Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 107)

Originally posted by sspicer

Thanks for taking the time to read and the comment on the thread.  I am taking this week "off" and have put together my training plan for the next race.  Plan to do another sprint the 1st weekend in August. Another local one for me.  Originally I had planned to go to my old stomping grounds but the swim is 200m in a pool.  Not interested.

Originally posted by Kartracerguy

Gary, I just finished my first Triathlon yesterday. It was the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon. I wanted to thank you and all the members of "Gary's Mentor Group" for the questions and remarks that have been posted over the last 5 months. I have read quite a few of them and they have helped. It was an experience that I waited for and finally arrived whether I was ready or not. Once I passed the gate to hit the water quite a few things came very clear over the next 1hr and 49 minutes that I had not considered:
1) While swimming in the pool is good, it did not 100% prepare me for swimming in open water like a lake. I could not see the bottom (which can be a little strange). Suddenly I was overwhelmed with adrenaline and a burst of nerves that meets water that is cooler than I expect and I could not swim correctly.
2) Finally I reached T1 where I had laid out all of my gear. I washed my feet and dried them off 100%, not a problem, right. Got my socks and shoes on and mounted my borrowed mountain bike and off I went for my 12 mile cruise through the Delta. All went well, but slower than I wanted due to a nice head wind for 6 miles slowed that.
3) Once I got back to the T2 I realized that my training on a training bike had come back to haunt me. When I dismounted my bike I could not hardly walk because I was hunched over for 12 mile and my back was extremely stiff. Once I started the run I was lucky to get up to a fast walk. Stopping was not an option but I was really concerned whether I was going to be able to make it or not. After struggling for 2 miles my back loosed up to the point where I could run about to an 11 minute mile run.

After crossing the finish line I just about collapsed, my back and legs just about gave out. I finally made it back to the bike rack and changed my shoes. This is where I found I had tore up my toe nails and rubbed big patched of skin off on my toes. You remember I said I dried off my feet 100%, well that's what I thought, well they were still damp and my shoes multiplied that.

Would I do it gain, at first I said no but after thinking about it over the night I think that I would change that to a positively YES, but with knowledge of past mistakes.

Thanks Gary's Mentor Group.

David Guy
Saltillo, MS

Originally posted by GaryRM


David - Congrats!!!! That first one is the toughest to get thru but the most fun. One of the reasons we always try to set the goals for the first race is just finish. Now you have a baseline to compare future races to!

While most of the rest will be fixed by more training the shoes incident is a bit unique. I have done lots of races with my feet a little wet and never have had your issue. Something else is going on there IMHO. Are you using running socks or just cotton socks? How old are your shoes. If you put on socks even with a little dampness it should not have ripped up your feet like that. Something is wrong there.

Originally posted by Patman99

Well gang, I finish my first post-knee surgery tri last Saturday (5/18). I finished 4th in my age group (1:47 off the podium) and 27th overall. In the process I set PR in every phase. Thank you everyone for all the advice I have seen posted. I have tried to implement some of into my training. My next sprint is set for Father's Day. Unfortunately my dad will still be in a walking boot and won't be racing(he injure it finishing 2nd in his 70+ age group in the same race), but it will be my 10 year old's first race and will be a blast. I'll keep everyone updated!

Pat

Originally posted by GaryRM

Good luck this weekend!

As for me I restarted working out yesterday with an easy swim and ride. Next training plan starts in a couple of weeks but for now I workout when I want.