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Hi - From Houston, Texas
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 2006-04-28 11:08 AM |
New user  64 |  Subject: Hi - From Houston, TexasHi ya'll, I'm training for my first triathlon. I'm doing it to push myself, and to help with a deep desire for ongoing physical fitness. A little over 15 months ago, I weighed 261 pounds, now I'm hovering around 207 give or take everyday. My (now) 9 year old daughter had to have open heart surgery, and I knew I needed to get a handle on my ways of handling stress (food, food, food), so I started watching my sugar intake (cokes, starbucks, etc had to go), then cut out the rest of the 'junk' type food. I started running (now that was a joke!) with a friend, and talked myself into signing up for a 5K... which I did...I wasn't last...and that's ALL I'm going to say! ;-) Well, here I am, 15 months later, and the friend I ran with got called up to active duty, my daughter is almost to her first year appointment at which time we find out if we get to go every year, or once every FIVE years for checking her heart out (I'm praying for the five!). I've managed to become somewhat seditary, although I've kept the weight off. I recently started thinking about setting goals...giving myself something to strive towards...and am not sure where the idea came from, but bought a book called Triathlon Training, and started my program this morning. I'm 32 years old, I love to swim (play!) in the pool, haven't been on a bike in ages, and running is something that I love the longer I do it, but sometimes I"m not so good at doing it. ;-) The swim training has to wait, as I recently lost my mind and got something pierced, so I can't start training in a pool for another 3 weeks, and I'm in the process of finding/purchasing a bike. Someone offered me a Bianchi Eudora 55CM bike yesterday for $300, so I'm going to go get it tonight,and take it by the bike shop to see if it's worth the price, and if it fits (I did some research, and am not hopeful as I think it might be too big), and if not, will probably be looking at a Trek 1000 for around $630. Any input on that would be great. I'm doing strength/stretch training 3 days a week with 20 minutes of cardio (an hour total), and alternating bike/run/swim 3 days a week with one day off - although right now I"m alternating biking/running until I can get in the pool. I'm going to sign up for the Athena division, and am just looking to FINISH...but I think I've alotted myself enough time to get myself in a decent position to be physically ready to do it...the mental state might be a bit different. I can't wait to get to meet you all and learn, and share! Dee |
| 2006-04-28 11:24 AM in reply to: #409217 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290   The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Welcome, but if you're truly Cajun you can't be "from" Houston, must be a transplant from the better state to the east. We do have a pretty big BT contingent in Houston, a few more over this way (in the real Cajun Country). Lots of events over there , but the BEST triathlons (RiverCities and CajunMan) are on this side of the Sabine. Yep, fit is the most important factor in buying a bike so make no compromises in that area. Trek 1000 is a perfectly serviceable entry level bike. Congrats on your progress so far, plenty of info, support and encouragement to be found here! |
| 2006-04-28 11:28 AM in reply to: #409217 |
New user 64 | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Yeah... I'm from Louisiana... my family is all still there. DeRidder to begin with, then did some time in Baton Rouge at LSU...spent lots (probably too much) time in New Orleans, then moved to Guam, then back to the States to reside in Houston. Economically, it's a great place to live. ;-) I'm going to really make sure the fit is there - I read the biking section, and fit seems to be one of the most important things... otherwise your setting yourself up for pain. Glad to meet you! |
| 2006-04-28 12:39 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Master 1292 Houston | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Welcome, Dee. I too am in Houston and began my training Jan 1. I completed my first sprint tri on April 1 and will be off to another one in May. I registered for the May race before completing the April race so I would be forced to keep training, no matter the outcome of the first race. It has been a wonderful experience and training for the different events keeps it interesting enough to keep going. Good luck to you. You will get lots of support and information from BT. What part of town? |
| 2006-04-28 1:02 PM in reply to: #409217 |
New user 64 | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas hi Nette - I'm in Katy. How about you? I'll have to read your posts about your training and such. I can completely understand the signing up for a 2nd one before the 1st is done. Might as well jump in completely right?  |
| 2006-04-28 1:25 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Master 1914 Finally north of the Mason-Dixon Line | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Welcome! Hope all goes well with your daughter's doctor appointment. Keep tri'ing and good luck! I'm in Cypress, but if I cross the street I'm in Houston city limits. |
| 2006-04-28 5:00 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Pro 4292 Evanston, | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Cajun, thank you so much for sharing your story with us! Your losing more than 50 pounds even while facing the stresses of life is a TREMENDOUS accomplishment. Your current workout routine looks good, too. And, as one of the more, um, "velocity-challenged" athletes in the Houston BT crowd, I might be the perfect gal for you to train with for as long as you're still a beginner.  The Texas BT contingent also includes a wonderful couple in Katy, freeswimmingfish and his wife Mrs Fish, plus Comet, Gomez, the 2 posters above, and others... RGRBill in Beaumont is an honorary Houstonian because he shops at the Central Market a mile from my house more often than I do! You can see what the rest of the active-posting BT Texans are up to by visiting the Texas forum. Go there by clicking "Who's Racing and Training US" at the bottom of the "Forums" page, then click "Texas." This is a great site, and a great community. We are all on a journey that includes the commitment to healthy living that you have already made. It is awesome that you are taking care of yourself AS you take care of your daughter. All the best to both of you. |
| 2006-04-28 5:25 PM in reply to: #409217 |
New user 64 | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Well - I'm DEFINITELY a beginner - I'll pop over and say hi. I'm going to look at the bike this evening - actually, I'm going to go pick it up, and bring it home overnight.. ;-) |
| 2006-04-28 5:49 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Expert 950 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Hey Dee! Celeste (CitySky) told me I'd find you in here! I'm glad I'm not the only Crazy Cajun around here (besides my hubby DerekL and Bear and Mrs. Bear and a few other Louisianaians). |
| 2006-04-28 5:56 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Master 2288 Katy, TX (West of Houston) | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Hello Cajun!!! Welcome to BT!!! Celeste is too kind, but we are also locals too, we were both born here. Where are you getting your bike from? What race are you doing? Let me know if I can help you... Edited by Freeswimmingfish 2006-04-28 5:58 PM |
| 2006-04-28 6:19 PM in reply to: #409217 |
New user 64 | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Joe - I'm going to pick up a Bianchi Eudora this evening from a gentleman who bought it - it's 50 cm (not 55 like I previously posted), and I'm going to bring it home to try it out. He's asking $300 for it - I'm extremely unfamiliar with what I"m looking at, so I'm going to take it to Acme on Mason and have them look at it and see if it fits or not. If it doesn't - I'm probably looking at a TREK 1000 from them. I'll do some shopping around, but the convenience factor will be nice if I need anything - plus the option of local support, etc. etc. etc. Tri It - Thanks for your kind words... I definitely qualify for crazy at times...but to be honest, this seems like a very SANE thing to be doing. Something just 'clicked' when I started thinking about it, and one of my close friends sort of nay sayed it saying I should run a couple more 5K's first... but it fit...I like the multisportness of it...and to be honest, the reality is that I think it takes more of a mental state than a physical state (although it definitely takes that as well). I was looking at a couple races, but nothing definite yet - as I'm just figuring this out, I had thought the Irongirl in Austin might be an option, but if what I'm seeing is correct - that is NOT a sprint tri - and I really want to start with one of those. I talked to LisaJ (I think) who is in my neck of the woods, and she said there's a CapTriTexas on Memorial day - that is 1/2 a sprint tri, so I'm going to see if that's a possibility. It's probably 'too' soon, but hey, it's not like it's the end of the world if I didn't finish, or came in dead last... the experience would probably be wonderful. Thanks so much for everyone being so friendly - this is an awesome board! |
| 2006-04-28 10:56 PM in reply to: #409734 |
Pro 4292 Evanston, | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas In my earlier post I was going to recommend the CapTex race, but didn't want to bombard you with too much information at once! It's in Austin on Memorial day. Most of the Texas BTers are doing it, and it's supposed to be a fantastic race. There are 3 distances: the mini-sprint for beginners that you mention, a regular sprint, and an Olympic distance. Something for everyone! Of course, it's only a month away... but you can already run the distance... when you get a bike, see what the mini-sprint distance feels like. I bet you can do it. Also keep in mind that Austin is hilly compared to Houston - I prepared for my first hilly race by finding a good overpass and riding it a bunch of time! All in all, you are correct, the mental game is key. I think you can do it, but you decide. If not, there are lots of races. There's a good list at Trifind.net. |
| 2006-04-30 11:08 AM in reply to: #409217 |
Elite 2796 Texas | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Welcome to BT! Come to Cap Tex, race or not. Either way you will be motivated to |
| 2006-05-03 1:48 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Regular 75 Katy, TX (west of Houston) | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Hi there Cajun gal! I'm Mrs. Fish, Freeswimmingfish's wife. CitySky mentioned you were new to our neck of the woods. WELCOME! We have kids also ages 7 and 10, I went through some stress eating myself when my 7-yr-old daughter spent time in the hospital between ages 6 mos and a year, and I too have struggled with my weight over the years. So I can definitely empathize with you. I pray that your daughter continues on her road to wellness. I've now been cycling for 7 years and running for about 5, but I've only done one triathlon which was last summer, the Andy's Tri. It was so much fun! I plan to do the Jeff and Bredes one this year. It's here in Katy, which is great. We are in Katy, like you so it's great to see we have another newbie around town! How did the Bianchi work out for you? Let me know if we can help you with any of your training Bonnie |
| 2006-05-03 3:27 PM in reply to: #409217 |
New user 64 | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Ahhhh.... Bonnie, I've been bitten by a bug... ;-) I'm buying the Bianchi for my best friend, and am buying a Fuji Team 05 bike for myself. Bike Lust has struck! I've met Lisa from Katy, and am going to join some of you guys for a bike/run brick (will probably be more like a bike/walk brick for me) but hey... I'm going to DO it! ;-) My daughter is a healthy 9 year old now, with no signs of her EVER having had OHS - except for the scar. I can't wait to meet all the BT'rs.. |
| 2006-05-03 4:25 PM in reply to: #413908 |
Pro 4292 Evanston, | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas If you mean the brick tomorrow night @ Memorial... cool! I'll be there, maybe a little late, but look for me in my Kona Volcano jersey. |
| 2006-05-03 4:56 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Veteran 243 Katy, TX (West of Houston) | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Okay...I totally MISSED this thread! How did THAT happen? I guess the popping in just to log training might be the issue! Hi Dee...and WELCOME TO BT (officially)!!!!!!! I just want to say...I met Dee and Tori (her daughter); and, I'm excited to say that we are going to start doing some training together. It is nice to find someone who is at my level that I can train with in the area. They dynamic duo, Mr. & Mrs. Fish, are too hardcore for me at this point! Dee have you perused their logs yet??? We'll see you all at the brick tomorrow! I can't wait to meet the BT'ers! -Lisa
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| 2006-05-03 4:59 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Veteran 243 Katy, TX (West of Houston) | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas CORRECTION..."THE" dynamic duo... |
| 2006-05-03 5:19 PM in reply to: #409217 |
| Master 1292 Houston | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas Sorry I won't be able to come out and play with you all. I have to go to College Station tomorrow for a meeting than rush home for an exam. Have fun and maybe I can catch up with everyone another time. Jeanette |
| 2006-05-03 8:50 PM in reply to: #409217 |
Regular 75 Katy, TX (west of Houston) | Subject: RE: Hi - From Houston, Texas I wish I could be there, my daughter Catherine has a soccer game at 6 pm  Hopefully once the season ends I can make it out there with you guys. And Lisa, you are way too kind! Have a great workout everyone! Bonnie |
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