Ernesto Villarroel's Group - FULL (Page 22)

Why not signing up for Florida or Arizona 2012? Both races have forgiving courses and you do them with all the fitness from the summer since both are in November (and you don't miss workouts due to weather). They are ideal first timer Ironman, predictable weather, flat courses, etc.

Sounds better!! Will do..  I just dont want to loose the momentum and stop trainning, do you think that I could do a half TT before the end of this year?  if so can you recommend any?

Alfredo,

How far are you willing to travel, if you are? I can recommend some really "easy" halves but none in the area, except for a non Ironman branded half in Dallas during September.

Me again

So if I have easy access to a lake for open water swimming, do I also need to go to the pool (45 min away)? 

If I had the choice, I'd swim open water every single time. Training has to be as close to race conditions as possible. Specificity they call it!

Great!  So I did a tempo run on Tue, bike intervals on  Wed and yesterday was a rest day.  I should be pretty energetic by tomorrow.  What do you recommend that I do tonight, Sat and Sun?

I read that we can continue this mentoring group, disband, or join a new group.  I vote that we continue this group with our fearless leader, Ironman Ernesto, if he agrees.

What say, fellow groupies?

I was wondering if changing the status of this group from 'full' to  'open' wouldn't do the same thing. I'm in either way.

Jackie,  all my swims are in the lake and you can really get used to navigating, build up endurance, experience different conditions almost every time etc. What is hard to do, is structured workouts for specific purposes, like drills to improve form, speed specific 'stuff', intervals and the like. In my case, the priority is to cover specific distance without killing myself, but I realise that having a coach and learning proper form from the beginning would have helped.

Hey, if you open up again, can I possibly join you guys? I've been participating in another group, but don't know if it's going to continue or not.  I'm in the DFW area like some of you, and doing my 2nd sprint tri this Sunday (Caveman).  At some point, would love to get some input on my training plan (or lack thereof )....easy to get kind of overwhelmed w/ what to focus on, how much, etc.  What I have to offer in return is encouragement anyone else out there trying .

Hi Squirt,

Welcome.  It will sure be nice to have another female beginner to help me ask those beginner questions.  I did my first tri (sprint) at Benbrook two weeks ago.  I want to do an open water one next.  I'm halfway between Houston and Dallas.

What was your first one?

Absolutely! Just tell us your name and a bit about you.

Absolutely! Just tell us your name and a bit about you.

Don't leave me. Don't leave me. I promise to do my first Tri next cycle!  

Great, thank you for having me! 

Not sure what to tell, so I'll throw out a few things.  Name is Carol, I'm 44, been married to my best friend for 23 of those, and my kids all have fur (4 dogs and 1 cat).  Been an on and off runner for about 5 years. In that time I've done 3 slow, undertrained half marys, 2 10K's, and lots of 5K's.  I did one sprint tri in October 2009 then lost my mojo for a while and picked up some lbs in the process.  I have not been very consistent in training over the years, and never have really allowed myself to go "all in". 

But this year I decided I was tired of doing all this halfway.  I mean what exactly am I waiting for?  I've since lost 10 lbs, and would like to lose another 10.  Also decided it's OK to spend a little $$'s on myself in the form of race fees, a nice used road bike, a little ART for my IT band, etc.  Goal is to do one sprit tri per month over the summer, and an olympic in the fall.  Hope to slide in a couple of 1/2 marathons in the fall/winter.  I have Type 1 diabetes -- the kind that little kids get.  So balancing insulin, nutrition, and exercise has a little different twist for me, but is very doable.

If you're a decent swimmer, by no means go to the back because that is when you'll get boxed and kicked. You have to go with the people that does your same pace. What is your average 100y pace?

Halfway in the pack, not a bit back from that point. Get yourself in the middle, that's the point most people avoids and curiously where it gets less crowded. It takes no time for the pack to come through, look at the video of my mass start in Arizona 2009, you'll get an idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Edh4GlZRHg

Look at 57 seconds on the left hand side of the screen, there's a big hole with no people, THAT'S WHERE I WAS.

Hi Ernesto,

This may be a dumb question but I'm really surprised about something. I had been cycling at right about 130 bpm (maf heartrate) and averaging between 10.1 and 10.8 mph. Something just didn't feel right about that, it seemed to be taking too much effort. Just on a hunch i raised my seat (which I already thought was on the high side) by about 3/4 of an inch. My next ride out I easily averaged 13.1 mph with the same effort. The ride was an absolute joy. Is that possible? Does it make that much of a difference? Now I could kick myself for not having my bike "fitted" at the shop. I don't think my fitness increased by that much all of a sudden.

Not a dumb question at all, Barry. Yes, the right fit can increase your output A LOT, higher or lower seat, handlebars, etc. can make an enormous difference. I say that getting fitted is probably the biggest investment you can do in triathlons.

Barry, I'm so glad you asked that question (and that Ernesto answered it)!  I have a bike fit scheduled this week and have also asked for a lesson in how to use the clip in shoes/pedals.  Been riding the bike I bought off craigslist for a few weeks without making any changes since the gal that had it before was my height. 

Did my first tri of the year and second ever yesterday and had lots of fun.  The good takeaway was the improvement over the first one.  I may be slow, but I'm less slow .  

Yesterday's Tri (275, 13, 3.1)                2009 Tri (300, 12, 3.1)

 2:11/100 yds                                       2:47/100 yds       Swim

14.6 mph                                            13.7 mph            Bike

10:27/mile                                           10:59/mile          Run

My trainsition times are horrible, but I'm celebrating the good right now, and will work on that (and lots of other things) for next time. 

I've had a bike fit, but it was not for triathlons.  May be time to experiment with my seat height.  I keep sliding forward on my seat.  I also think it may be tilted laterally to the right based on the marks on my bottom.  I'm going to make that slight adjustment first and then after I see how that works, raise or lower it.