bcagle25's Endurance Ninja's - Closed (Ninja school is in session) (Page 2)

I've looked into this plan and know a lot of people who like it.  Unfortunately, I seem to do best with 3 days a week so I do a tempo, interval, and long run.  I sometimes go up to 4 days a week but 5 is definitely too much for me.

Here is our list so far...

bcagle25-Ben

Nicole83-Nicole

Marvintpa-Tom

jeslin-Jess

aavella-Alex

IronCowgirl-Erica

Justinfss-Justin

Mdfahy-????

Twinsmomma.Erin-Erin

2 spots left!!!

If your name is above you are in! I am going to close this group at 10 and keep it on the smaller side so we can get close knit, and I can better track everyone individually.

Thanks!

Just to throw it out there, I'm going to adding everyone to my TL for easy access to post "inspires" on your logs.

Having doen this group thing before, it makes it alot easier and I highly reccomend it.  If you need help with how to do it, just ask.

I would like to join.

Name: Brian Miller

Family: Married with 2 daughters that are 7 and 4.

Story:  I am very active but have not done a triathlon yet. I keep talking about it but Motocross, wakeboarding etc have taken precedence in the past. Those hobbies are getting tough being 40 so I am going to commit this year after being injured last year.

Current Training: Last year I followed a 16 week plan and it was working for me, so I am going to do the same this year although it will be 15 weeks to the race. I am really excited since today I am picking up a Cervelo P2. Last year I debated on getting a tri bike and decided to wait, but I could not pass up on the current "share the ride" promotion.

2011: I started the year training for an Olympic, after 2+ months I injured my shoulder which required surgery and lots of rehab. Basically took me the rest of the year to get back to strength.

2012: Going to do an Olympic in April and if all goes well a HIM in August. Eventually my ultimate goal is to so an Ironman.

Weightloss: I packed some weight on over the holidays (long story but had 2 vacations and a family emergency, so I have not been home much) Normally I am about 175 (above 180 now) and want to be around 165.

Why I want to be a part of this group. Last year I was part of a mentor group and enjoyed it. However, it fizzled away after about a month and a half. Since this is based on longer distances that hopefully means everyone is more commited.

Here's my info..

Name: Ali/Omahabritt

Story: In a 40yr old SAHM, who loves to be active, challenge and push myself to do more and has always had the Ironman on my life list for as long as I can remember.  With both kids in school full-time, it's a great time to amp up my training for something bigger.  I've done lots of 5K's, about 6 Half-Marathon's, several Urban Adventure Race's to mix it up, and a couple Try-A-Tri's that always leave me wanting more.  My goal is a Half Ironman this year and hopefully Wisconsin Ironman in 2013.  I'm a runner first, and biking has always been fun and relatively easy for me, swimming is my problem, as I don't get in the pool unless I'm forced (haven't been in since Sept).  I've always enjoyed training programs, but the Half IM and IM, ones are are more techinical than I'm used to, and I'm a bit scared.  I've had success with simply training distances greater than what the race is with speed workouts, hill, bricks, etc thrown in and been injury free.  Heart rate training, swimming drills, and focusing on cadence and gears, etc are all new to me, but I'm up for the challenge.

Family Status: Married, 12yrs, together for 19yrs, which boggles my mind. Two kids, boy-8 and girl-6.

Current Training: After slacking off the 1st half of last year, I've built up over the last 6 months to working out 5-6 days a week (1hr to 2 hrs each day), and have worked up to a long run of 10 miles at least once a every other week.

2011 Races:3 5k's, 2 - Urban Adventure Races (1 short, 1 long), Trek up the Tower

2012 Races: So far--2/25-Trek Up the Tower, 5/6-Lincoln Half, 6/2-Urban Adventure Race, 6/10-Half Ironman Kansas?

Weightloss: 30lbs

What will make me a good mentee: I've got lots of questions, think a group setting is a great way to stay motivated and learn best practices.  I've always taken comfort in finding a training plan and sticking with it to the letter, but with other races in the mix, I don't think that will be possible this year. Looking to see how others deal with adjustments to their training plans (ie. how can I loosen up and not freak out about it).

Thanks for holding my spot, here is my info.

Name: Matthew Fahy, 43, executive at software firm in Richmond, VA

Family: Married with 2.75 yo daughter.

Story:  I started running a few years ago and now have 2 years of triathlons. I definitely have the tri bug and have a lot of fun competing against myself mainly.  I try to get better each year and my primary goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle while keeping it fun.

Current Training: I started the 30 week Iron Fit training program last week.  I also started strength training for the first time in my life a few weeks ago.

2011: I did my first Ironman last year at Couer d'Alene, an amazing experience for me.  I also did a couple HIM, half marathon, and a sprint. 

2012: My A Race is Ironman Lake Placid, with a half marathon, olympic and half ironman as prep races. My goal is to beat my time from IMCDA of 13:29 at IMLP.

Weightloss: Not a huge goal of mine, but looking to knock some more lbs off through training and healthy eating.

Why I want to be a part of this group. I was part of a mentor group my first year in 2010 and it really helped keep me get up to speed on many basic concepts, I learned a lot by sharing questions and experiences with a group. Last year I joined a couple of mentor groups and had a really good experience again training for my first IM.  I look forward to having fun during the 2012 season with everyone here!

Do you have a spot for one more?  Quick info - did a half and full length last year (tri's #2 and #3) very slowly (the whole bucket list thing) and now want to get faster.  Meaning middle of the pack.

Happy New Year and thanks!~Justen

Here is the final list complete. Group will now be closed at 13 members and everyone that posted is in.

Here is our list so far...

bcagle25-Ben

Nicole83-Nicole

Marvintpa-Tom

jeslin-Jess

aavella-Alex

IronCowgirl-Erica

Justinfss-Justin

Mdfahy-Matt

Twinsmomma.Erin-Erin

Wannabefaster-Jason

Jsenc2002-Justen

Omahabritt-Ali

BMiller71-Brian

Thanks for having me!  More data:

Story:  Always had finishing a full length as a goal (for 20 yrs or something) and I started actually going after the dream two years ago.  The first year I spent 6m getting ready for a local sprint, kept moving through the whole thing, and loved it!  Last year, I was only really planning to do a half IM, and I was one of the lucky ones that got a spot in IMWI.  So I finished the half in June, slow but always moving, and started IMWI.  Halfway thru the bike, I had a cramp induced crash that basically broke my bike, and ended my day; I was on track to finish.  My wife suggested I find another race to carry the fitness to, and I found B2B in NC and finished it in a bit over 15 hrs.  Time for a new bucket list #1.

Family: Married with 2 young'uns

Goals:  Last year was about finishing, which I did like a turtle.  I trained to be slow.  This year, I want to be middle of the pack - ish.  I think that is a reasonable goal; all races this year (not sure which but it will be in the 3-4 event range) will be Oly or shorter.  I am looking to do another IM distance in 2 or 3 more years, when I have a better idea how to prepare.

Training:  Right now, I am easing back into it.  Given I live around Boston, my first race will likely be around June 1, so I will be unstructured but active (focus on strength and slow cardio, however) for the next month, and start something more formal after that once I know what I am training for.   Focus will eventually be on speeding up my bike and run.

I hope everyone has a injury-free and happy new year!

Justen, congrats on finishing B2B after IMWI, it was surprisingly hot that day and many did not finish and times were slow all across the board. I was a real tough day out their for everyone! I was one of the crazy guys on Timber lane on the big hill in an American flag cape, speedo and wearing my aero-helmet and HRM, remember seeing me/us?

Always smart to take off an year after doing a first IM, IMO. You learn a lot training for the distance, and sometime it's best to take what you learned and apply it to shorter distances while you continue to increase your volume. Doing shorter distances will help you build more muscular strength, icnrease your speed, and naturally your IM time will go down on your next attempt, course dependent obviously.

You have a great wife that suggests doing another IM right after one. Many guys would envy you for this!

You may have helped me up... I think the top of Timber Lane (literally a few yards from the crest) was where I got my cramp!  It was a beautiful day, results not withstanding.  Overall, the crowds and race were awesome; would definitely consider that race again.

In terms of learning from racing last year, I think the main thing was to really know the bike course ahead of time if possible.  Both races I did had hidden challenges that would have been more obvious with more time on the course.  Particularly IMWI; I grew up near Janesville, and thought I would be really comfortable with the land (having ridden that area a lot).  However, I was not really comfortable on the bike until the last part of the first loop, just before I biffed.  You spend so much time on the bike, and as much comfort as possible is really important.

No big ones for me this year, that is for sure!

Andrew, very cool on your quest for the curling championships, that is a sport I have always wanted to try and always find myself glued to the TV during the olympics.

I read through your bio and my bigggest advice comes from the bold part above. Being consistent riegns supreme. In years past that is when I find myself making the biggest gains and becoming the most fit. Write down a weekly schedule, maybe even with weekly goals and progress off that. Continually taking time on and off and back on will not give you the proper gains you may be looking for. Any questions just ask!

Holidays are over and the new year has started, so that means it is time to get back to worK! This is a fresh start for everyone whether that is good or bad, but its a chance to re-evaluate everything. Starting off the new year on a good note is always a chance to build up some momentum to carry you through the rest of the winter.

What is everyones workouts planned today? I got in am early swim, have a run in a bit, and then settling back on the trainer finally after work tonight.

Raced Kona and BQ? wow those are lifetime goals for me and you did it in 12 months...congrats! 2012 looks even better for you getting to race Boston and race another IM. I hope racing Kona has given you the motivation you need to get back to the big island....I myself cannot wait until I get my chance to toe the line their, hoping to get for my first KQ in Madison in 2013, this year should be a big indicator if I am on the right path.

And I thought we were having a warm winter here in Wisconsin! 64 degrees! I would kill for that right now, but I will settle for the 45 we are going to have tomorrow. That all said I wouldn't mind a bit of snow at some point...snowboard is getting very dusty.