Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED (Page 30)

Dale -  are you ready for your race next weekend?  It is exciting to have a race coming up - I have my HM in May, but I don't have any tris until June so I am jealous!

QOTD - I like all three.  I really like to swim, and have done so in one form or another for many years (even including synchronized swimming in college!).  My frustration with swimming comes from the fact that I am so slow.  I am not sure why.   I work on my form, but nothing seems to help.  I wonder if it comes somewhat from the years of synch swim, which is totally different from actual swimming!!  Biking is fun too.  I love my bike - my husband bought it for me as a surprise when I told him that I wanted to try a tri.  I love the feeling of being on the bike and going wherever it takes me that day!  It is something that requires a lot of time in the saddle to improve, and I am working on it!  But, running might be my favorite.  I never thought that I would say that!!  It seems that it is the sport that I can see the most progress in by putting some work in to it.  And I like to see progress!!  Also, I like that it is something that I can do outside, even in the winter!

What is everyone's plans for the weekend?  I have a short run on Saturday, then my running workshop.  Sunday is 7 miles and a big birthday party at my parents for my husband, sister-in-law, and a good family friend!!  I better get those 7 miles in before the party!

Karen

QTOD (yesterday): SWIMMING! Hands down. I swam competitively for 4 years as a pre-teen and was really good. I was hefty, but fit. I got teased a lot for my weight even then and ultimately caved under the pressure of competition. It's so freeing to come to it now with a whole different perspective of competing  against *myself* instead of others. This past November I came back to swimming for the first time in over 20 years. I started out with 600yd workouts. It was tough, but I was relieved to feel how easy it started coming back to me. I feel so at ease and happy in the water, it almost makes me sad I ever quit. But thrilled to be back!

I bike as transportation and have done so without a car for about 7 years now. I currently only ride single-speed in the city and last year tried my hand (feet? LOL) at riding fixedgear so that gave me lots of practice on the "spinning" technique. I love biking to get somewhere but I'm a little anxious to ride a geared bike. Hoping to get outside in the next week! So far I've just been training on a stationary bike at the gym.

I'm not a strong runner and I'll never be a fast runner. My first tri is just a 2.8 mi run. I did my first 5k last summer in about 32:30 and I'm perfectly confident I can do this one, but I only enjoy running in the sense that it brings me a sense of accomplishment and helps me be healthier.

Tomorrow I have a 30 min run scheduled for the morning. The training program I'm working off of uses time more than distance, but I do push for distance as well. 30 mins should be about 2.5. Almost race distance! If I have time I'm going to put in an extra short swim as well. Then I'm meeting my folks to go to a bookstore chain that's going out of business. Everything is 50% or more off and I'm going to pillage their fitness section! After that I'm hoping to have time to start getting my bike road-ready and *maybe* get the new computer hooked up! And then my partner & I are making fajitas for dinner. YUM!

tonight i'm taking my youngest son to play his soccer game. michael is taking our oldest son and volunteering at his school for this shoebox juggling act event (they're actually really cool- they were here this morning performing). tomorrow morning i teach yoga, i'll come home and we'll head to the gym. tomorrow will be my real first work out since i've been sick (besides a couple of yoga classes and a really bad jog/walk) so i'm excited to do something- i'm not sure if i'll bike, run, or swim, but i can't wait!!! when i was sick, i had images of people having to crane me out of bed! i thought to myself, i'll be the first severely obese person stuck in a bed with fitness magazines sprawled around me. good thing it didn't come down to that.

then on sunday, i am hosting a work event at barnes and noble. maybe after i can run or something? happy weekend, everyone!!!

I probably will not get to do any training this weekend.  I am about to ride my bike on my trainer even though it is 70 degrees and sunny outside, but I have my  3 year old so there's no going anywhere for me.  Then the temp is dropping again tomorrow and I can't run and the pool is taken all day with lessons.  Sunday is supposed to be nice, but I have to volunteer for Erin, and then it's supposed to rain all of next week and even snow on Thursday!  I had great hopes of getting a lot done while I had two weeks off, but it's turning out to be even more pathetic than when I am working.  If this keeps up I am going to go off of the deep end....

I've decided I'll also try to scam my mom's car tomorrow (she's going to a theater production) and go back to REI. i finally decided what cycling shorts I want to get and dividends came out today!

2 questions, although probably not QTOD worthy: 1, does anyone on here do any rock climbing? and 2, how many Brick workouts should I be doing prior to my first Sprint race? The training schedule I'm utilizing most only has 4 brick workouts the entire training period, all of them cycle/runs. Looking at some other training plans they encorporate small bricks into almost every week.

That makes total sense!

Karen,

I think I am ready.  This is my first triathlon ever and it is a little scary.  I don't know what the adreniline and nerves are going to do to me.  It might make me faster than ever.  Might hinder me.  The next triathilon I do will be easier just because I will know what exactly to expect.  I have no clue. 

Brian,

What is the protocol for race day.  Show up early and get set up.  I get that.  When do I get my numbers painted on?  Do I have to do or are there helpers?  Do I need a race number belt or are they usually supplied?   Also,  there is a video of the bike portion at the website. ????? marchtriahlonseries.com.  It shows a lot of No Pass Zones on the downhills.  Does that mean no one can pass me?  That is sure to off a few people.  Any other pointers you can think to give me about procedure ?

Here is a link for an equipment checklist.  I think this is the one I used last year.  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/race-checklis... remember to have fun while you are racing and to make sure that you smile as you cross the finish line!

As a beginner, I liked doing some bricks last year because it gave me some confidence.  I probably will not do as many this year because I have some (very little) experience and am better prepared for what's coming my way.  Just my thoughts...

Brian,

Thanks.  You are the best.  Glad I picked this group.  You made me feel better.

If bike shop dabbles in tri, then yes, otherwise no use in cycling.

I found mine in a swim shop, who dabbles in tri gear (buy my lok laces there too).

Same with running store, might have one.

Bricks...

I found this transition very disconcerting, during first tri.

I  race very "close to the line" & pacing is something I find difficult.

When I did my first Oly, When I transitioned from bike to run, felt like I was still pedalling for a mile or so.  My legs were toast.  My run time was longer than I ever thought.

I wish I had knew, how I would feel prior to the event.

So...for me, I like'em.  They remind me how to run on tired legs.  I have now figured out when they start to feel normal again & mentally, this helps me get thru the first 7 minutes (that's what it seems to take me).  I often do one a month, sometimes more.  Most are not that long, longish bike then 5k run.  Because of our climate, many are done in gym, which is not ideal, but is a decent representation. It is just to get accustomed to the feeling in your legs.   It is not meant as as an endurance slugfest.

As Brian remarked, as far as training goes, they probably add very little & are just as good as a concentrated workout in either discipline.  Thing is, they feel very different from a long run or bike.

If you have not done one, try one.  Remember they need to be one in quick succession.  No 10 minute water break!!!!!  If you feel what it is like, you won't be surprised on race day.

Just a slightly different opinion....FWIW

I like doing bricks too. For me, I feel like I accomplish more and I begin to get my body use to more than one thing at a time.

Honestly I haven't found a pair of shorts that I can stand running in, they always ride up and annoy me. I don't have a problem running in bike/tri shorts since they are longer and tight at the bottom so they don't go anywhere. I usually just use capri (3/4 length) running tights. Most of mine are from Target and I love them. I get ones with a little zipper pocket on the back which is perfect for my keys. Honestly I have never had a problem being too hot in these or anything so I don't see any reason to change!

QOTD...an easy one.

Would you wear an aero helmet?  (the ultimate geek accesssory!!)

Such as this...

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=58745

Y/N & why?