Leegoocrap & Newbz rowdy Mentor Group - Closed (Page 3)

personal preference i guess.  most of my outdoor riding is with groups or on really long rides.  since none of my races last year were longer than an olympic distance, it didn't make sense to take my TT bike out for a 60 mile ride.  the road bike is just more comfortable to ride for me so i use it more (not that my other bike is uncomfortable), but i do try to get a ride in once a week or so with my race bike to stay accustomed to it.  

i would compare it to having racing flats for running. you don't train in them, but you have the occasional run in them to know how they feel on race day.

"What about a proper fit?"

To me it is hard to understate the importance of properly fitted bike particularly for Olympic or longer events.  And make sure you get a good professional fit -- not just a friend eyeballing your position or using some online tool.  It doesn't make sense to pay $000s on a bike and not go the extra couple of hundred to make sure you're getting the most out of your purchase.

NAME:  Sharon

STORY: This is my 3rd year doing tris and 4th year running. I started out running/biking the greenways to lose weight and lost about 105 lbs in the process. Since then I've become addicted to the competition, setting PRs, and trying to get more toned in the process.

FAMILY STATUS: Getting married on March 23, 2013 to a pretty awesome guy...then making him run the Knoxville Marathon Relay relay with me on April 7th!

CURRENT TRAINING: I took a month off being on a structured plan and my half marathon training will start January 6th. I plan on focusing on running until March then ramping up on bike and swim.

2012 RACES: Disney Marathon, Knoxville Half Marathon, Rev3 Knoxville (Olympic), Fall Creek Falls Olympic, Atomic Man Half Ironman, Ragnar Relay Tennessee, Santa Hustle Half Marathon, and various sprints, 5Ks, etc.

2013 RACES: I just signed up for Beach2Battleship Full IM in October. I'm planning on doing the Knoxville Half Marathon and Rev3 tri again but I haven't thought about what my other races will be!

WEIGHT LOSS GOALS: I want to lose 10-15 more pounds. I like to race Athena (because I can usually place in fat girls  ) but that would drop me under it...it's kind of bittersweet!

GOALS: I definitely have room to improve on all 3 sports. Swim is my weakest and I want to work on that with more speed work this year. I got faster on the bike last year so I want to build on that and also learn how to ride in a group better. My run suffered last year because I was focusing more on the bike. I want to get back to running 8/8:30 min miles without feeling like dying! All of that while planning a wedding and possibly buying a house...

Great to have you Brad!

Wow a 20:xx pushing a stroller is hardcore! It too me forever to be able to push MYSELF to do that!

Hey Sue, you're welcome to join! Please fill out the little info thing though so we know a bit about you!

Welcome in Sharon!

Sadly most of our group rides here lately have been inside, but I think we'll convince Mike to get outside again soon.

B2B is supposed to be an amazing race! That'll be awesome.

Keiran, welcome to the group! I came from bodybuilding myself (seems like forever ago now) I remember thinking I was in amazing shape...signed up for my first 5k and had to walk part of it

Take it easy and build up slowly, you've got plenty of time to get ready for an IM in 2014!

While I normally don't like to suggest online "fits" - the competitivecyclist.com fit calculator *can* be a useful tool to give you something to look at before you go to the shop. It doesn't give your stack/reach numbers though, which is what most people need to have when buying a tri bike.  Also remember that sizes aren't uniform between brands... a 54 trek and a 54 felt fit very differently.  (I think they make it confusing on purpose)

I too do 90% or more of my riding on my road bike. Once I "learned" to handle my tri bike, I can get back on it and feel perfectly comfortable even after being off it for extended periods.

When I have a 1/2 or up coming up, I do start doing more time on my tri bike to toughen my neck up (my position is pretty aggressive though)

Hi Chris, I'm interested in joining your mentor group 

NAME:  Kevin

STORY: I am 29 years old, 6'4 195lb.  I'm in the gym at least 5 days a week, mostly weight training.  I want to start getting away from weights and start working on endurance training.

FAMILY STATUS: Single

CURRENT TRAINING: I weight train 3-4 days per week, and run/bike at least 2 days.  I also play basketball usually once per week.

2012 RACES: None

2013 RACES: I'd like to do a few shorter races, 5k or 10k, during the first half of the year and then work towards a triathlon, possibly a 70.3 in Sept.

WEIGHT LOSS GOALS:  Losing weight is not a high priority for me, but I would like to get a little leaner.  185 is probably the lightest I'd like to be.

GOALS: The ultimate goal is the 70.3 in Sept.  Until then I would like to work on my running and swimming form.  Also, consistently run further distances with faster times. 

Thanks

I ran around noon today, had to work this afternoon and didnt know when I would get home and plus my wife wanted to go run as soon as I got home so I wanted to get my workout in this morning. 

Did a nice 4.5 mile on blah blah treadmill

Thirty Minute Trainer Ride tonight.  Just trying to get use to doing something every day, instead of the old here and there plan I've had.

Cwlodyka - I can not respond to all of your bike choices but can for one. I have a Giant Defy 2 Compact and have for over two years now.  I have put over 1500 miles on it and have had exactly zero problems with it.  In my opinion it has been a great bike for the $1,100 I spent on it.  I have Tiagra Components and have had no problems with them.  You may been in a hiller location than me, which is where those higher dollars components truly show their value.  Just my .02 but the Defy has been a great bike for me.  I will tell you one thing for certain though:  find almost every bike in your price range and with the components you want (usually dollars make that decision for you like carbon or aluminum) and ride every single one of them, don't think about brand or color, just what feels best for you when you ride it.

Welcome in Kevin!

Most people have to drop some (sometimes a lot) of strength training to fit in the runs/rides/swims they need. That said, no need to drop it all.  I think just adding more cardio you'll lose most of the weight without even "trying." A 70.3 is definitely possible later in the year! Any idea's which one it's going to be?

We're still open to two or three more people!

Yeah I need to stop using my trainer as a clothes rack,  I seem to always just want to ride the spin bikes at the REC center.  and having a 4 month old seem like some of the only time I can ride it is when he is asleep and the trainer is in the same part of the house as his bedroom so I dont dare wake him up.

Gonna go swim today hopefully I can do 1000 yds or so,  gonna hurt im afraid.  I have only swam once since my last tri in July.

Todd