Anne -- I'm in awe that you are training for a tri. There's a little voice in the back of my head that tells me I should do one some day, there's certainly lots of opportunity in my area. I'm just not a very strong swimmer, and the very idea of a chaotic, mass-start, open ocean swim kind of freaks me out. I did start swimming a few weeks ago, I hadn't really "swam" for YEARS, and never really "lap swam" for exercise. I had to remember how to do the front crawl, and breathe .... I'm seeing some progress, but I need a whole lot more work before I can even contemplate a tri. Biking isn't much better, although I can certainly ride a bike, I haven't ridden anything but a fat tire for years, and that only casually. Nothing serious. So, my hat's off to you!!

And I certainly understand not being able to do everything, there's only so many hours in the day and you have to pick your exercise priorities.

thanks for all the advice. i think you're right, i just need to take it easy. i have always been secretly really competitive with myself and i prob just need to take a chill pill. it's not like the world is gonna explode if i have to walk or something.
but assuming i want to put my best foot forward, what do you all recommend would be good to eat for breakfast morning of?

I’ve been a bit under the weather this week, but being determined to stick to my training schedule I went out and did my 7 miles yesterday. I took it really slow and was sucking wind like crazy, but it was manageable. Feeling a bit better today, planning to go out for 3 miles after work.

I’ve been having trouble finding time to do much other than running, my training schedule has me running 5 days a week and as I’m getting closer to the end the runs are of course longer. I try to make it to yoga class and usually roll out my mat at home for 15 – 20 min after each run, but strength training hasn’t made it back into my routine yet. I was in the habit of doing a Power Pump class twice a week, plus some lifting/calisthenics on my own on the weekends for a wile, that really made an amazing difference. Unfortunately, every time I start back up I get so sore I can barely walk after the first few sessions, I’m scared to do that to my body right now when I need my legs for running!

I’ve toyed with the idea of a tri someday, probably a sprint, I can’t imagine a full. I used to swim competitively, I rather like the idea of getting back to the pool, but I’ve never done any serious cycling. Maybe I should try doing some more of that this summer. I wish there was a tri that was swim/rollerblade/run.

sws19 - I like to just have fruit for breakfast before a run. It’s easy digest so it won’t slow you down, and the sugars will get into your bloodstream quick for the energy you need. I’d also suggest avoiding dairy that morning (well, I say to avoid dairy at all times cause it is teh devil, but that’s just me ) as it can increase mucous and make breathing a little more difficult.

I would just eat what you normally eat in the morning before a workout. Something light and easy to digest. One of the cardinal rules is "nothing new on race day". So, I would stick with something that you know works well for you. Also, Make sure you hydrate during the race, drink when you are thirsty.

One trap to avoid is over-refueling after the race. According to the calculators, a 150 pound average person burns approximately 100 calories per mile. So a 3.1 mile race only burns off around 300 calories -- and one bagel is more than that. So be careful around those post-race goody tables loaded with carbs, it is very easy to eat back WAY more than you just burned!!

haha! that is sooo true, MBN. i'm a notorious overeater on exercise days. i'll definitely have to keep that in mind. but as for your suggestion to just eat what i normally eat in the morning before a workout: therein lies the rub.
i normally cannot workout in the morning. i'm a total late afternoon/early evening person. the few times i have tried going for a run before 2pm have all ended in me tanking out after about 1 mile or so (as opposed to the 5-6 miles i do in afternoon/evening runs). so clearly i have not figured out what the optimal food choice would be. or why this keeps happening to me. the only thing i can say is that i'm reaaallly not a morning person. also, i generally try to avoid having blood drawn before noon because my blood pressure is so low or something that the technician can NEVER find a vein. i know this is a half-baked theory, but could this be related? if so, any suggestions as to how to remedy the situation?

I don't want to second-guess your training schedule at this stage of the game, but just to let you know -- I've never run more than 4 days per week. When I was training for my full marathon, I did it with 3 days per week of running, but I was slower and less conditioned then. Only one run per week is the long run, my other runs are around 5 milers. My current mileage is 25-30 miles/week. The 4 day schedule gives me more time to do other things and crosstrain. I just found I can't do more than that without risking overuse injury, but then I'm 20 years older than you. Just another perspective!

I wish there was a hike/kayak/run tri. Oh wait, I think they call that Adventure racing!

[QUOTE=sws19;2722543]
i normally cannot workout in the morning. i'm a total late afternoon/early evening person. the few times i have tried going for a run before 2pm have all ended in me tanking out after about 1 mile or so (as opposed to the 5-6 miles i do in afternoon/evening runs). so clearly i have not figured out what the optimal food choice would be.
/QUOTE]

I don't know that food/fuel will solve things for you. The excitement of the race will definitely pump you up, so that should help. Food choices that have worked for me include carbs and protein combined. My favorite is a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with my absolutely essential cup of morning coffee. I just make sure to eat it at least a couple of hours before race start, to allow for digestion. But, again, I would stick to something that you know that sits well on your stomach. I hope that helps!!

Another lousy run. 3 miles planned, and I got 1.5 miles in before it fell apart for random run/walk intervals. Of course this was after supporting DH in his 10K and chasing after a couple of kids with stroller stuff and porta pottie intervals, plus it was getting hot by the time it was my turn, so perhaps lousy run was to be expected. And better than no run for that matter.

Swim tomorrow. Trying again on Tuesday.

Anne

I haven't been running (yes I know bad me). 2 weeks from today, I have a 5k.... There is also an optional 1.7 mile dog walk. I'm going, I'm not sure I'm going to attempt to run or do run/walk intervals or do the dog walk. I looked at the race results from last year and someone finished in 50+ minutes so I feel ok about doing the 5k. Although I don't want to be the last person.

Cake Batter started a May runner thread:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170640