Let's Get It Started! with chrisbowers mentor group - CLOSED and ROLLING! (Page 3)

Well, it's not really jumping from sprints... the sprints I did were really only to find out what tri was about. I came in with the focus on Ironman. It's really the only goal I have had over the past 4 years.

I took 2 to 3 weeks off with the knee, I am prepared to walk the run if that is what I have to do. I guess I am not really an athlete in the competitive sense. Doing Ironman is a journey, to open some door spiritually/psychologically that is not quite open. To be able to do it once and say I did it. 

That in mind, doing it and finishing in one piece would be good too. And I am not putting down the bucks on the race if there is a hint of DNF or not even getting to starting line. I don't over train,  I don't run a lot... I bike I swim, and even then there is huge room for improvement.. 

That is very cool! Sorry I do not know what TAR is; I barely know what an AW is even after being married to one for 27 years.  Some spouses knew everything about being a good Navy spouse, for me??? I knew when he was home he was home when he was gone he was gone and we lived by the ever changing flight schedule.  I do know he misses the camaraderie that he experienced while in the Navy; he flew, lived and worked with a great group of guys. 

We knew one person in HS 2...oh I see we are in the same area too, sort a.  I spent many weekends in Roseville when my middlest daughter played in a basketball league in Reno years ago.  I work at the University of Nevada but live about 70 miles east of Reno, near NAS Fallon... left a perfectly fine ocean view, base housing on the Strand, for the desert.

WOW small world for sure!  Happy New Year! 

Collie - I completely understand the Ironman thing.  I watched every Ironman telecast for twenty years with the dream of doing one some day.  It is quite a journey.

You've already got some good advice from Chris and Terry.  If you're really set on an Ironman in June, I would also encourage you to either sign up for online coaching or find a local coach who can adjust your plan based on how your training is going. 

Thanks for the advice folks, it's very much appreciated. I am in a club but do most of my training alone. I am following, or was for a while a 36 weekplan but I need to readjust and find out where I am suposed to be. If it feels like I can't I won't. I have had too many injuries to push it and get myself frustrated. If I think IM in July is a no no, there is a half in Aix en Provence, or 111 in Monaco both in September.. but this year, after being a crock for 4 years, I just really want to do it. I also have a couple of buddies state side who check in on me from time to time and encourage me. I joined this group to share the journey and get good feedback. It's happening already thank you so much. I am a little chesty so I am just stretching myself out this weekend. The pool will wait till monday. :-) I might spin a little on Sunday... seeing how I feel.

Hello Group!

Chris, thanks for having me.  I'm at work, so can't play right now.  I'll post bio this evening. 

jeff (in Boise, ID)

So, here's my 'bio'...

Jeff aka jeffnboise (I'm from Boise, ID.  Duh!)

49 yrs young, divorced/single father of three (18, 16, 09).  Been a runner all my life, a cyclist since the late 80's and a swimmer since....well, I'm STILL not much of a swimmer.

Started doing tris a few years ago because it was a 'fringe' sport and seemed like a good way to stay fit.  I enjoy the challenge and like the fact that, at almost 50, I still feel pretty good.  I'm not too much of a structured trainer.  I'll sometimes miss a workout to have a few beers with friends.  I like to hike and go on multi-day bike adventures (STP, Skinny Tire festival, etc).  I missed all of last year with some nagging injuries and buying/selling house and sending son off to Air Force.  But I seem to have the competitive fire burning again, so we'll give it another go this season.

I'm currently weighing in about 162.  And that's WAY too much.  I'll be aiming to race about 150. 

I do mostly Oly-distance, but I got my eyes on a 1/2 IM in the late fall.  I'll also do a couple 1/2 marys, and some trail races around the Boise area.

That's about it....my 'tri' life in a short paragraph.  Thanks again for having me and I look forward to watching everyone exceed their expectations.  Have a safe New Year.   jeff

btw:  I'll re-start my training logs.  I actually have been working out a bit. 

I've had a couple of different versions of the Garmin Forerunner and have been happy with them.  Here is a link to DCRainmaker's page http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/04/garmin-forerunner-610-in-depth-review.html he does a good job of reviewing the differnet options out there.

Quick question for anyone out there with some good advice. June will be the first Tri I have ever attempted to complete so I'm not sure about the advantages/disadvantages of going to Spin classes versus actually riding on the road. I've been going to 4 spin classes/week but no actual road biking, mainly due to my schedule. I only have early morning's and later in the day to train, but I don't have any cold weather gear to ride with. I guess my question is, will the spin classes suffice until the days get longer/warmer?

We have a ugly wind going here today. Yesterday got to low 50's today there is a wind chill of about 20. No running for me. got a few projects done including helping a friend move some large piece of furniture up a set of steep basement stairs. Guess that will count as my strength workout today. Got a call from my friend teaching the master's swim classes and he said the pool will be open Monday so back I will head back to the pool then.

Happy New Years to all and looking forward to this great new mentor group. I am looking forward also to getting to know you and let you  help push me to new heights this year.

I ran 4 miles today.  Hope to start swimming on Tuesday.

Ken

I have a question about swim training.  I have read that I should start out with learning the proper technique.  Then I have read that I should not worry about technique for the 2 to 3 weeks because I am building up stamina and a lot of bad technique will resolve as stamina improves.  I am leaning towards concentrating on stamina (although I have watched some you tube videos on technique.)  Thoughts?

Ken

What distance are you doing? June is a long way off, you could if you stretched it, do a half iron in June.. so spin classes, will get your legs turning, but they won't replace climbing, they won't replace road skills, they wont teach you bike handling... for winter time they are great, but by the end of Feburary you need to be on the road I think. The time you spend in spin classes, well you could use it biking around...but be safe, dress right, protection, be well seen etc;.. .. enjoy.

The swim is about technique, not about stamina and power. It's a sport where you glide not have to rely on power. A guy/girl with perfect techinque will kill the person against them who is relying on stamina and power who has no technique... over long distance.. over short distance perhaps there is more forgiveness, but technique in the swim is KING/QUEEN...it rules.

Spin class v. road riding:  Ride outside whenever you can, but spin class is waaayyy better than not riding at all.

Beautiful day in Boise.  Went for a run in my new VFF (five fingers).  Certainly a different technique, but not unpleasant at all.

I'm a bad swimmer.  I'll put in the laps, and work a bit on technique, but at the end of the day, I'm still a mediocre swimmer.  That being said, I think that CONFIDENCE in the swim is as important as my technique.  Swim lots; indoors, openwater (with groups), practice flip turns (even if you never use them).  If you're not afraid of the swim, you'll probably do pretty well.

Thanks for the advice.  The tri in June will be my first so I'm starting off with a Sprint. I just want to maximize my training as best as I can. What are your thoughts about clip on aero bars?  I'm sure they aren't necessary for short distance Tri's but I've read the longer distance the Tri is the happier your legs are going to be when using aero bars.