The Dominon - Beginner Focused Group - Closed (Page 2)

Hello Chris! I plan on joining this group. Will post a quick bio in a bit; running short on time today. Look forward to participating (this'll be my 3 time around)

Later!!

Mine is March 4th, so I guess I have a little more time than you but still doesn't feel like enough haha. According to the race predictor I used, I should be able to finish under 1:40 if I have a strong race but it won't be easy. I bet we can both make it! Let us know how it goes, I could always use a little extra motivation.

I looked up those videos you suggested and I plan to use one of them for my bike tonight. I've tried to watch TV during exercise and I just cant focus on what is going on in the show. Unfortunately it looks like we may get snow Thursday and if the sidewalks are covered with ice, ill probably have to use a treadmill

Matt that is a pretty amazing accomplishment and I'm sure you made some great memories with your dad! I think it would be cool to do something like that but probably on a smaller scale.

Hello Chris,

I am a newbie to the triathalon world. I have purchased a book by Joe Friel and am very interested in beginning my journey. I have never swam, biked, or ran competitively (beyond one 5k). I did play sports all the way through high school. I would appreciate a mentor that could steer me in the right path. Please let me know if you would be willing to assist and I can join your mentor group.

Thank you!
Geoff

My original plan was to do the Timberman Half up in New Hampshire. Then I found out about a month ago that they had discontinued the race! I ended up choosing the Big George Triathlon in Lake George, NY. I had pretty much decided on it and then found out that my tri club was planning to make that the club event in 2017, so that sealed the deal for me. It's a beautiful area and my mother and brothers only live about 45 minutes away, so I'm hoping to have a decent cheering section at the finish line. :-)

Chris,

I know we're all still getting our bearings and signed up but I have some beginner questions!

I'm wondering if you have any insight on weight lifting to compliment triathlon training? I've lifted for a year and a half, I have no intentions of giving it up, but I want to utilize it properly to help my tri work. Also, being a beginner, my gear is slim to none. I'm wondering if you'd have any suggestions on what gear would be wise for a beginner. I've read articles saying that any type of bike and a pair of shorts to swim in and a pair of running shoes are all that's really needed but I figured I'd ask here too for some more ideas. I'm certainly not made of money but still want to see what would be good suggestions.

Josh, I'd say as far as gear goes it probaby depends on how important being competitive is to you. Any bike will get you across the finish line but a road bike will drastically increase your speed over a mountain bike or hybrid. You may be able to find a solid used bike at your local bike shop if you don't have the money to spend on a new one. My first race the only "gear" I had was my road bike, bike helmet, swim goggles, jammers to swim in, bike shorts to bike in and my running shoes. This race I managed to get 16th place and 3rd in age group being one of the worst swimmers

Wow! Thanks!!!! I just put in an order for jammers and goggles

Yea I bought myself a 2 pc louis garneau trisuit for christmas. Shorts are 65 dollars right now. I'd agree the tri shorts would of definately cut down on transition time so you don't have to change every transiton. I had to put bike shorts over my jammers in the first transition then take the bike shorts off and put athletic shorts on for the run.

Well....here's my "story"......


Name: Bill/2NewKnees
Age 65 Retired

Story: Growing up I was involved with the typical activities like baseball, basketball, some football, and running track while in HS. In my adult life work schedules and family obligations limited my sporting activities other than playing softball. Supporting our kids sporting events (football, wrestling, swimming) was much more important for us to concentrate on. ....

During one of those softball games more than 16 years ago, I blew out my left knee; tore the ACL and cartilage and had surgery to repair/6 month rehab. I did recover to play one more season. As a part of my post ACL repair rehab, I did some light jogging. That eventually turned into more running on a regular basis.

My daughter swam while in college and she encouraged me to join her for a 4 mile race. Her swim coach required the team to run the local event. I held off doing that her Freshman year but decided to give it a shot in her Soph year. Since she was close by we were able to train together. I was very nervous the day of my first event but finished it; so I began to run in similar races.

My sons and I ran in several events over the years. My oldest son convinced me to try a 1/2 Marathon with him in 2011; we trained together and successfully completed the distance (I sure felt my age after that!!); I remember being as nervous about that event as I was that first race with my daughter. Both my sons and I registered for the same event in 2012; ironically they both ended up injured and were unable to do the race; leaving their "old man" to run it by himself!! That 1/2 was the last stretch event I was able to train for prior to my knees giving out .

My left knee was so bad I had it replaced in Feb 2013; recovered from that, did a little bit of biking and walking but the right knee was also very damaged. I had my right one replaced in Sep 2013. Thus...my name...2NewKnees !! All of 2013 was a rehab year for me; in January 2014 I decided I needed to up my exercise schedule. We joined a local gym; I contacted a friend who is a Masters Swim Coach and he started me on my swimming activities. It's took me a year to improve my stamina in the pool. We continued to ride bikes when weather permitted and was pretty consistent on walking. Having done many road races I missed "competing". So I decided if I'm going to work that hard at something, I might as well try to train for an event of some sort.

So, I completed 2 Sprint Triathlons spring of 2015. I walked the 5K portion of the events because of my knees. Even though some folks who have had total knee replacements continue to run; I've made a decision not to do that; having been through that recovery twice, I'm not interested in having to go through knee replacement revision if I can keep from it.


Family Status: Retired; Happily married for 46 years; 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter; 2 daughter in laws, 1 son in law; 4 grand kids; my wife and I exercise 5-6 days/week

Current Training: My goals are to Swim 3 times/week; Bike Trainer 3 times/week; Walking 3 times/week (Treadmill when weather doesn't cooperate) & Weight lifting 2 times/week

2014 Races: A local 5K fundraiser in May, 2014; I walked the event

2015 Races: Pioneer Sprint Triathlon 4/23/15; Miami of Ohio Sprint Triathlon 5/9/15; completed both in under 2 hours even walking the 5k portions

2016 Races: Since the Pioneer Sprint was my first event; I registered for the event as did my oldest son. However, I was unable to make the event due to my father's illness. He passed away in mid May. While I continued to "train" after his passing, I just never got back to the point of doing an event; plus bike time was almost non existent.

Weight Loss: Since I was in rehab most of 2013 I gained some weight due to not being as active as I had been prior to my knee replacements. I've been able to keep my weight fairly stable with the swimming, biking, walking and yard work!

What Will Make Me a Good Mentee?: The fact that I want to complete additional events and need additional insight on what to continue to expect and manage that bit of nervousness that I experienced in those first races I mentioned in my story . I plan on registering for that April sprint event again here in a few days.

This will be my 3rd time around on BT.....I still feel I'm in that "beginner" group category since I've only done the 2 sprints; and I'm wanting to get back into the game in 2017.....I may be slow but I'll keep plugging along.

Look forward to meeting all the new members of this group

I picked up Joe Friel's 4th edition training bible. As a beginner, is there a better place in the book to start? I didn't except a book of this size when I ordered it :). I live in Richmond, VA and have been looking around for events that are coming up this year. Pretty nervous about signing up right now but I definitely agree that it can be good motivation.

Thanks,
Geoff

Edited by Geoff29610 2017-01-04 6:27 PM

I'm in Atlanta, so fairly close. I grew up in south Georgia, Camden County, so I know the area.

Running is my weak point by far. I'm really focusing right now on that. I'm doing a couch to 5k app on my phone. I've been working on it for a few months, but only seriously for 2 weeks now. I'm slow paced and slow at improvement. But improving none the less.

I just want to let all in the group know that I had Bill (new knees) in one of my mentor groups and you'd be hard pressed to find a person with two good knees that works as hard and is as consistent as him. Glad to be back in a group with ya, Bill!

Thanks Todd!!

If your nervous about the swim portion my advice would be to sign up for a race with an indoor swim portion. That way even if you get tired you can always stop at the wall or touch the bottom real quick to get a quick break.

Hi Chris,

I would like to join the group and think you and this group will be great for me. I live in the Metro Detroit area, in my late 50's, married with one adult child. In January of 2016, I weighed somewhere in excess of 450 lbs. I am not sure how much over as my scale only goes to 450. Today I am at 339 and looking to continue my weight loss. I have always wanted to compete in a triathlon but have never been ready. I completed a 5K last September but walked a majority of it. My goal for this year is to compete in a Super Sprint in June followed by Sprints in July and August. Unfortunately the season is limited in Michigan. I like to swim and bike. The run will be my struggle. My plan is to join a fitness facility by my office and begin swim and elliptical workouts. I have a stationary bike at home and will use that until the weather permits outdoor riding. I have started filling out my training log so you will be able to see my progress. I am hoping to drop below 300 before moving from the elliptical to the run to limit joint impact. My target to get there is end of March. Think that is more than enough info for now but am really looking forward to being part of this group! Thanks for being a Mentor and investing in our Success!

Have a great day!

Carl

Does anyone have any suggestions for riding/biking gear for the winter months. I live in Richmond so the winters aren't too long but I strongly dislike the treadmill and bike at the gym. I would love to get out and do some biking and running. I also think it will better prepare me (not sure how accurate the simulated bikes are at the gym).

I figured I would need to go to the sporting goods store and spend a good amount to make sure I had the right equipment. Any suggestions on good gear and also it wouldn't hurt if it didn't break the bank .

Also, does anyone use Strava? I would love to connect with some of you on there to help motivate me.


Thanks for your help!!
Geoff

Josh, agreed that you can get away with minimal gear to finish, but there are some things that you can add that won't cost a lot that will help. Take this with the caveat that these are all optional items.

1. You might want to get a race belt. It's very quick to put your bib on with a race belt rather than pinning it to a piece of clothing. You can always put it on in T1 and keep it on through the bike and run. I think I got mine for $5 bucks.
2. I don't know about others, but I hate getting water in my ears. I buy reusable silicone ear plugs. $10 will get you 6 pairs of Mack's and I can usually get at least 10 swims out of each pair.
3. A cheap bike computer can be useful. I have a Bell bike computer I got for $20. It shows you things like your total time, total distance, instantaneous speed, average speed, max speed, and calories burned. I'm mostly interested in distance, average pace, and speed.
4. A bag for your bike tools and spare tube (you have a multi-tool and a spare tube, don't you?!). Again, you can get something for under $20. I don't know if there are other options, but I think it's pretty standard to have a bag that mounts behind the seat. You don't want to get a flat and not have the necessary equipment to fix it!

I agree with Chris with Swimoutlet.com and Trivillage.com. I have used both and have had a positive experience with both. You can also check out Nashbar.com for inexpensive bike accessories. I've even found some of the stuff I was looking for on Amazon.com. There are quite a few discount sites out there.