sel166's group - CLOSED!!

Hi everyone! My mentor group is now open!! If you'd like to join just reply with a bio (something like mine above).

It would be really helpful if you answered the following questions:

1) Why are (or were, if you're not a newbie) you interested in getting into triathlon?

2) What are your goals for this year?

3) What limitations might you have in reaching your goals (i.e. training time, equipment, knowledge, etc.)?

4) What are you hoping to get out the mentor program? 

Looking forward to meeting all of you!!!

Hi! Welcome to the group! The Ryka is a GREAT race! That was my first tri too, back in 2005.  It's very well supported and a very supportive environment-- all those women in one place is pretty empowering!

BT's programs are great, so I definitely recommend them.  You'll be well prepared for the race.  One thing I would suggest is maybe trying to get into a masters swim class at the gym or taking a few lessons with a swim or tri coach in the area.  Sometimes, especially with the swim, it's difficult to improve your swim on your own because you can't really see what you're doing incorrectly.  (Don't know if this is an option for you or something you might be interested in... just a suggestion).  

I totally understand the difficulty with training inside.  I struggle with any of the workouts I can't do outside (treadmills and the bike trainer are especially challenging!).  Are there any running trails in the area? That might be a nice change of pace for you instead of running on a track all the time.  New trails or routes help me keep me motivated to train-- sometimes when I get in a run and I'm always running or biking the same routes I tend to get a little bored.

It's great that you have a plan for getting around what you know will be a busy time.  That will help you to be able to be consistent in your training, which will make a big difference in terms of the quality of your training.  Definitely don't disregard or neglect your family -- their support is pretty important and will help you reach your goals.

I'll be checking in on your logs, trying to give you some inspiration and motivation and suggestions.  But any questions you have or anything you need don't hesitate to ask!

NAME: retiretotri/Lori and tribadger/Eric

STORY: Lori-Did several 10Ks, 1/2 marathons, and one 20 mile race in the mid-eighties.  Avid cross country skier for a couple of years during that time.  Took a very long hiatus from endurance sports until 3 years ago.  Competitive tennis player (collegiate and adult league tennis) over 20+ years.  I will let Eric add his own story later.  We have both volunteered at IM WI for 5 years at a run aid station.  We were inspired by the BOP'ers in all shapes, sizes, and ages.  If they can do it so can we!  We are not totally prepared or ready for an IM at this point in our triathlon progression but what the heck, we aren't getting any younger! 

FAMILY STATUS: Married, Eric-Two kids, older, Us-two terrier mix dogs.

CURRENT TRAINING: In 2008, we will be competing in Ironman Wisconsin (September), our very first IM.  As Eric likes to say, "one and done unless it's fun".  We are following a combination of the Be Ironfit and Matt Fitzgerald's  Ironman Training plans.  We are definitely not techno geeks but have used some heart rate training and will make further use of that technology in the near future.  We are working on base building until our plan starts in February.  Getting to the pool a minimum of two times a week will be a priority at the start of the new year.

THIS YEAR'S RACES:
One sprint triathlon and a few 5K/10K runs.

2008 RACES: 
Olympic distance tri (if we can find one), HIM, a couple of century bike rides, a half marathon and either a 20-mile run or marathon in May.  Of course the big one, IM WI.  Every race will have a purpose, preparation for IM WI. 

WEIGHTLOSS: No weight/body fat issues for either of us.  Working on building lean muscle mass and endurance which will take care of any unneeded body fat. 

We are looking forward to comparing notes as we prepare for the event of a lifetime! 

Jana0317--

That sucks that you're sick! It's always very frustrating to have training stop because of injury or sickness.  If it's possible and you're allowed I would say to try to walk to avoid detraining as much as possible.  It should at least keep some of your fitness intact.  But mostly focus on getting better!

As for swim lessons vs. masters swim classes... both can be beneficial.  Individual swim lessons will probably help you improve faster, because the focus will be on you and your form.  At a masters swim class, there will be a specific workout schedule for the day and you may get some advice from the coach, but it won't be quite as productive as individual lessons.  Basically everyone gets into a lane according to their swim speed to swim the workout, so you should be swimming with people who swim approximately the same speed as you.

No real easy answer, you'll get benefits from both.  If it's in your budget, I would definitely recommend at least one or two individual lessons.  A coach should be able to give you some drills and exercises to incorporate into your regular workouts that will improve your specific form.  Honestly, if it's possible for you, doing both would be ideal.  You would get the benefit of the individual analysis of your stroke from the individual lessons and the reinforcement of correct form at the masters class.

Hope you feel better!!  

Lori & Eric - Welcome!!

Looks like you have a great plan to be well-prepared for IMWI.  I'll be checking both your logs and it'll be great to compare notes as we head towards the races :-)

Chris - Welcome to the group! My first suggestion would be to decide what race(s) you're doing during the upcoming season.  Once you've picked you're races, then plan your training schedule around your race schedule. 

I'll be checking your logs and trying to give you some input/motivation through that, but if you have any specific questions feel free to either post them here or pm me with them and I'll do my best to answer them and help you out. 

Welcome Steve! Sounds like you have a great plan leading up to your IM.. and there's definitely some other IMers in here to bounce ideas off!

Looking forward to working with you!

Lagnar-

 
Sure-- always room for one more! Welcome to the group!

Savery2151-

I am using the 17 week plan currently- I past the 17 week mark about a week or so ago.  But what I actually did was download the 20-week plan, then download the 17-week plan over that (I really wanted to use the 17 week plan, but wanted a bit more training time).  So I actually did several weeks of the 20 week plan and then switched to the 17 week one.  Before that, I was using a winter maintenance plan, during my "off-season".  

I don't think it will hurt to just use the first phase of the plan twice, but what you may want to do is get one of the winter maintenance plans, or one of the 8-week sport specific plans instead.  The goal is to have the right level of fitness when you start the 20-week plan, but you don't necessarily need to be in your IM plan at the 24-week plan.  You might get more benefit out of doing an 8-week sport specific plan in your weakest area. 

Just some stuff to think about ...  

Questions
1. Why interest:  After completing the riding in 2006 I wanted another challenge.  I was also a regular at a spin class and there were a number of tri-athletes who attended.  The instructor would comment about their accomplishments, I was good swimmer as a kid and in the back of my mind it was always something I wanted to try so I decided to give it a whirl.

Lagnar-

The injuries/medical issues definitely seem like they will be a challenge for you.  Definitely listen to your body and don't overdo it.  

Looking forward to talking with you this year!

Happy New Year and lets have a good year. 

Hey guys... just fyi... I'm in the process of moving and will have limited access to the internet until the 10th when it gets hooked up at my new place.  I'll be trying my best to check until then, but can't guarantee I can get back to you until the 10th.  Until then, happy training!!

You can't really make a comment in someone else's training calendar, but you can leave an "inspire" in their calendar.  To do that, you click on their actual training calendar, and just click on the inspire link above that specific day.  That will pop up a box that you can comment in and post to them. 

Hope that answers your questions :-)