The Night Owls (aka "I hate mornings") Group - STILL OPEN

My name is Todd Smith and would like to be part of this group.......This is my first season in triathlon.  I have also weight loss transformation.  Started at 255 and now staying at 210 pretty consistent.  Would like to get under 200 for the summer races.  I have done one indoor Mini Sprint and a few Charity rides and Group runs.  Love the encouragement and motivation of the competition.  Motivation is the Drive that comes from Friends and family (internet or not).

I am 43 years young and married for 23 years this spring.  

My Biggest Triathlon Fear - The Swim, I know I can swim the distance of the shorter races, but the group of swimmers.  The potential of panic and getting run over.........My plan - start last or outside.

My Hobbies - Besides triathlon training - Church, youth ministry, missions (local and overseas), Hunting and fishing.........But mostly hanging out with my wife and kids.

Welcome aboard Todd, you are officially my first mentor group member!  I hope this group will provide you with any advise and all the encouragement you need.

I know how intimidating that first open water swim (OWS) can be.  I still remember stepping to the water's edge and looking out at that first buoy and thinking, "Why am I doing this?"  I knew I could swim the distance, I just didn't know if I could handle the melee of the first 50 yards.  I just started to the outside and waited just a few seconds after the horn blew to hit the water.  In the end, the 10 seconds at the start and the extra 10-15 yards I swam were well worth the peace of mind as I made it to that first turn.  Four years later, I now line up right in the middle and look forward to the full contact swim.  

My first season goals

Mini Sprint - done !!  - Middle of the pack overall (25 of 51), 2nd fastest bike overall

Sprint - June 1st

5k - July 5th

Olympic Tri - (August or September) - depends on how much swimming I get done 

1/2 Marathon - October

I wish I could have all the races picked out, but for the first season I can't justify all the expensive races and will have to stick to local smaller events.  I would like to race a Bigger race next year simply for the experience.

God Bless

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

Chris,

It seems like I should join your group.  I read your description...train after work, alone and mostly at night.  That sounds like me in a nutshell.  Will post my bio a bit later today.  Ok?

Brian

If the race was listed on the BT Races page make sure to write up a race report.  It serves several purposes, it may help others when deciding whether or not to sign up for a particular race, it will help you to remember what you liked or didn't, what worked, what you can do differently or what you can work on and once you get several race reports entered, you can generate charts to track your progress and improvements.

Brian,

Welcome, right now we're small but hopefully we'll grow.  Looking forward to reading your bio.

Name: Brian

Story: This is my 4th season of tri.  It all started some 5 Decembers ago when I was watching NBC's Kona coverage.  I've always thought I could do a tri, but sitting on my couch and not having been in a pool for many many years or even owning a bike of any kind, it came across as your standard "all hat, not cattle" kind of statement.  Then towards the end of the race, an 80 year old nun was crossing the finish line, and right then and there said, if she can do it, I can to.  So the next morning, I started jogging and that's how it all started.

Family status: married, one daughter in 1st grade.

Current training: yes, I am training.  Have a HIM in mid-July that I'm focused on.  Use BT logs.

2013 races: 1 HIM in mid-july.  maybe another HIM in early September.

Reason why this group could make sense for me: Last night (ie. Friday), I ran 10 miles starting at 9pm-ish.  This evening, indoor ride for 90 minutes starting at 9:30pm-ish.  Sunday night...probably another solo run under the (hopefully) calm night skies of the NY metro area.

Hi Chris

I would love to be a part of your group. I am training for my first sprint triathlon this summer. Here is my profile:

Name: username: agupta; first name: Akshat

Story: I am 28 years old; moved to the US for grad school from India and have been living here for the last 6 years. This is going to be my first triathlon, so I am excited about the challenge and learnings along the way. I thought about doing a triathlon because I wanted to generally improve my cardio capacity. 

Family status: I am not married but have an active social life. Although, I will still have enough time to train

Current training: I am training on my own based on reading blogs and setting goals for myself. I have been doing crossfit for about a year and will continue with it through the summer. I am also taking swimming lessons to improve my technique. 

This year's race: None yet

2013 goals: Sprint triathlon in August

Weight loss: I am about 160 lbs and 5' 8 1/2" tall. I do want to lose 5-10 lbs of fat but I do want to gain more muscle too, so I guess my weight would not go down drastically

What will make me a good mentee: I am very excited to learn from everybody here

Welcome Brian and Akshat!  Our little group is growing slowly.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.  Unlike the general forums, you will not get attacked for asking something that has been asked plenty of times before.  We were all new at some point and the only way to learn is to ask.  

As for training, the Training Log is a great tool.  If you're not currently using it, I would highly suggest that you start.  You can enter workouts manually if you do not have a Garmin or other recording device, or if you do have one, it will sync all your data with just a few clicks.  The logs are also great for tracking equipment usage and knowing when to start looking for replacement items.  If you are using a BT training plan, you can import it directly into your training log that way you can see what your schedule is going to be and rearrange workouts as needed.  You can also set up email reminders so that you always know what you're doing the next day.

Normally I would say to check out my training log to see what they look like, however, since NOLA 70.3, I've been sick and not really doing much.  I've got a few workouts in, but mostly I've been trying to get healthy and coach my boy's baseball team.  I'm finally shaking the cold I had and the baseball season is winding down so no more excuses.

Hi Chris,

When I read the title "the Night Owls" - that pretty much sums up me and when I usually train. If you still have room in your group for one more, I would love to join. Right now, I am working, but later this evening I will post my biography

AJ

There's only 4 of us right now, so please join us.  I just got home from baseball so I completely understand late nights and odd hours.  Post your bio whenever you get the chance, I'll be looking out for it.  As for tonight, I think I'll go for a run.  

Hi, here is my bio

Name: username = KittyHawk; first name = AJ

Story: Right now, I am currently in school studying Network Engineering and Security. I am off for the summer. In the past, before going to college, I was cyclist. I used to do road races. Because of this, I have a huge aerobic system (just waiting to be used again?). The reason I only did cycling and not running, is because of the fact I have RSD in my feet. So when I start running now, it is going to be really slow – and running will not be my strongest point. When I was a cyclist, I would training an average of 60kms+ daily and on weekends double the distance. During my time at my first college, I stopped cycling and sadly gained a little too much weight. Mission now, is to absolve it!

Family Status: Currently I live with my boyfriend and our two pythons. Going into this endeavour, I have to support of my brother and my wonderful boyfriend.

Current Training: Hopefully at the end of the summer, I would like to do a sprint or Oly. It all depends on how training goes, and how my feet are doing.

Weight loss: I am 5'4 3/4” (approx. 167cm) in height. All the weight I gained over the past 5 years I would like to eventually lose – which is approximately 50-60lbs. In the process of doing this, I would like to increase my anaerobic system and develop more muscles and tone the ones I have.

Hobbies: math, biology, chess, playing with my pythons, photography, and snowboarding with my brother

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, life has gotten a little crazy...

Welcome AJ, our little group keeps growing.

Todd, I've always worried about that but honestly, its never been a problem.  Most of the time its a nice change.  I usually run and bike in the hottest parts of the day, so racing in the AM is actually easier.  I also tend to be a restless sleeper the night before a race, so getting up and going isn't an issue.  Race day is the ONLY time I turn into a morning person.  I'll be at a race well before transition opens because I like to take my time setting up and going through my checklists.

Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things as the school year winds down.  

Hi all, I'd like to join this group for the summer!

Name: username = Donto; first name = Don

Story: Small biz owner with a partner, lots of work hours and have always hated anything having to do with the AM! 

Family Status: Married 16 years to a wonderful woman who puts up with me for some reason! Wife is a runner and have 2 kids, 11yo (girl) and 13yo (son) who are swimmers.

Current Training: Just finished up a haphazard of winter/spring training for yesterdays (6/02) Sprint tri.  Next race focus is a local sprint tri in late Sept, Myrtle Beach HM in mid Oct with my wife for our Anniversary, and another local HM early Dec.  Need to work on a training plan for the next several months. Will likely be doing a tri in NY while on family vacation but its just a C-race. Looking at either doing a family team Oly (boy swims, I bike & wife runs) or I'll do the sprint and have family do a team sprint (girl swims, wife bikes/runs and boy bikes/runs).

Weight loss: NA, currently 6 lbs over ideal race weight though.

Hobbies: Living!