Getting Phat in Philadelphia

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2004-11-11 3:00 PM

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Hi Friends –

I found this site a couple of weeks ago after deciding it was time to train for a tri. Very, very, very impressed with it.

Self description : Father, husband, artist

Day job : commercial photographer

Tri experience:
Through age 7 - sand box shoveling, swinging, merry-go-round pushing – usually did the iron kid 8 hour day events
Through age 18 – baseball, basketball, football – usually took one full year to complete the course – lack of eye/hand coordination limited my success
Through age 22 – I’d rather not say
Through age 46(present) – swimming, running, biking – swam for 2 years then ran for 19 years and then biked for 3 years – never did any two together

Short Term Goals:
1. live long enough to raise my kids
2. complete a Tri Sprint in 2005

Long Term Goals:
1. live long enough to raise my kids
2. find my natural training and event level. I think it will be Olympic.

Plan: Follow the 8 month Couch to Sprint program

Keys to success:
I need a community for motivation, hmm…
I need my wife to kick me out of bed at 5:45am for training.

Limiters:
I’ve gained 30lbs over the past 3 years (must be that biking) and I’m in the worst shape of my life. We have a new baby due in May, so training may need to stop. But I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world

Last athletic achievement:
Trekked to Mt. Everest base camp in 2001. Followed the old man course, starting at 9500ft and taking three weeks to travel 35 miles horizontal and 9000ft vertical. Sipped tea and watched in bemusement as twentysomethings were brought down from the mountain with altitude sickness trying to cover the same distance in two days. I believe I learned a valuable triathlon lesson; go slow and stay healthy.

This seems like a great community. I look forward to being part of it.

- Don



Edited by dontracy 2004-11-11 3:16 PM

2004-11-11 3:23 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Hi Don,

Everybody has a story.  Some just tell theirs better. You apparently can tell a story with either words or pictures.   I enjoyed your story, particularly the various tri-sports in your past   I subscribe your triathlon/life philosophy,"...go slow and stay healthy."  I have very little choice about the first part, and I consider the second a livelong challenge.

TW



Edited by tech_geezer 2004-11-11 3:30 PM
2004-11-11 3:30 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Not a Coach
11473
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Welcome Don!  I'm just getting started for 2005 too--maybe I'll see you around.  There is both a Sprint and Olympic race in Philly this year (swim in the Schuylkill--eek!) and I'll probably try one or the other.

John

2004-11-11 4:22 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Pro
4228
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Welcome! Good luck training - more and more seems to happening in Philly in the tri world!
2004-11-11 4:44 PM
in reply to: #81868

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Hi John -

Do you know the date of the Sprint or where I could find it?

(I'll try not to think abuot swimming in the Schuylkill)

- Don



Edited by dontracy 2004-11-11 4:46 PM
2004-11-11 4:53 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Master
2233
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Mechanicsburg, PA
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Welcome! I would recommend looking into the Patriot's Triathlon www.patriotstriathlon.com - I did it this year as my first tri and it was a really great experience. The bike course can be a little hilly, but nothing insurmountable. Heck, if you've made it to Everest base camp, you can handle this hill Glad to have you aboard.

-Frank

2004-11-11 9:34 PM
in reply to: #81895

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
2004-11-11 9:57 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Welcome Don! great story

Chris
2004-11-12 9:13 AM
in reply to: #81898

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Thanks guys.

The Philadelphia Independence Triathlon and the Patriots Triathlon both look like the right events for me. Since they're roughly two months apart, maybe I could do both. The Philly one is just down the road from me. I could actually do some training on the course. Think I'll leave out training in the Skuylkill though!

How do folks handle swimming in less than clean water?

- Don



Edited by dontracy 2004-11-12 9:15 AM
2004-11-12 9:44 AM
in reply to: #82116

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Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

My sister sent me info on the City of Philadelphia Tri (the Oly in June) and in its advertisement it noted that the Schuylkill was "tested and safe".  Now, anyone that has to advertise this in the first place...

I used to row on the Schuylkill in high school (about 20 years ago) where tradtion has it after a winning race that you throw your coxwain into the water.  You've never seen 1 small guy fight off 8 much larger guys any better than after a win on the Schuylkill!  Now they say it's cleaner now, but I'm still going to be a little queasy climbing into the water.  Right now I only swim in (heavily) chlorinated H2O.

2004-11-12 10:01 AM
in reply to: #82140

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
It has me so concerned that I for got how to spell Schuykill!


2004-11-12 3:16 PM
in reply to: #81850

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New user
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Draper, Utah
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Greetings tri brother! I think your sand shoveling and merry-go-round pushing experience should come in handy during a tri. You'd be amazed at some of the problems you can run into during a tri. I've been lurking around on this site for a few months and decided to post an intro. (see "Greetings from Utah" 5 threads down) This is great site! Best of luck with your workout!
2004-11-12 3:45 PM
in reply to: #82140

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

JohnnyKay

My sister sent me info on the City of Philadelphia Tri (the Oly in June) and in its advertisement it noted that the Schuylkill was "tested and safe".  Now, anyone that has to advertise this in the first place...

My understanding is that the problem shows itself mostly after a hard rain.  The old sewage and runoff systems are crossed in places.  Dry weather is good.  Wet weathre is bad.

- Don

2004-11-12 11:22 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Extreme Veteran
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Miami, FL
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Welcome! Good luck with your training. We got your back!
2004-11-15 8:59 AM
in reply to: #81850

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Veteran
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Florida!
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
hey... also in the philadelphia area. there are tons of local races, check out http://www.lin-mark.com, http://www.triath.com, http://www.compuscore.comand http://www.lmsports.com(in addition to active) for some of the local flair.

swimming in less than clean waters - just pretend you're in a pristine source. and try not to open your mouth. my husband did a tri last year with a swim in the hudson, and said it wasn't that bad...
2004-11-15 11:07 AM
in reply to: #82837

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Hi Debra -

Thanks for those links, I'll check them out.

I like your "scenes from a blackout" photos on your blog.  Nice work.

- Don

2004-11-16 4:14 AM
in reply to: #81850

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Extreme Veteran
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Melbourne
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Welcome and congratulations on Everest!
Thanks for sharing your story - I enjoyed reading it and look forward to hearing all about your season.
Take it easy!
M
2004-11-16 9:03 AM
in reply to: #82901

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Veteran
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Florida!
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
dontracy - 2004-11-15 11:07 AM

Hi Debra -

Thanks for those links, I'll check them out.

I like your "scenes from a blackout" photos on your blog.  Nice work.

- Don



thank you very much... i keep meaning to go through and purge and scan other photos, there's such a random mishmash in there. but the jupiter beach series is my current favorite.

oh! and re: everest... i have a friend who climbed ama dablam ... i'd love to see any pictures you have from your excursion.
2004-11-16 9:35 AM
in reply to: #83243

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

Wow, Ama Dablam is the real deal.  Your friend must be a great climber.

After three+ years I still have a pile of images to work on from that trip. 

Here's one though, with a link to another. 

- Don

2004-11-18 12:40 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Veteran
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Florida!
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
excellent.... thank you for sharing!
2004-11-18 5:05 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Extreme Veteran
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Denver, CO
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
"Phat" -- In my book that means "Pretty, Hot and Tempting!" At least that's what I tell myself when I look at my "phat" thighs.



2004-11-18 5:16 PM
in reply to: #84316

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia

"Phat" -- In my book that means "Pretty, Hot and Tempting!" 

I'm sure it's true of you. It's definitely not true of me ;-)

2004-11-19 3:19 PM
in reply to: #81850

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Master
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Don

welcome to the world of Tri... a few posts above mine gave a bunch of great links to find good races local to the Philly area..

I am on the fence about swimming in that river as well, but the race director from the other Philly tri http://www.phillytri.com/ assured me that the river is clean and they will test every month until race day, but you are right on the money about getting rain.. rain bad..
2004-11-22 8:26 AM
in reply to: #84737

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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
Thanks for the link to the philadelphia tri, john. Maybe I'll come watch to get ready for the short race at the end of july.
2004-11-22 10:00 AM
in reply to: #81850

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Getting Phat in Philadelphia
I'll try to remember to let you know if I sign up for one of them.  Maybe if I try the Oly you can sip (iced) tea and watch in bemusement as this thirtysomething tries to limp towards the finish.
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