Matt Gilmartin's Group- CLOSED~ we're swimming! (Page 4)

Thanks for the inclusion.  Is this blog where we need to go in the future or will be there a group set up for us?

Just a hint about my running...since I read about your use of music.  One of the things I've learned to do is to run without the Ipod.  I know, it's quite the challenge but it certainly made a huge difference.  You really do just concentrate on your running and pace. 

I saw a few of your tips that you posted about swimming and can't wait to start puting them to practice.  Should be starting my swimming after the first week of January. 

 Here's to Twenty Twelve!

This will be our blog... I'll have Ron close it to "us" when we're capped.  

Tell me about pace- do you count your foot strikes, use a Garmin or some other GPS, or what's the secret?  I'd love to be able to work out without music- the fact that you can't use music during any USAT sanctioned event means that my average training day doesn't simulate the race experience at all.

STORY: Was always interested in sports, but for some excuse or another never got a chance to play.  Stuck to bowling and dabbled in golf.  Later on in life, I gained the freshman 15 and felt like crap.  Then I discovered a video game called Dance Dance Revolution.   Played the hell out of the game, competed nationally, the whole works.  Life interrupted again and I stopped playing, keeping in mind that the game also lost popularity.   Always wanted to run a marathon, that was on my bucket list to do, but I decided why not today?  Thankfully, my girlfriend was training for her first Triathlon (sprint, South Shore Triathlon), I got harassed to do a charity run for the Chicago Marathon, and I pulled 30 mins or so in my first 5k.  Since then, I have been hooked.  I wanted to just dive right into Triathlons, much to the chagrin of my girlfriend and (now tri) coach I waited until I finished the Marathon to do so.  Every race I've done while challenging and I run/walk, it's not as bad as I think it is, so I want to get more into it.  I personally would love to do a 70.3 this year if my legs will carry me that far, but I don't want the miles to look bigger than my knees.

FAMILY STATUS: Single, soon to be engaged, father to two cats . . .

CURRENT TRAINING: Not consistent, but I have a Tri Coach, and I'm in the process of switching gyms.  Might dabble in CrossFit

THIS YEAR'S RACES:  Crapload of 5k's, Soldier Field 10 Mile, 13.1 Chicago, Rock and Roll Half Marathon, Chicago Half Marathon, Chicago Marathon.

2012 RACES:   Plans for 2011 races, with the additon of the Bigfoot Triathlon for my first sprint, 70.3 Racine if I'm up to the task, then Bangs Lake (instead of the Chicago Marathon) and possibly one more race.

WEIGHTLOSS: Not really interested in weight loss, I'm at 6'4 and 200 pounds.  Really long legs.

Other Notes:   Really want to do this right the first time.  I haven't invested any $ in gear right now (haven't even bought a bike yet, that is stressful!).  Also interested in nutrition, definitely.  My legs cramped at the Chicago Marathon.

If you're still open, I'd like to join the group.

Name: Doug

Location: Maryland (Baltimore suburbs)

Family Status: Married for 9 years, 1 4 year old son, 2 dogs and 2 cats

Story:  I'm 39 and have been fairly active my whole life. I go to the gym pretty regularly and until recently really enjoyed playing basketball. The knees don't really like that any more, so I've been looking for other ways to keep in aerobic shape. Swimming really appealed to me, so I've just started swimming for fitness (began 6 weeks ago.) I trained for and rode a century bike ride with Team in Training back in 2009. Although I haven't kept it up like I should, I know I enjoy riding and can do distances. Adding swimming to that, and even though I dislike running scheduling a tri seemed like a natural goal to keep me motivated (and something to cross off my bucket list.) Then I looked and the local Columbia Tri (olympic distance) is falling on my 40th birthday, and it seemed like destiny. My goal is just to finish the race rather than aiming for a fast time.

Current training: As mentioned, I'm looking to train for the Columbia Tri this May. Right now I'm focusing on trying to develop my swimming. Starting from zero 6 weeks ago with a lot of reading and watching online videos, I've made decent progress but still need a lot of improvement. I'm spending 30-45 minutes swimming 2-3 times/week. I'm also trying to spend 1 day on a stationary bike or in a spin class, along with 3 weight lifting sessions. When the weather gets nicer I'll add a second longer ride in on weekends, and when the race gets closer will replace most of the weightlifting with running workouts. But I really dislike running, plus it's the highest impact of the 3, so my plan is to limit my running as much as possible while still building a decent base there.

This year's races: Columbia Tri. Maybe the Seagull Century in the fall, or another long bike ride in the later summer/fall. Possibly another tri if I enjoy the first one and can find one in the area.

Weightloss: In addition to just being able to say I did it, one of my major goals with taking up swimming was to improve fitness. I'm 6-3, 205 and would like to get down to 190 or so. I was at 185 when I rode the century, and was at 195 for years before that. But the extra weight is all around my middle and it doesn't look good (and makes my pants tight.)

Santa's gifts: A Triathlon 101 Book and a real pair of swim trunks (I'd been using the typical baggy beach trunks.)

I don't have an indoor spin bike. The weather here is usually pretty favorable to ride outdoors. I may look into geting one of those contraptions that allows you to use a regular bike inside, like rollers. I am not very well versed in the "triathlete lingo" yet    suggestions?  I have started using the ones at the gym, but obviously don't know that much about actually spinning.

and I'd like to note that I have it much easier than most everyone on this page. I am a stay at home mom for now and have been for 7 yrs so I have AMPLE time to workout. So, there will be NO SYMPATHY for me if I choose to cut corners!!

Doesn't this look amazing?  Anyone ever participated in a series like this?  Seems pretty time consuming but I bet it's incredibly helpful.  My pesky work schedule is clearly getting in the way of all the fun things I'd rather be doing!

http://www.dctri.com/event-info-overview/tri-clinic-series.html

Hi All!

It looks like we're close to full now- I can't believe we maxxed out before the New Year.  I'm pretty excited and loving the enthusiasm...

Anyway, would everyone mind PM'ing me their data they wish to share with the group?  I'm thinking the following:

Real Name: Matt

Screenname: mcgilmartin

Location: Illinois and sometimes Colorado

Biggest Goal for year: 2 70.3's- Racine and Branson

Anything else: I want to be not only the best mentor I can be, but be the best mentor on BT.  Period.  LOL

I'll compile it and put it in an entry so we all know everyone else.  I'll compile the final list and close the group off.  Here's to a very exciting 2012!

Hi Matt,

  Just wanted to check with you about being part of the group...I am excited about the prospects!

Thanks, Melinda Cumming

Hi Matt, I am still a beginner even after completing the DC Tri in June 2011.  I would like to join your group please.

Lori Conklin

Lori,

Besides your lack of experience (what we're looking for), the fact that you are an MD would make you a compelling member of this group.  Welcome!

Will,

Welcome aboard!  PM me where you live- I'm from the Chicago area originally too.

John,

I love this story- you're going to be great.  Welcome!

Doug, you're in!  My last member~ looking forward to working with you all!

Aaron-

Great question!  I'll need some information on your bike- are you using a double or triple chain ring on the front? I need the specs (# of teeth).  Do you know what size your cassette is?  Once we have those two things, we can begin to troubleshoot the fact that you're a great cyclist LOL.

Hi Matt,

Not sure if your group is still open, but you are still on the open list

I would like to join your group if possible. I have been running for about 2 years now. I volunteered at the Ironman here in August and really want to do one in the future! I am thinking maybe 2013 . . . I don't know how to swim. I never had lessons as a kid but can keep myself from drowning. I took my first lesson at the local Y on 11/19 and have been watching a lot of videos on you tube! I signed up to do an indoor triathlon at the Y, swim 10 minutes, bike 30 minutes, run 20 minutes. I did it and loved it and really want to do more. There is a sprint and olympic distance tri here in June and another in July. I am looking at one of those and possibly a 70.3 in Branson or Augusta in 2012. I am new to biking too, but I do have a bike. I just got it recently but haven't been able to ride it much as it is getting too cold. I live in Louisville, KY.

This year I have done my first and second marathons and have also done 4 half marathons and several shorter distance races. I love running!

Please let me know if you have room left in your group! Thanks!

Selena

(selenag)

As far as the running goes.  I've never counted steps and I'm not even sure how one goes about doing that.  For Christmas I just received a Timex Ironman GPS Global.  Before that the only way I'd track my runs was by using the maps I created on dailymile of my runs.  I did get a rude awakening already.  I thought I was under 7 minutes on a 3 miler and found out with this watch it was only about 2.5 miles which meant I was running at a 7:30 pace instead.  Not the end of the world but being under 7 would be sooo much better.  My boys are both runners and don't use music and I have a few friends that are fairly quick and they told me that they didn't use music either.  The first few times were difficult but now I don't even miss it.  I'm still fairly new to all this so cadence, step counting and all the other lingo that's being tossed around is all pretty foreign. Hopefully with time I can start speaking tri~