Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 47)

Any openings left for a 2nd Season Grandma??

Wendy, 45, from Manhattan, Kansas

Married, mother of two grown sons. My 1yr old GrandDaugher, Madilynn, was my inspiration to get back in shape. My journey: I found out in June 2010 that I was to become a Grandma. I was lazy and overweight. Not the kind of Grandma I wanted to be. That week I saw a news story on the Topeka Tinman Triathlon. Something clicked. When I was young I ran track, was on the swim team and rode my bike to get to practices. I secretly made the 2011 Tinman my goal. I started walking and at the end of a mile I was sweating out of breath and my legs were cramping. I kept walking and started to eat healthier and using myfitnesspal.com to log my meals, calories, exercise etc. When the walking got easier I started going to water aerobics, as I knew I wasn't ready to swim laps yet. In November 2010 I started Couch to 5K. In December 2010 I started swimming laps again. One lap at a time at first, it was pathetic! My Granddaughter was born in January 2011 by then I had dropped over 30lbs! In Febraury 2011 I started riding my bike and in March 2011 bought a road bike and was HOOKED on cycling. It is my favorite of the three! On June 18, 2011 I completed the sprint distance of the Topeka Tinman Triathlon in 1hr 35min, I felt like I had won! I loved it so much that I went on to do three more! I'm not fast but I don't give up!

Current Goals: Currently working on going from 5k to 10k. Doing Biking Across Kansas in June. Completing 4-5 Sprint Tri's this summer.

I train 6-7 days per week. I have not used my training log in FOREVER but will start it back up again this weekend!

Despite my Goggletastrophe the other day, I did manage to learn one thing and that is I have NO swimming endurance. Seriously - I swam a 50 free and was almost dead. I can swim for an hour doing breaststroke, but not free. My daughter who is a swimmer said I will be able to work up to the 1/2 mile swim (she swims the 500) just as I worked up to a 3.2 mile run. Is it mandatory to swim free in a tri? I know it gives you the best time, but if I have to alternate between free and breast, will I be the only one? Also looking for goggle reccos and do you wear a swim cap during the swim portion of the swim? 

Thanks and Happy Friday!

Brady

Nice start Chris and not a bad time at all for first run in a while.  I find the training log to be a big motivator ... to see what you've put in at the end of a week-month-year is really great.  Keep up the good work.

Brady ... if you've read back as far as this time last year you will see similar stories within the group.  It was the same for me ... one length down and back in the pool and I thought my head would EXPLODE.  In January I started swimming with a 'masters' swim class which was essentially ones who thought they could swim but really had no clue.  Stick with this on a regular basis; focus on time in the pool and gradually increase your distance and you will see improvement with endurance and speed.  My hour long 400-600m sessions are now at least 1 mile (since Sept.) and getting longer. 

Too, you can use whatever swim stroke you need to in order to get through the swim leg ... breaststroke- backstroke, whatever.  My first race I probably swam the last half via backstroke ... just be determined to finish - whatever it takes.  FWIW ... it took me 'til my 4th race last year wherein I swam freestyle for the whole distance. 

And be sure to post your time, distance, etc in your training log.  Being able to look at your training at the end of the week-month-year will be a source of encouragement.

Thanks Jimmy.

It's going to be cold so I'm dreading it- course it's better than being too hot.

Shelly

Gary,

I just sent a reply to the main site but wanted to reply here as well.  I am a 52 year old and would love to experience the world and training of triathlon.  Trying to figure out how this works and if there is still room for one more. 

I will wait to hear before I write more.

Daniel

How cold Shelly?

Intro

I am Rob.  40 y/o. Married 17+ yrs. 3 kids. 4th season.  1/2 IM (swim cancelled) last year. Going for 1st true 70.3 in June.

Am looking for a group for support and commaraderie during the long winter of sub freezing long runs and 2+ hour Trainer rides.

Wonderful, everyone is in!

Sorry I haven't responded sooner but with my wife out of town I have been busy with the kids.  I will catch up with all today but in the meantime just a reminder:

If I don't have your email address please PM me with it and I will add you to our race calendar.  The Google registration process leaves a lot to be desired so bear with the process.

• If you haven't please post your full intro using the format similar to mine at the beginning of this thread
• When you have time please read this thread from the beginning, lots of great tips and tricks to learn.
• Only obligations are to post here regularly and always remember you have a home here

Wendy, welcome!!!!  You have joined a great group!

You are in!!!  Welcome.

Rob you are in!!!  Welcome to the group.  Was the 1/2 you did NOLA?

At 8am it was in the 30's here and I am only about a 15 min drive to where she is racing.

Go Shelly!!!

Git 'r done Shelly!

I biked 30 minutes @ around a 15mph pace and then ran 2.2 miles @ a 12 minute pace. I am having some pain in my left knee in the front under the patella. Does anyone wear knee braces when they run and do they? My right knee is very "crunchy" when I go upstairs (sorry, that was gross) but doesn't hurt - the left does. You're going to tell me to go see a doctor, right?

OFFICIAL INTRO

NAME: leftrunner- Rob

STORY: I was a division 3 college football player a long time ago.  Stayed in shape through college and graduated at 6'2 180#.  Through 7 years of med school and residency and 7+ years of living, I got completely out of shape and got up to 205# (BMI>25).  On July 8th, 2008, I ran 1.2 miles from The Home Depot to the local YMCA for a lack of transportation.  On July 10th I bought a pair of running shoes.  On July 26th I did a 25:47 5k and have loved racing for the past 3 1/2 years. 

FAMILY STATUS: 40 y/o, married 17+ years, 3 kids (5, 8 and 11), dog. 

CURRENT TRAINING: Increasing the running mileage and getting back into the pool.  Been on the trainer with my new ride all winter.  Starting a 20 week 70.3 training plan on the 23rd for a race on June 10th.

2012 RACES:  River Bank Run 25k 5/12, Grand Rapids Triathlon 1/2 Iron 6/10, Grand Haven or Interlochen Sprint 7/8, Ludington Lighthouse OLY 8/19, Grand Rapids Marathon 10/21 or ING NY Marathon 11/4 (3rd time in lottery, 2013 for sure) 

Brady ... I had patella tendonitis last April thru July.  I either aggravated this during a race or an incident during a swim.  Either way it seriously cramped my style.  I began to use one of these: Pro-Tec Patellar Knee Strap and noticed immediate improvement.  For me, it's small so it didn't inhibit movement, and provided just enough support below the knee to relieve the pain.  I would try this first and go easier on the run pace and if the pain persists, see the doc ... my 2 cents worth. 

Too, Glucosamine works as well for sore joints; i.e. knees, feet and shoulders.