Artemis's Group - FULL! (Page 3)

Artemis - 2009-12-15 5:54 AM Hi everyone!  Any plans for today?

I'd like to write up some information about BT - talking about the forums, training logs, available plans, etc.  Are there any specific questions you'd like me to answer?  Any things you've seen people do or heard about, but you don't know how or what?  Terms you find confusing?

go4it - 2009-12-15 1:13 PM

Hey Jen, thanks for the useful information about the training logs.  I use mine pretty regularly and I think it's a great tool.

I can really use some accountability in my training.  My plan for today is a 25 minute swim after work.  Maybe by writing it here for "all" to see, I'll actually make sure that I do it.

Thanks for volunteering to be a mentor.

misfit_1 - 2009-12-15 1:29 PM Like go4it, I think I will post my plan for tonight because I need to double up as I didn't want to wake up early this morning...so 45 minute bike, and 30 min swim. Working on the flip turns!

mchally - 2009-12-15 1:32 PM Not training plans...but my little sister is having a 4 day jewelry show and we are frantically trying to get ready...it starts at 4pm today!

Well, maybe not so frantically if I am posting here...

mrsrudyjax - 2009-12-15 1:33 PM Thanks for all the info on the training logs Jen.  I know just enough to enter my workouts in there, and I try to get everything in.  Hopefully I can do a little more with it now.

I'm sitting in the hospital waiting for my husband to get out of shoulder surgery.  He has had multiple problems and a partially torn rotator cuff.  He is optimistic that his recovery will go well and he can try to do a triathlon in 2010.

Artemis - 2009-12-15 10:36 AM

Hope everything goes well!  Her jewelry is so pretty. 

geoffwm - 2009-12-15 11:55 AM I'll chime in with the goal of a 30 min run this evening!  It will be my first hardcore activity in about 8 weeks.  I'll take it slow...of course! 

I have a question about endurance in a pool.  I'm really good about swimming for up to 30 mins in a pool, but I tend to use the side of the wall too much!  I'll do 400 meters..take a break...another 400 and a break.  Myh racing endurance didn't improve any!  What does everyone do to stay OFF the walls..and swim continuously?

jenna1870 - 2009-12-15 11:33 AM well, I got into a lap pool for the first time since high school - I'm 36 so you do the math!

I neglected to look at the clock, but did 15 laps, so 375 yards - respectable I guess for the first time in. Felt great, but tried to use nose clips - not sure that's going to work out, as I couldn't get the breathing right for the freestyle.

Do people ever breast-stroke a tri, or should I really get my act together on the freestyle? Maybe I should just suck it up and take a few swim lessons...

I work at a university and am using our facilities - so trust me when I say getting into a pool and potentially seeing faculty and students I work with is no small feat of courage! Thank goodness it's finals week and I had a lane to myself - I'd have hated to bean someone in the head in my first workout - ha.

jenna1870 - 2009-12-15 2:33 PMwell, I got into a lap pool for the first time since high school - I'm 36 so you do the math!

I neglected to look at the clock, but did 15 laps, so 375 yards - respectable I guess for the first time in. Felt great, but tried to use nose clips - not sure that's going to work out, as I couldn't get the breathing right for the freestyle.

Do people ever breast-stroke a tri, or should I really get my act together on the freestyle? Maybe I should just suck it up and take a few swim lessons...

I work at a university and am using our facilities - so trust me when I say getting into a pool and potentially seeing faculty and students I work with is no small feat of courage! Thank goodness it's finals week and I had a lane to myself - I'd have hated to bean someone in the head in my first workout - ha.

jenna1870 - 2009-12-15 1:33 PM well, I got into a lap pool for the first time since high school - I'm 36 so you do the math!

I neglected to look at the clock, but did 15 laps, so 375 yards - respectable I guess for the first time in. Felt great, but tried to use nose clips - not sure that's going to work out, as I couldn't get the breathing right for the freestyle.

Do people ever breast-stroke a tri, or should I really get my act together on the freestyle? Maybe I should just suck it up and take a few swim lessons...

I work at a university and am using our facilities - so trust me when I say getting into a pool and potentially seeing faculty and students I work with is no small feat of courage! Thank goodness it's finals week and I had a lane to myself - I'd have hated to bean someone in the head in my first workout - ha.

Artemis - 2009-12-12 5:08 PM

Name: Jen (Artemis)

Story:  I did my first triathlon in 2005. I came from a competitive swimming background, but that was in high school 6 years before! I’d also biked a lot as a child.  Never ran.  I hated running with a passion!  I found BT because of the amazing Couch-to-5k running plan.  I followed it and was able to finish my first tri 3 months later.  I was hooked!  After that, I kept running.  I knew I was going to have to tackle that demon.  So, I signed up for a half-marathon.  Then I did a few more.  Last year, I ran my first marathon.  And, wouldn’t you know it, I actually enjoy running now!!

I've hit some road bumps through the process (torn meniscus, tibial stress fracture), but I've learned how to persevere through them and help avoid them in the future.  I'm not the fastest person out there, but I can always finish and have fun in the process.  And that's what keeps me coming back for more. 

Family Status: married, two cats

Current Training: Currently training for a half marathon in March and a duathlon in April.  After that, I’ll start tri training for the summer and training for two fall marathons.  I’m combining a duathlon training plan with a half-marathon training plan.

2010 Races: ING Half Marathon, Monument Ave 10k, National Duathlon Festival, Rockett’s Landing Tri, Cul de Sac 5k Series, Pink Power Tri, Patrick Henry Half Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Richmond Marathon

2009 Races: Monument Ave 10k, National Duathlon Festival Sport Race, Rockett’s Landing Tri, Run Like a Girl 8k, Cul de Sac 5k, Pink Power Tri, Patrick Henry Half Marathon, Ragnar Relay

Weightloss: I try, but am not always that successful.  I gained about 40 pounds before my hypothyroidism dose. I am down about 15 since that time.  I’m hoping to lose at least 20 more pounds, but it is always a struggle. 

What will make me a good mentor: When I started this journey, I never thought I would be able to accomplish any of the things that I have.  I know that if I can do it, you can do it too.  It’s tough, but I’ll be there with you. I would love to share my knowledge with you and help you achieve your goals.  Whether you're totally new to BT and tri training or you've been here awhile and need someone to check up on you, I can be there for you.  I love being a part of the BT community and I'd like others to feel the same way.  I've done small monthly challenges with my mentor groups and answered any and all questions people might have.  I spend a lot of time on the computer and BT, so I can respond pretty quickly. 

1stTimeTri - 2009-12-16 6:30 AM

You're married to two cats?  That's kinda weird, Badger Jen.

misfit_1 - 2009-12-16 6:59 AM I do have a question to put out there. 

I was at the pool last night and a 'helpful' guy decided to give me some advice.  His advice was against everything that I've been reading, so I wanted to check popular opinion.  ...take everything I say about my stroke with a grain of salt because it's only been a couple months that I've been swimming so even if I say I'm doing something, I'm probably really not...

I hired a YMCA swim instructor essentially just to get me in the water.  And it worked, although I can't say that she really helped with stroke questions.  So I've been reading Total Immersion, with the premise of keeping the body long, swimming primarily on the side, and trying to expend as little energy as possible.  Then this guy last night tells me that I looks very graceful and elegant when I swim, which I took as a compliment - but then he said I'll never get anywhere.  lol

He did tell me that he was a life guard for years, and that I should keep my body flat towards the floor, and smash my finger tips into the water like I'm trying to hurt it....lol.  So, although I did swimming faster - I feel like it was only due to the fact that I had more arm turnover because he was standing there watching me. 

Long story short...better to be streamlined, long, and graceful - or to go out flat, fast, like I"m trying to save someone's life (probably my own)?

Thanks guys.

Does that make sense?