Matt Gilmartin's Group- CLOSED~ we're swimming! (Page 32)

Hey everybody!~ Just checking in.

Glad to hear all the great info-it all seems like stuff I need to know. 

I am really frustrated! In the middle of my second cold in the past 2.5 months. In between colds I'm training good, but this is getting annoying.  I have a vacation day on Friday and I want to do my first spinning class (since I've got the time) just to give me an idea where I am at on the bike, but I'm not sure I'll be able to breathe through it.  Oh, did I mention I haven't bought my bike yet?!? Frustrated about that, too (just don't have time to look for one).  

I missed working out last Friday (because of the tornados everywhere), and I started getting sick then and haven't been back at it yet.  Friday isn't looking too good right now (cough, hack). 

I have my eye on a race that really looks awesome for a first sprint triathlon-Cedars of Lebanon, TN a little over an hour from where I live.  It's May 19, seems to usually have a little over 500 competitors.  I want to sign up but I don't have a clue how to estimate my time. Did I mention I HAVEN'T BOUGHT A BIKE.  I haven't ran outside at all (bad allergies), and obviously haven't biked outside.  What kind of time should I make up? 

April,

OK... if you haven't been training are you sure you want to enter a race?  I don't want to discourage your participation, but you're likely to injure yourself or get even more sick if you race when you aren't ready. 

From spin classes that I've done, a spin class would not have given me an idea of where I might be on the bike portion of a race. Granted, it will give you a cardio workout, but it's so different from doing an actual outside ride, at least for me. The bike is totally different (different saddle, clips, dimensions, feel, etc, etc) and it really doesn't compare in relation to outdoor miles.

Perhaps others have more experience with spin classes and my classes have just been the exception to the rule, but I know that for me I wouldn't be able to judge my tri fitness based off of a spin class.

Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope you start feeling better soon!

I'm assuming the time question is your projected finishing time for the swim so they can seed you in the order of swimmers in the pool? I'd at least go to the pool and try to swim the distance, taking as many rest breaks as you need and give them that time.

As for the spinning class, I agree that its a great workout but not the same as riding on the road. If it was me, I'd take the time you'd spend in the class and go to the local bike shop (LBS) and look over what bikes are available and get an idea of what size bike you need. If you find a bike you like, you could then start riding it outside and get a better idea of you speed and stamina over the course length. I know that when daylight savings time hits I'll be riding outside after work since I'll have about 2 hours of daylight.

Just my $.02. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Steve

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Matt-I have been training 5-6 days a week since January, other than my 2 colds.    I didn't mean that to sound like I haven't been training.  I'm working my way up on training time with bike/run/swim, and gradually decreasing my strength training (i've been doing probably more than what's necessary of strength training).  The race I mentioned is 10 weeks out.  This week (that I missed due to my cold) is my tenth week of training so far. 

 So technically I would have 20 weeks to train for a 200 yard swim (50meter pool), 10 mile bike, 2 mile run (mostly flat) race.  As far as where I am at with my training, the most distance I have swam without stopping was 1,000yd, I have only timed a 100 yard (1:45) and a 500yd (one 8.5m, one 10min).  For my "fabulous stationary inside only" bike training, 35 min does me ~9.5miles averaging  I do several hills.  When I run 3 or more miles (treadmill), I do a 10 min pace, but when I train speed I do 8:40min/mile pace, but can't keep it up for more than 3-5 min before I have to slow down and then repeat.  Three to four times a week I usually do strength straining too.  I've been doing some bricks also (9.5m bike/ 1.5-2m run).  So I DO expect slower times in the outdoors. . .

 Steve-the website that sponsors this race asks you to put in your "expected finish time" and your "swim time".  I have read in the reviews for this race in the past, that the swim times were very messed up with the number they gave the racers.  One person mentioned that they had slower swimmers starting in the first 50, faster swimmers starting in the middle of the race, and the result was 10-12 people on the wall at once trying to pass.  Another reviewer mentioned that "everyone puts in false swim times anyway" so they will start earlier in the pack and get passed, rather than wasting time trying to pass several swimmers. (?)  I don't even know what to put for an "expected finish time" since I haven't been outside on the bike.   I will wait to register until I do get a bike and can get outside.

I am going tomorrow to the bike shops around town, and going to search the local internet sales tonight.   I hope to find something soon because I have 6 more vacation days to use before the end of the month, which will definetly be spent outside running/biking.  YEA!  After that I will be outdoors probably 2 times a week. . .

I'm definetly not experienced, this is my first tri, but if the experienced people out there think I'm in way over my head, please PM me.  dont wanna die. LOL  (200yd pool swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile swim)

I'm certainly NOT experienced, but I do NOT think you are in over your head - I'm pretty certain that you can do this, provided of course, that you get a bike - haha!!

If you've done a 1,000 swim there is no reason why you cannot do a 200 - that's pretty short. Same goes for biking if you can do ~9.5 in 35 minutes or so.

I really wouldn't know how to seed myself for this. I don't have enough self-confidence to start anywhere other than the BOP, so my numbers might be a little (lot) off. For example, last half I did I had to put in an estimated time and I put 4:30 hours even though I can do it under 3...that's just the way I am (probably because I'm so used to starting last since I'm usually running with my daughter and she's just a little thing).

I think you can do this!! Good luck!!

April,

OK, I was totally off  I didn't realize you hard you've been working out!

I'd suggest 1 minute per 50 yards as a baseline, so 4 minutes for a 200.  I'll check your logs for you!!!

M

Jenheaslip - 2012-03-09 7:18 PM First indoor tri in the morning! I can't remember the last time I did anything at 7 in the morning besides snore. Should be interesting

WooHoo!! I can't wait to read your race report!!! Good luck and don't forget the most important thing--have FUN and live in the moment!!

What's the opinion on Tri bikes? I have a 2011 Orbea Road bike, but my bike coach has been having me "simulate" aero position on my bike more and more. I am "jonesing" for a tri bike lately and one of the local shops here is having an "expo" this weekend and offering 10% off all bikes as well as a free RETUL fit ($250 value). We're moving to Germany soon and I don't know how much access I will have there to get a bike and what bike options I will have. Should I wait until I move or start looking seriously now before we leave? 

BTW, the shop has Felt, Ridley, Quintana Roo and Alchemy brands. 

Thanks so much, Matt---just placed an order.  Can't wait for it to arrive.  Also wanted to share a recipe from a good friend's blog for recovery popsicles:

http://www.runwiki.org/2012/03/10/double-chocolate-recovery-fudgsicle

mcgilmartin - 2012-03-05 10:57 PM OK, the code for the Athlete's Honey Milk is CHI1112.  Just ordered 2 cases of the strawberry banana

Survived my first indoor tri this weekend! It was absolutely perfect because it was very non-competitive and treated more like a group workout. It was a 15-minute swim, 45-min spin class and 5K run outside. I’ve done a lot of bricks but never put all three sports together, and my plan was to end Feb. or start March by trying all three in a row, so this indoor tri came at a great time with a great learning atmosphere.

I had to get up at 5:45 to get ready, that was really hard but I was also pretty excited so not as bad as I thought. I even got to the Y 10 mins. early and had to wait for the building to open at 7. Next time, check the hours before heading out! I changed and started swimming warm-up laps at 7:10. Spent about 10 mins in the water then got out to check lane assignments. They had asked for a 100-yard time and to rate yourself on a 1-5 scale. I had said I was a 3 but they put me in a lane with the 4s. There were 5 people in a lane. There wasn’t room for me to move down so I stayed in the lane and volunteered to start last, which worked out well. The swim was hectic but not bad at all; it was motivating to try and stay with the person in front of you and at the same time not let the person behind you catch up. I swallowed water a few times when I turned to breathe and someone was swimming right next to me, and I got kicked twice, but the hardest thing was focusing on form with so much going on.

I had to let people pass about 3-4 times when I got to the wall. I don’t regret waiting to start last, but at the end they blew the whistle when I was about 3 strokes from the wall, and I had stopped to let someone pass right before the last lap, so I was really bummed because they only counted 14 laps for me. If I hadn’t waited a bit to let a guy pass on the last lap I could have scored 15 laps, which was my goal for the swim. But my overall goal for the triathlon was to see how it felt to do all three sports in a row and what a tri is like, so I wasn’t bummed for long.

We had 5 mins. to get from the pool to the spin room so I had a chance to change, grab water and set up my bike. I felt really hurried and barely made it in time, so I can see that transitions will be a real challenge. There were a few people who hadn’t used spin bikes before, so it took another 5 mins. to get them set up and I got a nice warm-up in while waiting. The instructor leading the class is a triathlete so he put on a pretty challenging class with lots of hills and sprints and moving around in the saddle. I drained my water bottle and tried to stay hydrated. I gave it about 90 precent to save a little for the run. They called out names for prizes while we biked and I won a tub of Gu recovery drink. Pretty sweet.

After the class, we had 5 mins. to meet outside for the run. I grabbed a pullover cuz it was fairly cold out still and drank more water and ate half a Cliff bar. The run was a nice out and back on a paved path, gradually uphill then turning around for a gradual downhill. Most people took off and left me in the dust. I picked up a running partner for the first mile and a half – a 10- or 12-year-old-girl LOL She stuck with me stride for stride. There were four kids in the tri and two of ’em beat me on the run. At the turnaround my legs finally felt normal again and I booked it back. I ran the 5K just 10 seconds slower than my best 5K time from last fall, ending with 29:49, so I was really happy about that. I’m slowly getting faster and stronger. That said, I finished 19 out of 25 people for the run, and my 14 laps put me at the back of the pack in swimming too. Still a great run for me though.

We got water bottles and drinking glasses and other goodies at the end of the race, with food from a local bakery, massages and lots of samples. I need a T-shirt that says “Will race for free stuff”  I joined the Asheville Triathlon Club, which put on the race, and met a lot of great people who were more than willing to share tips with me. It seems like a great club that really welcomes beginners.

Last summer when I did Couch to 5K I ended my races barely able to breathe and feeling like I was going to die. I was completely spent. After the indoor tri I was pretty beat but felt good, like I could keep going if I had to. And I wasn’t gasping for breath. That’s the biggest change I’ve noticed.

I want to do an outdoor tri in 2 months, so I am going to re-evaluate my training program and refine it for the next six weeks. I really just need to get stronger in all three sports, and definitely start figuring out transitions. I know what to bring and was pretty well organized, it was more like what to do first and just feeling rushed. Any advice is welcome!

WooHoo! Great Race Report!! Congratulations on your first indoor tri! Was this also your first tri? (I can't remember if you've done one before or not)

How awesome that you won a prize - I like to race for free stuff, too!

I can't believe they had 5 people in a lane - that's crazy! If I were you, I wouldn't be too upset with 14 laps, especially since you were having to stop/go in places to let people by. You should be proud of your 14 laps!

A 5 minute transition between the swim and bike sure isn't a lot of time. I would have been in a world of hurt at mine since I actually changed out of my swim suit and into my tri shorts and then had to find the spin room! Sounds like you did just fine, though.

No worries about running with a little girl - my 9 year old son is much faster than I am when we run (and has been for over a year now). He usually beats me by about 5 minutes in a 5k! Sounds like you got your running legs after the first 1.5 miles, which I think is pretty normal.

Congratulations again and good luck on training for your next one! 

Mariah, C Different is an amazing organization benefitting vision-impaired athletes.  I learned about them originally from working with Denver Triathlon who are huge supporters.  I think it's awesome you're doing this. Your daughter is going to rock it, too~ despite the bike being her nemesis (LOL!) 

To make this one extra-fun you might look into volunteering as a guide for C Different- you've definitely got the athletic background to make someone else's dream happen.  Let me tell you, too- the fact that some of these athletes can't see doesn't mean they won't totally kick your b***.  Check out "C Different With Aaron" on FB- the dude is a total badass.

I already "liked" on FB!!!! Congrats- now I want one!

Jen- my first thought is congratulations!!!!!!  I feel like I've really accomplished something with this group in seeing you get up early and compete!  29:49 on a 5K after swim and bike is fantastic too~  very proud of you!

Signed up to volunteer on Saturday at packet pick-up. Unfortunately, I don't think I have enough time to train with someone and I don't have access to a tandem bike. I did sign up and have found someone in my town that is listed on the site, so I will be contacting her to see if she already has a guide and if not, perhaps we can hook up at a tri I am planning on doing in late April (that would give us a little bit of time to at least meet up)! 

I ran a full marathon a few years ago and was fortunate enough to run next to a blind athlete and his guide for the better part of the race. It was amazing how his guide was explaining EVERYTHING is such awesome detail to him - it really made me see things differently! Hopefully I'll be able to do something like this before I move!