first triathlonites 2006-07

Thank you for starting this thread Eclectic!!!
I am 36, 5'6" and 2oo lbs ... depending on the day.
I have always been active an outdoorsy, when the couch isn't calling. Work hard labor for a living, and have an athletic family......so it is IN there.
My secret goal has been to do a triathlon.....just started really riding my bike a few weeks ago and starting to think that if I applied myself, maybe I could make one of those Sprint Tri's that they have here in Colorado next year.

Reading ya'lls posts...I am SURE now that I can do it with the right focus and support.

One of the many things I love about this forum is that it takes the intimidation out of it all, seeing that people of all ages and sizes are out there. Here in beautiful Colorado, i see all young, gorgeous, fit people out there and am afraid to hit the trail at times!

Thank you SO much for the inspiration Eclectic and all of you! Glenwood Springs has a Sprint Tri every September.........am not only beginning to think I can do it, am beginning to think I can look for one earlier........even if I never have even run around a block. I'm a walking fool, a guppy and quickly becoming addicted to the bike....

Thank yoU!!!!
Brigitte

Brigitte,
You can and will do it. There is a lot of support here on TE! :)

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Originally Posted by shoerbee

Thank you for starting this thread Eclectic!!!
I am 36, 5'6" and 2oo lbs ... depending on the day.
I have always been active an outdoorsy, when the couch isn't calling. Work hard labor for a living, and have an athletic family......so it is IN there.
My secret goal has been to do a triathlon.....just started really riding my bike a few weeks ago and starting to think that if I applied myself, maybe I could make one of those Sprint Tri's that they have here in Colorado next year.

Reading ya'lls posts...I am SURE now that I can do it with the right focus and support.

One of the many things I love about this forum is that it takes the intimidation out of it all, seeing that people of all ages and sizes are out there. Here in beautiful Colorado, i see all young, gorgeous, fit people out there and am afraid to hit the trail at times!

Thank you SO much for the inspiration Eclectic and all of you! Glenwood Springs has a Sprint Tri every September.........am not only beginning to think I can do it, am beginning to think I can look for one earlier........even if I never have even run around a block. I'm a walking fool, a guppy and quickly becoming addicted to the bike....

Thank yoU!!!!
Brigitte

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You can do it. Triathletes come in all shapes and sizes!

Read this... she is 5'10 and 390 lbs:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/di...sts=50&start=1

But she did it, and so can you... with the proper training and prep. GOOD LUCK!

This is SOOOOO great!

thanks for posting the training plans everyone :)

Great link KSH WOW ! ! !

I am really beginning to believe that I can do this!

A friend of mine who is a champion power lifter (who thinks I am crazy BTW - "Endurance Athletes you guys are nuts" - he says) told me to find a training partner. Now I can tell him I have! a WHOLE bunch of them :D

I can't believe I actually WANT to work out :eek:

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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

OK, you can put me down for MAYBE doing a tri in 2007. I think I'm crazy, but I am going to buy new running shoes today. I've working up to being able to run 3 miles at a 10 mi. mile pace (slow). I'm up to being able to run at 6 mph for about 8 minutes continuosly, but i still feel like I'm going to die. Well, it's getting better, but I hate it and my knees are hurting a little. I think that is a combination of things, not just the running; i.e. living in a house with 4 floors, lots of stairs, wearing boots with heels, hiking. I am going to start swimming in January. My goal is to do the Danskin triathalon...

Tygab, maybe we can train together. We seemed pretty well matched on the bike and our running seems to be about the same, too. Of course, since I am old enough to be your mother, you will probably surpass me....

Robyn

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Hey Robyn, I would love to train with you. I haven't been on the board in a few days so I didn't see this right away. Right now I am not considering myself in training mode but I am wanting to build my base fitness all around.
The scratchy throat did turn into a mild cold :mad: (not nearly as bad as the September one though) and not wanting a repeat of those 3 weeks, I am taking it easy for a few days. This makes me all anxious since I haven't exercised since last Wednesday, but I try to tell myself the gym and/or trainer isn't going anywhere and I won't lose all my fitness in a week. In all likelihood I got this as a result of the du (running and biking in the cold when I hadn't been outdoor training at all) but if that's the case it was worth it.

I will continue running and biking and will start swimming pretty soon. I just need to pick my schedule.... ooh and it's only a few more weeks til I can register for the PMC! :D

-Tasha

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Originally Posted by light_sabe_r

WOW! Thanks eclectic!

as for the 75s sets of 50s... There's a lane in the pool for 50s in 1minute... You have sixty seconds to do 50m. I haven't tried it yet so the 75s set sounds like a good way to start out to get up there.
^_^

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Last spring I could do 50's on 60 and get a little rest - Now that I haven't swam for 5 months (I'm bad) It takes me at least 60 to do 50 so I would be doing a marathon sprint session :eek:

I just thought of this - once in awhile force your self to go w/ only a brief rest. when I first started all the veterans were way faster than me - they would get a 15 second rest and I would touch, turn, gasp and have to go again About every 3rd one I would just do a 25 or if they were doing 100's I would just do 75. Pretty soon I was swimming w/ the big girls. UNTIL the HS girls swim team would work out at the same time THEN we couldn't keep up w/ the LITTLE girls :p

That's cool to have a lane set up for speed drills, we just have to watch the clock. When I was swimming with a coach she would set up different lines on the clock for 60s, 70s, etc - some were swimming with long fins, some w/ short fins and some au natural - we did wear suits though :p Dang why did she have to quit ????? I am going to try to get her to write down some of the training sessions. She sits next to me during Parent teacher conferences but she was too busy tonight for me to pester her (Maybe tomorrow :D :D :D

It will be fun to see our times get faster again as we start swimming more.

I have a question for you all. What will you be wearing during your TRIs... For the enticer I just wore my Togs (Speedo Endurance) the entire way... I guess because of the distance I didn't really care, This time I'm thinking of wearing a sports bra underneath to stop the bounce when I run. I saw a lot of other girls wearing sports bras under their togs... It weirded me out a bit though.

I'm thinking of going like this...

SWIM: Issued cap (for age group and race time and race category, don't get it until the day) my Speedo endurance togs, and speedo Futura Purple goggles (with UV built in cause yeah)

Bike: Helmet (MUST) Gloves! (raced without em last time... MONDO uncomfortable with wet hands...) my running socks in my bike shoes (NOT cleats... just Diana Ferrari slip on sneakers in GOLD I bought on sale last year and never wore until I got my bike. ^_^) and BF's heart rate monitor (unless I buy my own before then)

Run: brand New Asics Running shoes with their socks and the hat I got for showing up and trying the last Tri... NO SUNNIES... They kept falling off my head last time... The hat keeps the hair and sun outta my eyes,
and the HRM to pace myself properly of course. (I love that thing!)

I've got only 6 weeks until my event!!! I'm so excited! 2nd Triathlon! Still only a sprint but I can't wait!

Here's the website of it. THE GATORADE SERIES... I'm doing the LOOK enticer course. (Raby Bay Race 3) http://www.usmevents.com.au/series/qts/home.cfm

Hi Tygab,

I am not really in training mode, either. I have never been in training mode! Just improvement, I guess. I haven't run in a few days, looking forward to riding this week, with nice weather and some extra daylight time. I have to ramp up the running, though. I can't start swimming until January when I switch gyms. There is a pool at the Thoreau club, but we dropped the swim membership years ago and it's expensive. Right now I'm really fighting with myself about the tri; am I really just a cyclist who likes to cross train, or can I do this? It seems like people much less fit than me complete them, but running just is so painful for me. Hopefully, it will stop. We can definitely run together this winter and maybe ride/do a spin class? What gym do you go to?

Be careful about mouth breathing outside in the winter. It sounds like you might have some allergy/asthma stuff going on that might not come out, unless you are exerting yourself.

Robyn

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Originally Posted by light_sabe_r

I have a question for you all. What will you be wearing during your TRIs?

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I haven't done one yet but this is what I'm thinking so far:

Swim: TriTank, swim bottoms, swim cap, goggles, watch

Bike: pull on the bike shorts, bike socks, bike shoes, sunglasses, helmet, gloves, CamelBak

Run: ditch the bike shorts (not sure if I'll put on other shorts for the run or just run in my swim bottoms), helmet, gloves, CamelBak; swap bike shoes for running shoes

I may consider getting Tri shorts but I hate to give up the comfort of my bike shorts and I'll lose little time pulling them on. I might add a hat for the run.

I'll really start to figure it all out iin the spring when I can try some bricks and see how the transitions go and how everything feels.

I strongly urge anyone doing a sprint or olympic tri... TO WEAR TRI SHORTS and A TRI TOP.

This will save you so much time and hassle in the transition area. When you have other stuff to think about, why worrying about changing all those clothes?

Tri shorts and a top will take you from each event without thinking twice about what you are wearing.

Messing with shoes, socks, helmets, race belts, etc... is more than enough.

Yes, I know the tri shorts have no padding... and are not as comfortable and regular bike shorts.

BUT... here is how I see it... what's 1 hour of my life in a little discomfort? It's nothing. I'm not riding 50 miles, I am riding 10-15 miles. Very short distance... so why bother with being absolutely comfortable? I just wear the tri shorts... and do it.

And trust me, I have a very sensitive butt- or really boney sit bones...because my butt hurts after wearing bike shorts on a 20 mile ride!

But, I figure I am racing... not out for a casual ride... and I can suck it up (Suck it up buttercup!) for 15 miles.

NOTE: This advice does not apply in cases where it's cold. I'm all about putting on more clothes when it's freezing outside. Whereas, some won't even do that.

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Originally Posted by light_sabe_r

I have a question for you all. What will you be wearing during your

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For any distance up to and including a Half Ironman, I wear:
Swim: Tri shorts, tri top (has small pockets in the back to store gels, etc later), goggles, issued swim cap, wetsuit if needed, neoprene strap with timing chip attached to wear through the entire race

Bike: Helmet, socks, bike shoes, sunglasses, gloves if longer than oly distance, race belt with bib attached, stuff some Gus into my back pocket. I also have a baggie with some Succeed tablets (electrolyte tabs) that I stick in the waistband of my tri shorts.
On my bike I have an aerobottle with water and a bottle in my cage with gatorade. I tape Gu onto my top tube with electrical tape so that I can just rip it off and eat, then throw the wrappers in my back pocket, or if I'm at an aid station, throw them off by the trash can. If it's longer than oly distance, I have a bento box where I keep opened clif bars and extra gus.

Run: Change into running shoes and a hat (keep wearing race belt)

For quicker transitions, I have Yankz! shoe laces that make running shoes easier to slip on. Also, practice your transitions at home - the practice will make you much faster and more efficient and you get a rhythm and method down so that you don't forget anything or stall on race day. Days before the race I start to mentally visualize how I change and put on everything in the transitions.

So it is going to be cold when I do a tri. Do you bike in wet cold tri shorts with knee warmers? What the heck do you do about your wet clothes. I just can't imagine riding my bike and running in really wet cold clothes.

I'm sure you can't go naked in the transition zones, so what do you do?

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Originally Posted by spokewench

So it is going to be cold when I do a tri. Do you bike in wet cold tri shorts with knee warmers? What the heck do you do about your wet clothes. I just can't imagine riding my bike and running in really wet cold clothes.

I'm sure you can't go naked in the transition zones, so what do you do?

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That's a good question. How cold is cold? I've only done tris in warm weather....

Here's my training plan as of right now (i reserve the right to switch things around at any given notice and as the mood strikes):

M Swim class 8pm-9pm
T Run after work at gym total of no less than 2 miles, do abs
W 6:30-7:15 am spin class, Swim class 8pm-9pm
R Run after work at gym total of no less than 2 miles, do abs
F Day off!
Sa/Su hopefully one day of outside stuff... cycling if it's warm, running at the park if not

All of the above does not include strength training, which I do ~2 times a week or more

As of now my biggest hurdle is going to be the 5k part of the race. The swim will only be moderately challenging, moreso if I try and go faster than my regular 'long distance' swim and/or if i have a bad day. The cycling will be a breeze. The run... not so much. I ran 2 miles on Sunday at the park and thought I might die. And the miles were split up. Everyone tells me I can racewalk and still be fine, but my goal is to run the whole thing and hopefully in a decent time. I've got a ways to go yet with training, so thankfully the thing isn't until next June.

As for the 'what do you wear' thing I was wondering the same thing. I'm going shopping for a lap suit this weekend since mine has become rather threadbare. I was thinking, since I'm just doing a sprint, that I will just swim in my suit and then cycle in my suit/cleats/socks/helmet/gloves with no pants.. then for the run i will probably throw on a pair of shorts, my sneaks and maybe a hat. Does that sound silly to you more experienced tri peeps? I hate to go out and buy expensive clothing when I can make do for one race with what I've got. If i really get into this whole thing, then maybe I'll spring for the tri-specific gear.

Also, no HRMs for me. No computer on my bike, either. Too much technology that I can never get to work. Plus I tend toward the clock-watcher, so if I have a comp on my bike I will forever be like (8.5 more miiiiiiiiles)

K.

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Originally Posted by Kimmyt

As for the 'what do you wear' thing I was wondering the same thing. I'm going shopping for a lap suit this weekend since mine has become rather threadbare. I was thinking, since I'm just doing a sprint, that I will just swim in my suit and then cycle in my suit/cleats/socks/helmet/gloves with no pants.. then for the run i will probably throw on a pair of shorts, my sneaks and maybe a hat. Does that sound silly to you more experienced tri peeps? I hate to go out and buy expensive clothing when I can make do for one race with what I've got. If i really get into this whole thing, then maybe I'll spring for the tri-specific gear.

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I think that sounds perfectly fine - if you do find that you're hooked on tri and want to do longer races, then go splurge on more expensive gear. If you're unsure now, do a few races with what you have and if you don't like it, you haven't wasted any $$, and if you do like it, it's more reasons to go shopping and to get fun birthday presents!

I wouldn't even bother wearing shorts for the run if you're comfortable in just your suit (and I don't mean birthday suit!). You will see people at these races all decked out in matching gear and $$$$ bikes - which can get over the top esp in local sprint races. I did a hilly sprint this summer where, if you have a choice of bikes, a road bike would be best b/c of all the climbing - and some man had his Cervelo Carbon P3 with a rear disc wheel. I passed him on the bike. Now maybe it was his only bike, but still, it seemed a little over the top!