Tri-Wog StL's Group - FULL UP, Sir! (Page 2)

I'll try to give updates every weekend, maybe on Sunday nights, but here's my update from the past week or so...

I haven't run in a long time, and so I just went to the running shoe store about two weeks ago and started really slow, doing the "Starting from Scratch" program, but I found it a little bit *too* slow for me after the first day.  So up to last week, I was able to run about 12 minutes or so before getting tired, walking a bit, and then alternated running and walking until I got to 30 minutes on my watch timer.

Then, I got sick this past weekend with some food poisoning or something, so I wasn't able to get back outside until today.  When I pretty much ran the same 2.5 mile course around my neighborhood straight in under 24 minutes.  My goal is to increase my running time to an hour without stopping.  So I'll probably do the same thing another day or two this week before increasing it slowly (maybe 5 minutes a week).

Running has always been my weakest link, so I'm working on that first.  I'll get in the swimming and biking eventually.  My first triathlon isn't until September, and I know this mentoring thing runs until July, so I'll be well on my way in my training.  I've got a 5K race in two weeks, which I should be able to do fine on... its more of a charity thing than anything else, and I can always walk when I get tired considering its a run/walk.

I've updated my training log and races so you can check it out (I think its public).

My to-do list for the next week or two:

- Go get sized for a bike at a bike shop in the next couple of weeks
- Work up to running 30 minutes without stopping

Mike 

While I went down for a check up/fill on my lap-band yesterday, I went by a couple of bike shops in Jonesboro, AR and came away with some questions.

I went into both bike shops and gave the same story each time, I am new to cycling, I have lost 83 pounds since last October and was interested in picking up cycling in addtion to running.  Then I mentioned that I was planning on doing a Tri Sprint in August.  Both bike shops gave me some recommendations and I wanted to run them by someone with a little more of a clue.   Both were extremely helpful...one much more so than the other.

The first bike was a GT Nomad Sport http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/road_fitnesscommuter?s_language=eng&s_archived=t#4047.  The second bike was a Specialized Crossradhttp://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32296.  My third option is this....borrowing a friends Schwinn Mesa GS around a 98 Model or so.  I am not big on borrowing things becuase I would rather mess up my own $300 bike as opposed to theirs if something were to happen. 

I will not mention which dealer was more enthused about biking and therefore a much better salesman and from what I gather a better businessman in general.  Plus he seemed much more trustworthy and knowledgeable.

The dealers mentioned that I would not be laughed off the road if I bought either one of these.  Any thoughts?  Am I headed in the right direction?

My budget was $1000 for all bike and accessories.  Helmet, water bottles and the like.

The place with the Specialized offered at anytime that I wanted to upgrade he would give me 325 off of SRP for trade in.

Hi All! My update for the past week:

I  was on the treadmill 6 days for 30 minutes each time at varying speeds. Not pushing too hard on the running yet because of my size. I also took 4 short bike rides (to and from a patients house). Just trying to get my butt conditioned for when I get my new bike and start commuting to work. I also ordered a heart rate monitor and I am going to focus on building a base and burning off some fat while training, seems like a pretty smart way to train. I will use the age formula for max HR until I can tolerate/afford a LT test. I also found a local pool with very flexible hours, so once I get into the swing of commuting I will start my swim training. I am trying to introduce things at a slow but steady pace so that I don't get burned out or frustrated. My commute will be 8 miles each way 3 times weekly and 11 miles each way 1-2 times weekly. That is pretty much it for this week, I feel pretty good, some soreness but nothing that feels like injury. Hope everyone has a great week!

Cheers,

      Collin

Okay so I went to the LBS that I said I would not go into it....but he was very helpful.  Extremely friendly and knowledgeable.  So I made a decision to buy the bike locally as opposed to either St. Louis or Jonesboro which are both a couple of hours away.  He even gave me so local spots that he likes to go.  So now here are the bikes I am looking at http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/2_series/21/ and the or an 07 Pilot 1.2 which is not being made this year.  I am going to test ride both of them tomorrow and make my decision.