Benihana's Group - CLOSED

-Oops, Double Post-

Thomas - Welcome!  The first year was the hardest for me, but also the most addicting!  I am right there with you about wanting to be the best at everything I do.  What distances are the legs in the race you are planning on?  Do you have a specific plan you are following yet?

Ben

Joel-

There is plenty of room, welcome!  It sounds like you have a couple of the disciplines covered already....how is your swimming?  Do you have a plan you are following yet?

Welcome!  I see that you are keeping a great log, and that IMAZ is on your horizon...your workouts look great, keep them up!  While I haven't done any IM races...yet...I am more than willing to field questions that I can, or find answers for you...and while I haven't been to Cabo, I have been to Playa del Carmen, and I loved it....I really don't think you can go wrong with either!   When is the wedding?

Thomas/Joel

One other thing that I have found EXTREMELY helpful in training is keeping an accurate log of your workouts...and putting as much detail into them as possible.  That way when you need to look back at a specific workout, how you were feeling, what you did the day before, it will help you get a better gauge on how your body responds to the demands we place on it during training and racing.

If you are unfamliar with the BT Training log system, at the top of the page, right next to forums, there is a link to your specific "Training Log", click on that, and then click on the date in which you would like to modify, enter your information and you are good.

Let me know if you have any questions

Ben

NAME: jcbolton / Clint

STORY: I am 28 year old male living in White Oak, Texas, which is about 2 hours east of Dallas.  I played basketball in high school for a small school, but never got much playing time as I was injured often with a bad shoulder.  One year ago I decided I wanted to lose weight as a New Year's resolution, just like 99% of America, and decided to look at triathlon.  So I started running in January, and I couldn't go much more than a couple of miles without stopping.  Started swimming in January, and I couldn't swim more than 50 yards without having to stop to catch my breath.  Bought a bike in Febuary, and I realized I loved cycling.  Did my first sprint triathlon in March, and I fell in love.  Signed up for several sprints, a few du's, and completed 2 HIM's in September and October.  Just ran the White Rock Marathon last month to complete my first marathon.  Probably got a little too excited and signed up for IMAZ.  I won't finish it fast, but I believe I'll finish it.  It's been an incredible ride so far, and God willing I'll be able to compete in this sport for the rest of my life. 

FAMILY STATUS: I am engaged to the beautiful and incredibly athletic Gina (grvfrog) on BT.  She just finished a triple Ironman a few months back to setting several course records along the way.
 
CURRENT TRAINING: My main focus right now is preparing myself to finish IMAZ.  Time isn't an issue.  Just finishing.  Later in the year, I'll focus more on ultra-cycling.

2008 RACES: IMAZ in April.  There is an ultra-cycling event called the Texas Time Trials, and I'm thinking I'll do a 12 hour event there.  I'd love to do the 24 hour event, but I'm not sure if I'll have quite the base by then.

WEIGHTLOSS: Well, when I graduated college in 2004 I was about 240 pounds.  I was hovering around 215 in January of last year when I decided to start triathlon.  I hope to get into the 164-168 pound range.  This might be a bit small for my 6'0" frame.  I really don't know.

Joel-

When I click on your logs, it dopes not display them for me.  I think you may have to go into your logs, then go to Control Pannel (I think it is the top icon next to the calendar at the top) then on the page that pops up (which should be privacy settings) uncheck "Training log is Private"

Let me know when you're done and I will take a look.

Ben

Joel-

    No worries, thanks for updating it.  Keeping a detailed log is going to be very helpful.  In your log you had mentioned that you were still able to hold a conversation while oing your long runs.  That is a good sign, but it is often difficult to gauge how hard we are pushing ourselves.  One thing that has proven invaluable to me is my Heart Rate Montior.  You don't have to go off the deep end as far as $$$, but if you decide to get one, don't skimp on it either.  I have found that there are days my mind says PUSH, PUSH, PUSH, but when looking at my HRM my body is sayig, "You are at your peak for this workout" and there are times when it is the exact opposite.  Let me know if that is something you are interested in and I can help you out more with it.

Also, you had made a note about something you heard to the effect of "Long slow runs, make slow runners" While this may SEEM like it is true, it honestly is at the opposite end of the spectrum.  Being able to tax your body with short bursts of speed, and being able to do longer runs, are a necessity to effective training.

I will get back and go through more of your logs and see if there is anything else that pops up for me.  Overall, they look really good...and know that you are not the only one who thinks swimming is difficult, I am right there with ya!  Once you can get the breathing down, it becomes a lot easier!

Sandy/Kevin-

Welcome to the group!  There is plenty of room!  I see that this was the first post for both of you, so there are a lot of unknowns about what your backgrounds are.  So, if you wouldn't mind, please tell me what background you have in any endurance type sports, and any experience in any of the 3 disciplines.

Also, I have noted above for the others, but the easiest way for you to monitor your progress and me to help you along is to keep an accurate log.  If you look at the top of the page, there is a box that says "Training Log", click on that, and then click on the date in which you wish to enter your information.  After that, you can click on the "Blog" radio button (right above the calendar) and that will get you into your blog where you can review inspires, and make changes to your settings.

Again, welcome, please feel free to ask any questions that you feel necessary...there is no dumb question.

Do you have a specific race/distance in mind?  Or an approximate date?  This will help me to determine where to start with recomendations and what to point you in the direction of.

Ben

It sounds like you have identified a time for your first race...do you have a specific distance in mind?  Also, what is your level of familiarity with the swim portion of the race?

Ben

Welcome!  I see that you are keeping a great log, and that IMAZ is on your horizon...your workouts look great, keep them up!  While I haven't done any IM races...yet...I am more than willing to field questions that I can, or find answers for you...and while I haven't been to Cabo, I have been to Playa del Carmen, and I loved it....I really don't think you can go wrong with either!   When is the wedding?

Thanks Ben.  Wedding day is July 12.  Do you find it difficult to find good weather to train in Minnesota?  I think I'd go crazy having to ride the trainer that long....

SynderJasonD - Welcome!  You are more than welcome to join the group...glad to see there is another MN'er here.  Maybe we will run into each other at some of the races this year. 

Well, that makes 6 people, so I will be closing the group.

I am traveling today, but will try to take some time and review eveyone's goals and training later today.

Ben

jcbolton - 2008-01-10 4:50 PM

Welcome!  I see that you are keeping a great log, and that IMAZ is on your horizon...your workouts look great, keep them up!  While I haven't done any IM races...yet...I am more than willing to field questions that I can, or find answers for you...and while I haven't been to Cabo, I have been to Playa del Carmen, and I loved it....I really don't think you can go wrong with either!   When is the wedding?

Thanks Ben.  Wedding day is July 12.  Do you find it difficult to find good weather to train in Minnesota?  I think I'd go crazy having to ride the trainer that long....

Yeah, the winters here make it hard to get much of a bike in unless you are willing to do it on a traininer...I will probably log a couple 60 mile/3 hour trainer rides later this year (Feb/March)...I do, however, LOVE running outside when it is cold!  It is one of my favorite things to do.