Runnerg1rl7's Group!! - Closed

NAME: jellogal / Sherist

STORY:  I wasn't too athletic growing up, but I wasn't really a couch potato, either.  I played a little soccer and a little tennis, but swimming was my favorite sport.  I swam competitively from 5th grade through my senior year of high school.  I don't enjoy running so much, so I'm hoping your enthusiasm will rub off on me.       I started training for triathlon after my duathlete cousin was killed in Iraq in July 2006.  I competed in my first triathlon in June 2007 in memory of him.  I loved the training, I loved the race & the participants...I just got lazy and quit training.   

FAMILY STATUS:  I am 28.  Single.  No kiddos.  My brother lives with me and my dog, Buddy.

I would like to be part of your group and have you mentor me Laura.  I feel I can relate better with you since you a somewhat newer to the sport.  I'm willing to do what it takes, just need help on what to do and how to do it.  I am focusing on just doing duathlons this year.  Did my first triathlon last year and the swimming destroyed me. 

Welcome Sherist!!

Well, you will be a big help when it comes to swimming-related issues!  I'll gladly swap you some running enthusiasm for some swimming enthusiasm!  Swimming is something I enjoy and apparently I've developed some decent form in the past year, but I'm still slow!

Congratulations on your weight loss so far!  The nutritional principles the SB diet is built on are sound - you're on the right track there, combining that with exercise.  Good job!

I was going to ask what you were thinking of doing in terms of a training plan, but then I read that you're going to pick out a BT one Friday.  Good!  I used one of BT's beginner sprint training plans (I believe it was either the 2x balanced or swim focused) and followed it closely for my first 2 races last year - worked well!  You may not have been run/bike/swimming lately, but you're off to a good start in terms of general fitness!  AND, even better - you've got a running partner lined up and a plan to bike commute!  Excellent.

Good for you getting out there last year in memory of your cousin - what a noble way to honor him!  My husband's an Iraq vet and my brother-in-law and a good friend are over there currently.

Anyway, glad to have you on board!  Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Hi Libby (FutureIronGirl)!  Welcome!  Glad to have you, too!

Well I hope you made it to class on time!  Thanks for squeezing this in first!  I certainly understand the demands of balancing life, school, and training.  For the 4 years I've been working on my master's degree part time while working full time - then last year I threw in tri training!  Yikes!  I've found the training has added even more structure to my days, though, and helped me with time management.

HOW COOL that you're going to do a triathlon with your mom this year!  My own mom got back into running regularly last September and I've enjoyed running a few 5Ks with her since.

How has the Couch to Sprint plan been working for you thus far?

Hello to all,

I hope you have room or one more!!

I am very new to this sport, I do not know of anyone who has competed in any tri’s and don’t really know too much about the sport.  All I know is that I want to do it. 

I guess I should tell you a little about myself.  I was active as a child, softball, track and cheerleading (but never a die heart for track…kept it to short distance because of asthma).  Went on to college and still cheered, that kept me in shape and working out.  After that I started to slow down and now hear I am in my late 20’s wanting to get back into shape and… my old body back.

I am currently working out…just three days a week lifting and doing cardio.  Please don’t laugh but it has taken me a long time to be able to run/jog 2.5 miles.  So needless to say I have a lot of work ahead of me!  I just joined a swim class so I can learn the “proper” way to swim.  Every other week I join in on the cycle class they offer at the gym.

I am hoping to compete at the end of the summer and if I am not able to do it this year I will for sure do them next year. 

It would be great to have some females to talk to about the sport as well as learn a ton of info as well. 

Thanks,

Jennifer

Hi John (jsoza)!

Well then I'd like to have you as part of my group!  I'll be happy to help however I can!  Do you have any duathlons already scheduled?  What's your current training looking like?  What are your goals for the races you will do this year?

Sorry to hear that your first triathlon experience wasn't so good!  Swimming is the most challenging part for many triathletes, so you're in good company there.  I'm glad the experience didn't turn you off from multisport completely, however!

Hi Jennifer!

Welcome!  Yes, plenty of room here!  Thanks for joining us!

I like your attitude - "All I know is that I want to do it"  Awesome!  That's all you need, really, is the desire.  The rest will follow.  Last year when I started down the triathlon road, I knew absolutely ZILCH about triathlons.  I knew there was running, biking, and swimming involved somehow, but that's it.  I didn't know any triathletes, either, and in fact when a friend had mentioned one at some point I laughed and thought I would NEVER want to do one.  Famous last words!

No one's laughing about taking a long time to run 2.5 miles!  That's nothing to sneeze at!  I can appreciate that because it took me a while to get comfortable running 2 miles after each of my knee surgeries.  I can further appreciate that because one of my best friends just got into running for the first time in her life (at age 25) last fall and I helped her (virtually - she lives in Chicago) gradually get to the point of being able to just complete a 5K with some walking.  She just completed her first half-marathon this past weekend (all running!).  Wasn't fast, but she did it because she had told herself the same thing you told yourself - "I WANT to do it!"

Great job with what you've done so far!  VERY good idea to join the swim class.  If there's only one piece of advice I could offer to new aspiring triathletes without competitive swimming experience, it would be to join a swim class or masters swim team to learn how to swim properly!  That makes the rest far less daunting.

How often does the swim class meet?  Are you able to get to the cycle class more often, if you want to?  And/or do you have a bike you can ride?  If you could get at least 2 swimming sessions and 2 cycle classes or rides a week (in addition to running 3 times a week or so), I think you would be more than ready to tackle a sprint-distance triathlon by the end of the summer.  Just something to think about!

NAME: loufromthepark / Lou

STORY:  In high school, I cheered and danced competitively, but was way too interested in -- ahem -- partying in college. I worked out on and off at gyms for years until I was about 26 when I FINALLY quit smoking. A few months after quitting smoking, I did a couch-to-5k type program and started running. My first race was an 8K, my second was a half marathon. I was hooked and I’ve been training every since. I’ve finished a few half marathons and had an incomplete marathon attempt (I was one of the unlucky runners in Chicago at the 2007 marathon -- I was stopped at mile 16 when the race shut down). Because half marathon training and marathon training are not enough for one summer, I decided to give my first sprint triathlon a shot. Oh, and I'm a slow runner -- somewhere between a 10:30 and 12mm.

Family status: 28, single, but about a year into a fairly serious relationship with a guy who is cop, a marathoner, and triathlete. He is very excited that I have decided to jump on the triathlon bandwagon.  

CURRENT TRAINING:  Training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon -- averaging 20-25 miles per week running. I just started biking to work (12 miles round trip) and manage to get strength training in 2-3x a week at the gym. Planning to start an 11 week triathlon training program (I found it at trinewbies.com) as soon as I get back from the half marathon next week.

Scheduled 2008 Races

March 30: Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago, IL (51:56 PR!)

May 4: Flying Pig Half Marathon

May 24: Soldier Field 10 Miler

July 13: Danskin Chicagoland Sprint Triathlon

July 26: Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 miler (haven’t registered yet, but I would really like to give a trail run a shot this year)

August 10: Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon

Oct. 12: Chicago Marathon

WEIGHTLOSS:  I gained about 30 pounds between graduate school and quitting smoking. I’m down about 15 (over the past two years), but have really struggled to lose more. Would really love to get down 15 more pounds by July triathlon.

I’m really excited to join a mentor/mentee group. I’m a big fan of my running group, and would love to join a training group for the triathlon, but for the sprint distant, it doesn’t seem necessary. I love a sense of community when it comes to training, and figured this would be a good substitute.

Laura - I just imported the Sprint, Basic 12 Week - HR Zone Based training plan.  I plan to start it Friday.  I get so excited when I start new things!  Hopefully I can stick with it!  (With each others help, hopefully we'll all 'stick with' our plans to meet our goals!)  I'm glad to hear that you approve of the SB diet!  It seems pretty healthy and well-rounded.  It's low-fat, high-protein, and I get to eat from all the food groups.  It's a pretty easy "diet" to stick to. Thanks for the positive thoughts, already! 

Libby - I want to hear more about that Eco-Triathlon your mom did...maybe I'll Google it...

Hello to all! I'd really like to join this group.

I'm Marcy, I decided to start tri training about 6 weeks ago. I just started swimming in January and I've never been much into racing, but ever since I started setting goals for myself, I'm finding the training to be really fun!

Goals: I've committed to a couple sprint tris this summer, the Rockton Triathlon and the Chicago Super-Sprint. Now that I'm making progress in my training, I'm looking for another tri at a more challenging distance to add to the mix.

Family Status: I'm a single soccer-mom to a brilliant 5 yr old girl. I work full time so the tri training requires a nimble balancing act with the schedule.

Current Training: I fit in whatever training I can whenever I can. The general plan is to alternate swim, bike, run each day and strength train 2 days per week. I have a swimming coach (who REALLY helps) and I'm in a running club training for a 10K.

I look forward to sharing notes, stories, plans, encouragement with all of you!

There are 3 duathlons I am thinking about doing.....1st is August 3rd called the MattoonMan....it is 3.1 run 24.8 bike 6.2 run......2nd is Oct 11 called Eagle Creek it can be long 5..40...5 or short 2.5 ..20.. 2.5  3rd is Sept 27 called Charleston Challege....2..19...2

My current training needs improvement.....short runs only

My goals the season is to push myself in training so I can enjoy race day.

Sherist,

I hope you will share some of your swimming skills with the group.  Swimming is the reason I switched from triathlons to duathlons.  My goal is to one day be a good enough swimmer to do the tri's

Hi all!

I'll be back later to personally greet the rest of our new group members (here's an all-purpose WELCOME! for now) - busy morning for me.  Though I COULD handle a couple more, with the crazy month(s) I have coming up, I'd rather keep our group small so I can be sure to give my all to everyone!  So I'm closing it for now.  Everyone who has posted up til this point is IN!  I'm very much looking forward to sharing experiences and advice with all of you.  Please, if you have any questions at all, for me or the rest of your fellow groupies, post away!

So it's almost the weekend (yay!) - any exciting plans for anyone??  Training, racing, or otherwise (if you'd like to share).

Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincy this weekend! Since I live/run/train in Chicago, hills aren't exactly my thing. This course has a 3 mile climb, 400 some odd feet. So, my goal is to come in under 2:40, but 2:30 would be an incredible PR for me. The bf, his running buddy, my running partner, and I are leaving tomorrow morning. My mom will be there to cheer me on as well as my two best friends from college. This is the first time I've traveled for a race... very excited...

Ok, I'm back!

So, just to review, our group includes:

jellogal (Sherist)
FutureIronGirl17 (Libby)
jsoza (John)
jbelback12 (Jennifer)
loufromthepark (Lou)
skywashed (Marcy)
dangremond (Mitch)
Runnerg1rl7 (Laura)

If you'd like to check on everyone's progress and inspire them (I encourage you to!), be sure to add everyone to your friends list.  Another administrative note: make sure you're logging your training each day in your training log!  Not only is this a helpful way to make sure you're on track yourself, but it'll give us all a good idea of how you're doing.

Onwards...

Welcome, Lou!  Best of luck at the Flying Pig!!!  You're certainly off to a great start with all the running you've been doing, plus the bike commuting and ST.  (Any swimming happening?  Or not til you get through this half?)  Congrats on making the transition from former smoker to runner!  Fantastic!  Side note - I ran the Shamrock Shuffle this year too!  One of my best friends lives in Chicago and I went out to visit and run the race with her.  Chilly day!  But otherwise fun.

Sherist - That's the goal!  (For us all to help each other stick to our plans as much as possible)  And I'm glad the SB diet has been working for you - the fact that it doesn't cut anything completely out of your diet and encourages healthy proteins and fruit and veggies is great.

Marcy - Welcome!  Woo hoo!  Glad you're finding the training to be fun so far!  If you like the training, then you'll LOVE the races!  It's so exciting to put everything together and find out what you're truly capable of - usually, more than you think you are!  Hey, another Chicagolander in our group!  Incidentally, my friend (who I mentioned above to Lou) lives in Lakeview, too!  Excellent that you have a swimming coach and run with a club!  And strength training twice a week too - great as well!  That is something I need to do more of, myself.

John - Okay, good - you've still got plenty of time to train before your first duathlon.  What kind of bike did you get??  That's very exciting!  I think you will find the aerobars and clipless pedals and shoes to be a BIG help and make riding more comfortable.  Just make sure you practice clipping in and out on a soft surface a few times before hitting the road - just in case.  I hope you do get to go on a long ride this weekend!

Hi, Mitch!  Welcome!  I am also very goal-oriented, so I understand completely!  Sounds like you've got a good race plan for this year and excellent goals, too.  Congrats on your weight loss thus far!  Glad you're a strong cyclist - you'll be a good resource for cycling-related questions from the group!  What have you found to be the best method to boost cycling fitness/speed?  Just riding more?  Drills?  Hills?  Good training weekend plans - and whew is right on all the other stuff!  Sounds like you'll be busy!

Libby - Best of luck with studying for your finals!  I don't blame you for not following your training plan exactly with school going on.  Get your finals done, get home, relax a little, then get to it!  Plenty of time to get back on track.  Oooo 6 weeks in Australia?!  What's taking you there?

As if this post wasn't long enough already...this weekend I'm headed to NJ (where I'm from originally - my parents still live there) to run the NJ Marathon Relay with the aforementioned friend from Chicago (she's originally from NJ too), another high school-era friend, and my mom.  I'm very excited!  I'm running a 7.8 or 7.9-mile leg, which will mark my longest race run yet.  I'm hoping the weather forecast will improve, though - so far, calling for rain!

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!  Almost the weekend, yay!

Hello to all! 

It’s great to see so many great responses on here!  I’m excited for tonight…my first swim class; I’m hoping that I make it through it all!!!  Swim class meets once a week, the good thing about this class is that its target is for people like me…who are new to the full tri thing and need to learn the technique.  So I hope to report good news in the next few days to tell you that I am still alive and that I didn’t need a lifeguard to save me! 

As for the cycle class I was doing that once a week and the other days running, biking and weights.  However the running is on hold right now, having some problems with the knee.  Once I figure out the proper way to swim I will be at the gym doing more of that…I keep telling myself that I need to work on my weakest point and all three are a tie but this swimming class is really going to help me out. 

Just want to say a quick Hello to all and welcome everyone.  I can use all the advice that I can get and looking forward to hearing a ton on info from everyone. 

P.S. Hello to the other local MI - GO WINGS!!!!!

Hi all -- I'm v. excited to be a part of the group.

Laura -- I was on a swim team for approximately 5 years as a pre-teen, and a fairly strong swimmer at the age of -- ummmmm -- 12. Not sure if that will translate, but I'm comfortable in the water, and fairly confident that I remember how to do freestyle. My plan is to start swimming next Tuesday after the race and a day of rest. My gym has a pool, so that's good.

Marcy -- Yay! Another Chicago person. I'm in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. I'd be interested to know how much swim lessons cost and where you found about about them. Are the lessons one on one or with a group?