tcovert's Winter 2009 Mentor Group - FULL (Page 17)

Related broader question:  Is it worth joining at the entry Bronze level?  I think I will just to support the web site in return for this team and mentoring.  I really like the information and discussions.  If it's this good in dead of winter think how good it will be when we can all get outside to bike and swim open water.  I was just wondering if you guys who are members get a lot out of it.  I've enjoyed the articles and videos free members have access to.

On another topic, a good friend and top biker who happens to ride the same sized bikes as I do offerd to sell me a slightly used Orbea Ordu frame set!  I look at it tomorrow.  Nearly half priced for a black frame, fork and a stem.  I have to do the math and make sure I have someone in the wings as a technical director for a bike build...never did a TT bike...but I can't wait to see it tomorrow.  Kathy says go for it. 

Membership - best triathlon money you will ever spend I will wager. I have looked at many many sites. For the non-pro triathlete who does not regularly use a power meter this is EASILY the best. (and Ron doesn't pay me to say that). You get free plans and all the other stuff and gold gives you forum acess to coaches. Much more cost effective than taking on a coach.

As to the frame build. I did a frame build but got a shop to fit the bottom Bracket and head set. All the rest is esily doable by a competent begginer. See if you can ride one made up before getting the frame as it helps to know it's going feel before spending the cash. But sounds like a good deal to me.

Aloha

 I scraped my shin on the pool steps on Friday. Didn't notice the small scratch at the time but know its all bruised and the small wound is seeping still! Oh well. So I didn't do the run Fri night. Today is a rest day and I am off for the night with my wiife without the kids. I'll be back Sunday night and look back in then.

Have a great weekend all.

It is pretty straight forward once you have decided which one you will follow. So the first stage is choosing one.

Decide on the sort of races you are looking to do would be my suggestion then look at the description plans and see what is best suited to your current ability. Ask in the forums if you want advice.

Once chosen you can upload to your planned training log and then paste it to your blog view when you want. You can also just upload say only the swimming part of one log and the other sections from another. You can have it finishing on a certain date or starting from a specific date. It is really very flexible.

If you leave a message for me I'll look for the instructions that are pasted somewhere on the site when I get back.

Thake care. Paul

tcovert - 2009-01-16 11:14 AM Good morning, all and happy weekend! I'm sure it doesn't feel like it with the weather in some places, but we're creeping into race season. Four of you have races coming up in the next three weekends after this one. Anyone want to share how you feel about your preparations at this point? Interesting info, Susie...thanks for sharing. I've been reading for a long time in human evolution and migrations and population genetics and have been interested in the concept of pre-agricultural human diet, so it's been a little ironic to suddenly see the Paleo Diet come up on the radar. (A Facebook friend of mine posted something about it the same day you first did, actually.) I was going to talk at some length about it...esp. the complexities of the three-way relationship of human physiology, grain, and urbanization...but I've got to get on my bike!

I have the Surf City 5k coming up in two weeks. I feel good about it. Running is my weakest sport, so I don't expect too much. It is the first of the season and I took a lot of time off, so a PR isn't going to happen. I haven't done a run that long in a while, so it will be good to see where I'm at before considering a tri next month. Two things that helped me decide to do this race were the people doing it and the atmosphere of the race. A lot of BTers that I know will be there, which makes it fun. Also, there is a beach party with beer and surf bands after. Gotta love that! I think it will be a fun party to kick off my third season...oh yeah...and some running too!

At first I didn't pay, but then felt like I wanted to support Ron and the BT site because I do believe it's given me a lot. I eventually upgraded to the silver when I wanted access to the Sprint to Olympic distance bridge plan. I did follow their workouts, both that one and a sprint plan last year and I feel had pretty good success. I still have a to learn/know about what you can do with the site, but as Todd said, the people have been terrific and I've really gained a lot -- so I'll be renewing when my time comes.

 Question: Does anyone on here join USAT? I figure with as many races as I did last year I would have saved a few dollars. Just wondering what you get for your membership other than not have to pay the $10 day fee for sanctioned events.

Good news on your bike, Scott! 

I got a really good deal on a used fluid trainer, BTW ($50) -- will use it this week.

I was a little shaky with my goals for this week...

I joined USAT a couple weeks ago for the discounted entries and to support the sport and I figure I'll find some other pluses.  I'm getting lots from talking to you all, reading articles and getting input from lots of sources.  I also joined BT today as a Bronze member and subbed to Triathlete magazine after reading their Feb. edition.  Really good info for beginners. 

I also made the deal on the Orbea frame and wrote a friend who is an Ironman who just left here to manage sales at a Trek Store in Tennesse.  Hopefully, he'll be able to ship me the parts I need for the build.  He was my teacher for my first build, a titanuim LeMond.  Great bike. 

Hope everyone has a great week.  Going up to 40 this week by Thursday!  Maybe I'll get to run outside.   

Hi everyone! I really dropped the ball on this week's goals. I had wanted to do my 7 training workouts and only did three. I missed two days due to family stuff. I would have had to do double sessions both days this weekend, but life was too crazy for that. So, there's always next week. I'll be out of town on Monday and Tuesday, but have short workdays on Wed, Thu, and Fri, so I'm hoping to easily get in the 7 this week!

Enjoy your Martin Luther King Day and Inauguration Day! I'm missing both to travel for a family funeral. It wasn't someone I was close to, but I am someone else's ride who was close. I'll check back in with ya on Wednesday!

I know that everybody is looking for deals on gear, etc and I myself am a HUGE fan of chainlove.com - Yesterday I purchased a bike rack for my car for $80 cheaper than what they sell it in the store for!  Well, I just got an email today saying that they have another 'sister site' to chainlove - bonktown.com.   I checked it out this morning and it's the same set up as chainlove but with different deals.  I just thought that I would share!

*Note: the key is to 'stalk' the sites, since they only post one deal at a time.  Over the past two months I have purchased an Adidas cycling jersey for $60 less than what I saw it for at Dick's Sporting Goods, tires, tubes, and the bike rack 

Thanks for the deal sites Amber, I'll check them out. 

Question: do you think it's necessary to have a 'tri' bike as a beginner?  I have an awesome Fuji Silouette commuter bike w/tri bars and upgraded components that I've ridden as far as 115 miles in a ride so I'm comfortable using it for long distances.  My budget is saying no to any big bucks equipment this year so I'm wondering how important a tri bike really is given my lack of tri experience.  Feedback from all you vets is requested...

I modified yeasterday's workout by shoveling snow x2.  I began today by shoveling snow x1 and then I went swimming.   I'm done with the snow already.  The swim was not good because I'm having breathing problems but I stayed in the pool for 30-35 mins. and moved the whole time so it's better than not.

X-country skiing this afternoon should replace the lost runs and cycling of the weekend.  Winter in New England makes you crazy - but creative

hope you have a great MLK day.

You all back east are much hardier than I  -- shoveling snow -- up to 40 degrees. I bow to you all.

And, I, too love, love a deal. Thanks for those sites. As far as a tri-bike. I have debated about that one, but realized I have a pretty good LeMond I've been riding for about a year now. It's done fine so far, but the longest I've ever ridden is 50 miles...so far. From what I've read/heard unless you buy a middle to more top of the line tri-bike they aren't that much better than the road bike. Of course it's the geometry and the weight, aerodynamics, etc. If money is an issue, IMHO, I'd just get some  aerobars if you don't already have them. That's what I'm planning to do later in the summer as I approach my HIM. I figure that will give my legs the different angle they need while riding to then run 13.1. It's an on-going thought in my head, too though -- Tri bike, or not?  They are pretty sexy-looking.

My goals for the week: Take care of my legs, eat/fuel my body properly, don't overdo it and get those 2 key runs in -- easy swimming and easy cycling in prep for next Sunday's 1/2. 

My knee (ITB insertion point) hurt last night and had to take an ibuprofen -- I don't usually take OTC meds, or prescription ones for that matter.

Off to the garage for a bit of core work -- not impact, non aerobic.

Enjoy the MLK day.

Hey everyone,

So I have been doing some thinking lately (always dangerous) and I want some to get some opinions. I've always had a long term goal of getting to an Ironman, and after watching the tv coverage of Kona over the weekend, I've finally decided I need to set a date and stick to it. My question: Is 18 months from couch to ironman doable? I am looking at IMCDA 2010. I figure that with my age, I should be able to get to that level of fitness in 18 months, but that means 18 months of training with no off season. I wont be looking to Kona qualify or anyting, but if I am going to put the effort in, I would rather not be crawling across the line at 16:59. So, is this doable or should I look at a 2011 IM?