Do I have enough time?

[Veronica]

I'm thinking about doing Barb's Race http://www.vineman.com/race03/


I'm not really worried about the swim or the bike portions. I've never been a runner though. :p Last year I went running once, did three miles in about thirty minutes and that wasn't terribly taxing, so I figure I could probably do that still.

Is three months enough time to work up to running 13 miles? I'll have about 6 weeks before the race when I'll be out of school so training time will be easier to come by.

Thanks,

V.

[jesvetmed]

What a fun way to participate in a 1/2 IM!

I'd say if your body handles running well, that is doable. Sounds like you're in shape for the rest. Just start where you are comfortable, add 10% distance weekly, taking lots of days off running so you don't stress the body too much. Easy to say, huh?!;) But seriously, I did 1/2 marathon several years ago and worked up to that fairly quickly once I put my mind to it. The mind is my biggest problem (next to calf cramping!).

Cool goal... give it a try! (or... a tri! I'm SO corny! :o)

[KSH]

Wow... 3 months... or rather 11 weeks (minus a week for a taper)... to train for a half marathon and you have never been a runner? Hhhuuummmm.

Are you OK with walking the run? If so, then I say go for it, and train with a walk/run combo to prevent injury. Since you do not have a running base to start from... and there is the 10% more a week rule... you really don't want to ramp it up too quickly.

But if you do a walk/run combo... you can ramp up quicker as walking is easier on your body than running.

I would suggest trying a 5 minute walk/2 minute run combo for your longer sessions and run your shorter sessions. That way, you can keep your run fitness up for the walk/run sessions.

Hopefully Wahine will weigh in on this one. I'm not an expert... but I really don't know if you can go from no running base to running a full half marathon 11 weeks later. Again, just sounds like you would be asking for an injury. But you could walk/run it!

[Veronica]

It's actually 15 weeks. :p The event isn't until Aug. 2.

V.

[Veronica]

Well I did it, I'm committed. Or maybe should be committed. :) The venue is close enough to where we live that I can go do all the parts of the course ahead of time.

This will be interesting.

V.

[rocknrollgirl]

Wow....that is a lot in 15 weeks.
I am not an expert, but I have found that if you ramp up your swim or bike too fast, you will be tired and sore, if you ramp up your run too fast, you will get hurt.

I second Karen on the walk run attack, especially if you have no running base, and be careful!

[Starfish]

This will be interesting.


Your exploits always are! :)

I don't know anything about the running training, but I will follow your training with avid interest! Go V!

[Tri Girl]

Just wanted to say congrats on making the committment. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Sometimes when we tackle a seemingly huge goal, we find we have more inner strength than we thought. I signed up for my IM before I had even done my first triathlon (granted, I had a strong running and swimming background, but zero biking background to speak of). In the span of 5 months I did my first sprint, oly, half and full IM. Most of the tri geeks I knew thought I'd suffer (or fail?), but I came through and had the best day ever. You can do it, and 13 miles isn't too terribly far to run in 15 weeks time. Just be smart in your training, listen to your body, keep at it, and we'll be cheering you on along the way!!!! :D

[roadie gal]

Barb's Race is for a great cause. Will you be taking donations? Let me know if you are. I would love to contribute.

I agree with planning to run/walk. It's not only a half marathon that you'll be doing. You'll be swimming and biking before it, and it will probably be pretty hot. Sacramento (I'm sure you know this) in August is sweltering.

[Veronica]

Thanks!

I figure worst case scenario - the swim takes me an hour (I know in the pool I can do a mile in less than 30 minutes), the bike takes 4 hours (that's sub 15 mph!, I know I can do better than that) and the run will take 3. Hey that's only 8 hours! That's 10 hours less than it took me to do a double century last year. :D

I think the ultra distance cycling has at least given me the proper mindset for this. And I'm excited. I've always wanted to do a tri, but I've been afraid of various aspects of it.

V.

[crazycanuck]

Hey V..don't forget to familiarize yourself with the technical rules for Tri's. Whatever the main US tri site is, it'll be there.

Don't get caught out.

[Veronica]

Barb's Race is for a great cause. Will you be taking donations? Let me know if you are. I would love to contribute.

I agree with planning to run/walk. It's not only a half marathon that you'll be doing. You'll be swimming and biking before it, and it will probably be pretty hot. Sacramento (I'm sure you know this) in August is sweltering.

Yes, I will be taking donations. Here's my page:

http://www.active.com/donate/vineman08/VDyson

I live in Antioch, land of the hot, windy summers, so I'll be training in the heat and wind. Plus, I'll be going up to Guernville/Windsor to do all the parts of the course ahead of time. That's one reason I picked this race - being able to preview the course eased some of my concerns about doing a tri. I also picked it for the cause. My sister was diagnosed with tongue cancer a year ago. It's been a tough, tough year for her. She finally got rid of her feeding tube two weeks ago.

I'm honestly hoping to not walk any of it. But if I need to, I will.

V.

[knapplaura]

Veronica,

I did Barb's Race in 2005. It was a great race and a great first long tri experience for me. The swim is very un-intimidating!

I am actually considering doing it again this summer, but I can't commit until I know where I will be assigned in June (supposedly either Denver or San Antonio).

You will do great on the bike course; it is really a cyclists' course!

Laura

[Running Mommy]

hey V-
The good thing about Barbs race is that it's run at the same time as the full distance, so you will be one of the first finishers! :)
I think you'll do fine with a run walk combo. The run course is on cruddy rural roads (not unlike most of nor cal) and has a few good rollers in it. Just plan on walking the hills. It's also VERY exposed, so get used to running in full sun.
But being out in Antioch (my cousin grew up there) you'll be fine.
sigh..
I actually used to live a block off the run course. Vineman is one of the few things I miss about nor cal. I used to run an aid station out on the run course. - And then spent the next month picking up gu packets on my training runs..:p

[Veronica]

I did Barb's Race in 2005. It was a great race and a great first long tri experience for me. The swim is very un-intimidating!


Did you wear a wet suit for the swim? They say on the web site that the water temp is between 74 - 76. We're going to go up for a long weekend once the dam is in place - late June, early July - so I can swim the course at 8 AM and make a decision about a wet suit, while I still have time to get one and practice swimming in it. :)

V.

[Jones]

I am not a running expert but I think it is totally doable. Just build from your three mile base, a mile more per week or 5 min more on an out and back course should get you an extra mile every week. So in two weeks you should be running 5 miles. Also remember your brick work, that first run off the bike is always a killer.
I have always heard that if you can get a wet suit you should use a wet suit. They keep you more bouyant so you swim faster.
I'm really excited for you a 1/2 IM is a big accomplishment.
Jones

[knapplaura]

V,
I did wear a wetsuit for the swim; I am not a great swimmer and will take any help I can get!

However, they don't have people to help you take it off, so you gotta practice doing that yourself and then stuffing all of your swim gear into a bag in the transition area. For Barb's race, there are 2 transition areas: 1 is by the river and the other is at the High School. So plan to separate your gear.

make sure you have at least 2 towels in the 1st transition area. A big beach towel on the ground to stand on, a smaller towel or 2 to dry off and then clean your feet. Bring a water bottle to squirt your feet; they will be horribly sandy/dirty and you gotta clean em before you put on shoes /socks or you will blister badly.

The bike course starts up a short but very steep hill, so make sure your bike is a granny gear in the rack so you can climb easily at first. Don't be scared by the hill, but you will see many women walk the bike up b/c they did not set the gears correctly and were in the big ring or something.

Also make sure to put on some sunscreen in transition. There will not be people doing it for you. With that tank top, you risk getting a nice back/ shoulder burn if you don't put on the sunscreen. I used sunscreen there and still got sort of red, but I am horribly pale always.

The run course is hilly, if it feels really tough you can walk up the steep hills. There are some pretty steep ones! Suggest you have a hat or visor on the run to protect your face, and more sunscreen in T2.

I always put blister shield powder in my socks (running socks) and that really helps keep blister down.

Good luck!
Laura

[Veronica]

Thanks for all your feedback on the course. I wish visors didn't have logos on them.

Yesterday was my second run day and I'm not really sore at all today - a little tight in my hips, but that's it.

Today is my first swim today. I'm sure I'll be feeling my back tomorrow. :rolleyes:

V.

[Wahine]

I can't believe I didn't see this until this morning. It's been a busy weekend.

You can definitely train up to 13 miles running with your base. And you will likely have to do a run walk type of program. As long as you're not looking to do some blistering times on the swim and bike you'll be fine.

I'm really excited for you. Keep us posted on how your training is going.

[Veronica]

Drat - I can't find my cloth swim cap. And who knew I had 4 one piece swim suits? :rolleyes:

The pool at the gym is kept at 83 degrees. The maintenance guy said it was happy medium for the lap swimmers and the water aerobics people. I did find an old latex cap. I think I bought in 1992.

I honestly think I'll swim with no cap today. I switched to a cloth cap because I was getting too hot in pools that were 78 degrees. My hair is short enough that it shouldn't be too annoying. Unless of course it's posted that caps are required.

V.

[roadie gal]

I have short hair. When I'm in the indoor pool I don't wear a cap. When I'm outdoors, I wear a silicone cap. They're much more comfortable and a bit warmer than the latex.

[Veronica]

My swim didn't happen. I broke the strap to my goggles. I wear contacts so I kinda need the goggles. Friday I'll try again.

Tomorrow is another run day. I'm going to up the mileage a bit.

V.