Lora's First-Timers Women's Group - CLOSED (Page 3)

Hello, I am interested in becoming a part of your group if it is still open. Here's a little about me...

Name

Candace E. Hardnett
 

Story

I have wanted to become a triathlete since 1999. I began working at a fitness facility in 1998 and got certified as an aqua instructor and personal trainer. I didn't get too involved in many sports but rather focused on maintaining my health. Eventually I decided to begin body building. I trained for nearly a year and was hoping to do my first show June 2003. However, I enlisted in the US Marine Corps instead. I spent five years in the Marines and endured many injuries. I will spare the details but...I had surgery on my left foot to remove a broken bone, I had a tear in my right hamstring that has taken a long time to heal, I have a torn labrum (shoulder), as well as a fracture in my shoulder blade. Needless to say I have been taking it easy since my discharge in 2008.

However, now I am finally ready and motivated to get back into shape. My inactivity as left me 50 lbs heavier and very deconditioned. Unfortunately due to my shoulder injury I doubt I will ever be able to lift heavy enough to continue body building. I am looking forward to training for my first triathlon. This is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time.
 I have a pretty good background in running. I ran track in high school and as a Marine all we did was run.  Swimming and cycling are a different story. I can swim, and I am a good swimmer. However I do not have any formal training other than the swimming lessons that I took when I was 6 years old. Cycling is something that I will really have to work on. I know how to ride a bike and that's about the extent of it. I love spin class at the gym...does that count??? Needless to say, I am looking forward to some serious training on the bike.

Family Status

Engaged with 2 step daughters, 2 dogs, and 1 cat

Current Training

I am currently getting myself back into shape. I workout 6 days a week either in the gym or I jog around the park. I am working myself up to about 30 minutes of cardio. I train two muscles groups per day. I try to have an active rest day where I do something totally fun and different that will allow my body to recover, and then I rest completely on Sundays.

Races

I used to run track in high school...I was a middle distance runner. However, I've done a few 10K and 5K races. Nothing recent.

Weight Loss

I need to lose a 1st grader from around my midsection. I have about 50lbs to lose before I am at my comfortable, healthy, athletic weight.

Name

serendipity/Debbie

Story

After 10 years of doing yoga, I decided I wanted to be a yoga teacher, so I went through a teacher training program.  The program was pretty physically intense, and I was amazed at what my body was able to do.  Other than yoga, I never did anything that could be considered athletic, other than a couple of 5Ks I ran 12 years ago.

When teacher training ended, I felt like I needed something else to challenge me physically.  I can't remember what made me think of triathlon, but sometime last fall I started researching triathlons on the internet and decided this was something I might be able to do.  I knew how to swim, rode my bike recreationally and thought I could handle running again.

At the same time I was thinking about triathlon, my daughter decided to try out for her high school's swim team and needed to practice before try-outs.  I ended up spending hours in the pool with her during the month before try-outs.  Those swim workouts sealed the deal for me.

Last November I started BT's couch to 5K program and started spending time on the forums.  I got totally hooked on training, and I'm looking forward to my first tri in June.  I teach yoga in addition to working full-time and taking care of my family, so making time for training is challenging.  I feel great now, though, and have so much more energy than I used to, so training is getting to be something I can't skip.

Family Status

Married with 2 kids (15 and 5) and 2 dogs.

Current Training

I'm following BT's 2x balanced beginner sprint plan and training 5-6 days a week.  I'm neurotic about sticking to the plan, so I don't often miss a workout.  I also have my yoga practice and I've been doing research to figure out how best to combine yoga with training. 

Last Year’s Races

This Year’s Races

6/27/09 North Country Triathlon (sprint)

Weight Loss

I lost some weight last year, but there's 10 pounds that keeps coming back.  Since bathing suit season is coming, I'm trying to get rid of those 10 pounds. 

I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to know all of you!

Hi! I'd love to join in the fun!

Name

charliegirl0824/Terri

Story

I have wanted to do a tri since I lived in Hawaii in the late 80's/Early 90's. I used to see people come thorugh for Kona and just get all emotional. Should have done it then - I was just out of the Air Force and in good shape, running daily, tons of swimming.....but of course life gets in the say.

So in 2003 I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and I went through years of just feeling not right - I have gained a ton of weight and topped out at just over 300 pounds last fall.  I decided it was time to make some changes so I started working out at the gym a little more and I told my doctor last month I wanted to do a Sprint tri in Naperville in June.  He told me I could die - we bargained and he ran some tests and my heart is strong right now (almost normal thanks to all the drugs I am on) so it is time to tri. Had to agree to moderation and nothing "all out"

Family Status

Married - 1 son in college (23), 3 step daughters 23, 20 & 16 and 2 grandsons 19 months and 5 months. 

Current Training

Well I was working on the couch to sprint program but that got sidelined after the doc told me I could die - finally got clearance yesterday so need a 9 week program. I will be walking most of the run - figure I'll run across the finish but thats it.  So far I have only found the SEAL sprint program that is 9weeks long so may try that. Definitely open for advice.

This Year’s Races

USWTS - Naperville - June 14th

Midwest Heart 5k - June 28th

 Muddy Buddy = August 2nd  How fun would that be

Weight Loss

For my health and to further improve my heart I need to lose 150 pounds but if I look at it that way it will never happen.  I would like to be 50 pounds lighter by the time I go back to my cardiologist in September. 

 Most important is that I don't overexert - everything I do has to be done in moderation or it causes to much strain.  So.... the weight loss will come with training.... I will not stress over it. 

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

OK, so I'm blonde!!! I went and found the instruction page about mentor groups AND I found my group's old thread under the archives...Sorry!

So can I join???!!! Can I , can I???!!!

Welcome aboard, Candace!  First off, thank you so much for your service to and sacrifices for our country.

Sorry to hear about all of those injuries, but it's great news to hear that you're on the mend and have started the work to finish a long-time dream.

So, for you we've got a great running background, a good comfort level in the water but you feel you could use some good instruction and you're pretty much about where all of us have been on the bike after not riding for years:  you can!    Fortunately, for biking, that's all you need.   Actually, I believe spinning classes do help.  There is absolutely no substitution for riding on the road, but I think spinning, if you've got a tough instructor, can give you a slight edge.  That and riding indoors on your trainer.

"Lose a first-grader."  That hilarious!  That's so smart to take a day off and just do something totally fun.

Are you eyeing any tris for this season?

Again, welcome aboard, Candace!

Well, here goes... 

Name

custer/ Pam

Story

I don't really feel like I have a "story" that will relate well here! I found BT in August of '08 and just loved it; I can't tell you why, because I really don't know! I have never been athletic in any way, and all family and friends that know that I'm on here think that I'm nuts because this is so "not me." I hate that and want to change it. I started the 16-week BT Couch to 5k plan, but I've been de-railed as of late...I am going to attempt to get back on track this week, but we are going out of town next weekend and I have MAJOR prep work for that trip, so wish me luck! I have a Trek Navigator (some sort of hybrid) that I enjoy riding but not at the speed and intensity of other BTers! When I swim, I think I look like I'm drowning.

I love reading about how much others on BT have accomplished ( i.e. more than they thought was possible for themselves) and wonder if I could ever go there...To be honest, I don't see it, but there must be SOME part of me that has faith because I keep thinking "just MAYBE!"

Family Status

Very happily married to Brian for 20 years (how did I get this old?!?) [I turned 39 on April 1] 

1 daughter (20)   3 sons (16, 10, and 7)

Current Training

I'm somewhere in the middle of the Couch to 5k program, although I've completely missed the past week. Up until a few weeks ago, I was following the plan fairly faithfully and throwing in some biking every now and then and lots of yoga. (I have a Shiva Rea yoga DVD that I LOVE!) Time has just really been short lately; I am hoping that will improve, but realistically don't think it's gonna happen! I am just going to have to be more dedicated and creative...not an easy prospect for a non-athlete!

This Year’s Races

I would consider this year a success if I can participate in some local 5k races.

Weight Loss

I am 5'1" and 130 pounds, which is about 20 pounds too much. My heaviest (non-pregnant) weight was 140, about five months ago. For the last month, I have been losing and gaining the same couple of pounds...it makes me so ill!!! I am obsessed about (and miserable with) my weight, so it seems like I should just lose it once and for all and be done with it...I must not want it QUITE bad enough...

I suppose that's all for now. I am really looking forward to being part of this group; it was a GREAT idea to have a group for "women only who are entering their first season." Thanks so much!

Good morning ladies!

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.  Mine was okay.  I took 2 yoga classes and did my long swim on Saturday, then taught a yoga class and did my long run yesterday.  I felt good while I was doing everything, but I am so sore today! 

I was supposed to do my short swim this morning but I biked instead because my upper arms and shoulders just ache.  I know it's a good hurt, because it means I used the muscles, but this is the worst it's been since I started training. 

Is it proof that I'm crazy enough to be a triathlete if I want my muscles to hurry up and stop hurting so I can get back in the pool and make them hurt again?