Newbz' group, Winter is finally over, right? FULL!

David, you always seem to have really active mentor groups.  I know this is still in the staging area, but I wanted to be part of your group for the season start.  I try to be active on the boards here and work has been getting in the way as of late.  Being part of a group helps keep me accountable to my training log too.  I'll dig up my bio here shortly.

-Jay

ETA bio

NAME: shmeeg / Jay 

STORY: 2010 was my first season.  I am in the military and come from a running background.  Hadn't pedaled a bike in about 20 years and my 'swimming' consisted of what you see at most 'family' type pools.  I had an absolute BLAST this past season racing and learning the new disciplines!  I love this sport, the training, and the people.   I joined a mentor group as soon as I found BT and without a doubt, it helped me improve at every event I raced last year.  I love calling myself a triathlete and love to see how far I can push myself in the sport.  I like being part of a group, and helping motivate other triathletes to be succesful.

FAMILY STATUS: Married 12 years, one 7yo daughter.  My wife is an active runner, we have 'running dates' a couple times a week and will be doing some trail and road races together this year. 

CURRENT TRAINING: All running.  Both my TT bike and my road bike were stolen last week and I haven't gotten in the pool in a couple months since I don't have any tris scheduled for awhile.  I was supposed to race a duathlon this weekend but that's out.  I'm just focusing on trying to get stronger on the run for meow.

2010 RACES: Did a super sprint and 3 sprint races.  Won my AG at the super sprint and finished MOP at the sprint distance races.

2011 RACES:  I've only done a road bike race so far this year, which was in March.  I have several running races scheduled, hopefully a bike race or two and an Oly to finish out the season.

WEIGHTLOSS: I eat like sh*t.  I'm not fat, but when I'm training over 8 hrs a week I seem to get thinner around the midsection.  I'd be happy if I could just get my diet in check and I'd probably lean down another 10 lbs in the process.

Oh, hey. I think it's time I actually joined one of these groups. I need something to help kick my butt into gear.

Name: Karen

Story: Um... I've been doing triathlon for about 6 years now, although I did take last year off completely. We bought a house two years ago, and have been caught up in that. And then there was the six months i was sick last year with this and that. I pretty much stopped doing anything active while I recovered. But I'm trying to get back into it now, slowly. I've always been slow, but was starting to see improvements when I had to stop training. I'm hoping that once I get back into the habit of training again, I'll be able to get back to that place.

Outside of training/racing, I'm a part-time college student, part-time etsy seller. I'm actively looking for some kind of employment for the summer that isn't retail, and I expect that will only slightly impact my overall training schedule.

Family Status: My boyfriend of 8 years and I live together and sometimes train together. He's just starting to get back into training again as well, and he encourages and supports me in my efforts.

Current Training: Uh, yeah. I've been slowly increasing my running, from none to three times a week, 3 miles each time. That's pretty do-able at this point, and I'm looking to slowly build that up to distances that will eventually help me improve my strength and speed. Currently, I'm in the 13 min/mile range, which I keep telling myself is fine for base training, compared to where I was 8 months ago (in bed). At my peak, a couple of years ago, I was hitting ~11 min/mile race pace, and was on target to keep improving. My long-term goal is to finally make it to the elusive 10 min/mile pace for racing.

As for cycling, it's a slightly different story. Even when I was sick, I was bike commuting to school (except for when I was too sick to go to school). It's only 3 miles each way, but on my ancient steel rockhopper with knobby tires, it's a good strength workout. Lots of starting from stops. When I ride my roadie, I can feel that I have more power than I used to. But I don't have any endurance. I can get up to speed, but I can't hold it for long.

Swimming is a whole other thing. I quit my gym because I couldn't afford to no go every month. Before I got sick, I had taken several private swim lessons and was able to improve my form dramatically. Now I just need to get in the water consistently to remember what I learned. Since I'm counting pennies, I'm hoping to get some quality time in open water this summer, where it's free to swim.

2011 Races: Well, I've already done one sprint. I wasn't really prepared for it, and only signed up as a means to motivate myself. It worked. I did the whole thing without a watch, and pretty much just went out there to remind myself how fun it it.

Going forward, there's a series of Olys that we used to do, and I'd like to aim for again this year. June, July and August. I also have a wild hair to finally get serious about training for a half in Aug.

Aside from tris, there are a handful of 10k running races that I always enjoy doing.

Weight Loss: Yeah. I could stand to lose about 40 pounds. Part of what made me sick last year was a broken thyroid. Now that I'm on medication for that, my weight has already come down 15 pounds. I'm hoping that trend continues but I could also stand to clean up my diet a bit. Also, I expect regular training would help.

I think I have a found a new home, have room for one more?

NAME: jaclynembry / Jac 

STORY: 2011 is my first season of attempting to be a triathlete. I decided to try triathlons because I have always enjoyed cycling and swimming, but have never been a fan of running. I have been serving in the Army National Guard for a little more than 4 years, and my lousy running is starting to get me in trouble, so I decided that it was time to make a change. I have done 2 sprints so far this season, but because of a ankle injury about 2 months ago I didn't do the run event in either. I am hoping that this is my last week of not running, and I am looking forward to my first full blown event at the end of June. 

FAMILY STATUS: Married, I have been trying to get my husband to consider Tris too, but as of yet I haven't had a ton of luck. He cycles with me and that about it. Cross your fingers that he tries is out and gets hooked like I did sometime this season. 

CURRENT TRAINING: Cycling 3 days a week, and swimming 1-2 depending on my crazy work schedule. I hope you mix in 2-3 days of running a week once my ankle heals.

2011 RACES:  I've done 2 sprints so far this season, and have 5 more sprints, and 2 sprint duathons scheduled. If the season is a success I want to try out a Olympic at the end of Sept.

WEIGHTLOSS: I have always watched what I eat, and I love what triathlon training does for my physique. I am hoping to tone my entire body a little more throughout the season.

David,

I am Steve and would like to join your group.  Here is some info on me....

NAME: Newbz/David

STORY:  Orginally from Upstate NY, went to college in Atlanta and settled here.  I have run since HS, and started back up competively at age 40 (my 2nd or 3rd mid life crisis I think)!  I am in great shape, and was talked into tris from my running friends who also do them.  I am hooked already!  I love to workout and learn all about tris.  I think I may be over-training, though, and am constantly tired. 

I would like to join your group!  Seems like you have great energy and enthusiam!!


FAMILY STATUS: Single, but dating

CURRENT TRAINING: I am a BIG runner, but at 42 have been battling an achilles tendon issue.  It seems much better, but have been running slowly all winter.  I have been biking and swimming a good bit (like 2x a week).  Biking is usually spin class one night, then on road for a long ride on weeekends.  I can easily do 40-50 miles, have not gone higher yet but probably can handle it.  Swimming is my WORST element.  Joined a masters team last fall and have seen a lot of improvement.  Just tried open water swims the last few weekends, and I am slow and constantly out of breath. 

THIS YEAR'S RACES:  New to tris, but have run for over 25 years and completed several half-marathons the last two years.  Best time there was 1:37. 

2011 RACES: I am doing my first Tri this Sat (a sprint).  I also plan to do at least one other sprint and an olympic this summer, and a 1/2 IM in late Sept. 


WEIGHTLOSS: I am currently either at a good weight or maybe a little on the thin side.  I think I need some strength work if anything.  I am a very heathly eater, but hate to cook!  I am a small guy...around 5'6". 

Wow, sounds like you have overcome a lot of adversity!  Your many years of experience should help out the new folks in the group for sure.

Just saw this group go live and wanted to pop my head in.

I was a member of David's last 2 groups and learned a ton.  Anyone already in should consider themselves lucky, and anyone considering it should pull the trigger.

Sweet!  Just let me know.

Everyone's on the mend eh? I don't have anything on the radar until June as well.  A weekly TT sounds like fun (also sounds like CFE training)!  I miss cycling.  I finally got a check from my insurance company, hopefully I will have my road bike built up in a couple weeks.  I wanted to dump all the $ into that but I can't seem to find a compact SRM or Quarq w/ the right size cranks.  I'm only doing 1 or 2 tris this year and may just get a TT frame w/ the leftover cash and build that up myself to learn how to wrench on bikes more. I hate not knowing how to do the stuff myself.  I considered it a huge accomplishment when I could swap cassettes and tune the rear deraileur on my own!

ETA: weather here is awesome!  I ran sans shirt yesterday and my back got all sunburned

I Have a question about nutrition do's and don'ts before a race.  I have a sprint on Sat (my first tri) and do not want to do something stupid!  I think I am ok during the race, but it's just what to have before, and how far in advance.  Any advice? 

Thanks!

Steve

New to all of this so my only race on the schedule so far is a sprint tri in August.  I may try another one before or after that, but the event in August is a definite since it is right in my backyard!  Plus it is a pool swim, I have not done any open water swimming yet.