joelle & co international triathlete group CLOSED

I am interested in joing your group, please let me know if there are any spots available.

Eric

Hi Joelle,

 I would very much like to join your group, if it's still possible?

 Short bio:

I'm a 35 year old woman from Denmark. I'm single, no kids and no pets. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Scheuermann Syndrome, which explained why I have had periods with agonizing backpains. It is imperative that I maintain a strong core in order to avoid those pestering backpains. Triathlon seems to be perfect for several reasons. It provides me with a challenge, mentally and physically, and training will be varied so I won't get bored.

My goals are 1. To build a body with strength and endurance 

                     2. to do my first tri race.

                         I have set my sights on a race in June in DK.

                     3. to lose the weight I have gained these past 9 months due to various injuries.

Because of these injuries I'm starting from scratch.

Previously, I have been doing a lot of running, spinning and weight lifting. Last summer I ran the Viborg Citysprint(9,2 km). The furthest I have ever run is a half marathon(on an injured ancle - not very clever, however, I found out just how much I can push myself)

And as a young girl I used to swim whenever I could, but never in a competitive situation.

I need all the advice I can get

best wishes,

Maj-Britt

Hi there Joelle,

Just like old times! 

I would love to be a part of this group. Last year's was so much fun.

Susie

Hi There,

If there is still room here, I'd love to join!! I'm a first time triathlete-in-the-making!  I did my first half-marathon last summer...loved it, but knew that my knees couldn't handle the long distance running forever.  I have always loved to swim, so I just need to get comfy on the bike, and I'm good to go (with some hard training of course).  I haven't picked a race yet, but I'm looking to doing one in June/July.  I'm in Toronto Canada (Hence, good for the international group!), and will be travelling to FRANCE at the end of July, so want to get my triathlon in before then.

 I'm 27 years old, and want to do a triathlon because I love distance sports and endurance exercise.  It's the only type of activity I really love to do.  I too could lose a couple of lbs, but that's not my goal...if I lose 5 lbs, its just an added bonus.  I work full-time, and am married. My husband hates endurance sport, so I'm alone on this one.  That's why a group like this would be just terrific!!

 My biggest concern at this point is the cycling.  Toronto is a brutal city to cycle through - the traffic is just awful.  I don't even own a bicycle! And, I'm not sure that I would be comfortable on one if I did.  I do cycling classes just fine, so I just need to get up the courage to get on a bike and just do it.

So...that's me. 

Ayla

Joelle,

Are there any swimming drills that you would recommend - or just do laps?  I have done open water swimming before - but only breast stroke.  I find doing breast stroke I am able to keep up my speed and endurance, much better than frontcrawl/freestroke.  I am also nursing a knee injury - so getting back into swimming would probably be good for me!

Since we are in the off-season technically, are there any off-season training plans that you would recommend? 

As for France - I don't know where I'm going yet - I've just booked my flight in and out of CDG airport!  I still have to plan my itinerary! 

Thanks!

Ayla

Hi Joelle and everyone,

Yes, I'm always training Actually, in addtition to the regular stuff, you know, the swim, bike run stuff, I'm taking a class at our club called Strength, Endurance, Stamina.  It's run by the Tri Club and it's quite challenging.  I haven't been the pool for the past two weeks as I recently got my m-dot tatoo so I have to stay out until it is completely healed. I'm hoping that I can join the tri club for the swim workout on Wed.  But, I see it's 9pm, my bed time.  I have a 6 am tri club spin, followed by the SES workout, so I'd better get some sleep.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Susie

Hi Joelle,

Too much, too fast...yup! That was my "downfall". However, lesson learned and this time I will do a better job listening to my body's signals.

In winter, I primarily spin in a fitness center. When spring arrives, my means of transportation is my bike. But it's simply too cold during winter(for me, anyway).

I have been looking at some of the training plans here on the site. I haven't chosen one yet. These first two weeks I'm going to concentrate on just getting started. On monday, I'll start building my swimming stamina. And I'm looking forward to it

My plan is to swim twice a week, lift weights twice a week and run/spin after my weight lifting.

That ought to get me started without overdoing it. I hope.

Starting out, I expect that I should just focus on swimming for as long as I can?  

I'm really glad that I found this site and this group. Being a complete novice in the tri-universe, it can be quite daunting having to figure out how to train for a tri-race. Not to mention the race itself. But now advice is never far away:-)

Good training, guys!

Maj-Britt

quick question for everyone:

What distance Tri are you aiming for?  Try a tri, sprint, olympic, ironman???

I'm still trying to decide.  Since it's my first, I'm aiming for a sprint, but would love to aim higher for the olympic distance!

Hi there,

Is there still space in the group?

I'm Dave, 38 y.o. living on the s.coast in the UK. Have just signed up for a sprint in march and a mini tri in May with the aim of an olympic length in July. Have a reasonable base fitness from lots of windsurfing!

Anyway, need all the encouragement possible. If theres space i'll give you some more info!

Cheers

Hi. I too am a beginner training for first for a mini.  Is your group still open?  I would really like to join with others who have some experience, more to ensure I am training correctly and also encouragement.  I was a disciplined athlete years ago.  But... after having both my knees scoped, I've worked out for years around protecting them.  So yes, cardio and toning and circuit training, but all around not abusing my knees (per my surgeon's instruction).  I've been challenged to do a mini tri in August, so I need to get on a plan to prepare.  I'll wear braces on both knees, but I wan to try.  The running portion is 3 mi, so I think I can work up to it. 

Any advice as to a regular training schedule will be greatly appreciated to work up to physically and mentally.  I've been getting my cardio and training in other ways for so long, that I'm guessing my breathing for this level of competition is just not there today.  I'm not a couch potato, but I haven't been at the competition level for a long while.  Yes, of course, losing 10 lbs on this schedule will be great too. 

 I'm very excited about this opportunity, but need some direction for workout routine and all helpful tips you can provide.  I eat very good.  But also, if there are suggested foods and vitamins I should be including, great.  Truthfully, I feel like I'm starting from ground zero, since I've never trained/prepared for a tri.

 Thanks so much for your consideration.  April B

Hi Jenn!  Nice to hear from you again.  So how do you like England.  Also, how was the transition from stay-at-home mom to working mom. Are you working full time?  I remember when I went back to work after an "extended maternity leave" ...of 12 years.  It was crazy.  It was tough getting used to just the logistics of teaching full time and still getting all the family stuff done. I can't even imagine throwing in moving half way across the world.

To every one else.. a bit about me.  I'm 47 years old and have been participating in triathlon for the past 3 summers, so I'm a bit of a late starter, although I was a runner for many years.  I live in a suburb of Chicago with my husband and our two teenage boys.  My older son Brendan is a freshman in college and my younger son Ryan is a junior in high school.  We also have a Jack Russell Terrier, Toby.  I entered a little sprint tri in a neigboring community in 2006 and as soon as I crossed the finish line I was hooked. Since then I have competed in 11 races covering every distance of triathlon.  I finished IM Wisconsin this past September.  An incredible experience that I hope to repeat in a few years. My day job, when I'm not training, is a teacher.  I teach early childhood special education.  I work with young kids, ages 3-5, who have developmental delays.  Having my summers off is definitely a plus when it comes to training.

Joelle, you asked about the weather.  Well, it is January in Chicago so it's absolutely delightful...not.  We got 12 inches of snow yesterday with more predicted for Tues and Wed. and then an "artic blast" is coming with a predicted high temperature on Thursday of -5. Yes, that's 5 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.  So you can say it will be a bit chilly around here. 

Well, gotta go. 

Susie

Hi i'm Dave - thanks for the invitation to join the group!

A little more about me. I'm 38, married with with 2 small children and work in education on the south coast of the UK (so fitting in all this training should prove to be interesting!). I'm pretty active due to the fact that I windsurf a lot all year round (we're a hardy lot down here) and this keeps me pretty fit. But when the wind doesn't blow (or when the air temp is really cold as is now - not as cold as Chicago though, blimey!!) I tend to sit around drinking too much beer and moaning about the lack of exercise.

I've tried other things to keep me active and actually bought a road bike a couple of years ago which I sold at the end of last summer (doh!) as I wasn't using it. Am now doing some mountain biking and have a pair of slick tryes I can put on the mtb so when I finally get another road bike I reckon I will fly! In the past i've completed a couple of 1/2 marathons but don't really enjoy running - i've recently realised that i'm a heel striker and am trying to alter my style to full/front foot which is making a positive difference. Running wise I have a fit friend to train with sometimes (plus he's a doctor which is a bonus for those aches and pains!!) so am feeling pretty motivated at present.

Swimming wise I spent a couple of years a while back living in Bangkok and attended masters swimming lessons which has helped with my technique. At present am swimming 1000m freestyle (front crawl) twice a week but it is still a painful experience! I completed a few adventure races while is s.e. Asia which was fun.

Training wise, I started in December, but lapsed over the xmas break but am well back into it now. I've downloaded the 20 week olympic tri plan and am aiming for 2 of each discipline a week. I have entered a mini triathlon in March and then a large fast twitch one in May with the eventual aim of an olympic tri with an open water swim in July (b'mouth intl tri).

As I said earlier I am feeling pretty motivated at present but am famous for running out of steam when it comes to keeping up the training (but then it was only running based in the past which I found sole destroying - excuse the pun!) However, with you lot for encouragement and inspiration and a good training partner am very hopeful that I will make my goals. Am already appreciating the benefits of sustained exercise and am really enjoying the variation.

Anyway, happy training to everybody!!

Joelle, Are you still open?  I am a 42 year old woman from Canada.  I've done one tri a tri, then a sprint, then I completely lost it and have signed up for an ironman.  I have a coach, but most of the people on my triathlon training team are a lot more experienced and well, one can only get away with so many dumb questions, so a mentor group could be just what I need.  More info available if you're still taking new people. 

Katherine

Hi Joelle_

I am very interested in joining your group and was wondering if you had any room.  I am a beginner triathelete as well with some of the same aspirations as yourself.  I would like to compete in a few sprints this spring culmintaing in a olympic or 70.3 this summer/fall before my 40th birthday!  I am a runner, have run 4 marathons, but need help with swimming.  I am a Mt. biker so will need to work on the cycling part as well. I live in Sonoma County (wine country) in California- some of the most beautiful areas to run and ride.  I have two young kids, 4 and 6 and am a stay-at-home mom.  I hope there is still room in your group as I would love to train with you and the rest.

 Thanks!

Kim Neal