2014 Rookies - CLOSED (Page 5)

Yeah, that's really good if you ask me seeing as you have been out of the water for so long.  When I started up again after 12 years out of the pool I think I was in the 1:35-1:40 range and was able to get to the 1:25-1:30 range after a month or two.  Now I am a high 1:1x to low 1:2x guy.  That regularly gets me out of the water in the races at or very near the front.  I did my IM swim in 54:02 which is a 1:25/100m pace and I was 14th of 2200 out of the water.  A 1:40/100m pace gets you out of the water in an IM in 1:03 and that would likely put you in the top 10% of the field.

In summary, you are well ahead of the curve there.  

Fair warning - it can be!  There is an endless series of toys, gadgets etc that you can buy if you want to.  However, there are many, many people who do it and keep the expenses reasonable.  Unfortunately you do need a bike and that is one of the bigger up front costs.

Welcome Robin, Erika, and Kiefer.  We're going to close up for now as I think we've got a pretty good size group.

First and foremost, I hope everyone has a very fun and SAFE New Year celebration. 

Erika, if you keep at it, your swim will improve.  Outside of getting some private lessons, do you know any friends that are good swimmers?  Often times a decent swimmer can easily see a new swimmer's biggest flaws and help you with the basics that can make a HUGE difference.  Combine that with consistent time in the pool and you'll get there.

Hi Kiefer.  The nature of open water swimming in triathlons can be quite intimidating.  Getting kicked certainly is no fun, especially if you're body is not comfortable in a wetsuit that's too tight.  Our mind is extremely powerful...when it panics, it can shut our body down completely and leave us helpless.  It has happened to very experienced triathletes as well.

Your race schedule looks exciting.  Seems like once you get out of the water, you would tear up a triathlon.

Hi Robin,

First of all, thank you for your service...as well as any other military/veterans we have in this group if I missed it.

While there are people who have completed a 70.3 as their first tri, it is a huge challenge to put if front of yourself.  I would be cautious about it especially considering that you suffered from a previous burnout in running.  If you want to make endurance sports a part of your lifestyle long term...believe me...you have tons of time to move on to longer distances.  Your current schedule also worries me a bit as you seem to be focusing a lot on running races leading up to Raleigh.  Anyway, in no way am I telling you what you should or shouldn't do...just trying to give a 3rd person perspective. 

Today was my last training in "old year".
I took part of 10th Krakow New Year's Eve Run, great fun (there were a lot of people in costumes, here are some pictures: Gallery)!
There wear two routes to choose 'Cheerful Ten' (10 km) and 'Dragon Five' (5 km). I did 10km in 50:21

Happy New Year!
I wish you All, to make "TRI" dreams come true in new year

Regards,

Welcome Robin, Ericka, and Keifer!

Robin — that’s a packed race schedule! Looks fun….and a HIM for your first tri? Cool, but do listen to your body as it seems like a lot of running with not a ton of recovery time. Coming from a competitive swimming background, I suspect you’ll pick up the swim quickly, even if freestyle wasn’t your stroke of choice. I have a friend who had a strong swim and running background and was terrified of the bike….she picked it up quickly by spending lots of time on the trainer. Looking forward to following along with your journey!

Ericka — congrats on making your first full lap swimming! You start with one, then two, then three….and next thing you know, you can do 1.2 miles! Do you have anyone who can help you with your swim or access to a Master’s swim program? Which Ragnar did you do? I’m not a particularly strong runner, but I’ve done a couple Ragnar races which were all incredibly fun!

Keifer — open water swimming can be very intimidating, but with a bit of practice (you know, after your 8” of ice melts!), they can become enjoyable. Lots of people have to suffer through real winters and are forced to train inside, so you’re not alone. And although I live in an area where I can run and bike outside year round, I still do lots of indoor bike training for the convenience. Are you doing the Ragnar Socal road race? I did that in 2012 and had a blast….did the trail race a couple months ago and also had a blast. Will it be your first Ragnar?

Hi Sandra, you're in.  Welcome.

Now that we're closed up, can we all make sure that if we are replying to a message, that the subject line reads "CLOSED." 

Thanks.