MAD MANATEE Mentor Group (TriAya & lmscozz)--CLOSED! (Page 7)

Sorry, I've been totally absent with having tons of family in the house.  Who knew that a 4 year old and a 5 month old (my grandsons from New Mexico) could take up so much time?  I don't know how moms with young children do it.  I remember my mom saying the same thing, dang I feel old.  Back to work today for some peace and quiet.

Swimming-love the idea of a lap counter.  I think my brain fills with chlorine and I always lose count of laps.  I can't pat my head and rub my stomach so attempting to swim with music playing is a recipe for me drowning (definitely my weakest discipline).  I always seem to be concentrating on my stroke and that breathing underwater thing. 

Biking-get a trainer NOT rollers.  Even on my bike team, only the most intense, advanced riders use rollers.  The risk of injury outweighs the benefits.  Get comfortable on the bike in the trainer and then find closed area to practice outdoor riding on.  Parking lots are usually good to start and then maybe fitness trials that allow bikes that are closed to vehicle traffic, then eventually park roads, where there are lots of other bikers and people are expecting bikes.  Stay off of the main roads at first.  I still try to avoid the main roads if I can.  I don't care how comfortable I get on the bike, I am not comfortable by myself on the roads.  I live in a very busy area, with lots of people in cars who are in a hurry to get no where.  I have super wide feet (almost squares) and wear a 41. My bike shoes are tri shoes (vents to let water drain and dry feet) to be worn without socks by Louis Garneau.  1 velcro strap for easy transition.  For the record:  I HAVE NO LOVE OF BIKING.  PLEASE TAKE ANYTHING I SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.  I AM NOT AN EXPERT BUT I AM A SCARED RIDER THAT HAS WORKED TO OVERCOME THOSE FEARS.  I am fairly comfortable on a bike now and handle it well (I think).  It just still scares the crap out of me.

Running-If you are afraid of injury and running is your weak discipline, then check out www.jeffgalloway.com.  Running with walk breaks to start can help especially as  you get into bricks (bike-runs).  Your legs are definitely fatigued coming off the bike and feel like jello.

On the running note, I got Galloway's Marathon book for Christmas.  I think I am going to do another marathon in 2011.   A few people in my running group are talking about doing tri's.  I have offered my house up for trainer dates because riding on a trainer with a good DVD and friends is a lot nicer that riding on the drainer alone.  Who knows, maybe they will convince me to start swimming again too.

So you will find that I am easily influenced and subcumb easily to adult peer pressure.  My friend, MSUDan on BT, posted that he wants to do the Patriot HIM as his A race in the Boston area, near where his daughter is moving.  I am considering doing this with him.  He would wait for me at the end and is a great cheerleader.  Part of me wants to get back into tri's and do the longer distances (I am built more for endurance than speed).  This would be the perfect race for me to attempt (geographic and timing, and support).

What do you think?  Can I go from couch to HIM in 6 months?

Might check Craig's list for saddles, but then of course they might not be returnable! Most bike shops I know of give you a 30 day return policy on saddles. I remember taking several on test rides and then when I was getting my bike fit, I tried out several they had in store on the trainer, but there was a fairly good return policy on it once purchased.

I think that if you have the will and desire and of course, the time to prepare, you'll be able to do a HIM in 6  months. I would try to schedule a few sprints and an oly as warm ups, with the oly about a month or so out from the HIM. The HIM is a great distance and challenging as well. I'd also learn the course really well and know what kinds of hills and road/weather conditions you can expect, as well as the swim water temp info.

Let us know what you decide. Exciting!!

YES!! Steevey D -- You are my hero -- I have that cute little manatee now embedded in my blog! Thanks.