Tri/tbay group - CLOSED (Page 8)

Good Morning,

I hope the week is going well for everyone.  I just wanted to take a moment to tell everyone how much I have been enjoying preparing for my first tri.  It has been a blast to start cycling having never done that before and then getting back in the pool after 23 years.  With work, my rides are on the weekends, but I have been trying to get in the miles as I can.  Generally 15-20 miles each time.  Slowly working up the distance.  The good thing about the roads around me is that they are not flat.  Plenty of rolling hills for the challenge.

The swimming is getting better and better.  I am feeling more relaxed now and under better control with the breathing.  This morning I went 1200 yds in 24:11.  That was pretty good for me as this was my first workout where I decided to go the entrie distance without breaks.  I could have gone more, but I had to get ready for work.

Next event for me is a half marathon on March 20 and then the sprint tri on April 9.  5 weeks to go.

Hope everyone has a great Friday.

Hey Everyone,

It looks like everyone in the group is doing well. Its very uplifting to see the messages and progress people are making, especially those who were/are nervous (you all seem to be getting more and more confident as the weeks go on)

Just a quick update... I am out of comission swimming and running until mid april. Had my first PT appointment today - it hurt a bit, but the Therapist is very nice, she does tri's and also has a shoulder injury she is nursing back to health. I am able to do some strength training in the legs, and can do light stationary/indoor bike as long as I am not bouncing the shoulder around too much. Now its really time to get that trainer going.

Again, I love the updates and really like to hear and follow along with those that are improving. Seems as if the groups swimming is getting so much better. Anyway - keep at it everyone. I will let everyone know how I am doing and will brag about my 1/(arm in sling) trainer rides I expect to be doing the next few weeks.

- Vin 

tri/tbay - 2011-03-04 8:40 AM Hey Brian, I forgot to give you congrats on your swims. Those are good numbers. Swims in that range depending on size of the event will put you in the front of pack/front of middle. Which puts you in a good position for the remainder of the day. BUT beware of the runners, they'll get you every time.

Roy,

Thanks for the "pat on the back".  I am pretty excited on how everthing is coming together.  Looking at the times for the run in my sprint, I know the runners are going to eat me up.  Especially if I have to cut back significantly due to the achilles issue.  I will still have a great time smilling ear to ear as I am being passed by someone running a 7min/mi.

..............

Brett,

I know what you are talking about.  I too am having a blast training.  Great swim!

..................

Vin,

Good to hear from you.  Speedy recovery.

Have a good weekend all,

Brian

Good afternoon,

Today quick laugh:

I decided to take a different route on my ride this morning due to the 20mph north winds today.  I ran over some glass and thought "I better stop to find out if I have a puncture". As I slowed down to a stop I remebered that I am still clipped  in.  I had no chance.  I tipped over, luckily on the grassy shoulder, and slid about 15' down the borrow ditch.  Two cars gave me a honk, as I was wrestling with my bike to get unclipped.

I guess I now have my first biking "badge of honor".

Have a good weekend,

Brian

Good Evening,

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I was very happy that the rain moved out of the area this morning, although I only took my little guy to the beach. Anyway, 6 days until my 1st Triathlon! Let the butterflies in the stomach begin. My training this week will be scaled down a notch, but I think I will be trying to get as much swimming in as possible just so I know that I can finish. My coach is going to time me on Tuesday. I think I am second guessing myself and still debating whether or not to use the wetsuit. I wasn't going to do any personal training this week and I am also debating whether or not to do the boot camps. I am in the dark about the week before a tri, as to how much training should still be going on. HELP!!! Thanks Courtney

Hey Roy,

Thanks! Whew! Yeah about the wetsuit I just got it and have not practiced swimming in it, but I guess no time like the present right? The Y pool is VERY Heated and I would probably pass out if I attempted to swim with the wetsuit. I guess I could go out to the beach and swim around for a bit and check it out since my training isn't taking up time this week. Also another question- probably silly- but should I buy a chip timing belt? I read that some people buy because they dont like the ones given out. Just didn't know I guess it is a preference thing. Thanks Again for all your help and guidance. Courtney

Courtney,

Get in that wetsuit asap... just like Roy said... do a couple of hundred yards in the pool, and if you can, see if you can get it on at the beach - just get wet with it, and then see what it feels like swimming. It will seriously help your confidence on raceday. You might have heard this, but wetsuits will help you float, so they really are great for weaker swimmers.

Many first time tri folks have never swam in their suits, you dont want to be there on race day if you dont have to. (If you do thats fine, but if you have the time and place to try it out before - do it) My last new wetsuit I wore on a small local sprint for the first time... (MISTAKE!) - the neck was too tight and I had trouble breathing. I had to stop / tread water, stretch it out like 4 times during the race, then I decided to just unzip the back at the neck... letting in excess water which slowed me down but at least I could breath.  After going through my post race eval, one of the big take aways was... never swim with a new untested wetsuit at a race. I had all the time in the world to try it out before and didnt because I was lazy.

- V

Roy and Vin,

Thanks so much for the warning. I guess I kind of forgot that I should try it out. It's the NERVES!!!HaaHaa! Well I am taking it to my swim lesson tomorrow morning and then I am going to the beach with some girlfriends and our kids. I need the open water experience as well since I have an Olympic in April. I will let y'all know how it felt tomorrow. Thanks Again and have a great night. Courtney

Roy, 

That was timely advice.  I was wondering about swim strategy for my event last night.  That makes sense.

Training:

I have decided not to do any runs this week, and try to nurse my sore achilles back from the brink.  Yesterday I did some strength training in the morning and had a good swim, 2,150 total yards, in the afternoon.   This morning I rode the trainer for 70min, looking back at my logs I am slowly but surely getting my HR up on the trainer.  I think the problem is a lack of concentration throughout the ride.  I am starting to recognize the loss of concentration sooner and get cranking.

Hopefully I can get back to runnning soon.

Courtney,

I am envious of your upcoming race.  Mine is still 5 weeks out.  Good luck, you will do great.

Have a good day all,

Brian 

Roy,

Thanks for the tips.  My first race is a TT type of swin and the one in June is an OWS.  If I think about either of them too hard I start to get a bit anxious, which is probably not the a good idea this far out. 

I think it is definitly the Achilles.  The soreness is about 1.5" above where the tendon attaches to the heel.  There is vey little swelling associated with it, but is slightly tender when I sqeeze the tendon at that location.  I had a bit of a grinding or creeking sensation last week in the same area, but that has pretty much gone away.  Hopefully with ice and rest from running I will be back to training for all three soon. 

I did massage the bottom of my foot and I do not have any tenderness.

Brian

Roy,

Thanks! Yeah I did have a swim cap on it is just alittle piece of hair that gets caught but I probably didn't have it adjusted right. I will make sure I do on Saturday. Just resting up here on out. Going to the Strawberry festival today, after the Monsoon clears out. Hey, if any of you like extreme challenges Tough Mudder is coming to Tampa in Dec 2011. http://toughmudder.com/events/florida/ I signed up for Saturday Dec 3rd, 10:40 am wave! 12 miles and 21 obstacles!!!!!!! Have a Great Day!!!! Courtney

Funnel Cakes.  Oh those are my weakness too.

The wife and I have a big ride this weekend.  100 miles.  Wish us luck.

Good Afternoon,

In Bartow for the Tri tomorrow. Roy, yeah I wasn't bad at the Strawberry Festival, just had some whipcream and strawberries split betweeen 6 of us!3 adults 3 toddlers!  I sooooo wanted to try the Red Velvet Funnel Cake but couldn't bring myself to it!  I am slowly going Gluten Free and I baked my first loaf of GF Bread yesterday. It came out awesome if I do say so myself :0) Not allergic to Gluten just like the way everything tastes so far.

Sean Good Riding on the 100 miles this weekend!

Brian- Congrats, on your "Badge of Honor" so to speak! I hopefully won't be revisiting any of that this weekend!

Anyway, just waiting to go get my packet and then they are having a Pasta & Pizza Dinner for us and a First Timer meeting. I am drilling it into my brain to relax when I go for the swim. A nice, easy pace to get me to the finish! Um..... THANK GOD I HAVE A WETSUIT!!!! Brrrrrr!:0)