Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 95)

Hi all-  I'm a little late getting over here to post my background thanks to that nasty flu bug.  Anyway, I was on the track and cross country teams, so I did more than my fair share of running.  After high school I spent more time undoing all the good I had done for my body running.  Fast forward several years and after quitting smoking I spent a great deal of time in the gym trying to get away from my overly skinny runners frame.  From my late 30's on I have taken a great deal of pride in staying fit (I want to be around a long time for my wife and sons) and have stayed active in a number of sports including soccer, softball and golf.

 I competed in and completed my first triathlon in October of last year.  My 70 year old father decided it was something he wanted to do and I suggested that I would train with him (mostly to make sure he didn't kill himself).  What I discovered quickly was that I LOVED the training. Going into it, my primary concern was the swim and I focused hard on it despite not having a true training plan.   Just about the time I felt comfortable enough to say I would sign up, my father had a biking accident and wound up with 25 stitches in his knee.  Rather than sign up, we transferred his registration to me.  I got next to no sleep the night before the race due to nerves but was ready to go race morning.  Dad was with me to help me get my transition set up and cheer me on.  Overall I was thrilled with how the race went.  Obviously in retrospect there are things I want to change (T1 for starters!) and things I want to learn so I can avoid pitfalls the next time.  Burt the bottom line is that I'm hooked!  I am registered for 2 sprint tri's right now, Escape from Ft. Delaware Sprint in May and then on Fathers Day I will be racing in the Dragonfly Sprint tri with my father AND my 10 year old son.  I also plan to run in the Marine Corp 17.75k race in March to qualify for the Marine Corp Marathon and I plan to register for the first inaugural Quantico Sprint Tri when registration opens in May.  If all goes well I will compete in the Diamondman Sprint 2 days before my 44th birthday.  Did I also forget to mention that I am rehabbing from knee surgery in December?  

Anyway, I'm excited to be here and can't wait to pick Gary's (and everyone else's) brain on triathlon and how to juggle that with family stuff.

Pat 

Just finished a 3.90/mile ride.  According to my training program, I was to finish in 15 minutes  (I did it in 17). I'm using a custom BT training program and it seems to put things in perspective for me based on my skills and experience nicely.  Anyone else using this to program their training?  If not, what are you using?  I'm using it b/c this is my 1st tri and I am trying to not get too fancy (HR training, etc.) b/c that is WAY too much work for me and then I begin to NOT have fun.

Also, is anyone using the training logs here?

Shelly - Glad to see you back!  Hope things are better for you.

FYI, an online store called the Tri shop is having a sale on Huub wetsuits - $99 for short sleeve and $149 for long. Plus free shipping.  I don't know much about the Huub wetsuits but a good deal along with the usual Xterra wetsuit sales.

So here are a few questions about preferences and rules:

Q1: When entering T1 do you put your number/belt on for the bike ride and turn it backwards or can you just use your body numbers?

Q2: Does your bike have a number that will be placed on it? 

Q3: What number belt do you prefer?

Thanks - Dave

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.

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. 

First name is Kim.

Morning all ... had an easy brick session with DD yesterday (spin - swim).  Beautiful clear skies here today (cold though) and plan to do a club ride at 11:00, for ~20 miles. 

I've been working on my 3 daughters ... Anna 33, Emily 31 and Kathryn 23 ... to sign up for a sprint race in March - looks promising.  So far 2 of the 3 are signed up.  Stopped by the LBS in route to the gym yesterday and picked up a pair of bike shoes for Emily.  It will be a lot of fun having my girls race alongside in March.  I printed out the 12 weeks to sprint training plan for these and encouraged a signup to BT, so will see how this goes. 

Also, welcome to the new members in the group.

HAGD ... Dorm

Hi Gary,

I am hoping you have room in your group for me. I am 60 years old and started doing sprint triathlons last year with my fifteen year old grandson.  I had to learn to swim and bike. I would like to move up to Olympic/International distance. I somehow qualified for the Age Group National Championships in August.  I have a lot of questions!

Thanks!

Connie

NAME: bamagrad04 - Will
STORY: Short story is I am 31 years old was way overweight. During the Summer of 2012, I decided to change things and started running (2.5-3 miles/ 4-5 days a week) and eating more healthy. At the time I started running I was 273 pounds and I'm now down to 195 and counting. Since I have been running I have really enjoyed it. My brother in law gave me his 2003 Specialized Allez and I'm now ready to begin training for my first sprint triathlon this summer.
FAMILY STATUS: Married for 6+ years with two wonderful, healthy children (3.5 y.o. and 7 mos).
CURRENT TRAINING: Run +/-3 miles (m/w/f), weigh train (usually Tuesdays), brick workout thurs (run/bike) and swim at the ymca (when i can on Saturdays or Sundays or schedule permits)<
THIS YEAR'S RACES: plan to enter my first sprint triathlon in June .
2012 RACES: none
WEIGHTLOSS: I have lost about 80 pounds since August of 2012. I would like to lose 20 more then maintain my weight at 180 or so.