Manatee Express Mentor Group - closed

Hello!  I would like to join your group if possible.  I am not a newbie to the sport but will be upping the distance to HIM this year and am not experienced in this.

Yeah, I did it, it signed up for Wildflower!  It's always been a race I've had my eye on so this is the year.  This is a very hilly course!  I have 9 century rides under my belt but that is where the condfidence ends.

My swimming is horrible.  I usually finish in the very last batch!  I need some serious advice on this part. 

Cycling is my passion.  Hills I can tackle with the best of them.

My running is difficult.  I have never run more than 6 miles in my life and now must get to 13 before the end of may.  I have a hard time pushing myself. 

I know I can do this race but I want to do it good!  I am not expecting any medals, just a respectable middle of the pack result.  I just don't want to be dead last.

Any advice on "going long" will be greatly appreciated.  I need ALL the motivation and tips I can get.  I have always done this half-heartedly but would like to know this time that I tried my best.  I guess I don't mind coming in dead last as long as I took it seriously!!!

 What do you think?

Hi Ken,

       I would like to join your group.  I have a fairly broad background in sports of all nature with the majority of them in team sports.  I am a United States Marine and currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan but returning to the states soon.  I have completed a Sprint Triathlon (Reverse) and a modified Olympic due to the swim and run being a little bit shorter. Nonetheless I completed both of them and I am now hooked on the sport and have a goal of completing an Ironman before I turn 41.  That gives me 1 year and 364 days as I turned 39 yesterday. 

Current plan - Olympic distance for a race coming up in April in Ishigaki, Japan.  My goal is to finish and hopefully break 3 hours with a goal of 2:30.

2008 races - Ishigaki Olympic, Torii Station modified Olympic, and the other races will depend on where I end up being stationed after I return to the states in May/June timeframe.

Family status - I have been married for eight years to my wonderful wife, Tami, and we have four fabulous kids ages 7, 6, 2, and 1.

Weight loss - When I started training I weighed around 250 and since then I have dropped down to around 235 with a goal of getting to 210.  The majority of my weight loss is dependent on the amount of training that I do.  I often dip into the 220's when I am training as is required in my training plan.

Goals -  Improve my swim technique to conserve more energy for the bike.  Improve my performance on the hills as I am a decent rider on the flats.  Running is just running and I get it done due to my profession and it normally happens about 3 times a week with a longer run on the weekend of about 8 to 10 miles.  Each of these need improvement in order for me to achieve my goal of completing an Ironman.

Chip
 

hello!

my runs are slow and I am doing 3-5 miles right now.  Well, once my toe heals.  I think I will be able to start running this week with an easy run.

My swimming is slow.  I recognize my weaknesses and know where I need to work.  It's just hard!  Still searching for my "groove." 

I think you will be the perfect mentor!  Thanks!!

Ken,

     In response to your question in the post.  I am using the BT training logs to record my training.  I am currently using the Basic Olympic - 12 week plan - HR based with strength training.  The plan has me doing 3 workouts in each discipline every week and I try to make sure that I complete them all.  I have some trouble with the swim workouts in completing the distance in the amount of time allotted.  Once I improve my technique and they open up the 50m pool in the spring it should be a little bit easier.  I modify the bike workouts to accomodate a long group ride on every Saturday that is usually between 45 and 75 miles at around a 15 to 18 mph pace.  With the runs the only workout that I ever have an issue with is the long run that is longer than 1 hour as I have issues with pacing myself to go slower and to conserve energy.  I currently have an Olympic distance race coming up April 13 in Ishigaki, Japan which would be my 'A' race.  My goal is to finish first and foremost but I really want to see if I can break 2:45 for the entire race.  I also have a shorter triathlon scheduled for Mar 15 that is a 1k swim, 30k bike, and a 5k run and I am going to shoot for a time of around 1:30 on that one to gauge where I am at with my training leading up to the Olympic distance event.  I will get those two under my belt prior to leaving Japan in the May/June timeframe and depending on where I get stationed next I will see if I can get in another Olympic distance and possibly a Half Ironman.  Very ambitious goals but as long as I stay healthy I am pretty sure I can get them both done before the weather gets too cold.  Hopefully this was not too much to digest at one time but that is everything in a nutshell for my next year.  All of this leads up for possibly another Half Ironman and a Full Ironman in 2009 if I can get a spot.  Good luck to all and remember to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and the finish line will be there before you know it.

Hey Ken - just wanted to pop in and let your group know that they have selected an excellent mentor.  Ken is not even my mentor and he checks up on me and offers me advice, plus he is an awesome guy to be around.  I think you all are in great hands.

 Ken - I'll see you at the Mullet Man in April.  Have a good time.

Ken,

     A quick question in regards to the swim.  I swam with a Master's group yesterday and got my &*^ kicked.  In light of this I need to know if it is better to ensure that I put in the distance or should I stick with the Master's group.  I finished the workout with them but I am positive that I was pushing my heart rate way up there and at some points in the multiple sets of 100m on 1:45 I was tasting a bit of my lunch.  I am sure that I will become a much better swimmer if I continue on this course but I want to be sure that this is the correct approach to become a better swimmer rather than just a faster swimmer.  Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

 Chip