ChrisM's Mentor Group - CLOSED

From the LA area too!!!   I do have a couple of things going in the next few weeks,  Police Unity Tour Ride- NJ to DC in first week of May and Fargo 1/2 marathon , when I get back from DC.  After that I am full go....looking to do about 5 sprint tris then summer in Clydes Catagory.   Done 2 this year, Race at the Base and Pasadena Tri.  Finished in 3rd in Clyde division at the Pasadena Tri.   So If you accept me, I am in!!

Welcome Brent!  Congrats on the podium in Pasadena?

What races are you looking to do?  I am currently signed up for Redondo, Breath of Life Oly, and will be registering for Playa del Rey in Oct. 

Hey Chris.  I wasn't gonna join a group this spring until I saw your group.  I've been stalking following you around BT for a couple of years and I even stole one of your sayings.  

SO...about me: 45 years old. Always the athletic type startiing with high school swim team, gymnastics, horse shows, bodybuilding, mountaineering and now triathlons.  This will be my third season.  I injured myself running on the beach in my first season and have been trying to "outrun" them ever since.  I am hoping to do San Juan 70.3 next year and CHallange Wanaka in NZ in 2013.  So this year I hired a coach to help me with the running portion.  As a result I am really not racing triathlons seriously this year but I am helping the hubby get into them.  We are doing a duathlon together May 28 and doing an off road sprint as a relay with him in AUgust.  But what is really jazzing me this year is racing up the auto roads on several mountains with the bike.  Whiteface Mtn (8% grade for 7.5 miles) in NY is first on June 18 and then depending on how that goes, Mt. washington in NH (12-18% grade for 8 miles with 22% thrown in at the summit)

Seren

LOL  pretty sure Chris has a good sense of humor!!!

My weak point is the swim...I hope to maybe get some tips....not a great swimmer technique wise.  

We are all around the same age...am 45 yrs old too!!

Darn.  I was kinda hoping to get my first...     Welecome Serenity...  Brent, Serenity and I are facebook friends.  I thought I was stalking her....

S - Interesting that you are getting Mike into tris.  My wife did one a couple years back, but I don't think they are for her.  It was fun seeing her try!

Yes, I jus moved up to the 45-49 AG.  Thankfully, I started late so i've only been in 40-44 and now 45-49.  All the old fast guys   

Brent - where do you swim?

Rode hills this morning. We have a great hill - 0.85 mile long - 8% grade with a little 12% in placees. Did 4 intervals this morning. Then came home, caught a quick bite and went back out for a run/bike brick with hubby.  Working on keeping my hips underneath me when I run and keep the chest open. 

My husband is a retired State Trooper.  Had to retire from a closed head trauma.  I started doing triathlons while helping him heal - physically and emotionally.   Last Xmas he was finally ready to make it to the gym for weight lifting and now he is ready to become an endurance athlete - which is completely new for him.  I really don't know if he is gonna like it or not.  He has never been one for competing.

I really hate the pool and can not wait til the weather gets just a wee bit warmer.  Then I will start my swims across Walden Pond.

Hey everyone! I'm pretty far away - Brazil - but willing to enjoy the group too!   I'm preety much a starter on almost every level, quit smoking 1 year ago and would like to do at least one (and 1st) fast until the end of the year to celebrate it!

I really hope I can count with your help to reach that goal!

Welcome Helena!  I have a couple Brazilian friends here, and know people that did IM Brazil last year.   May even sneak down there for the WC in a couple years  

Do you have any races scheduled?  I can tell you the best way to start is to find one a few months away, and just sign up!  I know you are going into fall/winter, but wonder of they do them year round down there?

I have been swimming at Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.  Will start doing more in my city at the local pool.  Would love to get a lesson or two.  

Seren- I am also in that line of work.  23 yrs.  So i know what its like.  This is my stress relieve. 

He gets tired easy so we have to work back up to spending all day in the mountains.  Hoping to go for a small day hike tomorrow.

Gang,

I was hesitant to join but I am turning 45 in a month and everyone seems to be in the same age/boat.  I have always been an athlete and started tris after doing p90x a few years ago and trying to fight off affects of age.  Did NY marathon last year and several oly/ sprint tri. 

Swim is my weakness but forcing myself to get better as I am a sinker who tries to muscle the water (doesn't work)!

Happily married with four boys so training time is hard to get in sufficient quantities.

I hope to learn and contribute.

Welcome Kim and Brent.  Plenty of room.  And don't be shy. 

Rose Bowl Aquatics, I am jealous as I've heard good things about that place!  Also jealous of swimming in Walden......

For those that are local (which I guess is just Brent)  on Sunday mornings at 11 am there is a beginner ocean swim "clinic" at Redondo Pier.  It's run by LA tri but it's really an open thing.  Basically a quick jog down the beach and about an 800 yard swim back.  Sometimes repeated if people are up for it.  Good way to get in some ocean experience. 

OK, I'll start with the questions.   First a bit of background on my athletic "career".  I've done a few marathon's, various other road races, some centuries (one double), a fair amount of duathlon's (racing the national championship tomorrow actually) and about 2 years ago picked up swimming and started doing tri's.  I've done a few tri's in the sprint level distance with the swim length from very short (tri-it) to a long 1000yrd one, plus 1 HIM.  I do "ok" on the swim but am still stuck at 2:00/100yrds on a good day. 

I am quite comfortable in the water, I grew up playing in the water and I can dog paddle with the best of them.  I've had a few lessons and am for sure ready for more but one thing I seem to be having problem with is balance.  I actually feel like I have fairly good balance until I turn to breath.  I bi-lateral breath by the way.  I don't really notice it until I do drills.  For example, kicking with no kick board.  When I turn to breath I feel my whole body sink (making it hard to breath).  This sinking is messing up my stroke as I find I start my pull to early cause my arm (along with my whole body) starts to sink.

Any thoughts as to what might be causing me to sink, but typically only on the turn to breath?  I thought maybe I was lifting my head (and still haven't really ruled that out) but I have been really trying to concentrate on that.

Kim, I am no swim coach, but I am visualizing what you are saying.

First off, I HATE kicking with a passion.  So I don't do it much.  So I don't get better at it.  So I HATE it.  Vicious circle.

That said, when I do it, I think that kicking without a board is really best for balance drills.  Ie., I don't see much point in kicking on my stomach or back sans board, really going from side to side.  But I bet when you are turning to breathe your body position changes, probably your back arches a little, you slow down, and you start to sink.  This is what happens to me. 

I'd suggest getting a pair of zoomers to do those balance drills with.  You're really trying to learn balance, not increase kick, so I don't think you're losing anything with the zoomers.  Plus, they will help keep your speed up, and prevent the arched back, allowing you to turn to breathe without losing the proper position.

Hello everyone. My name is Mike and I have been doing everything I can to complete 4 sprint tris. this year. I am a newbie and just finished my first sprint 2 weeks ago and at least finshed the race. This group interests me because it seems like it could offer a lot for my lack of talent in the swim portion of these events.

I am also fairly new to BT and can't wait to work with everyone during this upcoming season.

Thank you and I hope you still have room for one more in this group.

Mike

Welcome Mike and Lisa!

I am stoked that we have so many (don't take the word the wrong way) newbies!   You guys are what is keeping th sport alive, some of us get jaded  

So far we have

1. Chris
2. Bret
3. Serenity
4. Brent
5.  Kim
6. Helena
7.  Mike
8.  Lisa

....  that everyone? 

I'd like to keep the group around 10, so a couple more before we close.  But don't be shy about posting questions here in the meantime, getting to know eachother....  Also, I'd highly recommend everyone adding everyone in the group to your Friends List here on BT, that way we can harass check up on you

I know people have already posted some of this, but how about everyone answer the following:

NAME:

STORY:

FAMILY STATUS:

CURRENT TRAINING:

THIS YEAR'S RACES: 

"A" RACE: 

GENERAL GOAL FOR THE YEAR:

WEIGHTLOSS ISSUES IF ANY:

WHAT AM I LOOKING TO GET OUT OF A MENTOR GROUP, AND WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE GROUP :