Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 86)

Just finished up 5 weeks on the road with youngest daughters wedding samwiched between. Heading to Phoenix next week, then I get to stay home for the rest of the year!

Training is spotty, averaging 2 runs per week and 8-12 miles on hotel exercise bikes. Swam just 1x in September.

Officially signed up for South Beach Tri last week (for 4/7/13) should help to keep me motivated this winter. My oldest daughter Crystal also signed up so looking forward to sharing this event! Crystal and her husband and grandson Roman live in Miami as does my youngest daughter and family, I'll try to get her joining us next year.

Anybody in Phoenix area? I'll be there 10/10-14.

David

2012-10-08

Thanks for asking! Haven't ridden outside since August . After seeing the pics from your crash, I have been afraid to ride on the road. Actually, the travel schedule just hasn't allowed it, hope to get a few fall rides in before snow fall though. High in the upper 40's this past weekend with lows in the low 30's. Supposed to get back up into the 50's again by the time I get back from Phoenix and then I can get out a few times. Getting dark clase to 7: already, and had to scrape (frost/ice) from all my car windows this morning to go to work.

Amen!!! Here are some pics from a trip to Virginia this past weekend ... fall is definitely here. 

This was my brother-in-laws first ride down the Virginia Creeper Trail ... 17 miles of downhill riding.  Overall the trail ride is more like 35 miles, but the first 17 miles are downhill all the way

(trail.jpg)

(sunrise.JPG)

Wow, cool pics!

Training here is going fine.  I have an Oly next weekend then a HIM on Nov 11th.  The Oly is the A race and the HIM is more of just for fun.  My running and swimming are fine for the HIM but my biking has been more aimed at the Oly so not a lot of long rides.  Should be interesting.

Good luck Dorm!

Picked up a new wetsuit, Xterra Vector pro, and tried it out yesterday.  Wow, very nice.  As a test I just did a push off, hands out front, and relaxed.  The wetsuit put me in a perfect position and I just glided across the pool.  Ran 4+ miles yesterday at a decent clip.  Fall keeps teasing us but looks like the really hot weather is gone for awhile.

It was really pretty here this morning.  The sky was crystal clear, blue and temps were lo-mid 50's. This was the easiest sprint of the year for me ... mainly as the run leg was only 2 miles.  But is was on the shady side of the street and was an out and back down the same path, so it was super easy.  The pool swim was a bit of a challenge as the organizer doesn't force the participants to go by their start numbers and there were all sorts of people-skills mixed in with the swim.  And there was 2-way traffic per each lane, which made passing a challenge. 

I didn't really kill it in either sport and had an issue with the bike shoes which worked against me, but the weather was so beautiful and there were so many 1st timers here, I couldn't help grinning all the way through the race.  I'll post the race report once I get the final results. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend all.

(Rex Wellness 2012.jpg)

Dorm,

Great pic!!!  Love it, nice job on the race. 

David - are you racing this weekend?

As for me I have an Oly on Sunday.  Got a new wetsuit and love it and hoping I can have a good swim on Sunday.  My 910 is on the fritz (problem with the Mode button which makes a lot of the operations hard to do).  Garmin is sending a replacement but it probably won't be here in time.

Everyone enjoying their off season?

Great job Dorm, nice pic's. I am not going to run this weekend, the work travel took a toll on my training, I finally gave up last 2 weeks. I did hike around in the mountains around Phoenix last week, which was a good 2-hour workout, but nothing else.

Bought my first set of clipless pedals yesterday for a bday gift to me. Shamano shoes, mtb style and knock-off pedals. Looking forward to practicing with them this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

DW - belated happy BDay, you will enjoy the present. 

Mike - I just saw you were doing RnR this weekend?  If so, good luck!

Gary, good luck Sunday and remember to have fun!

The thought just occurred to me that you may be racing this weekend and wow ... indeed.  Have a great time with your race, be safe and don't be so intense as to not soak in the moments during the race

Thanks all! Looks like wetsuit legal so my new suit is a go.  Took bike out for test run and everything is a go.  Picked up my packet and will start packing later.  Temps should be in the 60's to start and the 70's for the run. 

Kids ran cross country today, DD did 2 miles in 15:12, not a PR for her but close.  DS did three miles in 20:31, he is fighting for a spot to go to state and is working to bring his 3 mile down below 20 min.  Needless to say DS is now faster than me.

Mike - congrats!!!! Nice job!

Well, my goal was sub 3 hr and I managed a 2:41 and change so I am very happy with that.  Race went well but I am tired and sore and still have hay to load in the barn, ugh.  Quick synopsis: swim went okay but my sighting was awful, great T1, great ride (avgd over 20mph), okay T2, good run ( for me).

Thanks!!!  Yes it is a PR, my previous (and only other Oly) was 3 hrs plus.  I need to looks up what it was but last year I had a really rough race due to the heat.  This year was much better with much cooler temps.

RR is up:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=465559&posts=1#M4464491

Congrats, that is awesome. Took 20 + min off previous oly, sounds like good planning and execution. Just what we need in a leader, great job.