QuincyF and Oriolepwr's Magical Mys-tri Tour for Newbies Has Begun (CLOSED) (Page 2)

In case anyone is wondering what our obsession with veggie trays is (and what the ATM reference is) we are fresh off of a stint watching Breaking Bad. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it for you...it would be an awesome thing to watch on the trainer...an hour will be gone *like that*

If you have seen it, feel free to jump in with the silliness...

I second that...Oh wait never mind

Since we're on the subject of cocktails, my first race of the year is in January and it's named "10 mile run to the brewery". My wife has since renamed it "Ted's race", not sure what she's getting at though

Tom, there are a ton of great places on the internets where you can journal caloric intake (including here on BT). Journaling food intake is something almost every successful dieter has done at some point. It's not necessarily needed all the time, but it is an excellent way to begin to understand what is actually going in to our mouths. Dailyplate is one spot on Livestrong.com. Another thing you can start doing right this second is to make one small change. Nothing epic, in fact trying to do a huge lifestyle change all at once is super hard...better to make a series of small changes. For instance, perhaps you can switch to 2% milk or whole wheat bread. One thing. What one thing can you give up or change a little bit? Today? Tell us!

I have this idea that as a security guard you have the opportunity (perhaps the necessity) of walking a lot during your shift. Since you say you are overweight now, most of us would encourage you to jump start the weight loss and then gradually add in the weight bearing exercise so you don't get hurt. Also moderate exercise is easier to "diet around" than more intense training exercise. Anyway, walking is the next best thing to running and where a lot of us started out (I always did a month or so of long power walks before starting running after my pregnancies). Perhaps you can get yourself one of those hip mounted pedometers and shoot for walking a bit more each shift...keep track here on BT...

Just an idea. 

Ted, you are racing coming up soon! How exciting. I like 10 milers...HM even more! 

Congrats on the weight loss...it is a truly magical thing to return to sport after an active childhood. One of my few regrets about my life is that I ever stopped. What were we thinking? I was a soccer player too...sweeper and center midfield.

Tell me more about your struggle with consistency...

And not to alarm you but your right ear appears to be shooting flames...if it were me I'd want to know...

I so wish we had a like button ;-)

Dave did say he likes a beer now and then also- just sayin

Kegs can't be that expensive right. Since we're eating cheese and all. Might as well go all out.

I did run a 5k this am since you guys motivated me already. Some cheese and a few drinks won't hurt right.

Shelly

Trei--I really like to call people by their real names so let me know if this is yours!

Where in Wisconsin are you? Between Dave and I (mostly Dave, he, uh, really likes to race) we probably have a good working knowledge of most any race you might consider doing, except for the smaller super local ones to you.

If you are fit, then a HIM is not out of the question at all (and you and Michel can compare notes). I definitely could have done one my first season but didn't for logistical reasons (i.e. my husband was horrified by my new hobby...I have since gotten him hooked and am now in danger of having him complete an IM first, horrors, but I digress).

Sprints are excellent for learning transitions and for using gear, and an OLY will be a decent look at pacing and some nutrition...we can delve further once you dial in some target races. Also any HIM training plan is going to have some long run and bike days and those are just as important for learning about nutrition as they are to building endurance.

Equipment questions are welcome and fun, so when you think of them, just ask and everyone can chime in.

I think we'll do transition day once we get all settled in...the nice thing about transitions is that they don't really change much thru the HIM distance...how does that sound?

Just thinking about all that beer, you're gonna PR it for sure. Hahaha.

Hi Wendy, you're in the right place...

It sounds to me like you're wanting to move forward, are taking some steps, and don't know exactly how to proceed. Here's a well known concept in the endurance sports world. 

Just sign up for a race. Find a sprint in May (you have time). Sign up for it. Find a free training plan (here, or elsewhere online, we can help with that). Then follow the plan. Have a plan, every day, for how you're going to do your training. All the other stuff will fall into place as you work on your training. 

Confidence will come as you fulfill the steps to your goal. It also can come from us as we can encourage you when you aren't sure of yourself...we've been there...which is why we're here...and you're here...

Hi Quincy, Do you have room for one more Chicagoian?

Matt

Hey there!!! One more?  I dont take up much room....

NAME:  Mark

STORY:   Former competitive smoker and drinker.  On the wagon almost ten years now.  Statred running in 2002, biking in 04 and tris in 07.  Horrible year last year, had blood clot, did Racine HIM on basically one leg, then surgery and recovery.  Have been easing back into things doing a little P90x and rampng back in S/B/R.  

FAMILY STATUS: Married with two kids

CURRENT TRAINING:  Doing some P90x, trying to get back consistency in running swimming and, soon, biking

2011 RACES:  Racine 70.3

2012 RACES:   So far Indy Half Mary; Racine or Muncie 70.3, maybe Chicago Tri, maybe Chicago Marathon

WEIGHTLOSS:   Gained weight when couldnt workout before or after surgery.  Need to drop about 15, but the P90x is sorta shifting things around.  Would like to be around 155 to 160 come June

WHY I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS GROUP:    Because I know there will be lots of laughs and a good atmosphere to keep pusing people along and motivated without going over the top serious.  Where else can one talk Triathlon, Airplane AND Holy Grail in likely the same sentence.  Probably no where else on the whole internet.

OK, I think I'm all caught up for now. I am so thrilled to have everyone so far. I think we have 7 plus Dave and I, right? So, about halfway there. At this rate we might close tomorrow. Dave, I'm hitting the road in the morning so if we get close to 15 folks, can you txt me? If we get a couple more, that's fine too.

So I have to go live the rest of my life now. I'll pop back in as time permits today and tomorrow, be back more regularly on the first. I'm traveling out to California to visit my crazy family for a week...should be fun once we get there. 

So homework for the current crew as well as any newcomers:

1. Research races and try to start building a season...you don't have to sign up, just fill in a calendar with races you really want to do.

2. Think of all of your questions so you don't forget anything when we brainstorm all of our topics.

3. Set up your training log and start tracking. You can put your race schedule in here too...I like to see my races listed.

4. Friend everyone in the group and leave some inspires. They are like BT scooby snacks.

5. If you plan on doing 4 or more USAT races (in the US I guess Michel) consider buying yourself a USAT membership today or tomorrow. The price goes up after the first of the year. If you don't have a license you have to pay for a 1 day license...not a huge expense, but if you race a lot it can add up. Also if you do 3 or more races you will receive a USAT ranking at the end of the year...I'll share mine with you at some point...it's not particularly meaningful unless you're super fast, but it's still kind of fascinating. Not a reason to get the license, but an interesting benefit if you do get it.

Cheers everyone. 

Welcome, Matt.

Get it? Welcome Matt.

Oh hush. 

Glad to have you, what's your story...

OOPS, I meant the ultra newbies, Dave AND Mark. Welcome Mark. Guys, Mark may have been the first BTer to ever 'inspire' me. 

Mark, are you fully recovered from your surgery? Dave is doing Muncie I think you can compare notes with him. I swore I wasn't going to do Chicago Tri again, but I will come watch it...one of the most spectator friendly triathlons ever.

And the fact that he finished Racine (approximately 539 degrees in the shade) with BLOOD CLOT tells you something. 

Yep, he's insane. 

How fun!

 Should have everyone in my friend list.

I will check that watch for sure, looked at the Garmin 910XT and found it way too much $.

Cocktails! Who said cocktails...

"it must 4 o'clock somewhere in the world"

Happy New Year to all !

I'm ski patrolling this weekend and a bunch of my ski patrollers buddies are coming over for New Year's Eve. Yes, it’ll be one short night tomorrow… so won't be training 'til Monday, that is if I can. 

I will have something back to everyone hopefully by tonight as far as a 'story' for me.  Today is chalk full of fun right now at work as it is our busiest time of year. 

Thanks for having me.

Read through many of these posts and would love to join the group!  Below is info about me.

NAME:  Jacki

FAMILY STATUS:  Married to a Triathlete...an IRON MAN!!!..3 great kids...15, 10 and 8...sales rep for a country radio station...I LOVE MY JOB!   

STORY:  I'm a runner at heart.  I've been running 15-ish years on and off...the last 8 years very regularly.  I've lost count of the number of Halfs I've done and I've done 2 Fulls.  I ran a huge Half PR in 2009...1:52:21...and I knew it was likely a lifetime PR...so I wanted to challenge myself with something new.  So, I did 3 sprint tris in 2010.  Disasters.  Each one.  Completely melted down during the swim of all 3 races and had HUGE panic attacks.  I made myself finish each one, but it was awful and I was so exhausted after the swims that I could barely get on the bike.  But...I did finish all 3.  I said to HECK with that!!  Fast forward to 2011...stuck with my comfort zone of running and finished 3 Halfs and 1 Full.  My full time was a PR...4:18:17.  For me...2012 is the year of the Triathlon.  I will NOT be defeated by the Triathlon!  I don't need to be fast...I just want to finish the dang swim without a panic attack and have a respectable event time.  My husband has been part of BT for about a year and finished a spectacular IM-Louisville this year.  He recommended I get on this site and get some support and advice regarding my swim issues and help to reach my goals.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Running regularly, as always.  Doing spin classes 1-2 times per week.  Got back in the pool 2x this week...for the first time since 2009...and didn't drown and didn't panic.  So, that's a start.

2012 RACE PLAN:  Would like to do a sprint tri in my home town in early summer...the Tri Indy race in August...then the Monumental Full Marathon in Indy in November.  Probably will work in a Half as part of the training in the spring.

WEIGHT LOSS:  I'm pretty small...5'1" and 110ish...but I could stand to lose 5ish pounds...not a huge concern, though.

WHY I'D LIKE TO BE PART OF THIS GROUP:  There's so much I can learn to help me beat the Triathlon and get past my swimming issues!  I read through a few pages of your posts and this seems like a great group who will be able to help me.  I think that many Triathletes have trouble with the run, so hopefully I can add something to the group with my running experience.

I'd love to work with you guys!

Another really great way to get familiar w/different aspects of racing is to volunteer at a race.  Some race organizers let you request what area you want to work in and if your really lucky, you can get credits towards other upcoming race fees. I volunteer alot and didn't pay for any of my Tri/du's this year. And free races makes the wife happy!!

BTW, if anyone is looking for what NOT to do in transition, just come to me. I actually spent over 8 minutes total in transitions at an Oly last year. Yep, 8+ minutes(oh the shame!!). I documented it for posterity in one of my RR last year

NAME:  Matt 

STORY:  What's my story....hum....I really don't know.  I grew up playing ice hockey, rugby and golf.  The past few years I coached a High School Hockey team.  I was never a big runner, in fact I hated it, swimming was never a big thing for me or my family, and bike riding was going to the 7-11 and back with my kids.  What changed it all you ask.  Well, I was invited to run in a portion of the Torch Run in 2011.  I never ran prior to the event, in fact, I showed up to the event and wasn't sure how long it was nor how long I could make it.  Turned out that I ended up running 6 miles and had a blast.  Then started riding my bike, further and further; you get the picture.  I became a cardio junky, I guess. Being a bit of a Type A personality and one that gets bored pretty easy with excerise I decided to take up Triathon (turned out to be training due a knee issue) so that I could put my new found love for swimming, biking and running all together. 

FAMILY STATUS: Married for almost 12 years with 2 great kids (9 year old girl and 6 year old boy), 3 dogs (Austrlian Cattle Dog, Boston Terrier and a Bagle), 2 hamsters (not my idea by the way) and a fish.

CURRENT TRAINING: I use a Training Peaks plan, but I tend to deviate from the plan if I feel more like one or another on a given day.

2011 RACES:  Brookfield Zoo 5K, and had to blow off the rest of the year due to a knee issue.

2012 RACES: First Midwest Bank Half Mary, Naperville Tri and Batavia Tri, and  possibly Washington DC Tri.  Overall my goal is to complete the Half Mary, and at least 2 Tris this year.

WEIGHTLOSS: Fortunately or Unfortunately I have the opposite issue as I cannot seem to gain weight...I know everyone feels so bad for me, but honestly it stinks.

I'm not sure what else to add, but more of the story will develope as the year progresses......

Cool, I played center midfield as well! My twin girls play right and left midfield and they're identical so people think there's just one REALLY fast kid running all over the field .

Oh consistency....I'm kinda like a yoyo dieter with training. I start off real good, get distracted, do the bare minimum to complete whatever race I'm working towards then get recommitted and start the cycle over again. I'm gonna try and commit to a plan to stay on track this year and see how that works for me.  Maybe get a pair of sunglasses to shield me from those distracting shiny objects

as far as the ear flames, that's an old party trick I picked up in college.

Welcome Jacki!

What's your husband's BT handle, wonder if we've met. I'm not a huge poster but I do read quite a bit.

I think your racing background will make the foray into Triathlon much smoother...or perhaps it already has. Many folks would have given up after such frightening swim experiences, but you dug deep and finished each race, probably because of your character and experience (and one builds another doesn't it?). Plus it is a HUGE plus to have a spouse who not only is supportive, but understands exactly what you are trying to do. HUGE, so that is a big advantage for you and your DH!

Panic attacks in the water are very very common. I am assuming you have never had any kind of anxiety attack out of the water. May I recommend (and this is for everyone here) that before your season starts, you visit your physician and go through a physical including an EKG. I think most of us (except Wendy maybe) are over 40, and a basic once over of the machine is probably not a bad idea. My husband and I did this last year and it was a non-event. We just both felt it was prudent as we were going into our biggest training and event cycle ever (sprints, olys, 2HIMS and a Marathon-half Mary combo at the end).

So assuming we can rule out obvious causes, we can then look at the swim itself. Most triathletes have a "first swim" story like yours. I personally red lined so hard it took me half of the 18 mile bike to recover. And I think a lot of people underestimate the difficulty of most sprint swims. They are typically crowded, shallow, and never offer any open water or time to settle into a groove. Plus most of us starting out put a HUGE amount of effort into the swim (which can be a mistake and an energy drain for very little return on the speed increase). In addition to that, a lot of the swimmers are not highly skilled or are very inexperienced so there's a lot of contact...

My best guess on why you are still experiencing panic is that you are going out too hard and your body is reacting to the sudden change in all parameters. Vertical to horizontal, good visibility to none, dry warm face to wet cold face, low heartrate to spiked heartrate...

SO, since you are back in the pool (since 2010 not 2009, right???) perhaps you can simulate a race start...something like 100m all out, followed by 300m trying to pace and recover. Maybe do that set as part of your swim workouts each time you are in the pool. You'll feel icky and out of breath, but your job will be to keep swimming while your heart rate comes down...it's not super long, but long enough that you will have to recover while still putting forth a decent effort for the full 400m. 

The other thing I think is essential is to find a couple of Indy buddies (or come up to Chicago this summer and meet us at the lake) for some OWS swimming. And not just OWS, but getting even two or three other swimmers with you on the beach and practicing running into the water and swimming next to them for 200-300m and doing that a few times. Guarantee if you do it in Lake Michigan the water is so freaking cold it will induce a panic attack right there.

We can talk some more about techniques for calming yourself in the water as time goes by.

And what does the Mystery Tour think about panic while swimming? Stories, thoughts, suggestions? Great topic...

Gotta go finish packing!

Cheers!

Volunteer-yes absolutely!  I was like "volunteer, ya right whats fun about that?"  But volunteered at IM-WI in 2010 (Bike special needs) to guarantee an entry in 2011.  I was really inspired and found it to be a lot of fun.   Was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.    My kids have volunteered a few times as well and they love it. 

Have to read that race report of yours! 

Yup  Dave likes a beer or five  occasionally.     For me though no amount of running/cycling seems to burn that off.  only making sure that it is actually occasionally does the trick.     But for this virtual shindig  consider the beer/cheese/veggie tray fully stocked.     I start my training/weight control in a serious way on Jan 3 (going out on Jan 2)    soooo  I will overly partake in the festivities till then!   

Oh yeah Breaking Bad is some seriously addicting entertainment,  wish I never saw it, so I could watch it all over again.  But since Its still in my system,   it will be referenced hee hee