KVesey's Group - WORKING HARD

Welcome, Todd! You have the honor of being my first mentee. And the fact that we're practically neighbors is great. We can definitely meet up sometimes. We'll also be at some of the same races (unfortunately, I am out of town for Soak up the Sun).

I am on my way out for the evening, but I will take a look at your logs tomorrow and may have some specific questions for you after that.

Otherwise, let's get started!

Hello Karen,

My name is Dan and I come from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.  I am a beginner Tri-athlete.  I have never done one before and looking to do about 3 this year.  I am 36 and an avid adult league hockey player. I play hockey twice a week in the winter and once a week in the summer.  I am expecting my first child in July and this has always been a goal of mine to compete in.  I have 3 races planed already.

June 6^th

Lakeside Triathlon Weekend

Saturday, June 06, 2009 and Sunday, June 07, 2009

There are no significant changes to the HSBC Triathlon Series’ most long standing event.  Now in its 8th year, the Lakeside Triathlon has become one of the most popular events in our series.  With a tree-covered grass transition area, that is only meters from the spring-fee lake and meters from both the bike and run courses, who could ask for better. 

Lakeside Triathlon II Triathlon Weekend

Saturday, September 19, 2009 and Sunday, September 20, 2009

Any help with training and suggestions would be great.

Thanks and I hope you will help me with the achievement of my goal.

Dan

Hi Karen,

Let me introduce myself, I am AJ and i am from Burlington Ontario, I am 20 years old (not sure if there is like an age limit on your group)

Story: every since i was little i wanted to be an athlete. when i was 8 years old i started equestrian and i eventually i competed in Eventing up the level of Provincials. then i was in a car accident and i could not walk for a good portion of 2 years. i did start up riding again but it was much different. when i was 16 years old, i stopped equestrian because of school and what not, and i started skiing. as of last year i was on the regional free-style ski team (terrian parks- aerials, half pipe, etc.) i have been an avid cyclist for years during the time i could not walk, i would bike every where, where i would end up biking to school (did not want to be bullied on the bus). i bike about 50k a day. (i would use cycling as cross training in the summer while i was not skiing.)

Family: i have a boyfriend of around 3 1/2 years.

Training: now that i have started college i have fallen out of everything i do. so i need a new start/ new sport. with the reccommendation of a friend in the Armed Forces, i have wanted to try doing a tri. (maybe at the end of the season?)

Welcome, everyone!

I wanted to let you know that I've quickly read your introductions, and I am very excited to work with each of you this spring. I see a lot of connections, and I think we can develop a positive, and hopefully motivating, group.

I will respond to everyone individually, but am pressed for time right now. I plan to get back online this evening. I just wanted to let you know that I read your posts and am happy to include you in our mentor group.

Talk to you soon.

NAME: cshollon/Cory

STORY: I'm 36 yo and living in Las Vegas.  I was fairly athletic growing up, but then I went to college and grad school and started smoking more than anything else.  A quick marriage and divorce while still in college packed on the pounds, but I managed to get back to what I consider a "fighting weight" (180) when I joined the USAF in 1998.  I fly fighters, and even though its a fairly physically demanding job at time, I still gained a bunch of weight over the last 5 years or so.  I was still smoking and eating too much and just not moving outside my job.  I got digusted with myself and started losing weight last year.  I've dropped 35 pounds so far, but I'm stuck at 190.  To help keep me motivated, I took up training for triathlons and got hooked.  I've quit smoking, but I still struggle with it pretty much daily.

FAMILY STATUS: Married, two kids.

CURRENT TRAINING: General base training right now with two to three workouts in each discipline each week and one rest day.  I'm logging about 15 miles running, 3 hours on the bike, and 2K+ yds on each swim workout

THIS YEAR'S RACES: I did one tri last year, doing one tomorrow and have several more planned this year with the "A" races being a half marathon in early August and a half Ironman in late October. 

WEIGHTLOSS: I am stuck at 190.  I can't seem to move down any more.  I've tried cutting back to 1500 cals per day, but still not dropping the weight.  I'm 6'1", 36 yo and 191 as of last Monday.

GOALS: 
Stay quit smoking
Weight 180
Finish Soma Half Ironman (<6 hours)
Finish ET Half Marathon (<2 hours) 

Cheers,
Cory

Hi!!
I'm Christine and I'd also like to join this group.
There's only one problem though: I'm not yet 18 so I'm wondering whether this is allowed? However, I would love to become more fit and be able to do triathlons (I already run a bit). Weight loss is also a big motivation for me. I've recently gotten into working out and I really LOVE it!! (Not kidding here in the least.)
Anyway, if I'm allowed to join, please tell me?
Thanks!!

Marsha, it's great to have you in the group. I am always very impressed (and personally motivated) by parents who find a way to make the time for triathlon training. Good for you! 

I'll take a look at your logs over the next couple of days and leave you some thoughts and ideas, but as for the whole running thing... Try not to think about it as a chore. Running is playtime, and there's nothing that says you have to go out and run for 30 minutes straight at one speed. Find ways to make it more interesting. Break up the run with walks. Whatever you need to do get through it. A few months ago, my sister, the mom of two toddlers, was training for a 5k and used some of her runs to get the dog out too. She e-mailed me all frustrated because the dog kept stopping to sniff stuff. I told her to enjoy Louie being a dog and not worry about it. She still ended up with the same result and a great 5k a few weeks later.

On the other hand, you may never get into running. Some people don't. Then, it's just a matter of accepting it's part of the process and doing what you need to do to get through your races. You don't have to love or even enjoy running.

But I hope that you will.  

lee.eddison - 2009-04-17 12:50 AM Hi Karen,

I'd like to join your group please!

I recently completed by first outdoor tri (a 300m swim/10km bike/3km run) and suck at swimming big time!! I am about to embark on a 6 month training journey to a) get my swimming up to a half decent level b) be able to complete a sprint distance tri.  it is my hope that at the end of the 09-10 season (I'm in Australia and our summer goes over the end of the year) I'll complete an Olympic Distance tri.

I have always ran and am pretty quick running off the bike... which is a good thing as I have tons to catch up from the swim   I think being part of a mentor group will keep me sane on the tough training days, and also allow me to inpart some of my experiences and knowledge with others (I work as a qualified personal trainer).

Thanks,

Lee

Lee,

Congrats on your first outdoor tri. I tell you what...even though I was a decent swimmer before triathlons, I totally sucked at open water swims. I remember one race where I came out of the water dead last.

It will come, though. Swimming is a little more tricky than the other two sports, but with the right coaching, drills, and practice, practice, practice, it will definitely get better.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so and leave some of my thoughts and ideas.

nstone77 - 2009-04-17 3:33 AM Aloha Karen,

My name is Nathan and I am wondering if you would take me as a member of your team.  I don't really consider myself a swimmer, biker, or even a runner, but I do consider myself athletic and disciplined.  I have always loved activity, whether it be running, hiking, biking, tennis, basketball, yoga, or even a simple walk.  Anything that has me moving, makes me feel more alive. 
I have toyed with the idea of a triathlon for a while, but I recently moved to Hawaii and everything I need to train is right at my fingertips 365 days a year, so I have no more excuses.  I am hitting the ground running, I am shooting for a sprint on May 9th, which I know leaves me very little time for training, but I have been doing a fair amount of biking, swimming, and running, just not with the clear intention of doing a triathlon.  I'm sure I am going to learn a lot of things the hard way by jumping in so quickly, but I'm prepared for that. 
I love the idea of this mentoring program and I think your style and background would pair well with my style and goals.  I'm thinking of doing another sprint June 7th and then an Olympic on July 19th.  The good thing is I'm single with no kids and I can't stand sitting around doing nothing, so I might as well be outside training- but not overtraining.

Nathan,

Welcome to the group! I think maybe we should plan a group meeting at your place. In Hawaii.

I bet you'll do great at your first race next month. I know when I did my first triathlon, even though I was fairly proficient at each of the disciplines, I was surprised at how hard it was to put them all together. But fun!

In the next couple of days, I'll take a look at your logs and give you some ideas and thoughts.

I look forward to working with you!

Dan,

Welcome to the group. I am happy to help you get through those first triathlons this summer. I'll take a look at you logs and give you some thoughts and suggestions in the next day or so.

AJ,

I am a fellow equestrian. I, too, spent much of my youth riding and showing horses. Gave it up when I went to college because of the expense. Someday, I hope to go back...it is my first love.

I am impressed that you in now way let your accident...as devastating as it was...stop you from being the athlete you want to be. It sounds like a triathlon is definitely doable. You may want to look at some sprints in your area toward the end of the season so you have a goal to focus on with your training.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so and give you some ideas and feedback on your training.

Tracy,

That's exactly what I'm here for: motivation. I'm always happy to give someone a quick (and gentle) kick.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so and give you some pointers and ideas. The most important thing for me is that we keep this fun. We already have jobs and other responsibilities. Triathlon should be our playtime.

Cory,

Welcome to the group. A fighter pilot, eh? Very cool. I work for a company that does aircraft maintenance and logistics support, including several fighters. 

Sounds like you've got a good start on your training. How did the race go today, BTW? I think weight is one of those things we all struggle with, but at this point, I would suggest that you not focus so much on the weight and focus more on training and eating healthy. I think you may find the weight loss will come around.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so and share some thoughts.

Jon,

I rode a mountain bike for my first triathlon. Nothing wrong with that. Plus, you'll be very friendly with your mountain bike if you do Xterra races.

I applaud your commitment to sign up for and do a race. It will be fun, and you have plenty of time to get ready for it.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so and give you some ideas and feedback.

It's going to be a big group, but I'm not turning anyone away. I think we'll manage just fine.

I'll take a look at your logs in the next day or so. Unfortunately, I can't help with the tire changing. I am awful at it, but have been lucky so far with no flats in races. I'm sure my time will come.

So, what can I call you (rather than run45)?