Matchman's Group - FULL!

Hi Danielle!

Welcome to BT and to the mentoring group.  I think you'll find this to be an excellent site with LOTS of support for beginners.  Feel free to ask lots of questions and to search and browse the forums for whatever you might want to know.  Chances are excellent it's been discussed before.

Sounds like you've got a great athletic background which will serve you very well in tris.  I'm jealous.    I couldn't agree more on having a goal for all the exercise.  Its what keeps me going.

As for your pool tri clothing, you've got a couple of options.  There's such a thing as tri shorts (THESE are my favorites) which are a lot like cycling shorts but the pad is much lighter and won't get water logged so you can wear it for all three sports.  However, there are plenty of women from pro to amateur who race in their speedo-style swimsuits.  The key, I think, is to make sure you're not going to chafe like crazy on the bike and run.  Also, investing in BodyGlide is an excellent idea in general.  Its a chafe prevention wonder.  

As for your transition to the bike (aka T1) and run (aka T2), there's always a designated area for your stuff.  Most tri transition areas look something like this.  HERE is an article on how to set up your T area.   

As for a bike, well that really runs the gamut.  You could spend $100 or $10,000 if you wanted to.  Here's my advice and its based only on my own experience: find yourself a used road bike that fits you.  This serves two purposes: First, you don't have to spend a ton to get a decent bike should you decide tris (or cycling) aren't for you.  Second, it'll give you some time to decide what you really want when you fall in love with this sport.  I bought a tri bike after suffering a few months on a mountain bike but part of me wishes I'd bought a road bike.  My recommendation is to go to a good local bike shop and see if they can help you out.  Be frank about your needs and what you're willing to spend and don't accept any BS.  You might try posting in the Mass. Forum to get some recommendations on shops.  There are some awesome folks, especially KathyG who live near you who'll be more than willing to share their knowledge.  The bottom line is to find something that fits and will serve your needs.

I hope I've answered your questions and haven't driven you crazy with all the links.  Please keep asking any questions you have.  You'll be nervous for your first race either way but we'll do what we can to make sure you're prepared and help steer you clear of mistakes some of us made our first time out.

Again, welcome to BT.  

Tom 

WOW, WOW, WOW!

I never expected this to fill so quickly.  Sorry for having been asleep at the wheel all weekend. 

Welcome to Stephen, gonnatrione (please introduce yourself!), Pete, Aaron, and Neil.  Danielle, I hope you're OK with being our token woman. 

I'm so glad you all are here.  I'm looking forward to us motivating each other and learning from others' experiences.  It sounds like you're all charged up for a great 2007 season some exciting new beginnings. 

I'll respond individually to each post so that we're not taking the shotgun approach, at least not initially. 

Finally, in terms of expectations, I have only three: log your training, inspire each other in the blogs, and ask any question you might have.   

Cheers!

Tom

Welcome, Stephen.  We're glad to have you.  

sandert - 2007-01-18 4:16 PM

Hi Tom, I am just getting started in this thing. I am a 38 y/o male that started running about 16 months ago and have now finished 2 half-marathons and one full one (another full coming up in 4 weeks). 

 

Dang!  That's a lot in a year and 4 months.  Congratulations.  Your tri endeavors will be well served by your running work so far.  Also great to hear that you have solid family support.  That makes all the difference in successful training and racing.

I have been biking since last Feb when I bought a road bike to help with cross training for my first marathon. I was a competitive swimmer in high school, but that was 20 years ago. I have joined a Masters swim class and am swimming 3 times a week.

Excellent that you're doing the Masters swims.  For me, the presence of other swimmers makes the workouts soooo much easier and the stroke tips are invaluable.   How's it coming along for you?  Are you getting comfortable with the idea of a 1.2 mile open water swim?  Having been a competitive swimmer at a young age puts you waaaaaay ahead of a lot of triathletes, BTW.  Most of us dread time in the pool and race swims.  Thank goodness for the buoyancy that a few mm of neoprene provides!

I am currently following a runnersworld.com plan for my marathon with 3 days of running per week and have added the 3 swim days. Before Jan, I was doing 3 bike rides a week (2 shorter sessions 34-50 min and 1 long ride 60+ min), but with swimming starting, for now I have dropped to 1 long bike ride. I am registered for a half-ironman in June and am planning on doing at least 1 sprint before then, probably April or so.

A couple of thoughts as you finish up your marathon prep and start up with HIM training:

- Ramp up the bike mileage. 56 miles is one long as$ bike ride!  In my not so humble opinion, this is going to be way more important than the swimming.  Most people with a passable stroke will survive a 1.2 mile swim but the bike is a much more formidable challenge.  Just give that some thought and see if you can't get in some more T.I.T.S. (that's time in the saddle, sickos).

- Definitely do at least a race or two before your HIM even if you do them just as a long workout.  As I'm sure you well know, there's no substitute for race experience.

- Do a lot of bricks (run off the bike), even if its just a 15 or 20 minute run off your bike rides.  Mind you, this is advice I need to take myself.  I suffered (more mentally but physically, too) on the runs in my races last season because I didn't do enough brick work. 

That's all for now.

Cheers!

Tom

Hey everybody!  Sorry again for my absentee status as mentor.  I've been in corporate team reatreat meeting hell the past couple of days.  Sounds like everybody's doing well.  I'll start back up by officially welcoming Pete.   

Sounds like a great goal and a great way to get yourself motivated while you've got some  independent time, Pete.  Law School's a big a$$ commitment for your wife-to-be so I'm guessing she'll actually appreciate that you've found something to occupy your time while she's hitting the books.  

I assume you're in SoCal if you're doing the Redondo Tri?  I'm technically a CA native - born in Torrance - but my folks moved back here to MN when I was very young.  Anyhow, there's a very active tri community in the LA area.  I think LA Tri Club may be one of the biggest in the country.  There are a ton of resources for you locally and perhaps an opportunity to get hooked in with like-minded people. 

Again, more great goals, Pete.  Just as an aside, one of the things I like best about Triathlon is that there's no prejudice around size/body type.  You'll see every shape and size and age when you go to your first race and everyone's there competing on level footing.  That's not to say that you shouldn't commit to your weightloss goals but know that there's room for everybody and every body in triathlons and I think that's just plain cool.

As for the weightloss, I totally know where you're coming from.  I lost a bunch of weight to "look good for my wedding" but it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself (other than marry my beautiful wife, of course).  Eat good foods in appropriate portions and excercise and you won't have a problem dropping that weight in a hurry and keeping it off as long as you choose.  

As for training tips, my experience as a beginner has been that training plans are a big help so good choice there.  For me, it keeps me on track, creates the workouts for me, and removes some of the guesswork.  

My other tip is to consider a swim coach.  This may end up being a broken record sort of theme from me but I can't tell you how valuable its been.  It may be some financial outlay in what can be a very expensive sport but if you suffer on the swim, you're probably not going to have a whole lot of fun the rest of the way.  

Finally, have fun with this new endeavor.  It can feel daunting at first but you really can make the sport what you want it to be.  

Again, welcome and enjoy Cali!  BTW, where are you from originally?

Cheers!

Tom 

6 miles in a snow storm? You're a better man than I!  I get disheartened with a stiff head wind. 

I'll remember you when I start to make excuses for not training due to the weather quoting "Well it could be worst, I could have to run 6 miles in a snow storm!"

Keep up the good work, it's inspirational.

Aaron.