Tri/tbay group - CLOSED (Page 2)

Hello and welcome to all those who recently joined.  I've been a bit lax in posting and will try to do better.  I can tell I'm way behind everyone's level here, but that's ok.  I'll keep plugging along!

I completed week 2 of my couch to 5k plan.  I feel better this week than last while running so I'm happy.  I run a bit more in week 3 than I have been so I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes.

My current goal is a Susan Komen 5k in April but I'll complete the couch to 5k well before that assuming all goes according to plan.  I'm thinking about adding the Cowtown 5k at the end of February.  Carol's running the half marathon on Sunday and has offered to come with me on Saturday to cheer me on and pick up the pieces if necessary.  I think I'll probably do it.

Kerry

I appreciate the welcome from everyone. 

Harold, I know what you mean about everyone being younger.  Three-fourths of the bike riders on my Saturday ride are the age of my kids.  Needless to say, they are resting when I catch up to them.  I hope someone slower shows up tomorrow so we can ride at an easier pace.

It was cold last night (38 at my house) and they don't open the pool if the temperature is below 40.  Fortunately, the lifegaurd pulled the covers back for me so I could swim today.  I was the only one swimming until the last 15 minutes when a couple more showed up.  Last year, there were many days it was to cold to swim. 

Bill

Squirts Husband - I did the couch to 5K to begin my running a couple years ago.  It was a great program to keep me on pace and injury free.  Are you using a podcast to change from running to walking and vice versa?  If not I would suggest it, much easier than trying to stare at a watch.

I have been slacking on my training big time, I caught a cold in Nashville 2 weekends ago and it is now stuck in my chest.  I need to stop using it as a crutch and at least get on the trainer.  I start my swim training next week at the St.Pete YMCA.  This should be interesting, besides lessons 21 years ago when i was a kid I haven't swam much at all.

Good Morning Melwarncke, glad to have you in the group. St. Anthony's is a great race atmosphere and nice travel destination as well. Now that your in your 2nd season your learning curve will increase and you race awareness will improve which usually provides good results.

Andy,

Thanks for the suggestion on the podcast for the couch to 5k.  I've got an app on my phone which does the same thing. It overrides the music from the MP3 player to tell me when to change pace and has the 9 week plan.  I completely agree about the watch.  I did this before about 3-4 years ago with a watch and it was a pain. Plus this has an option to add training plans to go from a 5k to a 10k which I hope to do as well.

This time of year is bad for colds.  I started my plan and immediately got sick. I missed a few days so I started over once I felt like it.  Good luck with the swimming.  I may try it at some point once I get back into better condition.

Kerry

I wish I knew about that app!  It would have saved 9 weeks of madness with the podcast music.

Good luck!

I cant for the life of me find out how to friend people, help!  

Roy - if you wouldn't be too offended, I'd like to transfer to another group I discovered yesterday.  It's a female-led group, and I just seemed to connect more to her story of training with a non-tri hubs and having two kids.   I appreciate your willingness to take me on, and thank you for your warm welcome to the group!

See you out there!

Thanks for the welcome!  Race awareness is definitely something I need.  It is hard to recreate the true race (and esp transition) experience outside of competition.  Here's a little more about me since my last post was quite brief:

NAME: Melissa

STORY:  I am a 36 year old triathlete headed into my second season.  I started this obsession when I quit my corporate job to stay home with my kids and help my hubby in his business. At that point, I had not seen the inside of a gym in years.   A friend invited me to a 5 AM track workout and I was instantly hooked.  I love the intensity of the training.  The group I was training with is a running group.  So, I train with them for speed and for the long runs.  Other than that, I train solo.  Triathlon appeals to me because I don't particularly like running unless it's on a trail.  Once I found the bike, I fell in love.  I could tell you some funny stories about learning to clip in and out.  I crashed several times just standing still. 

FAMILY STATUS: Married 11 years to a non-tri guy (we should probably have a special support group for the spouses) and have 6 year old twins.  We live in Ohio where the winter training is a true test of the will - particularly before the sun rises.  My hubby still thinks I am a little nuts for hauling it out of bed at 4:30 to hit the pool or track.   He is probably right. 

CURRENT TRAINING: I have an incredible coach who sets my training plan.  This has worked out well for me since there is so much to learn with the mechanics of the sport.  I leave the training stuff to him and just do what he says.   I also do at least one cross fit style workout a week.  Working on the swim right now.  I took some time off and it is UGLY.  Just started working with a heart rate monitor.   

2011 RACES:   Last year was a base building year - with lots of 5Ks, a 15K, half marathon (s) and sprint tris.  Had loads of fun just learning and enjoying the competition. 

2012 RACES:  St Anthony's will kick off the year in late April.  I will probably do a few more olympics but not sure which ones.  Plus, one adventure race in September.

 WEIGHTLOSS: Big lesson learned here - I now measure body fat instead of actual pounds.  Last season the scale either stayed the same or inched up a bit, but my body was busy swapping fat for muscle per the body comp tests.  The scale can be decieving.  I am still working to find a nutrition plan that works well for training and that I can stick to.  Tried Paleo but could not see myself doing it forever.  Maybe a zone type thing for this season.  My immune system likes to bottom out with too much training so I am working on my supplement plan as well. 

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I have a lot to learn and will soak up anything you give me.  I am training solo most days of the week so I am looking to connect with others who have similar goals.

Thanks for the Bio, thats good information. Well I can't say I've done a run with my helmet on, but I've seen it. For me my you idiot moment was at a small local sprint event. They had changed the bike course from the previous year, I hadn't done my homework and i rode past where we were supposed to turn, now it wasn't marked, the sherrif car was sitting there but they were offering no helpd i didn't see any bikes so I kept on going. About 5 min. later here came that sherrifs car telling me I was supposed to turn back there. THANKS so I turn around in disgust had a little pity party for a bit and pressed on. So do your homework, try to study the course maps the best you can. At a big event this is not likely to happen but can certainly happen at a local event with a few hundred participants.

Hi Melissa, and welcome!  This is my second year of tri's as well (4 sprints and 2 olys in 2011 + 6 assorted running races).  I think we may be in a similar "place", though you are younger and probably faster .  I see you mentioned doing OLY's and an adventure race.  Are you thinking about a HIM as well?  LOL, on the learn-to-clip-out-falls.  I had one bruise from that on my....um....cheek....that I thought might be permanent, and messed up the shifter on my handlebars, and wrecked my saddle.  So had to go crawling back to the bike shop.  One big takeaway from 2011 is that I have to be willing to look like an idiot, laugh it off (or scream or cry or whatever), and keep on going.

The last few days have been spectacular for running, and this morning was no exception.  I'm back up to 7 miles, so hoping to bounce back with 7, 9, 11, for long runs before my next half mary.  I was at 15 mi long run, high 30's weekly mileage, and had incorporated some speedwork prior to the ankle sprain and crud in December, but gotta let that go and start (again) from where I am now.

Yay, Kerry signed up for the Cowtown 5K.  Happy dance for my best friend, and looking forward to cheering him on! 

Go to the setting icon on the top of main page, then training blog customization, you will find friends tab there and you can add from there. Once you have started your friends links on your triaining log page you can add from that spot.

Happy New Year everyone!  Let's get this party started!  My week was "sketchy" in that I skipped a couple of training sessions because of....well, never mind...I was about to list the excuses...let's just say I am looking forward to getting into the swing of things next week.

Hey Harold,

Us "seniors" need to stick together! I can so relate...I am 63 years old and it seems I never quite fit in with any tri group because I am slower.  I hate to keep people waiting and/or drive miles only to run/bike alone. 

I have one thing going for me: I was a competitive swimmer as a kid, so I have the technique down and am very comfortable in any kind of water conditions.  The best advice I can give you is sign up for lessons.  Swimming is a skill..it takes many hours and a lot of patience to learn, but you can do it with some instruction.  First thing is you've got to learn to relax so you're not all out of breath..lessons and drills will teach you the "how" of it all. Good luck, you can do it!

Mona

Great job coming back from illness!  We must be on pace, because i did 7 this morning as well.  A beautiful 7 miler it was, too - through our rural town.  So excited for your hubby.  Nothing is better than watching someone try something new and meet the goal.  I will be cheering him on. 

As for HIM, it scares me to even think about  You go first!

NAME: John

STORY:  40 years old.  Have run schizophrenically for the past 10 years - meaning marathons in 2002 and 2003, nothing for 2 years, probably 4 half marathons from 2006-20010, and a miserable full marathon in early 2011 (cramped up at mile 17 and hobbled my way through the last 8 miles).  Never done a tri so I know this is crazy to say but I'd like to do a full IM.  No no not this year - but maybe 2013?  I've been watching and following IMs for a couple years and think this sort accomplishment would be amazing.  Seems impossible really but so did my first marathon 10 years ago.  Over the past 5 years I have done a little bit of spinning in the gym - e.g. hour spinning classes - as cross training for my running.  Other than that no real bike or swim experience.

FAMILY STATUS: Married, with 3 month old (what a joy)

CURRENT TRAINING:  I'm restarting so to speak after more or less not running since the marathon.  So next two months are going to be dedicated to building up to 60 mins on the bike, and 4-5 mile run.

2011 RACES:  SF Half Marathon, Oakland Marathon

2012 RACES:  I'd like to do 2-3 tris this years: one or two sprints, and one or two Olympics. As a way to see how I like tris, see if I can keep up the training for the full year, and put myself in a position to make a decision in Jan 2013 if I can go for a full IM in 2013.

WEIGHTLOSS: I've put on a few lbs in the past 3 months (for good reason) - probably at 185, last marathon was at mid 160s.  Probably should be 155 or so in peak shape.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I am extremely open to input - basically gave up on the whole ego thing a long time ago.  Since I have no experience I will be very receptive to help.  I'll share everything I do.  I'll be on line a lot.

Hi John, welcome to the group. Don't worry about never having done a tri and then having huge plans. That is very common and very doable. Since you have a running background it will serve you well in this sport and your run fitness will come around pretty quickly, and it will hold you while your spending more time in the other two areas.

Good to have you,

John, congrats on getting it done today! Much better to be that kind of cliche than the "I'm so hungover I can't move" one.

To the fish out there (yes, Mona, this means you ), I have a question.  I'm about to have my first ever swim instruction.  It's 6 weekly sessions taught by a local tri coach, 10 students in the class, includes under/over water filming and analysis. Any suggestions on how to get the most out of it or specific questions to make sure are addressed, etc.??

Got in a swim this morning, and bike trainer is staring me down.  Thurs. was greek food, Fri. was steak dinner for my FIL's birthday, Sat. was another steak dinner with neighbors.....yes, I think I should probably hop on the trainer now.

Good Morning group Tri/tbay and Happy New Year.

We are assembling a nice mix of folks, some with experience some with none. Thats what makes these mentor groups popular and so helpful. I wish I had known about this when I got started. The information already shared by everyone about themselves, some of their race experiences already has started to pay dividends for some. I hope everyone got that last 2011 workout in, or got the new year started with a little activity and or your plan began. For me I got both in a run on Saturday and then got out on the bike with my wife and daughter for a few miles. Florida has been having some spectacular weather lately, almost a little on the hot side but I'll take it. I'm going to keep the group OPEN for a few more days before we close it.

I thought I would share some thoughts with you all today and a little more about me. By profession I'm a golf course superintendent for over 25 years. I do some moonlighting with a local age group swim team, my daughters both swam. So I am exposed to the sport and keep up with whats going on. As I wrote in my bio, I didn't intend to get fully immursed in the sport it just kind of happened and I really enjoy it and I know you all will to if your not already doing so.

GOALS- A dream with a plan, in Chris MACCA McCormacks words. Everything I've seen you all put down are acheivable goals and is the reason your going down this path.

TRAINING- Train with a purpose, each workout will have a net result sometime during the season. Some of your development from this year may not surface until the following season but thats OK. If you have training partners thats helps with accountability, many triathletes train by themselves, this is not unusual. Don't be discouraged if your feel like your not as fast, you can't keep up or the workouts are to much. You will learn what your abilities are and you can then work within that framework to achieve your stated GOALS.

EQUIPMENT-AH the fun part. Shopping for all of those neat Tri items. Don't worry you have plenty of time to get all of that stuff. If your are just getting started all your really need is suit, goggles, a bike(of any kind), bike shorts and a proper pair of running shoes( it is worth the money to have the right shoe for your foot and gait). I started with a $200.00 road bike from ebay.

NUTRITION- Aside from what you are eating for your main meals, you learn to use gels try them all you will find a brand that is more to your liking vs. another. Sports drinks same as gels, more specifically electrolyte drinks. You will be doing a lot of sweating. Whey protein for recovery or something similar. Chocolate milk has been found to be a good recovery product. At the sprint distance, race day nutrition will be limited just because of time. As your race distances go up you'll find that the need for a sound nutrition plan is very important. And certainly at the HIM/IM distances it can wreck months of great training. I'm sure Mona can sound in hear.

APPAREL-There are lots of options, tops/shorts, bike and running shoes, hats, hydration systems, wetsuits. Like many other things about this sport trial and error will guide you what you feel the most comfortable in and that which is the most functional.

So those are some quick thoughts from my point of view and "ACHIEVING GOALS" is going to be the Mission of this group.

Lets have a great 2012!!!!

Squirt the 6 weekly sessions will be very helpful especially since the same person is going to be seeing you. All coaches have areas of preference that they think will help the most. I'm sure the coach will let you all know what he/she is going to emphasizing. But certainly body position/posture is critical in the water to reduce the amount of drag that occurs. Rehearse the drills that you will be shown your building muscle memory which you will use. And enjoy.

Hi Roy,

I am Don.

Story: 51 years old and trying to improve at this triathlete sport that is very new to me. I was out of shape a year and a half ago. My health became very important again to me as it was 30 years ago when I had run 2 half marathons and was lifting weights 6 days a week and only form of transportation was a 10 speed bike. Now I am in pretty good shape after losing 30 pounds, lowered my blood pressure and restored some (believe me very little) of that strength I used to have. I started swimming to improve my shoulder stiffness and before you knew it i was doing my own little sprint tri's on a weekly basis. So a co-worker told me about a sprint tri race in Dunedin last year (2011) and I did it! Loved it so much I did two more in October 2011. Now a colleague challenged me to do the St. Anthony's Tri. The swim scares me to death. I need help 'cause I am a sinker!

Family Status: Widower (1 1/2 yrs) after 22 wonderful years of marriage to my best friend. I am a father of three great young people: 21 yr old daughter, 16 yr and 12 yr old sons. Now you can get an idea why my health became most important.

Current training: run, lift weights, ride about 6 days a week. Usually about an hour total but lately started increasing my time but somewhat sporadically. Now that it is cold in the mornings when I train (5am), my local homeowners association outdoor unheated pool is not working for me. Call me a wuss!

2011 Races: Dunedin Sprint (June), Fort DeSoto Sprint (Oct), Inverness Sprint (Oct)

2012 Goals: St. Anthony's 51.5 Tri (April), Dunedin Sprint (June) and maybe a couple more sprint tri's

Training Goals:  Learn to swim a lot better with endurance and improved techniques.

What Will Make Me A Good Mentee: I am consistently training and eager to learn how not to drown swimming a mile! I have a lot to learn about all the aspects of tri racing as I have basically just gutted it out to finish with no real education or training from anyone with experience except a few suggestions here and there from a friend who is an experienced triathlete.

Roy,

Looking to join the group.

Story: 41 years old, did my first mini-tri in 2011, 100 yd swim, bike 5, run 2.  Loved it!  Ran a 5k as well.  I have never been a runner, but want to improve my cardio and would like to bring my mile and 2 mile times down.  I coach high school track and field and would like to be able to run with the better runners to encourage them, and me.

Family Status:  Married 15 years, 4 daughters (13, 10, 7, 3)

Current Training:  None during the winter, but hope to do some weight training and cardio with the encouragement of this group

2012 Races:  Planning a 10k, 5k, the same mini-tri I did last year, and a longer one (swim 750, bike 15.5, run 3.4)

Weightloss:  January of 2010 I gave up eating candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, pie, doughnuts, soda, basically anything containing sugar (never cheated, not once).  Did some working out and got down to 148.  Started running and biking in 2011, still stayed off the sugar, but ate more and drank more milk and am now up to 160.  Would like to get to 145 lean.

Looking forward to spring and maybe riding my bike to work (21 miles each way).

Hi Don and Ferg Daddy, glad to have you in the group. Don you are pretty near by from your events listed. Ferg Daddy  that is  great discipline to stay off of the sugars that is hard to do. Your to be commended.

Good to have your guys,