Wurkit_Gurl's Group - CLOSED (sssh...we're training) (Page 2)

Wetsuits, on the whole, are pretty pricey. That being said, you CAN score some sweet deals online if you know what you're looking for. I think there is a brand that BT'ers get a discount on - the link is around here somewhere, I will try to find it. If you have a chance, though, go to a store or two and try on as many as you can. Make sure you are looking for TRIATHLON-specific wetsuits. NOT suits for diving or surfing - these are made out of different material and are not constructed for full range-of-motion swimming. A triathlon wetsuit will keep you warm, keep you buoyant (though it's NOT a flotation device), and make you faster in the water. WHen you go, make sure there is someone there who can help you try them on and determine if the fit is correct. They take a little getting used to, so don't be discouraged if you feel like you're fighting a bit to get it on. It should feel tight, but not like it's choking you.

Popular brands include Orca, XTerra (online only), DeSoto (also online only, I believe, though they are known for amazing customer service), Quintana Roo, 2XU, Blue Seventy and Zoot. Those are by no means exhaustive. They all fit differently, so you really do have to try them on. There is also a bit of a range in price and design. The "entry level" wetsuits are usually a little bit thicker, with less special paneling, etc, but they will work just fine.

If you can, rent one for your first few races - it's a good way to try them out without committing to one right off the bat.

amkaz - 2009-04-09 9:26 PM Hi everyone!  We have our group, I am excited. 

Wurkit_gurl: "I am running MCM this October, so I will let you know how it goes! If I end up liking it, I'd like to do Chicago sometime, since I've never been and I hear it's almost an entirely flat course "

My sister in law has run the MCM for the past 3 years and she loves it.  I would be doing that with her but then she decided to do Chicago again this year so this is where I am.  MCM is, from what I have heard, a powerful and wonderful race.  She says it is the best she has ever done.  It sounds like you liked it as well since you are going back for round two.

Well off to bed so I can get up at 4 and train.  G-night all!

I actually haven't run it yet - I was supposed to last year, but had to back out 4 weeks prior due to what I thought at the time was an injury. It will be my first marathon, so I am really excited!

kmbhoya2000 - 2009-04-09 4:58 PM Hi!  I hope there is still room!!  I love your handle Wurkit_Gurl!!!

NAME: kmbhoya2000  Kathleen

STORY: I used to do show jumping all over, but had to stop after college; I walked 2 marathons for the Arthritis Foundation; my knees got sore, my doctor wasn't happy and so I decided to start training for triathlons.  I have had a rare rheumatoid disease since I was 15 (I am 31 now).  It affects the covering of all of the tendons and ligaments, so I get really sore & tight muscles.  But, with working out & good stretching, it's not too bad (of & lots of meds!!)

FAMILY STATUS: married with 2 boys, 3 & 1

CURRENT TRAINING:
Been training mostly indoors due to weather, but hoping to get outside soon.  Just did longest bike ride today, 45 min; I walk the run, but I walk at about a 14 minute pace, which I am hoping to get closer to 12.  Swimming, is okay, but I am super slow as I swim breaststroke.  I am trying to learn the crawl...

2009 RACES:
June 7 Keuka Lake (NY) Sprint; possibly one other depending how I come out of it

WEIGHTLOSS:
Mostly looking to tone up more, maybe lose a few more pounds, but nothing major.  Once I started training, it helped to get back to my pre-baby weight & to get some of the muscles back

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:
I am very good at taking instruction (as long as it's constructive!!) I have been a life-long learner & I love to learn new ways to do things!!  And with tris I have TONS to learn.  I am getting more comfortable with the sport component, but am now worrying more about the transitions!!

Hi Kathleen - where in NY are you? I grew up in UPstate NY, near the Albany area. I'd like to go and do a race up there some time, as my parents still live up there (I'm 28 and haven't live there since I was 18). If it makes you feel any bettter, the weather here in DC hasn't warmed up all that much either! And I'm guessing since you have "hoya" in your name, you went to Georgetown?

RE: swimming. Have you considered taking lessons? Sometimes it's really helpful to have an outside eye to tell you what you're doing wrong. You can teach yourself using methods like Total IMmersion, but even with that, I'd suggest having someone videotape you. It will make a world of difference and give you more confidence in teh water if you can master it, at least that's what I believe. The swim portion of triathlon has never freaked me out, since I learned to swim as a child and am comfortable in the water, which is something I had over a lot of the other newbies when I started.

Okay, finally a real "hello"  Oh, the swim angst - y'all have come to the right place! Swimming is something I ACTUALLY knew a lot about coming into triathlon. And I will say, as I just posted to Kathleen, that being confident in the water is really important. YEs, the swim is the shortest part of triathlon, but it's the part that seems to freak people out the most. And if you can walk into that water on race day with even just a little bit of confidence, that will put you above the rest of the newbies who are nervous and shaking all around you Have you had anyone look at your stroke? Taken any lessons? An outside eye, esp. a trained one, is always a good thing. But if you have any questions, please toss them out here, and I can try to explain, at least. There are lots of links out there to good videos of proper technique. SOme people learn visually before they can internalize something; different ways of explaining thing.

And yes, nothing lights a fire under your a$$ to train than actually registering for a race!

Nah, my workouts are just workouts - my PT is my physical therapist That's generally what PT refers to here in BT-land, physical therapist, or physical therapy, such as "My PT is going to help me fix my killer IT Band problems" or "holy carp, I have to do 30 minutes of PT (exercises) every single morning!".

RE: your swim issues. Yes, if you lift your head, your hips sink. For now, try looking basically straight at the bottom of the pool. This is a little exaggerated, but it tends to work for newbies, since it usually feels like you're looking straighter than you actually are, if that makes any sense. With the breathing - it takes some time to figure out what works for you. Generally I breathe in through my mouth and out through BOTH my nose and mouth - if you aren't doing the latter, try that and see if that helps at all. Make sure you're not holding your breath at all, though you don't want to breathe out so much that you run out of air before you can come up for more It just some takes practice and patience.

I know exactly where Elmira is, because I have relatives out there! I like DC - I've been here almost 5 years now; lived in Northern Virginia (Arlington first, then Fairfax, and now Falls Church) since I moved here, but I went to grad school at American University.

Great job being proactive about the swimming - for your first race, just do whatever you feel comfortable with. But it'll be good to get your freestyle down solid since breaststroke uses a lot of leg strength, which you want to save for the bike/run. You'll learn (if you didn't know already) that triathlon swimming is SLIGHTLy different than watching Michael Phelps et al kicking out a sprint. We don't kick as much or as hard, unless we're trying to pass someone, or surging towards the end. Mostly, your kick is an easy flutter to keep you afloat - most of the propulsion forward comes from your upper body. That way, your legs aren't trashed when you get on the bike.  Have fun swimming with your kids

YOu can view others' logs simply by clicking on their username on here - then it will bring you to a mini profile where there is a box called logs. Click there. You can also add people to your friends list in your log - then you can click their avatar, and it'll go straight to their log.

To leave an inspire, click "inspire me" in their log for the day and just add the comment. To reply to something that someone has left you, click the "Blog" button in their message, NOT the "Reply" button (for some reason, the reply button dumps the message into your own log). YOu can add people to your log by going to the top and clicking "Settings" - then click the tab that says "Training Blog", then the tab that says 'Friends" and enter the name of the friend and save. You can also search for friends to enter, by clicking the button (marked with ellipses) next to each empty field.

On this note, feel free to add each other (not just me) to your friends list as well, so you can all check in on each other.

What's everyone got on tap for today? This weekend?

payneadam - 2009-04-10 12:23 PM I will be riding 45 min on the bike this evening after work, 30 minutes in the pool on Saturday morning before I leave town, and 30 minute run Sunday evening after I get back. 

I am going to visit family for Easter.  It should be a good time.  My nieces are doing an easter egg hunt after church, so I am sure that will be entertaining .

-Adam

Nice! The Easter egg hunt should be cute  I'm going to either bike tonight on the trainer, or just do some yoga, got an 8-mile run tomorrow morning and the swim practice on Sunday night.

Congrats!! Just make sure to take it nice and slooooooooow with the running, getting back into it, which I'm sure they've told you   

Happy Birthday! Have fun with your hubbie (can't remember the last time I was on a date)! Not sure what movies are out there, though. Since I don't have a boyfriend, I never pay attention