Boston Beginner's Mentor Group - CLOSED

Welcome Serenity.  I was starting to think no one liked me.  I did the Nantasket Tri 2 years ago.  It's a great race.  I hope your injury is healing well.   Even though you hate the pool, do you have a place to swim for the winter?  Looks like you have a good schedule for next year.   I look forward in helping in any way I can.

Hello,
     My name is Steve and I have just starting doing Tri's this past August. I have a running background as this has been my default workout for the past 10 or so years. I met a triathlete through a mutual friend and he got me to Beginner Triathlete and to a local Triathlete group a called Trifury. I have since joined Trifury and was able to complete the last couple races they put on called Tri thr Tri and they were sprint distance in lenth. I noticed this mentor listing appeared to be from the Boston area and thought it would be a good one to join to get to know a few more people in the local Tri scene.
     I am married with two kids 14,12 and three dogs.
I am currently trying to build a good swim and bike base over the winter as I am nursing a IT band injury the past month. The winter will give that time to heal and I'll work onthe other two disaplines in the meantime.
For 2010 I plan on a few sprints, Olympic and in August Timberman 70.3.

Hi Steve.  Welcome to the group.  Although it wasn't the intent, I am happy to have locals in the group.  It will make me sound more knowledgeable  I don't belong to a tri team, but I know a bunch of folks who do.  The common sense is that you get out of it what you put into it.  I know there are a few Trifury folks around here.  I was at Timberman last year supporting a bunch of my friends and it was a great atmosphere.  The area fully embraces the event.  It got hot on the run last year, which affected a bunch of folks.  I hope I can help with any questions or concerns you have.

Hi Alana.  Our first out-of-state member.  We will be happy to adopt you to our state.  But you have to like the Red Sox.  We may have to take some lessons from you about endurance with 4 kids.  My 2 run me into the ground.   What sort of issues are you have with the bike and run?  Do you feel like you are stronger in one sport over another?  As far as your super secret (I won't tell anyone),  I believe that if anyone can follow a training program, then they can finish a race.  It all depends on how much you want to suffer doing it.  If you are going to do it, I would do the first 3-4 weeks of a 20 week training program to see if you can handle the volume and time commitment.  We can talk more about it later.

Hi Jim.  Age does not matter here, or in this sport.  It's always humbling when someone who can be your grandfather or grandmother passes you on the course.  What kind of coach are you meeting with?  Are they giving you a training plan or just some direction.  Congrats on finishing your first race.  I think many people start off with a 5k just to make sure they can survive it.  I did.  You will quickly see that 5k's become either warm ups or cool downs to longer training days.  Welcome.

 I was given a short over-view of starting out but want more!!  I will gladly give you more information (but am at work at this time and really need to get back to it-patients are waiting) hope to talk more with you later--am excited to become more involved and with some proper direction I plan on dusting the competition!!

The true secret is out.  The reason why we have to wait in the doctor's office is because doctors are surfing the web!  As long as it's this site.  No problem.  Whenever you have time.  I am on here all of the time.

Good morning Scott.  That's an impressive 1st season.  Where is the marathon?  It wouldn't be well known one in our neck of the woods?  I haven't attempted the stand alone marathon yet.  I would like to at some point.  

We are all trying to find the balance.  One thing that has been a big help for me is bringing the kids to the gym.  I get 2 hours per day for each kid included in my membership.  I am lucky they built a big daycare place for them.  Although it's good in the winter, I feel bad keeping them inside during the summer.  

I forgot to mention in my original bio that I also was part of a mentor group 2 years ago.  It was a very positive experience and one of the main reasons for doing this group.

Have the time and wanted to add some more info
56yrs old--just getting into this great sport this year.  Did the Lake George Tri-NY last Sept on a team-I did the biking which went very well-enough to spark my interest.  Started training right away to be able to continue.  Have just completed my first 5k and have reg for another 5k-Dec 31st.  Should be a good starting point for myself as I have also reg for a Sprint--Vermont Sun Series in June and July.  And am patiently waiting for Reg to open up for the Lake George Tri in Sept-this is a Oly and plan on soloing this time.  Have also eyed a couple other races this coming season and thought being in the mentor program would give me the added push needed.  Looking forward to be part of group to share in the ups and downs of training, especially during the winter months.
                                                                                                                        Jim

Based on the races you are talking about, you must be in the Albany area and get the full effect of winter, from Oct to May?  I was in Syracuse for 7 years, so I know how long the winters can be.  Do you get the lake effect snow, or are you far enough away from it?  I did run outside frequently last year in the winter.  I rather enjoy it.  There was also a group of us that went out in March or April last year to ride.  It was something like 38 degrees out.  It actually wasn't as bad as you would have thought.    

As many of us with kids know, the hardest part of winter is staying healthy.  My whole family has been sick for about a week now.  It is not fun and just stops all the momentum of training.  I just hope we are all getting it out of our system now.

Hello, I would like to join your group!
Name: Melissa

Story:  I am 38 years old (38 is great!) I have not competed in a race yet!! I am totally brand new to the sport, but am looking to do a sprint early next year.  This is something I really want to do and have been waiting for this site to open up for the motivation and support.

Family status: I am married to a very supportive husband, who I am dragging to swim lessons with me.  He is active as well and will probably be doing the first one with me.  We have four children 4,6,7 and 9! 1 cat and three goats!!

Current training: Trying to get that figured all out.  I am currently taking swimming lessons to learn the right way to swim, and work on the treadmill.  Cold weather makes it hard to get on the mountain bike currently.

Races: I have completed a couple of 5K's, October 09 we did the Brown County Breakdown and rode 40 miles on mountain bikes.

Weightloss: I have loss about 10 pounds and would love to get in tip top shape.  Would love to have that six pack!!

I am looking forward to this, please forgive me being so green, I have to learn this site as well. Thanks Melissa

Hi Melissa.  Welcome to the group and to BT.  No need to apologize for being new.  Everyone has been new to this site at one point in time.  Another positive about these mentor groups is that it lets you ask what you may think are easy questions to a smaller group instead of posting it to everyone.  Please feel free to ask away whether it's about the site, training plans, acronyms (there are a lot of these), or anything else.  I am still learning some of this stuff.  I have to log off for a bit, but just wanted to say welcome.