chrisbowers group "Now We're Rolling!" - Full (Page 4)

?Well just about made up my mind to add a sprint in June, that will have me complete in two races  within a 5 week period before a 9 week break durring the heat of the  summer and finishing up with my "A" event on Septemper 11.  I Have some concerns  and questions  on my next two races:

1-Potential water temperatures  below 70F in  Hampton Roads in early Jume, race info for the Breezy point Sprint gives arange of 65-72F, NOAA data  for the last two years i more like the lower to mid 70s. My own rule  when sailing  is not  to go ut when the water temperature is below 70F,  I don't have or plan to use a wet suit, what is you opinion  on swimming 1000m OW in  water temperature between 65-70F?

2-Race distances are slightly different for the two races.  The June race is S-1000M, B-12.4Mi, R-5K with the July race S-750m, B-17.5Mi, R-5K. Don't have a problem with the 1000m swim in June other that the water temperature, but the bike for the July spring  is 5Mi longer that most and I expect the air temperature  to be HOT in Nort Carolina, any special  traing I should do  for  the added bike distance and  and for a and a race  with possible temperatures in the 90s?

I would like to join if you have room

NAME: Ail/Ailie       

STORY: I am 35 year old (female) and have done one “season” in this lovely sport. I say “season” as I did 2 races, so I do not think that counts. Was a huge jock in HS (field hockey, winter and spring track, basketball) skiing and climbing for fun, rowed in college. Always consider myself an active person and love being outside, but realized I was not really getting much done when I went to the gym. Signed up for my first tri to support a friend who was doing one, OK and to compete…a little…ok a lot…..I love to compete. Found I liked them and the work that you have to put into them. Makes going to the gym and working out mean something again. I am 5’8” and weight about 160, need to drop weight. I currently hate running probably because I am so heavy now, never really liked it, it was just a means to an end. I like swimming (grew up in New England, summer on boats and the ocean) so open water does not freak me out, OK on the bike, know how to run, just suck at it right now.

FAMILY STATUS: single with 2 dogs that keep me on my toes

CURRENT TRAINING: I am doing the 4-7h winter maintenance program 20 week plan, but that ends soon and I think I am going with the Intermediate or Beginner Sprint 12 plan. I have not decided yet…..

2010 RACES:  Tri to Beat Cancer sprint, Take Flight tri sprint

2011 RACES:   The same two as last year plus a few more to make a full “season” also maybe an OLY at the end of the season. I have been doing a lot of 5k runs to try and bulk up on the running.

WEIGHT LOSS: I am down about 20lbs since last year, but still have more to go to an acceptable weight in my mind. But it is not so much as hitting a number as seeing the right proportions….

GOALS: Want to maybe try for an OLY, but mainly get my running to improve. The bike and swim could be faster but I know that my run is HORRID right now. That is the main reason I am sticking with sprints, the run distance. I don’t see myself really ever going past that, a ½ or full marathon seems ludicrous to me, but who knows….

Hi Chris,

I'd love to join this group too - is there still space? 

Name: Karen

Story: I'm a basically a newbie, I have done 3 sprint tris over the last two years.  The mike leg is my nemesis.  I love to swim (not crazy about the churn in a triathlon start but am a confident swimmer so that helps).  I also have a good bit of running under my belt.  I have done 5 marathons and 12 half marathons over the past three years.  Which leads me to the bike.  Not sure what my issue is but I just don't have confidence in it.  It might be the mechanical aspect that something could break, don't know...

Family Status: Married for 20 years this August! 

Current Training: Doing the BT 20 week training program for Half Iron.   I coach a beginner tri swim group and run with a run club on the weekends as part of "the plan".  Working Biking into the picture.  I have a training partner who is equally as timid on the bike so we are working through it. 

2011 Races: The big plan is 70.3 August in September.  Probably will work in an Oly  - possibly Chattanooga waterfont along the way.

Goals: Conquer the bike! Would also like to figure out nutrition as I feel like all these extra workouts are going to force a change in my daily intake.???

Hi Chris.  Please add me to the group!

Name: Erin

Story: I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast and tennis player, coming back from an achilles tendon rupture (9/09), and have always been interested in triathlons and adventure racing.  Having turned 40 last year, I figure now is as good as time as any to start pursuing those interests!  My first triathlon will be in September.

Family Status: Single, with furry children (dog and cat).

Current Training: I just started training in earnest last week, with a custom plan generated by BT.  I also play tennis 6-7 times per week, but so far, am finding I am able to get my tri workouts in too.  Just hoping my body holds up!

2011 Races: Luna Bar Challenge in Sacramento on 9/11/11 - .5 swim/20 mile bike/4 mile run.

Weight Loss: Two years ago, I lost 60 pounds and have kept all but 10 of those off.  I seem to have been born with excellent endurance, even at my heaviest weight.  My goal is to get to 185 by the time of my triathlon - currently 216. 

Goals: Learning what I can about having a successful training and triathlon, along with weight loss and improved fitness.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to learning from everyone!

Hi, Chris -  I'd love to join your group!  

NAME: alsiedee / Ally
STORY: So far I've been doing more training for triathlons than actually doing them - and I'd like to change that this year.  I'd spent a decent part of my life pretty fit, mainly through biking & volleyball, but I put on a ton of weight when I had multiples 5 yrs ago (at 40).  Then, two years ago, I joined a tri training group & trained for a local sprint.  I was so ready for it, but then I blew out my knee a month before the race & could only do the swim.  I trained again last year, but lost my dad a few weeks before the race.  While I did finish, I obviously was pretty spent emotionally. My goal for this year is to do a couple of sprints & just finish strong.   
FAMILY STATUS: Married (10 yrs), one son & one daughter (5 yr old twins) 
CURRENT TRAINING: I've been training with a group since late January - one group swim and one bike/run brick with them per week.  I've been getting in a total of 2-3 swims per week, just 1 bike, and 1-2 run workouts.  I've seen a huge improvement in my swim this year; I've gone from barely managing a single 2:30/100 yds to averaging that for 1000 yds.  Biking has been my strength for the past two years, though after last week's first (outside) ride of the season, I have a very long way to go to feel strong again there.  Now that the wx is nice, I hope to add a second outdoor ride each week.  The run is my biggest challenge.  I've just started training with some women from our local running club to help me make sure I get in 3 runs per week. 
LAST YEAR'S RACES: 2009 - NorthEast Md Sprint Tri (swim only)  2010 - WDF 5K (1st since highschool!), Columbia IronGirl sprint tri. 
2011 RACES:  Celebration sprint (Columbia, MD), NorthEast sprint (NE, MD), a few 5Ks throughout the summer, & a 10K in the fall.  My goal is to build up to/train at olympic distances this summer/fall so that I am ready for our local olympic tri early next spring.  
WEIGHTLOSS: Success here will be a big part of getting stronger/faster.  I need to lose a good 40 lbs.  Curiously, I've lost about 2" off my waist since Jan, but I haven't lost any weight to speak of or even improved my body fat %.  The extra weight really kills me on the hills we have here. I'm hoping that those of you who've already succeeded here can give me some pointers on losing weight while training hard. 

I joined a BT mentor group for the first time this past winter & it was great.  I look forward to getting to know you all..

Hi Chris! I'm in Memphis, so would love to join your group - its always fun to meet others in my area.

NAME: mylissahorrocks/ Mylissa
STORY: 3.5 years ago, I decided to work on the "mommy pounds" by getting back in the pool. I trained for a 1 mile lake swim at our childhood home, and completed that. Christmas 2010, I realized it was time to start again, so got on a sprint tri training plan.
FAMILY STATUS: Married (12 years), 3 kids (10,8,6) 2 dogs, 4 horses
CURRENT TRAINING: I completed the sprint training plan second week in March, which got me ready for the Wildman Du in Orlando. Just started Hal Higdon's 10k plan.
LAST YEAR'S RACES: nothing  
2011 RACES:  Move it Memphis 5K, Wildman Sprint Duathlon, - no idea what's next (see recovery section!)
WEIGHTLOSS: Hovering around 130, and having a hard time getting any lower. Would love to get the legs back in shape.
RECOVERY: Shortly after the Duathlon on March 12, my left shoulder locked up - calcific tendonitis. I've been in PT and recovery for this injury, and am now dealing with pain due to an shoulder girdle imbalance. I'm trying to stay on some sort of plan, now that I have full range of motion, but haven't gotten back in the pool.

Was in a BT Mentor group that just finished up...it was so helpful! 

Mylissa I am glad to have you with us. And meeting a local BT'er is allows a pleasure. Are you going to be ready for the Memphis in may sprint or one of the other S2F Events?  If not, we need to figure out what you are going to try and do before the season is over.  We are lucky to have so many good races right out our back door.  That injury sounds painful.  Good luck with the recovery and let me know how we can help as the PT is closing down and the training starts picking up.

Erin it is great to have you in the group.  Don't wear yourself out with all of your activity.  Allow yourself enough time for your body to recover.  Do you build in at least one rest day per week at a minimum?  If not, you need to.  This includes your tennis time. Congratulations on the weight loss so far.

Thanks Chris.  I am organizing and playing in a lot of tennis leagues, which makes it difficult to have a non-activity day - but I definitely understand that it is important.  Would stretching or yoga be ok for that 'off' day, or should I truly not be doing any activity?  I'm a pretty active person, so it's hard to imagine not doing any kind of light workout.  I've started riding my bike to work too - 6.3 miles each way.  Thought I'd do that 2-3 times per week.  If I combine tri workouts that would help (is that called a Brick?).

I am such a newbie to this and even to having a structured training plan, but love it!  I have used WeightWatchers online for 2 years to track my food and activity, which has been very successful for my weight loss (that whole 'output needs to be greater than calories in' thing!).  I probably should start tracking my nutrition in my BT log too!  I have a lot to learn about all of this.  Bonked last night in my tennis match - arms turned to jello and I didn't have anything other than water with me.  Live and learn.

I'm definitely thinking I need to do a tri (Sprint, and maybe even an Oly in late summer) before my original 9/11/11 Luna Bar Challenge - it seems so far away!!  There's a tri here in Sacramento that is a paddle on the American River instead of the swim that I'm researching.

New addiction growing here...