Jackjack's group - closed

Hello Cynthia, Pleased to meet you!
You are right, I think we have a lot of attitude things in common and I'm delighted you'd like to be part of my mentor group.  This is the first time I will be mentoring online so anything you think you'd like to hear from me at any time let me know!
I've had a look at your logs and you definitely have the right idea - consistency is key!  I'm guessing you are in California somewhere and I saw you went skiing the other week !
I remember oh so well how it is to try and get some exercise in with 2 young kids.  The gym sounds like it is working well for you at the moment and I am sure a few outside runs and rides will make there way in somehow sometime.

Jackie

Jackie-
I am interested in joining your mentor group. I am new to BT and excited to start meeting people and networking about triathlons!

NAME: Jenny (Jennifers)
STORY: I have always been very athletic, I have played soccer since I was young and I have always been a runner. I tore up my knee playing soccer and had to have surgery, and wasn't able to play soccer or run for months. I was able to bike and swim, so I began to think about trying a triathlon. I completed my first triathlon in 2007 (Chicago SuperSprint) and loved it so much I decided to attempt the Sprint Distance at Chicago the following year. I struggled with the swim (I was the only person in the entire race to use a snorkel) and used my big old mountain bike for the bike, but I did it and finished, and the feeling after crossing the finish line was amazing. Ever since then, I've been hooked.

FAMILY STATUS: Married for 2 and 1/2 years, no children, 2 lizards

CURRENT TRAINING: I have been training using the Triathlete's Training Bible as a reference for workouts, and I have a training program from Runner's World for my half-marathon coming up. I usually train 5-6 days a week, and try to balance all three disciplines in as well as weight training and my weekly soccer game

THIS YEAR'S RACES: I have competed in 4 indoor timed triathlons this winter, and won my age group in 3 of the 4.

2009 RACES: I have two indoor/outdoor mini triathlons this month, Green Bay half-marathon in May (my first); Door County sprint distance in July, Chicago sprint or Oly in August, and Danskin in September.

WEIGHTLOSS: With my knee surgery I had gained some weight, but since last summer and with my training I have lost 15 pounds. I mainly want to maintain my current weight but definetely need to improve my nutrition. Sweets are definetely a weakness of mine.

Hello Jenny
You are very welcome to join - think we are still in the staging area but let's not let that stop us!
Sounds like the 3 of us so far will be helpful to each other on eating/ nutrition as well as training.
You are off to a great start for the season with your tri's.
I had minor surgery on my knee (badly torn meniscus) the year before I did my Ironman.  My surgeon was really encouraging and understood that I wanted to get back to training and all went smoothly.  Sounds like you are properly recovered too.  Tritathlon is so good for making us effectively cross train and so helping us keep injury free.

You sound like a fun group to join. I am looking for like-minded triathletes to bounce ideas off of and also to support each other in all of our goals this season. This will be my 3rd year of doing triathlons so I hope that is okay with the group. I usually log my workouts (time and sometimes distance) on the training log.

NAME: Daiva , but everyone calls me Dee

STORY: I come from a running background, having completed 10 marathon or longer running events. Then in 2003 I severly sprained my knee and bought a bike as part of my rehab. In 2007 I did my first sprint triathlon and I fell completely in love with the sport! I love to race - I love the feeling of pushing myself hard in a race and I love crossing that finish line. My goals are to improve upon my times from last season. That being said, my number one activity is spending time with family. I truly believe that family comes first, and training / racing can work itself in around other commitments.

FAMILY STATUS: Married with 2 boys (ages 8 and almost-3), 2 dogs. My husband has done his share of triathlons and has 2 IMs under his belt, so he understand my 5:00 am wake up times to hit the pool!

CURRENT TRAINING: Self-designed training. I use the Triathlete's Training Bible as as base for my weekly training hours and for workout ideas. My focus this season is to get stronger and faster on my bike. My run usually takes care of itself thankfully. I am not a fast swimmer by any stretch, but I really love the open water and would like to shave off a few minutes this year.
I also need to be careful and not get injured this year. I have a tendency to overdo it on some of my workouts - I go hard and fast when I should be taking it easy, or I'll add a workout because I feel good that day. I have a nice list of injuries from the last 5 years, so I don't want to add to it.
Working on strength training twice a week and yoga twice a week to increase my flexibility and strength.

2008 RACES: Last year I did the 5430 sprint triathlon, Boulder Peak olympic distance triathlon, Crescent Moon sprint triathlon, a bunch of dip n dashes (swim-run), and was part of a 5-person team for the 24 hours of triathlon relay.

2009 RACES: Triathlon Friday sprint June 5th, Boulder Peak olympic July 12th, 8 hours of triathlon solo September 26th (my goal is the HIM distance), probably some dip n dashes and local 5ks.

WEIGHTLOSS: I am down to 134 now from 140 a couple of months ago. I would like to hit that 130 number this spring. My weaknesses are definitely chocolate and chocolate and well, chocolate. I eat really healthy other than that, and my cup of coffee in the morning.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR IN A MENTOR: Someone who understands there is a balance between family and training. Someone who can give me a little push when I need it.

Welcome Dee
Sounds like you have a bit of experience yourself to help us all along.
I am so with you on the family/ workout balance. Up to recently I was a stay at home mom and was very fortunate to be able to workout during the day and be there for my family too.  That was one of the reasons I did the Ironman in 2007 - because it was my last year before I tried to get back to work so I had the time to train.  It was a wonderful experience and maybe someday again but I simply am not prepared to make the time sacrifices at the moment to train for something like that because my family come first.
Anyway you are very welcome to this group.

OK we have now gone live (ie out of staging area) so let's get to meet each other and learn about each other.

First of all, this is my first time mentoring so I want to restrict us to a small group of 5 mentees - we have 3 already and hopefully we can entice a couple more shortly.

To make this work properly I suggest the following (and I know some of us do this already)
(1) log our workouts on our blogs
(2) use this thread to check in (preferably daily) to find out how we are all doing and get to know and motivate each other and ask any questions, however trivial or big they may seem.
(3) I'm going to add you all as "friends" so I can get to your blogs easily and write you inspires.  Hopefully you will all want to do that as well.

Please note that (and I know I said it in my bio) I am on vacation from this friday for 10 days and am unlikely to be able to blog/ inspire etc.  We're on a cruise and internet isn't a priority even if we get a connection.  Hopefully our group will be able to inspire and motivate each other whilst I am away and send me good vibes so I get on the treadmill occasionally to work off the chocolate   (PS can I admit I had chocolate eggs for breakfast yesterday - not a good example but I ate lots of healthy things too )

Yes, yes, I'm in CA.  I never thought I'd be a "gymrat" but now that I'm a mom and need to "buy" time... it was either gym time or give up (more) sleep time!  I decided spending the money and training indoors would be a better choice than giving up precious sleep.

I forgot to include in my intro the part where I need to do my strength (i.e., core) workouts.  Last season I feel they really helped - when I did them regularly.  I haven't gotten them into the new regimen yet this year -- so nag me!

I'm looking forward to my mini sprint on Saturday - 100yd pool swim, 2.5 mile bike, 2.1 mile run.  Last year the run was a mile shorter and I had to walk parts.  I'm hoping this year to run the whole thing. 

-Cynthia

Thanks! I think we can all be a huge support to each other.
I am a stay at home mom (have been for 9 years now) so sometimes it is hard
to squeeze in workouts. Thankfully I have an indoor bike trainer, a baby jogger,
and a very supportive husband.
I have added everyone to my "friends" list, so I think you can access my training logs now.
My hours this week will be low and mostly swimming due to pulled hamstring I am getting over.
I'm trying to upload a photo, but I am a bit technically challenged so that may take awhile
I'm looking forward to training with all of you!

I understand also about trying to squeeze in workouts- I am an athletic trainer at a University (I know LOTS about injuries, so if anyone has questions on those, let me know!) so I work long, irregular hours. I am at work as early as 5:00am and as late as 10:00pm some days. But I do the best I can and try to make it work!
Can someone explain how to add friends on here? I am still learning how this site works, and I can't seem to figure out the add friends or even find that feature.
Cynthia-
Good luck this weekend! I also have a mini triathlon this weekend. I am super excited, I am hoping to iron out some "kinks" before my other races coming up (like transitions, which I am not too quick at yet).
Dee-
Sorry to hear about your hamstring. I just got over a bad strain in my hamstring from January. I pulled it climbing over a bleacher at work. I tend to be accident-prone I guess. Good luck and hope this week goes well.
I look forward to training and networking with you ladies!
Jenny

Jenny
Go into settings (it is above the square box at top of your blog page - spanner/ wrench picture).  In there click on tab that says customise blog settings.  One of the options in there is friends.  There are lots of spaces to enter friends. Use our online names - you can use the search feature or just memorize spelling

It is so exciting that tri season has started already in some places.  We have a couple of indoor tri's over the winter but the first tri's are really June here - due to temperature mostly I think

Cynthia and Jenny- have fun racing this weekend. You will do awesome!!!
We don't have many tris in Colorado this time of year either. Some indoor races, but I love to swim in the open water so I'll hold off until June. Even in June, our water temps are pretty chilly.

Jackie- I am so jealous of your trip. Have fun and enjoy the sun.

As far as my hamstring goes, it feels a million times better today. I think all the icing this weekend helped alot. I did a warmup walk on the treadmill this morning, some light weights, and I swam this morning and I feel pretty good today.
I figure a few easy weeks now will be a good thing for my body. My first race is not until the beginning of June.

Talk to you all soon!

I have 2 "A" races this year:
1. Boulder Peak olympic triathlon on July 12th - my goal is to improve upon my time from last year. I had a hard time on the bike (no speed) and the run was 90 degrees (not acclimated to running in the heat).
2. 8 hours of triathlon solo (www.24hoursoftriathlon.com) on September 26th- my goal is to complete the half IM distance within the 8 hours.

I have a few options in mind for training.
There are 12 weeks starting next Monday until the olympic race, then 11 more weeks until the 8 hour race.

Option 1: stick with what I am doing now: used the Triathlete's Training Bible to work out my annual and weekly hours and training periods. However, I am basically designing my own workouts on a weekly basis and I am not sure how effective that is.

Option 2: Use a 3x balanced olympic training program from BT for the Boulder Peak race, then take one week off, then use the last 10 weeks of the BT beginner HIM program for the 8 hour race.

Option 3: Work on building a nice base and increase my strength/ flexibility for the next 4 weeks. Then do the full 20-weeks of the HIM program, building in the Boulder Peak race to the plan.

Thoughts or suggestions on the most effective way to design a program for the year?
The last 2 years I was still primarily running-focused and my biking/swimming suffered as a result.

Thanks!!!!
Dee

Dee
Let me think about this over today (got to go out now) but I can probably help you on this - but remember this will be my opinion!

Can I still join your group? I completed my first sprint tri last August. Unfortunately school this year has been crazy and training has been spotty to say the least (I have not been good about logging workouts, but you can see the up and down, when i do) This is my last major week of school ever so i wont be on much until next week but after that I will start logging workouts and posting regularly.

NAME: Rachel

STORY: I played sports most of my life growing up. I ran and played soccer when i was little and through most of highschool (however, i've never been very fast). I then attended the Naval Academy for the first two years of college where I rowed crew and was in the best shape of my life so far. Upon changing schools i have not been in any kind of organized sports and stopped working out regularly. UNTIL January 2008 when I made up my mind to do my first tri and get back into some semblence of shape. I worked out 6 days a week at 6:30 in the morning, w/ a one month hiatus while in Italy. I finished my first sprint last August and was hooked. I was so proud!!! Then this school year was all over the place and working out got put off alot. And now I want to get back into it and this time maintain the lifestyle despite schedule and life changes, because these will always pop up.

FAMILY STATUS: I'm single, about to graduate (May 2nd), move yet again (back to MA) and start my first real full time job. (i move ever 4-8months in general)

CURRENT TRAINING: Last year I followed the micheal pates total sprint plan. it worked really well for me and helped me develop a base. This year I have kind of been all over the place. more so trying to maintain. However I would like to start the 3X olympic plan next week. If my work schedule allows my plan is to run the cranberry tri fest oly in the end of August. My first olympic distance.

2008 RACES: last year i ran the Journey for sight "sprint" triathlon (.5 swim, 17mi bike, 3.5 run)in just over 2 hrs, clear bop.

2009 RACES: I haven't officially signed up for any races yet because i don't know how work is going to play out ( i start the first week of July) But i would like to do the black fly sprint, maybe 1 or 2 other sprints and the cranberry oly.

WEIGHTLOSS: I would like to just shift to slightly more healthy eating habits. I know once i start working out more regurlarly the weight i've gained will come back off. Ideal weight loss would be 15 lbs but just better fitness level is what i'm really looking for over this summer/season.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR IN A MENTOR: Someone to help motivate me. Someone w/ a strong background in the sport and can help me overcome some of the beginners hurdles i'm still wading through. Someone to provide some new ideas to keep things interesting in training, diet and just for fun.

Dee, FWIW, here's what I did on the advice of my gym's trainer, who has raced Kona.

When I returned to training we felt like my need/ability was a somewhere between beginner Oly and Int sprint.  So I took a look at various plans fitting those descriptors and ended up combining 3 plans so that each sport was decently aligned with where I was.  I found the free plans at www.trinewbies.com to be of interest too.

I think I'd look at the workouts for plan "B" with an overlay of plan "C" to see how similar the workouts would be for your first A race and then combine plans to suit your current fitness/goals.

-Cynthia

Hi Ladies!

I'd like to join your group if there's still room. My name is Heidi, and I'll post a bio this evening when I'm not at work!

Thanks.
Peace.

Hi -

It looks like you already have five women in your group, but I thought I'd post and see if you might take one more.  I really like the tone of your post;  you sound committed and balanced.

Despite the name 'usagold', I am a brand new triathlete.  In high school, I was a very competitive swimmer, but unfortunately had to have bilateral shoulder surgery in my senior year.  I am now a sophomore at MIT, and although I've been keeping active to maintain my health (both physical and mental) I truly miss having a competitive goal and a group to work with. 

That said, I would love to join your group, if you'll have me.  Swimming is my strong point, probably followed by running.  I am training for my first half marathon this summer.  I know almost nothing about biking, however.  I suppose rather than 'usagold' i should have called myself 'motivated but clueless'. 

Hope to be communicating further with you and your group.  : )
Diana

Rachel
You're welcome to join our group.  Posting comments and workouts are important motivators - for us as well as you!  So, get your head down and study this week and you can really get going next week!  Hopefully you may be able to fit in a little exercise between now and then even if only as a destressor.
Good luck with your last week of school

Hello Heidi and welcome
We look forward to seeing your bio and getting to know you later

Diana
Welcome.  You sound like you'll fit right in with us.
I"m going to close our group now and I'll post a bit more later

I had a nice run this AM... nice in that it felt good, I sweated a ton, I felt strong, etc. though it was probably shorter than I should have done.  ah well, this getting back into form is taking time, I don't want to invite injury!

-Cynthia

Hi Ladies- Here is a little bit about me:

I'm 41, married, and have 3 kids. They are 19, 6, and 2. We also have a dog, 2 cats and a fish (that my 6 YO is very offended if I neglect to mention). I work full time as a Service Coordinator for adults who have Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and are living in the community. My husband is a teacher and musician, so he is often not home in the evenings. Although he's very supportive of my training, he isn't always here to take care of the kids so I can get a workout in.

I've been a runner since 8th grade. However, I had an injury to my foot about 5 years ago that took me out for 3 years, and since then I have slowed down significantly. So far, if I have attempted to increase the mileage or pace too much, I reinjure my foot. I've managed to be injury free since last June!

Last year was my first season of tri's. I trained for a Sprint distance, which was cancelled last minute, due to a hurricane
My husband and I staged our own tri for the same weekend, so the training didn't go to waste. But, I missed out on all of the excitement of competing in an organized event. Running is my weak spot, so I'm following the 20 week oly training plan that is run focused.

This year, I'm training for an Oly Tri in early August. I'm hoping to do a sprint in September.
I'm registered for a 5k this coming Saturday! This will be my first 5K run since 2004!

Weightloss_ Two years ago I became an accidental pescetarian. Since then, I've been eating much healthier than ever before. Coincidentally, I lost 20 lbs and have kept it off! I'm happy where I am, but wouldn't mind dropping another 5 lbs.
I think that's it!
-Heidi

It looks like 3 of us have races this weekend! Good luck Cynthia and Jenny. (Hope I spelled these right).

I'm looking forward to hearing race reports.

Mine is a 5K. I haven't raced one since '04- and I use the term "race" loosely.

 Any suggestions for how to run it?  I'm a bit nervous.