Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 23)

Jim-do you have your race number yet for IMTX?

Randy

Ok, full race report!

Here's my race report: Race Report

Pre-Race: got up at 5, showered, etc. I had a smoothie and drove about 45-50 minutes to get there. It's my college alma mater. I set up my transition, ate a Stinger waffle (LOVE those things!), ran about 1/4 mile warm-up and then swam a little. Pretty nervous...

Swim: It was hard, but I did really well per my expectations. I did it in 20, which was my goal. No backstroke or doggie-paddle. This was what I was most nervous about, but just took all your advice and stayed calm and kept swimming. My form is atrocious, I know it. But I felt good the whole way.

T1: nailed it. Organized, simple, in and out in 1:13.

Bike: Felt good. Went hard, but made sure not too hard. Big hill 2 miles in that I made sure to pace myself on, from then on rolling hills. There were multiple cyclists riding all over the place: left, right, weaving all over! I was really worried about getting a drafting penalty, but I just tried to get clear as soon as I could. Also, I went a little crazy. I was in the Novice category, and every time I saw someone with an N on their leg, they became my Nemesis. Crazy, I know, but for the whole ride, I just kept focusing on one guy and saying, "You're the one I have to pass." I think I passed 5 or so . Felt great throughout. Gu at 3 miles, Nuun to drink.

T2: Had to put on socks, tried it once without and got blisters. Still ok for the first race at 1:31.

Run: This was fast for me, just over 40 secs. slower than my PR 5k. Felt great the entire time, no cramps or tightness. Loved it.

Overall: Loved it! I've been training hard since February and it all paid off. I'm only as sore as if I'd worked out this morning. I went really hard, and now I can say I'm a triathlete  I really didn't make any major mistakes and felt I was as fit as I could have been for the race. Thanks for everyone for all their support and advice so far, it was infinitely helpful!

Jamie - Congratulations on a job well done ... first triathlon down, a whole life of more triathlons yet to come! Nice race report!

I had a decent bike ride this morning minus the 45 minutes when I got a flat and had trouble with replacing it of course. I can see my improvements on the bike. I still got another 20lbs to lose (at least) and I can't wait to see how much that will improve my overall bike and run times. I am going to start using trainerroad.com and see if I can follow some of their workouts and see if that helps. 

Went out today to buy Chrissie Wellington's "A life without limits" and was shocked that it was sold out at all book stores that I went to. Can't wait to put my fingers on that book. Since starting triathlons I have become a data junkie of all things swim, bike, run!

Next week is my first OLY ... can't wait!

Jamie-FANTASTIC!  I read the race report and it sounds like you executed everything well. Happy that you had such a good experience.

Randy

Congratulations, Jaime! Sounds like went very, very well for you. That's awesome! Lots of positive in that race report. I foresee many, many more in your future.

Good luck, Jimmy, on your IM!! Can't wait to hear how that goes for you.

How'd it go, Rene?

Happy Mother's Day to you mamas here!

First chance to log in today.

Jamie:  Great job on your first tri!  It sounds like you did it very well indeed.

Rene:  First masters is fantastic!  Congrats!

Rene: Girl, sounded a bit scary with the breathing issues, but so glad you managed that well and finished awesomely! Great reminder for us asthmatics to keep our inhalers nearby. Congratulations, girlfriend!

The entire weekend, starting Friday afternoon, was just one big celebration with birthdays and Mother's Day shindigs. Zero WORKouts, but got a fun swim in today. Brought my new GoPro to test it out. Was with my swim instructor and his family, so a pretty swim focused sorta fun! A few stills here:

Hope you all had lovely weekends.

Rene-great job on a tough course with difficult conditions.  Sounds like it was a good idea to do the race and see what to expect come June.  Safe travels on the last leg home.

Blanda-cool pictures! Sounds like a great way to specd the weekend.

We never got all the rain that was predicted for yesterday and none so far today.  I'm going to do a hard hour on the trainer and then a 20 minute run.  Maybe the rain will come by then and I can skip the yardwork and spend some quality time on the couch later.

Jamie-still feeling good after your race?  How's the foot pain you were having.

Randy     

So, I'm feeling good today. My legs are a little sore, but no more than if I'd just gone to the gym or had a long bike yesterday. My feet are hurting a little, but I think that they just need more care overall. I'm on my feet pretty constantly at school, so I think I just need some more arch support. I'll also go with the massaging with lacrosse ball and frozen water bottle.

So, where to go from here? I have a ton of questions now that I'm done with my first. I loved the training, and I loved the race, so I know I want to stick with it. I just need some vision on how to proceed:

1. I'd like to ramp up over time. So, I am thinking: another sprint in June, sprint in August, Anderson Olympic Rev3 in October, and then (!) Wildflower HIM next May. I've read about the Wildflower and I'd love to be in that event. With the proper training, does this seem like a possible roadmap, or am I being crazy?

2. Gear: I know I need a wetsuit, especially for the Rev3 in October. So, that's a given. It's mostly warm here year-round, and most of the summer races won't even be wetsuit legal, so full length or sleeveless?

3. As for the bike...what should I do? I have a Trek 1.2 that I bought when I started training. I've been reading up on aerobars, etc. and I'm torn as to whether I should just race this season with the Trek and save money for a tri bike, or spend some money on aerobars and possibly a more-forward oriented seat post, still saving for a tri, but further off.

Thoughts?

Jamie-lots of good questions.  I'll take a shot at a few.

Tri bike-now I did not follow my own advice here but I would try to get through this year with your current bike.  Plenty you can do to get faster on the bike without purchasing a tri bike.  Some aerobars are a good idea but keep in mind that using those will change your position and to some extent your fit on the bike.  There are many ways you can get faster on the bike for relatively low cost.  An aero helmet at $100-150 will be some low cost speed and something you can take with you regardless of the bike you are on.  Another is good race tires/tubes maybe another $100-150 and if you switch bikes you can take them with you.  You can save a good bit of time with a low rolling resistance tire and latex tubes.  Trade off is they are not typically as puncture resistant and do not provide as many miles.  None of those upgrade is as fun/sexy as a tri bike but perhaps a way to gain some speed a little more economically. Probably the best investment for gaining speed on the bike is to work on the engine...train more.  My first tri bike was a Cervelo P1...classic aluminum frame with good components.  I could still be riding it and it would not be holding me back in anyway.....its still in my garage.......size 54 if you are interested

Wetsuit...I'm on the Gulf Coast so I bought a sleeveless and it has been fine for everything I do that is wetsuit legal.  I bought an Xterra brand and they constantly run good sales. If you plan to do a race within the next year that is going to be a cold water swim then maybe go with a long sleeve?  I suspect sleevless might be more versatile in your area but really just depends.  Michael probably has better guidance given his proximity to you.

Races-I think your schedule looks good. Just don't overdo it.  I did an olympic at the end of my first season and it was something I kind of built my first season toward.  Don't feel that as you become more experienced you have to bump up in distance.  I think that's a natural progression for lots of people but some of the top triathletes in my area focus almost exclusively on sprint/olympic distance.  Nothing wrong with moving up in distance but IM distance isn't for everyone.  Just keep having fun!

Randy

2331!

Jamie-Rene makes a good point about getting fit for a tri bike.  Might be worth having a fit done (stack and reach numbers etc.) for a tri bike and then you will know what will work for you.  Tri bike sizes and measurements differ dramatically by manufacturer.  Some provide a more tall posistion while others might be long and low.  Some models offer a good bit of adjustability while others don't.  If you have a fit and know what will work you can be ready if a good deal comes along.  Much better to own a bike that fits than to try to fit yourself to a bike.

I hope I didn't sound like I was trying to discourage you from a run at IM distance.  It is an amazing accomplishment and I may give it a go someday.  There are many people, including several in our group, that have completed numerous IM distance events, but I also have seen people locally that do tris for a year or 2 then do an IM and you never see them do another race.  My perspective on triathlon is more long term....do it until I can't do it anymore or find something I enjoy more.   On the other hand there are people that do 1-2 IM distance events every year and having been doing it for years.  Regardless of the distance of the race enjoy what you are doing.   

Randy  

Excellent.....I'll be tracking you whenever I can. Will be on the road some next weekend with son's HS graduation.  Sounds like a good number!

Randy 

Jaime - congrats to you on your race performance! 

Jason - I will be reading that blog this week during my downtime.  I have to admit that I don't have any discipline that I would say I thrive.  I always want to get faster but regardless of how much I improve there is always going to be someone who will breeze by me. How do you like Ann Arbor?  I grew up there and think it is an awesome city!  Do you ever run in the arboretum?  I hope to mke it over for the Art Fair this summer.

Renee - great job!  I had to drop out of a race on the swim due to an asthma attack.  It was awful.  If I had just had my inhaler nearby.  Lessons learned.