Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 96)

Realized this weekend that my graduate classes are not going to allow for the level of commitment needed to achieve my plan, 12+ hours a week studying. Have changed swimming to 2x/week instead of 3. This will still give me 20,000+ yards before my first race in April. I only had 27,000 all of last year. While I am not fast, swimming is easy for me.

It is great to see all our new comers to the group! Love the advice to work hard with what you have. I did my first tri with my MTB and had fun and accomplished my goal, I finished! Also, lol at reviewing the bike rules again, thanks Dorm for bringing that back around.

My soap box - I see a lot of motivation and great plans from this group ... which is great, but don't forget to smile and enjoy, I truly believe this is more about the journey than the destination!

Well after getting my new cycling computer installed so I can track mileage and cadence on the trainer I managed to put in a little more than 50 miles over 5 days last week, while continuing to rehab my knee.  I tried a "mini-brick" going from a 9 mile ride on the bike to the treadmill, alternating every 1/4 mile between runnning and walking for a mile just to see how my knee woudl respond.  It took me 12 minutes (not a time I'm thrilled about) but I was able to jog without a lot of discomfort. I'm going to keep plugging away at it this week and see what kind of progress I can make.

Keep working on you mom!  I am doing a sprint tri on Father's Day with my 70 year old dad and 10 year old son.  I am looking forward to that one more than any other race this year.  My son has been my training buddy on the bike and for a lot of swimming, so I was thrilled when he asked if her could do one.

I agree with Gary's comments.  The bottom line is: it is all about the engine.  Even with the triple, you have sufficient gearing underneath to get some serious speed.  There are a lot of options for gearing with these ... some have 52-42-30 teeth, others 52-39-30, with a popular gearing set at 48-38-26.  Either way, if you stay in the larger chainring there is potential for speed ... you can always drop down to the mid-ring with climbing.  My set up is a 52-39 with an 11-28 rear cassette.

Stick to what you have right now and with your training ... you can always keep a check out on-line sites to grab up a top shelf bike as you get more road under you.

Yo Shelly ... happy to see you posting again and back in with the group

Amen to that brother!

Our resident fish has returned!!! Elizabeth, yes, once you are a member you are always a member and can return anytime.  Welcome back! 

All, ee have a great mix of veterans and fresh converts.  Love the way this group has come together.  There are still a few "of the flock who are still lost" but maybe we will see their return also.

It appears that we're all being inundated with rain.  Inasmuch as I am new to tri's and have no desire to spend huge amounts of money on equipment, I have a bike question.  I do not have a "trainer", nor "rollers" or any such item.  I had planned a ride today but the rains will prevent that.  My question:

In lieu of the fact that I do not have nor do I intend on spending money on the above items, is riding the exercise bike at the gym a sufficient substitute for missing a ride?  The bike I use has many settings (my favorite is "Foothills" and another is "Hill Interval") as well as levels (degrees of difficulty).  It counts RPM's (I'm assuming this is cadence although I'm trying to avoid getting that deep) as well as "distance".

Your resident "pragmatist".

Steve

P.S.  Those items are in quotes b/c this "beginner" group throws those terms around very casually and this true beginner has no clue what those items are.

Steve, first while spin classes or spin bike are not my first choice they are much better than no workout at all.  Especially if you have someone pushing you.  So get on that (spin) bike as much as possbile.  As for the items in "quotes", I think the only two you mentioned that would be thrown around here regularly are Distance and RPM's.  RPM's being Revolutions Per Minute and has to do with the number of revolutions of your pedal per minute.  Its something that you will be interested in as you improve on the bike but for now concentration on "" which is Time In The Saddle which is king (at least IMHO). 

BTW, I do like the concept that if there is a term thrown out that anyone is not sure about that you call it out.

LIZZZZ ... Hey!!! So glad you're back in the group.  Glad to see you are well and hope the issue with the hip is gone.

Dorm ...

Steve ... there's not one thing wrong with riding a stationary bike.  Get on the thing and ride, ride ride!  I do spin classes every week and when the weather is bad, I'll head to the gym, click in, turn on the Ipod and pedal away

K - excellente' ... Oh and you are doing it right.  The real runners in the group have stressed all along that it's the time one puts in that pays off.  My direction is to focus on running for 1/2 hour, 45 mins, etc in lieu of how far and at what pace.  If I focus on the time, then the others aspect will come.

Interesting fact from the group run last night ... we had about 30 people in all which were split into 2 groups - fast and slow.  One of the leads in my group was a young lady who has qualified to compete in world triathlon competitions.  I'll have to find out more, but I really need to hang in there with this group .

Dorm- I have to agree with you 100%.  Rehabbing from my knee surgery, one of the things that has kept me sane is my bike and the trainer.  Sometimes instead of the ipod, I'll put one of the Kona races from previous years on.....and that by itself gives me the inspiration to push farther.

Well, rain has just about stopped although there is a possibility of a little snow overnight.  Fun.  Ran last night with the pup (Moose) and he does 2 miles no problem.  Dropped him off and did intervals, 30 sec on 30 sec recovery.  Long time since I have done them, went well but kicked my butt.  Ride tonight, with intervals.

Work got me an iPad and have a couple of "Wait, Wait, don't tell" me podcasts to listen to during my ride.  There are a couple of Tri related podcasts I need to start downloading to it.  Also, I need to start looking at some productivity apps for it.