Brian and the Tri Tarts Group - Full (Page 3)

Ditto on getting a plan.  I decided last minute yesterday to go ahead and sign up for the adult swim class again for January.  It's just way too cheap (they dropped the price...$31 for 5 lessons) not take advantage of and have an instructor help me out once a week, and on the other swim days of the week, just work on building endurance and doing TI/BT drills.  I've learned so much over the last few months in these classes that I'm sure it'll be worth it.

 So now, I'm trying to look through the different plans on here and elsewhere to figure out a schedule.  It'll be easier after next week, when I will know my work travel plans for next year better and can really target a specific race more.  I know tentatively what I want to do...but I can't register until I know for sure.  I think for the rest of the month, I'm just going to focus on spinning classes, swimming, and strength training.  That stuff will get me in better shape and keep knocking the weight off.  Then in January, my running program starts for my 5K and my swim class, so I can get more regimented and structured.

http://swimming.about.com/od/paddlesboardsandbuoys/gr/techpaddle.htm

ever hear of anyone using these paddles before?  My swim coach would prefer I get these as opposed to the finis I really want

I have never seen thse before, but in my last mentor group my leader was telling me about the importance of maintaining a straight wrist and hand to get more power out of your forearm. This looks like it would do that, doesn't it?

I have never used any paddles, but am considering them to increase my pull efficiency. 

I haven't seen them before.  This is what I have:

http://www.zoomers.net/fulcrum.htm

Also, I use these fins:

http://www.finisinc.com/products-tr-z2.shtml

With regard to recovery weeks.  My wife has a hard time dialing back volume.  I've at least got her to skip any weights and/or high intensity running for one week out of every month.  She maintains mileage, but with less intensity/strain.

My recovery weeks often come not out of choice; unexpected business travel, family priorities, illness.  But planning would obviously be a better solution.

He had me do some crazy one arm thing yesterday with a paddle and pull bouy so the ONLY thing moving was the stroking arm and core rotation.  It was hard to do

This coach sounds like he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve to make you a super star!  My coach just had gastric bypass and is out through January.  He too, is great, but it hurts to have him out for two months.

I'll bite what is EVF? Are you buying those paddles?  I would be interested to know what you think of them.

A couple of questions:

Do you want to be able to track mileage, pace or just HR?  Personally, I like more data, especially for speedwork so I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS which gives you pace, HR, distance and a zillion other features.  It also allows you to upload it to your pc. There is a entry level model, the 201 that is a lot less $$ because it does not upload to your pc. I would consider buying it through one of the reputable vendors on Ebay.  The prices are  very competitive.  Just make sure they include the HRM strap or that you can buy it and know the cost up front.

http://search.product.ebay.com/Garmin-Forerunner-201-GPS-Receiver_W0QQfifptsZ1QQfvcsZ2836QQsoprZ48471312 

For biking, I have a Garmin Edge 305, but you can go pretty entry level and get a Cat Eye to track distance, MPH and cadence.  Those are the things I care most about when biking.  If you are willing to give up cadence, you can track those same things on the Forerunner mentioned above. Or you can use a combination of your HRM and the Cat Eye which allow you to track HR too.

My only other advice is if you can afford it, I might consider spending a little more for the features you want or think you will need. If you love the sport you are going to want more info to keep improving.

I used to be a fan of Polar, but I have not used one in a long time (since I bought the first Garmin GPS units).  I will say the Garmin has a much more comfortable chest strap than the one I had although Polar may have upgraded them since then.  I do know there is an entry level Garmin HRM. I bought my last one from gpscity and had good delivery from them.

http://www.gpscity.com/frun50

I don't wear my HRM for swimming, but I am sure if I did it would show I was freakin' out every time I hit the pool 

Hopefully someone else will weigh in on their thoughts.  I think technology is pretty personal.  I tend to like a lot of data while working out and then analyzing the heck out of it later.

Good luck.

I use a fairly basic Polar (~$70) for my work-outs.  I have a bike computer which has speed, mileage, cadence....  For run distance, I just use the route feature on BT - see example of a route here.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=6802

Ann (wife) has a Garmin Forerunner 305, which I admit is pretty cool.

I have a Nike Imara HRM.  It's a fairly basic model...no speed sensors or averages or anything.  But it just gives me the basic data of the HR and how many calories I burn, which right now is enough for me.  Sounds like you want something more complicated, but if you want simple, I really back mine.  It's made for a woman, so the chest strap and wrist band of the watch fit me better than the general ones.  And it's pretty   LOL  It cost around $100 

zipp1 - 2007-12-16 9:59 PM I signed up for my first tri of the season! June 29. It's 820 m OWS, 18.8 mile bike with a 5K run. My plan is to do this one and an OLY in late July on the OLY training plan from March through May but roll into the HIM plan early May since I still plan on the HIM in early Sept. I also want to throw in a 10K early April with a half mary a couple weeks later. Is this too much? Only other big run race would be the full mary in November which shouldn't be too hard to build post HIM from. And yes, I'm looking to join a masters swim group to throw in some swim meets

Sounds exciting!  I can't wait until next week when I get my work stuff straightened out and I can make a final decision on my tri for next year! 

Ok kids, I am about ready to sign up for something now that ZIPP1 has started the train moving....I could do Danskin in July which is female and newbie friendly, but is a 1/2 mile swim or I could do High Cliff in June which is full of a lot of serious triathletes and it is early in the season so no/limited OWS practice, but only a 1/4 mile swim and I could touch the bottom if I really freaked out....remember today, swimming is my worst sport.  Both require an overnight stay.

What shoudl I consider? what would you do if you were me?

zipp1 - 2007-12-16 9:59 PM I signed up for my first tri of the season!  June 29.  It's 820 m OWS, 18.8 mile bike with a 5K run.  My plan is to do this one and an OLY in late July on the OLY training plan from March through May but roll into the HIM plan early May since I still plan on the HIM in early Sept.  I also want to throw in a 10K  early April with a half mary a couple weeks later.  Is this too much? Only other big run race would be the full mary in November which shouldn't be too hard to build post HIM from.  And yes, I'm looking to join a masters swim group to throw in some swim meets

Based on where you are now and your ability to consistenty train, I'd say you can do it.  Just make sure you get some recovery days in after those races.  10k's, half-marathons, and Oly's are all fairly intense races.  In particular ,schedule some reduced run miles after that half-marathon, perhaps some swim and bike focus in May.  I say this cause it's a long season and when that marathon comes in November you want to still have some spring in your step.  June, July and August should be some good, balanced training as you work through the tri-season.   You will have a good run base after the HIM, but will need to still ramp up those long runs relatively quick.  2 months sounds like a lot of time to ramp up, but once you put it on paper, follow the 10% rule and schedule some recovery weeks, it seems more compressed.  Definitely incorporate more recovery or drop back weeks as you progress toward that marathon with 18 and 20-mile runs in the Fall.

Also, figure out your A-races.  My "A" races were the Steelhead HIM on 8/4 and the Columbus Marathon on 10/21.  I used Johan's Oly as a HIM dry run and the Chicago Oly as a "fun" race.   The schedule sounds really similar to mine in 2007.  The season worked out fine for me and I didn't have as good of a base as you.

2007-10-21	Columbus Marathon		RaceLink	Edit
2007-09-09	Cleveland Clinic Sports Health River Run		RaceLink	Edit
2007-08-26	Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance		RaceLink	Edit
2007-08-04	Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon		RaceLink	Edit
2007-06-16	Johans Tri Fest Olympic Distance Triathlon		RaceLink	Edit
2007-06-02	Sunburst		RaceLink	Edit
2007-03-25	Holy Half		RaceLink	Edit