2010 Molly's Mentor Group - IS ALL FULL UP (CLOSED) (Page 3)

I love Costco. I buy most of my training clothes from them. Short and long sleeve Avia Coolmax shirts for $10, Avia CoolMax shorts for 10$ and they last and last. Just picked up long sleeve top and bottom layers perfect for running or biking in very cold weather for about $40 for both! Very nice quality also.

I even picked up my Garmin 305 HRM there for $169 CDN, next closest price was Mountain CoOp (huge outdoor retailer in Canada) at $250.

I've been doing spin classes for the last 4 months but just purchased a slightly used Trek 1.2 from Craigs List. Really wanted something better (with at least Shimano 105) but it was too good a deal to pass on right now.

If I stay uninjured, stay motivated I hope to sell the Trek 1.2 and perhaps purchase a Trek 2.1

Edited by raveon 2009-12-15 11:00 PM

I ride a road bike, just a basic Trek. I went to a bike store and they said that if you are in a hilly area than a road bike is better or just as good as a tri bike.

I have a Giant OCR C3 that I got at the Fall Bike Show in 2008 for half price. It's very light, being carbon, but I don't really love it. I need to get it refitted and perhaps add aero bars - mostly I want to be able to set up a hydration thing on the front because I'm always thirsty when I ride, and I'm clumsy about getting the bottle out of the cage thing. I have it set up on a trainer in the basement, but since I can still ride my commuter to work, I haven't been motivated to ride it much.

I am riding my old mountain for now just to increase my bike fitness - it is an old Trek. Cycling is my weak spot, it has been years since I have even been on a bike for more than 30 minutes and I've never ridden seriously. It is rather dark here this time of year, so I'll stick to my heavy mountain bike and then think of upgrading in a few months when I have a better sense of my needs. I have zero bike knowledge - am sure to have many questions around March.  

I did get new running shoes today at a good shop that video taped my wobbly ankles and showed me how my many already owned pair are wrong. I also got some bike shorts for training, not racing, as I think the extra padding will be nice to start with. 


 

Amanda, you are awesome, I am now subscribed to just this post. Thanks!

David, I saw you do spinning, do you find that helpful rather than the stationary bike? I ask because it's winter here and there is no riding outside

A question for the group. Does anyone do yoga and if so, does it help your training? Any opinions on the types of yoga most helpful? (Hatha, hot yoga, ashtanga, etc)

Edited by striving 2009-12-16 10:43 AM

Does anybody know how to make a fancy table with all of our links in it? I'd love to post it in my goals if someone can make one.

Yesterday I registered for one of my 2010 races. Now to get the training plan figured out.

It's not fancy, but here is one:  just copy and paste into your goals.  I can add a background or change colors if you'd like.

--- this first one I posted had an error in one of the links, so I removed it.

Edited by wkirbytri 2009-12-16 1:24 PM

Edited by wkirbytri 2009-12-16 1:17 PM

I used to do a spinning class at my old gym and loved it! My instructor is the reason I got into tris! It's great because there is more accountability to get there (since it's a class) and do it and the variety in the workout makes it more fun.  I've read different things about incorporating Spinning into a training program, it seems like different people have different opinions on it. 

I also do a yoga class every Wednesday night, just started about a month ago and I feel it really helps my training.  It forces me to stretch out tight muscles, especially since I'm bad at stretching very throughly. I've also noticed the core strengthening from that class helps me in biking and probably swimming as well.  Not sure on the type of yoga it is, but I'll check tonight. 

Anyone know how to post goals?

RE: YogaI've done years of yoga and am giving it up for now. I am super-bendy and have been told by physios that while yoga is great for for most people it can increase injury rates in very bendy people. Hatha yoga is an all purpose term - a hatha class will vary by the teacher. Ashtanga yoga is a specific sequence that takes about 90 minutes to complete. In Ashtanga there is a specific kind of breathing and you move between each posture on the breath. The Asthanga sequence (the first is called the primary series) is physically demanding and wonderful. When I did Ashtanga it was a serious physical commitment, I'm not sure you'll make much progress if you are working on the full primary series and training for a tri at the same time. Those are two very serious pursuits. A Vinyasa class will give you some of the benefits of Ashtanga without worrying about the full series and still be physically demanding. Iyengar yoga might be very helpful because it works to develop strength and flexibility carefully, you are less likely to over stretch and injure yourself. I am doing pilates, and just increased to 2x a week in the new year. Right now, I prefer pilates because I can feel myself getting stronger in my core. When I do yoga I can neglect my core muscles because my arms and legs are so bendy it is easy for me to get in posture. Pilates can require the same intense concentration as yoga, which gives me some of the same benefits of increased mood and relaxation, but not all of the benefits I get from yoga. Yoga can be great and the teacher makes a huge difference.

Edited by mhoerger 2009-12-16 1:55 PM

I found running pants, believe it or not, at WALMART.  The pants were $15 a piece and they had matching running tops for $15 each.  I dont know if all WALMARTS carry the same thing.  Now this is the mens section in sporting clothing.

I have a Giant OCR C2, 2006 model, picked it up last year for about $500.  I added aero bars a couple of weeks ago, and love it.  Need to get the aero bars, and bike fitted to me.  But for the most part I can ride much longer and keep a better pace in the aero position.

Hi striving,

I really won't know how much actual bike fitness the spinning has given me until I get on the roads but I suspect it's pretty good. Because of the tough indoor spinning my bike fitness feels well ahead of my swim and run.

My Monday night class is my favourite as it is led be an Ironman (leanne) and just kicks our butts. Great music too which I think is very important.

Unfortunately she won't be teaching anymore so I might have to move up my purchase of an indoor trainer

David, I saw you do spinning, do you find that helpful rather than the stationary bike? I ask because it's winter here and there is no riding outside

Edited by raveon 2009-12-16 7:47 PM

Good evening everyone. On the topic of spinning classes, I personally am in favor, although I know a lot of cyclists that do not favor them in any way. At this point, for most of you, a spinning class is good because it will increase your fitness level and get your muscles acclimated to cycling. For me personally, I stopped spinning when I started triathlon simply because I would much rather be out on the road than inside in a class. I have contemplated getting back into it in the off season, but my scheduling doesn't always match the spin scheduling. If you are in the off-season right now, spin if you so desire - keep moving and maintaining fitness. For those of you that have started a schedule, I recommend getting out on the road (weather permitting). You cant ride the spin bike during the triathlon (in most cases). The more time you spend out on the road, the more comfortable you will feel during your race and the less likely you are to get injured.On the yoga issue, I participate and recommend it simply for stretching and flexibility and balance. All of those are important in triathlon. I'm not sure about bendy people being prone to injury, but for me, I am stiff so I don't worry about being too bendy. I do recommend incorporating some core workouts into your fitness routine especially in the off season. There are some decent workouts on the BT site. Core will help your running stride, your transfer of power on the bike and will be very helpful in swimming. Also, stretch, stretch, stretch. Stretching will will help get your HR down at the end of a workout, or up at the beginning. It will also keep your muscles from becoming stiff and help you avoid injury. Keep up the good work everyone and remember to log your workouts, even your off days. Happy training!!

This was an interesting an article on indoor spinning...http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Do-Spin-Classes-Help-or-Hurt_.htm

I am completely in for a little adventure today...  I teach high school biology and for extra credit I have asked my students to run a 5K and then write a paper explaining how their bodies powered the run (focusing on aerobic and anaerobic respiration). They have to run at least 1/2 of it. So today they all come in saying its only 8F and its too cold to run this afternoon... They are already complaining and we don't run for another 5.5hrs. It is going to be quite the experience, running with 10 or so out of shape high schoolers (I don't really have any athletes in my classes for whatever reason). SHould have some good stories from it. 

I agree, good article.  For me, I love spinning.  All instructors are different, so I had to go to a few different spinning classes to find the one that was right for me.  Of course, this wasn't easy because I had to find a class that fit into my schedule.  It's true that you are in control of how you want your spinning session to go, but it's even better when you have an instructor that you mesh well with. 

How did the run go today?

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Ron/training%20for%20your%20first... />
a decent, kinda old, article on starting a training program from BT 

For those of us in cold climates, here is an article I found on winter running
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Winter-Running-Tips.htm