Ernesto's group (third season) - CLOSED (Page 5)

If anybody wants to befriend me on facebook, I'm [email protected] or you can search Ernesto Villarroel in Dallas (the only one).

Many of us are friends already, this way we also know what our families look like, look at race pics, etc.

Awesome - here's the bio

Name: Joe; username:Joepetto 

Story:  I am age 42 and 2012 will be my third year in triathlon.  I got into the sport after I stopped feeling sorry for myself about turning 40 and not being very happy with my professional situation (attorney).  I needed a kick in the rear so I went out and bought a road bike for my birthday.  Turned out that I loved it and dropped 10 pounds very quickly.  I then started to run and my wife an avid swimmer encouraged me to do a tri.  Having no swim background and what I learned was a true swim phobia (developed after a near drowning experience at age 5) I forced myself to learn swim following the Total Immersion program. On the way to training for my first try I tore my medial meniscus on St. Patty's day and had the knee scoped.  After 3 months of rehab, I finished my first race and was hooked.  Year 1 finished with an Oly and a half marathon.  Year 2 was about taking on new challenges.  I completed the Eagleman HIM in June.  Having heard it was a notoriously hot race, I was not fully prepared for what awaited me on race day.  Water temp was 83 degrees and the run was hot humid and no shade.  I set a goal of going sub 5:30 and I came in at 5:37. A lot of things went well that day - held 21 mph on the bike and a lot things went wrong - long tough run.  However, I knew something else was up.  I have had a mild form of ulcerative colitis since my 20s and have kept it under control with meds.  About two weeks before the race I had a relapse that would not react to the meds.  As I later found out after a colonoscopy, the colitis had moved to a new location and had gotten much worse.  Besides causing the lining of the colon to bleed, colitis causes all kinds of GI issues and makes the absorption of nutrition more difficult.  I'm really curious as to what impact the colitis had on my race day performance.  With some new meds, I got the thing under control and ran a couple of more tris in 2011 and completed my first fully marathon, which I failed to meet my goal of 3:40 by 7 minutes.  I'm getting ready for 2012!!!

Family: Married 14 years to my best friend and two great girls - ages 8 and 11.  I'm in big trouble when they become teenagers.  They are amazingly supportive and nothing is better than seeing them at the finish line or in transition.  

Current Training: I did my marathon the Sunday before Thanksgiving, took two days off and kept on running (kinda became addicted to the running thing).  As expected, didn't give myself enough rest and I started to break down.  During the marathon training phase, I really let the bike work slip. I'm done running in earnest for a while and have been working with a swim coach and will start a bike conditioning program in the new year.

2012 Races: Eagleman 70.3 (June), Timberman 70.3 (August)???, Philadelphia Marathon, assorted road races (5K, 10K, 10 miler), and a couple of TBD sprints.

Weight Loss:  When I started the journey I weighed 183 (am 5' 9").  I'm down to about 160 in the offseason and race at 153-155.  

What Makes Me a Good Mentee: I take coaching and criticism very well and am always willing to learn.  I'm also a typical type A personality that always wants to push myself harder and expect more from myself.  Despite my type A personality, I am extremely self deprecating and don't take myself that seriously - ultimately, it is about having fun!

2012 Goals:  Big picture, I need to be a better swimmer and be more efficient in the water.  I also need to get my long race strategies in order and avoid late race blow ups.  Specific goals: Sub 5:30 HIM, Marathon at 3:35, 5K under 20:00, 10K under 44:00 all while staying healthy.   

Also glad to know you are reading Maffettone, that book will help you understand many things from the physiology aspect. There's many ways you can stay fit without running, swimming is actually the best for people that is battling injury. Another thing that you may want to consider is to completely abandon running until healed, sometimes a step back is needed to take two forward...

I have the video out,,  Freestyle: Made easy  by Terry Laughlin.  As for the book, I saw several available on the Kindle.  Which is the most recommended?  As Scott mentioned earlier I bailed on the run..  After 2 hours in the commissary with all the craziness I thought that qualified as an adventure workout!  Either way the headache that was created was beyond the comfort zone.  

I did do our "Hundred Push Up Training Plan" workout.  We are on Week One Day 2.  I managed a combined total of 57 push ups in 5 sets.  I'm pretty happy with that!  

Also as Ernest mentioned our off forum connection via facebook.  It is really nice to see other member and their families.  Helps keep the forum very personable when we see each other outside of training plans and workouts.  

You can find me at Jennie R Putnam and Scott you can find as Scott Putnam both in Colorado.

Based on recommendation on the regular forum, the one I bought is "Total Immersion: The revolutionary way to swim better, faster, and easier". Hope that helps.

Samy

Check out these videos and you will quickly see what a proper catch and pull looks like.  In the slow mo, you see how perfectly situated the arm is at 90 degrees as the pull is initiated.  I only wish I could do this:

http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&itemid=4040&mid=8712

I am in the market for a new (used) bike. If you read my bio my current ride is a 1986 Raleigh Technium (top of the line 25 years ago). I have a few questions.

What are other people riding, and what do you like or dislike about your bike?

What brands and models are good reliable bikes?

What brands and models should I stay from?

Are there must have features and feature which are just bubble gum (tastes good but does not give you anything of real value)?

Jim

Name: Bruce/ bfwhitt

Story: This is my third full year involved in tri's I am 49 and working hard to fight off the reality of age. It seems to be working so far I think...at least in my mind. I work from home as a Reseller Channel Manager (don't ask me what that means), and I live in the beautiful Garden State (west central Joisey). I love working out of my house and making my own schedule it gives me time to get my workouts in when I need to. The only tough part is travel as we all know. I grew up in CT and swam competitively when I was young (butterfly was my stroke), but only until I was about 12, should have stuck with it. Played lacrosse through HS on a state championship team (that was fun) and should have pursued in college but fun and party time were more important. Anyway I have always been active, played hockey, softball, ultimate Frisbee, snowboard, hike, all sports when ever possible.

I got hooked on tris and have been slowly building my base over the years, I keep adding races and different distances I am in no hurry to do an IM but plan on getting to that stage over time.

Family status: Three children boy 24, girl 22, girl 20, wish I could get them all involved with tris.

CURRENT TRAINING: Currently focusing on getting my strength built back up over the winter, doing P90x. Lost a lot of muscle over the past season and want to put back on. I plan to keep my strength training up throughout the year in 2012. I run 4 times a week and bike when I can during the winter months...need to buy a trainer..... I put swimming on hold for three months but plan to get back in the water Jan 1. My weakest sport is probably on the bike, need to get stronger and faster on the flats.

THIS YEAR'S RACES:  I plan to do at least two sprints and two olys in 2012, I will pepper that with some 5ks, trails runs, trail races, and maybe a fun race one of this obstacle course thingys (good word)

WEIGHTLOSS: This is not an issue for me, if anything I need to eat more and make sure that I have proper nutrition so that I am strong and stay healthy, currently 5'10" 160, ideal weight 165-170, race weight 160, so I want put on a few more muscle pounds before the season starts...

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE: I am looking forward to learning and listening and asking questions. I want to do a better job of tracking nutrition and also use my hrm to train better, want to get more technical, so hoping this group can help...also like to help others reach their goals and cheer them on.

2012 GOALS: These are on my journal page

I look forward to getting to know you all....

I got my 05 Specialized from Craigslist for $700 when I started. Its a great bike. I got lucky because I knew nothing of tri bikes but that I wanted one and that one fit. Winter is a great time to get a bike because the prices are the best. The main thing I would say is getting one that fits. Cervelo, Felt, Specialized, Trek Orbea are the main ones carried in the shops in the Dallas area. If you are going to get a new one go into LBS and get a fit with it. You can even go in and tell them you want a used bike but need to know what sizes to look for. May have to pay a little for a fit but can buy a used bike for less. I know Cervelo has a deal of $2k rebate if you buy two bikes so find a buddy .

I would say you can stay middle of the road for componets (shifters, derailures, cassettes) to save money. You dont need Durace everything to start out.

It also depends on your goals and price limits. If your bike is mechanically sound and rolls well then you can race. I have had plenty of old bikes pass me. Find a bike that makes you want to ride it.

The main reason I joined this group was we are local. My issues tend to be more a comedy of errors than anything. Had some bike pacing but got that better. From lost bike shoe in T1, rubbing brake for 20 mi in a race, some goofy stomach thing on a run, wrong turn on a run. If its goofy and funny it will happen to me.  

It is all about finding the right bike for you and your needs.  Each bike has a unique geometry and need to find one that fits your body type and riding style.  If you don't have experience on a tri bike, I wouldn't recommend making the jump from an '86 ride into a modern tri bike with its aggressive geometry. 

Figure out what your current needs are and where you think might be in a couple of years.  A roadie with clip on aero bars should give you a lot of longevity.  Of course, price is a huge consideration and will impact whether you go with a carbon or aluminum frame.  As for componentry, the middle of road SRAM and Shimano stuff is more than adequate and it is great if you can find a decent saddle along the way.  In terms of wheels, they are mostly stock and not something to worry about. 

Got you Ernesto and Jennie, I'll add Scott today....anyone else on FB, I'm at [email protected]

Ernesto - What are your thoughts on spinning classes?  I have a trainer but also live in an apartment and dont have space where I can take an entire room to keep my bike and trainer setup.  So I actually have to go down to basement grab bike bring it up setup etc...  And it just isnt that enjoyable.

I was thinking of also adding in spin classes.  Would you suggest following the exact class layout?

Thanks for having me. 

NAME:  Elizabeth

STORY:  This is my third season of triathlons.  I started two years ago after we moved to Boise from Jackson hole and I needed to stay in shape but wasnt skiing much anymore.  I did two olys two years ago.  I trained all last winter for the Boise 70.3 and then entered a really hard off-road running race (against the advice of all of my friends), got injured (like they warned I would), and then spent a month out of training nursing injuries so had to forego Boise, I got sick, got injured, blah blah blah, scratched the rest of my tris.  I "won" the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in SF and ran that this past fall with a group of friends - awesome experience and first marathon. 

I've always been active and was a swimmer through my first two years of college, then got burned out and quit and didnt swim again until I started training for my first tri.  Swimming is definitley my strength and due to time constraints, I probably wont start swimming again until March. 

FAMILY:  I have a very supportive husband who's an avid mountain biker and skier and three year old twin boys so we're constantly in a scheduling battle for training time.  I'm also an attorney and work full time.  So, like most people, my biggest issue is time. 

CURRENT TRAINING:  Ive fallen in love with running and choose to do that over anything else.  I've also started taking a body pump (group weightlifting) class two times per week.  I know that there are lots of opinion on weight training but I'm a huge supporter.  I havent been injured since I started and previously I was constantly injured (hips, knees, etc) because my core and hip flexors and quads and whatever weren't strong enough.  I've started biking more - its definitely my weakness and my goal is 3 x per week.  I run 4-5 times per week, bike 3, and swim none right now. 

2012 RACES:  My A race will be the Boise 70.3.  I can train on course and rumor has it that its the last year that it will be here.  I may do a 20 mile trail run in April or maybe not.  I'll also might do a couple of local sprints.  Next fall I'm planning another destination marathon (suggestions anyone?) and possibly a second trail marathon.

WEIGHTLOSS:  Fortunately has never been an issue for me.  I'm 5'8" and weigh between 128-131 depending on the day. Although I havent lost any weight from training, I've noticed that I've definitely become smaller and more muscular overall, which is awesome.  

I log religiously (love seeing the peach square filled in) and am excited to work with this group.  I'm also constantly online for work so I can keep up (hopefully) with the pages and pages of posts here.

You can friend me on FB at Elizabeth Cunningham Koeckeritz

Thanks for having me. 

NAME:  Elizabeth

STORY:  This is my third season of triathlons.  I started two years ago after we moved to Boise from Jackson hole and I needed to stay in shape but wasnt skiing much anymore.  I did two olys two years ago.  I trained all last winter for the Boise 70.3 and then entered a really hard off-road running race (against the advice of all of my friends), got injured (like they warned I would), and then spent a month out of training nursing injuries so had to forego Boise, I got sick, got injured, blah blah blah, scratched the rest of my tris.  I "won" the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in SF and ran that this past fall with a group of friends - awesome experience and first marathon. 

I've always been active and was a swimmer through my first two years of college, then got burned out and quit and didnt swim again until I started training for my first tri.  Swimming is definitley my strength and due to time constraints, I probably wont start swimming again until March. 

FAMILY:  I have a very supportive husband who's an avid mountain biker and skier and three year old twin boys so we're constantly in a scheduling battle for training time.  I'm also an attorney and work full time.  So, like most people, my biggest issue is time. 

CURRENT TRAINING:  Ive fallen in love with running and choose to do that over anything else.  I've also started taking a body pump (group weightlifting) class two times per week.  I know that there are lots of opinion on weight training but I'm a huge supporter.  I havent been injured since I started and previously I was constantly injured (hips, knees, etc) because my core and hip flexors and quads and whatever weren't strong enough.  I've started biking more - its definitely my weakness and my goal is 3 x per week.  I run 4-5 times per week, bike 3, and swim none right now. 

2012 RACES:  My A race will be the Boise 70.3.  I can train on course and rumor has it that its the last year that it will be here.  I may do a 20 mile trail run in April or maybe not.  I'll also might do a couple of local sprints.  Next fall I'm planning another destination marathon (suggestions anyone?) and possibly a second trail marathon.

WEIGHTLOSS:  Fortunately has never been an issue for me.  I'm 5'8" and weigh between 128-131 depending on the day. Although I havent lost any weight from training, I've noticed that I've definitely become smaller and more muscular overall, which is awesome.  

I log religiously (love seeing the peach square filled in) and am excited to work with this group.  I'm also constantly online for work so I can keep up (hopefully) with the pages and pages of posts here.

You can friend me on FB at Elizabeth Cunningham Koeckeritz

I bought a used 2010 Cervelo P2 on ebay for $1500.00  Just make sure if buying from ebay they have good ratings, photos of the bike etc...  Bike was in excellent shape.  I don't think it was used that much.

The one I found had a buy it now option or a best offer option.  I sent in a best offer and then the seller and I went back / forth on a final price.

Good thing about the bike is that it could continue using it for years.  I definitely would suggest finding/spending a little more on a better bike that you could grow with.  Rather then buying something in the lower range then in 2 years feeling that you want something better. 

I love the bike.  I went to my LBS and had a fitting done.  Cost a lot (NY is always more), but it was the best thing I ever did.  Owned a lot of road bikes in past and never had a fitting.  I was so happy I did it on the TRI bike especially because body position was so different.  I think the most importan part of the fitting was comfort.