Barqhead's Group - FULL (Page 19)

Got in 1500 yds of swimming.

Had to stop because my legs starting cramping.  I guess I didn't give myself enough recovery time from the running and biking the past few days.

I was also working on lot on kick drills and was pushing off the wall pretty hard.

That is super exciting!  Your very first one will be an experience you'll always remember!  I remember halfway thru the swim of my first race (and it was even a simple pool swim) I thought "I'm never doing this again!"  But once I got on my bike and got rolling it was all good.  And, as all the slow swimmers/fast bikers went zooming past me I got to do a little bike shopping.

Anyhow...Have a blast!  Enjoy crossing the finish line for the first time and officially becoming a triathlete!

I am so jealous.  Best of luck.  Don't be nervous.  Just have fun.  That's what it's all about anyway.  Especially with your first one.  Try to remember your transitions in your first race.  Mine were almost comical.  I think I spent at least twenty minutes in T1.  At one point, I remember say to myself "what is this and why did I bring it?"  Second race, no problem.  It's fun to see how far you come.

I am so jealous.  Best of luck.  Don't be nervous.  Just have fun.  That's what it's all about anyway.  Especially with your first one.  Try to remember your transitions in your first race.  Mine were almost comical.  I think I spent at least twenty minutes in T1.  At one point, I remember say to myself "what is this and why did I bring it?"  Second race, no problem.  It's fun to see how far you come.

Sorry about the doub. post.  I was a little quick on the trigger.

Have fun!!

I imagine the race is somewhere in Mississippi ... if it were close by I'd come down to cheer you on and help out with anything.

Make sure you go to all the pre-race briefings ... they usually give 2-3 times ... try to attend everyone cause you'll miss something the first time and you'll hear something or pick up a tip hearing it a second or third time.

Also, do a dry run on your transitions ... go ahead and figure out everything you will need (and remember, no need to go overboard.)  I know an Oly is longer than a sprint so your nutrition and water is going to be more important ... but the less you have to look at and worry about in your transition ... the better.

Practice laying it all out beside you bike ... put your tri suit on and practice running up to it barefooted, then either putting on socks and then your bike shoes (or just bike shoes), then your sunglasses, helmet, take a swig of water or a bite of Cliff bar, etc ... then walk your bike out to the road and hop on ...

Go around the block and come back and practice dis-mounting your bike in your driveway and then walking or running your bike back to transition.

Practice putting on your running shoes, clipping on your race belt, sun visor, fule/water belt if you use one, etc ... and then take off running .... turn around and come back and imagine you are crossing the finish line and everyone is cheering!  Imagine the joy, pride, and satisfaction of finishing your first tri.

Practice this a few times.

Oh, and have FUN!  You're gonna make some mistakes your first one, that is what they are for, so you can learn from them.  Just don't freak out and have FUN!

Hey guys...and gals, I appreciate all of the encouraging words.  My first race is on one of my favorite places on earth, the campus of THE University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).  I am goiing to try to keep my transitions as simple as possible, I will wear my Tri suit on the swim, then it's simply socks, shoes, sunglasses, helmet and see ya back here in a minute.  I will have 2 bottles of water on the bike and one to down after the bike/before the run.  It's a short race.... 800 meter/10 mile/3 mile, so I dont think there will be a need for gels and cliff bars but I will have both on hand just in case I feel sluggish.

I will also be traveling and racing with my training partner, who is competing in IM New Orleans in a couple weeks, so he has given me a lot of tips and advice.  This, being my first race, is all about getting the experience, enjoying the scenery and having fun.  LOL, and being a single man, I will be thanking many of the volunteers personally!  J/K

Again, thanks for all the advice and if anyone will be close to Oxford, MS on March 29th, come race with us!

Hey, does anyone else experience soreness/stiffness in their lower back after long runs (more than an hour)?  I have been having some stiffness and I can't figure out why.  However, I can stretch my hip flexors and IT bands and it seems to offer some relief for a short period of time but comes back.

Seriously thinking about buying an inversion table.

It doesn't really wrap around, it is actually kind of strange.  It feels like it is isolated to the last 2 or 3 lumar region.  It is noticeable after I have been sitting for a while, but after I am up and moving I don't notice it.  I am praying that it is just muscular and not some type nerve or disk problem.  I spoke with a massage therapist and have an appointment schedule, if that doesnt work I will go to my physical therapist.

Congratulations on the weight loss!

But the pain in your lower back is probably not from the weight loss, if anything it would start feeling better and have less pain.  The thing about your spine shifting back into place, that would be gradual as each new pound came off, you should actully have a lot less stress now ... that is what happened with me ... I don't get nearly as much low back pain as I used to after I lost 65 lbs.

If it is hurting after runs, and after sitting a while, it's probably some muscles tightening up and a good massage therapist mght fix you up, or a chiropracter or physical therapist.

I'm a little late on this, but good luck Emily!!

Hope the race goes/went well for you!

That's awesome!  I don't know if I could hang on for that 6th beer though.  Sloshy, sloshy!