Eliwashere's Group-Ready to GO!-FULL (Page 2)

As far as getting a bike, I would say there are 2 paths:
USED-Look for a deal either at LBS/Craigslist/Ebay-LBS would be most expensive used, but might give you some help with it. Ebay and Craigslist, you have to know what you want a little more. Also, it is buyer beware.
New/Built-Have a LBS you like and trust find you a new bike or build you a bike from a new or used frame. I know that my local repair shop will build you a bike from one of their used frames. Decent deal there.

As fas as components, I think 105 is a good base, but the tiagra's are OK too. They offer decent value, but they are heavier. also, Road vs. tri is a HUGE debate. If you only use the bike for tri's, get a tri bike. The biggest disadvantage of tri bikes vs. road is that they are usually set up to be a more aggressive position, which means less comfort for long rides. It can be tough to stay in the aero position for 3 + hours, and being up on the bullhorns will have you more streched forward than a traditional road bike.

I have been doing the "I feel like it method" up until now.
 
I hope to make some improvements this year so started looking today at the training programs on this site and plan on strating one the first of the year.  I looked at the free 16 week Olympic distaance plan but no decision has been made yet.

I do have a couple of questions
is it worth becoming a Bronze or Silver member exactly what do you get?
Can I down load a program to my training log?
What type area do you live in?

I live in a very rural area, if I get an early start on the weekend riding I have ridden 20-25 miles and not even seen a car.  With that said it's almost 40 miles to get to a bike shop or a group ride, there is always the good and not so good.

 My job does have some great benefits though I work on a large AFB which gives me access to two state of the art gyms, indoor and outdoor pools, running trails most anything you would like to do, I do bring my bike to work at times and ride here on base this is the only time that I have a training partner.  I also get 3 hours per week of paid time to exercise which really helps out a lot.

Thanks for the reply.  that's what I was asking can you down load training plans to you training logs.  I think that the Bronze level is good for me.  After I join up I may need you help importing the training program.

Thanks in Advance

Paul,
Yes, the paid membership is required to import a training plan into the log. It is only worth it if you use it, but I am a numbers kind of guy, so I like it.

Katie,
For my olympic, I used one of the BT plans, but I was actually training for a marathon at the same time. I got in more running, and less biking, than the plan, but it worked out OK. I think I could have used at least one longer brick before the Oly to test out my nutrition. I ran out of gas on the run. However, it was HOT, so that may have had something to do with it.
I would say that going unstructured will work, but I needed to KNOW I could do the distance, so I made sure to get a couple of workouts that totaled the amount of time I expected for the OLY. That worked out OK.

This is so true for me.
I have been working this year on going harder on hard days. It pays off. I went from avg. 11 minute miles to avg. 9 min miles.
I used the numbers from the FIRST book, Run Less, Run Faster, but I will check out the site.

Thanks!