Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 92)

The plunge was refreshing and cathartic and... well... Freezing!It is a great way to make the old year go away.

Ken - Welcome!!

Hey all
Started off 2013 with a run with the family.  We all did various distances and took a few our dogs with us.  I started off with Moose, our great dane/black lab pup, for a mile then took another dog for the rest of the distance.  New Sprint plan starts today.  I am using the BT gold plan along with Chris Carmichaels Time-Crunched Triathlete to push quality over quantity.

I really like to get my 2013 plan scheduled but none of the races I typically do are up yet.  Of course the one race that I planned not to do is NOLA 70.3 and its advertising all over the place.

Robin - Very cool on the plunge!

Will have to post a pic of my ride who went thru a name change mid last year.

This sounds like there is a story there. My bike has a silly name, but it is appropriate. When I was first starting running/ biking for triathlon a few years ago, I was told to "Buck up Buttercup" and just do it. I was in the process of purchasing a road bike. The one I chose is yellow and white. It's name became Buttercup. I detest riding on the road. Well, I love the road, I hate traffic. So, I have to Buck up on Buttercup a lot! .

Hi guys,

Is it appropriate to start asking for advice already?

If so, here's my first (of many on the way) question:  I'm not just starting this fitness journey, I'm re-starting my nutrition regimen.  I only have 1 coffee a day and after oceans of green tea, it gets boring.  Do you have any ideas for nutritious hot drinks to sip on while at my desk?

It may not be for everyone, but I fill my coffee cup with hot water in the afternoons. It took a couple of weeks to get used to, but now I rather enjoy it. We have a "hot water" tap at work so it is a little like tea without the tea!

TBH I am Diet Pepsi person.  I am a bit sensitive to caffiene and one regular cup sends me into outer space.  Three cups has me losing my lunch.  I would suggest just looking at different flavors of tea being careful to not hit some of those teas with lots of caffiene.  An alternative is a cup of soup.  More calories but flavorful and will hit the spot.

NAME

kfree1966 - Kevin

STORY

I am 46 and come from a running background. Played various sports all through my youth. Stopped through college. Dabbled for a bunch of years and finally got serious at 40. Complete 3 NY Marathon with a PR of 3:48. Do well on the Half Marathons (PR 1:37), just can't get it to convert. A die hard runner but realized I have to let running go a bit and embrace the multi-sport. It is hard to do but this year going to commit to it. Last year I did two Tri's in the spring. They were interesting but I was not committed like this year. Training in the winter is tough as this is family time. Family time is skiing in Vermont. 

FAMILY 

Married 20 years with 10 and 7 year old girls. 

CURRENT TRAINING

Running 3 times a week (18-20 miles). On the bike (indoor rollers) 2 days a week. Lifting once or twice a week. Ski Saturday and Sunday. Every so often blow off Sunday ski for cross country skiing. Once Skiing done, will go to a 4 Run, 3 Bike and 3 Swim week.

RACES for 2013

Committed to two Tri's planned. Jerseyman Sprint in May and Quassy Olympic in June.Possible Syracuse 70.3 in late June

Have to run 9 NYRR Races for NYC 2014 Qualification. This will be the last of the 5 NY's I want to complete. Will be using the races as speed work 

WEIGHTLOSS

Currently 161. If I can get to 155 great. 

----What's up with wanting HOT drinks?  Is it a diet thing, or an environment thing?

-----Every once and a while - I have a great swim; today was that day with a broken up 1850 yards.  I am working on building my base back up, and I still have a lot bricks to lay for that base to get where it needs to be. 

               -----I did FINALLY get my head to turn with my hips on both sides, instead of turning with my shoulders. This seems like a small thing, but that small thing shaved 5 seconds off my lap time.  Now if I can just repeat it next time.

                     ----------Short slow run tonight.  My calves are still blown up, which is a little frustrating.

Welcome to the group KFree.

Thanks. 

My rollers just came in. So they are the first challenge of the year. Managed a who 15 seconds without a hand on the doorway. Small steps but forward ones. 

There have been a few threads on BT and ST about this.  Some claim that it makes it easier to clean up if you get road rash from a crash.  I don't think there is any real savings for swimming by doing it.  I did it for awhile on my calfs and liked the feel but DW didn't like it and gave it up.  IMHO its a personal thing with possibly some side benefits.

2nd night in a row with DS having a night soccer game.  PIcked up a portable propane heater as its been in the 30-40's for the game.  Missed my run tonight and will run tomorrow morning.  Still have some stuff for work to do and will be back tomorrow.

Welcome to all the newbees!

Got back in the pool this morning for an exhausting 30 minutes and 900 yards, had to take a lot of 30 second rests. Last swim was September 13 and I felt every stroke.

I have no experieince with shaving and longest event is a sprint where I eat a banana or goo on the bike and a little water on the run. Happy New Year everyone. Still no name for my 2-wheel friend, but am thinking about it.

Hi, I have a question about spending money for a professional bike fitting. Two years ago I purchased a used TREK 5000 (I think it's approx. 2001 model) in just okay shape for $700. I used it for sprints my first season and sprints/OLYs last season. I'd say that I generally feel okay on the bike during races but I'm not fast (at any discipline for that matter) and I'm wondering if I should get a fitting to at least make sure I've eliminated that variable. 

I am aware that the engine is my main concern and it really comes down to training, genetics and nutrition but I have read so much about fit I am concerned about ignoring that since I want to tackle a HIM in Sept. 2013.

Then there's the cost which I could just put towards a new ride (need to convince wife!) which should come with a professional fitting.

Thanks in advance! Ken

?

(Ken Trek 5000.jpg)

TBH, both times I have gotten bike fits I thought I had it pretty dialed in before the fitting.  I am a big believer in getting fit.  Shop around, while the cheapest may not be the best its a good start.  I think I spent less than $100 on my last fitting (I did get a discount being part of the local Tri club).

I just had y first bike fitting ever. It made an amazing amount of difference to my overall comfort. We still need to see how it may affect my speed.

Hi Gary,

NAME - kartracerguy - David Guy

STORY

I am 50 year old male and live in Saltillo, Ms. A small town in Northeast Mississippi. I am 5'10" and 170+/-. I started a better diet and exercise program last April and lost about 35 pounds. I started walking 2 miles a day and then 2 miles twice a day. My goal was to run a 5K in my daughters honor at the Down Syndrome Buddy Run/Walk. I ended the year with 4 races with fairly respectable times. I have always like bikes so I thought my next step was to try a Sprint Triathlon.  I like the short distance since I can already do a 5K. I grew up on at the Tennessee River so swimming in deep open water is not an issue so all three things are coming together in my mind. I have just joined my company wellness center since they have a pool, weights, bikes, and treadmills. I am working on getting the paid membership setup so that I can create and post my training plans and progress. 

FAMILY 

Married 26 years with two sons (23yo and 14yo) as well as a daughter that is 18yo. 

CURRENT TRAINING

Generally walking 2 miles each day, somethings running an additional 2 miles in the afternoons. I run more when I get closer to a scheduled race. I am starting a 16 week weight, running, biking, and swimming program for my first Sprint Triathlon.

RACES for 2013

I have already entered the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon and plan to do a Sprint in Nashville sometime in September.

I would like to use these as springboards to doing a Olympic distance afterwards.

WEIGHT

Currently 170 +/- but I would like to be 165 or wherever my body wants to stabilize at.

Hey all ... busy week for me.  Did a brick session on Tuesday at the gym with the wife and an hour & half endurance session on the spin cycle Thursday.  Plan to ride from the house today  30'ish miles somewhere.  The cycle club at my gym has really ratcheted up their efforts with training (both strength and endurance) and works hard at promoting the sport, which makes it easy for me to train

Brett ... first off - no shaved legs for me.  As big as I am this would have no benefit whatsoever .  On your nutrition question, I usually grab a goo when exiting transition from the bike to run leg.  All my races have been sprint distance, so don't have experience with longer races.

Welcome Kartracer (David) ... you'll find a lot of encouragement, experience and fun from the group.

Ken ... one link you might try before chunking down the cash is  competitivecyclist.com.  These had a free fit calculator on the site, which to me validated that I at least had the correct frame size.  Moving on from there, I'd definitely do the bike fit session to help fine tune your seat position, stem height and length, pedal arm lgth, etc.  Even after a year, I still have seat position issues with my road bike wherein slight adjustment (1/8" here or there) makes a world of difference .  The better fit comes  into play especially with the longer rides, wherein you get rid of the small hot spot that starts to really burn or ache after 15-20 miles. 

kartracerguy - David - Welcome!!!

My workout schedule keeps getting shifted due to the kids being on holiday break but still managed 3.8 mile run and a 35 min trainer ride yesterday.  Today is supposed to be a 25+ mile ride and hopefully I will get that in.  Didn't make it to the pool this week and until the kids go back to school that will be difficult.  That said I thought my first Tri was late March and it looks like it will actually be early April.

My work with the Louisiana Skeeter run is keeping busy trying to get everything ready.  Seems I am perpetually behind but it should all work out.

Take care all!