BamaDC's Mentor Group - Closed (Page 3)

20-30 mph or kmph.  20-30 mph is pretty tough.  Do you have a computrainer?  Which garmin did you buy?

"it would be great to have a coach to send me plans around my schedule since it's different each week."  This is a big help.

Dang, sorry to hear that.  You can still hang around with us and keep us informed about your rehab.

Welcome to the group.

It would be wise to get fitted for running shoes.  I ran/trained for my first marathon in Nike Shoxx(sp).  My ankles were jacked up for the next 6 months.  I wish I had been properly fitted before hand.

Nothing wrong with riding a Mountain bike, infact some races that are truely beginner/fun races will have a fat tire division.

As far as swim wear.  Wear what your comfortable in.  When I started swimming at our local pool I wore speedo jammers the ones like tri shorts.  Everyone gave me dirtyor WTF looks at first but guess what a year later and most of the guys wear similar items.  FYI my training partner is 6'3" and 270 and he wears jammers.  Also do you have any swimming experience?

And HR monitors.  Chrissie Wellington doesn't use one... but she's not human.  As Pene posted earlier you could use the RPE method.  When I first started triathlons I bought and read the "Triathlete's Training Bible"  by Joe Friel.  I used the RPE method at first but I'm a numbers person and like having data.  So I got a HR monitor and did a few of the test that Friel uses in the book.  In a earlier post I mentioned my cheap 1st HR monitor and my current Polar model.  I know you have lots of questions so ask away.

Also where are you from?

 Mark

What races is everyone planning on doing?

I live outside Nashville.

I plan on using Michael Pate's Total Sprint Program from the this site. I figure if I can make it through this I should be ready by the end of June for a Sprint. My first Tri I am aiming for is Cedars of Lebanon Triathlon. I will start my log soon and hopefully this will keep me motivated.

phoenixrising404 - 2009-01-22 5:54 PM Geesh! Get busy for a day and there are almost too many posts to reply too! I love it though! Sean--So sorry to hear about your injury. I hope it is not an ACL injury, but if it is, my two cents is to advise you to definitely go ahead with surgery and they may use a cadaver ligament to repair it. You won't develop antibodies for it, as it is not vascular. I know someone who didn't get the surgery right away, but took her doc's advice and just waited and tried to rehab it, and she ended up needing a total knee replacement, which just plain STINKS. I also know someone with the cadaver ligament, as he has no problems. Perhaps life is just handing you the opportunity to read, ask Q's, and work on your swimming? (if they recommend that) Aaron--how do you coach folks from other states??? How do you do the bio testing on them, etc? Are there playtri clinics all over? (I guess input from Mark on this is also what I'm after) Our newest member--Kevin, is it? (got alot on my mind today, so sorry if I am wrong about that) I know a few people who started in tri's with weight issues, confidence issues, and became very respectable athletes. Triathlon is for you to start with a goal and race yourself. Mountain bikes are just fine--slower, yes, but go with what you are comfortable on. It is easy to go broke buying fancy toys (and yes, Leo chick here went ahead and bought all the coolest schtuff and since I am self-employed, got myself in some financial trouble one month--my kids can tell you how they turned off our gas at home because expected income just didn't come through right then). I KNOW you will fall in love with this sport though, so just take your time and look at equipment and get exactly what you want when you can afford it It is an honor to be part of this diverse group--some of us with sprint aspirations, and others with the big IM!! Debbie--no sweat! You'll finish your IM. Just remember, you get exactly what you train for. There are no shortcuts (at least not for me). I'm just registered for the sprint tri in June--YMCA Got Energy Tri, West Salem, Wisconsin, June 14. I learned with kids and my life not to plan toooo many events tooo far in advance, as life has a way of rearranging your schedule with injuries, etc. I failed to show up for 3 events one season for different reasons beyond my control.

For my testing I got a last minute deal on a trip to Dallas, a flight, car, and hotel for 299.  So I had to take it.  Playtri has several different programs, but I'll let Aaron tell you more about those.  I'm doing the Louisville camp(obviously) and I'll do my second metabolic testing session then.  They also have a camp in Hawaii, which my wife informed me we will be going to one day. 

I'm pretty sure they don't use cadaver tissue anymore.  They usually take the tissue from one of your Hamstrings.

I agree about the tri gear comment.  Its amazing how much money you could blow on the newest and most improved gear.  I plan on getting a couple more years out of my frame, but I'll upgrade my components this year.  And if I meet most of my performance goals, I'll buy new race wheels and maybe a new powermeter.  So, I'm on the reward system.  If I work hard I'll get my toys.  I mean sure I could go buy a P3 and some HED wheels, but it will be much sweeter when I earn it.  And I'll be able to retire sooner.

Welcome to the group.  We built our house last and I remember how stressful it can be.

 I can relate to your swim experience.  My first tri was an ocean swim and I didn't put my face in the water for the first 200 meters.  Still had the second fastest swim in my age group.  All I could think about was the music from Jaws.

Hello Mark do you have any more room if so please let me know.

Bio: my name is gary I live in Kalispell MT currenly in Pasco WA. I just finnished my first year of copetitive races mostly running ( 4-5ks/ 1-10k/ 1-12k/ 1-10 miler/ 3-HM/ 1 doa and 1 sprint tri) and i'm totally hooked and can't wait for the season to get started. Im currently training for my first marathon and Boise 70.3 plus any sprint and Oly tri this year that comes my way.

I'm hoping a mentor group will keep me focused.