WittyCityGirl's Group - FULL =)

NAME: Jessica

STORY: I volunteered last year when an Ironman race came to town. After watching the athletes compete, I was inspired to try a tri myself. I started (sort of) working out last fall, and recommitted to the goal this January when I joined a gym and started one of the free training plans here at BT.

I'm currently a grad student pursuing an MA in Teaching, and work at a local library doing children's programs. I'm really looking forward to busting the stereotype that librarians (and maybe teachers too) are boring!

FAMILY STATUS: Single

CURRENT TRAINING: My goal is a Sprint Tri in August. I'm following the 3x Balanced 16wk plan, with some additional strength training provided by the personal trainer at my gym. I struggle most with the running, as I've always avoided it, andfeel my strongest leg will be the swimming. I swam for years on a compettive team, though will have some work to do to get back in the rhythm of swimming. 

I bought a used road bike last summer, and am finally getting around to getting it ready for training, and I was recently fitted for running shoes.

2009 RACES: This will be my first race--August 8th, Emmett's Most Excellent Triathlon, Emmett, ID

WEIGHTLOSS: While I am not doing this specifically for weightloss, I've already seen the benefits of this. I'm 5'10", and hover around 300lbs. 

I look forward to any helpful hints that you might be able to share!

Can I join in?  I need support from a group; my last group got a little quiet by the end .  Plus, I am from Rochester, and am planning on doing the mini-mussel this year (again), and REALLY need help on the swim .

Name: Momandmd/Karen

Story: I have been recovering from and lapsing back into triathlon since my first one in 1991 (scary!).  I had a spurt of activity in the late 90s, early 00s, before I started residency, and now I'm trying to fit it back in.  I'm a pediatrician and I do research, which keeps me very busy.

Family:  Married 18 years, 2 boys (15 and 13), 2 dogs.   

Current training:  I was thinking about doing the Buffalo 1/2 Mary, but overtrained and got injured, so I'm starting up slowly again.  I'm trying to get into a Master's swimming group, but the one that would work for location and timing is (probably) closed.  I do have a call in, but they just had a member die (how horrible would that be!), and it's up in the air.  I'm trying to run 2/week, and bike at least once.  I'm on service this week which will keep things light.

Races: I did 2 sprints last summer, and had a great time, and would like to do a couple more this summer, and maybe a longer running race.  I'd also like to do a couple of 5Ks and bring my PR <26:00.

Weightloss:  I've kept ~15 pounds of for 2 years, but I could lose another 3-5 and be healthier.

I'm currently a grad student, too, using the BT program.  I think you'll find that it does a really good job of helping you get in the distance that you'll need to be confident for your first race.  Don't worry if you break away from the schedule, I often did at the beginning to make it fit in with my schedule, but staying consistent is the key!

I have a friend in Illinois going to school to be a librarian.  She certainly has a wild side and kudos to you for breaking that quiet-type stereotype! 

You'll find that you have a HUGE advantage with the swimming background.  I found that it was difficult to go from lap swimming to open water swimming, but the years of experience made me confident.  Definitely use the swimming to your advantage if you feel an overuse injury coming on from biking or running.  I'm a BIG fan of aquajogging, too.  The running hasn't always been my forte, but I have used this www.mapmyrun.com to plan out runs to explore different parts of my city.

Good idea to get fitted for running shoes and good idea buying the used bike!  I bought my first bike on target.com for about $170 and because it was cheap I didn't care that it got dinged up which helped with the stress on race day.  Just be sure to learn how to change a flat tire! 

Looks like you've got a little while before your first tri.  Are there any 5k races that you can sign up for in the mean time? Or, any master's swim meets that you can swim the 500 free in?  These prep races will help you plan for triathlon race day-you'll get used to a pre-race routine and any race day jitters.  It'll also be a confidence boost that you can get through the distance. 

Welcome to the group!

Hi Karen, come on in!

Hopefully, we won't get too quiet! I check in on the forum at least 2 x day, so I'll at least be keeping a conversation going, even if it is just with myself.  

I'm from Binghamton and planning on doing the Mussleman 1/2 IM distance, so maybe I'll see you there!  Kenj, the mentor of my winter group is also from Rochester, you should add him to your friend list and see if you can meet up to train or race.

Lots of triathletes need help on the swim, so hopefully I can give you some guidance in this area.  

I find it interesting that you do research.  I'm hoping to find my own niche in research as a psychologist some day down the road.  How rewarding to work with pediatric patients!
 
So, since you've mentioned overtraining, I'm going to keep an extra close eye on your training log.  In the comment area be sure to leave comments about how your body is feeling before & after your workouts.  Lets look for patterns and work on being proactive for this season.  Low mileage to start + consistency will get you to the starting line.
 
That's too bad about the swim group.  It's definitely hard to get motivated to swim solo.  Rochester seems to have a big triathlete population so I'm sure if the masters group doesn't pan out then something else will.

Like I mentioned to Jessica, keep in mind that you can aqua-jog in the shallow end or deep end of a pool.  It's VERY helpful while increasing mileage, recovering from injury or during taper.  I use it in my own training and I can help you out in this area on top of swimming in general.  if you've never aqua-jogged before, you may feel silly, but if you do anything with confidence and at least act like you know what you're doing then you'll be just fine.

I hope you find this group helpful!

Yeah!!!  More peeps!  Welcome Jessica and Karen!  Any men up for the challenge of joining us?  I'd love to get their perspective on things too! 

Jessica - Props to you for being able to swim.  I find it the most difficult since there is so much technique.  And I just have a road bike too....only cost $300.  I'm a firm believer in you don't need an expensive bike to be fast...it's all about the engine! 

Karen - Props to you for getting back into tris!  Getting back into things slowly is a great idea that way you aren't prone to injury.

I will add you ladies to my friends list. 

I like a good challenge! If you'll have me in your group, I'd love to join!

Name: James Ford

Memphis, TN (Bartlett)

Story: Did alot of running in college and did my 1st Tri. Continued running, but lost the bug to swim and bike, then got married, had kids yadda yadda yadda. Last spring I decided I was going to quit dipping and get in shape again. I went cold turkey and kicked a 15 year habit. Last year I completed 4 sprint triathlons, 1 Olympic a duathlon and 1 dash N Splash. My goal this year is to complete the same schedule, but I really want to crush those times from last year. I have already completed 1 sprint this year and I can see that a winter's worth of running, swimming and trainer rides has helped, so I am excited about this year. I am working to a HIM next year and hopefully in 2 years I can be an Ironman!

 2009 Races: Memphis in May Olympic, Dragonfly Sprint, MightyMite Sprint, CATS Sprint and Fit City Sprint. 

 Family- Married 12 years, 3 boys (Jacob 9, Jared 8 and Jesse is 4 months)

One more won't hurt!

Name:  Rob

Story:  Did my first try in 2007.  Went pretty bad, threw up in T1, forgot my helmut, road a mountain bike for the bike portion, and never really swam before.  Didn't do any races in 2008 due a big move across country, and just being busy with other sports.  '09 is the year to get back in all of it though!

Status:  Single

Current Training:  Depending on weather (we still have a bit of snow up here!), run 3x a week, bike 4 - 5 times a week, and no swimming yet as the closest pool is 1.5hr drive.  Also lots of hiking, tennis, and some rock climbing.

This year's races:  None yet!

2009 Races:  might do a sprint in June.  10k planned for July.  The big one, and my real only concern this year, is the Muskoka half Ironman in September.

Weightloss:  I am 6'4 so I will never be light.  I could lose a good 15-20lbs I put on put over the last year, but its not my primary goal (I like to eat).

Hey James!

Welcome to the group.  Sounds like you've got some good experience under your belt and have a good plan, so let's keep your energy going without developing overuse injuries.  Good for you for kicking your 15 year habit, that's tough for a lot of folks.  Since your experience and mine are similar (started out with a bunch of sprint/oly races and working towards HIM/IM distance) I'd be more than happy to share with you any insight I have while training for my first HIM this July.

Since you have a race coming up in May, how prepared are you feeling for it at this point?

Hey Rob,

Welcome to the group.  Although your 2007 racing season wasn't a turning point for you to go pro it's still an experience that the new-to-triathlon folks can learn from - be prepared!  I did a handful of races on a mountain bike and so I think it is a rite of passage for some of us tri folks to upgrade (graduate) to a road bike. 

 Looks like you're getting in your run & bike workouts, with the closest pool 1.5 hours away, what are your plans for getting prepped for swimming?  If you have a gym nearby with a freedom trainer (I can look into other names for it) you may want to incorporate that into your training.  Since it uses pulleys it mimics the instability you experience while pulling your hand through the water...I can go into more depth about this equipment if you want.  It's great that you have other sports that you're interested in.  I look to other sports when I feel any burn out coming on.

So, you might have a sprint race in June. Is it just the swim holding you back from racing?  Since you sounds pretty set on the half IM in September now is a good time for you to start planning a few other short races here and there. Which is your strong leg, the bike or the run?

Thanks for the warm welcome Sara.

I actually just moved (again) from Alberta to Ontario, and am staying up at the cottage in northern ontario, which is why there are no pools.  I will be moving into a city hopefully soon, which will give me access to a pool and proper gym.

As for the HIM, I am already signed up and paid for, so there is no turning back!  Swimming is by far my weakest, but my plan is to just finish the swim, nothing quick.  Biking is my strongest (even on a MTB I finished mid-pack), so I am trying to focus on my run endurance, slowly increasing distance.

Thanks for the welcome!

As for my upcoming race in May, this one is my Lex Luther in a way. I was really disappointed in this race last year, so I have vowed to do much better this year. Last year I finished it in 3:44. It was my first Olympic race ever and the swim kicked my butt, not because of the distance, but the water temp freaked me out. The swim was very hard, which in turn took alot out of me for the bike and run. So I have been working hard all winter with this one race in mind.

I feel pretty good overall, but my runnning slacked off last month due to some issues with the feet, but my new orthotics seem to be helping alot. SO I need to get out and get more miles running.

I look forward to getting to know this group and watching people progress towards their goals, I know I need a kick in the butt every now and again!

Hi Sara - is it too late to join your group?  I hope not, I need all the help I can get; here's my story...

i am 51 years old, living with the same patient, woman for 22 years, and have two very large dogs, Arrow and Tiber who believe they are lap dogs and the world revolves around them.  it does.  I work full-time in risk management/insurance and spend most of my day sitting and computing so i love to work hard when i workout.

I think the last time i competed in an event was two years ago when i did a 5k so i am definitely a light-weight but i plan to change that this spring.  i am fascinated with competing in a tri but - you guessed it.  i stink at swimming    cycling fits me like a glove, running has become a mild addiction over the past winter but swimming is the wicked step-child and scares me quite frankly - that's the joke behind my nickname...

Currently I run 4- 5 miles/day at least 5 days/week.  i go to the local pool about 1x/month kicking and screaming the whole time.  i just haven't found a comfort level with it and am looking to you and others to prodd me along i guess.  I haven't dusted off my bike yet but that will happen in the next few weeks so I don't worry about that piece.

i'm good about posting my workouts but i don't get into all the other stuff on the blog, perhaps i will change that with this new season.  my diet is fairly healthy and i don't deprive myself i just try to be sensible.

i want to participate in a local sprint tri the fantastic natasket which occurs in late september but prior to that i would really like to do the danskin women's only in late july.  do you think this is realistic given my weak swimming?

Hi Cindy.

I had a couple of people tell me "just do a duathlon if you hate swimming", but I always felt like it would be taking the easy way out.  You may want to try a duathlon first if you want, but I wouldn't let the swim scare you from a triathlon.  I was pretty close to last place in the swim in my first sprint, but I was only a few mins off the leader's pace since a 500m swim is so short.  So even if you will be slow, you can still have a great race if your other two portions are stong (which they sound like they are).