left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 46)

FBP - you and me both...I am committed to getting back at it this week.  I have a marathon to run in 4 weeks and from work and being sick I have not run in over a week and nothing of any distance in a month.  I am going to do two short ones this week and a long (my last long run before the marathon) next weekend.

My commitment for the week is 2 runs and one workout before the weekend and then one long run and a ride of some sort next weekend....so that looks like 5 workouts for me this week....keep me accountable.

sTRIve

Dan - an awesome plan.  Thanks for your sharing.  Hopefully your ankle will get better soon. 

I have pinged Ron and it seems we will soon have some new meat....smile.  What I am thinking is to start a new group so the list is fresh and then after we get our folks direct them to this link so they can begin to slowly read through the historical posts.  There is so much incredible information here that we should share it with the masses.....I remember some "behind" the scene incidents - Mav - and some miracle movie clips - FBP....as well as some other incredible stories like "The Little Turtle Who Could"  I also think seeing all of our moves throughout the year would be reassuring....what are ya'll's thoughts???  Are two apostrophes allowed in the same word?  ya'll's looks okay to me....but I AM from Texas!

sTRIve

Hi everyone. I got invite to join, so first of all thank you for letting me into your group.

Background: My name is Jennifer. I've been a couch potato all my life. Well, that's not exactly fair. I worked like a maniac which left no time for me. There. That's more accurate. I climbed my way up the corporate ladder as the numbers on the scale also kept climbing topping out at 272.

In 2005, I got so burned out that I made a change. Scaled back at work. Joined a gym. Eventually hired a personal trainer. He suggested I start running. I did. Albeit slowly. Very slowly. Slower than most people walk. Fast forward to now. I'm still slow but not as slow. (12 min miles in my last race - a PR that has been years in the making). I've done a 5K, a 5 miler, two half marathons, preparing for my third. And planning on a Full in October. I picked Portland because they give you 8 hours and let you use your mp3 player.

He also convinced me to learn to swim. To do that I first had to overcome fear of water. I worked with a wonderfully kind an patient instructor who came to my first sprint tri this past October (very short sprint, more like a nano). 250 yd swim, 9 mile ride, 2 mile run.  Shortly before that race, I found BT.com and started to settle in and make friends here.

Distance running is cool but it's hard on my body, so I could see myself switching to sprint tris after the marathon.

In the course of this adventure I've dropped 80 lbs and discovered underneath all that lies a pretty cool person. Not only capable at work, but capable of living. A rich, full, balanced life.

On the personal side, I'm single but not for much longer. He doesn't like me talk about us online, so I respect that and don't. We don't have kids or pets. But we might adopt a shelter dog soon. I love 'em as you can see by my avitar.  

 My goal with this program is working on the bike. I am painfully slow. So slow I fear the bike will fall over. I have an old mtn bike but I'm not blaming the bike. I just don't ride enough. So much time trying to learn to swim, build a base for running, etc that I didn't work the bike into my schedule. Now it's cold. But biking more is a major goal. I'm looking for pointers and motivation.

I'm verbose, as you see. And a bit of a cheerleader. Love to see people happy and succeeding. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Thanks. I added the people who posted on the last few pages to my friends list.Stop by my logs. I love to get Inspires. They are so motivating. My favorite feature of this site.

My current training comes out to around 5-6 hours per week. Theoretically it's closer to 10, but realistically it's been more in the 5-6 hr range. Biggest challenge is getting outside when it's cold and dark. I'm up but procrastinate leaving the house. Oh well...

AM Run + AM wgts on Monday + swim Monday night with Masters

Swim on Tues (no major yardage, just start and stop because I am working with my instructor/coach)

Long run Wed

Spin class + Elliptical Thursday (although if it's warm enough I will ride outside)

Run on Friday

Run on Saturday

Bike on Sunday

Sometimes I substitute a easy swim for the bike on Sunday. Sometimes I goof off.

When I run, I run slow and easy most days. I've struggled with injury so I'm cautious. Any pain and I xtrain. 

Next big thing is Myrtle Beach Half in about two months. Just looking to finish. I would push the pace, but when I do, I get hurt. So now it's about running at a pace my body can handle for the long term. 

Jennifer - you will have a nickname soon I am sure....as soon as we all know you well enough.  We are a family here so please take a few days and slowly read through the earlier posts to get to know us.  We are pretty bold, and pretty blunt but it is all in good fun and because we like each other.....like this....

Leston - get off your butt and go for a run....it's been a WHILE hasn't it....I can tell....your avatar is gaining weight.....LOL!!!!

Jenn - no really - we are all here about finishing....go into the old posts or search if that is available for the leatherback turtle story...that is us.  You will also be able to see our goals from last year and you can notice on page one that our group crossed 53 finish lines so far in 2008....maybe we will get a Santa run or something to add another one or two.

All - I think we should have a finish line goal of 100 for 2009!  How many are you "in" for?

Also, we don't talk about slow....that is a bad word.  Compare yourself to the millions of people who are spending time on their couch....we beat ALL of them to the finish line.

Welcome to the group, you will fit in well....just relax and enjoy.

sTRIve

Jenn - one other thing.  I would not run back to back on Friday/Saturday.  I would run Friday, Bike Saturday and then run Sunday.  Two reasons, you seem to bag the bike some on Sunday and I want you on the bike.  Second, the body needs the time to recover from the run.  Split them by two days.  I am amazed that you don't enjoy the bike so much that you will bag a run for a bike....I will pedal for days instead of running...maybe it is that I like to sit down.  The balance will reduce the incidence of injury.  You will also improve your run by biking more.  I understand it is cold - go to spin class twice a week....when it warms up - get outside.  If you have a trainer - ride once a week on the trainer.  In the case of spin class - if you go to a spin class that is like riding outside, that is great....if it is an instructor that has you do totally unrealistic rides, do your own thing.  You should be re-creating a "real" ride in spin class.

sTRIve

All - I have PM'd a few people who expressed an interest in joining a group to let them preview us to see if we are a fit for them.  A little different approach than the usual BT way, but hey, we are a bunch of turtles and we have always done it our way, right?  So here is what I sent them....if you know anybody out there you want to invite, go for it.  I think we will probably limit it at some point but with all of you insanely smart lieutenants/coaches/mentors....we could probably take a little larger group than normal.

Here was my note to them....

I am sending you this because you expressed an interest in a mentor group.  I thought I would tell you a little about ours since you seemed enthusiastic in your post about joining a group.

We started a group last January and there are currently 5 of us still very active.  We all share our goals and hopes and dreams and fears together.  We all share our finish lines and have had a GREAT year.  We agreed as a group to open up this year and have a group of new folks, lieutenants and then there's me.  I think we will be a unique group as you will be getting ideas from multiple experienced triathletes at all distances.  We have someone in the group doing every distance this year.  Honestly, all of the other folks in my group could mentor their own group but they want to stay together.  I think that says a lot about "us". 

If you are interested check us out at the link below.  If you would like to join us, just post on the site (as Jennifer did).  You will be in.  This is a little different than most groups as you can read some of the older posts and see if we are a fit for you.

If you go another direction, good luck in achieving all of your dreams and goals.  We will see you at the finish line.  Also, if you try another group and it doesn't work, feel free to ping us and come play in our group.  Here's the link:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=100380&posts=1&start=1

sTRIve,
Bryan

If you are one who received this PM, consider yourself lucky....smile....no really, we have a lot of fun and I am doing this a little different this year....letting you see what you are getting before you "buy" - some groups are different and if you are looking for something different, I encourage you to keep searching....this is who we are and how we roll.  Join us if you dare!!!!  In 2009, we will cover every triathlon distance there is, one step at a time....it really is......left.right.repeat - they will tell you when to stop.

sTRIve - see you at the finish line,

Bryan

One more thing - here's a holiday challenge from Endurance Nation....check out this link...

http://www.endurancenation.us/en_coach/challenge_run_Dec2008.php

if you all want to do this, sign up as a trial member beginning on or after the 18th...that will keep you on thru the 1st of Jan....it is a cool forum and coaching service....a little different twist on all the LSD training....I think I am going to use them next year.

We can form a team if you want but it looked like fun...I am going to do it....so, if nothing else, I can earn $8 credit to spend.....smile....see - I am a tightwad.

Let me know if you want to do this.... 

sTRIve

Many people use my screen name and call me WAEF for short.

Thanks for the tip on the bike. I've heard that before. I guess my concern is running enough to build up a base. I have my sights on a full marathon in October. Before tri training, I would run 30 mpw as a base and up to 45 miles before a half.

Now with tri training I'm not sure how to adjust my schedule. What impact does swimming and biking have on the base I need for a half marathon or a full? How do you all handle it? I've heard and read that winter is off season for tris. So do you run more miles in winter? My half is in Feb and the Full is in October. I'd like to do at least two sprint tris. One spring one end of summer. I know I'll be ready for the sprints, it's the distance run that I'm not sure how to plan for. 

I have lots of other questions, but instead of bombarding you right now, anybody have thoughts on the above?

YAY - I got an invite and now I'm TOTALLY confused on what to do! WAEF is one of my inspirations, and I know she just joined this group... So, I'm VERY torn... your group sounds WONDERFUL... I love the advice you just gave WAEF... of course, I didn't look at the posts leading up to the advice, but I'll get there eventually...

My dilemma? I joined Gordo Bryn's Mentor Group... THE guru of triathlons... I'd be interested in seeing how much time he's going to invest in his group - there's 21 mentees...He started out by coaching, and to tell you the truth, I'm not looking for another coach - I joined TnT for coaching... I'm looking for someone to check up on me, give me inspiration, count my finish lines - and of course be a source of information along the way... I'm thinking this group is a better fit for me.

My history (in a nutshell): I lost about 50 pounds about 3 years ago by diet and moderate exercise (curves) - about a year and a half ago, I started running with the goal of running a marathon... I met that goal 1 year later in May - I finished the marathon in 6:02:56 and the next day my leg swelled something awful - I had 2 stress fractures on my tibia... so, I took 3 months off of running.... I gained back about 10 pounds which means I need to lose 20 pounds now to reach my goal... I decided that if I wanted to avoid further injuries, I need to do more x-training... then WAEF did her triathlon... I got inspired... I joined BT, I joined TnT, and now I'm wanting a Mentor...

I have LOTS of races planned in the coming year... I love racing  - So, I think I can help you to your 100 finish lines

Now to go back to page 1 of reading - YIKES!

Well, I went to page 1, then read 2 - 4ish... then skipped to 17ish... then 40something... okay, I didn't get "bored" just too much info to digest all at once...

I'd rather get to know you from here on out... what do you think? I know there's a ton of info on those pages, would you mind giving the info again if I needed it? 

Also, I need to tell you my age: 46 - I have 2 boys ages (almost) 18 & 20... neither live with me  I live with my Dear Boyfriend. I work full-time as a geek (Computer Programmer/Analyst) - oh yeah, and in case you couldn't guess, I love playing cards - poker, bridge, spades, canasta, pinochle, ohell, etc... if you've heard of it, I probably know how to play it... 

WAY past my bedtime now - I'm still not thinking like an athlete in training... g'nite

Welcome Diane and Jennifer....I'm SOOOO GLAD to see some estrogen being added to this group!!!! Although our group is Fabulous..supportive and kind...its nice to have female company.

 I have been so busy lately that I havent posted much. Unlike Leston, I have not been slacking! I have been on my trainer daily this month and I have logged over 300 miles so far this month!!!I am trying to win the BT "get your a$$ on the drainer" challenge. So far I am in second place. I guess you could say I am a bit competative As of this am I have also lost 5 pounds. This is the most weight I have lost in a long time so I am thrilled!

Dont worry about being "slow". I can speak for myself and some of the others when I say we are not breaking any speed records here. Hence the name Left, right, repeat.

My family is flying in today for the holidays...and I'm cooking for 16 on Saturday! SO if you dont hear from me for a few days...it cause I am doing dishes. It will be so much fun. Once the holidays are over serious training begins for my first 1/2 Mary. I'm a little concerned as I have not been ramping up my mileage...I still have time. Bryan do you think I'll be OK...its Feb 22? I still need re assurance

 Leston I like your new avitar...and I dont think you look like youve gained weight! Hey Pete. Are you burried in snow yet? Dan is getting faster in his swimming...GO Dan. Bryan, once again, thanks for keeping our group together.

Welcome to our new members

Hey Diane! Cool having you stop in. Cooler still if you join. No pressure though. I know you have some really high goals. Gordo has a rep and so I'd understand if you stay with him.

I personally have been lurking on all the mentor threads. There's a ton of info on all the threads and on the tri talk forum. 

I haven't read the previous 40+ pages of this group either, but what drew me here (beyond the invite) is this group actually stayed together after the program ended. I'm looking for that type of connection on this site. 

All - I overslept. Had great plans of at least 10 miles on the bike. I'm trying to move my day around so I can get out there and pedal. Thanks for the inspiration. Of all three sports, the bike is my weakest by far. I'll check back in and let you know how much I got done. 

Anybody use a bike training plan? Or do you just ride for time? I've been doing the latter. Not enough. But that's been my plan so far. Any other ideas?

How fantastic!  I received the invite and after reviewing the thread I want to join!  Thanks all.

Name: Gary (yes I have a very creative forum name!)

Story: 46.  Started running in 2007 doing pretty well, 5k's moving down to the mid 20's getting ready for a 1/2 when an injury (popped a knee crawling into a ditch) and subsequent surgery sidelined me.  Doc says no marathons, etc so refusing to submit I got the idea of a Tri from some runner friends on this site.  

Status: Married.  Fantastic wife and two kids both very athletic!

Current Training: Cycling and swim lessons/practice.  Running re-starts in Jan.

2008 Races: All running.  Best 5k 24:46. Ran a one mile race at 6:35. 

2009 Races: Shooting for Dua and a 10K in March, a Tri (sprint) in April.  1/2 marathon in Oct.  Hopefully a few others along the way.

Weight loss: 5'11+.  Started at 199, currently at 184.  Trying to get to 178

Why: Dad died of heart disease at 50, pretty much most male relatives are dead.  I want to be there to help raise my grandkids and my path prior to running was not the right direction.  I need a goal for exercising and Tri's are a perfect goal!

One item I forgot to mention. As WAEF and Diane know, I like humor (although I am not sure it likes me).  I am serious about my training but don't take myself too seriously. 

FYI, I didn't read all of the thread but enough to know I think this is the group for me.

Penguins re-united! Cool!

Well I did it. I rode 15.83 miles on my bike. Sheer determination.

Now for a question, it's hilly where I live. I'm not sure what's the best way to train. Should I keep my bike in a set gear and power my way through the hills standing when necessary, or change to an easier gear and try to maintain a set cadence. 

I posted my avg pace by mile. For the first few miles I tried to do seated climbs, but realized I'd never go the distance like that. For about 6 miles or so I stood up on hills. For the rest of the ride, I set my bike to a lower gear and pedaled as steady as possible.

It was one tough workout. Took me an hour and 40 minutes. 

Swimming question. When I do a long run in the morning, followed by a swim at night, I get cramps in my hamstring and calf muscles. It's worse when I use fins. So I try not to use them or at most only 50% of the yardage with fins.

It depends on what I'm working on. right now I've working on bilateral breathing drills. 100 left, 100 right, 100 third stroke. Also working on coordinating kick tempo and stoke timing. fast flutter kick for speed intervals and slow, two kick flutter for endurance. For kick tempo, I use fins. I feel the tempo better. But with the cramping issue, I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

Oh, I use blue Zoomers. Have been using them for a year, but my swim coach wants me to get long fins (not split). She said it would help with ankle flexiblity. I'm also doing some stretches for that. Which seem to help the cramps a bit.

Anyway, any other thoughts?

Welcome Jennifer (WAEF), Dianne (Cardholic) and Gary (GaryRM).

Great to have you as part of our group! I am Peter, aka FreddyBeachPete, aka FBP, aka Sticka. A challenge that will cause you to have to scroll back through the pages of posts - guess why I am known as "Sticka". I'll have to think on a prize for whoever (amongst the newbies) comes up with the correct answer first!

I'm from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Must know - where are "all y'all" (how's that for a kid not from Kentucky!) from?

Mav - we've not had much snow yet. Yesterday we got about 2 or 3 inches so it looks like a white Christmas is in store but the little bits of snow we'd received earlier in December had all been washed away by torrential rains. I managed to get out for a run last evening in the midst of the storm. I was thankful for the traction aids (they are called "yak trax" and they are the bomb!) that I was using because the sidewalks had yet to be plowed.

My bike ("Sebastian" ) is sitting in the basement right now. He and I are both hoping that Mrs FBP and the FBPkidlets (Stef 19, Chris 17) have a bike trainer on their xmas lift for dear dad!! I promise that if I get one I'll use it faithfully from now until spring.

Haven't been to the pool in ages - this week proved another disaster for my work schedule but I am off after tomorrow and not back to the office until January 5th. So, there'll be no excuses from here on in. Signed up for a once-per-week swim class that start in January.

Not sure how many finish lines I'll be good for in 2009. I know that on January 1st I am doing the Resolution Run 5k here in Fredericton so that gets us off to a good start! Other plans include at least a couple of sprint tri's, hopefully one Oly distance, some 5k fun runs and a couple of 10k's or HalfMarys.

A couple of thoughts:

Hydration - push more gatorade/powerade, whatever-ade on days with both swim and run?  I have always had cramping issues and getting enough potassium is the key.  Also, since I started taking a 1-a-day vitamin things have gotten better.

Stretching - Are you doing enough pre/post workout stretches?  Makes a difference for me.  I spend a few minutes in the pool stretching, I grab the bar underneath the diving board and use it to stretch.

Sorry not much help!

I know I know *raises her hand* It didn't take me long to find it...

You put stickers on your bike earning you the name "Sticker" but Mav has a boston Accent and thusly called you "Sticka" it "Stuck"