Madcow's group - FULL (Page 2)

Tom, thanks for having my sorry carcass.  Given that, guess I need to 'fess up.

Name:  Foolproof/Janice

Story:  Never athletic.  Ran a little, biked a little, rock climed a little.  Went to the gym.  Spinned.  Eh. 

Got more serious about running and lifting prior to turning 40 (I'm 44 ... 45 now under USAT rules).  I've lived in Florida 36 months/5 hurricanes/1 scorpion sting.  I moved here from Boston and bought my house 6 weeks before Charley hit.  Then came Frances and Jeanne.  Who knew closet space would be so dear?  My hurricane boxes included a lot of red wine and Tastycake Cupcakes and I, um ... ballooned ... under the stress.  Topped out at 173 (I'm 5'9".  I started running consistently that September (badly) and met a neighbor that helped me to run more efficiently.  He introduced me to triathalon, but I was such a horrible swimmer (read:  I shower) that a tri was off the radar.  [drama font]  We started dating and then when we broke up, I took up tri just pi*s him off (he's my neighbor) [/drama font].  Got down to 139lbs in February of 2005.  Ran the Marathon Key Bridge Run (6.9 miles) in 53 minutes with no LD run training.  Did the 2005 FAU Sprint in April and DNF'd because I had a panic attack befor the first buoy.  Still did the bike (on a hybrid) and run.  Tore my calf in August and was just a despondent mess until Christmas last year (back up to the mid-160's).  Healed the calf, bought my beloved 'Sunny', practiced swimming and did FAU again in '06.  My stellar 17 minute swim was all on my back.  But I finished.  Tried St. A's (148lbs), but Tampa Bay spit me out.  Still did the bike and run (ran with Sue7013).

I've been working on base training.  Tried to train for the 1/2M at Palm Beach, but exceeded the 10% rule and ended up with quad tendenitis.

[drama font]  After the scorpion sting (while volunteering at my Tri club's Water Station at MiamiMan 1/2-Oly in November), the former SO has stepped back into the picture (Firefighter/Paramedic, former Lifeguard). Apparently, he was impressed I continued to train.  Yawn.  I can now breath bi-laterally and my bike speed is increasing (thank god his bike is 15 years old ... any carbon and he'd be gone). [/drama font]

Came to the realization flying back from Massachusetts that Florida is my home, and that tri is the lifestyle I want.  I'm back down to 150-ish (okay I HATE HURRICANE SEASON and gained but I'm over it.  I flew out last Thursday at 148 and then I ate a LOT of junk over the holidays).  But I like the discipline. 

Tom, you scared me with the 'I'll never do an Olympic.'  But you're right.  It's my distance.  I'm hobbled by my swim ability, but the first 6 on the bike were just a warm up.  25 works.  I still crush *him* on the run.

Family Status:  Divorced 8 years.  3 cats.  A training partner who is, for the most part, don't pin me down here, my SO, who is into tri and has Sprints on his schedule and who is training me for St. A's.  And who if he bails, so be it ... I'm still making Tampa Bay my beeyatch.

Current Training:  Will start following the Oly program Jan 1, but make it work around *my* work schedule and *his* fire station duty.  Or not.

2006 Races:  Gasparilla 15K, FAU Wellness Sprint, St. Anthony's Olympic, Sebring Sprint (5th place hardware ), got my braces off (who knew middle age could be so FUN), and then just base trained.

2007:  Gasparilla 1/2M (I want to do the 15k to see how I've improved, but I so want to hang with the cool kids, but I don't think I have a 1/2m in me), Firefighter Sprint in March, (7 Mile Bridge Run again if possible in April), FAU Spring in early April, St. A's in late April, *too f'ing hot to race in SoFla in the summer*, Sebring Sprint again in July because 2006 was the inagural and I want to see how I do again, Loggerhead Sprint in September and if I have survived St. A's, Escape to Miami in October.

Weightloss:  I think I've drilled enough on that.  I hate being 170, loved being 139 but it's too hard to maintain.  145 works for me.  O sheit.  Now I need to start listing my weight on my log.

Thanks all! 

Great story Janice! Don't worry about doing 1'2's or full's until you are ready. That distance will always be there. The key is for you to get to the starting line uninjured.

TC- Sorry about the confusion, I type reaaaly slow

The final group is:
KSH - Karen
swgtri- Sahnnon
foolproof- Janice
TC117- TC
PanicTour- Keith
NewHymie- Herman
TimmyMay- Timmy
Snaps10- ?
Madcow- Tom

Also I am from San Diego

Easy, I applied I got my first sponsor (The Degree Ironman Team) after only doing one race, a sprint where finished middle of the pack. I was sponsored by them for 2 years. In reality, I didn't get much out of it other than a bunch of free clothes. In 2005 and 06 I was sponsored by a company that wanted to put on a tri team, so the company found other companies to add to the team. Unfortunately, I think the owner of the company cared more about the tri team than he did about selling items...the company folded, but I got lots of free things over the last two years.

Actually TC, you are on the right track as far as sponsoring goes. The only thing a company wants is exposure. The more exposure, the better. So even if you don't find a "tri" company to sponsor you, you still might be able to convince a company (even yours) to pay for something as long as your advertise for them

Ok, I'm trying to get all my info together, so if you would be so kind as to let me know a few things:

Currently
Do you have access to a bike trainer or can you ride outside
Can you run outside or on a treadmill
Can you swim in a pool or OW
What is your "A" race for 2007 and what is the date

I was thinking it would be fun to know when you are getting close to your "A" race, or any race for that matter. That way you will have your own virtual cheering section on race day and extra support leading up to your race.

If we we are all able to train during the winter, I would like to have little challenges to keep us motivated. Nothing too serious, just for fun.

Let me know

Tom

Welcome Daniel,

Don't sweat the aero bars. With your cycling experience you will probably be faster than a lot of guys with their $5000 carbon tri bikes! Afterall it is all about the engine

I can ride outside, but do have a Kurt Kinetic trainer.  It's 66 degrees right now, so yes, I can run outside, but do also have access to a treadmill at the gym.  I have indoor and outdoor pool access, and can also do OWS (after the jellies have gone by).  I have given up bit*hing about outdoor training since I live, basically, in paradise.  Snowbirds not withstanding.

"A" Race is St. Anthony's on 4/29.  I have a race schedule up on my blog.

Fun challenges would be fun, but I know that I personally get a little stressed by them.  Guess that's gonna just be part of the 'mental toughness' you'll impart, eh? 

Keep the info coming guys!

Don't stress over the challenges. It won't be anything major, just setting fun weekly or daily goals that I think we can do. If you have access to a pool but can run outside, then we can sub out runs or rides instead of swimming. Or if you are nursing an injury, switch out a swim instead of run...that kind of thing. The challenges might not even be workout related

As far as the "A" goes, some people refer to them as a race that you build to and peak at. I use it as a race you are excited about. Every year I loved racing at the Lake Arrowhead race. That would be my "A" race even though there were other races that I prepared more for.

Tom,

 Group looks great!!

I live in NC and depending on weather have access to my bike and to YMCA. 

Same for running and the pool.

 I still need to pick my "A" race and will get you one with at date shortly.

 All the Best,

 Herman

OK group, First challenge...

Since I have been away from work, I haven't had ANY water, so todays' challenge is to drink at least 2 liters of water. I'm sure I'm not alone in my lack of water consumption