Southwestmba/Andy's excellent adventure group-Full (Page 8)

Thanks Andy!

I for one could use a little uplifting; this weekend was the perfect storm of calories. Saturday was my grandson's 5th birthday, Sunday was my our 29th anniversary, and Monday of course Memorial Day; hot dogs and burgers and fixins, oh my! Cake and ice cream and chocolate oh my! Alcoholic beverages, oh my! I feel like some alkie who jumped off the wagon.

I'm getting myself back together; I gained 6 pounds over that period of time and the weight is receding. I need to let this be a lesson to myself, don't lose your focus!

Agree with Andy.

Don't sweat it.  It's one day, and mostly water weight.  Do you really think it was possible that you consumed 6 pounds of calories that day?  Not likely.  Yes it's a setback but you need to enjoy once in awhile, or you'll quit in the long run.

I agree with the others, Paetheon. Life is about balance. Sometimes we tip the scale in the wrong direction but to enjoy your celebrations with food and drink is okay sometimes. Finding the right balance is very hard for me too. I like to indulge and could use a little self control myself.

I have been following along and soaking up all the knowledge and encouragement offered around here but havent had a lot of time to post. Things are going well in my training lately. I ran the half marathon a few weeks ago and did okay(1:47)  My time wasnt what i really wanted (1:45)but i wasnt sure what to expect running it so soon after my last marathon. Im up to 18 miles on the bike and i can comfortably swim a mile in the pool now. I did a mile this morning before work and i am headed out for 18 miles on my bike as soon as i get off today...unfortunately on my mountain bike because i realized my tire was flat on my road bike this morning before i left. I didnt have time to check it out but my mountain bike felt so heavy loading it up. I hope my ride goes ok. This weekend, friends have invited us onto their boat and i am hoping to do my first swim in the lake at some point. Im more than a little worried about boat traffic. Any tips about that?

have a great thursday, all!

Checking in. Traing has been going well. I had a nasty cold last week but still managed to have great swim and bike workouts this week. My running is getting better though it can still use some improvment. It takes me a mile or two to get into a good rythm and I tend to swing my arms to much.

I have my first tri of the season, a sprint, this Saturday. It's a local event that I'm using as a warm-up for my next event in July. Both are at Lake Sammamish State Park.

Lisa

Lakenw,

Swimming near boat traffic is the same as running or riding near cars. Be seen and be safe. Wear a bright colored swim cap to make yourself more visable. Think neon green, pink, or red. If possible have someone go along side of you in a kyak or canoe.

Lisa

It's been fun reading about everyone's successes this season.  My training is going well. I've never been a runner and that is definitely my weakness.  However,  I've managed to find my pace that I can keep moving without spiking my HR and having to walk.  It's a SLOW pace (9:50) but I'm trying to add some intervals with it (30 seconds at 8:15 followed by minute and a half of my 9:50 pace).  Is there anything more I should be doing to increase my pace?  

My new road bike is awesome and I love the difference in the weight and the ease I can move with it...so much easier than my mountain bike.

The swim is my strongest and I feel good each time I'm in the water...Like I could always do more than my workout calls for for the day.  I'm trying to step up the pace on that because of that by doing intervals.  My last average pace was 1:31/100 meters.

So I'm feeling good as far as my progression, but still a long way to go when looking at everyone else's standards, but, hey, I'm truly a beginner triathlete.  

Thanks for the advice you've given thus far, Andy and everyone else.  It's been good to check and read the posts.   

Alcatraz and grim, sounds like that's been said before lol! Not that I'm one to dole out info but if you are on a TT bike or a road bike, perhaps lowering the pressure in your tires a bit might be helpful for traction. Not to much rubber on the road with those tires, you know...

 Had a great 36 mile ride down the New Jersey shore on Long Beach Island.  Not too many tourists yet, so not too many cars to deal with.  After turning around at the 14 mile point, realized there was a pretty decent head on wind, so that made for some excellent training. 

Good luck to eveyone racing this weekend.  Can't wait to hear how it went and read your race reports.

Surprise! I just finished my first triathlon! I guess I'm an over achiever... completed this goal a month early (I'd intended to start "my career" with triathlons in July)! heh.

Seriously though - I really enjoyed this race. When I bump into those couple guys at the pool who recommended the Lake Mills event as my very first triathlon (instead of Pewaukee which I'm learning has a bit of a reputation as a more rough and tumble event), I'll definitely thank them for their good advice!

Here's my race log: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=255086

My highlights are:

1. I completed my very first triathlon!   Whoo hoo!

2. Done in less than 1 1/2 hours - the goal I'd set for the Pewaukee sprint. 

3. Had a great time!  

4. Unexpectedly yet pleasantly was in 2nd place within my "mens novice" group at the end of T2!  

zero rain and perfect conditions for alcatraz yesterday!  yaaaay!

i'll post a longer race report later, but briefly: it was a GREAT event.  i treated it as such, as opposed to a "race," so i took my time and didn't push hard, in order to take everything in.  the swim was awesome, the bike and run are tough but absolutely gorgeous.  plus, i got my picture taken with michellie jones, and chatted with andy potts for a good 15 minutes on the boat before the swim start.  they are the nicest people.  now i get a few days at home with my parents to relax and recover!  (except i just want to do it again today!  lol)

I completed my first Tri in Lansing MI, the Hawk Island Triathlon. It's a mini-sprint and it is one of the largest in Michigan; there were 695 athletes there and that is not counting friends and family. It was a great atmosphere, the weather was great, the event was conducted well, a first triathlon could not of been held better.

This is my report

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=255163

Some highlights:

I placed 11th in my age group in the swim, I was happy about that, especially with the way the first half of it went; it was the classic 'swimpede'; surrounded by swimmers bouncing off one another; I wasn't able to get into a rhythm until past the first bouy, almost 1/2 done with the leg.

I thought I did well in the bike, but only placed 18th out of 30; I suppose it was correct but I was not passed that much while I passed plenty. I even passed a mini van, hehe! I thought my gear changes went well, I was able to get some nutrition and drink on bike, but I need a little practice with my technique. I have fallen completely head over heals in love with my bike, a Trek Madonne 4.7, I would totally suck without it!

The run is my weakest link. I could not will myself to go fast, not until the very end with the finish line in sight. This is what I truly need to focus on for my next tri in July.

I didn't focus on my transitions at all and certainly could/will improve them in the future. I was content with being involved and enjoying my first tri.

Today and Monday I am pleasantly surprised at how I feel, I'm hardly sore at all! Mentally and physically I truly can't recall feeling so good! I get back to my training today and I can't wait for work to get out!

Some of you might of seen this on the main board but I was bit by some bug that left a bullseye mark that had/has me concerned; am I going to get Lyme disease!? The doc at the clinic I was at felt it wasn't that, that the mark would last longer than a day (it faded by the end of the day, although the bite is still there) and in general they get bigger. It was only the size of a dime, while apparently most are the size of a quarter, at least. So great, at my next event I'll be all paranoid about the wildlife; what's next, leeches?

The Hawk Island Tri was a blast; it's mini tri but it's a fun time; if you are close to Lansing when it rolls around again next year, it would be one to consider doing!

My tri last Saturday didn't go as well as I had hoped for. It wasn't an enjoyable experience but I'm still glad I did it. I learned a lot about coping when things don't go well. Had I been doing a training swim, run, or ride that went the same way I would have cut it short. I never considered not finishing.

Brief rundown. The weather was beautiful, I felt great and fully recovered from my cold. Started feeling nauseas part way into the swim. Slowing down and doing the backstroke helped. Stomach was jittery for the first 4 to 5 miles of the bike course. I had a hard time pedaling. Thought my tires were low on air. That wasn't the problem. Felt the best on the run. Knew I was going slower than planned. Picked up the pace tha last mile or so of the run.

Was tired after the tri. I was still tired and had a sore throat on Sunday. Went to the doctor on Monday even though I was feeling better. I don't have anything. the doctor said that I had exerted myself to soon after being sick.

What I learned. It's ok if every race doesn't turn out as planned. Learn from the mistakes and move on. Keep going, the chances are that I'll be able to finish. I will get strange looks when I tell my negative thoughts to "just shut up"out loud. I can and should push harder on the run.

Open water swim question. I've done open water swims with and without a wetsuit. The only times I've had stomach issues is when I wear the wetsuit. Could my position in the water while wearing the wetsuit be causing the problem?

Also, how do I get a link to my race report to show up in my post?

Lisa