Matt Gilmartin's Group- CLOSED~ we're swimming! (Page 23)

Catie,

First, let me say that I'm so proud and happy for you that you're doing this.   I'm really glad you picked my group to be a part of- I think the dynamic you have brought thus far has been awesome.  That being said, your good karma will get you through.

Now onto the practical advice.  (1) Hydrate- if you're feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated.  Keep up those electrolytes and water.  Once that's taken care of the rest of these are easy

(2) Have fun!  This sport is all about making the most of yourself and meeting your own expectations.  A real bonus is how great the people are that partake in it with you

(3) Keep the end in mind.  Remember that the race is 3 distinct, but equally fun parts.  Get through the swim without a foot cramp and you'll really enjoy the rest of the day.  The bike is super fun.  The run is maybe the psychological toughie, but you'll draw energy from the crowd and the other participants.  Each step is a step closer to the finish line, and when you finally see it you're going to be like "oh Q(#^(^(*Q$^( yeah!!!!!"

Trying to keep this pithy.  Enjoy your race!  PM me if you've got last minute worries.  Also utilize the forums here and talk to fellow athletes.  We're kind of a social group as you may have seen.

Matt

Catie - enjoy the wonders around you and just have fun. You have done the work, now enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Thought this inspiring story might be a nice way to kick off the weekend:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/02/health/roni-selig-fit-nation-journey/index.html

I have to work today but am looking forward to getting in a swim afterwards and then a 9 mile run with my half marathon training group tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a great weekend----looking forward to hearing all about your tri debut, catie!  So bummed to hear that your 2XU gear didn't arrive in time!

P.S.  How do I post something as a hyperlink in messages?  I see others do it but when I type a website, it just shows up as text, like the above link.  Very annoying.

P.S.  How do I post something as a hyperlink in messages?  I see others do it but when I type a website, it just shows up as text, like the above link.  Very annoying.

Robin, the BT editor is the subject of many PhD's in Computer Science LOL

Highlight the text, then hit the "chain" or "link" icon, then paste the URL in the box.  Hardly intuitive.

We took the kids to the local swim shop and bought everyone new goggles for our tri in a few weeks. We all bought AquaSphere Kayenne, so $100 less in the bank account today! We then stopped at a Dive shop and bought some wetsuit shampoo. 

We then headed over to the pool and everyone did some laps in their tri-clothes. My daughter also did a few time trials in her wetsuit (no worries - I brought it home and cleaned it right away and it is now drying). 

We scheduled some time at the dive shop to use their salt water pool to let the kids get some more wetsuit time before the race. It's only $10 a half-hour, so we can go a few times between now and the race. 

All-in-all a good day...off to fix me a big glass of chocolate milk!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made it in under the expected hour and had a ball... can't wait for the next one!

So the stats are:

Swim: 200m - 5:36 (could shave about 2 mins off that for next time - my friend freaked out a bit about being in open water so I waited with her - 'Leave no man behind' was our motto for the swim)

Bike: 5km - 20:38

Run: - 2km - 19:11

Total time: 45:26

OP: 404 / 425  (note that this isn't last!)

GP: 215 / 224  (once again... not last!)

I have some room for improvement so I am looking for a great training programme to build on what I have naturally (ie wasn't huffing and puffing even in the run, I just had tired legs and mighty sore ankles).  My aim over our off season (which starts in April) is to lose another 15kg and build up some upper body strength.  I have about 5 months to achieve this before we start back into it for the 12/13 season.

Thanks everyone for your support and advice.  I don't think I would have been able to move this 230 pound body like I did today without you guys.

Catie

Catie~ love it!!! Congrats!  The single best thing about this is the fact that you waited for a 'mate' during the swim.  Good karma like that pays itself back with dividends.  

We've got solutions for those sore ankles.  They're going to feel awful tomorrow FYI. LOL

Matt

Those sore ankles will not feel nearly as bad when your heart feels so good  Remember that pain is temporary and pride is forever.

Congratulations Catie!  That's awesome!

Sheryl

Can't wait until I can lose track of time and run 13.3miles!  That is an awesome effort!

Thanks everyone for your support.  Great news... I am signing up for another race!  The Gold Coast Enticer Tri on 22 April.  It is the last race of the year and I am pumped.  I didn't think I was going to be able to make it as I will be away at uni until the day before.  Decided that I would make the 6 hour drive over to the coast to get there in time to rack my bike and eat some pasta and get some rest.

The GC race is longer than the one I did yesterday, so it is back into training for me tomorrow.  This one is 300m/10km/2.5km.  Here is the link:

http://www.usmevents.com.au/Page6328.aspx

So very happy for you, Catie.  It sounds like the tri-bug has definitely bitten you!  As someone who hasn't done a tri yet, I'm very curious to hear your feedback about the transitions.  I have a hard time visualizing exactly how they work and would love to hear your first impression.

My Saturday shift at the hospital was cancelled so I was able to squeeze my nine mile training run in on Saturday morning---nice run.  My pace is getting faster and I'm hopeful that I may be able to shave 10 minutes or so off my half marathon on March 17 (goal is 2:15---my previous PR is 2:25---I am NOT a fast runner but can plod along happily for a long time).  On Sunday morning, I went to a Masters swim practice for a team that I found that practices near the hospital where I work---the Ancient Mariners at the Montgomery Aquatic Center.  What a fabulous experience!  I had tried out a Masters team that was associated with the local tri club a month or so ago and didn't think it was a good fit for a variety of reasons.  In contrast, I felt like this team was a *great* fit and I look forward to returning.  Coincidentally, it turned out that the coach went to grad school with my husband.  I felt like the lane where I was placed was a little too fast for me but everyone was very welcoming.  By the end of the practice, I realized that my breast stroke is still pretty solid; my freestyle is abysmal!  In addition to the warm-up and cool down; we did ladders that were exhausting---300 free; 250 IM or sroke; 200 free; 150 IM or stroke; 100 free; 50 IM or stroke with only about a 10 second rest between each set.  Then we repeated the ladder but started with 300 IM or stroke; 250 free: etc, etc, down to 50 free.  My arms feel like complete jello this morning. 

I'm tickled to have the day off today and am hoping to squeeze in a run in addition to visiting my Dad in the hospital and dealing with a service appointment for our broken dishwasher.  Isn't middle age grand?  Enjoy your youth while you have it, Catie!

Hope everyone had a great training weekend---looking forward to hearing details.

Robin

Steve- that's awesome man!!  Isn't there a blizzard in Western Nebraska right now?  13.3 in snowshoes would be even more superhuman

Robin, thanks for the post- looks like you had a phenomenal weekend!  I'm curious why the first Masters group you were with wasn't a fit, but I'm ecstatic that your second group is going to keep you motivated.  The fact that your arms are sore means you worked yourself hard.  You'll start seeing results really fast.  Keep it up, and thanks for sharing!!!

I can't remember who said something about being a ding-a-ling here... but I thought I'd let you all know that "ding-a-ling" is now my kids favorite thing to call me.  Of course I opened my big mouth to them and opened up this can of worms.  LOL

Thought I'd share some Gilmartin family humor on a Monday.  Nothing like a 3 and 6 year old referring to their Dad as "hey ding-a-ling".