Shellback1998 2012 Group FULL (Page 10)

Tomorrow morning I begin the training with 50m swim and then I think 3 mile bike ride.  I am not knowledgeable on swimming.   Are there suggested ways to swim which are better for doing this?  I figure I better start out on the right "foot" in swimming because it is the one I dread the most.


OH - I really really really want to buy a heart rate monitor but freeze every time I look them up.  I just don't want to pick wrong and there are so many different options.  I just kind of shut down.  Any suggested sites to figure out which one is best for me?  Any hints and tips for operations/options are best for newbies?  Any suggestions for best fit for a larger person? 

Strength training is great for most of the base and build phases... 2-3 times a week is optimul

You should try these

-Adaptation Phase

- Hack Squat

X 20

X 15

X 10

- Lat Pull Down

X 20

X 15

X 10

- Leg Press

X 20

X 15

X 10

- Seated Row

X 20

X 15

X 10

- Leg Extension

X 20

X 15

X 10

- Hamstring Curls

X 20

X 15

X 10

X2/week

Where are you in your training? Base Phase or Build?

I got a Polar with a chest strap--I think the chest strap is really important for accuracy.  They're not that pricey, so don't worry about screwing it up. 

Ok, this is probably not the recommended version, but for those of us with limited funds, personal swimming classes and $150 DVD courses are just not in the budget.  What I did:  started swimming, knowing I was probably not doing it right.  I focused on bilateral breathing, which took some adjusting to, and just being comfortable.  What helped me most was swimsmooth.com.  They have an animated swimmer you can download and watch from every angle and videos that break down the stroke and offer all kinds of tips.  So I watched the swimmer over and over and over and over... If you know anyone who will watch you and give you pointers, that's a definite plus.  But in the meantime, on the cheap, check out swimsmooth--it's free

Thank you for letting me join. I have been wondering if I made the cut off all day.  Here is more information about me. 

Name: Christi

Story: I have never done a triathlon but have read the magazine for years *Grin*  I completed my first 5k in October and was looking at a fun one in Chicago in June when a girlfriend asked me to join her in the Sprint Triathlon in Naperville, IL on June 10.  I stressed out, worried, hoped and finally agreed.  So, here I am.  I am 5'10-11" and close to 250 lbs.  I had my 2nd baby 8 months ago and am hoping that the triathlon training will help me lose weight.  I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian and plan to log food on MyFitnessPal.com.  I have been using them off and on and their database has all the vegetarian foods I eat.  A few events have happened in the last month which make NOW the time for me to do this.  Lost 2 friends to cancer on the first.  A friend, her Mother in Law and StepMother In Law were all diagnosed with cancer.  A girlfriend from High School lost her father 2 nights ago due to heart attack.  He was only 58.  A friend from HS lost his mother yesterday to cancer and my mother had a heart incident in December (she is 59).  NOW is the time because who knows what we will learn tomorrow. So sorry for the bad news there.  Just wanted to share why now.

Family Status: Married 4ish years, 3.5 year old son and 8 month old daughter. I am an older mom as I am 35 years old. I married late, had kids late and am apparently late to the Triathlon world *Grin* 

Current Training: I did Couch25K and did my first 5k in October.  Been doing treadmill and weights 3-ish times a week off and on over the holidays.  Lost 40-ish lbs since baby born 8 months ago doing this and watching my intake of calories.  

2011 Races: First 5k October

Planned 2012 Races: SHErox - Sunday June 10, 2012, Centennial Beach, Naperville IL

 .75K (.5 mile) swim, 22.8K (14.2 mile) bike, 5K (3.1 mile) run

Weightloss: I would like to weigh 190 and currently weigh 248  

Currently my questions center around nutrition. I am lost and clueless as to how to balance out the changes in my schedule, changes in activity levels and what my body will now need.  I did order a book online, but it isn't here yet.  

Tomorrow morning I begin the training with 50m swim and then I think 3 mile bike ride.  I am not knowledgeable on swimming.   Are there suggested ways to swim which are better for doing this?  I figure I better start out on the right "foot" in swimming because it is the one I dread the most.

I guess that is a lot.  Working on my visualization board tonight - has my gym hours, training schedule for the week, distances for each leg of the race and other things to keep me motivated. I am pretty excited.

OH - I really really really want to buy a heart rate monitor but freeze every time I look them up.  I just don't want to pick wrong and there are so many different options.  I just kind of shut down.  Any suggested sites to figure out which one is best for me?  Any hints and tips for operations/options are best for newbies?  Any suggestions for best fit for a larger person? 

Congrats on your victory and YOU ARE BRAVE.  I have resigned myself to treadmill and stationary bike for the next few months.  I prefer running/walking (have to be honest I am a slow jogger if doing anything over a few miles) outside, so can't wait for spring.

I too was up at 5 - the pool opens at 5:30 and I had to do first swim and then bike before hubby left for work at 7-ish.  I was stressed, but was able to drive there, swim, change, bike, drive home and all on time.  Won't work so smoothly as the miles/meters are added into the training, but for now I felt accomplished *Grin* 

Congrats... how hard did you run? e.g. are running with HR zones established?

Welcome Christi, ok, with your HRM try to get a POLAR or GARMIN, just two that I"m most familiar with you and I find that they give the most accurate readings. You'll be busy training with these and it will keep you honest to make sure you aren't over training for this triathlon. 

Congrats on doing the C25k, how did you do? Did you follow the plan? Are you good at structured plans? What kind of bike do you have? 

Thanks.  Is it to avoid shin splints?

FYI.  Just saw this on the internet at livestrong.com. 

"When you exercise on a treadmill, moving on a 0-degree incline can actually  mimic running downhill, which can contribute to shin splints. To reduce shin  pain, run at a 1 percent or higher incline. This  height helps to mimic the  typical incline when running outdoors."