kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2011 Part 2 - CLOSED

Good luck!!!  We want details

I'm in again 

In for part 2!

Here's my intro from last time for any new members to the group this time around, with some updates to make it more current:

NAME: abqtj (Steve)

STORY:  Played virtually everything growing up, but never a "runner". Always a decent swimmer, but never on a team or formal instruction after age 4-5. Biked some in HS/College, but again nothing formal. Did a couple of centuries then, but fell out of it about 20 years ago. Most of my adult life I've spent playing ice hockey (goalie) and enjoy it quite a bit. Friend talked me in to triathlons last year when I bought myself a road bike as my 40th bday gift. So I signed up for a sprint in July 2010 and had a blast. 

FAMILY STATUS: Living in sin with my girlfriend of 18+ years (Diane). No kids, just two crazy Labs (Jasper and Spencer).

CURRENT TRAINING: Nothing concrete at the moment. I try and run 2-3 times per week and get on the bike as my schedule allows. Have not swam since November. I've gone from running 1 mile this year as a long run to currently hitting 3-4 miles with little problem. Also my swimming has gone from gassed at 25-50yds to knocking out 2000-3000yds for a session and not being terribly beat up after. Very proud of the swimming improvement. Now I just need to be a little quicker at every discipline. 

EDIT for April 2011: Current training is more like 5-6 times a week the past couple of months. I've got an Oly plan in my logs, but rarely actually follow it . I have monthly goals and try and meet them or get close. My work schedule doesn't lend itself to a structured training plan, so I do what I can when I can.

GOALS:  Just keep improving and learning. Conquer race day anxiety. Want to do an Oly this year. Long term goal is to be able to complete a half marathon. 

2010 RACES: Santa Fe Tri (reverse sprint), Hotter 'n Hell 100 (50 miler), Jingle Bell Sprint (DNS, sick race morning).

2011 RACES:  Signed up for: Spring Fling Spring Tri April 23rd, Jay Benson Reverse Sprint May 8th. An Olympic distance will be my primary focus, just haven't chosen it yet (either Elephantman or Cochiti Tri, maybe Las Vegas Tri...not the good Vegas, the one in New Mexico!). Also will be doing the Hotter 'n Hell 100 again, this time the full 100 miles. Big Dream is to complete the Triple Threat at the Hotter 'n Hell (13 mile MTB Race, 100 mile road, half marathon).

WEIGHTLOSS:  Since this pertains to me too...Started this in March of 2010 at about 233. Currently hover in the 206-208 range. Done solely with exercise and a little bit of paying attention to diet. Biggest change and achievement for me was dropping my Diet Coke habit. Went from 12-15 on a LIGHT day for the past 20+ years to zero cold turkey. Diet's always been iffy for me, being a restaurant GM.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  Love forums and especially the support on this one. Willing to listen and learn and hopefully have something to offer along the way.

I'm in again as well.  Hopefully we get a few newbies to chat with.

Pre rode Winding Trails today (for those of you not in CT, it is a private club that also holds weekly Xterra Tri's in the summer) The first Route 66 MTB Series Race is there this Sunday.  One of the sections where you re-enter is already VERY muddy, and tough to get through.  Looks like rain for Sunday, only making it worse.

Either way, the course is not very technical at all, but very fast.  They've added a bunch more singletrack, and some of it is very tight on the downhills.  Even though there is limited climbing, I can see someone whacking a tree on these very tight descents.  There is one very steep climb towards the end of the loop, but pretty short.  I did two laps today, made it the first time, and spun out the second.  Come Sunday, that's where the spectators will be, so you better make it!!

The guy I road with brought his dog.  I'm thinking "great, this should be a huge problem"  I was so wrong.  This dog ran with us the entire time.  I have never seen a dog run as fast as this thing.  And it's stamina was unreal. Cool to see.

Always nice to get a sale in, plus give to a good fundraiser. Congrats!

I'm in again! 3 days until my first HM! Totally excited and just hoping the weather stays raining on Saturday and sunny on Sunday! Had my last training taper run today and it was awesome - I felt great, the weather was great, everything just clicked!

Thanks everyone for all your support!

I'm in Florida at training camp so I may not get back to the forum for a couple days.

While I'm gone, please do a re-introduction so that any new people will have an understanding of who is in the group.

NAME: DDVMM/Michele

STORY: I am a black belt in TKD and have been an on and off runner for years. I have been running consistently for over a year again. I was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer on April 9, 2010 and have been through surgery and radiation in the last year, but I have been training throughout and think that is why I bounced back so quickly! I am now a one year cancer survivor!

FAMILY STATUS: Married to a great, supportive husband, 4 kiddos (ages 2,7,10,11) with crazy schedules, work a little more than PT, girl scout troop leader, cub scout den leader.

CURRENT TRAINING:Running 3-4 times a week slowing working my mileage up.Once my HM is over I will start a tri training plan and increase my biking and start swimming.

GOALS: To keep getting better! To keep learning! To finish!

2010 RACES: Couple 5K's

2011 RACES: Half marathon in April 2011 - 1 year from my diagnosis. July 23 is my first sprint tri and I am very excited. May 21 - mud run 5K, May 28 5 mile race, August - Livestrong run/bike

WEIGHTLOSS:  I probably don't *need* to lose weight but I think I would feel better if I took 5-10 pounds off.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I love online forums and from what I have read on this site, there seems to be a lot of support and knowledge. I am a pretty good cheerleader too!

Good Morning.

On tap for me today is a baby run (30min), long bike (6hr) and another baby run (30min). 

Also with so many people having race soon (this weekend!) I thought it might be good to post when you're next race is and what your goals are for that race.

For me its St. Anthony's Olympic in St. Pete Florida.  I'm  planning on going about 2:25 for the distance and having a top 10-20 overall female bike.  Based on my training, I should be able to do this, the only thing that make cause a problem is the heat.

I'm a little over a week out for my first race of the year (April 23rd). It's a sprint and will be my first regular one (other was a reverse).

My goal is to make it to the starting line feeling good about it. I'm hoping for a 10 min swim, 40-45 min bike, then a 33 min run. It's a very hilly and challenging course so I have to plan conservatively. 

That's my neck of the woods only about 30-40 minutes from my house I mayhave to come out to support you guys.

I am in thanks for having me

NAME: Carrie639/Carrie

STORY: Still a newbie at all sports. Started with aquabike 2 years ago because I couldn't run and when I did, I got all sorts of aches and pains, horrible shin splints.  Now I am 100% focused on running (partly because of my fundraising) because I don't want to give a half hearted efforts to multiple sports, I would rather give one (which happens to be my weakness) my full attention.  I may sign up for Leons Triathlon as a part of our tri team - it would make me feel guilty if I didn't give a good effort!

FAMILY STATUS: Single, 2 chocolate labs, Briggs and Bella and 1 cat, Tag.

CURRENT TRAINING: Running 4x per week per Hal Hidgon's beginner 1/2 marathon training schedule.  Will move to the beginner marthon training schedule in June.  I am also a spaz about strength training because of various injuries.  Biking and swimming are cross training right now or to at least help me fake a couple tris.

GOALS: Get to and finish the Chicago Marathon injury free (HIM put on the backburner because of inconsistency of work, doing a coupld of sprints and olympics, but more for fun and cross training) --- got a painful hip flexor right now, so working through that.

2010 RACES: Couple of aquabikes, bunch of 5ks, 10Ks and my first 1/2 marathon

2011 RACES: Furry Friends 5k, Wisconsin 1/2 Marathon, Soldier Field 10 miler, Elgin Fox Trot 5k, Naperville sprint tri, Rockford olympic tri, Pleasant Prairie olympic tri, Half Madness 1/2 mary, Chicago marathon

WEIGHTLOSS:  I will continue to try to lose more, but it is slow going --- which is helping me keep it off.  How about another weight loss challenge???

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I ask lots of questions and help answer a few where I can.  I have a positive can-do attitude.  Plus, with me and a couple of other members we have gone through the gamit of injuries and have much advice to offer on that front!!!

Gear yourself up mentally and visualize your race . . . all good. You will get the nerves, but that's ok.

Spin at a high cadence going up those hills and you won't blow up your legs and you are home free for the run!!!

here is my intro again for the newbies

My name is Terry

About me: I am 55 years old and am starting my second season as a triathlete. I completed two sprint tris and two reverse mini's last year. starting last year I could not run a mile or swim 400 yds. Mostly I Mt biked. But I recently completed a 10 k. I have had 4 scopes on my rt knee and have to be careful, but I have found that mulit sport training has bee really good for it.
Family Status: I am married and we own a big black dog. I help in raising two grandkids. I am an artist and part time sports writer for our local paper. I live in a small town in Utah and have limited training partners so I look to this site for help and support.
Current Training: using a sprint plan, but mostly free wheeling it as I can.
2010 Races: Lunatic reverse tri (2) Scofield Sprint distance (7800 feet altitude) Kokopelli Sprint St George UT

Planned 2011 Races: Legacy Parkway Duathalon ( April 23)  St George Tri (May) Scofield (July) and Koko (Sept)

Weightloss: I am currently 20 lbs more that I would like and need to adjust my eating. I am looking for a good book with a plan and recipes to help make the adjustment.

Goals: beat my PR from last season. Loss some weight. Stay Healthy and have fun

My next race is the Wisconsin Marathon (1/2 distance) and my goal is to finish strong.  I would like to improve my 2:38, but want to finish running and hit my hydration, strategy, HR, blah, blah, blah, dead on . . . instead of getting caught up in everything only to blow up at 12 . . . (although it is better than my blow up at 7 or 8 in November, so there is improvement )

Its my birthday tomorrow . .. sucky day for running.  So a bike and swim hopefully and long run on Sunday (hoping the hip flexor is feeling better).

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

^^^ Happy Early Birthday!

Super excited right now.  Just rode my first century of 2011 (101 miles in and around Clermont FL) in a decent time of 5:25.  Got off the bike and felt good on the run (even with the 90 degree temps and humidity). I think the biggest thing I did right was my nutrition -- 9 bottles on the bike and 2.5 Power Bars.  Came off feeling really good.

I'm just feeling really good about my training right now.

Awesome Kelly, you put a ton of time in this winter.  Apparently it has paid off.  Stupid question, I know you don;t carry 9 water bottles, but how do you fil those?  Are you stopping somewhere each time?

I start off with 4 bottles (one in each cage and two in the back) I then stop and fill up as needed.  We had a van that met us at three separate points for we could refill the bottles.  When I'm at home I'll drive a cooler out and leave it on the bike route so I can refill on longer ride.  Plus I always carry cash just in case a gas station is the only option.