Leegoocrap's Mentor Group - Closed (Page 2)

First and foremost, let me take a moment to address everyone joining the group.

Welcome Andrew Mac Daniel and Pete!

Andrew - coming from Xfit myself, I'll say it certainly helped me mentally prepare for the "endure" part of endurance racing! Sounds like you've already got a busy schedule planned. That keeps it interesting

Mac - certainly have room for someone across the pond. Out of curiosity, is regular non-draft triathlon, or ITU style racing more popular over there?

Daniel - we've got some pretty similar goals this year it seems. I'm still undecided as to whether to shoot for trying to Qualify for AG Nats or the Halfmax race. I'm kind of torn as last year was my "big distance" race... but I think a half might be manageable... still AG sounds nice as well. I also see you are one of 'those' people (Cervelo riders!) I'd say I'm not jealous... but I suppose I'd be lying.

Pete - certainly room available! Welcome!

Thanks for all of the help everyone! I'm off to go workout... Going to do my own little Sprint Tri today... Unfortunately it's indoors .  But, I too, would like to welcome everyone to the group. I can already tell this group will be extremely beneficial to everyone!

Although we aren't filled up yet, I'll go ahead and get some of the expectations of the group (and you guys individually) out of the way. I'm not a big rules nazi/control freak or anything, but some of these I've found from past groups make the group better for everyone involved.

- The big one for me... if you don't plan to participate / use this resource, please don't join. There's only limited space, and It takes away from everyone if a person joins then never logs back on.

- Try to contribute when you can. If you've got a good link to something, even if it's off what's currently the 'topic' of the group, throw it on and share. Even if the biggest thing that happened was you swam X yards longer than ever before, that's worth posting! We're here to support each other as well.

- Keep your logs updated! (Nick, let me know if you get your problem worked out with them, we'll see what we can do to fix it) It's really hard on me if I am checking up on you and I see nothing for weeks at a time!

- Add the people in the group to your friend list. We're all friends after all

- Don't be afraid to ask, question, disagree (respectfully if at all possible! no flames) with what you read on here. In triathlon there is a lot of 'pseudo science' which is amplified by the fact that everyone's body is different, so things don't work the same way for all of us. I try to always remember that the person that's always right never learns anything.

Anyways, there's my slavedriver instructions Of course if you have a problem/concern/need anything you don't want on the forum feel free to message me.

Thanks in advance!
-Chris

Crap-I HATE being the oldest kid in the group.

Let me see if I got everyone...Chris, Joe, Nick, Christina, Austin, Andrew, Daniel, Mac (from across the pond), and Pete. 

I now have 9 new 'friends'.  Lookin' forward to the group.

So...what's everyone doing for New Years weekend??

Oldest = More life experience

My and the soon to be wife are going to Tampa, FL for 2 things. We have free tickets to Bush Gardens, and we have tickets to the OutBack Bowl. (Florida/Penn State).  She's a Gator and I love PSU. (I skipped college and went in the Marine Corps) We usually go to a bowl game New Years day. Way better than spending the day hung over

What are all of the items that are needed/helpful to have for a tri? This may sound dumb but do you change after the swimming portion into something dry? Thanks!

OK, let me try this out...  I had it in the last mentor group that I was a part of, and I thought it really helped.  I am not promising that it will work, but here goes nothing.  You can copy and paste this (fingers crossed) into your training logs, and it will give you a quick link to everyones' profiles.  Here it is...

Leegoocrap's Mentor Group Leegoocrap - Chris LockOut - Pete jletterhos - Joe nvalaitis - Nick Jeffnboise - Jeff MechEChick - Christina ACGibby - Austin Andr3w - Andrew MAC36 - Mac velocomp - Daniel

Oh wow, thanks Pete! That'll be great!

Austin,

Most of the time (speaking for men here... I know a lot of girls that put on bike shorts after the swim portion) you'll just be wearing tri specific shorts. They have a thinner (and usually quick drying) cham pad so they don't hold water the same as regular bike shorts would. (and well made one's won't/shouldn't chaff on the run either) Of course if you want to change, there is no rule against it (well... local nudity laws excluded) but generally I am thankful for being soaking wet out of the water! It keeps me cool a bit longer on the bike.

An off the top of my head list of things I always have with me for a tri
- Goggles (a backup pair isn't a terrible idea either)
- Swim Cap if one is required by the RD
- Wetsuit/Swimskin if needed
- Body glide
- my bike
- Bike shoes and rubber bands/dental floss
- hydration/nutrition for the bike
- sunglasses
- helmet
- bike computer/Powertap
- socks
- running shoes
- visor/hat
- towel
- a multitool in case I need to do any last minute adjustments to my bike
- A Pump
- (longer races) a flat kit
- first aid kit

that's what I usually have with me when I show up to any race.

Well i can't get my 305 to sync with my logs. I used to be able to, but now i can't. Thoughts? Do i have to be a paying member?

I did go on a run tonight. My first 4 miles since my last race. See, i did a crazy/stupid thing a few months go I ran the Marine Corps Marathon, then 2 weeks later i did my first HIM. I nailed the swim, nailed the bike, but couldn't run at all. My feet didn't heal from the marathon. Still finished the HIM @ 5:54. As i mentioned, I'm a glutton for punishment

Hello,

I was wondering if I could join this group.  I competed for the first time this past summer. I loved it!  I am a teacher who really enjoys the running, swimming and biking as a time to focus on my goals.  I am having trouble with the running portion of my training. I think I need some motivation in that area.
I am starting a new training program that is going to focus on my running.

So I am hoping I can join!

Theresa

Hey Chris, if you still have room, id like to sign up for another season with you

That's exactly what I have, too.  I would add an extra pair of contact lenses (if applicable) and a spare shoe lace.  And a nice bag with shoulder staps to carry it all 'hands-free'.

The rubber bands/dental floss is for (correct me if I'm wrong) keeping your shoes in the correct position for a flying bike mount. Basically, you clip your shoes into the pedals, and use a rubber band through the heel of the shoe to attach it to the frame and keep it level as you jog your bike through the first transition. Then when you jump onto the bike past the mount line, your shoes are ready for you to start pedaling up to speed before you put them on.  I don't do this, as I have never really practiced it enough. But if you look in the articles under Racing or Transitions, there are a couple videos that explain this.

I bumped from a bronze membership last year (2010) to a silver membership this year to have access to more plans, specifically the intermediate HIM one. Last year, the Bronze was perfect for me!

-Christina

Edited by MechEChick 2010-12-29 10:53 PM

For my first two tris, I had purchased tri shorts and used a sport swimming top.  Then I would put on a dry t-shirt/long sleeve shirt after the swim as the late fall/spring Colorado mornings are chilly to bike in.  I will warn you that putting on a dry top when you are soaking wet is not that easy.  After I knew I loved triathlon, I invested in a ZOOT two piece tri kit.

Edited by MechEChick 2010-12-29 11:16 PM

Hello all

I said i would post a bio. I guess I am the token brit in the group which is fine by me as i used this site last year which was my first year of competing and i found it great for a daily pick me up and reminder of what the end goal is.

I'm 37 and live in a town called Hertford just north of London, I am a senior manager in the aftermarket automotive sector. I have a wife and 2 girls aged 11 (read 18!) and 6. My wife is a keen spinner at the gym but wont be talked into doing a tri as she doesn't enjoy swimming.

Last year was my first year of doing triathlons. I completed 5 sprints across the summer months (400m/20-25k/5k.  I loved the competing side of it. I love to ride my bike and while in california this summer i upgraded myself at Helens cycles (great staff) in Santa Monica  from a trek 1.2 to a madone 5.2 onyx. She is a real beauty, light, stiff and quick. I have to say we get hit over here with crazy import duties etc. I saved myself $1500 or £1000 on her, buying it in the states. Rode her then just shipped her home as part of my luggage. 

When i returned i did a season ending tri that i had done earlier in the year and with little training in previous 3 weeks (holiday) I knocked 6 minutes off of my bike time. All sounds great.....

Until we talk about running! this is my nemesis and serious weak spot. I do it as a matter of course as it is part of what I love to do, just find it hard to motivate myself. A lot of this comes down to my weight. During the season i was racing at 215lbs, my weight is a serious up and down pattern. As it has been the off season and lots of work and poor weather ( all excuses i know ) i am up to 234lbs. I know this will start to drop as I get back into my training and watch what i eat more carefully. I am determined this year to make it a permanent reduction and cut the yo yo part out.

My aim by race day 1 which is the 20th March ( a chilly spring sprint ) is to be at 210lbs not an unrealistic target. That is 2lb a week to lose.

Weather here is pretty grim at present, we have had lots of snow and now it is very misty and damp so no chance of going out so bike is very much gym based.

The biggest Tri in the UK each year is the London triathlon where over 5000 people take part. I have entered a lottery to try to get into it this year and will find out in mid feb if i have been lucky. It gets oversubscribed on a huge level. If i am successfull this will be my A race and my first ever Olympic distance event.

Other races of note will be the Blenheim Tri which is run through the grounds of a stately home. 

I hope to bring a positive presence to the group and keep you abreast of what is happenning from a tri perspective in the UK. The sport is growing at a rapid rate here with some real top class athletes in all categories .

Have a great New Year all

Edited by MAC36 2010-12-30 8:46 AM

Welcome Theresa! Running is what I struggle to stay consistent with myself... it's really easy (for me anyways) to just ramp up mileage or get frustrated with my pace and start hammering away... then I fall to pieces and get injured and have to start over haha. A good plan can really help keep you honest

Eric, welcome back! Glad to have you again.

Christina has it right, it's for holding pre clipped in pedals into place. It's how I was taught to do it and it works out great USUALLY, but of course there are tons of horror story video's out there, even of the pro's messing it up. I found that dental floss usually works better than rubber bands as well (I have problems with rubber bands NOT snapping sometimes)

Body glide looks like a stick of old spice but is used to reduce friction (chaffing was something I didn't give enough credit when I did my IM... my triceps were bleeding where they rubbed my tri jersey so many times on the run!) and make things (insert dirty mind) easier to slide in. Like your shoes / wetsuit / etc

If you don't have a coach, the plans on the silver membership are hard to beat for the price if you like to have a strict "plan" to go by (I do)

I just upgraded to the gold, so I'm not 100% sure if it's worth the extra money or not, but I'll let you know!

I think I'd like to join if you still have room?

Edited by jennitris 2010-12-30 8:37 AM

Hi Chris. Do you have room for 1 more? Will post BIO if I can get in.

Dina and Chris, welcome to the group!


I think we'll have room for one or two more and then I'll close it down. Looks like we're going to have a very diverse and active group to work with.