Jeff's Long Course Group - (Open) (Page 4)

Originally posted by ARtridad74

I did my Olympic tri today. I won it, not my AG, I won overall! Couldn't believe it! I don't have all the stats handy but my times were slower than I would have liked due to a very hilly course, but I'm really happy with how it turned out! I'll post details tomorrow.

Originally posted by midwesttrimom

I am doing a semi-recovery week but still managed some long workouts already. Doing the Hy-Vee 5150 age group race in Des Moines this weekend. Scored a free registration so why not? Next week I am planning to do my longest bike ride thus far (5 hours). Shooting for over 80 miles.

Originally posted by parrj



Good luck this weekend. Let us know how it goes.

Originally posted by midwesttrimom



Due to flooding and road conditions the race has been changed to a sprint! UGH! I had planned for today off just because last week was such a long training week. Now I am wondering if I shouldn't hit the pool and swim a 2000 or so and maybe run 4 miles. Always tough to know what to do. Honestly, I would have placed better with an Olympic distance race as I haven't gutted anything out in so long. Oh well, it's the experience, right? Next week I'll do my first 5-hour bike ride. Excited to get that under my belt. Also have my first 2.5 hour run (this training season). Hoping for 18 miles minimum but we will see! Thanks!

Originally posted by midwesttrimom



Can anyone offer any advice here? Just found out that I won't even start my swim until after 9:00 AM. I am pretty bummed as I have planned an entire day around a now sprint distance race! This race is in my own backyard, so another option is to skip it all together (since it was free and I already collected swag) and just do my 5 hour bike tomorrow AM. Thoughts on this???? Help please. No idea what I should do since I am only 8 weeks out from IMFL. I have time to do my long ride later this week but just not sure I should waste 4-5hours tomorrow on a sprint.

Originally posted by parrj



This is a decision only you can make. You are coming off a recovery week, so no need to go out and push your 5hr ride. You still have 8 weeks until your IM. Kicking up the distance too soon can also cause you to burn out. I would enjoy the atmosphere of the race and just go out and see what you can do in a sprint.

Originally posted by midwesttrimom

I got first in my division! Keep in mind that the most competitive women from last year's event were doing the 5150 National Championship race (started 30 min earlier and same venue). If I would have used my qualifying slot to race in that division I would have been 10th/11th place. My run was pretty slow for a sprint, but I fully expected it. Happy with swim and bike. Bike was over 21 mph, which is fast for me! Will do a race report soon! Running and swmming today and 5 hour bike tomorrow!!

Originally posted by midwesttrimom

This makes sense. I did get in 91 miles in 5 hours on the bike and then ran the 3.45 miles at about 8:45 pace. I was tired but certainly not exhausted. I run hard on almost every run but I do train year round so my body has done well with that. So, at least it doesn't sound like I am over-training. ) I may just do a long bike ride with a mile run after next week. All of my training is public as well. Thanks!

Originally posted by S5apiotrowski

Hello Everyone-

My name is Anastasia, and I'd like to join the group. I am 35 y/o, married, and have no kids - but I still have constraints on time (I'm active duty Army working in health care, currently with a 1 hr commute each way from work). I also have sporadic travel, not always anticipated, that can foil plans.

I have no experience with triathlons, but I signed up to complete the Raleigh 1/2 ironman on May 31st, 2015. I have good friends in Chattanooga that compete in triathlons, and I incidentally came across this race when trying to live-track a friend competing in Racine (Darn google auto-fill). My friend competing in this race loathes running - and with watching her smile throughout the race and transitions and look so fabulous crossing the finish. Since I live near Raleigh, there was a discount for signing up the first week, and my friend looked awesome - I decided to go for it and sign up. Since I loathe the water and have a fear of biking, if I didn't go big, I wouldn't go at all... that, and I figured a distant goal would help me focus and remain dedicated to train (which is what I like more than the event at the end).

I have a running background. I did my first Marathon in 2007 (Maui). I was dedicated to train for it, and it was the training program with a distant goal that kept me focussed, and I felt great. I also did the Disney Marathon in January 2010. My training here was not as good as it was for Maui, but it did keep me focussed on something other than being deployed (I was in Afghanistan!). I've done several half marathons (between 2009-2013), and I prefer that distance over the full marathon -- 2 hours of one activity is about right before I get bored and want to move on. I developed exercise induced asthma (new after deployment) noticed by slowing of 1/2 marathon times and coughing and wheezing after short 2-3 mile slow paced (10-11min mile runs). Nonetheless, last year I did a series of half marathons all under 2 hours with a PR of 1:48:52! My current running is between 3-5 miles about 2-4 times a week at a 9:30-11:00 min mile pace.

I bought a bike in the beginning of August. I started riding some loops near my house (10-15 miles), 2-3 times a week, but now I am extending my weekend ride. I live in the country and have some very nice, smooth roads nearby with very little traffic. Any fear I had about riding on the road disappeared after I got out there and now I love it. I've transitioned to clipless shoes. I am still getting more comfortable shifting gears and maneuvering water bottles. According to my Garmin watch, I average between 17.8-18.2 mph. Yesterday I had my longest solo - 35 miles. Something tells me I may want to go ride just to ride (not really to train).

As for swimming - I hate it. I am very bothered by chlorine, but not really a fan of open water or splashing either. I know how to swim, but I am not a strong swimmer. I am used to Army training that involves swimming with boots and uniforms - which is probably at the root of my anxiety. Nonetheless, for the last month I've been going to the pool 2-3 times a week at lunch and swimming for 30-40 minutes. I can do side stroke forever - but its very slow. I've been working at alternating lengths of side stroke and crawl - and I've already seen significant improvement in my crawl endurance. I'm not so good at counting laps and haven't bothered to time anything - I know I am slow. I plan on taking some Master's swim lessons to improve efficiency, but I have been trying to improve my endurance first... I am finally to the point where I spend more time "crawling" than doing the side stroke or resting at the side of the pool.

I honestly haven't looked too much at training plans yet. My plan had been to just build a base and put on miles between now and Christmas. My goal is for each event to be enjoyable - I thought I'd start more of a "formal" training plan with the new year. Nonetheless, I was on the beginner triathlete site, found the forums and thought it would be better to try to join a group now than next summer.

Originally posted by S5apiotrowski

Hello Everyone-

My name is Anastasia, and I'd like to join the group. I am 35 y/o, married, and have no kids - but I still have constraints on time (I'm active duty Army working in health care, currently with a 1 hr commute each way from work). I also have sporadic travel, not always anticipated, that can foil plans.

I have no experience with triathlons, but I signed up to complete the Raleigh 1/2 ironman on May 31st, 2015. I have good friends in Chattanooga that compete in triathlons, and I incidentally came across this race when trying to live-track a friend competing in Racine (Darn google auto-fill). My friend competing in this race loathes running - and with watching her smile throughout the race and transitions and look so fabulous crossing the finish. Since I live near Raleigh, there was a discount for signing up the first week, and my friend looked awesome - I decided to go for it and sign up. Since I loathe the water and have a fear of biking, if I didn't go big, I wouldn't go at all... that, and I figured a distant goal would help me focus and remain dedicated to train (which is what I like more than the event at the end).

I have a running background. I did my first Marathon in 2007 (Maui). I was dedicated to train for it, and it was the training program with a distant goal that kept me focussed, and I felt great. I also did the Disney Marathon in January 2010. My training here was not as good as it was for Maui, but it did keep me focussed on something other than being deployed (I was in Afghanistan!). I've done several half marathons (between 2009-2013), and I prefer that distance over the full marathon -- 2 hours of one activity is about right before I get bored and want to move on. I developed exercise induced asthma (new after deployment) noticed by slowing of 1/2 marathon times and coughing and wheezing after short 2-3 mile slow paced (10-11min mile runs). Nonetheless, last year I did a series of half marathons all under 2 hours with a PR of 1:48:52! My current running is between 3-5 miles about 2-4 times a week at a 9:30-11:00 min mile pace.

I bought a bike in the beginning of August. I started riding some loops near my house (10-15 miles), 2-3 times a week, but now I am extending my weekend ride. I live in the country and have some very nice, smooth roads nearby with very little traffic. Any fear I had about riding on the road disappeared after I got out there and now I love it. I've transitioned to clipless shoes. I am still getting more comfortable shifting gears and maneuvering water bottles. According to my Garmin watch, I average between 17.8-18.2 mph. Yesterday I had my longest solo - 35 miles. Something tells me I may want to go ride just to ride (not really to train).

As for swimming - I hate it. I am very bothered by chlorine, but not really a fan of open water or splashing either. I know how to swim, but I am not a strong swimmer. I am used to Army training that involves swimming with boots and uniforms - which is probably at the root of my anxiety. Nonetheless, for the last month I've been going to the pool 2-3 times a week at lunch and swimming for 30-40 minutes. I can do side stroke forever - but its very slow. I've been working at alternating lengths of side stroke and crawl - and I've already seen significant improvement in my crawl endurance. I'm not so good at counting laps and haven't bothered to time anything - I know I am slow. I plan on taking some Master's swim lessons to improve efficiency, but I have been trying to improve my endurance first... I am finally to the point where I spend more time "crawling" than doing the side stroke or resting at the side of the pool.

I honestly haven't looked too much at training plans yet. My plan had been to just build a base and put on miles between now and Christmas. My goal is for each event to be enjoyable - I thought I'd start more of a "formal" training plan with the new year. Nonetheless, I was on the beginner triathlete site, found the forums and thought it would be better to try to join a group now than next summer.