We Don't Just Tri - We Do Group - Closed (Page 5)

ok so here comes a bit more info,

my name is Dan, im in mudgee (country town in NSW, AUSTRALIA)

i grew up playing mostly contact sports, Rugby, boxing that sort of thing. basicly grew up with a fairly high level  of fitness.

Had  some fairly major surgery wich laid me up long enough to loose any degree of fitness i may have had. Since i had a long drawn out recovery and some anxiety issues it was hard to get back in shape (i got up to 117kg) but im well on the way now. im still building on my fitness but to give an idea i cycle between 25 to 60km x 3 times a week, run/walk 6 km x2 times a week (building distance as i improve) and swim x 2 to 4 times per fortnight. my swimming is my week point at the moment as its harder to make pool time than anything. also my fitness gains havent translated to the pool as easilyl as the bike and run but the next 6 weeks will see a more concentrated effort in the pool. when i started training i struggled with a 10km ride, couldnt run more than 150 to 200m at a time and couldnt swim  1 lap of a 50m pool (i was a strong swimmer as a lad) so my gains have been fairly visable to this point.  hope that gives a bit of an insight, ill start logging my training sessions  from today.

Hey Thorn,

Got room for a broke down, dilapidated, used and abused 55 y/o retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer?   Little about me and how I got here, in the not to distant past I topped out at over 350 pounds on the scales.  That's when I decided enuff was enuff and determined I was going to do something about it.  So, January 2012 I made an appointment with my doctor and started my journey officially weighing 351 pounds, I was taking a handful of meds for BP, Cholesterol and antacids for the acid reflux for the crap I was stuffing in my face.  Today I'm a svelt 176 pounds, take absolutely no presecription meds and probably in the best shape I've been in at least 30 years.  I didn't accomplish this through any surgery, fad diets or starvation. I did this through sheer determination, changing my lifestyle, eating healthy and leaving a whole lot of me in puddles on the gym floor.  When I first started I couldn't run to the end of he block without stopping to rest.  Being a goal oriented type of guy I decided that  would run a triathlon (most people that knew me at the time thought that was funny, which made me only more determined to see it through), not just show up and get the T-shirt, but set a goal and make a respectable showing (for me anyhow). So for over a year now I've been getting up at 4AM either riding my bike and/or running to the gym, doing some weight training and jogging or biking back, then off to work.  I usually do my long workouts on Saturdays and/or sundays when I have the time.  Swimming will be the hardest for me, not so much because I can't swim, I don't have easy access to a pool where I can practice regularly, I have been going to the Campbell University (Buies Creek, NC) pool when I can and swim as much as they will tolerate me.   I've entered my first Traithlon (Sprint), scheduled for March 23rd. I'm going to take it nice and easy (by nice and easy I don't mean I'm not going to give it a good effort, but I'm looking at this as a learning curve and my goal for my first triathlon is to learn how it's done and finish, the next one will be (hopefully) better finish, get a feel for how the race is conducted how things flow and basically try to stay out of the way of people who know what the heck they are doing.  Way long time ago in what seems like another lifetime in the Navy I was an avid runner, I've run 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and Marathons, but that was waaaaaay long ago.  Fortunatly, for all the abuse I've put my body through since retiring from the Navy (and from being in the Navy) my kneees ankles and joints are still in good shape.  I don't know where or what path my journey will take me, or how far I will pursue the sport (I am 55 after all), but I know one thing for sure, it will be a cold day in hell before I allow myself to ever get in the shape I was before.  If/when death comes after me he better have his jogging shoes on because he ain't going to find me sitting in a rocking chair waiting on him to call.

BTW, my son is in the US Army and is stationed in Colorado Springs. Also, thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country.

Thanks,

Rick

Thom,

I am very lucky with my location.  I have a 50 yard pool to swim in, a falling apart mountain bike to ride (I credit it with the 10-15 lbs lost in the past month) and plenty of areas to run!  All the talk about the services reminds me of a comic strip I saw once...  It started with a Soldier complaining about having to dig a foxhole, then the marine complained that there weren't enough snakes in the the river they were wading across, the navy guy was complaining about having to hot bunk while at sea.  Finally the Airman was sitting on his couch in billeting and complaining that there weren't enough cable channels on his TV.  I definately picked the right service (for me at least). 

--Patrick

Towards the end of most of my swims one of my feet (I think it is my left) will seize (for lack of a better term) making kicking fairly painful.  In order to get it to release I have to massage my calf and strech my big toe.   Curious if anyone else has had this issue and how to deal with it. 

--Patrick

Patrick,

Welcome to the group.

I'm with you with the Air Force, I truly enjoy some of the luxuries while deployed, although i spent more than my share of time living in a tent!  I'm in the guard with a tanker unit out of NH. I started my HIM training while deployed, Loved having both an indoor and out door pool, although it still gets a little cool for the out door this time of year. 

Are you cramping? I know when I swim I have to kick off the wall lightly and I will usually use one foot at a time and rotate, otherwise I will get severe cramps in my calve and feet. I have tried everything, but still have problems with cramps?

Welcome to the group and keep passin gas

Rick Welcome to the group and thank you for your service!

What an inspiration! I need to loose 30 pounds and am struggling, how pathetic! I just need to get the focus that you have and get it done. I am pretty good at working out on a daily basis, but struggle with food choices, I read that Thom dropped some weight when he got his nutrition right and got rid of processed foods. I would be interested what types of foods that you mostly consume and any resources you have for creating a healthier diet.

I find my biggest problem is feeling tired and having enough energy to work out effectively, obviously not doing something correct?

Dan

Hi Patrick,  WOW big goal, I love it!

One of the best things that I did when I got into the sport was join the local Tri club, They really solidified my love for this sport, some great people. I am assuming that most clubs are like mine, all levels of athletes from beginner to extremely advanced, even an Olympic swimmer, but I never feel out of place most are willing to help you get better and show you the way and we have group workouts that really help with motivation!

Good luck and I look forward to sharing your journey.

Dan

Dan,

Nellie Abreu was in my pilot training class.  He is an awesome guy.  Is he still with you guys?  If so say hi for me!

NKAWTG!

Flare (Since we have another Patrick in the group I will use my AF callsign to avoid confusion...)

Flare, Nellie is still with us, I just saw him in the chow hall on Sunday, I will make sure I tell him hi for you.

Enjoy that warm weather over there, Up here in Maine we are getting ready for possibility of 2 feet of snow? Had to get a long run in today, at least long right now 5.75 miles, since I probably won't have a chance for a few days.

Dan