2014 Rookies - CLOSED (Page 2)

Welcome Scott.  It sounds like you are being very smart in adjusting your running plan.

The key for me about being consistent with my workouts is to make sure it's fun and something I enjoy.  Naturally, not every workout is "fun," but sometimes you have to remember how good you feel after a workout so that you still reap the enjoyment factor.

Welcome Scott and Debby!

Debby, having a crazy work schedule can be a real challenge but there are lots of others in the same situation so it can be done!  You just have to figure out how to fit things in on the busy days and make the best use of your time on the quieter days.  Is your work schedule set in advance so you know when the busy days will be vs the quiet ones or do things just happen and you deal with it day to day?

Brenda, welcome to the group!  Also welcome to Lady Magoo and ssgreer, could we have your names?  

1. I think the answer depends on how close together the two events are and how much time you have available to train.  Getting yourself in half marathon run shape won't hurt your triathlon training as long as you still have sufficient time (and energy) to train your swimming and bike as well.  Seeing as the half marathon is the end of May and the sprint tri is in September, they won't clash with each other at all.  I am also signed up for the Ottawa Half Marathon by the way.  

2. This isn't all that uncommon.  Some people have had success wearing ear plugs to help, you could try that.

3. Assuming you mean over the winter, your choices are limited to something like spin classes or getting a bike trainer and using your own bike on that.  The trainer is probably the best option and what most people will do.

4. This one is tough to answer.  If cost is a big issue then trying to find something used should save you some money but since you aren't sure what you are looking for you run the risk of getting something that doesn't suit you well.  Going into a bike shop and talking to them there is a good option if you have a good one to go to (again, that's tough).  The only bike shop I've been in in Montreal is Cycle Technique.  

Welcome Kelly.  Did you figure out how to log your run?  At the top of the screen is a menu bar and one of the options is Training Log.  Hover your mouse over that, then hover over Add today's workout and then click on Run.  That will bring you to a screen where you can enter the details.  If you use a Garmin you can also upload your run from the watch there.

There are tons of options for things you can enter.  If you want to keep it basic, enter the time and distance as well as the description of what you did.  Maybe some notes about how you felt or anything else you noticed.

Sounds like you have a plan B for when plan A falls through, that's great!  When I'm stuck in a hotel room, I usually try to get some running in.  

Welcome everyone.  It looks like we've got a nice group rounding up.  I think we'll have room for about 5 or so more before we close things up.

As far as the bike buying question, my advice is always to try and talk to other bikers who have gone through the process.  Ideally someone who's bought multiple bikes.  Some bike shop salesman can be trusted...others are just looking to tell you anything they can to make a sale and it's very tough for a newbie to know the difference.  Do your homework and learn about bikes.  Ask lots of questions.  Bike manufacturers each make a wide line of bikes in various sizes because no one bike is best for everyone.

What type of training do you all have coming up?

I'm going to be a broken record with my workouts...I just bike...pretty much everyday.  I did have a nice hard group ride today, and riding with a smaller group tomorrow as more of a recovery ride.

Welcome to all the new additions!!  I was away from the computer for a bit, but I wanted to welcome all of you to the group.  Hope I didn't miss anyone....

Theresa — three marathons and some longer rides in 2013 should set you up nicely for sprint and Oly tris in 2014. Swimming is definitely the hardest of the three to jump into (we’re not exactly well-suited….being animals that are typically upright and certainly can’t breathe in the water!). Are there any Master’s programs around you?

Samantha — very cool that you’re getting into tris while finishing up school! Is there a tri group at your school? Seems like that could be fun to be involved with! Where are you located anyways? If biking is your weakness, definitely get into as many spin classes as you can. Do you have your own bike? Do you have a stationary trainer?

Jerry — your foray into endurance sports sound like mine. Some friends convinced me to sign up for a race and it turned out to be way more fun than I had expected….have been addicted since then! We’ll get you past that DNF and onto being a triathlete here shortly! You called yourself a “terrible swimmer” — do you have access to a Master’s program?

Scott — how was Day 1 of your sprint plan? Very smart of you to start with a run/walk regimen as you build up your run. I’ve recently come back from a knee injury and started with a lot of very short runs. It’s definitely smart to start slowly and build up….it will help avoid injuries. As for finding a partner to train with, we were all new once and I find that most other triathletes are happy to help get new athletes into a group and up to speed. One of the best ways to get better (on the bike and swim, especially) is to go out in a group and just hold on as long as you can….you’ll get a little faster each time out. A good Master’s swim program is invaluable! I don’t know much about the DFW tri community, but if it’s anything like Houston’s, I’m sure you will have no issue finding tons of people to SBR with.

Debby — hope you get the asthma issues worked out. Very impressive that you were so determined to do this, but getting the breathing issued fixed will certainly make things more enjoyable! Working hard on your swimming and biking will keep your overall fitness up, but running is the only thing that’s going to make the running happen (darn, I know!!). Luckily, as Arend alluded to, running is pretty darn convenient as you just have to throw on a pair of shoes and head out the door!

Brenda — very cool that as a new swimmer you loved it! Signing up for a tri is a great motivator to putting in the swim and bike training in addition to the run training you were already planning. As for bike training in Canada, do you have your own bike and a stationary trainer? Though I can ride year-round, I find putting a few days a week in on the trainer to be a better bang for my buck….and then you get the long outdoor rides in when the weather is decent. Arend, I’m sure, does the same thing as he also has to suffer through real winters. Jason and I are in areas where we can ride year-round (though Jason’s Hawaii beats my Texas, for sure!).

Kelly — welcome to the world of triathlons! It isn’t at all uncommon for runners to decide they want to give triathlons a shot. Running can be hard on the body, so it’s nice to add a few non-impact type sports! With regards to the running mileage in many of the plans, I agree that they can be low. If you already have a good run base, I’d keep it up as high as you can, as long as it’s not impacting your time to swim and bike. I probably wouldn’t be doing 70 mpw for sprint/Oly distances, but I wouldn’t bat an eye at someone doing 20-30 mpw. Just let your recovery and ability to balance the other sports dictate. I, for one, like to create my own training plans so I can tailor to myself. I’ll take a look at what other plans call for and then modify to fit my goals.

Donna — congrats on the weight loss and becoming the happy, well-adjusted woman you are! That’s a huge victory in itself….adding triathlete to the list is just the icing on the cake! Where are you located? If I had to guess, the tri community will be very welcoming….I know I felt intimidated when I first started getting into it, but have had nothing but positive experiences since then.

Mo — what sports did you do previously? A little competition can be a huge motivator….so sign up for those races and set yourself up with a training plan! I see you’re just getting into running — take it easy and build up slowly. Start with a run/walk regimen and keep it easy. If you want/need to get your heart rate up and some sweat out, take it out on the bike and swim….the non-impact nature of those sports is a bit more forgiving than running.

Hi Everyone, I'd like to join this group if it's still open!

Name: Jack
Story: I'm 34 years old. Live and work in Kraków, Poland. I'm dreaming about debiut in tri since 2006, but family situation and exhausting work did not leave much room for training... But in 2013 everything is diffrent. I started my own business, children are older - but i can start over with tri passion.
Family status: Married, two kids - and one dog
Current training: I started to run and to ride bicycle again in April 2013. I have swimming basics but there is a big lack in this area...
2013 Races: Several start for 5k & 10k runs in this year, one still before me (new year eve 10k run).

My goal for 2014 is to complete olimpic distance tri on two events in Poland - 29 June, Frydman olimpic Tri (debiut) and 7 September Iron Dragon Triathlon (near Kraków).
Also, in march, i want to try myself in my first half marathon (i've started half marathon plan on endomondo two months ago).

Weight loss: maintance (i think )

Still looking for a suitable training plan for me. I can not decide which one to choose, free plans for begginers (at least in runing and cycling part) are to simple for me (i think i can afford greater volume, maybe im wrong ...) - but i don't have knowledge to make a custom plan by my own ...

I'm looking for training advice, motivation and FUN!
My training log is up to date!

Cya