QUEEN ZIP & KathyG - CLOSED (Page 2)

NAME: Helen aka aquagirl
STORY: Oh...does it have to be short?? Ok...I am an  NICU nurse. I only work part time so I actually have loads of time to train. I began this journey when the chronic insomnia I had developed from years of shift work was really starting to take its toll on my health. I decided to join a gym and get in shape. I cycled a lot in my twenties and have always loved the water so triathlon seemed natural...I just had to learn to run!! I started with a couple of try tris and was hooked. Last year I did an Oly and a few smaller races. My health has improved one hundred fold. I still battle the insomnia but not nearly as badly as before.

FAMILY STATUS: I am Mom to two fantastic boys, aged 9 and 13 and have been married for 17 yrs.
CURRENT TRAINING:I LOVE to train....if I was not so afraid of getting injured I would happily put in twice the hours I do now....motivation is NOT something I require, common sense is!!!
THIS YEAR'S RACES: As I already mentioned I did an Oly this year as my "A" race. I was pretty proud to have completed it and came in with a better time than I thought I would. I did two other races as well...a sprint-like distance and another race which was shorter than an Oly but all hills. I also did my firt half marathon in September.

2009 RACES: For 2009 I am planning to do my first HIM, Timberman at the end of August. I will also be doing another half mary at the end of Feb and then again at the end of May. I am also planning a relay with some BT peeps at Patriot in June.....I will be the cyclist!
WEIGHTLOSS: Well....I am that rare freak that has trouble keeping weight on....have been like this my whole life. Trust me, its not all its cracked up to be.....
WHAT is important to you next few months: The most important thing that I would like to accomplish this year is to learn to enjoy racing....I train because I love it with every fiber of my being but would happily NOT RACE. I have to get over that.

Other than that I want to stay injury free and enjoy this wonderful journey....I am forever grateful to have been given the gift of good health that lets me pursue this sport! OK.....that sounded really sappy, but its true!!  

Cat you are welcome to join..I'd love it You have been a support and encourager for me last few years.

Thanks Kathy!!! Ever since I say you and Judi were doing a group Ive been waiting for it to go up!!! I will go write a nice LONG introduction now...

It looks like Kathy, Jessica and I are all doing the No Sugar Challenge as well.  

And I did notice that the group was predominantly Eastern Seaboard.  I am one of the Sunny West Coasters, but I haven't been able to run in shorts in about a week - too cold.  I have never run in snow, although I have seen it (snow) before. 

Whose triathlon will be first?  I think I am going to aim for a sprint distance in April.   I would have my choice of an open ocean swim tri in Newport Beach on April 19 or a lake swim tri on the 26th. 

About my only piece of training equipment is my Garmin 305.  I love it.  Does anyone else use this or something similar?   

Happy training this week.

Leah 

STORY: Im a 26 year old living in Sydney Australia. I got into triathlon with an enticer race in early 2005 because a friends wanted to do one. I didnt even know how to ride a bike but bough my Trek with the clip in shoes and everything and learnt to ride on that... 

My friend lost interest but I stepped up to a sprint distance in 2006 but got terrible heat stroke and was sick for several days afterwards. I later found out I had a chronic stomach conditions which when active interferes with my bodies ability to absorb water which would have been part of the issue. 

Spent the next year pretty sick and trying to get healthy. Was on some yucky medicaiton that saw me gain ridiculous amounts of weight and struggled to stay active. A year later I started to move again and then got myself on crutches due to a bad ankle injury... a run in with plantar fascitis and runners knee got me to early 2008.

In mid 2008 I got back into the gym with the real motivation coming around my favourite time of year... the Tour De France... to put it mildly Im obsessed about it ... I love love love it! Since then Ive slowly managed to get active consistantly and loose a little weight (much more to go).

In October I signed up for a Womans race and finished... it was an enticer type distance but mentally a MASSIVE victory for me! Slower, bigger but on the mend I adored it - had a lot of run issues during the race and since then I have been working on re-learning how to run as the physio has diagnosed terrible biomechanics as the major contributor to all my issues. 

In the aftermath of my race i started to talk to some women at work about doing a triathlon together in February and we have 17 women now committed to racing a range of distances up to a full sprint. 

FAMILY STATUS: Single - live with one frustrating flatmate

CURRENT TRAINING: Im on holidays right now which means more riding outdoors as I dont normally get much time to do it. Apart from on holidays my plan looks a little like this:

Sunday: Long Ride outdoors  + sometimes a swim

Monday: Intervals on Spin bike + Weights

Tuesday: Tempo Bike + Run/walk on treadmill (Brick)

Wednesday: Off or Swim or Easy ride or run - this is a sliding day

Thursday: Run (intervals) + Weights with PT

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Swim (plus sometimes a ride) 

Being on holidays this will be changing around a bit and I want to get more running in - especially outdoors. And Ive had a nasty  virus with ear problems so havent been in the pool for a few weeks... good thing my swim is the least of my worries!

THIS YEAR'S RACES: Enticer in October 2008

2009 RACES:  Sprint Distance February 1st

WEIGHTLOSS: In the last few months Ive lost just over 10 pounds... current goal is to maintain over the holidays. I have a total of 30-40 pounds weight to loose so Im focusing on good nutrition for fueling my workouts rather than a dedicated diet plan. Its working so far but I suspect things will start to get more challenging at some point! I went MONTHS on a strict plan and didnt loose anything so the last few months have been a revelation!

WHAT is important to you next few months: I would really like to finish my Sprint in a PB time... not having heat stroke will help but Im 30 pounds heavier right now than my last race so that would be a big ask.

I would like to improve my bike skills... and I would like to run regularly as I dont really enjoy it and need a lot of cajoling to actually run. 

Im also looking forward to having a group to share all my questions, last minute race worries etc with because doing this sprint distance - especially when Im responsible for all these other people being signed up - seems really daunting. Especially when they are mostly a lot smaller and fitter than I! 

Cat

QueenZipp - 2008-12-22 11:45 AM Hi Cat!  Glad you waited for us to go live

Thanks Judi - I really really really wanted to be in your group! 

Name Chistery/Kathy

I started running last year.  I wanted to do "get moving"  I had the help of "real runner"  you know someone who loves to run.  She pushed  but did not shove. I completed my first 5k and a 1/2 half marathon.  I like that you have experience with sports injuries.  I have had both ankles reconstructed but have the OK from my doctor to do what I want.  When I started to get shin splints he suggested swimming as a better form of exercise.  I asked about a tri he said go for it.  So next year I am planning to do my first tri.

Single w/1 dog

I train on an indoor bike for 30 minutes then run for 15 minutes not swimming yet.  I am undecided if I should join a masters swim team or find a coach.

I am planning on doing the Subaru Womens Tri as my first tri.

As a beginner I would like to learn all I can before my first race.  I have some information but haven't put it together in a plan.

I hope I can join your group.

Do you have a swim background to be proficient in a masters group?  Most masters classes don't take a lot of time teaching the strokes so if you're a relatively new swimmer you'll want a coached program at a gym or privately. 

Does your gym have a swim instructor?  I started swimming with a coach 2 years ago.  He is free with my gym membership.  He took my swim from a step above "put yor face in the water and blow bubbles" aand dog paddles to a smooth stroke.  We've had a few horrific fights in the 2 years together but have come to a great working relationship.  It takes persistence and lots of drills to get a good feel for the water.  Once you have that the stroke becomes smooth and then it's working on speed.  I'm not fast (yet) but I'm still a way better swimmer than I was last year at this time.

I'll check on that!  Thanks.  I was thinking about paying for a coach - but FREE is much better!

You are welcome to join...we will be kind but supportive and encouraging...accountability helps all of us.

Hi Sharon!  Welcome aboard

Helen,

Welcome..

I see you are another that loves to train but is more neutral about racing. Racing in a relay will be a blast for you..I enjoy that most of all other than Ironman races.

So we have a aquagirl and pike on the same time. For those of you who don't know me...I picked a fish name to call myself to be more positive about my swimming. I'm not sure if Helen picked her name for similar reason or not.

The journey, improved healthy and great example we are for our children is amazing and life changing for us and our kid's lives too.

Welcome aboard...

Joanne...welcome to our group.

I know Joanne from tris in the area and have swam with her once at Walden pond a couple summers ago and went for a bike ride too with a BT MA get together.

Sweet job on your 5 miler this year and look forward to seeing you at some tris this summer.

You do a great job of balancing your life as a Mom, full time employee and training!

Glad you joined us