jsiegs and slornow's Train Hard and Have Fun group - CLOSED for Training

Can I join you?!?!

NAME: khharms - Karla

STORY: I took interest in Tri's in 2009 when I decided to start 'training' for a Sprint. I use the word training loosely because I had no idea what to do. I started going to a tri training class on Friday mornings at the Y. I loved it, but then work got in the way. Then Oct of 2009 I got pregnant (7 weeks before my wedding). The tri I signed up for was 1 week before my wedding... I was completely unprepared, and overwhelmed with other things going on in my life that I did not show up for the tri.

Fast forward to today... I am 13 days away from my first tri - a super sprint (the shortest tri in TX: 200m swim, 8 mile bike, 2 mile run) I have been training for 6 weeks, and I'm ready (sort of!)

I am a swimmer, but in a pool, not a lake! I have never been on a group ride (I spin, at the gym), and I don't even pretend to run (12 minutes is roughly my pace). As you can see, I have a lot riding against me, but I'm not going to let my fall-backs stop me. I'm using this particular tri as a trial: is this what I really want to do? (I have a feeling it is!) I have not put in a ton of training (like I should) or a lot of money, yet.

I'm not in it to win it, just finish.. then work on my weaknesses.

FAMILY STATUS: Married to my best friend, mother to a 10 month old baby girl and 6 year old fur baby!

CURRENT TRAINING: Training for my first super sprint on May 8th. I have my 'real' training schedule set up for other races later this year.

2011 RACES: 

TriGirl all women Super Sprint, May 8th - Registered. Sprint Tri, August 14 - Not Registered. Sprint Tri, Oct 30 - Not Registered. Once I finish my first then I will register for the other two

WEIGHTLOSS: I'm a woman... I always want to lose weight! I have 15 lbs to lose to get to my goal weight, 4 of those lbs are lingering baby weight. I don't obsess over losing weight, but it is always a concern. The last 15lbs are my goal before getting pregnant again.

Hi Randy! Thanks for having me!!

I'm not following anything specific for this race. Basically, I started March 18th with a Tri Training class at The Y - the class is every Friday morning and we basically do a sprint tri. It's 90 mins, 30 min spin, 30 min run, 30 min swim (swim is last because their has to be lifeguards).

Every Tues/Thurs I go to spin, and every Wed/Fri I run/walk with a mom's group, approx 4 miles. Friday's I only walk since I do the tri class first.

Being a swimmer, I don't spend a lot of time in the water right now. The pool at the Y is indoor, and heated, so swimming in it is like swimming in molasses.

I am planning on doing another tri in August, a sprint. I have already laid out my training schedule for that one, using the training plan on here. My main focus for that training will be running and I have already talked to a cycle friend who is going to take me on rides with her team in training group over the summer.

Sorry for the late response, I'm dealing with some health issues (ear infection causing some bad vertigo) and haven't been on BT (or a computer) all that much recently.

That's funny, I sort of got started with a class at my gym that was a 40 min spin then a 20 treadmil workout...I couldn't take 60 min of a spin class at a time so this class was great (and probably really helped me for my first few tri's). Then I just though - I might as well do a triathlon (nevermind swimming...)!  Did you do the tri becuase of the class or the class because of the tri?

If you're still open, I need the support! 

NAME: nmladic - Nicole

STORY: A friend (jschmitchicag) got me into triathlons 2 years ago with a simple "Anybody can do it" email. I've done 2 sprint triathlons since then and am currently training to step it up for a mid-July Oly tri (and terribly nervous about this progression!). I try to follow the training plans pretty religiously and enjoy learning about fitness and nutrition. (I work at a medical school, so I tend to geek out about this stuff, too!)

I really have loved the experience of my 2 sprint tri's and at first was very excited to get friends into the sport, but have had a difficult time convincing anyone else to join me. Would love the social benefits that come with this mentoring program, since I too find that my friends and family are less excited to talk about training all the time.

My back story is that I've been a runner for many years (since high school) but am constantly getting injured (most recently was in PT this winter for IT Band issues). Working on getting stronger to prevent running-related injuries. Tri training seems to help.

All that said, I am also a fun-loving city gal. I go to concerts, check out new restaurants, love to travel, frequent bars, love craft beer, and really try to take advantage of city life. I have a great network of friends, tons of family, and lots of social commitments. One of my biggest challenges is fitting everything in!

FAMILY STATUS: Live with man-friend, so technically single w/no kids. But my extended family is ginormous and all kinds of high-maintenance. Luckily some of them are into fitness. But a larger portion of them is really into cake. And sausage. And drinks. 

CURRENT TRAINING: Training for my first Olympic tri! Currently following the 'balanced 2x/week plan' from BT but am marrying it with Hal Higdon's 10-miler training for Chicago's Soldier Field 10-mile race on May 28. 

2011 RACES: April 30: Chicago Police Memorial Run to Remember 5k. May 28: Chicago Soldier Field 10-miler.  July 4: Freedom run 10k. July 16: Evergreen (Illinois) Olympic Triathlon.  (Depending on how July goes, may attempt a sprint or oly tri in August, too.)

 WEIGHTLOSS: I lost 20 lbs. more than a year ago. No real trouble keeping it off with all the training, so weight loss isn't a high priority for me. But I try to be smart about food because a lot of preventable diseases run in my family. I'm a big fan of natural/organic foods and get totally excited about nutrition. My focus right now is on making sure I get enough nutritious calories during the day so I don't feel super-hungry at night and make poor nutrition choices.

Apples with peanut butter are a big part of my nutritional arsenal! Thanks all! I will add you guys to my group of BT friends. Nice to 'meet' you all.  

I have two immediate questions I need help with, now that I'm officially in the group

1. I have a 5K charity run this weekend with a big brunch after, but my plan calls for a 6 mile run. Can I do the 5K and then run an extra 3 miles later in the day?  I know it's not the same, but are there any benefits to getting those extra miles in on the same day? My doc doesn't want me running two days in a row so I unfortunately shouldn't just move my 6-mile run to Sunday and just consider the 5K an "extra" workout this week.

2. My recovery weeks for the tri plan are different than the recovery weeks for the run plan. Do you guys see any issue with this? Next week, for instance, is a much needed run recovery week, but it would still be a swim/bike build week.  

Thanks!

N

Would like to join this group if there is still room.

pnkhxc-- Kevin--male 29 years old

Hey Joe, sign me up! i have questions that would inform the next weeks of training leading up to a June 11 Olympic tri.

Age & health: 54, fairly fit.

Tri-Story: started with a sprint in 2009 and agin in 2010. Stayed in shape generally (swim, exercise bike, run, strength) without a training plan through the winter. Began a BT "Sprint to Olympic Bridge" program in Feb for a May 22 race; but i can't do the May 22 race, so June 11 is now the one for me. Logging training on BT since mid-Feb 2011.

I was attracted to the chosen program because it is HR-based- I use a PC-15 HR monitor, which only uses 3 HR zones, so that makes it difficult to use the 7+ zones from my BT-based LT tests. so, first question: how can i best use the 3 settable zones on my HR monitor?

Q2: if i train a lot using HR monitor, will i be able to race strategically without one? the PC-15 is not know for waterproofness, so it may not help to wear it in the swim, and would cost time to put it on in T1.

Q3: i am very intrigued by the Olympic-specific strategies in the book "the Time-Crunched Triathlete" - high-intensity, very focussed on raising LT, less total volume and time. have you ever tried this approach for a sprint or olympic tri?

Thanks!

Hi my name is Kevin and I'm addicted to triathlons.

Story: I have wanted to participate in a triathlon for about the last 3 years but just didn't have the commitment (budget/wife) needed to make it happen. At the end of last year my church announced a bike ride for the youth from Salt Lake City to our home city of Las Vegas. Since I work with the young men this meant I needed a bike to participate and help motivate the young men. So here I am with a whole 3 months of cycling experience and am totally excited. I ran cross country for a few years in highschool and then switched to swimming and playing water polo.

I participated in an olympic tri/duathlon at the end of March. The swim was cancelled so I still have not completed a full tri. Since highschool I have kept active running in 5K and 10K races. 

Family: I have been married for 8 years and have two children, a 6 year old daughter, and a 3 year old son. My wife puts up with my training and competeing. We go to masters swim together and she thinks it is good to get the kids involved in excercising and living a healthy lifestyle.

Training: I am not currently on a training plan. I have been focusing on the bike due to the long ride at the end of June. The last week of May I will start a training plan for the Pumpkinman HIM on Oct. 15. I run when I can, and need to get back into the habit of going to master swim twice a week.

2011 Races:
3/26 Showdown at Sundown (Swim Cancelled)
4/22 Easter 5K
5/20 5K
6/20-25 Bike From SLC to Vegas
8/13 ET Full Moon Midnight 1/2 Mary
9/16 5K
10/15 Pumpkinman HIM

Goals: I am not looking to lose weight I am 6' 155-160. I am looking to improve my tri knowledge, have fun, and be a little competitive. I can be to competitive sometimes and forget that this is my first year on my tri journey, I like to go fast and want to get faster. Someday I would like to prepare for and complete a Full IM.

Good luck on your upcoming tri! The 2 tri's I did in 2009 and 2010 were both all-women's and the experience was simply wonderful. Let me know if you have any questions about, um, lady attire, for the race (PM me) since I know I had a TON. And any other questions in general about the sprint tri! You're in for a great day!

Also, where in TX are you? My cousin, also a mom with young kids, lives in the Houston area and is training for her first tri too. She is always looking for someone to do races with

Hey I finally loaded a picture hopefully it is working and can be seen.

I have a question about the training plan I am about to start in about a month. It is the Beginner 1/2 Ironman - 20 Weeks - RPE  plan. I am crunched for time with wife, kids, work, etc. I will be attending two, hour long master swim classes a week, that will cover between 4500 to 6000 meters a week. i will also be throwing in some OWS as the training progresses.

Will this be enough swimming to prepare for a HIM distance race? I plan on skipping all the swim workouts in the plan and just attending these two classes. With some OWS saturday mornings.