Triathlon Thread 2009

[ghoulishgirl]

Hi everyone! I am officially a TRIATHLETE!!! Results aren't up yet, but will post a race report when they are. It was amazing and so fun!

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana Monday Mixer

This one is JenG's very good question to the cousins, excerpted, about the difference between building a base and training for a race. The mixer starts here on the 'Ohana thread.

What is the difference between maintaining or building a base and training for a race? I've only been running for a year and I've either been taking time off running or training for a race. What is just building a base?

How is your approach (mental or otherwise) and exercise routine different when building your base versus training? Do you run less? Do different exercises? Approach the run differently psychologically?

 

[mkymsehi]

I rode 24 miles after work on Friday, and did 14 miles by feet on Sunday. Training is coming along for me. Two months to go.

Liz, don't worry about the pool time or the wetsuit, you'll do fine.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Ok, new reason to panic....got newsletter re: next weekend's tri. They are highly suggesting wetsuits due to water temp (60's). I have not been in a wet suit in over 10 yrs and that was to scuba not really swimming.

So I've contacted Urban Tri Gear, will go tmrw after work to get a rental then hit the pool repeatedly over the week. Remain calm...try to enjoy...remain calm....

Liz, a wetsuit is a good thing! It makes you bouyant! No doubt the rental they are hooking you up with will fit well and have great mobility in the shoulders. Just try to get out to the lake the day before the race to try your wetsuit out there and try swimming in the lake. This way you get a chance to get used to the water temp and visibility.

The morning of the race be sure to get in the water ahead of time and do a short warm up. You want to be used to the water and don't want a shock of your face hitting the cold water along with race day anxiety as soon as the gun goes off. If you hang out in the water and warm up you'll be used to it.

Hang out towards the back of the pack, take a deep breath, and go swim your heart out and have fun!

 

[laxdef69]

There is another place that I think rents wetsuits, rather closer to you called endurit sports.

They are at 504 W 5th (just off of Fifth and Mill) in naperville.

The phone is 630-305-6771.

www.endureitsports.com

Mike

 

[Todd and Toni]

Hey everyone!

Leanna - thanks for the info. Certainly makes sense to not have to change/add clothes. In fact, instructor at the workshop last night said same thing - one outfit from water to run.

Went to the transition work shop last night. I feel SO much better about it! Instructor was great, other attendees friendly and it was fun. Did full run thru - bikes on racks, gear layed out, running into T1, getting into bike gear, out to mount line, ride (to end of parking lot/back), dismount at line, bike back on rack, change shoes, hat/race belt, out other side to "run". Good tips, too.

There were newbies and experienced people (only 8-9 of us). Instructor has done Ironman and is very friendly in addition to knowledgeable. So glad I went (thanks Todd!). Thinking of taking other workshops they offer as well.

Now only have the swim to panic about.

Glad you liked the clinic. I will tell MJ tonight when I see her. She was kind enough to give me one of the goodie bags (better goodie bag than most races these days) and the gift certificate is burning a hole in my pocket. I am going to spend it tonight.

 

[ghoulishgirl]

Mermaid triathlon race report: 400 yd swim, 10 mi bike, 2.5 mi run

The short version: Amazing, awesome experience!

The long version: The mermaid is a local tri for women only, very first timer friendly (why I chose it). They also put on tri clinics to help you along the way. I attended all 3. I also went to the lake twice on my own.

The swim: 12:52 I really only learned to swim in March. I could swim, just not to get anywhere with any skills. I am (was) afraid of deep open water before I got some swim lessons. I go to look at the lake and the bouys aren't up yet. We check later and I almost get back in the car and leave after seeing how far away and apart they are. I think, ' I can't do this.' We watch other waves go and some of the girls only swim maybe 20 feet, turn around and get out of the water. I don't know if they were freaking out or what, but I don't feel too bad, because I know I can make the distance. I've been swimming twice the race distance at the gym.Before I know it, it is time to get into the wetsuit. I get out in the lake to warm up and the water feels warmer than it did a week ago, it doesn't take my breath away when I put my face in which has been my problem and I am thrilled! Gun goes off, I enter at the back of the pack and stay there, I didn't get bumped or jostled or anything, my goal was to keep moving and I did. I heard lifeguards asking others if they were okay, but I must've looked somewhat competent, becasue they never even looked my way! Finish up, only 3 people behind me, but my mom said I came out of the water with a smile!

T1: 7:40 The mats are right on the beach then you run across the beach, up a grassy hill and through the parking lot. Ever since I rented this wetsuit I have had a heck of a time getting the darn thing off.

Bike:39:14 I think the course was short. My computer said 9.6 miles after the 3 laps. Course was terrible, over an overpass, down a staightaway, U-turn, back over the overpass, 4 million turns, per one lap. So, 6 passes over the overpass. And no passing others on the overpass. I rode my hybrid with hardcase tires and I'm glad I did, tons of potholes and road construction. I don't think my delicate road bike tires would have survived. Drank gatorade and had clif shot blocks with caffeine. I felt fine!

T2 2:01 I don't do clipless pedals yet so I biked in running shoes. pull off my helmet, put on running cap. I did take a minute to take a deep breath and let my heart rate come down, otherwise it races on the run.

Run 28:50 This is what I do, I'm not fast even on my greatest day, but this is what I know. Legs felt weird of course but I felt great. I think I ate and drank just right on the bike. Terrain was tough and the finish goes out on the beach and then right turn and up that darn grassy hill again that I had to run up when I came out of the water.

Final time 1:30:38
I had a great time and I think I may do it next year. I did this race because I am dying to do the Danskin/SHEROX because of their shirt (she swims, she rides, she runs, SHE ROX!) I figured I better get my feet wet somewhere! Thanks for reading if you've made it this far!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Hi everyone! I am officially a TRIATHLETE!!! Results aren't up yet, but will post a race report when they are. It was amazing and so fun!

Way to go and thanks for sharing your race report too! It was inspiring to read.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Hi everyone! I am officially a TRIATHLETE!!! Results aren't up yet, but will post a race report when they are. It was amazing and so fun!

YAY YOU! Love the race report.

As for me? Well, my 10 year old son beat me this weekend! Although I did meet my primary tri goal of not finishing last in my age group! Actually, I was pretty middle of the pack. I don't so much race triathlons, as much as I attempt to complete them, and DS runs fast. Scary fast - clocked a 7:15 mile in elementary school running club.

Anyway, we did the Manassas Mini Tri (250 yd/4.1 mile/1.4 mile). It is a low key, fun, mostly first-timer event. I've done a few sprint tris before, DS did a short kids-only race last year. DS was barely drown-proof this time last year, so it is tough for my Alaskan kid to compete with these norther VA kids who have been on swim teams since they were 4. He was 77th in the run out of 226 kids and adults!

The times are funky, in part because I am slow, in part because the swim was a "snake swim" in a pool (up one lane, touch the wall, duck under lane line, touch the wall again, lather, rinse, repeat) & the bike had (I kid you not) SIX out and back hairpin turns. Plus they didn't time the transitions, both were in the bike time. I timed my own bike and it was 4:30 minutes faster than the split. I'm slow, really slow, but not as slow as these times would suggest. I sound like I am grumping, but it really is a fun event.

I was 6:33/18:03/18:03 for 42:38
DS was 8:37/19:30/12:56 for 41:03

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hi everyone! I am officially a TRIATHLETE!!! Results aren't up yet, but will post a race report when they are. It was amazing and so fun!

CONGRATS!! Thanks for sharing your report, too!

sk8ingmom - sounds like you and DS had a good time! The swim in my tri is kinda the same. It's a man made small beach so start on the beach, out around the buoy, back toward the beach, turn around, repeat. Talked to someone who did it last year and she said people were standing and running thru the water at the two beach turn-arounds.

 

[laxdef69]

CONGRATS!! Thanks for sharing your report, too!

There's not much more to say.

Congratulations!

 

[ironz]

GhoulishGirl and Sk8ingMom....Great job on the races! thanks for sharing your reports!!

I've been down with a resp. infection/bronchitis/some crud like that since last Sunday. I'm on day 9 of feeling terrible. Trying to train through some of it, but I gave up fighting it over the weekend to rest. Today I struggled through 20 min of run/walk (very short run intervals). I'm signed up for the Kansas 70.3 triathlon this coming Sunday, so send some healing vibes!!

 

[laxdef69]

Hope you feel better soon, and nail a PR on Sunday!!!!

Training has been decent for me, not great. Got in 87 miles on the bike last Sat, and then a SLOOOOOOW run on Sunday of 7 or so. My legs weren't sore, but I was just really fatigued...I'm still trying to figure out fueling, but not having much luck.

Today was a nice run of 5.3 miles in 52 min, but that is a little deceiving since we walked the first 8-10 or so. Knee pain has been there, but manageable.

Stay focused you guys!

Mike

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking here for a while getting lots of great suggestions. I'm signed up for a tri (1/2 mi swim, 10 mi bike, 3 mi run) on July 19th. It will be my 2nd tri, the last being 15 yrs ago. I had a question about training on the bike. I only have time for 2 bike workouts a week, one is on the trainer. For the other one I've been riding the race course since the race is in the town where I live. I'm wondering if I should be spending my time just riding the course to get familiar with it or would I be better off doing sprints and hill repeats or some combination of the 2? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.
Cindy

 

[twoWDWfools]

Betsy - lots of for Sunday!

Mike - glad the pain isn't as bad anymore and sounds like you're doing great with training. Where you been riding to put in that kind of mileage?

I'm not a pro with fueling, but I can tell you that a burger at the mile 22 turn-around is NOT a good idea.

Cindy - I'm doing my first tri this Sunday so can't help but Good Luck!!

Last night got in a quick 5.5 mile ride, did T2 in garage then half mile run. Wanted further but I was starving and the body decided it was not going further w/o food. Swim on tap for tonight.

 

[laxdef69]

I found a sweet route from my house going South on Janes in Woodridge, past the new mall on Boughton, to the frontage road on the North side of I-55, to Route 53, across 53 Remington to 115th south to 119th until it dead ends, then either north or south...it kinda tapers out there, since you are messing around with Route 34 and/or Naper-Plainfield road...but nice roads nonetheless!

mike

 

[Todd and Toni]

These roads sound interesting. I have never ventured down the interstate that far southwest. I usually stay on the roads east of Joliet Road. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2905760

 

[laxdef69]

These roads sound interesting. I have never ventured down the interstate that far southwest. I usually stay on the roads east of Joliet Road. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2905760

Todd, do you have the Garmin training center?

you can download it for free here

http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-04

I can PM you the track from my records, and it will should put it on the map.

Basically, you take Woodward south to 83rd. West to Janes. South past Ikea and Bass Pro Shops until you get to the frontage road. West to Route 53. Cut north through the Tile outlet Center/Denny's parking lot, and cross at the first light. That puts you Remington Blvd (I think). Take remington until you can bear right on 115th...take that west across Route 59, and cut south through the subdivision just before 115th dead ends. Go west on Route 59 until it dead ends. Either yell "ONE" and turn around, or head either north or south...I'd spend some time on mapquest, google earth or mappyrun.com to take it from there.

Mike

 

[laxdef69]

http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-states/il/plainfield/381124480747485359

This is from mapmyrun.

I'll drive it later since it seems to have disappeared from my Garmin, and post that, or PM it to whomever wants it.

Mike

 

[sk8ingmom]

www.traillink.com

GPS coordinates, descriptions, maps and driving directions for rail-trails all over the country. Rail-trails are great! Usually long and always flat (rail beds have no more than 3% grade).

I used to work for this organization - one of the perks was week-long mapping trips.