Tamio's Group - CLOSED - FULL (Page 2)

NAME: gdale / George

AGE:  36

STORY: I live in Horseheads, NY.  I decided in November 2008 to give tri's a try!  I have been running for fitness since the beginning of 2007 when I realized that I was about 55 lbs heavier than when I went to college.  I guess the freshman 15, the first years of marriage and then a lot of sympathy eating with my wife while she was pregnant over the years added up.  So with diet and running in 2007 I lost about 20 lbs but then put about half back on.  I did some biking in the summer of 2007 too but only about once a week.  Seemed to be plateauing with running so I added swimming at the end of August last year.  I was a lifeguard in highschool but never a swimmer--just did the minimum amount of laps to complete my required workouts.  With time and consistency in the pool I have brought my times down pretty far now averaging 1:44/100 on longer swims.  After I started feeling comfortable in the pool, I decided that working towards a tri would keep me motivated to improve my fitness.  After training for a few months and completing my first indoor tri and a 10K, I think I feel an addiction coming on!  Besides work and training, I am actively involved in my kids sports (coach for wrestling, t-ball and soccer) and serve on the board for a charity based in Dallas, TX.

FAMILY STATUS: I am married with 3 boys - 9, 7, and almost 3

CURRENT TRAINING: A lot of my training happens at lunch at the YMCA near where I work.  I also swim with a Masters group 2 mornings per week which has really helped my swimming.  I typically swim 3 days a week, run 3 days a week and bike 2 days per week and try to work in some core and strength but that has been lacking.  So far, the vast majority of my bike volume has been on a stationary bike.  I am looking forward to getting outside more with the nice weather.

2008 RACES:  None

2009 RACES: Completed the Corning YMCA Tri at the Y in the novice group (20 minutes in each discipline) and got first place...out of 4 people:-).  Then I did the Skunk Cabbage Classic 10K a few weeks ago and finished in 45:25 which I was psyched about. Keuka Lake Sprint Triathlon in June and hopefully the Cayuga Lake Olympic Triathlon in August.  Probably a few local 5k and 10k's as they come up.

WEIGHTLOSS:  I have lost about 12 lbs this year (and won the Bob Stocks mentor group weight loss challenge!).  Another few pounds wouldn't hurt but I am not concerned with them.  I am more focused on keeping my training up and eating well.

Looking forward to swapping ideas and stories with all of you!

George

Drove up to Chattanooga last night anf got a good 5.5 mile run in this morning.  Beautiful weather and nice run along the Chattanooga Riverwalk. Also did an easy bike ride with my daughter-not much training value but it was alot of fun. My son, 9th grade, goes to boarding school in Chattanooga (McCallie) so we are there visiting every few weeks. He is there for academic opportunities-we didnt ship him off to get rid of him Chattanooga has a beautiful downtown area if you have never been-also lots of good places to run/bike.  He had a track meet this afternoon and this was my only chance to see him run this Spring.  Ran 4:45 mile which is pretty good for 9th grader/freshman.

Headed back home (Fairhope, Alabama) tomorrow.  Hope to get in a long ride and maybe a swim on Sunday if weather allows.   Missing my Saturday swim tomorrow due to travel. 

Next big thing on the horizon for me is a Total Immersion swimmiing weekend clinic in early May.  Hoping it will be a means to improve my weak swimming skills.  Anyone ever done one or have any experience with TI?

Hope everyone gets to be outside training under blue skies!

Randy 

I did an 8 mile lunch time run yesterday and am planning a two hour or so bike ride today, because, YES, Mother Nature is being very kind to me - supposed to be a high of 77 today!  I'll take Sunday as my rest day.  Gotta be in front of the tube to pull for my Flyers.  Hopefully they'll start to turn it around.  If not, go Phillies!

As far as TI goes, I have the book and DVD, but never did a clinic.  I think the most helpfull thing that I was able to take a way is that the balance drills have really helped make me more comfortable in the water.  I still have a long way to go, but I'm making progress.  I also just ordered a wetsuit online and am counting the days until it gets here. 

Train hard and be safe everyone!

Matt

T- I also took queen B out today   Get it...queen B.....!!!

Very smooth, very slick, very silky.  sweeetttt!  Can not wait till I hit those downhills....

(FYI- Tammy and I both recently purchased the Felt B2...of course she special pre-ordered the 2009 model and I picked up the 2008 one on sale.....which is great cause it matches my road bike)))  T's bike is of course the new, ultra hip white with an adamo saddle.  One of the big reasons we both choose Felt over other time trail bikes is the "bayonet" steering system.  Basically, it offers better handling than the typical tri bike.  Plus, with Felt, you can get higher end components in their "stock" bike vs competitors (ie,it comes with Dura ace components and nice wheels.  The C brand has both as add-ons/upgrades).

Ok- gotta get to bed.  May have another ride tomorrow monring.....55 degrees and rainy.  Unless I can convince my training partner to just do the run

I second Tammy's comment on the skewer.  The one other thing you will want to think about is getting a tire just for the trainer.   By it's nature, the trainer will burn through your good tire.  So you have 3 choices (in order of expense)

1) Just get a cheap tire for $10-20 bucks and switch it on/off depending if riding inside or out.

2) Buy a special "trainer" tire.  Usually orange, these tires are specially made to withstand the "burning" of the trainer.

3) Buy a cheap tire, tube, and wheel set...so you do a fast switch between your "outside wheel" and "indoor wheel".  This is my lazy man (me) option!  I got the tire, tube, and wheel set for around $175.  More coin than options 1&2, but with Chicago's unpredicatable weather, it is easier/faster for me to switch the wheel set than change the tire (and worry about pinching the tube resulting in a nice flat.  That being said, it is good practice for race day!!)

My friend went option 1 and it works just fine.  She calls me over (usually about this time of year) to swap her tires out.  That's the extent of my tire changing practice

Here's a thought on your IM bike....cause that is actually why I decided to get the TT bike this year (IMOO '10).  Find out if the course is better suited for TT or Roadie.  Then find out which you are most comfortable in....for 6 hours!  If you can not hold the aero position for 75% of the time, you lose the advantage (according to multiple publications).  Take away--if your current rig works and you can ride for hours...don't switch just for an IM!