Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 27)

Great job, Jimmy! I can't wait to read the Race Report, now have a safe flight and try to get some rest.

I don't think there is an etiquette involved.  More of a way of marketing the race to get first timers to sign up, in my opinion.  I would just enter AG.  Good luck!

Yep, that's the consensus that I've gotten. I'm going to sign up this evening, thanks for the help!

Ok, I am back from the Olympic Triathlon and it was in my eyes an miserable failure :-) I think after doing a few Sprint Tri's, a Marathon and the Tough Mudder I became kind of complacent with my training and thought my fitness level was sufficient and I didn't lose to much run fitness. Biiigggg Mistake. I almost finished last in my age group. The only positive thing that I can take home is the experience gained. I have two months before my next OLY comes up and I have a lot of work to do. 

Here is the race report:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=441315&posts=1&start=1

Sounds like you learned a lot out there today.  Congrats on getting through the race when you were having a tough time.

The one question I have from your race report is, why did you put your HRM on in T1 instead of wearing it for the whole race?  

Don't beat yourself up.  You had a very solid race before struggling a bit on the run.  You have plenty of time to build up your endurance before your next race.  Don't try to do too much too soon...just build.  Remember back on the posts we had a few weeks ago about consistency in training. Consistency in training leads to confidence in racing.  Olympic distance races can be deceiving....they seem so much shorter than IM and HIM distance and "not that much longer" than a sprint but that extra distance adds up.....especially on the run.   Get some rest and map out your plan to get where you want to be heading into the next race.

Randy 

Home from Chattanooga after a whirlwind weekend.  Great to have family together for graduation weekend and looking forward to having Gil home for the Summer before he heads off to college in August.  He was the student speaker at the Bacalaureate service and did a great job. 

Back to training tomorrow.  Enjoyed following our racers over the weekend!  Keep up the good work everyone.

Randy 

Race report is up!

Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

Yes, I'd go with AG.  You'll be fine, and racing with experienced AGers you'll start to learn more about the sport.

What race are you doing?

Yeah, Michael, as the others said, don't beat yourself up.  Everybody has a bad day, and it sounds like conditions were tough to boot.  Use it as motivation to train and race smarter next time.  Stay determined!

That's a lot to deal with in a race.  My hat is off to you for not giving in to the temptation to quit with a good 'excuse'.  (I say this ONLY because you knew that your condition wasn't life-threatening!)  Get some well-deserved rest.

Michael: Great words from everyone about not kicking yourself over that result. I'm pretty sure you're going to kick butt next race with all that you've learned through this one!

Rene: Loved the birthday video!! Happy song and I love Happy Feet!

Jimmy: I was all verklempt reading your race report. You are one tough sun of a gun. Congratulations on your bike PR, and way to gut out that run. That distance is tough when you're feeling good and doing it as a stand alone! Absolutely inspired by your determination. So glad you knew your body well enough to continue!

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! I do look forward to the fun being 40 will be!!

Jimmy, I was impressed knowing you did an Ironman, and now I'm more impressed knowing that you finished under such extreme circumstances. You have my respect!

Michael, I'm torn right now between the Enka Sprint and the Tri Latta Sprint, both on June 9. The Enka is wetsuit legal, and it might be the only race I get a chance to try our my wetsuit before the Rev3 Oly I'm planning on doing in October, but it doesn't seem to have many people doing it, around 150-200 and no race reports. On the other hand, the Tri Latta is pushing 600 and has tons of race reports. So, right now I'm leaning toward the Tri Latta. I really wanted to do either the Tri the Midlands or the Festival of Flowers, but I am going on a trip the day after the Festival of Flowers and I have a family weekend planned on the 23rd, so I think I'll go for one in early June, then see if I can squeeze another Sprint in July, Greenville Tri in August, and then the Rev3 in October. Thoughts? Are you entering any this Summer, or is racing on hold until you get back on track health-wise?

Also, today was a great training day! I've gotten a routine the past couple workouts that I think is going to work really well this summer. I only live about 4 1/2 miles from my gym, so today I biked there; swam 1,000m, ran 2 miles on the treadmill, and then biked back. It worked really well, and I get a workout instead sitting in my stupid car there and back. Also, I don't know what it was, but my swim felt GREAT. No breaks, and had tons of energy the last length of the pool. I think I can really feel the difference in the upper-body from all the swimming. 

Dude....  Nice job out there.  

Wow... busy weekend for this group!  Lots of news to catch up on.  For me, I had a driving marathon of 24 hours on the road in 36 hours with packing up my daughter as a break in between.  Lots of good chatting time on the drive back home from college.  We've got her for two weeks before she heads off to Morocco.  She had a really good semester and it's wonderful to be with her again instead of just Skyping :-)

Jimmy - there's a reason they call it Ironman.  Congratulations!  Every time I read one of those reports it is an epic journey... but yours is up there with the toughest I've read.  Way to battle through it, and also be cognizant of your situation.  Keeping a level head during something like that is really impressive. 

Michael - congrats on your first Olympic.  First new distance is all about learning and sounds like you learned a bunch.  Can't fake it through that distance.  You'll be more prepared for the next one.  Also don't forget that the level of competition goes up considerably when you get out of the sprints.  Can't compare placement within AG of sprint vs. olympic.  Apples and oranges. 

Randy - congrats to Gil!  Proud papa!

Michael - sorry to hear about your diagnosis (though also a bit relieved... stomach stuff is always complicated - including just getting the right diagnosis).  You've had more than your share of challenges this past year.  Hang in there and I hope the treatment turns the corner for you.

Happy Birthday, Blanda!  40s are great and besides, you've got the attitude of a youngster which is what really keeps you feeling young :-)

There's a weight challenge?  Sign me up.  I've been carrying around 10 extra pounds all year and just can't seem to get motivated to HTFU and lose it.

Happy Monday!

Stu