You don't want to complicate things though, because at the end of the day most of the advice given on these threads is pretty generic anyway - it's not rocket science. If you have a dozen threads with very specific targets then nobody knows where to start. I imagine there's a few newbies who don't look in the 'Fatman to Ironman' thread because they think they don't fit the brief, when there's lots of useful stuff in there that isn't weight-specific.
You only have to look at how the RW Asics Paris marathon lot struggle to find 6 distinct categories every year, then you find that everyone they pick could fit into at least three of them.
I was asked to be a mentor on the marathon threads but didnt want to do it as some of those threads have attracted folks that show up simply to ruin the threads in the past through jealousy or whatever else, I said I was prepared to do it off-line though. Dont think that would happen on a IM thread though as the folks are more supportive.
I've not seen that happen on mentoring threads, but then I guess I don't read all fo them. I ahve seen it happen when an explosive collection of people have decided to contribute on a general thread for a specific event.
My problem with mentoring publically is that I don't feel that I am The Expert and I'm concerned about people taking what I say as gospel because of the title of Mentor. At the end of the day there are loads of ways of going about things and my way is only one of them. There are too many people who like the black and white answers
SuperCaz I understand that. There are so many ways to deal with Ironman training and many approaches to how to tackle the beast not just physically but mentally too. In my early days I used to go around in circles a lot, listening to all the advice going around and getting quite anxious in the process.
Some wise soul (Meldy probably) told me just to listen to my mentor and block out everything else. It's why finding a mentor for Ironman isn't as straight forward as wanting to attain a similar performance. You need support on a lot more levels than a training plan alone. Especially during the peak phase when the thought of a little light dusting can tip you over the edge .... It's important to find someone who *gets* your life's pressures.
It's very easy to feel you're not doing enough or too much if you're listening to too many voices. That would be my only concern.
Seren - yes, jealousy from folks not selected on the official thread etc, can spill over a bit onto the unofficial ones, depends a bit upon who gets into the thread, dont think it would happen on unofficial IM ones though.
As my 2nd Mentee is just about to cross the finish line at IMUK, can I just say how much pleasure mentoring 2 people to iron distance finishes this year has given me.
I now have a husband / wife team and a dnf at Outlaw this year to work with and I am very excited about what we can achieve together.
if anyone is unsure about being a mentor it is highly recommended
As my 2nd Mentee is just about to cross the finish line at IMUK, can I just say how much pleasure mentoring 2 people to iron distance finishes this year has given me.
I now have a husband / wife team and a dnf at Outlaw this year to work with and I am very excited about what we can achieve together.
if anyone is unsure about being a mentor it is highly recommended
I really enjoyed mentoring last year and look forward to mentoring my 2 peeps this next year!
I'm going to give this one a bounce as I'm all keen at the moment having finished my first IM and am deciding which (how many) to do next year, and to prepare Jaffa for all my stupid bike questions I need to get answered.
Comments
You don't want to complicate things though, because at the end of the day most of the advice given on these threads is pretty generic anyway - it's not rocket science. If you have a dozen threads with very specific targets then nobody knows where to start. I imagine there's a few newbies who don't look in the 'Fatman to Ironman' thread because they think they don't fit the brief, when there's lots of useful stuff in there that isn't weight-specific.
You only have to look at how the RW Asics Paris marathon lot struggle to find 6 distinct categories every year, then you find that everyone they pick could fit into at least three of them.
I was asked to be a mentor on the marathon threads but didnt want to do it as some of those threads have attracted folks that show up simply to ruin the threads in the past through jealousy or whatever else, I said I was prepared to do it off-line though. Dont think that would happen on a IM thread though as the folks are more supportive.
Wow! Does that really happen? That surprises me.
I've not seen that happen on mentoring threads, but then I guess I don't read all fo them. I ahve seen it happen when an explosive collection of people have decided to contribute on a general thread for a specific event.
My problem with mentoring publically is that I don't feel that I am The Expert and I'm concerned about people taking what I say as gospel because of the title of Mentor. At the end of the day there are loads of ways of going about things and my way is only one of them. There are too many people who like the black and white answers
TR.I have nticed it a couple of times with the offical threads.....but not on the unoffical ones......
they are always light hearted and fun and taken for what they are......as far as i have seen
SuperCaz I understand that. There are so many ways to deal with Ironman training and many approaches to how to tackle the beast not just physically but mentally too.
In my early days I used to go around in circles a lot, listening to all the advice going around and getting quite anxious in the process.
Some wise soul (Meldy probably) told me just to listen to my mentor and block out everything else. It's why finding a mentor for Ironman isn't as straight forward as wanting to attain a similar performance. You need support on a lot more levels than a training plan alone. Especially during the peak phase when the thought of a little light dusting can tip you over the edge .... It's important to find someone who *gets* your life's pressures.
It's very easy to feel you're not doing enough or too much if you're listening to too many voices. That would be my only concern.
Seren - yes, jealousy from folks not selected on the official thread etc, can spill over a bit onto the unofficial ones, depends a bit upon who gets into the thread, dont think it would happen on unofficial IM ones though.
Really?
'Shag yourself gene pool'??
Can you explain that one please?
I think we can make it whatever we want as a group to make it
Yes. That's what I thought. Whether or not that means we should shag ourselves remains to be seen
I'm off to look at the piccies of my mentee.......to see if they are shaggable......i suspect one is......the other is probably not my type.
I'm wondering the same about mine Seren. I believe we might have to share him
As my 2nd Mentee is just about to cross the finish line at IMUK, can I just say how much pleasure mentoring 2 people to iron distance finishes this year has given me.
I now have a husband / wife team and a dnf at Outlaw this year to work with and I am very excited about what we can achieve together.
if anyone is unsure about being a mentor it is highly recommended
Be warned the ladies are on the hunt.
What's new Cake
I really enjoyed mentoring last year and look forward to mentoring my 2 peeps this next year!
I'm going to give this one a bounce as I'm all keen at the moment having finished my first IM and am deciding which (how many) to do next year, and to prepare Jaffa for all my stupid bike questions I need to get answered.
I think I've frightened mine off
And it's not even 2014 yet, good work.
I know I know ... !!
Jaffa... bike questions... and you're looking for sensible answers I presume?!
Good luck with that!!
You should be so lucky Melds
To be fair my questions are generally, what are these gears on the left hand side for and why is it so scary going downhill so he should cope.
They're still hanging around from last year
I am more than aware that last years are still hanging on