Jim Kelley's (Birkierunner) General and Long Course Group (Open) (Page 2)

Originally posted by LarchmontTri Hey all...bio to come (sorry for the the delay on posting it). Picked-up my daughter's cold this past week (her entire class and teachers all had it), so I missed a few days of training mid-week last week. I was hoping for a big week last week leading into Memorial Day weekend, but it just wasn't to be. I did a 3 hr indoor ride yesterday with a couple of Inspector Lewis (Masterpiece Mystery) episodes keeping me company. I was hoping to ride outside, but it was raining again. My legs felt ok, though they had a bit less zip in them that I thought they were going to have, but it was a decent ride. I upped the resistance and tried to simulate some hills...and that was really tough, but good training. It's great weather here in the NY metro area today and I plan to run 7-10 miles later this pm and tomorrow morning (assuming the weather cooperates), hoping to get outside for my first(!) outdoor ride of the season. My first race is in late June, so it's about time that I get outside for some real riding, eh? Anybody racing this weekend? Or perhaps next? Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Originally posted by gdelamora Hello Jim, I would like to be a part of this group. NAME: Gil STORY: I have been a runner for most of my adult life but got an itch for triathlons a few years back. I did my first sprint tri back in 2010 and I have slowly been progressing in the sport. I have done 5 marathons in the last 10 years and a bunch of half marathons and shorter distance running races. 

Originally posted by gdelamora

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm currently training for HIM Racine in July then will switch to marathon training. I will still bike and swim but only as a cross training tool. My goal for the Chicago Marathon is to run it under 4:00.

Originally posted by rramirez1

Sooooooooo... question to you strong swimmers. as mentioned in my bio - my weak link is the swim. I have been practicing and practicing 2 to 4 times a week when allowed by time (see my logs). on my strokes I have tried breathing on my 4th stroke, on third stroke and on my second stroke to try and find a good cadence so I don't end up out of breath or gasping for air mid lap. although I can manage to swim at least 1000meters with small lap pauses on my swim days, it seems non stop with no breaks I am only good for 100 to 150 meters tops before I feel I need a break (even if its a 5-10 second breather). I have great cardio, so I know it has to be me powering too hard or something?

Originally posted by ereed83

July- Tour de Donut (35 mile bike race/fun ride)

Originally posted by rramirez1 thx! I have been watching Terry Laughlin's TI swimming stuff on youtube for a couple weeks now. very interesting stuff. I have definately made serious improvements since then, but still feel I need an extra pointer or two........ or just a lot of time in the water!!! do any of you think that 4 months of training is a good lead time to get a 1 mile swim in the bag? I am swimming between 2 and 4 times a week. I am probably good for close to a 1/4 mile without any breaks.

Originally posted by Birkierunner

I would highly recommend that you find a local swim coach and have him/her take a look at your technique.  It would be money well spent if they can see any glaring stroke mechanics issues that can be addressed.   4 months is plenty of time ot tackle a 1 mile swim but don't just focus on swimming as long as you can without taking breaks.  Swim fitness is built not only through longer sets but also shorter, more intense sets.

Originally posted by rramirez1  anything else you guys think I should be looking for in a swim coach?

Originally posted by mac3116 Is there still room for me to jump in this group ?

Originally posted by mac3116 First off, lad I could jump into this group ! So I started running in 2006 after picking up a RW Mag. and the first page was the Marine Corps Marathon. I had been out of the USMC a few years so it was basically a joke to everyone. Soon after I signed up Kona came on TV and I thought heck with the marathon, thats what I wan to do. Spent the next 18 months just running while I saved up for my first bike. Got it, same month hit my first sprint. Then went to OLY 2 months later and on to FL 70.3 2 months after that. Knew what distance I wanted but also knew I was leaving soon for a deployment to the desert. So went to local Tri club and told them I wanted to do a 140.6 and was new to triathlon and had the race in 4 months. Well they basically laughed me out of the park, so never went back. Did the Great Floridian as my first 140.6 and soon after spent next 2 years on the Iraq border. Been back since late 2011 and just been doing what I love. I have added 5 more 140.6s after being back , although the last 2 had major issues. Wrecked at mile 11 at IMFL but finished with big hematomas on hip and elbow, missing a lot of skin and a few fractured ribs. Then stomach issues at mile 75 at next one, had me unable to keep things down for rest of race. So I am really wanting to put together the next 2 and have a decent race. I am married to my biggest fan, who also happens to be my training partner. In all our favorite distance is the long course but we race just about anything. Might be racing next weekend, it will be our last before Louisville So training, kinda deep into if for Louisville but trying to keep an open mind about it. We got a plan and working it pretty good. This is the first one that I have not written so its kinda odd for me but so far its working out great. All I do is move some things around to fit our week better but nothing much. So me, I am in the FL National Guard now and do as much work with them as I can, also a full time student and on a plan to finish my BS in exercise science next year. We also have a few teenagers, so between that and training there is very little down time right now. Well looking forward to this I have not been these groups since 2006 ish Im guessing and had a awesome time during it. Looking forward to some good training and bouncing ideas . thanks