left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 181)

Fit - ride max is about 3:15 to 3:30. Run max 90-120 minutes. Swim 1800 meters is plenty. Then one day it all gets put together. After long bikes a bit of a run even 15-20 mins conditions the legs. One or two race rehearsals with a three hour ride and 80 minute run will let you test nutrition as well as fitness. Do them about 3 and 5 weeks out from your race.

I don't have anything at the moment...startin from scratch here.

I see a few gamin 305's on craigslist for $125ish.....but I hear good things about the 310XT.

then there is the 405.....i'm leaning toward the 310XT.

anyone have any of these? complaints? comments?

There is a thread going on over on the Tri talk forum about this.  FYI, 305's new aren't much more than $125.  $125 seems a bit high for used 305's but I could be wrong.  I have the 405 and like it.  More like a watch then a laptop on the wrist but the smaller form factor is harder to read.  310xt has longer battery life and you can swim with it.  The multisport is pretty cool on it.  That said I would probably go for a 305/405 unless you have a IM in the works this year as the $$$ difference is pretty steep.

Jeff - 405 is not waterproof. I have 405, 310xt and the new Timex. I am inspector gadget. I like the 405 for just running. The 310 is great for tris and connects to ant+ devices. But it is not a watch at all. The Timex is my current favorite. Watch. A bit big but a conversation piece. An ant+ connector. A multisport watch and Timex simplicity. You can even lock the buttons. My understanding is that it is the garmin gps but I wouldn't swear to that. The 305 is no waterproof either although I know some folks swim in them. Further,the gps tracking is lost underwater but I like wearing one device all day. Let me know if you want more.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love new people in the group??? This is awesome. Thanks noobies. We are glad you are here. Also we track finish lines for the year so if anyone has an official finish - run, triathlon, tricycle race - let me know and we will ge the count started. (motor assisted races don't count - it's gotta be you powered----but if you inspire a family member to race with you, we count their finish lines too). Get busy!!!

Edited by left.right.repeat 2011-02-09 8:57 PM

Mav, angry knee, that's what they will be calling me with my new hot pink arm warmers, the angry Ironman!  oh yea!

Thanks for the info, my target is to compete in tri's so it sounds like the 310 is for me. I haven't even looked at the timex yet....off to read more!

Hey Mav!  I want a hat!!  lol  But I would love to see Billy sporting his hot pink arm warmers!!!

ok, question for the group time....

how many of you have done a full Ironman? for those who have, how long did it take you to work up to that level?

I ask as I am setting some goals and would like to talk through some realities with those who have been there (or know what it takes to get there).

I know I set out to target wildflower at the end of April, not sure if I'll get to that (logistical reasons, not training wise) but farther out I am looking at HIM in Austin Texas (oct 23rd I believe). This gives me 8 months to train (....then Kona in 2012....ok back to reality.....)

From what I have read this seems aggresive, thats how i like it. I know I am starting from a 10 year stint on the couch, never ridden a bike and learned to swim jumping off the train bridge out on the delta, but as most I was athletic in my youth and have never been overweight.

I'm not afraid of failure at all and not worried about "having fun" as the competition and striving for a PR in every race is the FUN for me. If I cross a finish line with gas in the tank I will be very disappointed no matter what the distance.

anyway, I have gained a ton of insight and knowedge from you all so far and as I get farther along I know I will have more questions for ya.

questions? comments? snide remarks?

PS its ok to tell me "no way you will make it"...that just adds fuel to the fire

I have the 310 and like it a lot Feel free to ask questions if you have any

Hey everyone,

Well getting cleared to work out again also meant I was cleared to return to work again.  So I have missed out here a little but did a lot of reading this morning to catch up.

Mav- glad all went well, best of luck

All- I have been swimming and am starting to breath better. BUT, I still have to stop everytime I get to the end of the pool.  Couple weeks ago I was doing 500m in 25 minutes.  I got that down now to 500m in 20 minutes.  I am not swimming faster but taking shorter rest at each end of the pool.  I am fustrated because I dont want to stop at each end.  I keep reading it just takes time and something will click  and you swim like a fish...

ok, I am done venting now

Congrats on work out (and work) clearance Graham. I too am a noob swimmer, got my 500 down to 16 minutes (last night). My master swim class starts next week and the main thing I was told was that I needed to train my lungs to swim, which meant breathing while swimming. She said my lungs will grow and your endurance will get better and eventually you wont have to stop and rest.

so breathing and also technique is what will get you swimming farther and faster.

my noob $.02

Good luck!

I'm on my second 310xt  and still like it alot.  The crystal on the first cracked when the strap malfunctioned and it fell to the ground.  REI replaced no questions asked.  Even after it cracked, I swam with it in a Sprint and Oly.  I tried using the 310xt during cycle training but found it difficult to read the face and stay in control.  So I added an Edge 500 to my bike kit. 

Other than the vunerablity of the crystal, my other complaint is with the HRM strap.  The heart rate monitor strap of the 310xt is made of fabric, which is more comfortable than the plastic model but is not as durable.  Good news is garmin accessories are compatible.  Most can be purchased seperately for less than when it's in a bundle.  I mix and match components from FR60, 310XT (x2) and Edge 500. 

Useful accessories:
  Foot pod, cadance sensor,
  Bike speed and cadance sensor
  305 style HRM and strap.
  Quick connect strap kit for 310xt,
  Powertap wheel.

Thanks for the info.

I'm really looking for an "all-in-one" gadget, though I dont really need one for the swim. I'm not worried about swimming in OW.

I will want cadence, speed and HR for the bike (power would be nice but i hear expensive). HR and speed/dist for the run.

is it easy to just have it sitting on my bike ready for the bike leg and easily removed for the run?

-Jeff

Check out DCRainMaker.com, this guy is an active triathlete and is the blog expert.  He lurks on BT and responds to Garmin posts every now and then.  He has an excellent article about a quick change kit for the 310.  You remove the factory strap and replace it with a base that is similar to the base of the edge 500.  You add a 500 base to your bike stem.  Twist and lock the 310 on the bike, then twist and lock the 310 onto your wrist.  Seems easy enough. 

Please, let me answer your question about a full Ironman, if I may.  I started working out in January of 09, ran my first sprint in April 09, (was hooked at that point), first triathlon in Octobet of 09, decided to do the full Ironman in November of 09.  This is when it gets ugly,  I joined this forum, bought my bike (Carmen Electra) off Craigslist (while looking for a hooker!).  Named her Carmen to my wife off.   Told my wife thats the only way I would ever get to ride the before mentioned person!  Come on folks, that was funny right there, I dont care who you are.

Ok, started traing for the race the first week of January.  Race date was August 29, 2010. That's almost 9 months to train.  I did 2 HIM relays and 1 HIM alone in preparation.  Was it enough? Yes, if you do everything you are supposed to do and never, and I mean never blow off a workout.  I talked in depth with Bryan (LRR) about strategies, nutrition, time estimates, etc.  Sure wish I had listened better or at least applied everything I had heard. 

I will do another IM in 2012, but will do several things different. 

A.     Never miss a workout
B.     Never half a$$ a workout
C.     Have a better nutrition plan
D.     Follow plan to a "T"
E.     Have at least 2 backup plans for every plan
F.     Don't over cook the bike, if I feel good, I am going to fast, If I feel like everyone is passing me, I need to slow down, get my point?
G.     Remember, on my first Ironman, it really is all about finishing.  Lofty finishing goals will get you in trouble
H.     Use everything i learned in my first Ironman to allow me to hit those lofty finishing goals in my second Ironman
I.      Walk down the finishing shoot to soak up every second of the moment.

I don't think I left anything out but if I did Ironpeople, fill it in and correct me.


Hope this helps,

Billy the Ironman


p.s.  Shut up Lena!

Billy the Ironman....thanks!

great info and advice.

I did get a little confused about your timing and dates.....you mentioned your first IM in nov 09....but then you talked about one in aug of 10.....I'm sure Carman Electra plays a part here...anyway I think I got thr point there.

My bike gets here Monday.....and now I have to think of a name for her.....:/

my plan is to:

1) Define schedule (aka maintain proper life balance)
2) build the proper base (basically ensure i can go the distance)
3) build speed
4) "learn" proper nutrition for the distance (ie how many calories do I need to consume to keep the machine fueled and not BONK)
5) practice transitions
6) find someone who is slightly faster than me and thinks they should beat me...
7) BEAT THEM!

oh and Set a PR in every race.

It will be a long journey requiring dedication and patience (by more than just me).

I feel confident that I have a capable knowledge base here in this group to help me learn and keep me motivated along the way :D

Thanks!

Jeff the (soon to be) Ironman

ps - I am sooooo getting a tattoo when I finish my first IM!!



Edited by pace13 2011-02-10 3:02 PM

Graham, first go way back on this thread and read some of my early posts (do a search for swim demon on this thread).  I was very much in your same situation (if not worse).  At first could not do more than 25 meters, etc.  Not too long ago I did 500meters in about 10 minutes, slow compared to some of the fish here but rockin' compared to how I was only a year or two ago.

Couple of points, ITS ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE.  Whoever told Pace that he would "grow his lungs" I am hoping they were speaking metaphorically.  Otherwise it was a very misguided piece of advice.  You could be an olympic marathoner and a body builder and still swim a 20 minute 500.  Practice your technique, get it perfect.  As you perfect it you will get faster.  Just adjusting my pull I saw huge gains.  Yes, building endurance is necessary but its maybe 25% or the equation at best.  Swimming lots of laps won't get you much faster.

While I am not an Ironman (only one HIM and an IM Aquabike) +1 on what Billy said.  Going into my IM aquabike (actually a relay where I did the swim/bike). I had some lofty time goals for the bike.  Well a very cold swim and and very cold ride (38 degrees at the start of the bike) combined with a sub-optimal nutrition plan and my time goal went out the window.

Will post again about my swim adventure last night.  Wow, combine ~100 kids, a masters class, newbie swimmers, and chaos reigned supreme last nigt at the pool.

Later all!

Pics or this didnt happen

My take on the advice given (and maybe I didnt communicate this well) was that I would basically "learn to breath while swimming" so by "growing my lungs" meant i'd develop the capacity to breath properly in the water.

so is this info true or am I being mislead here?

I currently become winded and need to take a break every so often when swimming only 500 yards and since you cant breath freely as you can out of the water...well you see what I'm getting at.

and EVERYTHING i've read also echos what is said here...its all about technique.

-Jeff

Pace - sorry I stated my point a little off.  Very good point made was that learning to breath properly is part of the technique of swimming.  Not over/under rotating, etc is key.  Getting to when you turn to breath the bow wave created will give you the space to breath is important (I didn't explain that quite right so hopefully the fish here will correct).  If that is what was meant then yes it was good advice (IMHO).

OK, heres the deal, I found out that in swimming you use acompletely different set of lungs.  I could run for days when I started swimming but could only swim 25 or 50 yards without being winded.  Rent a locker at the Y, store your swimming lungs in the locker and only take them out when y ou are going to swim, that way you won't wear them out.  You think I am joking , but that is what I had to do.

Thanks everyone for the swimming insights.  I will keep plugging along and update any positive gains. 

Love this group!