Dominion's Sprint/Oly Focus Group - OPEN (Page 6)

Originally posted by Run4funrace2place Got room for one more? My name is Helena. I'm 31. 5'9.5. Married mother to 5 yo boy, 3 yo girl, and a 10 month old girl. I've been saying for years that I wanted to do a triathlon. I was terrified of cycling part because I had convinced myself I was going to get hit by a car. Got over that part and found I love it although I am riding an older bike that is slightly too small for me I think but it's going to have to do. 3 kids in private school/daycare kills my dream bike fund. Lol. Anyway, I'm a strong runner. I love it ! my favorite distance is the half marathon although I like to torture myself with a marathon every so often. And then there is swimming. I've recently joined a pool after not having swam a freestyle lap in 15 years. It's coming along though. The first week was trying to remember how to breathe and once I relaxed and got that down my swims have been going well. I'm going to do an Olympic distance on August 31st. There is a sprint I could do mid July but it may not be in the budget. I've done a duathlon recently and that has been my only multi sport event to date. I love running and I'm almost feel like I'm cheating on it! It's very hard with three kids, working full time, and trying to keep my house from becoming a garbage dump, to try to get all of these work outs in. I do three 4 or 5 mile runs plus a longer run on the weekend. I know when I really get into my training plan I'm going to have to give up a run or wake up earlier than I already do! Anyway, glad to be hear and I'm looking forward to being part of this group.

Hi Helena,

Welcome!  I took a quick look at your blog.  You mentioned Mobile, do you live there or Mississippi?  I went to college at USA and moved to Georgia from the Eastern Shore.  Let the group know if you have any specific questions or any topics for discussion.  I may actually have questions for you and some of the other experienced half and full marathoners in the group.  My run background consists of nothing longer than 10k's, but I'm looking to try my first Half-Ironman probably early next season.  The biggest question mark in my mind is the 13.1 mile run.  Anyway, more on that later, glad to have you in the group! 

Thanks for reading Cassandra!

You qualify for the USAT National Championship race by finishing in the top 10% of your age group in a sanctioned race.  That is for the Olympic distance, which I will be racing.  That race is on Saturday.  The Sunday Sprint race, I believe is open sign up.  

When you win your age group or finish in the top 10% you get an email saying that you qualified and a link to register if you want to.  I qualified by winning my age group last September in a sprint race that only had 7 people in the age group.  So if you win, you get an invite even if there is less than 10 in the group.  I signed up because I wanted to have a "big race" experience.  Last year there were 2500 in the race and over 200 in my age group.  The top 18 in each group qualify for the 2015 World Championships which will be held in the U.S. (Chicago). The top 18 is way out of my league at this point, but I wanted to go for the experience and maybe come back in a few years and with a more legit shot.  My goal this year is to make the top half of the Age Group field, and even that will take a PR.

I've been trying to talk my brother into making the trip with me just to have some company and someone to take a few pictures and just help with the logistics of everything, but he hasn't been willing to commit to it.  Just yesterday I got an email from him where he had gotten his invitation to race after winning in Jekyll Island so now he is considering going as well.  

As far as training, I am re-evaluating and tweaking a few things.  Not just for this race but to focus on the Georgia Triathlon Series races in September and my end of September trip back to Battle of the Bridges in Melbourne, FL.  I also want to start building the base for a HIM next season.  I have almost 2 solid months before racing again, so I'ts time to get back to work and get ready for the 2nd half of the season!

That's Fantastic!  You can't ask for much more than to get a win first time out. Outstanding!  Are you hooked now?

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What kind of issues did you have in transition?  T1 looked a little slow, T2 looked pretty good.  Anything we can help with?

All your SBR times look solid.  A PR run off the bike is also impressive.  How did you feel on the run?

Ok guys, it looks like we have had a lot going on since I last logged in a couple days ago.  (our internet has been sketchy and the guy just came out and got us back up to speed.)  It sounds like we are having some very positive race experiences out there!

First of all, Rodzilla.  There is still room.  

(To all:  I am basically leaving the group open because many have and will join, but there always ends up with a much smaller group that is active.  I don't want to exclude any late comers that can benefit from our experiences and who may become an active and productive member of the group.)

Randy made some great points in response to your question about swimming.  Swimming fitness should improve dramatically after only a few sessions. That doesn't necessarily mean speed.  That will come with lots of volume and emphasis on technique and body positioning.  But basic cardio and muscular fitness should improve enough that you will be swimming longer distances without the need to stop at 50m.  When I started I those first few sessions I often felt like a drowning rat just trying to make it to the wall.  Just stick with it, and it will get better.

Jen,  

Great race report.  I've never had a race where people could stop swimming and stand up and you could run right into them.  Funny to read (I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time though!)  Also love to see the competitive spirit coming out..."Search and Destroy".  Love it!  Glad you beat your goal time.   Good job.  That sounds like a really large race for a super sprint..over 700 participants..wow.  Work on that running and get ready for the next one! 

Scott, 

Nice 5k time.  I wish I was running that fast.  I set a pre-season goal to run under 20 in a 5k coming up in August.  There is no way I am on schedule to make it though.  Under 21 is more realistic at this point.  The speed lace idea Cassandra posted is a worth considering.  I have never used that brand, but have had good luck with the lock-laces brand.  I tried yankz and was not satisfied.  They were just unnecessarily complicated IMO. 

I hope everyone is more motivated than ever now going forward. !!!

MOJO RISING!!!

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