McFuzz's New Athlete Group (CLOSED) (Page 13)

Colleen, always set your own goals. No matter how hard you train, there will always be better people than you. We are here to get motivated about triatlhon and going out and just do that run/swim/bike training! And for that running, I have a running plan for starters to get you going from 0 to 5km in 10 weeks in a healthy way. About every training the first 5 weeks consist out of running and walking. I used this 2 years ago to start running.

As far for the stationary bike, it's pure evil I tell you!! I have been riding my bike for 8-ish years and allthough I never had problems with my bottom but a stationary bike is always uncomfortable to me.

About your bike budget, there are two things you can do. One way is to buy a low budget bike, like the plan is now. The other way is to buy something decent, take good care of it and sell it for still a reasonable price after a year if you don't like biking.

Colleen, you are exactly why the mentor program is here.  When I started four years ago I knew absolutely nothing as well.  I'm still learning four years later!  Do not be intimidated--you are where you are and this is where you start.  I think you're smart to start off with a relatively inexpensive bike until you decide this is something you really want to commit to. 

As far as the bike seat issue, it's partly just something to get used to.  I imagine the stationary bike seats aren't the best, but if that's what you have to use to get some cycling in, your butt will get used to it.  When you get your own bike, you'll need to spend some time on it to really see how you'll adjust to the seat, but that will take some time on the bike.  Also, you'll want to invest in a good pair of tri shorts as well--there is some padding in the shorts and that helps.

Keep posting, keep asking questions, keep coming back.  We are all here for each other!

Welcome back Colleen! 

Please don't be intimidated.  The mentor program is intended to provide support and encouragement, and is a place to ask questions.  I'm glad you got to the gym and are doing some workouts on the stationary bike and treadmill. 

Seat comfort.  As you ride more, it'll get easier to sit on the seat.  It takes time to toughen up the butt, even for me.  I haven't been riding much, so I can tell you I'd be pretty antsy after an hour on the trainer because it is soooo uncomfortable.  (I've done 6+ hour rides before, and I did 4 hour rides last summer, so an hour shouldn't be difficult, but it is.)  The wide seats may appear comfortable, but it's hard to set up a good position and ride efficiently.  Make sure your seat height is about right.  When set up right, much of your weight is supported on your feet, not on your butt.  Put your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke and your leg should be almost straight.  If your knee is bent, you can't put a lot of weight on the pedals so it all goes into the seat. 

Road bikes at a bike shop start at about $700 (plus you'll want a helmet, pump or inflator, tool bag, spare tube, bike computer, etc.)  Do you have a bicycle already?  Even if you have an old mountain bike, clean it up, air up the tires, and start riding it.  I have seen people do a HIM (56 mile bike ride) on a mountain bike.  If you or your husband are mechanically inclined, you can look for used road bikes, but there is no such thing as a "cheap bike" if you have to take it to the bike shop for service.  Assuming you find a used bike for $100, a set of tires and tubes can run $60-80 and a tune-up (without replacing cables) $80.  You can easily get into $250 to have the bike shop replace brake pads (you can do this yourself) and cables and the rest of the tune-up.  Truing wheels (if they wobble when you spin them) can be $20-30 each.  When looking at used bikes, "late model" bikes (a 2-3 year old Trek for example) aren't usually much cheaper than a new bike (maybe $400 instead of $700).  You can pick up a "vintage" bike (steel frame, downtube shifters, etc.) in the $100-300 range, but you'll want some money set aside to clean it up and get it back into service.  For used bikes, it can be hard to find cracks or know what damage is a problem and what isn't. 

Think some about what kind of riding you want to do.  A road bike has the lowest rolling resistance and will be relatively light and aerodynamic, but you'll be riding bent over (even with your hands on the top of the handlebars).  Road bikes have delicate tires...(thin rubber for lower weight) so you'll spend a lot of time watching for glass and debris and fixing flat tires (unless you get something like Continental Gatorskin tires).  Mountain bikes have big, fat, knobby tires, heavier frames, and a more upright riding position.  Not as efficient or aerodynamic, but you'll spend less time avoiding glass or potholes.  You might look at the hybrid/city/fitness bikes (available at big-box stores as well as bike shops or the Schwinn you mention).  They're not as light weight as road bikes and the tires are in between road tires and mountain tires.  (Road tires might be labeled 700x23C.  700 is the wheel diameter, 23 is the tire width in millimeters.  Fitness bikes might have 700x35C tires.  Mountain bikes might have 26x2.125 tires.)  You can buy smooth tires for your mountain bike but may have to go online or visit your local bike shop.   If the Schwinn is what you can afford, buy it and ride it!  And ride it and ride it some more!  I use my mountain bike with a rack and paniers to run errands (go to the library, store, etc.).  It is still riding! 

I'm not saying it is BUT the pain you feel in your lungs could be an infection of the airways. Most of the time an infection of the airways feels painfull and makes you cough a lot. The pain is more or less situated behind the breastbone and not actually in the lungs. This CAN get bad as it mostly doesn't gives you fever or a really ill feeling. It can't really be treated with antibiotics as it is a virus and and not a bacteria. Another possbility can be that you train so hard, you inhale a lot of very cold air in through the mouth. This can make your airways feel painfull too. But when in doubt, go see the GP.

@colleen

Forget about that 7 speed, not much materials are still made for it. 8-9-10 (or 11 speed) is still manufactured. Replacement parts for 7 speed can be hard to find.

Nice rainbow!

Forget that rainbow, just give me that bike!

Kate,

Ask questions.  You may not be the only person interested in the answer. 

If you aren't feeling well, ask yourself whether you can accomplish a quality workout.  If not, skip the workout and rest.  If you can get a decent workout, or need the stability or "normality" provided by the workout, do something even if it isn't the whole workout as planned.  Chest colds are no fun whether you are exercising or not.  Avoid workouts if you are feverish.  If your symptoms are below the neck (chest congestion) avoid working out, but it is ok to do something if you have a sore throat or nasal congestion. 

If we compete in a tri, all you will ever see is the back of my head.