IM training

[knapplaura]

Denise (and other IM'ers out there),

Need some group encouragement here to start cranking it up. Our pool was closed all the holiday period (2 weeks) so I am scared to see how bad I will be sucking when I get in tomorrow.

Have you started running long yet? My longest run so far is 1:30 and I feel like I am dreadfully behind in the run compared to last year; when I did a half marathon in DEC at a pretty good pace.

How is your early season tng coming?

Laura

[Wahine]

Hey Laura,

I'm doing IM Can this year. It's not til Aug 26th so I haven't run longer that 1:30 and I won't run longer than 2:30 in total in all my training. Swimming is my strongest event so taking 2 weeks off doesn't seem like a big deal to me but it may be a whole different story for you.

I'm getting my VO2 max tested for the bike and run this weekend. Then I'll get a little more hard core.

So here's your encouragement:

Get out there and have fun

What race are you doing and when?

[Grog]

Hey Wahine! Make sure you keep us posted about that IM Canada thing. I'll probably be there to cheer on a friend who's doing it for the first time!

[tygab]

Iron women are awesome! Seriously as a tri-newbie, I am just in awe of the IM and kudos to all the normal (read, not professional triathletes - I don't claim to know if you're normal, heh!) women who manage to have the motivation and make the time to train. Every time one of YOU do an IM, one of us gets inspired to try the tri, or go longer and faster. So, there's some inspiration I hope - many of us newbies look up to you!

Good luck with IM Canada, and all the other Iron distance-racers! Keep us posted on you training anytime!

[Wahine]

So here's what I'm looking at, 8 months to race day. I've religiously been observing the low intensity workouts needed for my prep phase, totaling about 10 hours per week for 3 out of the last 4 weeks. This weekend is VO2 max testing. I start in on my first base cycle on Monday.

I plan to do 3 months of base training, 2 months build, 2 weeks peak and then race at HIM distance. 1 week recovery then another 6 weeks of build, 2 peak and finally IM Canada. Goal: To beat my first IM Canada time of 12:18:08.

I've got a plan and I've got a goal. But as a good friend of mine said to me, "God hates a coward, but he thinks you're an idiot."

[Bikingmomof3]

Wahine,
You and the others continue to inspire me. A few months ago I would not have even considered a tri and now i am looking for one ot compete in. Thank you for being an inpsiration to all of us triathlete wannbes.

[Running Mommy]

I'm in Florida for the disney world marathon tomorrow. So yes my running has been up there, but my rides have been slacking, and well I haven't been in the pool since October. Yeah- OCTOBER!! So I'm going to be playing catch up in that dpt. But I'm not stressing about it because I'm planning on hitting the bike and run full on as soon as I get back and ease up on the running for a few weeks. I figure base running thru Jan and long runs back in Feb. I'm really trying to shave some time off the bike, so that is going to be my focus for this race.
So yeah, here we go! Doesn't seem like it's been a year since we did this last does it??
Hopefully this year we can meet in person!
Good luck with your training and keep us all posted on how it goes. We all know that I will. HA HA!! - Actually it's my way of keeping myself on track if I know all my TE buddies are following along.

[KSH]

So here's what I'm looking at, 8 months to race day. I've religiously been observing the low intensity workouts needed for my prep phase, totaling about 10 hours per week for 3 out of the last 4 weeks. This weekend is VO2 max testing. I start in on my first base cycle on Monday.

I plan to do 3 months of base training, 2 months build, 2 weeks peak and then race at HIM distance. 1 week recovery then another 6 weeks of build, 2 peak and finally IM Canada. Goal: To beat my first IM Canada time of 12:18:08.

I've got a plan and I've got a goal. But as a good friend of mine said to me, "God hates a coward, but he thinks you're an idiot."

WOW! This sounds... uuummm... complicated. I think I might get a coach sooner than later.

I honestly don't think I could put together a training plan for myself that builds up to my race days. I get confused by all of the information.

I am looking for a coach who runs around $100 a month... I can contact weekly and have them do custom plans for me... about every 2 weeks. Anyone have any suggestions?

[knapplaura]

Thanks for the encouragement all!

I am doing IM AZ, April 14. This weekend was good; did a 8.5 mi run and easy swim on SAT then rode 70 miles with the guys group in town. They put a hurt on me (as usual) but I kept telling myself none of them ran yesterday!

Denise, congrats on the marathon! Take plenty of time off running to recover though, you can't get hurt!

Wahine, good luck prepping for IM CA. Sounds like you are doing great now; your last time was awesome! I did 14:29 last year and want to improve on that, but I am afraid of stating a 'hard time' goal; just do better!

WEll you ladies motivated me to hit the gym over lunch; i will either swim or lift based on the crowd factor.

have a great day,
Laura

[Wahine]

WOW! This sounds... uuummm... complicated. I think I might get a coach sooner than later.

I honestly don't think I could put together a training plan for myself that builds up to my race days. I get confused by all of the information.

I am looking for a coach who runs around $100 a month... I can contact weekly and have them do custom plans for me... about every 2 weeks. Anyone have any suggestions?

The easiest thing to do is google triathlon coaching. It's best to get someone in your vicinity because you will often do some testing with them periodically. Most custom programs run $150 to $200 but are well worth the price usually.

You can also buy programs online. Joe Friel sells them for a little under $50 for each phase of training (base, build, peak and race). His stuff can be viewed on www.trainingbible.com (I think that's right). I use Joe's book, "The Triathlon Training Bible" to plan my programs but it is complicated and time consuming. I think a happy medium would be to have your VO2 max testing done at the beginning of your training to define your weaknesses, buy the programs on-line and then tweak them out yourself using the "Training Bible" and the information you got from the VO2 testing.

I'm watching you KSH. Don't back out form the HIM unless you have a really good reason. Oh, and IMAz is a good one for first timers, it's pretty flat and at a good time of year.

[KSH]

I am doing IM AZ, April 14. This weekend was good; did a 8.5 mi run and easy swim on SAT then rode 70 miles with the guys group in town. They put a hurt on me (as usual) but I kept telling myself none of them ran yesterday!

Awesome! Please keep us posted on your training! I will waiting to hear how it all goes.

So, the guys you rode with... are tri guys or straight roadies?

Someone sent me this "article" written by a "normal" guy training for an IM. (Too bad I deleted it by mistake!) I kind of laughed when he talked about doing bike rallies...

He said, "While other people are eating, showering, and resting... you get to run".

[KSH]

The easiest thing to do is google triathlon coaching. It's best to get someone in your vicinity because you will often do some testing with them periodically. Most custom programs run $150 to $200 but are well worth the price usually.

You can also buy programs online. Joe Friel sells them for a little under $50 for each phase of training (base, build, peak and race). His stuff can be viewed on www.trainingbible.com (I think that's right). I use Joe's book, "The Triathlon Training Bible" to plan my programs but it is complicated and time consuming. I think a happy medium would be to have your VO2 max testing done at the beginning of your training to define your weaknesses, buy the programs on-line and then tweak them out yourself using the "Training Bible" and the information you got from the VO2 testing.

I'm watching you KSH. Don't back out form the HIM unless you have a really good reason. Oh, and IMAz is a good one for first timers, it's pretty flat and at a good time of year.

Thanks for all the details! You totally rock!

I will skip on buying premade programs... as I really need something that is geared towards my schedule and strengths and weaknesses.

I truly doubt I could plan my own programs. I would get so lost in the all information, I think I would just give up.

VO2 testing? Sounds complicated too. I'm trying my *best* to not get a heartrate monitor. I kind of HATE gadets, because I can NEVER work them. I couldn't even set the time on my $10 Target watch. Sad. I know. I can still barely use my wireless bike computer.

[Kimmyt]

KSH, I just bought a basic Polar HRM. It is actually really easy to use! Only one button, which is great!

I'm not all about the fancy doodads either... I don't even have a computer on my bike (it's actually sitting at home in a box, has been for a year... I hate things with wires, they make me claustrophobic, so I think I'll have to get a wireless one if I get one at all).

Anyway, just saying that there are some easy to use HRMs out there. Mine's the very basic one from Polar, and I only use it when I run. So far it's been pretty easy! Of course, I only use one simple function of it!

K.

[Wahine]

KSH, I just bought a basic Polar HRM. It is actually really easy to use! Only one button, which is great!

K.

It's all you need and makes the data from the VO2 more usable.

[Wahine]

Hey IMers, how's everyone doing? I know we've got some IMAz athletes out there, you gals shoulb be going pretty hard right now. Wait a second...suddenly I feel a little silly for wondering why we haven't heard much from you.

As for me. The first base week is almost over and I feel fantastic. Fabulous even. I have a 2.5 hour ride on the trainer scheduled for tomorrow and once that's done I will have logged between 13 and 14 hours for the week. I had two great swims, my speed is coming back. I had three great runs including 1.5 hours on the treadmill today doing some aerobic threshold work in intervals deterimined by the shuffle of my 80's Ladies iMix. You can't beat Blondie or the GoGos for getting your turnover up and The Cowboy Junkies are great for the longer hill intervals.

Well off to bed so I'm fresh tomorrow!! I love the focus of IM training.