2013 IM Mentoring

see I knew you wouldn't stand me up for anything as silly and girlie as shopping!

GP that sounds like fate!!

slowerthanilook wrote (see)

Daz wrote (see)

Recommend 'Going Long' for general advice on long-d triathlon.  Nicely condensed.

I find "Going Long" really difficult to get my head around. Guess it depends on your learning style. If you need to understand what you're doing,and be in control of it all, it's probably good. But it doesn't "tell" you what to do.... and the only example plans in there (even for "Novice Nick") start at about 16 hours a week.

For my money... Fink is a much better book for finishers... Going Long for competitors.

Never read Fink and determined never to do so. Read GL and alongside get a mentor you trust and is on your wavelength. Sorted.

GP, if you got Fink today, what plan (if any) did you do the Outlaw off the back of? Or did you just wing it somehow?

It's a good book, with some good tips for managing time well.

And no, reading it does NOT count as training.

Unless reading it whilst turboing of course! 

ST.......I see your really working hard to fit all your rest days in again........

ST.......Ok I believe you .....but I want a full report tomorrow......

Fink/Friel/Fred Blogs ... they are tried and tested methods but wont suit everybody

No reason to suggest that any one should ignore one or the other but I would certainly advise being familiar with a number of plans and methods before choosing one that appeals to you and suits your lifestyle which is much like the distance itself.

With regards the distance itself, no reason to tell someone who comes onto the forums who wants to do (in their opinion) the ultimate challenge of Ironman that that's not where its at any more ... those of us who came in to IM at whatever stage came in because it was a challenge and have gone on to achieve one or many of them, opinions are great as long as you allow others to have one and allow the receiver to have the choice.

Admittedly I'm a bit odd, but I think the race itself is the reward for all the hard work leading up to it. Particularly when it's your first one. If you've done the right thing in training, not overdone it, tapered well and got a sound nutrition strategy you can trot round in relative comfort and astound yourself with how brilliant you are. It's a great feeling. 

Im has been great for someone like me who has never been atheletic and yet have an adventurous spirit and wants to test the limits.  Although not gifted with any sporty genes I have a lot of focus and determination and used that to teach myself front crawl and then ride a bike etc.  The difference it has made for me is that it is now a lifestyle and the race is just as RBM has said in the past the 'icing on the cake'.  I now drink less and generally lead a much healthier lifestyle than I did once and really look forward to events such as the Chiltern 100, Ballbuster etc which are build up races and where I meet fellow Pirates.

Shorter races would be no good to me as my deficiencies are just exaggerated and it is IM which first captured my imagination as an incredible endurance achievement which at that time seemed impossible for anyone (let alone me) to achieve.  I dont think IM is better and I take off my hat to Olympic distance athletes who are at the front of the pack exhibiting V02 max's which would blow me away but it is not what motivates me.

Anything which can give you the fantastic experiences of different people, places you would never have visited ( Embrun) and a healthier lifestyle - including mind - cant be bad  

M...eldy wrote (see)

With regards the distance itself, no reason to tell someone who comes onto the forums who wants to do (in their opinion) the ultimate challenge of Ironman that that's not where its at any more ... those of us who came in to IM at whatever stage came in because it was a challenge and have gone on to achieve one or many of them, opinions are great as long as you allow others to have one and allow the receiver to have the choice.

Well said there, Melds.  I know that echoes my sentimentality on that point.

slimshady wrote (see)

Im has been great for someone like me who has never been atheletic and yet have an adventurous spirit and wants to test the limits.  Although not gifted with any sporty genes I have a lot of focus and determination and used that to teach myself front crawl and then ride a bike etc.  The difference it has made for me is that it is now a lifestyle and the race is just as RBM has said in the past the 'icing on the cake'.  I now drink less and generally lead a much healthier lifestyle than I did once and really look forward to events such as the Chiltern 100, Ballbuster etc which are build up races and where I meet fellow Pirates.

Shorter races would be no good to me as my deficiencies are just exaggerated and it is IM which first captured my imagination as an incredible endurance achievement which at that time seemed impossible for anyone (let alone me) to achieve.  I dont think IM is better and I take off my hat to Olympic distance athletes who are at the front of the pack exhibiting V02 max's which would blow me away but it is not what motivates me.

Anything which can give you the fantastic experiences of different people, places you would never have visited ( Embrun) and a healthier lifestyle - including mind - cant be bad  

Totally echoes my views. Doing an IM had totally changed my prespective on life, definitly one of the best things I have ever done.

Ridgebackmax wrote (see)

GP RBM is fine
KK why the Finkophobia? Both books bring something to the party and have good and bad points when i was a newbie i had never heard of the pirates and knew no one who had done an IM Fink was my saviour

Not Finkophobic, just no interest in reading it for me. I've heard enough about it to recommend that others read it, 2 of my mentees are really enjoying it. (Note the subtle difference in me saying I would recommend others read it, not recommend it)

I'm really not interested in sports science, ironically given my background in coaching and teaching all sorts of sports. And teaching people to coach and teach.

M...eldy wrote (see)

Fink/Friel/Fred Blogs ... they are tried and tested methods but wont suit everybody

No reason to suggest that any one should ignore one or the other but I would certainly advise being familiar with a number of plans and methods before choosing one that appeals to you and suits your lifestyle which is much like the distance itself.

With regards the distance itself, no reason to tell someone who comes onto the forums who wants to do (in their opinion) the ultimate challenge of Ironman that that's not where its at any more ... those of us who came in to IM at whatever stage came in because it was a challenge and have gone on to achieve one or many of them, opinions are great as long as you allow others to have one and allow the receiver to have the choice.

Is that last paragraph aimed at me? If so I'm confused....

Ooooh, Mentors

I could really do with a bit of support / guidance but really what I need is a regular @rse kicking.

I started Tri's in 2010 with the Cheltenham off road super sprint and then added a couple of sprints in and knew I was hooked. 2011 saw 2 sprints and an oly, also tried to get better at running with 2 halves and a full mara (Beachy head). 2012 - so far its been 2 sprints and oly and HIM (Cotswold 113)a half mara and I'll be back at Beachy mara in October.

I'm going to Outlaw in 2013 - I've read all the stuff about it, the Pirate support looks amazing, the race itself looks great and I want to do it - something I've wanted to do really since my first super sprint. That and it will be well before I'm 40 (well, just before I'm 40). I will also be cycling London-Paris so I have several motivators for the bike side of things, the swimming is coming on ok and I want to get the run cracked so I can do better in straight marathons.

Im based in North Staffs / Cheshire borders. Swim at Boundary park, run with Biddulph running club and cycle anywhere (I take the bike away with me on work trips around the UK). I love cycling, I'm getting into the swimming but the run is, and possibly always will be, my poorest discipline.

It would be great if someone sees fit to give me some guidance / prodding