Jon Metz's Group - FULL

amyjotris - 2010-04-16 1:09 PM

Need some motiviation and a good mentor! Would like to be part of this group!

se7930 - 2010-04-16 2:56 PM

The motivation I have, the knowledge and understanding of training techniques, how to get the most out of my workouts, general Triathlon topics such as gear and what to expect on race day are areas I would like to have help.

I have my first tri-sprint race next weekend (very nervous and excited). I have been training for this for about 3 months now. I started my transition 9 months ago at 260lbs and am currently 194. At 6'2" I feel I am getting close to a good weight and I am able to swim, bike, and run the sprint distances without issue. My major goal for this year is a HIM in October. I have identifed a few races over the next 3 months to help me prepare (a couple of sprints and atleast 1 Olympic distance) but after that I really am up in the air about a training schedule for the HIM. I know I should be starting now to be ready for that distance in October

I would very much like to join your group for guidance as I work toward my main goal for this year

se7930 - 2010-04-16 3:33 PM the race next weekend is in Flower Mound, Tx .. 275 yard pool swim, 11 mile ride, and 5K run ... I figured that these are good first race distances. I guess just nervous becuase I dont know what to expect on race day. I know when to get up, what to eat and how long before the race to eat, I have watched a few vidoes about setting up my transition area. But i just dont know what to expect on race day. I have heard some stories about pool swims getting a little scrazy as people try and pass others, etc. I dont feel confident yet enough with the bike to have my shoes locked in and me trying to get into them on the fly, things like that ... Also, how hard should I push my training next week leading up to the race? Should I back off and just take a few shorter rides,runs, and swims or with the short distance does that matter?

se7930 - 2010-04-16 3:33 PM the race next weekend is in Flower Mound, Tx .. 275 yard pool swim, 11 mile ride, and 5K run ... I figured that these are good first race distances. I guess just nervous becuase I dont know what to expect on race day. I know when to get up, what to eat and how long before the race to eat, I have watched a few vidoes about setting up my transition area. But i just dont know what to expect on race day. I have heard some stories about pool swims getting a little scrazy as people try and pass others, etc. I dont feel confident yet enough with the bike to have my shoes locked in and me trying to get into them on the fly, things like that ... Also, how hard should I push my training next week leading up to the race? Should I back off and just take a few shorter rides,runs, and swims or with the short distance does that matter?

mponder - 2010-04-16 4:00 PM I need some good motivation and a mentor. I just completed my first sprint on 4/10 (0.5m/10m/4m) in 1:25:53, and got the tri bug, which I knew I would. I'm competing in St. Anthony's (OLY) on 4/25 in St. Pete, FL with a goal time of 3:20.

My story: Played hockey in college and studied engineering, graduated, stopped working out and started sitting at a desk, then got out of shape and overweight. About two years ago I was tired of feeling, well... blah, I got back into the gym and started running. Last year I started swimming, and this year I got into tri's. In the last two years I've dropped 25lbs and I'm now back to my college weight.
I'm very competitive with myself and would like some tips from experienced triathletes to better my results.

mponder - 2010-04-16 4:20 PM My greatest challenge at St. A's is going to be the swim without a doubt. I'm going without a wetsuit, I want to race with my age group - not be in the "wetsuit pack." I guess they are planning on having the wetsuit wave last. I shocked myself with my swim last week, 0.5 miles in 13 mins (lightning fast for me, as I haven't swam competitively since I was 12 years old). I guess race mentality took over. I'm working on form and joined a masters swim class a few weeks ago.

I'm getting a race belt this time too, putting my shirt on with the number pinned to it was quite a task last week. My T1 was 8:42, average time was around 3:30 and moved me back about 15 positions - chalk that up as a lesson learned. Looking forward to St. A's, I've heard nothing but awesome things about it.

mponder - 2010-04-16 4:43 PM Good point on the drafting. I didn't do that on my first race, since I'm so new I don't know all the etiquette of the sport yet and didn't want to annoy someone experienced. So when I encountered feet I backed off a bit.  At wave start I stayed toward the outside and back with all the other newbies, but ended up passing quite a few of them. I'll try it with my swim group, we have a swim planned Wednesday at race site.

blueyedbikergirl - 2010-04-16 4:45 PM Hey Jon!

I'm just getting started with tri's so can use all the help I can get!

Story:
I'm 35 and grew up being involved in competitive sports, then I had to have my right knee reconstructed twice, and broke my back twice, which kind of limited what I was able to do for a little while.  I lost about 40lbs last year and have been fighting to keep it off ever since, with this last month seeing me gain back about 10, which I'm going to lose.  I got tired of working out just for the sake of working out, so decided to try something completely new to me - and of course there's the 'why suck at one sport when you can suck at three... all in the same day!

I just completed my first super sprint (300m s/15km b/3.5km r) in just under an hour and I've got 2 sprints coming up followed by an Olympic distance.  I'm good with the swimming and biking, but running is my absolute nemesis! 

Hope you've got room for me

mcox06 - 2010-04-16 4:49 PM Hi,

I would like to join the group.  I am graduating Virginia Tech in May and just got an itch to do a tri.  I workout 6 days a week usually twice a day.  I mix a lot of hitt along with training for strength.  I also do Brazilian Jujitsu.  I am in good shape but feel like this will be a good new challenge since my training is for short periods compared to a tri.  I am planning on competing in the Xterra race in Richmond VA in the championship distance(i think that is the olympic distance).  So I kind of have no idea what to do with nutrition.  I have a good diet but I have what most people would call a weird diet.  It is called the "warrior diet" but I really enjoy it for my current goals but think it is not appropriate for endurance training.  I basically only eat a small snack(1 or 2 poached eggs and some berries) after my a.m workout and same after the midday to pm workout.  Then around 5-6pm I eat a huge meal with lots of fresh veggies (raw and cooked) and some kind of lean meat usually chicken or turkey some ground beef when I train really hard.  usually finish with some variety of fruits.   Where do I begin?  I think swimming will be my biggest challenge!  I will be using a mountain bike for my events.  Next year I plan on completing an International Ironman as my goal.  I am a motivated individual but mainly need some kind of plan.  I know my fair share about training for strength, speed, explosiveness, and short intense blend of cardio and strength, but I don't think these will help in this kind of event.  Sorry that short bio got out of hand...

mcox06 - 2010-04-16 4:59 PM Also I havn't bought the mountain bike yet but have biked in the past.  I don't know what bike I should get since I'm trying to spend less than $400.00.  Any advice or just go to a local bike shop?

Is overtraining a big concern with training for the Ironman?  I have talked to people that recommend doing some strength training along with the sport specific stuff but none of the online programs mention strength training...just the typical swim 30 mins, next day run 30 mins, next day bike 45 mins...I just made this training schedule up.  Here is one someone sent me.

M: Swim 30-45/Strength 30-45
T: run 30 (intervals or hills)
W: 2.5 hr ride with hills
th: Run 60-90min + strenght
Fri: off or strength (if not on thur)
Sa: long Run + swim 60
Su: long ride

Just seems like there is a thin line between progression and overtraining here...

Aneides - 2010-04-16 4:47 PM I'd like to join the group if I may.

I come from a run background, meaning I've been running off and on for about 5 yrs but taking it more seriously in the last two.  I am doing my first Boston in a couple days and I'm more nervous than I've ever been for a race because I have a couple nagging injuries (calf tweak, PF) that could make me DNF since I don't want to blow the rest of the season. 

My first triathlon is a small half length June 6th.  I'm considering doing Steelheader at the end of July to get a bigger race experience.  My A Race this year is the Detroit Marathon, and I'd like to go sub 3.  I thought I do that last fall but didn't have the mpw.

Right now I'm single with no pets and the job is mostly 9-5.  I'm 39 and generally happy with my weight (lost 60 lbs to get here).  So I'd like to see how this year goes, bump up to a full length next year and consider trying to qualify for Kona probably in 2012 depending on what my life is looking like and how my skills and fitness develop (I feel like I'm almost there in the run at this point).  As it turns out, I love riding. And the swimming is coming along fine (I grew up on a lake so at least I'm very comfortable in the water if not terribly fast yet). 

The biggest question I have now is which full length to sign up for.  I live in MI and have a moderately limited budget.  The LBS where I got my bike and got fitted may start doing an annual IMFL trip with a group of people.  Obviously IMMOO and IMKY are relatively easy drives.  I could stay with a friend if I did IMAZ, but getting there would be a haul.  I suppose IMLP isn't that far of a drive either when it comes down to it.

And I have a bunch of stupid little questions that are so stupid and little they don't warrant their own thread on the main board.

mcox06 - 2010-04-16 5:31 PM So would you recommend just a generic program like the ones found on this site or http://www.ironmanpower.com/training/Weeks.aspx?weeknumber=2/>
I don't care to have the fastest time I just want to finish with a respectable time.