MarkQuiet's group - FULL (Page 17)

Hey, I have a question about registering for my first tri.  I figure the natural thing is to register in the "novice" group, but, I checked last year's Crystal River races and there normally are few women in my age category which means I'd have a chance to actually place.  I know one girl who is doing a first time tri and is going to be a novice who will kill all of us in the swim and she's an animal so I imagine she'll really have a good time.  My question is, would it be better to register as a "novice" or in my age group?

After hearing stories of the St. Anthony's tri last weekend I definitely want to stay as much away from people during the swim as I can.  They had 4' waves and even the kayakers were capsizing.  They had to literally rescue 50-60 swimmers.  OMG.  I'm praying for calm waters.

Tara

Tony:  Those are good distances for your first tri.  You'll be ready. 

All: My 2 cents for your training - Pick your "weakest" event and make sure you can comfortably go the distance (and beyond).  Then start doing bricks at or near the distances.  Nothing else can prepare your body for the sometimes awkward feelings between swim/bike and especially, bike/run.

We've got a full weekend of racing, here.  Texmom, my arse-kicking wife, is doing a sprint tomorrow.  She'll be joined by 2 newbies - her friend (yoblondie) and her 76 y.o. daddy.  He just recently signed up to do this; however, he's been swimming a mile or two a week for the last 40 years, has run the last two Cowtown marathons (Feb. events) and has a crazy hybrid-style "road bike" he had built by several bike shops over the years.  After going out and doing the distances (super brick?) last weekend, he signed up.  This should be a great time tomorrow.  Then, on Sunday, I'm racing the same course.

Who else is playing this weekend?

Bummer on the cancellation.

Our tris were not cancelled for wind - but there sure was a lot of it.  Full weekend of fun, with the 8 y.o. doing her first tri this coming Sunday.  Extra! Extra! READ ALL ABOUT IT! http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=74815

 db

Way to go Doug and Texmom - sounds like you guys really get into it as a family affair.  Sounds like your father-in-law enjoyed himself - awesome!

Frank too bad about the race, especially considering that awesome time - that's just a dream for me.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Tara

I'm interested in LSDs too.  What's the deal?  I'm sort of toying with the thought of a Oly next year (am I nuts?) and understand I'd have to increase distances in everything, but, even if I keep doing sprints, how long should my LSDs be?  Is the focus on the length of time rather than the speed?  I assume it would be fine to walk part way in order to be able to complete the entire time.  I'm all ears....

tb

I, too, was all about speed, once, but am now very comfortable with LSDs.  As Tony the Tiger says, "they're grrreat!"  You'll find you can go longer at a relatively slower pace (for me in the 10s) and it really helps build endurance.  My little Garmin friend has been invaluable for slowing me down when I naturally speed up (as is my naturally slower running buddy).  You can mix a little speed work in via accelerations, etc. but don't overdo it.  When it comes to race day, my overall times have plummeted - sub 8s for my last sprint tri (5k) and low 8s for my recent Oly (10k).  Numbers which last year were not fathomable.

As for making the leap from sprints to olys and beyond, go for it.  My first tri this season (and 4th ever) was an oly.  It was great.  They are different, though and your preparation has to be on distance/endurance.  Speed comes naturally after that.  Now, ready or not (I've paid already), I'm training for a HIM in October.  I'm also considering a crazy midnight 25k run in July.  Point is, it's do-able.

Keep up the good work and you'll get there.

db

Stump - run, walk, crawl - all you have to do is get across that finish line.  It can and will be done - especially with just over 2 months of training left. 

Here's another piece of hair-brained advice.  Go observe (or better yet jockstrap [volunteer]) at a local tri prior to yours.  You'll get a feel for the event overall and just how supportive they really are.  Every one I've attended has seen the gamut of body sizes, types and ages.  I'll post a picture of just such an example soon - A skinny 30 something woman finishing her run and a not so skinny woman (50s maybe) out for her run (btw - I've seen this woman at more than one of these events).  It just goes to show you that every type of person "tris".  -- somebody tell me how to put a picture in a message, please.

As for LSDs (whoa, far out, man).  I just go.  I bring my electronic gadgets, but I don't train in zones at all so I can't answer that one.

I have a running question (or maybe its just a "finishing" question) for those who have raced and wrestled with the mental stuff that goes with the race.  I did a full practice run this weekend and I KNOW without a doubt that I will be able to finish the race most likely without walking (unless I don't hydrate properly or something like that), but, when I see that finish line (in the race I'm doing in 2 weeks, you can see it from about 1/2 mile out), my stupid brain starts telling me I can't make it.  I know I can and I tell myself that but it is like I'm in a torture chamber.  A couple of folks blogged me on my training log with some good ideas.  Any other ideas out there?

Also, I have a question about a race belt.  I'm wearing a tri outfit and am not going to be adding a shirt or anything so I can't have my number preattached to the shirt.  I have a hydration belt that I can pin my number to.  Would that be okay or is a race belt what I should have?

Thanks for any input you can give.  Getting nervous.....