QuincyF and Oriolepwr's Magical Mys-tri Tour for Newbies Has Begun (CLOSED) (Page 6)

Hi all, I have a couple of swim questions....

The first is really for DH, what is the best way to ramp up with swimming and get breathing under control? Is it best to work with a kick board, just start slow, or what? He's not liking my advice given that I'm a newbie too

Second, any women with long hair that have any tips for swimming? I'm using a swim cap but my hair gets soaked no matter what which means swim training can only happen at the end of the day or on days I'm not working.  I'd like to cut it off but I don't think DH will go for that!

Managed to do 500 yard swim today and 30 min/7miles on the stationary bike today - wish I could have biked outside today but it's cold in NC! 27 degrees, I know, I know, that's nothing to you northerners, believe me I know since I'm originally from Canada but man i'm spoiled now!!

Yvonne

 Not a Tri book but I really liked "Born to Run" by Chris Mcdougall. I highly recommend it.

That is sooo exciting. I remember feeling like a kid a Christmas when my bike finally came in. I couldn't wait to get to LBS to pick it up and get fit.

You'll have to post pics as soon as you get it all together.

Shelly

I have to get a bike.  A real bike that is.  I have a mountain bike, and a guy i occasionally go biking with has a hybrid but mostly a road bike, and he consistently goes significantly faster than me.  In order to just keep up with him, I have to work my backside off.  Its very difficult.  At any rate, the fact is that I need to get a bike.  Could anybody suggest a good bike that won't break my bank (which at the moment is zero, but hopefully I can get some scratch up soon, and get something decent from that there internet place).

Thanks

So exciting! I just got one a couple days before xmas, now if I could only figure out those gears! LOL

Yes, my friend did NO training for the sprint tri we did and she kicked my butt on the bike! Out with the mountain bike, in with the road bike!

No recommendations on bikes, I found it so confusing.  I finally just settled on the Scott Speedster S40 that my lbs recommended, they specialize in tris and thought it would be good given my beginner status.  Good luck, let us know what you decide!

I enjoyed it as well, but for some reason I didn't take away a fascination with barefoot running like everyone else seemed to. I enjoyed the hypothesizing about the social nature of running and its place in our evolution as a species.

Some other books I have read or used:

Be Iron Fit by Don Fink (this is what I am using to train for IMOO)

Triathlete's Training Bible by Joe Friel

Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald

and we haven't read it yet, but for Christmas I got my husband I'm Here to Win by Macca (Chris McCormack 2x Kona Champ).

Q

Mark

I agree!!  you are at a SERIOUS disadvantage riding a mountain bike unless you are riding on mountain trails.  (of course I drive a Jeep Wrangler and never take it off-road so it isn't THAT crazy)

  My suggestion is to buy a used road bike.  It wont be expensive and if a bike has been taken care of it can last 50X longer than people seem to think.    So you get really good value.   Then after riding it for some time,  you will figure out what you do/don't like about it and will be in a better position to know what you need in a new bike. 

     The most important thing is to know what SIZE bike you are looking for.   Or at least be close for this bike.  Go to a good bike shop and get sized for a roadie.   Just don't actually buy one.         In time when you move up to a tri bike  it would be ideal to get a professional fitting. (they can cost like $300)     SO if you see what I mean, best to take this step by step.  

Ok guys "LBS" stands for Local Bike Shop. Depending on where you live, you might have only one, or one that is far away, or you might have a choice of many. Most of us feel happiest with our bike situations when we have a LBS that we trust and can go to with questions like these. Since you would like to do triathlons, it would be nice if they were a tri-friendly shop. Most are, as they are businesses and try to take care of their customers.

Your absolute best bet is to find out when the shop is not busy and go in with some time to spare. Ask the salesperson to walk you through their selection and give you an idea of what you can afford and what your money buys you.

Usually once you buy a bike, little repairs and maintenance are free or cheap, and you have a forever resource to talk bikes with. I ride with my LBS, so there's that as well. I think I have asked the guys in my shop about every single thing they sell...

Have you read your regional forum? That might be a place where you can find information about LBS near you. You could even post a question to get some recommendations...have you checked out your state forum yet?

Honestly, I cannot stand the chicago cold weather (below 40f) and running.  Also, I prefer to workout afterwork so the darkness hampers runner outdoors as well.....

Hey Mark,  How tall are you?

I am 6'7" tall.

Difficulties finding anything that works for me is normal.

Mark,

One quick solution, and inexpensive, is to put road tires on the bike.  Assuming you have mountain (knoby) tires on it know.  Make sure your tire pressure is on the high side if there is a range.  This will decrease the rolling resistance and allow you to go faster with less energy.

WELL, I did my first walk/run today.  I'll call it my walk'n for now.  30 minutes, with about 2 - 3 minutes of small jogges inbetween.  Boy do my thighes burn!  Did I mention I would bike afterwards, well, umm, ahh, ohh, ouch, pain, feels like bricks someone mentioned.

OH, BTW, why did it have to be 27 degrees F, wind at 20 mph, feels like 12 F.  Great day to start walk'n.  Can't wait to Thursday.