Todd’s Tri Turtles 8 (Beginner, 5K, 10K, Sprint, Whatever) (Page 5)

It sure has gotten quite in here. How are things going for everyone? I’m still struggling some with work and time, but am still hopeful that I can be okay to go at my 70.3.

Can I join?

NAME: Sherist

STORY: I’m a 40 yr old Athena. I swam competitively when I was younger and have one sprint under my belt, buuuut it was like 13 years ago. It was a good experience, but I rode a mountain bike. Oof! I will be bike shopping soon. I’ll take Todd’s advice and go to the bike store, appearing interested enough in purchasing a bike, so I can get a rough fit.

FAMILY STATUS: Happily married 5 years w/ two 16 yr old step sons, who are freaking amazing.

CURRENT TRAINING: 2 swim, 2 run, 2 bike, 1 strength. I just started, so keeping workouts short and slow. My 20-something niece joins me a couple times a week and pushes me to not be lazy.

2020 RACES: Huntington Sprint

WEIGHT LOSS: I have a lot to lose. Like I would still be overweight if I lost 100 lbs. So…working on that.

Todd – How is your back doing?

Edited by jellogal 2020-02-28 11:37 AM

Hello Sherist!

Kinda quiet here the past few days so welcome to the group. Sounds like you’ve got a plan. Since you’ve done a sprint previously you have an idea of what it’s all about!

Good luck with the training...try not to over do or get discouraged along the way. Enjoy!!!!

Had my first swim lesson today in about 38 years. I think I will happy I made the decision to sign up for them. I learned 4 keys things to work on: 1. I was swimming with pointy toes, I really did not realize this. I try to focus on my kick while swimming and thought I had everything as it should be, but obviously not. 2. I was grabbing the water with a claw rather than a scoop. I knew I did this, but didn't realize it made as a big a difference as it does. 3. I was kind of windmilling with the end of my arm stroke and not keeping it tight against my body through the entire stroke. This is probably providing resistance on the end of my stroke. 4. I haven't been using my swim snorkel recently, but I learned that the snorkel is good to train your muscles to run on lower oxygen, but does little to nothing to get your lungs in shape for the large dumps of oxygen they need during swimming.

Lot's to work on for the coming week. Keep at it gang!

Tom - Sounds like those few changes will improve your stroke dramatically. That's awesome!

I went to the bike store and, instead of pretending like I was going to buy a bike...I actually purchased a bike. Ended up with a Liv Avail 3...a cheaper entry level bike. Looking forward to the weather improving and getting it out on the road!

Welcome Sherist! Sounds like you've got great training in place. I'm part of the overweight team and have dropped 30lbs since January from training. It's kind of crazy.

Tom - that's fantastic. Very interesting learnings from your lesson. I paid for a lesson years ago and they gave me a 16 year old kid who thought I was at doggy paddle stage. When they realized I could do a front crawl and swim a few distances of the pool, they essentially just said you don't need my help and left. I wish I could find someone local who could do what you received!


I'm still moving slowly but steady. I'm running more and more every week, further and further and faster and faster. The snow is finally beginning to melt and for the first time in my life I'm excited for that so that I can begin to run outside. This past weekend was also when I decided to "come out" to friends and family. We live far away from most of my family and we had a get together for my aunts birthday. No one had seen me since Christmas. I had mentioned to my mom that I would be signing up for a sprint triathlon but I don't think she believed me. Needless to say when she saw me and some pretty significant weight loss since Christmas she was shocked. I've had friends reach out offering to help, offering to train with me, and offering support. It's been quite incredible. I needed to wait until I felt I mentally had this under control.

I ordered aero bars for my bike and will be purchasing new tires. I simply don't have the money in the budget for a new bike right now. My goal for the Sprint is completion with some small personal goals in mind. If I choose to pursue this further I will consider saving for something else.

Swinging is actually starting this week for me. I bought a bathing suit from Costco for the occasion and have to return it because it's too big. Never expected that!

I'm really looking forward to daylight savings time change next weekend. That should allow me to get out most nights after supper.

Curious question... have any of you trained your dog to run with you? I'd like to start bringing my golden retriever out with me but the instant I begin to jog he begins to full on sprint like we're being chased by a bear.

Welcome Sherist! I'm in the Clyde category m'self. Struggling with the weight loss aspect as I've had 0 loss since Jan.

Hey everyone... real life has been kicking my butt the last two weeks, slowed me down for the end of the month. Was in Nashville Thur-Sun last week and my plans there just went right out the window. It is what it is! Getting back on the horse and will apply my Feb goals to March.

Edited by WebFootFreak 2020-03-02 4:24 PM

Hi everyone, it's been a while. I had been making good progress with my running then got leveled with the flu last Saturday. I'm mostly better, but still have a lot of congestion and a dry cough. I don't remember ever being as sick as I was at the height of it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on getting back at training after a sickness? I'm signed up for an indoor triathlon that's only a month away and I'm questioning whether to do it or not.

Thanks

Kim – Congrats on your weight loss! I have not tried to run with my dog, but that’s a great idea! Our dogs were not very good walking on a leash (let along running ha!) and we had some success with “The Perfect Dog” training system for leash training.

Struck – I’m glad you are starting to feel better. Maybe start off with a super easy day to see how that feels?


Edited by jellogal 2020-03-05 10:22 AM

Welcome to the group and congratulations on the new ride. You may not know this but there is a very strong unwritten rule that whenever you get a new or new to you bike that you have to post a picture. It’s called bike porn, so post a pic and don’t forget to name it or it will feel unloved!

My back is doing much better, thanks for asking. Time is what’s still killing me.

So I’m going to pass on something to you that I heard at one of my HIIT’s workouts. Don’t let a scale dictate your success! 1. A scale does not and can not show how many inches you have taken off of any part of your body. 2. A scale does not gauge how much more energy you have or how much confidence you have gained. 3. A scale does not show improvement in your blood pressure, cholesterol, and many other health factors. Weight you self every other month if you want, but don’t let it dictate whether or not you are successful.

#1 Is to get healthy! I would suggest just starting back at where you left off if you feel you can safely complete the workouts. Don’t worry about it and try to make up what you missed because that is when frustration and injury occur. If your indoor Tri is anything like I think it is (Swim distance in a Set time amount, stationary bike distance in set time, and treadmill run distance for a set time) then heck yes do it. You control your pace, it is very safe (assuming you can swim and not sink), and if nothing else it is a training day that allows you to see where you stand. The other huge plus is if they do like others and have a transition between each you can use that as very controlled practice for a full outdoor Tri.

Are there unwritten rules about how and where to take the picture of your new bike? Cuz this one is pretty crappy haha!

Meet Liv...







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bike.jpg (879KB - 31 downloads)

Believe me, my weight is absolutely not a primary factor in how well I'm doing. Swimming longer each time until I have to switch to 50s, maintaining a 16mph avg on the bike, and getting through longer running intervals is where it is.... I just figured i'd have lost something by this point



The only thing I can think of offhand is that the pic should always be taken from the drive side... I'm assuming that's because it makes the groupset easier to ID...

Edited by WebFootFreak 2020-03-06 12:13 PM

Yay, bike porn! Since they came out I’ve been impressed by their price and look.

Todd, thanks for the reply and encouragement to give the indoor a go. It is setup exactly like you said with everything being a time and not distance (10 min swim and 20 min each of bike and run). I was able to get back to the gym today for the first time in a week and half. I just walked to slowly get back into it. Felt good to at least be back in my routine even though I just walked.

Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to the warm(ish) weather that is hopefully coming soon.

Good deal, make sure to give the group a race report on how you did. What day is it?

Hi Turtles,

I'm back from holidays and I actually got 4 runs in while I was away.

There are 2 events left in our season and I'm going to miss both of them as my hip problems persist. I'm concerned that I may do some long term damage if I prepare for the races with the volume and intensity required. I'm bitterly disappointed to miss out as I've been preparing for 10 months. It's only today that I've improved my attitude and will resume training and revise my goals. I'm thinking of some 5K & 10K fun runs in the coming months as I really need a goal to keep my training focused. I'm also grateful that I have these options as I have friends that struggle to walk down the street due to ill health so I count myself lucky. I'm yet to decide what I'll do long term and I'll consult my trainer on developing a suitable program.


I'm looking forward to providing moral support to the group as your season approaches and happy that we have some new members too.

Glad to hear you had a nice holiday Todd. Sorry to hear about your hip. Sounds like you're forming a solid plan for training...


I have a quick question... As this is my first sprint, how important are cycling shoes to simply putting my runners on after the swim? My budget is small for this entire endeavor. With each year I hope to expand that... but for now, I'm primarily focusing on tires, aero bars, tri-suit. But wondering if bike shoes are top of the 'necessary' list?

Rod, sorry about the hip but while it is frustrating I believe you are making the right decision. Long term pain is never worth short term pleasure.

Cycling shoes (clipless) serve the purpose of getting more out of each pedal stroke because you get the pull up force. Are they necessary, absolutely not. They do make a difference but if you are still not comfortable on a bike and especially in aero position I would say to wait. If you are like most they will not keep you off the podium. I would say the same for aero bars as shoes. I would not put them on your bike until you feel very confident in your bike handling skills. Tri suits are also not necessary. The point is that all you really have to have is your race entry, something to swim, bike, and run in (Tri suit or top and bottom cover this) plus shoes, bike and helmet. This is a sport that can cost you a lot especially if you are trying to keep up with the Jones’.

Rod....welcome back! Hate to hear about the hip issue. I know how those joint things go......regardless it looks as though you have a good plan and will remain active!