Jeff's Group - CLOSED

Hi Jeff,

My name is Kathy and I am a 52 (almost 53) year old female.  I am married and my husband competed in endurance kayak races.  We are both active, just in different sports.  The thing that struck me most was your statement on balance both in life and training.

In addition I teach physical activity classes in conjunction with my Wellness classes at a local community college.  Spring semester I will have to teach six total (1-Monday, 3-Tuesday, 2-Wednesday).  In addition I also enjoy dance and will be taking classes in Latin (Sat) and Hip Hop (Thurs).  Jan thru Mar will be devoted to teaching group instructor training.  I will be finishing up my master's in exercise science and will have to work on my thesis as well as present it this semester.  Needless to say it will be a busy semester for me.

 You will find that I am not afraid of any challenge and will jump in with both feet.  Currently I am scheduled to do my first sprint tri Jan 25th and second Apr 19th.  In July I plan on a duathlon and another tri in Sept/Oct time frame.  During junior high and high school I was a competitive swimmer and thought that picking up swimming again would be easy.  NOT!!  Since then I have done various running races and worked out on my bike somewhat consistently.  Right now I am spinning 4-5 days a week depending on my schedule, but will go back to 3 when I start teaching mid-January.  I run 2 days a week and right now am swimming 3 days a week.  Swimming is focused on form and not speed.  It is just too hard to correct something once your body has learned how to do it incorrectly.  For that reason, I figure just completing my first sprint tri will be enough.  My biggest concern is the transitions.

Issues:  Like everyone else I would like to lose 10-15 pounds.  This doesn't seem to be a problem since I am currently losing 1-2 pounds per week through increased training.  Strength training - not something I enjoy (time related), but will take care of itself when I start teaching since 80% of the physical activity is strength related.  Flexibility is difficult this time of year since I was rearended twice within 9 months several years ago.  No pain, just stiffness during the cold.  Nutrition - when I teach eating can be a problem since I don't want to eat and immediately go to teach.  Other than that, I eat plenty of carbs (or hit the wall) and adequate protein (both food and smoothie).

While teaching I have learned that if you open your mind you will find that those around you can often see things you can't or have a slightly different version of what you are doing that is equally effective.  Every class I have taught has leads to increased knowledge in one way or another.

Please let me know if I am going to be part of your group.

 Kathy

Hey Jeff!  I'd love to join up with  your group.  You've already been a great help to me. 

So, just for everyone to know about me:

Name:  Gene Cossey  (First name is David, but I go by Gene which is my middle name.)

Occupation: Airport Manager at the Airport in North Bend, OR

My Story (so far): So, like a lot of other people, I've wanted to do triathlons since the first time I saw one.  Two years ago, my son (15 at the time) and I decided to do one.  We picked the Pacific Crest Olympic Tri.  We did a duathlon before that and a cuople of 5K and 10K's to build up.  Then I was addicted.  This last summer I did the Duck Bill Thrill, an off road du, the Eugene Marathon, and the Pacific Crest 1/2 Iron (plus a few more races).  And now I've committed myself to the IMCDA this comming June!

Training Plan :  So, my big problem is time!  I know I'm not alone.  It is very hard to work in the time to train with both work and family in the way.  The smallest things can through of my training.  It doesn't help that I tend to procrastinate things.  My current goal for training is to just train.  Get all of the stuff out of my way and work, work, work.  I'll fine tune this as things come along.

Weightloss: So, I want to drop about 40 lbs before my IM.  I really don't know if that is even possible for me.  I'm a fairly muscular person and I haven't been under 200 since I was 18 and then I had about 8% body fat.  I know I do have quite a bit to loose, but I just don't know if 40 is really practical.  So, I'm going to just work on it and let my body decide what the perfect race weight is.  I just know that where I'm at now is not it.

So, anyway... I look forward to working more with you and your group.  Talk to you later, 

Gene

Hi Jeff,

I'm interested in joining your group if there is a slot open.

NAME: Dirkericson/ Dirk

STORY: I'm 43 married and have one infant daughter that still doesn't sleep through the night. I did my first triathlon last  year in April and was hooked after that. I've only done one other sprint distance tri (blue lake,  Troutdale).   Prior to this I was an avid cyclist. The bike is by far my strongest  event, I only really started swimming last Dec but I've made  progress so far. Running is hard for me but in this I'm also getting better.

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm currently  trying to balance running, swimming and workouts before work with my daily commute(20miles). I have no lack of motivation or drive only direction and instruction.

2009: This year I plan to start with a Sprint in April then do the Duckbill thrill in May and after that I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm hoping that since we live in the same area you can help me decide where to go from there depending on my progress.

Just a side note I used to work with your wife in the ICU. At one time you and I tried to coordinate an open water swim but with the pending birth of my daughter I couldn't follow up.

Also wanted to let you know that your story is inspiring.

Dirk

Hi Kathy,

Consider yourself part of the group! As of this moment we are two in number, but I'm sure others will follow. Be sure to add me to your "friends" list.

I agree that as you continue to train you're weight will change, that's what I'm curently experiencing. Too bad about the accidents but I guess everyone has something that can put a snag in training. 

I believe I can help you with transitions and as we get into the questions phase I'll do just that.

TTFN

Jeff

Hi Gene! I'm glad you want to be part of the group. I can help you with the IMCDA training and working it in to your schedule because I have a good idea what you can focus on. I think I may have conversed with you recently about training now that I think about it. Anyway, welcome!

Jeff

Hi Dirk,

Welcome to the group. Congrats on your daughter BTW. I'm sure we'll be able to work in a swim sometime soon, at least when the water warms up into the fifties!

Talk to you soon.

Jeff

Fear Behind the Beard sounds like a great blog title.

I wouldn't give a second thought to being six foot, just dive in, stretch out, and hit the other end.

Hi Jeff,

I am a total noobie at the tri scene.   A little about me.  I am 44 y.o. and extremely overweight.  I do have a decent road bike and have plenty of room for running, however, finding a place in the winter to swim may be a little challenging but I am looking for a pool

What do I want to accomplish: At this point just getting in better shape and losing weight.  The reason I would like to work with you is multi-fold.  Our ages aren't much different, we are both in the northwest, and we both have/had health issues.

I am married with two girls and plenty of animals and a full time and part time job.

I know I can be a challenge at times because I get bored or find an excuse or two not to work out.  I am hoping by having a supportive mentor and group that I can get beyond it.

I do need to schedule a physical with my doc which I will do first thing tomorrow so I can get started.   I hope you are willing to take on this challenge cause I don't even know where to begin but have been reading everything I can find.

thanks

Brian

Hey Brian,

Everybody's a newbie at one point. I say welcome to the group. Once you get squared away with your doc just let me know how I can help you. Where in the PNW do you live?

Hi Jeff,

I live about 40 minutes west of Olympia.   My main concern is just how to get started without overdoing it at first.  

Hello,

 I go by Scott. I started a new lifestyle in July with a move to Shanghai, China and I have lost from 225 down to 200. I did this by bicycling into work everyday (everyone here bikes) and now I have got the idea in my head that I want to set a Tri Challenge in my 2 year goal plan. I am looking for a group to lean on over the coming months to figure out how to plan out and implement a training plan. I read thru the strings and we be honored to be part of such a positive group if you don't mind the frequent newbie questions.

 Scott

Hey Jeff, I think I would like to join your group.  I am the most unatheletic person, who happens to have three grown children that were all super athletes.  I was always the mom that cooked for the teams.  I fed 85 highschool football players every week of football season and playoffs all four years of my youngest son's time on the field.  He is currently serving in the Air Force in the middle east and is special forces.  My middle child, was the star soccer player.  Both of my sons snowboard and ski, love water sports and mountain bike.  My daughter was the head chearleader and gymnst from the time she was 8years old through college.

I am 49 years old.  Seperated after 28 years of marriage, and living on my own for the first time of my life.  I am currently 35-40 lbs overweight, I fight my weight always, losing and gaining...and I have a bad back caused by wearing high heels and lifting/carrying dead heavy weights for years, (I am a funeral director.)  I have made several goals to meet by my 50th birthday, September 2009.  One of them is to be healthier, stronger and disciplined in all areas of my life.  When I heard about triathalons, I was intrigued, but knew I could never do it.  Remember what I said about being the most unathletic person?  Anyway, I also have harboured the fear of water all my life.  I panic when I can't touch the bottom of the pool and would have to be bribed to get into our family boat.  Now I am living at the beach, the boat is mine and I have mastered driving and jet docking it in the past six months.  So the next step is swim lessons.  I have now had three and today I was able to swim 250 meters...it wasn't pretty, but I did it.  My kids can not believe that their momma is learning how to swim..."Mom, your scared of the water, why are you taking swim lessons?  You'll drown!" 

I have a mountain bike I am riding right now until I can afford a road bike, but I am riding five miles about three times a week.  I have always walked, but now I am learning to run.  I walked four miles in 55 minutes, and today, I walked/ran a mile in 15 minutes on the treadmill, (after my swim.)  I am working on my diet, no wine since New Year's Day, no sugars and more protien.  I want to compete and complete in a beginner triatholon before my birthday.  I live in the Charleston SC area and I know they have them between here and Savannah. I just have to find one and sign up. 

So Jeff, I am excited and scared!  I want desperately to do this to overcome fears and prove to myself that I can be strong again...in more ways than physical.  I need to do my homework and get a plan that is more focused and ironclad, but I plan on getting that done this weekend.  On top of all of that, I am beginning a new job with a Forensic Physician which will be stressful and I need to control my stress.  I also will start training to be a Chaplain late February for 11 weeks.  I will finish up the first week of May, so I would like my first race to be after that. 

What do you think?  Am I allowed to join your group or am I crazy?

Teri Morris

Hi Scott,

Wow, China huh? I think it's great what you've accomplished so far. Yes, by all means be a part of the group. Welcome!

Jeff 

Hi Teri,

What a story! Bravo for braving the pool and facing your fears. With that kind of gumption you'll make that triathlon by your birthday and I hope you'll join the group so I can help you do it.

First, keep up the swim lessons. A sprint tri swim is usually 500 yards, or ten laps in a 25 yard pool.

Second, there's nothing wrong with training on a mountain bike at first. In fact, many sprints have a mountain bike category on the registration form so you could probably go that route, though a road bike is much better.

Third, keep up the run/walk on the tread for now and I think starting out running for maybe 3-4 minutes and walk 1 minute repeating sequence until you get to 15 minutes or even longer. A sprint run leg is usually 3.1 miles and that's what you'll be working up to.

At the top of the page is a checkered flag tagged "races." Use that page to locate a race in your area around the time of your birthday. In fact, there;s a sprint triathlon in Hartsville, S.C. on Sunday, Sept. 6. I have no idea where that is but you get the idea. Once you find the best match count back 20 weeks, like April 1 for example, and make that  your official "Teri Conquers the Triathlon" training program kickoff. Everything you do from now until then will be to get you in shape to train just for that race. We can talk more about this as time go on but take what I say as guidelines for now and keep up the good work!

 Jeff

Thanks Jeff. My biggest concern is form. I know my form is wrong in all three areas but luckily I have a buddy who is a road racer and she is willing to work on that aspect. I have been trying to find mentors in each area but it is a little difficult. Suggestions?

I am biking to work 6.5 miles each way 5 days a week. Right now I am using a modified single gear road bike to build up my muscles and burn fat. I will mix it up with running back from work twice a week starting next month. I will not start swimming until the spring as it is very expensive here for indoor swimming and our pool at the housing complex is outdoor.

 Thanks for the help and encouragement. It took a lot to get my butt off the couch and I don't want to fall back into those old habits.

 Scott

You can do exercises to immitate swimming until such time as you can actually swim. If you have access to a cabled pulldown machine you can stand an arms length away with a palms down grip on the bar and pull the bar down to your thighs. Remember to keep your arms straight throughout the movement. Or, if you have elastic bands you can afix them to a pole and do a swim-type movement with an alternating stroke.

As far as cycling, it sounds like your building a great base with your daily rides. One thing you could do there is on your return ride do intervals. After a mile or two warmup ride hard for like 30 seconds then ride easy until your breathing is under control. Repeat this a few time but give yourself a mile or two to cool down. On this kind of ride I wouldn't run afterward. On another day if you ride at a comfortable pace back home you can run rightaway after riding. So maybe do the interval ride on day one, do the run on day two (known as a brick) and just do a comfortable ride on day three. On day four if there are hills in the area you could ride the hills. Basically just try and add some variety to your rideing.

The same can be said for running in that there are days where you can do quick bursts of speed and jog to recover, or you can do an endurance run straight out.

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the group. You're in a great area for training. As I understand it Boulder is the "place to be." I've had the "Tripe Bypass Ride" on my list for a couple of years now and still hope to do it.

It's good to see you're following a plan. I don't want to mess with it but if you have questions about anything "fire away." Life does get in the way of training but as I learned last year you can actually do better in races with less training. Don't fret about a missed workout or two as that will happen, just train well when you do train.

Jeff

I want everyone to know that I've installed a group shortcut on my training page. Just add me to your "friends" list and the link I've installed will take you here directly. 

Jeff

Jeff

 Thanks for the encouragement.  But not only am I the most unathletic person but I have a hard time navigating websites...how do I actually sign on to your particular page and into your group?  Oh yeah...I found a race in Hilton Head on May 2.  I would love to do that one.  Do you think I have enough time to train?

Teri