Famelec Brian's Mentor Group - FULL (Page 10)

croyston - 2010-04-07 10:04 AM Are we going to stay active in this group, or should we sign up for a new mentor group for April-June?

croyston - 2010-04-07 2:22 PM Deb - I'd suggest getting tri-suit if you think you'll be doing multiple triathlons.  If you are in a wetsuit race, you just wear the tri-suit under the wetsuit, and for non-wetsuit races you swim in the tri-suit and have nothing to change in T1 or T2.  The tri-suits dry quickly so you shouldn't be wet on the bike for long, and have enough padding to make the ride more comfortable without making  the run feel like you are wearing a diaper.     

I currently have just tri-shorts and have had no issues with swimming in them or biking / running.    

Deb C - 2010-04-07 11:51 AM

I'll be transitioning from indoor swim to outdoor.  Being wet always has its disadvantages, but my biggest concern is staying warm so early in the morning in the mountains AND being wet/damp.  Seems I am always cold.

What suggestions do you have since I don't plan on removing my bathing suit.  Should I worry about trying to put on bike shorts so that I don't get blisters from the friction of being wet?  I don't want to lose time in transition if I don't have to.

famelec - 2010-04-08 9:04 AM



Good question!  I didn't know it until now but our formal mentor group has ended (I didn't get the memo!), though continues informally as long as folks post here.

If you like lots of interaction my suggestion is to sign up for a new April-June mentor group.   The early year groups have a lot drop off in activity as some resolutioners don't make it this far.  The April-June groups should be much more active since due to the energy of participants are actively training for their first or second triathlon.

My commitment to the group is to get you at least through your first triathlon so I'll still be checking your logs on a regular basis and trying to motivate you in any way I can.  I'll also be checking this thread regularly through May or early June since I believe everyone will have their first triathlon under their belt by then.

While I enjoy being a mentor, I won't be leading a new group for the April-June period.  Yesterday I accepted a new job in a new city (the major metropolis of Tyler, TX!); I'll be starting in May and moving the family in June.  (Who wouda thunk I'd land a good new job in this economy, and I wasn't even looking??!!) With all this I really can't commit to a new group....

If you choose to join a new group, feel free to post here also.  And everyone should feel free to send questions to me through the inspire on my training log or through PMs.

Now back to training!

Brian

Tiesim - 2010-04-09 4:41 PM Hi All,

Firstly, a huge thanks to Brian for all your help, tips and motivation since january and many congrats on the new job. I was not aware the group officially ended this soon. I wish you and your family much luck and enjoyment for your new future. I for one will definately keep in touch !

I picked up my wet suit today and decided to go for a sea swim, the water temp was 8.5, now i dont know if thats cold or what but i found it really difficult to swim properly, for several reasons, 1 i could not see anything, 2, it was so cold i was instantly out of breath and 3 i think because of the lack of air i was all puffed out so quickly. BUT it was hugely fun !!

I guess this was just a huge shock to my body and will get used to it with open water practice.

Tomorrow a friend and i are doing our own personal triathlon. a 400m open water lake swim, 16 mile bike ride then 6 mile run, i dont think we will be racing against each other but we will be pushing each other for sure. ~So i will be back with a report tomorrow for you all.

In review of my personal progress since deciding on this path for my sporting future, i am definately fitter, swim better and have rode and run more than ever before in the last 3 months. Ok i did not meet my target training plans or lose any weight, but i think i have not put 100% into it either but do want to moving forward and am still motivated to do this. Infact Mrs T wants a holiday in june and i am looking for a hotel with a decent gym & pool to spend time in rather than just eating and drinking !

Take care all and enjoy the spring weather this weekend !

T

Tiesim - 2010-04-11 4:33 AM

Thanks for the tips guys! a few weeks ago we were thinking about holidaying in france and i was looking at races then, great minds think alike!

So yesterday was huge fun! Up at 6am, ate cereal, banana, energy drink and watched tv for an hour, then we met at the lake at 7.45 to get suited up, i could never get into my suit on my own!

After a chat with the guys running the lake they send the canoe man out to follow us/ We tiptoe into the water and my friend is saying how cold it is, it was actually warmer than the sea the day before so to me it was ok atcually.  There are 4 boyes in the lake marking out the 400m route, so we swim out to the 1st boye and back to shore to warm up. I am wearing a cap unlike in the sea and that is making a massive differnence to the cold. So off we set for a 400m loop. I made it round but probably half of it was breast stroke, i found it really hard to get into my swimming groove as i could not see inm the water and had to keep sighting as i was zig zagging all over the place. Also my lungs were tight and i felt i needed to burp but couldnt get it out.  we got round and were happy to have done our 1st OWS, many many more to come by the looks of it as i have a 750m sea swim in may and 1500m sea swim in july and so need to practice.

We stood about for about 20 mins after the swim taking to the guys who run the lake and some other people there swimming. It was great to speak with these people, they are not all elite athletes but very friendly guys and gals, this made me feel at ease.

We climbed out our wettys and jumped on the bikes, i had my tri suit on underneath my wetty and just wore that and my shades and helmet. It was about 10c burt i quickly warmed up after a few miles as the sun was out.

We rode hard and fast with an average speed of 19mph for 16 miles and i experimented with some different gels and emergy drinks which was useful. We then got back to the lake, locked the bikes up and threw on our trainers and set off (on friday i put on elastic locking laces so this was a trial of using them for me). We set off at a slow pace as our legs were quite tired and picked the pace up on the last 4k. Our run time was 54 mins but that included a toilet break and our last km was in a time of 4.48 which is a good pace.

We got back to the cars and felt pretty damn happy with ourselves, although a little concerned about the swim but that was hot news to me.

I got home afterwards and was in for 30 mins before i was out and  off to rugby again, i managed to sub myself and only play the last 20 mins, after a couple of runs and tackles i was spent and glad to hear the final whistle !

All in all, agreat day, i really felt like its coming together now and as races start coming i am going to enjoy it even more and train more seriously.

famelec - 2010-04-12 10:34 AM Well, I finished my first triathlon of 2010 yesterday!

I had a blast, did well, and learned a few things.  My run has come along surprisingly well over the last couple of years, to the point where my times are somewhat respectable when compared to the faster folks.  On the other hand, my cycling is far behind where I'd like it to be.  I used to think that my run and bike abilities were fairly equal; very clearly, cycling is now my weakness and I need to work on it a lot!

You can see my race report here:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=203303&posts=1&start=1

Brian

famelec - 2010-04-14 6:42 AM Deb and Tiernan have their first triathlons this coming weekend.  Post your last minute questions if you have any. 

Good luck you two!!

Brian

Deb C - 2010-04-14 3:17 PM

Thanks, Brian.  My ankle still isn't 100% as of today.  Did a very light 3 miler today and had to take off my shoes.  Ended up with a bloody, broken blister on one of my left toes - which I believe I received yesterday when I finished my 1 mile run barefoot.  Anyway, even though I've been having my ankle adjusted, I've been getting tightness in my arch.  Is taping before a swim recommended or do I need to wrap it in transition?  I haven't tried taping during a swim because I haven't needed it, but this minor task will save a little time before the race if I do.  Thoughts?

famelec - 2010-04-15 2:05 PM

If you can point your toes when taped and you don't expect it will fall off in the water, I see no reason not to swim with it.  It might be hard to tape in T1 on wet feet and in a crowded area, but it could be done if necessary.

Is it warm enough now to be running barefoot in Colorado???

Brian

Tiesim - 2010-04-15 1:22 PM Good luck thisd weekend Deb !

Thanks Brian. So quick questions.

1 should i have a box for my kit in transition ?
2 Do i need to wear cycling gloves ?
3 estimated time 2.30 hrs, do i need 2  bottles on the bike or 1 plus 1 in transition ?
4 Its a 7.50 wave start for me, what time do you think i should arrive there ?
5 Meal plans for friday and saturday, Chicken pasta friday, tuna pasta saturd*ay, any comments ?

Thanks everyone, i am nervous but excited !!

T

Deb C - 2010-04-15 3:27 PM
I will tape before I leave the house!  Yes, it has been warm enough the last few days to run barefoot.  Tuesday morning was a little chilly (on the top of the foot), but it felt great not to have to run in 'those' shoes.