Beer Drinker Appreciation Society 2 - Closed (Page 28)

You said it - you are officially a triathlete! Congrats to you. Now, when people ask you what you do for exercise, you can proudly say, "Yea - I'm a triathlete!" The fact that it was "the most physically challenging" thing you have ever done should make it mean even more to you!

Ahh, gonna pass on the speedo pics...(just like you would pass on a fruit beer
Good to see that your wife is keeping up with you. Big congrats to her!

Most importantly - good luck with the MRI - man I am praying you get some relief.

I'm certainly not the most experienced here, but I'd say do it and see what happens. As background, I entered one event last fall, but the swim was canceled so I only did the run and bike portions. My second first tri will be this coming Saturday the 22nd.

So here's my logic: you've got the swim distance, 1/3 mile is going to be 5-600 yards, right? You may not have done the whole distance all at once, but think about how you felt after those 100's and if you can picture stringing a few together, with some rest strokes or treading water between if need be.

If it's open water your bigger concern will be getting comfortable with the wave action, people all around you, etc., so if you can find a place to practice you might try for it - I just swam about 0.2 miles at the beach while I was there with the family this weekend, picked a landmark and swam parallel to the beach until I hit it, did wonders for my self-confidence..

As far as run/bike, have you done any bricks? Do one and see how your legs feel (my experience: felt like lead the first time, but ended up running surprisingly fast despite that). Again, it's a confidence booster, proves to you that you can do it.

Bottom line, I suspect you've probably got a decent training base, as long as you're not out there with a time in mind but just approaching it as a chance to have fun and prove that you can do it. Like you say, it would be a bummer to put all that effort in for just one event. Take this as a (possibly grueling) training opportunity and you'll be really prepped for that August one, both physically and mentally.

My two cents.

So, crazy couple of weeks with work lately, but I'm coming up on my first event this Saturday - 440yd swim, 16 mile bike, 3 or 3.1 run (depending on which part of the website you look at). Training hasn't been great, but I did swim about 0.2 miles at the beach this Sunday and felt really good - it was a big confidence booster.

I'm signed up for 3 of the same race this summer and this one will definitely not be my "A" race, but looking forward to it nonetheless - it's a fun venue (Fernandina Beach, FL if you're familiar with it) and there will be a bunch of people I know there. Probably won't get back to the forum between now and then, but I'll post a race report when it's all done.

Enjoy the rest of the week BDAS, and good luck to anyone else who's racing!

p.s. I did make good on that Coors Lite penalty from a while back Alex, and had a couple extra to atone for future failures - trying hard not to commit any tho

That is outstanding. I am so happy for you and Sarah! And a Blackhawks win - you are one lucky bastard!

That is outstanding. I am so happy for you and Sarah! And a Blackhawks win - you are one lucky bastard!

Just a quick note before bed...

Went on my first ride in 2 and 1/2 weeks. The intercostal muscle felt ok but my bulging discs were not happy to be back in the saddle. Too bad, I'm glad I got out there.

I might do a race this weekend that was not on ly calendar. Its the Summer Solstace tri - and it's coming up this Friday at 7pm. My back is killing me - but doing as race in the evening might be a lot of fun. And I need to have fun right now. The only major drawback is that I have a race next Saturday... Maybe I'll do both and just not worry about time.

Watched the Bruins lose to the Blackhawks tonight. The beers were flowing... Working on cleaning out my fridge. Four beers left and counting. Going to pass out. Good night.

And congrats to Kevin!

Look at the swims in the races pretty carefully - a pool swim would work, or a shallow lake swim. Around me, there are many sprints in lakes where the water is only 5 or 6 feet deep, so it is easy to simply stand up if you get tired.

This is what I did last weekend. When I got tired I walked in the water for a few steps. The deepest part of the course was only 5 ft so it worked out well. If you are unsure of your swim and can find a shallower lake swim that will take a load off your mind.

Here's a topic for discussion, and I'd really like some feedback and any advice.

Right now, there's really no major worries in my life - we're doing well financially, bought the house, and we're pretty much on cruise control for now. Work's fine, and everything is clicking well.

The issue is trying to manage workouts effectively.

Swimming is my weakest event, so I joined a Master's group, which is running four days per week and solidly kicking my rump.

Starting next week (and more or less lately), I'm starting a marathon training plan, so add four runs per week to the program.

My strongest sport is cycling, and I recently hooked up with a local cycling club, so that's Tuesday and Thursday evening, and at least one weekend day.

So, right now:

Sun Long Bike or Long Run, depending on weather
Mon Swim AM, Easy Run PM
Tues Swim AM, Group Ride PM
Wed
Thurs Swim AM, Group Ride PM
Fri SwimAM, Farletk Run PM
Sat Long Bike or Long Run, depending on weather

I let the weather dictate the long rides and runs, since I would rather ride in good weather and run in cruddy weather.

The problem is that I am missing a run, and there's nothing I want to give up. I would brick of the long ride, but the long rides are something like 50 or 60 miles, so I don't know how much I am going to have left.

Essentially, someone should yell at me to skip a group ride and run.

Charles - I would suggest that you not include bricks as a regular part of your training regimen because I fear that with all the distance you are doing that you will end up on the DL sooner rather than later.

Here are some quick thoughts: Approach your training as some of the programs on BT do - with alternating weeks. One week you focus on the bike and then the next you focus on the run. You will still get the cardiovascular workout you are looking for while helping avoid injury. Another thing to do is to listen to your body especially when it comes to the run. If you are feeling weak and rundown, I would feel free to shorten or skip a run. Missing one workout is minor when compare to spending 3 weeks unable to exercise (this is what I am currently going through and it has put my race next week into jeopardy. Finally, figure out what you priority is - if getting a PR in the marathon is your #1 goal - then keep the running workouts while skipping a bike workout.

Good luck!

Time for me to fess up... I just did something pretty stupid (let the jokes commence).

A few days ago I wrote about how my back pain had put me behind the 8 ball in terms of training for my OLY tri at the end of the month. Then last night at the scout meeting - one of the parents invited me to do a race with them this Friday. The cool thing about the race is that it will be held in the evening from 7-9 and the prospect of doing a night race enticed me so much that I just signed up for it.

Here is what I am thinking... I need to do what makes me happy and participating in races is something that I love to do. So I plan on really going slow and adding 20-30 minutes to my time with the hopes on not hurting my back and draining my battery so I have something left in the tank for the race on June 29. Also, doing two races has helped me to make peace with the fact that I probably will have to settle for doing the sprint rather than the OLY. Plus, doing races two weeks in a row makes it impossible for me to really shoot for a PR - and not pushing myself will help me avoid injury and get me back on the right track sooner than if I were to go all out (as I had intended on doing). So, we shall see.

I hope I can avoiding having to use a C3PO line ("I'm going to regret this..."

On the brighter side, what is everyone drinking this weekend?

Sorry to hear your still battling your back. I've never experienced back problems like you deal with, and hope I never do. Known a few people who do and understand it's pretty darn tough. Go easy and live to race another day! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think the lake swim in either race will be shallow. I plan on making my decision tomorrow after my swim if I'll sign up for the July 13th race. In the end I really think I'll be okay. Besides, after tomorrow the registration price goes up!

I've been thinking about this one since I posted last night - yeah, see how you feel about the swim, that's really the deciding factor. If you're hurting on the run or bike it's easy to just stop - in the middle of a lake is another story altogether.

Andres

As long as you have the discipline to hold back and not kill yourself, why not? I'm the same on races - they make me happy, I love the social aspect, the energy of the crowds, being around like-minded people.

Have fun, let us know how it goes -

Andres

Feeling good this evening - my tri bike is an old Trek mountain bike with skinny tires, but a while back I ordered some road pedals and tri shoes, finally got them set up tonight and pedaled a few miles playing with them - getting my feet in and out of the shoes, mounting barefoot and getting into them, slipping my feet out and dismounting on the fly. I'd been wanting to do that forever and it's just been too busy to find an hour to play with those pedals, finally got around to it.

Tomorrow I'll pick up my race packet and get everything ready to go, then get up at the crack of dawn Saturday to head up to Fernandina Beach for my first tri. Did a short OWS Sunday, ran Monday, cycled Tuesday, and one more easy run today at lunch. Tonight kicked back with the wife, had a few beers, and discussed summer vacation plans. Life just feels good at the moment.

Who else is racing this weekend?

Deschutes brewing Inversion IPA.
Confession time: too much food is being brought to the house. A real food addicts dream. Plan went out the window. Cr@p. There's always next week. Just got to get the ball rolling.

Hey George - the olympic will be held near my family's summer home in Michigan. If you're up for a road trip - the beer there is good (Founders, Bells, Shorts). Thanks for the kind wishes.

The Maine Beer company is tasty. Peeper is fantastic!

Edited by Qua17 2013-06-21 10:46 AM

Andres - I hope you have a blast at your first tri. If your wife is heading down with you - have her bring down a bootle of your favorite beer for you to enjoy after you cross the finish line. You can also ask her to bring a coors light which you can leave in the car. If you start thinking about quitting just remember that luke warm can of swill that will be waiting for you

Good luck!

Wow, that's some serious motivation there. My wife isn't joining me for this one, but one of our local breweries (Bold City) has a beer garden at the finish line. I'll include my tasting notes in the race report

If you're not up for competing- what about volunteering? Could be fun and get you psyched for your next race.