mjewen's group - FULL (Page 2)

Hi, I'm currently looking for a group to join.

I found this website a couple of months ago, and I have been training for at least the last month and a half.  I'm really looking forward to participating in a Tri (then more), and I'm very focused on improving in all areas.

I'm 35 and in a place in life where I want to get in much better shape (like when I was a bit younger), and I think triathlons would be the ideal place for me to accomplish this.

Please let me know if you have any room for one more.

Thanks -Scott-

Just an update to welcome the last members to our group - Jessica, John, Melanie and another Scott - and to officially close the group at 12. 

Here is our group:

Mike - mjewen (mentor)

• Roxann - martymngirl
• Scotty - redbaron84MN
• Jim - jk809
• Sandy - sandy43
• Beth - trirific10
• Victor - vamazzeo
• Steve - sloimpac
• James - james.budge
• Jessica - jessicacrouchrt
• John - nole runner
• Melanie - mellymedic
• Scott - slickster

Judging by the number of posts, a lot of you are either fairly new to site or "lurkers" those who follow the threads but don't post much.  Nothing wrong with either, just stating a fact.  For this group to work well, we'll all have to participate (as best as time allows, I know it is tight for many).  You taken a good first second step by signing up for a mentor group (even better signing up for my group).  The first few include making the commitment to start working out with a race as a target along with other goals, finding BT, etc.  Hopefully sone of the next steps will be participating in the group, following a plan or maintaining consistency in your training/diet/weight loss and reaching your goals.  

BT has a wealth of info, not all of which I've discovered yet.  I would encourage all of you to start using the training log to log your workouts and activities.  This will help with accountability to the group.  We can help motivate each other thru the tough times.   Many of you have stated you are following or starting a plan.  If you are at the right level on BT you can import plans right into your training log.  Or just log your times/distance as you workout.  There are some neat charts/graphs available.  My logs are accurate back to last fall when I started my marathon training.  Previously I used Garmin training Center for run/bike workouts and SportsTrack for everything.  I have started logging all my worker here on BT but will probably continue with the others as well.  I may drop my hand written notebook and just print out my BT logs periodically. 

Along with logging your training, please go into your training log and give your BT blog a name.  Then add the rest of the group as friends.  Click on display settings, then the appropriate tab to view/change settings.  For friends and add each of us by screen name listed above.  Type all or part of the name, highlight the proper name and click submit.  Also, make sure your logs are either public or at least open to friends.      

Within the next couple of days I'll post more on my thoughts on getting us started.  At any time feel free to post questions on our thread.  I'll try to always chip in with my response but anyone should reply based on their experience.  PLease reply on the thread so we can all see the reply, unless it happens to be something personal and not to be shared.  Remember, we are not coaches, just offering advice based on our knowledge/experience. 

Also, I will be referring to each of us by first names rather than screen/BT names.  Just an fyi, my BT name is m (first name - Michael/Mike) j (middle name - Jerome) ewen (last name - pronounced U-win). 

Let's ROCK & ROLL!!!!

Hey all,

For those of you interested in the swim drills on youtube, here is a link to one and there are plenty of clips to watch aside from that one!. I also think there were some clips on transition tips in the bunch.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUULNJEdKU8&feature=related

Another site that might be useful is..

 http://www.swimplan.com/

I have not used the site but found it posted elsewhere on BT and thought it looked like it might be interesting.

Beth

Beth, I really want to thank you for passing these on to me earlier.  I really found all of the drills to be beneficial.  They are helping me formulate my plan for self training prior to the training plan beginning.  This tool is awesome for all levels.  From basics to refinement. 

I now have a direction to go.  one step at a time.  Starting this week with kicks.. next week will be breathing.. then arm strokes.. then.. put it all together.  Come mid March when the plan starts.. I should hopefully be ready to truly work it.  LOL

 thank you!

Roxann

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=417

Great article on setting up your training log features....

Use this link to access our mentor group thread quickly, this is better than what I posted above.  This gets you to the last page of our thread.    

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=142544 

Here is a short article on the benefits of a training log.  I find many of Active's articles to be pretty simple often stating just the obvious but they are typically short and to the point.

http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Ten_reasons_to_keep_a_training_diary.htm?act=EMC-Active&Vehicle=Triathlon&Date=01_04_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=Ten_reasons_to_keep_a_training_diary&TextName=More&ArtText=Txt&Placement=1&Dy=Mon

Thank you Mike.

I have started using the training logs, and in doing so, I really think I need to now consider the membership.  I need the half marathon one in my calendar also, so I can really focus on both trainings... or work the two together. 

this is good info. 

Roxann

Hi everyone!

I'm really excited to tell everyone I made it to the gym for day one of my training plan.  When I looked at the activities involved, I thought it looked too easy.  After being on the treadmill for 20 minutes and swimming the 100 meters...I can guarantee it wasn't so easy. HaHa.  I feel really good and hope I can keep this enthusiasm for the whole 22 weeks.  Thanks in advance for all your support.  After reading everyones posts I feel somewhat intimidated!  I'm sure walking for 20 minutes is no big deal for most of you.  I will just take this one step at a time....and finish with a big bang!

Any advice is always appreciated!  Thanks again for letting me be part of this group Mike...and btw when is your birthday??  You mentioned having a birthday this month.

Sandy (day one done!)

Sandy, great job on day one.  That is the big step.. getting started.

I also hit the gym tonight.  Though right now, I am technically on a taper week for my half marathon, I do have some easy distances for me just to keep moving.

I am also trying to use the swim as a cross train.  I am just 3 months post foot surgery, so I am trying to keep my foot happy so I CAN do the half in 2 weeks.

so tonight I did a short 30 min walk as my warmup, then hit the pool.  I warmed up with a couple laps of my familiar side stroke, then went to work on the kick.  I was using a kick board, and trying to do the kick as shown on the videos.... GOODNESS!!  either I am doing something wrong.. or something... I swear I didn't move at all!!  hmmmm.. I am soooooo a scissor and frog kick girl!

I ended up doing about 20 minutes in the pool.  Don't know the distances... but kept doing laps and working the kick.  But mostly doing the strokes I do know.  side stroke and back stroke.   that will benefit me also, as I have not been in the water since high school...  I love the water, and was quite comfortable.. just cannot seem to get the flutter kick to work for me!!  Thank goodness I have 7 months!  LOL.  It will come.. that IS the purpose of the drills, right? 

Any suggestions on the kick would be greatly appreciated.

but I did the time... 

Roxann

ohhhh Melanie.. I think this WILL help a ton!!  I will do the drills on my side... didn't even think of that..  sweet!!  I will let you know how that goes.  My next swim is later in the week.  so we shall see... small pool at the hotel, but it will do.

Thank you!

Roxann

Sandy, 

Good job getting started! Don't be intimidated by anyone elses logs, the main person you're doing this for is yourself, and I think competing with yourself is the most important thing.  I'm really just starting myself, and I have to always remind myself nothing happens overnight, it takes time, just keep working hard and the results will follow.

Keep up the good work!

Steve,

You had a question about your times and how they will match up.  Most result sites will list the swim times pace per 100 yds, the bike in mph and the run in pace per mile, in addition to listing the total times for each of the 3 legs plus both T1 and T2.  So convert your times to these standards and check out the results of some of your local races.  Remember your standalone training or racing times will likely vary from your triathlon race times.  Seldom do you train at a race pace.    

Each race is different, a lot depends on who shows up.  I have a guy in my region who is nationally ranked very high at some of the longer distances, if he shows up, he wins my AG and everyone else is competing for 2nd at best.   

Early on, I didn't care much about where I placed, I was out there to learn and compete against myself.  I am still mainly competing against myself but have found I am moving up within my AG.   

With the times you listed you won't embarass yourself, don't worry about that.     

John,

I totally agree with Melanie.  Swimming is so much technique based you should not forget about doing drills.  A great tool is to get a video of yourself swimming if possible and do some self coaching.  Video does not lie (right Scotty? We videotaped each other when he was home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We both have flaws we easily saw on video).   I try to do some drills early and also in the the middle of my swim workouts.   

My Dad's right about video tape.  When I used to teach kayaking, I would put my students through a routine that would involve all the different strokes they had learned, then we'd watch the video together.  It's a great tool because you can actually see what you're doing, even if you think you're doing right.  Dad and I both continue to struggle with the flutter kick.  Since then I have worked on that issue and started bilateral breathing and even tried flip turns, although my push off is still a little all over the place. 

Wow Dad, I never thought you or mom would call me Scotty, but with two Scotts what can you do?  You could always call me Scott E.