Todd's Tri Turtles - (Beginners, Sprint, 5K, 10K) - CLOSED (Page 4)

Jason, I can tell you that the only strength training I do with any form of regularity is for my core.  To be honest if I go to the gym it's usually to attend spin glass or to run on the treadmill due to bad whether or time of day.  You will find others that say you should strength train 2+ times a week - that works for them.  I guess for me I just can't see doing leg presses or whatever it may be, when I am training to do a bike ride of whatever distance it may be.  You improve by doing is my thought, but I have never been a weightlifter so it really wasn't a change for me.  Do what works for you, I know that some guy / gals can only relieve stress in the weight room and that is fine, it just doesn't need to be as frequent.  Please bear in mind that I am referring to flat out weightlifting type strength training for hours each week.  Like I said I will run through 15 minute circuits a couple times a  week for core and general strength, but that is not all the time.  So yes it does help, but to me there is a limit. 

Also you cracked me up with the Z2 comment. I recently started training by HR and thought I was never gonna finish my run in Z2, that run and Z2 were part of the inspriation behind the Turtle.

Just purchased a Garmin 310xt w/ HR monitor off ebay for $165 all in. The description said that it is a new unit that the packaging was damaged on.

I'm excited to get it next week and I plan on figuring out my RHR and MHR so I can start some zone training.

I had to dip into the bike fund in order to get the Garmin, hopefully in the long run it will be worth it. I am hoping to have a bike by July 1st so as to have a few months of T.I.T.S to get ready for my Tri. 

Hi Dawn, Jim, and Ashley, and welcome!

Jim-You've hit the nail on the head with your comment about balancing life and training. It's one of the hardest things to manage! And just when you think you get the schedule right, something else happens to change what you can do and when.

Dawn, thanks for the pointer re: HTML paragraph command. I know very little computer stuff, I'll give it a go later (once I turn the tablet on) and see how it goes.

And Ashley, just getting started is the single biggest step on the road, congratulations .

Heart rate monitors, I was going to ask who uses one! I invested in a Polar RS300X about 3 months ago and I use it for every workout. I chose Polar mostly for the ability to work in water, which is great. The watch is fairly small and the interface OK, but the seperate GPS unit is large and clunky and I must admit I don't use it much. For GPS tracking I take my phone and use the Runkeeper app, which gives me a nice map and an accurate distance. The added bonus is I have my phone if I get into any sort of trouble...hasn't happened yet (touch wood) and around here the worst I'll get is wild dogs or pigs, and that's pretty unlikely.

Glad to know its not just me! luckily for this Tri you don't have to know how to swim. The swim is time capped at 18 minutes so if you choose to just stand at the wall you can.

woo-hoo!!

I find & believe that strength training will help me to not injure myself. Last year after completing the C25K program my right hip went completely out of alignment (ouch!). Poor core, back & hip musculature were to blame. I agree with Todd that focusing in the core is important - it plays a role in running, biking, swimming, everything. Paying attention to the upper body will keep you "balanced" since you are putting in so much leg work. I do traditional (i.e. free weights) full body strength training 1x a week and do a yoga/Pilates session 1x a week.

I've been doing 2 days weight training per week to try to increase strength. One of my main motivators for getting into fitness/triathlon was to improve/regain strength I've lost with middle age. It has been a little hit and miss, as if I use the weights at home I'm invariably interrupted by my 3 year old daughter who wants to join in, and if I use the free weights at the gym I can never find what I want to use.

Generally though, I try and do one workout of deadlifts/single leg squats/pushups and seated rows, plus 6 core exercises one day, then later in the week do lunges/squats/pullups/shoulder press and 6 different core exercises. I aim for 3 sets of 8 reps, reasonably heavy weights.

I'll be at Texas Woman's University for a BS in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics. What are you studying?

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to the move and to getting to know each of you!

Alright everyone, here is a list of everyone in the group. (there may be one more coming in)

First Rule of the Group is to add each person to your friends list.  For those of you that don't know it's on the bottom left corner of your training log page.  Click on the plus buttom next to the word FRIENDS and then add each person.  Tip, if you click on ... it will allow you to enter a few characters of the name and then let you select from the matching list.  If you type it out it has to be exact.

Todd's_Tri_Turtles

Hunting_Triathlete_-_Todd  

MJSolt_-_Mike

corbetjackson50_-_Corbet

ibr80_-_Isaac

Taringa_-_Anna

NMS_-_Noreen

Usulsuspct_-_Jason

Rnay225_-_Rennay

KaraSchmitz_-_Kara

Hubbie_-_Beth

RZ0_-_Jim

iamDawnAnderson_-_Dawn

afischer01_-_Ashley

I pulled these out of my log and placed links with them, but I do not believe the links worked when I copy and pasted it here.  You can go to my page and see where / how I have the list, but I also have everyone listed in my friends list. 

Second Rule,

Everyone needs to log their workouts, and try to do so daily.  First if you don't do so then you can not tell when / how you are improving.  Also if you ask a question in reference to training and I along with the others in the group can not see where you are at the advice given is almost like a shot in the dark.  By logging almost every day, it also helps to ensure that you are on here, staying active, and are more likely to post and stay involved.  Most of you wanted to be held accoutable and motivated, but I and others can't tell if your working out if you are not logging.  I can tell you that logging is free.

Third Rule is connected to Second Rule,

Try to sent out at least one inspire to each member of the group over the course of the week.  You can space them out, do them all in one night, however you want.  The main thing is that we all try to support each other.  EVERYONE IN THE GROUP SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED AN INSPIRE FROM ME TONIGHT TO SHOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT.

Alright Turtles, Last Thing for now.

I asked that everyone remember that this group is for everyone, whether slow or fast.  We will not minimize the accomplisments of others in the group no matter how slow or short they may or may not be.  I do feel that it needs to be stated and has already come up today that everyone is at different stages in experience and training.  For example, Jason posted today that he did an impressive 7 mile run, which is freaking great and was his accomplishment for the day.  Don't be afraid, and I encourage you to post right after his than you were able to run 1 mile non-stop today for the first time.  That is equally as impressive and needs to be celebrated just the same and I'm sure he will.  You have to remember that even the most experienced here has been a beginner and knows what it's like.  I can say that I have fallen to this before, I thought something I did was good and then read about someone elses time or distance and just kept it to myself.  I think some of this is why people stop participating in groups and the sport.  You are you, and that is what we will all focus on.  I said it before, I think this is going to be a great and a very supportive group, so I don't see anyone doing anything wrong, I mainly don't want people to be skeptical about posting. 

You can feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns you may have, but please try to ask tri related questions in the group thread.  NO questions are stupid or to small, if you are wander what the answer is, the likelyhood is that someone else wants to know as well.

Know your limits - if you go out to hard at the start and hurt yourself you are less likely to continue with this group and training.  We all tend to get pumped up and want to go 100 mph right from the start but we have to workout smart.  This kind of ties in with what is stated above, challenge yourself but don't think you have to do or be where others are. 

I will try to issue challenges for the group from time to time, with the first one being posted this Saturday or Sunday for next week.  That's called a tease!

Already stated, but everyone needs to start logging your workouts. 

Remember everyone needs to be active in the group, positive, and supportive.  (I think this group is going to be freaking awesome)  If y'all (Texas thing) can't tell I'm a pretty big cheerleader, but alot of that is becuase I found that it does motivate me to continue on the path I'm on. 

Lastly and I don't believe this will happen with anyone in this group, but if you decide to move on and no longer wish to be a part of this group or triathlon please let the group know in the thread or me by PM.  Please understand that when you do, I WILL try to talk you out of it, unless it's just you wanting to change groups because you think another group may be better suited for you.

One last thing and it is going to be extremely corny, but here it is anyway

IT'S TURTLE TIME

Anna, I really like the 310 XT by Garmin.  It has GPS, ANT Technology, Water Resistant, 18 Hour Battery Life, HR monitor and recording, Detailed maps after your rides / runs + plus tracks outdoor swims.  Now the 910 is the Cadillac of Garmin and does the same plus some but comes with a heavier price tag.

I recently got a deal from Bowflex and I picked up the dumbbell set with the bench and stand for the dumbbells and it also came with a training DVD packages with bands and all. Everything retailed for about $1000 and got it shipped to the house for $450. So I try to do weight training at least 3 times a week but I stick to Chest, back & Arms. With all the bike riding Im doing there is not way I'm going to blow a muscle with squats and stuff like that. I feel I have to do it because after loosing 130 pounds I need the toning. But I was sort of wondering if the more muscle would require more oxygen when doing endurance type stuff so Im glad you brought it up. Anybody else have thoughts ??

That is terrific. The group will be pumping you for your nutrition tips .

I am originally from Texas.  I am an A&M alum (go aggies!)  I will be at the University of Colorado medical campus working on my PhD in Biochemistry.  

Cowabunga!