Tri-Wog StL's Group - FULL UP, Sir!

I would like to join this group

Story: I have been out of the training scene for awhile and have decided to jump back in with both feet. I was a cylclist several years ago but have been off of the bike for some time now. I am 34 years old, married with a daughter and a step son. I am looking forward to getting back into shape and learning how to compete in a triathlon.

2008 races: the only event that I have signed up for so far is the HY-Vee olympic tri in Des Moines.

Current training: Not really sure exactly what I am suppose to be doing so I am just putting time in on the road with the bike, swimming at the gym and running.

Hey Paul,

I'm interested in joining your group, as I see you still have space.

I swam competitively in middle school (club swimmer) and high school, doing events nobody else wanted, but overall, I was a middle-of-the-pack swimmer. I haven't done much swimming since then, but I've recently started again at the gym. Over the past two years or so, I've been doing mostly weightlifting and a little bit of cardio once in a while on the elliptical. Overall, I consider myself in good shape, but not great cardio shape. Just started training for my first sprint tri in September. I got running shoes and I'm getting into better running shape now. Gonna do some spin classes at the gym and buy a road bike to start getting outside as well.

28 years old, living in Los Angeles. I'm a public school teacher by profession. Single, no kids.

I'm doing a short 5K run with some work people in a few weeks, as well as the Bay to Breakers race (about 7 miles) in San Francisco next month.  Then, the LA Triathlon (sprint distance) in September.

Hello, I would like to join your group if you still have room.

This will be my 3rd season doing tris. The first year I did 2 springs. Second year I did a half mary and one sprint. This year I took the plunge - I did the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February, I am doing the White Lake Half Ironman this weekend, and I am registered for IMFL in November. I am still learning how to juggle fulltime work and fulltime family with fulltime training. I am not an athlete, nor am I fast, my goal is always just to finish the race and avoid getting injuries along the way. My main learning curves this year is for the long stuff - nutrition, etc. Looking forward to learning a lot and having lots of good discussions!

Paul,

 I am interested in joining your group.

My story:  I have never been very exercise oriented at all.  The only excpetion to that was running a half-marathon in 2004.  I thought I would keep up the running but never did.  I have always been overweight, but on October 15, 2007, I had Lap-Band surgery and once again hit the gym.  However that gets so boring, I needed to find something to motivate me further....fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and my wife mentioned a triathlon, I thought she was crazy....but I started looking into them and decided to try a sprint.  I am totally pumped about it.  It has consumed my thinking for the past week.  So while riding this emotional high, I started searching for a nearby sprint....the first one I found is in Columbia, MO but it is May 4, much to soon.  But in 17 weeks there is one in Republic, MO which is just about 3 to 4 hours away from here.  So hopefully I can work myself into some shape that I need to be in just to finish.

As far as family goes, I am a recently married (again) man.  I have 3 daughters (10, 2 and 3 weeks), I also have a step son that is nine.  I am hoping to show them that after school time does not mean just vegging out in front of the TV.

The Lap-Band issue, I am so extremely pleased with it, that I recommend it to anyone that has the same struggles I have had....right after my divorce in 2005, I was up to 375 and that does not look good on a 6'0" frame.  In six months since sugery, I am down to about 260 (I find out Wednesday when I go to the doctor).  My ultimate goal is 175 by next April 15.

On the training aspect, I try to hit the gym at 4 each morning but now that the weather is turning nice, I am planning on going outside much more often. 

Equipment wise, I am in the market for a bike.  I have an older Trek somewhere (providing I did not lose that in the divorce) and I am using one of the local gyms that has a pool for the swimming.  I prefer road running to treadmills although I occasionally like to use the treadmill just to get a feel for how fast I can push myself.

Hi Paul,

I would like to join your group, my name is Collin, I am 33, married, father of 2--19 month old boy and an 8 week old girl, way over weight (285) and coming straight off the couch! I am an RN in a busy Detroit ICU so I get a lot of walking done but not a lot of time to train. I have started a couch to 5k program via podfitness and I will have my new bike within a couple weeks. I plan to commute to work which will log me about 60-90 miles per week on the bike. Swimming will be my biggest challenge, I grew up in MI surrounded by lakes and I am very comfortable both in a pool or open water but I have no form and can't find any local swimming lessons that jive with my schedule. So if you think you can help this hard case, I am ready to get started!

Cheers,

     Collin

That makes me laugh - I always have to battle the same argument - "No mom, the 20 pounds and 4 inches of jiggly stuff I gained around my waist is not muscle".