the next available race is an oly distance in orlando. HOWEVER, guess what just happened this past weekend in the lake that the swim for this triathlon is in??
should i be afraid? what are the odds, right? i really, really, really want to do this triathlon and will just hope that the old sayings, safety in numbers and survival of the fittest, holds true. maybe i will swim faster because of this. i have some time to make my final decision. the moss park triathlon is on sunday, july 17th. if that goes well, i may go back and do the fall tri festival, at the same alligator infested lake, on august 22nd.
QUESTION #1 - for all of my blog friends who have never steered me wrong. do you think that doing a HIM distance race approximately 6 weeks before an iron distance race is too much? if i did do the HIM distance event, i would only do it as a "training" day not a "race." the cool thing about it is that it's in the same venue as the full iron distance race that i will be doing in october, so it can be a recon mission so to speak.
QUESTION #2 - i'm thinking about buying a garmin forerunner 310xt. anyone have this model? do you LOVE it? is it super reliable? easy to use? does it come with everything included such as heartrate monitor, bike mount, or are those things purchased separately? is there anything you don't like about it?
thanks everyone for the kind words on my race video and race report. the videographer thanks you too.
today, i have some serious catching up to do on all of my favorite blogs. thankfully, this afternoon and evening i'm free as a bird and will use that time to read up on all that i've missed, especially a few race reports i haven't been able to get to yet.
much love and peace out!
Alright if you get the Garmin I want a review from you!!! Haha, I was looking into it too :)
ReplyDeleteNext, I think doing a HIM would be right up your ally. Twofold, one, great practice for your race day nutrition plan and two, you will again probably be cutting your mileage on the HIM race day LOL!
You will be fine and I think the more experience you get racing would do you well for the big day! You can train all you want but you have to get that transition/race day experience straight up.
My vote (go figure) GO FOR IT :) Start saving now though... these stupid races are breaking the kitty over here!
I am too early in my triathlon career to give any advice about anything but I feel like based on your training as long as you take it easy especially on the run since that does the most damage you should be fine. Also I am sure you already found this one but just in case one of the best reviews on the garmin 310 and it being compared to other garmins: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html
ReplyDeleteNot for you. Six weeks is no big deal if you avoid "hammering" the HIM. In fact, it would be a good thing in my opinion. That's about the level you need to be at 6 weeks prior, anyway..
ReplyDeleteThere is a chance I will be doing IM Louisville 8 weeks before IMFL, now that kind of worries me... especially if Arnie's time is to FALL!!!
Jason, thanks for that link. I just skimmed it quickly but WOW, it's very detailed and I love that. Can't wait to get home and study that.
ReplyDeleteMatt, after deciding not to get any aero wheels, the money I would have used for those can go to feeding my race addiction. And, since they aren't IM brand races, just the IM distances, they are a little less expensive...just a little less.
Bob, thanks! I think you are right. It would be a good thing. And i wouldn't be gong out to KILL it or anything. Just to tweak the nutrition and feel out the course a bit.
ReplyDeleteI found an Ironman training plan -- it is the Be IronFit one and he actually suggests a HIM 6-8 weeks before the full. This allows you to dial in your nutrition and get a good practice run in and also build your confidence. Now I have no experience personally doing this but this is what the plan says! And the recovery from my HIM was no different than say a 10K? Weird, I know. Body feels great.
ReplyDeleteMr. "I do HIM distances on a whim," that's good to know that the plan you found, recommends the HIM distance 6-8 weeks prior. Makes me feel better. The good thing is that even though not IM brand, it is not as bad as the one you did recently. Roads are nicely paved. Also, this company has been doing these races for over 20 years so they have their shit together. Thanks Jeff!!
ReplyDeleteGo for the 1/2 ironman. I think the confidence you build from that race will be invaluable!
ReplyDeleteI think that would be good timing for a 1/2 actually. It will give you a good gauge of your fitness level at that point and you'll still have a couple of weeks to sneak in a bit more training, then taper.
ReplyDeleteAs to the alligator--it's like plane crashes, right? If one just happened, the odds don't favor yours going down so soon afterwards.
I think 6 weeks is plenty of time to recover and be rested for the IM distance. Personally, i would do a different venue, a change of scenry, something different. I would have that "been there, done that" mind set during the IM if I did the same course
ReplyDeleteI am with the others. With your volume a half ironman is not that hard. If it was only 4 weeks out I think you could race it to win it and then start the taper.
ReplyDeleteYou just do not want to ruin your peak.
BDD, i know what you mean. Unfortunately, there aren't any others nearby at that time, so my hands are tied. They've been known to change up the directions of the bike and run so, in some ways, it could be different, just in the same area.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I like your thinking and the comparison with a plane crash. I was already leaning toward doing that race anyway, alligator or not. Good news though, they did catch that wiley beast but i'm sure he has friends left behind ready to take his place : )
Sorry, can't help with Question #1, but I can with #2. I have used a 310xt since August 2009. It has been incredibly reliable and very easy to use. Although I only use it for running, I have worn it in all weather conditions (sun, high humidity, rain, snow, temps anywhere between 5 degrees and 95 degrees). I assume it has the same reliability when swimming. I think you have to purchase all the extras separately.. It seems like I had an email or some type of notice about a month ago that Garmin is offering a rebate on these through sometime this summer? Might want to consider that as well. Watch out for those alligators!
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I would go for the HIM! I am a total control freak so I'm all for testing my ability, nutrition, gear, etc before the big race and I think it's a huge bonus that it's on the same course. Six weeks is plenty of time to recover and let's be real here - a HIM is a light training day for you!
ReplyDeleteI have the Garmin and I LOVE it! In fact, it was my only training computer for the bike for most of my HIM training. It doesn't have cadence but it was great for everything else. The only down side is that it doesn't work in the pool. I think the back and forth laps confuse it but it's great in the open water (as long as auto pause is off). I personally couldn't live without mine. Hope that helps.
And WTF with the gator attack?! That is insane! Part of me thinks you'll be fine since odds are pretty low it could happen again but then there's that small part that never wants to race in a lake again!
You should do the HIM 6 weeks out not only for fitness but also to keep the momentum and more importantly the motivation going. Without a near term goal I find it super hard to get to that longer term goal. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think the recon mission idea sounds smart!
ReplyDeleteI agree with MissZippy about the odds thing. Its not likely besides the gator should be full for a while!
LOVE my Garmin 310xt with HR monitor..LOVE IT!!! I use it for biking and running, just got it in Feb. and can't believe I ran without one for two years. You have to pay an extra 50$ or so to get it packaged with the HR monitor...bike mount is separate (i don't have) I don't have a computer of any kind on my bike and I am new to biking, but I am thinkin the Garmin tells me everything I need (distance, time, avg mph, mile lap splits, etc)
ReplyDeletedownload all the info on the garmin connect webpage...its VERY cool!
OMG the alligator attack!
-Derek
I think you should definitely do the FL Challenge race. Last year we had 4 weeks in between and I thought that was plenty of time to recover (I used it as a training race). I found it very useful to practice holding back going iron pace while many others were going half iron pace. I worked on my nutrition and hydration (man was it HOT!) and learned some things too as I somehow lost all my gels but one in transition and had to wing it during the race!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, I read about the gator attack in the news. In a race, though, with so many people thrashing about, it's very unlikely to happen. Gators are always a possibility in our local lakes (even Lucky's Lake), but they are far from being infested with them. I did a race at UCF a couple yrs ago and the swim was in a little lake where there were signs on the shore warning people not molest the alligators!
I agree with everyone who suggests doing the HIM, but BDD got me thinking about the recon vs. been-there-done-that side of it. I think I run faster over trail I've already followed. It'll be interesting to hear in October which it was.
ReplyDeleteI have the 310XT -- will bring it to show you and and fill you in on Friday.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help you! I wish I had a Garmin, I always use my running partner's stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI concur with the group... do the HIM. 6 weeks out for you is just fine, and it will show you how great you'll do. Although I kind of side with Big Daddy Diesel on the "been there done that" possibility of doing 2 races in the same place...but then I get bored easily. : )
ReplyDeleteHey KC - I agree with what everyone is saying, a HIM 6 weeks out would be a good thing. I really need a race or something close at hand to keep the motivation going. YEAH and we get another awesome race report. I think the distance/endurance experience you have leading to IM, the better.
ReplyDeletePS - Last year the FL Challenge and GFT bike courses were quite different b/c FL Challenge was a loop in the OPPOSITE direction (we headed out EAST first then went up 19, SOUTH on Buckhill and then did Sugarloaf and looped back). Not sure what Fred has up his sleeve this year though!
ReplyDeleteWell, i think i know what i'm doing on Sept 12!! Thanks for the valuable and much appreciated input. Shirley, I heard Fred changes up the course direction for the bike quite often. Hoping to get Sugarloaf and Buckhill done in the early stages.
ReplyDeleteI think 6 weeks is enough time if you don't go crazy out there.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the 310, but I've been happy with my 305. I got the bike mount and its great, but if you go that route you'll need to get the separate wrist band too.
I saw you mention aero wheels.. I've known a few people who have done racedaywheels.com and been very happy with them.
KC, sorry for the delay:
ReplyDelete1) A HIM in that timeframe is perfect as part of a training plan. I know a gazillion people that do that successfully.
2) I have the 310xt. I'm not super in love with it but its short comings are more in the power meter stuff on the bike (I just got an Edge500 to try on the bike). The 310xt doesn't really help on the swim since it isn't that accurate but it shines on the run.
Had to LOL at the alligator attack thing. My training partner is deathly afraid of dogs coming at her when we're riding, and we always joke that she doesn't have to be faster than the DOG, just faster than ME. So, there ya go - don't be afraid, just swim faster than everyone else and you'll be fine! :-)
ReplyDeleteBTW - let me clarify that I am NOT laughing about the guy getting attacked by an alligator. That's horrifying. I've got a sick sense of humour, but not THAT sick!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, congrats on your awesome race, you deserve this break!
ReplyDeleteI think doing an HIM six weeks out would give you plenty of time to recovery and make last min adjustments on training, it actually sounds like a really smart idea as long as you LISTEN to your body during the race...really think of it as long training day with cool SWAG!
Wow, you're really checking out the Garmins. I'm toying with the idea of buying one too; it sounds like it would be worth the investment but I have no idea what to look for in terms of models.
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same problem this week after my race. Realistically, though, work has been a huge factor in my lack of running. I got out only twice. Thank goodness for the long weekend and an extra day to squeeze in some longer mileage again.