of not enough rest to tear you down considerably. Eventually it will wear you down even if you are getting your proper rest just because of the odd hours. This at least happens for me. But like I said before, I enjoy running in the early morning and it does get you going in the morning. One other thing, is that usually by 2 in the afternoon, you can stick a fork in me. Especially on the days where you have to do 10+ miles. It just makes for a long day.Just my rambling .02.

There are definitely pros and cons, but if he doesn't have time to do his workouts later in the day, then I would argue that early-morning workouts are definitely a better alternative than nothing at all. That being said, it does require a certain amount of discipline to get your butt to bed at night. That's my biggest problem with getting up early.

 

[2Young2BBald]

My update:

Life at home has been insanely hectic. I've had little time to literally anything for me, as I'm now in charge of 100% of running our kids around (including getting them ready and to school, all meals, getting them back from school, and all soccer, dance and t-ball practices).

One idea is to try to work in a run while your kids are practicing. I sometimes do this when I take my son to football practice; there's a track literally right across the street.

Great idea, but when I'm at my 8 year-olds stuff, I'm in charge of our 4 year-old, who wants to do what the BIG girls are doing (= at soccer practice, we play soccer), and the little one's dance class is just 45 minutes, no where near where I can run, and I'm an Asst. Coach on her T-ball team = I can't leave

Let me float an idea your way, Race Your Way in to Race Shape. I was so hooked on racing last year, I didn't follow a single training plan. Instead, I rotated training based on what I felt I needed to do and rested when I thought I needed rest and raced more than every other week. I just missed my 1/2 marathon PR twice doing zero focused run training, blah,blah, blah, etc. I think you'd benefit mentally & physically by racing with some frequency, say, for fun like you are doing with the 1/2, without beating yourself up for not be able to focus on a plan. Before I get flamed for a lack of focus or not respecting training, I did follow a marathon training plan as closely as possible for last year's marathon and have gone as far as paying for a 1/2 IM training plan for this year and have been obsessing about how to make it hapen.

 

[tri-man 47]

There are pluses and minuses with getting up early and running. I do this quite frequently and I do this during the summer to take advantage of no sun. For me it works well to put in my time before everyone else is up so I can help out with the kids and get to work at a reasonable time. The problem occurs if you cannot get to bed early to get your proper rest. It only takes a couple days of not enough rest to tear you down considerably. Eventually it will wear you down even if you are getting your proper rest just because of the odd hours. This at least happens for me. But like I said before, I enjoy running in the early morning and it does get you going in the morning. One other thing, is that usually by 2 in the afternoon, you can stick a fork in me. Especially on the days where you have to do 10+ miles. It just makes for a long day.Just my rambling .02.

GB a one mile commute and the ability to go home for lunch and catch a fifteen minute nap.

 

[BassNBrew]

Probably my best long run ever last nite in the dark and cold.

4 miles out at 8'44", 148 bpm

4 miles back at 8'27", 155 bpm

8 miles total at 8'35", 151 bpm

 

[pigskinliquors]

Great run BnB!

I'm still getting my three runs, plus 1 or 2 bikes/spins and my normal weight workouts. I get up at 5:00 am on Tues and Thursdays to get my runs in (got 6.5 in today!); spin on Wed. after the kids get to bed (8:30-9:30 pm), and lift from 4-4:45 pm on Mondays and Fridays = between picking my first daughter up at the bus stop, and going to pick up my other daughter at daycare. My long runs have been on Sundays, but I'll most likely switch to Saturdays once the weather gets warmer so that I can do our normal group ride early on Sundays.

The bigger issue is that it is wearing me down. Life at home is pretty sucky with the Mrs. focused 100% on the Academy, and me playing both Daddy and Mommy all week. On top of that my work is getting way behind = I've been working at night from 9-11 to try to get caught up. I'm certain easier days are ahead, but I'm pretty whooped both physically and mentally. I'm done venting = I need to HTFU.

 

[BassNBrew]

Great run BnB! I'm still getting my three runs, plus 1 or 2 bikes/spins and my normal weight workouts. I get up at 5:00 am on Tues and Thursdays to get my runs in (got 6.5 in today!); spin on Wed. after the kids get to bed (8:30-9:30 pm), and lift from 4-4:45 pm on Mondays and Fridays = between picking my first daughter up at the bus stop, and going to pick up my other daughter at daycare. My long runs have been on Sundays, but I'll most likely switch to Saturdays once the weather gets warmer so that I can do our normal group ride early on Sundays. The bigger issue is that it is wearing me down. Life at home is pretty sucky with the Mrs. focused 100% on the Academy, and me playing both Daddy and Mommy all week. On top of that my work is getting way behind = I've been working at night from 9-11 to try to get caught up. I'm certain easier days are ahead, but I'm pretty whooped both physically and mentally. I'm done venting = I need to HTFU.

meh! Great would be Gru, painfully slow would be me.Hang in there gb. You're getting more done than me with a much tougher schedule to overcome. You'll be rocking come go time.

 

[prosopis]

Today did 3.5 miles at 9mm which is a new best speed for me.

 

[proninja]

Today, I got through 40 minutes in the pool without resorting to the breast stroke. I was pleased.

Can only do 50 yards without resting right now after my first 100 yards. But hey, it's better than last week.

 

[El Floppo]

Probably my best long run ever last nite in the dark and cold.4 miles out at 8'44", 148 bpm4 miles back at 8'27", 155 bpm8 miles total at 8'35", 151 bpm

dude- nice! great negative split and great low HR.when the swimming clicks for you, you're going to punish some Tris.I keep checking back in here lately- I'm jonesing to get out there and do something. Was ready to start getting back in to some morning runs and rides... only time when I'm not working or wanting to be around the kid- but I got brutally sick- coughing up grapefruit sized lunkers for a week now. Not sure which came first, the checking in here or the jonesing, but once the cough goes I'm getting my fat ### out onto the road. Probably maybe.

 

[El Floppo]

Today, I got through 40 minutes in the pool without resorting to the breast stroke. I was pleased.

Can only do 50 yards without resting right now after my first 100 yards. But hey, it's better than last week.

Any way of kinda resting at each lap turn? Swim your 25, take a breath at the turn and swim back. Are you resting to breath or because your arms/legs are tired?

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Went for 90 minutes on a treadmill yesterday with the first 60 at 6.7 and the next 30 at 7.0, a little over 10 miles total. My wife came by at about the halfway mark and took the machine next to me, which was a nice variation. We have a bay of televisions in front of most of our cardio machines so running on a TM isn't quite as boring as it might be otherwise, but still it's nice to have somebody to talk to.

One of my students was also briefly on an adjacent machine early on. He did a 20 minute workout starting at 9 mph and peaking with a the last couple of minutes at 11. If I tried setting my TM to 11 mph, I would get flung through the plexiglass behind me. Must be nice to be 19 :(

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Great run BnB! I'm still getting my three runs, plus 1 or 2 bikes/spins and my normal weight workouts. I get up at 5:00 am on Tues and Thursdays to get my runs in (got 6.5 in today!); spin on Wed. after the kids get to bed (8:30-9:30 pm), and lift from 4-4:45 pm on Mondays and Fridays = between picking my first daughter up at the bus stop, and going to pick up my other daughter at daycare. My long runs have been on Sundays, but I'll most likely switch to Saturdays once the weather gets warmer so that I can do our normal group ride early on Sundays. The bigger issue is that it is wearing me down. Life at home is pretty sucky with the Mrs. focused 100% on the Academy, and me playing both Daddy and Mommy all week. On top of that my work is getting way behind = I've been working at night from 9-11 to try to get caught up. I'm certain easier days are ahead, but I'm pretty whooped both physically and mentally. I'm done venting = I need to HTFU.

GL. It sounds like this is just going to a rough 3 months for your whole household, but at least it's not permanent.

 

[pmbrown_22]

Out sick yesterday and with the snow, the only physical activity that I got was to shovel the driveway. Still not feeling well today, but went out and ran 8 on the treadmill this morning with a planned 4 or 5 tonight at the gym. We will see on that one though as too much treadmill and my legs start to hurt. I don't have too much choice because with all the snow, there is no place to run.

Tri- must be nice to work so close to home. With traffic, I have a 30 minute if I am lucky. I wish I could work from home. I feel that I could get so much more done with work and with working out.

PSL - Just get through the three months doing what you can do and you will be fine. What doesn't kill us, will make us stronger, more tired, and probably limp a bit.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Today, I got through 40 minutes in the pool without resorting to the breast stroke. I was pleased. Can only do 50 yards without resting right now after my first 100 yards. But hey, it's better than last week.

I was very much the same way. I am not much for hooey sayings, but after asking a guy sharing a lane with me for advice, he told me to slow down to go faster. I had never had any swim lessons and instinct was to flail like crazy to keep myself afloat and I was wearing myself out quickly. After this advice I tried to swim as slow as possible, maintaining the best possible form I could and this is where it clicked. I realized that with minimum effort I could move through the water using far less energy (although slow at first). This took me from "I would sure like to do a tri" to "I am doing a tri in two months".___________Swam 2,500 yards Monday. I am still babying the calf at the wall, so times are slow, but I was still able to get the 2,500 in, with two quick rests in under 50-minutes. Yesterday I wanted to trying running again, but thought some rest would do me some good as I rode on the trainer Sunday & ran Saturday. Found a fun & use for the Garmin & HRM. I tossed them on to shovel snow. I covered .78 miles in 23 minutes with an average heart rate of 105, max of 119. My max pace was 5:48 MM which I think was when I almost fell on my ### on a patch of ice at the bottom of the driveway. Today, I am going to compare snow blowing to shoveling and analyze the data. School is closed today for the kids, which more than likely means swimming is of for tonight.

 

[gruecd]

Hey, guys. Ended up doubling up on Monday (in anticipation of the snow yesterday), adding an evening 7-mile recovery run to give me 15 miles total for the day.

Got home from work yesterday, snowblowed the driveway, then headed to the gym for a short treadmill run and core workout. Did four miles, but I had to do some intervals to break up the monotony. Here's what I did:

1 mile warm-up at 8:34

1/2 mile at 6:40

1 mile recovery at 8:00

1 mile at 6:40

1/2 mile cool-down at 8:34

Today = SRD, so I "cross-trained" this morning by spending 40 minutes shoveling the additional snow we got overnight.

PSL - Hang in there, GB!

Everybody else, keep at it, and have a great day!

 

[Sand]

Went for 90 minutes on a treadmill yesterday with the first 60 at 6.7 and the next 30 at 7.0, a little over 10 miles total.

Herculean feat of the day.

 

[proninja]

Today, I got through 40 minutes in the pool without resorting to the breast stroke. I was pleased.

Can only do 50 yards without resting right now after my first 100 yards. But hey, it's better than last week.

Any way of kinda resting at each lap turn? Swim your 25, take a breath at the turn and swim back. Are you resting to breath or because your arms/legs are tired?

I could do that - but my goal has been to work up to swimming more and more without stopping. I've been doing 100 yards straight at the beginning, was going to shoot for 150 tomorrow. I'm resting because my arms/legs are tired, and when I stop I realize how high my heartrate is.

 

[proninja]

Today, I got through 40 minutes in the pool without resorting to the breast stroke. I was pleased. Can only do 50 yards without resting right now after my first 100 yards. But hey, it's better than last week.

I was very much the same way. I am not much for hooey sayings, but after asking a guy sharing a lane with me for advice, he told me to slow down to go faster. I had never had any swim lessons and instinct was to flail like crazy to keep myself afloat and I was wearing myself out quickly. After this advice I tried to swim as slow as possible, maintaining the best possible form I could and this is where it clicked. I realized that with minimum effort I could move through the water using far less energy (although slow at first). This took me from "I would sure like to do a tri" to "I am doing a tri in two months".

This is pretty much spot on. I've never been very good at pacing myself at anything. I'll try this Thursday evening when I swim next.