MarkQuiet's group - FULL

Frank, its great to see that you have taken up the challenge of doing tris. You are already doing the first thing I would recommend that you do here. Log your workouts. I am currently in Florida for Christmas visiting family and will write more when I have more time.

Welcome to BT and welcome to Tris.

Hey Guys,
I'm sorry for not having written sooner. I was in Florida visiting family and had very limited access time to a computer. My family did not like me spending time on the computer. Something to do with traveling all the way there and wanting to spend quality time with them. Seesh. Anyway, expect to see more from me now that I am back in Texas.

I ask that both of you add me to your "friends" list as I will both of you. Be active with your training logs, try not to let a day go by that you don't add something to your blog. Even if it is just to say that you are having and off day and will not be working out today. Also be aware that under the "sports" section of the training log there are items that can be counted toward your physical activities during the day. Check those out as well. The logs and the inspires will be great help in my helping and encouraging you as well as others from BT.

I also ask that you post your "A" race or first race here. An "A" race is a race that will be the "big" one that you are wanting to do your best on. Many triatheltes have several races in the season all leading to the "A" race.  After the "A" race some may do others as "fun" races. If this is your first season of racing, then post the date of that first race. That will be a critical race in your becoming a triathelte.

Frank - how is the knee holding up? Anyone with past injuries like that worry me when they start training, especially in the running discipline. Just stay easy on the run portion and don't train so hard as to aggrevate the injury. As for your swimming, most people feel like they swim like bricks. I know that I do. Proper techniques, breathing, and many MANY laps will help in this area. I have been told that the book "total immersion" is a great self coaching book/DVD. I am seriously thinking about getting it myself to help improve my swim time.

Billy - welcome to our small group. Seems that you have quite an active life. I have yet to look at your logs, but will do so when I am finished writing this. It sounds like you have ambitious goals, but nothing that is too far out of reach. It sounds like you have can do all three disciplines, but have you put all three together yet - or even combined two in one work out (called "bricks"?

I look forward to helping and mentoring both of you (and anyone else that wants to join our merry little group) over the next few months.

Kirk
(sorry - Mark is just a screen name)

Oh, what they hey....

I already inspire you on a regular basis, anyway, so it's not like it's adding much work to my life!  (I kid.)

Oh, um, I guess you wanna know about me.

Real Name: Tim

Married, no kids, one dog, live in Ardmore, PA (right outside Philly).

I'm a runner.  I ran in HS (track and XC), and I wrestled.  Went to college, and joined the Army National Guard.  Did some stuff in ROTC, but got dropped from the program (long story), but I ran my first half mary back then (I actually found the results...). Anyway, after getting dropped, I started doing a lot of bar work, so I stopped doing regular exercise, started smoking, and drinking (some might say heavily for both).  I graduated (finally), but still had nothing big going on, kicked around, ended up getting married, then getting sent to Germany for 8 months.  Came back, we eventually moved to here, and I got my current job.  When I was hired, my supervisor and some coworkers all did this triathlon thingie, and they got me started into running again.  That was....a year ago.  I quit smoking in Feb of this year, I ran my first marathon this year.

I do application development, so I'm on the computer all day.  I do a lot of research into running, and occasionally some cycling stuff.  I can swim, but not well (meaning I'm not fast, but if I alternate strokes, I can go for a while).  Still trying to figure out how to run the entire tri course........Stilts might make a good option.....

I have a 1985 Schwinn WorldSport that I got from my supervisor.  It goes.

So.....Am I in or what?  If I have to, I'll do the Truffle Shuffle.... 

Your kidding right? Of course you are in Tim/Scout7. Glad to have you and I am sure myself and the others in this group can benefit for you running experience. Your first marathon was by far much better then my first and second. I do see from your logs that you got the running part down, but you kinda lack in the bike area. Even the swim can use some work.

What puzzles me is that you have not done tris as of yet. Am I reading that right? When do you plan on doing your first tri and what distance are you shooting for?

Colonel Tony, welcome to the group. Seems that you are in good company with first time triathletes. You training philosphy looks sound by not doing too much too soon. As I am sure you know that is the quickest way to get injured.

I see that you are looking at doing a tri in Irving in April. Which tri is that? I live in Fort Worth and know Irving fairly well so perhaps we can meet up sometime and work on the OWS.

I think we all agree the swimming is our weakest point. We will have to share with one another as to what works and what does not.

Sorry, I need to be careful with all the acronyms. OWS is "Open Water Swim" and is just what it sounds like. Swimming in a lake somewhere. Many tris are done in open water and is a totally different experience from doing a pool swim. There is nothing like 100 guys rushing into the water at the same time fighting for space and trying to swim.

BTW - there is an article on this site that gives definitions to the most common tri acronyms.

{somewhat sheepishly} Yes, you are.  I chalk it up to wanting to be prepared.  Besides, I sorta got into this a little late last year, so the opportunity never presented itself.  I am registered for the Oly distance at the Philly Tri in June.

As for the swim and bike, I know, I know.  I'll be working on that here soon..... 

Hey Mary,

Frank gave some pretty good advice there, and it's in line with what I was going to say, too.  I actually have a beginner running plan that involves walking initially, then slowly incorporating more and more running until you're running the entire time.  I'll try to dig it up at some point.  Just make sure I don't forget.....

Any other running questions, I'd be happy to attempt to answer.  Bike questions, I have minimal input, and you're already decent on the swim, so I'll be asking you questions on that later. 

Hello Mary and welcome to the group. Looks like Frank and Scout have already beat me to the punch with the running bit. There are some strong runners in this group so I'm sure we will all be able to have input for you in that category. A gradual inclusion of running into your walks are the best way to start. I have used this training program on a few friends that wanted to run and they have all been successful at getting up to at least 5Ks (before they quit altogether). There is a program here on BT (and also on Coolrunning.com) that is called "Couch to 5K". Look at those to start with. Hopefully your neighbor will jump on board with it as well.

With Mary I'm going to close out the group. Though I have a local friend that may join us once he returns from his trip.