WittyCityGirl's Group - FULL =) (Page 2)

Cindy:  I hear ya!  If its any help, I think your group would probably be last to enter the water, so there shouldn't be many people passing you (or over you!).

Sara:  I think swimming is harder for people as its just not as 'accessible' for most people.  Running can be done almost any time with just a pair of shoes, biking almost the same, where with swimming you need a pool, you can only go at certain times, etc.  My big problem in the water is probably breathing.  I just don't feel comfortable being 'restricted' to breathing at certain times, as opposed to running when you breath however you want.

"I just don't feel comfortable being 'restricted' to breathing at certain times, as opposed to running when you breath however you want."

Hey Robb, I know I had a huge issue with OWS because I was trying to stya focused on breathing every third stroke and bilateral breathing and all the stuff you are suppose to do that it really hindered me in the swim. Until I decided to go with a breathing pattern that was comfortable for me, which is breathing every stroke. Since I changed it has made a world of difference for me. I know people always say you have to breath bilateral, and i am working on it, but I also know that if I get hit with hand or wave, I can make it until the next stroke to breathe and it also helped me get over the 'face down in the dirty murky water where I  can't see" 

Story:  I live in NYC, so it's semi tough to train.  Mainly train at my gym and central park.  I raced in my first sprint tri in Oct.  I was just happy to finished since I only trained for 7 weeks and now I'm a big fan of the sport.  My goal this year is to do 2 more sprints in the spring and early summer, an Olympic distance at the end of summer and the Montauk sprint in Oct (to see if I improved from last yr).   My biggest weakness right now is swimming, particularly the OW part of it.


Family status: Married 5yrs and have a 21 month old boy.

Current training: due to location I mainly do my training inside and try to get to central park as much as possible.

This year's races: My goal is to do 2 sprints in the spring and early summer, an Olympic distance at the end of summer and the Montauk sprint again so I can see if I've improved from last yr.

2009 races: 1) Iron Clad Sprint , 2)Harriman sprint 3)? (Olympic) 4) Montauk sprint 

Weight loss: I'd like to lose around 12 lbs..  Only problem with that is I eat too much.

Cindy - I agree with Rob.  Start out with a duathlon if you want.  You can always work your way to a tri.  I did a du first but I felt the same as you….no challenge it.  So I decided to take the bull by the horns – learn to freestyle swim – and do a tri.  I would recommend starting out with a tri that’s a pool swim or doing some practice open water swims.  (Doing that should build your confidence cause the mental aspect can definitely affect you in the water.)  Also remember that in a sprint the swim is the smallest portion in the race.  You can definitely make up time on the bike and run!

yes, knowing that my group is last is actually comforting.  i've even had thoughts of just hanging until everyone is in and then jumping in.  i know, not very competitive thinking but i am definitely in survival mode about the swim.  i'm working on changing that.

i agree with your comment about the breathing; between my natural discomfort with swimming and being concsious about my breathing i'm a total wreak.  clearly this leads to hyperventilating, etc.  but, i am confident that i can overcome these obstacles and complete both tri's that i'm looking at this season.

thanks for your supportive insight robb, it's very helpful.

thanks betsy.  the duathlon doesn't challenge me - at least in my head it doesn't

i'm going back to the pool tonight after more than a month of avoiding it and my goal is to just get in the lane and do whatever it takes to stay in the water for at least 20 mins.  i don't care if i crawl, backstroke, dogpaddle, just keep moving.  i'll build from that.

open water swims here (Boston area) are not happening for a while.  if i buy a wetsuit i can see myself getting in to the ocean maybe mid june.  that might be a stretch.  someone in the winter forum i belonged to suggested i get the suit now and start practicing in the pool with it to get used to it.  i'm supposed to ignore the weird stares which frankly would never be a concern if i can convince myself that the suit will help me float

Oh wow...Boston.  Definitely too cold then!

You can do 20 minutes.  I am sure of it!  Like you said, doesn't matter what stroke you do, just keep moving forward!

Swimming with a wetsuit in a pool is a good idea.  If you can handle it, I would suggest sleeveless as it's less constricting. 

I am going to start swimming in the pool with my wetsuit next week and hopefully at he end of April, I can get in OW. Personally I prefer the warmth and I go with a full suit instead of sleeveless!  GUess I am to wimpy!  lol

Looking forward to getting to know and learn from all of you.  My info...

NAME: Robert

STORY: Over 2006-2007 I lost a bunch of weight.  2008 came around and I was looking for something fun to keep me exercising.  I tried a bunch of things, and running was one I started liking it after my first 5k.  (never thought I could run 1.5 miles much less 3.2 miles, but I did it and I did it under 30 minutes)  The summers are hot here so I started swimming for fun to keep cool on my lunch break.  I saw that they were holding a short tri 2 minutes for me, so I thought why not!  (I was already running and swimming, and had been taking spin classes for a year)  After that race I was hooked.

FAMILY STATUS: Single (gives me plenty of time to train, and extra money to spend on racing :-)

CURRENT TRAINING: Currently I following the Bronze Beginner 1/2 Ironman plan here on BT.  I'm on week 10 of my training, so only 10 weeks to my first 1/2 ironman.  I have been doing running/snowshoe races through the winter and get to do my first tri of the year on 5/3 then one on 5/17.  (two short sprints to get me ready for the half)

THIS YEAR'S RACES: Last year I did my first running race in April and my first tri in July   (could not swim freestyle for more then 25 seconds, just sort of swam under water for a bit, came up for air, repeat until I got through the 350 yards).  Followed it up with a longer Sprint, then an oly in September.  With running I slowly brought my distances up and times down from a 5k in April to a 1/2 marathon in October.

2009 RACES: June - Tupper Lake  (1/2 IM)    July - Pinbush (sprint)     August - Half Vermont Journey (1/2 IM).  September - Lake George Tri (oly).  (My "A" races are the two 1/2 IM) 

Goals:  I am volunteering for IMLP this year, and if all goes will with my 1/2 in June I'll be signing up for that.  VERY scary and exciting! 

Cindy:  The ocean maybe not so much, but if you can find a shallow lake somewhere, they can warm up pretty quick (sometimes late may - early june, especially with a wetsuit).

Robert:  Welcome aboard!  Good luck on the HIM, thats a huge amount of progress

NAME: Anthony

STORY: I am 26.  I consider myself an "athletic" person, at least in high school I was (but that was awhile ago).  Since then, I have kept in shape playing recreational sports like basketball and softball with the occasional 5k in there.  However, 2 years ago, while I was in grad school I got involved in the Cycling Club and really enjoyed cycling!!  I looked into trying to join a cycling team, but it looked highly competitive.  I also enjoy running, so I thought, hey, I should try out triathlons.  So, here I am!

FAMILY STATUS: Single

CURRENT TRAINING: Sadly, I have been making up my training on a day-to-day basis like "Hey, I'll go running today" or "Hey, I'll go biking today".  I realize this is bad, so as of yesterday I have adopted the "20 week olympic - 2x balanced" plan from the BT website.  I also purchased the Triathlon Bible and am going through that HUGE book right now...

THIS YEAR'S RACES:  My main goal is to do an Olympic distance in September (The Nation's Tri).  I have yet to sign up for any other tri, however, I do plan on signing up for some sprints...I need to get on this!!

2009 RACES: ...Sprints, 5ks, 10ks... September - Nation's Tri (oly)

Goals:  To finish the Nation's Tri.  To improve my time in every Sprint Tri.

Thanks!