Artemis's Mentor Group - FULL!

KrisSeer - 2009-04-09 2:55 AM Name: Kristina (KrisSeer)

Story:  I lurked around BT for a year or so before finally signing up at the end of March. I joined the SuperHero challenge (go PowerRangers!!) and started in on the couch to 5K plan. I have no tri experience, and the only race I've ever done was the Myrtle Beach half marathon in February 2008. My brother somehow convinced me to attempt that, so I trained, signed up, and finished without walking in just under my goal time. And I haven't run since... So hopefully you don't mind having a complete novice on the team!!

I live in Fairbanks, AK which may make training tough because it's cold, snowy and dark for much of the year. Fortunately it's now starting to warm up, so the ice and snow will slowly disappear and then I'll have a few months before I have to figure out winter training. I work for a non-profit organization that focuses on climate change and arctic research.

Family Status:  single

Current Training: I'm working on the Couch to 5K plan. About a week and a half in. Like I said, definitely a beginner!!

This Year's Races: I'll find a local 5K to run in at the end of the Couch to 5K program; they have small races fairly often so it shouldn't be too hard. There's also a 10K on June 21st that I'd really like to participate in if I can get ready for it.

Weightloss: I maxed out at 220, which was painful. I got back down to 190 but then started creeping up again. I'm now back down to 201, and hoping to make it stick this time. Finding an excercise program I can enjoy and stick to would help.

pole_dancer - 2009-04-09 8:53 AM Name: Shelley (pole_dancer)

Story:  This is my second tri season.  I started some running a couple of years ago but was sucked into biking shortly after and fell in love with it.  I picked up running again in the fall of 2007 for something to do when the weather was too bad to ride.  I ran inside on a 1/13 mile track, mostly during the week and worked up to running 2 1/2 marathons last spring.  I also decided that if I could figure out how to not drown in the pool, I had the makings of completing a triathlon.  Well, last year, I completed 6 running events,  6 biking events and 5 multi-sport events with an Olympic distance being my longest. 

Family Status:  Married (with grandchildren)

Current Training: I am a very consistant trainer but my focus is on completion rather than speed.

This Year's Races: I've completed 2 1/2 marathons (injured myself on one and performed very badly on the second due to that injury).  I also completed one sprint triathlon.  I have a marathon planned for 4/25 but due to my injury, I have lost a lot of training time and will have to change it to a half.  I plan on completing everything I completed last year plus add another olympic distance race.

Let me add that I am not fast in anything I do.  I usually come in the bobop.   So far this year, that has not improved.  I tend to drop my running training during the summer to a minimal amount (I hate the heat and there is enough daylight to bike almost every day) and that probably hurts me more than anything.

Weightloss: I have been up to 205 when I tried to quit smoking once and decided I need to up my metabolism before I could successfully quit.  Biking did that trick and I quit in 08/09.  I am down to staying below 170 consistantly but would like to get to the 150 range.

Why I Need A Good Mentor: I need someone to keep me working on my weeknesses.  I have great drive to do what I like but not what I don't.

Artemis - 2009-04-09 5:24 AM
Hi Kristina!  Welcome to the group!!

Running in Alaska seems like a challenge with the long winters.  Do you still have lots of snow on the ground?  The Couch to 5k is a great plan. 

KrisSeer - 2009-04-09 3:07 PM
Thanks!! Yep, we've still got a lot of snow. It's melting, but slowly since it's still extremely cold at night. They just cleared the bike path off yesterday, though, so that's exciting. Of course, that means I need to turn serious attention towards buying a bike now... I've been leaning towards hybrid because I do want to use it for commuting and Tri-training, but there are also a lot of dirt and gravel trails, roads and paths around here.

Any thoughts, anybody?

Artemis - 2009-04-09 8:25 AM

Hi Shelley!  Welcome to the group!!

Are you following a specific training plan right now?  I know I tend to hate working on running or the things I'm weak at, but if I have a training plan, that usually pushes me to do more of the things I'm not so fond of.

Artemis - 2009-04-09 11:20 AM

Gary Fisher Utopia (or one of the other two in the same line)
Marin Muirwoods
Scott Sportster P3
Felt F35x (cyclocross bike)

The Felt is the most expensive, but it is a very nice bike.  It has nicer components than any of the other one.  Out of my bro's price range, though, so the others are cheaper.  Of the remaining, the Marin was one of the best values for the money as far as components.  It does not have a front shock but the Gary Fisher and Scott do, so the Marin is a little lighter.

Hope that is helpful!  Let me know if you have other questions.

KrisSeer - 2009-04-09 5:51 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've actually been looking at that Gary Fisher line. There's a pretty good bike shop in town that sells that line. I'm hoping to decide this week. I really want to start riding! I haven't spent a lot of time on a bike in quite a while, so I'm a little nervous, but really looking forward to it.

firstteeth - 2009-04-09 7:14 PM Name: Valerie (firstteeth)

Story: All I can figure is that this is my midlife crisis! A little over a year ago, a friend and I decided to start getting in shape before our respective vacations, so we started playing racquetball and lifting weights 2x/week (I had been lifting weights on and off for about a year). She turned 40 Dec 1st, and I on Nov 30th. At her birthday party I got talking to a woman who does one triathlon a year to raise money for ovarian cancer research, so I thought, well, if she can do it, maybe I can too. So, I conned my workout partner (a non-swimmer) into doing it with me. She is a fantastic partner for me!

I swam competitively in 5-7th grade, and not since, although lots of water experience being born and raised in Hawaii. I have never been able to run even 3 minutes without feeling like dying, and i have only ridden a hybrid bike recreationally (lazily at best). I even failed gym in high school.

I am a pediatric dentist and practice over 40 hours a week. One of my biggest roadblocks to training is time, as I am sure it i for most people.


Family Status: Married, with a 10 yr old daughter (who I hope will start doing some kid's triathlons so we can train together), twin 6 yr old daughters, a 4 yr old son, a great dane, a cocker spaniel, and a couple of hamsters! We are in the middle of renovating our home (and will be for a long time), and currently it is our gym that is torn apart...of course!

Current Training: I'm currently following (a little loosely due to time constraints) a 22 week couch to sprint plan, we are in week 13. I just got a road bike and am anxious to get out on it, but am scared of the clipless pedals which I have only used in spin classes til now. I am awaiting the arrival of my anger badger trainer. We have been training indoors on my spin bike and treadmill, and at a local college pool, which unfortunately will close for the summer soon.

Swimming is going well, running still bites but has gotten better, and biking is fine, I am just not confident of outdoors. (fell over practising on bike very first day...and only had one foot clipped in!)

This Year's Races: U.S. Women's Triathlon Series in Naperville, IL...women only sprint to raise $ for ovarian cancer research, (apparently there is quite a contingent from our town who do this). (this will be my first race of any sort other than those swim meets as a kid)

Weightloss: My weight peaked in dental school 15 years ago at 230, have been as low as 145 but not above 200 for the last 14 years. Have lost 20 in the last 13 months since begining routine workouts. At 179 currently, with a goal of 171 by the end of April...I'll set a new goal then.

Love to join you, if you'll have me

KrisSeer - 2009-04-09 8:05 PM And here we have 'beginner ignorance question' #1... I think I'll keep track!

What are clipless pedals? And why do people fall over when they use them?

For that matter.... what are 'non-clipless' (or whatever they might be called) pedals?

firstteeth - 2009-04-09 8:18 PM And I don't understand why they are called clipless and then people talk of being clipped in!?

firstteeth - 2009-04-09 8:15 PM Race is June 14th...my 12th wedding anniversary, and I am leaving husband home with the kids.

As far as falling over with the clipless pedals, I knew i'd do it, but scratching my bike on the first day is what really hurt! That and my pride. My darling husband (truly) said "those seem pretty dangerous, maybe you should just get regular pedals." Thanks for the vote of confidence honey, but I CAN do this!