IM Training- OY! Version 2.0

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Running Mommy,

WOW! I just went on the web site for your event!!! YOU are da bomb!!!! I'll have to ask you more questions later but I am so excited for you!

Tracy

[Lise]

Hi, Tracy,

I'm absolutely with you--I love reading about her training! I've done several shorter tri's--two sprints, one super-sprint (1/2 a sprint), and three Olympic distance (1/2 an IM, double a sprint). The most helpful books I've found for "what's a tri like?" are Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week by Eric Harr, and Slow, Fat Triathlete, by Jayne Williams. Both are for tri-newbies who need basic info.

A funny thing from my first tri--I'd read Eric Harr's book. He said to bring a towel for the transition area. So I did. A hand towel. WRONG! The towel is to put down on the grass and lay out all your stuff. ALL your stuff. I had a lot more stuff than could fit on my towel! A funny moment in my tri-history.

Best wishes to you, and welcome to the boards!

Lise

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Hey Lise!

I might actually go watch that IM just to stay motivated! I just read Slow Fat Triathalete and really enjoyed it! I'm going to get Eric Harr's book next as soon as I get a chance! You've done quite a few tri's! I am still trying to figure out what my first event might be. There seems to be fewer choices here than in other areas - I definately want a lake swim vs ocean; that much I know.

What do you plan to do this year? How much more prep time did you need (both in weekly hours as well as how far ahead of the actual event) for the Olympic distances vs sprints? - Running Mommy, I'd love to get your thoughts/experience on this as well.

You are just studettes, both of you!

Tracy

[Running Mommy]

Hey Tracy-
Please forgive me if this post doesn't make sense- I have come down w/ a RAGING head cold. I feel like I'm living in a tunnel.
Anyway, are you in southern california? I did a sprint there last year. It was near San Dimas I think. I want to say Bonelli park? I'll try to find the link to the organizers. They keep sending me emails for this years races. It's actually a series. And they run both a sprint and an Oly distance at the same time.
The only major difference I found in the Oly was the swim. For some reason it seemed like a big jump in distnace from the sprint. I was already riding 30 milers every weekend and as a marathoner the 10k was no problem. Now of course I am SLOW as mollasses! So it may be different if your going there to try to be in the front pack- there may be more speed work needed etc. But to just complete and have fun, I say as long as you can do a 30 mile ride followed by a 6 mile run (brick) you'll be fine. And of course swim a mile in the pool. I can't remember the oly swim distance but I think it's around a mile.
We have some fun sprints here in AZ as well. In the next month they should start back up- usually March-May, and then again come October when it cools down a bit. There is a really fun sprint in Tucson in May. I think it was memorial weekend. I had a blast! It was called the Sahuarita tri I think?? The bike course has a 2 mile climb up a mine road- basically up the side of a mine-and I passed a guy towards the top with a "24" on his calf. Of course he was on a mtn bike, but he was never able to catch up to me. On the run he finally did and he said "thanks for motivating me out on that bike course" I laughed and thought to myself "yeah, must stink to get smoked by a fat chick"....
Anyway, it would be great to see you in AZ in April. IMNA really puts on a good show. I think the best though is watching all the last hour finishers. It's very motivating and very emotional! Heck, if I make it through the cut offs *I'll* probably be one of those last hour finishers!!
Another bonus is all the free stuff they throw out to the crowd during the last hour. Like timex watches and cool stuff like that.
Ok, back to the couch for me... Do you have any idea how hard it is to "bench" myself?! I had a 15 mile run planned for today. But I also have a 100 mile ride planned for Saturday and I DO NOT want to miss that because I'm too sick!
Ciao!
denise

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Denise!

Thank you for the great info! On the off chance that I am able to come be an IM spectator, I did reserve a hotel in Tempe; I figured I can always cancel it but at some point it may get hard to get one! I'm pretty sure I'll start with a sprint but... ya never know! I swam competitively (somewhat) in my past life but I'm nervous about how tired I may be when I'm done - the running will be my biggest challenge though. I guess everyone is nervous until it ceases to become "THE UNKNOWN"!

I'm sorry you are under the weather. AND, I know how hard it is to rest when your worried about needing to train. Its making me crazy that I can't ride my bike and I was just beginning my training! The guy at the bike store is going to loan me a trainer when my bike comes in so at least I can keep my legs going!

What is the overall cutoff time for the IM? I reserved my room for both the 8th & 9th and assume I'll probably need to either bike over or grab a cab - I'm guessing traffic might be a bit tough! The only reason that I wouldn't be able to go is if DH has to be traveling.

How do you like Goodyear? I LOVE Arizona! I lived there on two separate occasions in my 20's!

Well, gotta go... please get some rest so you can do you ride Saturday!

Tracy

[DirtDiva]

...And of course swim a mile in the pool. I can't remember the oly swim distance but I think it's around a mile...

1500 metres, A.K.A. just under a mile, which is 1600m. Hope you can shake that cold quickly.