Triathlon Thread 2009

[wtpclc]

Hi all! Saw this thread, but had to wait until after teh marathon to get in tri gear again. I'm Carrie. I did my first tri last July adn was DLF. New bike and did much better in my September tri. Just 2 sprints under my belt but working to do an international in Chicago in August.

TOnight will eb my first swim since September. Hope I don't look like an idiot in the pool.

Maura - We shoudl try to hook up for one of teh Kensington?Island Lake tri's. BTW, right click one of teh icons onthe first page and hit properties. Then, go to your sig, hit the little yellow mountain pic adn paste teh url. that shoudl work.

Suzanne - I have the TI vidoe, book adn flash cards. They're hard to practice in alake, though, so hopefully we will do more not that we have a pool to practice in. I've heaerd good things abotuo teh classes too.

Betsy - Grrr...not being able to bike or run for real must be killing you! HOpe you get out of jail soon!

HI to everyone else! Looking forward to a fun year of trianign talk!

 

[Suzann]

Hi all! I recently registered for my first triathlon. It's the Aflac Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Tri on May 9th. I'm just doing the sprint and started my training this week.

Caseydilla~ You're definitely not JUST doing the sprint.. you're DOING the sprint... a tri is still a tri
Rock on for your first and hopefully many more to come!

Betsy.. will do about the shoulder.. I bowl too (competitively) so I'm hoping they don't have to do anything until after my big tournament in April. Bowling doesn't bother my arm, just anything over the shoulder

Carrie~ Nice to see you again!!! Good luck in the pool tonight! You'll do fine! Question: Do you swim in your tri suit that you got last year (we got the same one, remember? ) or do you swim in a one piece and then wait to use the tri suit for the race

 

[laxdef69]

Hi all! I recently registered for my first triathlon. It's the Aflac Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Tri on May 9th. I'm just doing the sprint and started my training this week.

WELCOME to the tri- hut Casey!

I was in Vegas for a couple of days a couple of months ago, but didn't have time to PM you...would have loved a locals view of Vegas.

Anywho, I got in 2100 pool yards this morning...big day on tap tomorrow...I've been too afraid to total the yardage, but the main set is 3x700 for 2100 yards...not including warm up and cool down!

Scheduled for knee surgery on the 10th, which means I'll pretty much be out of commission until the end of February...but I'll still have 6 months to make up for it, and I'll still be able to swim, even if I'm just pulling the yards on a float buoy instead of actually swimming.

Have a great day!

Mike

 

[wtpclc]

Suzanne - I just used a regular suit. I stinck out enough adn wanted to blend in. Thinking I want a more speedo-like one, though. Plus, although the suit is supposed to be chlorine resistant, I can't see that the pool would eb good fro it.

Mike - Wow. I did 750 last night. You rock!

Swam last night. I was happy with how I did. Can't swim straight to save my life, though. Kept bumping into the bouys and the HS swim team was in the next lanes. Then, I saw teh women's swim coach talking to Scott at the other end of the lane. They looked very serious. :O I swear, I thought she was kicking us out because we sucked and I kept hitting the bouys. (Only a little paranoid. I felt so out of my element there) Actually, she saw that Scott was doing Total Immersion drills and was chatting with him and giving him pointers. She uses teh techniques with teh team and is triying to get a workshop at the pool. How cool. WIsh teh workshops weren't $475 per person. :O Scott was embarrassed as she said, "Are you trying to do TI?" I told him at least she recognized what he was doing. Plus very kind of her to take time from teh team and talk to him.

 

[crzy4pooh]

Swam last night. I was happy with how I did. Can't swim straight to save my life, though. Kept bumping into the bouys and the HS swim team was in the next lanes. Then, I saw teh women's swim coach talking to Scott at the other end of the lane. They looked very serious. :O I swear, I thought she was kicking us out because we sucked and I kept hitting the bouys. (Only a little paranoid. I felt so out of my element there) Actually, she saw that Scott was doing Total Immersion drills and was chatting with him and giving him pointers. She uses teh techniques with teh team and is triying to get a workshop at the pool. How cool. WIsh teh workshops weren't $475 per person. :O Scott was embarrassed as she said, "Are you trying to do TI?" I told him at least she recognized what he was doing. Plus very kind of her to take time from teh team and talk to him.

Carrie - That is so cool that she is trying to get a TI workshop there!!! I have the book, but I feel wierd trying to do the drills at the pool. I know I must look crazy... Great job to both of you on the swim!

Mike - I am in awe of your swimming distances!!! How did today go?

Suzanne - I know Carrie already answered, but wanted to make a suggestion on the tri suit. I've only done 2 tris, but both times I did a long swim session in my tri suit 2 times before the race, just so nothing felt different on race day. I also watch several swim sites for their clearance sales, and have picked up a couple tri-suits pretty inexpensively on clearance (usually the previous year's model) to just use for training. Just an idea...

Casey - Yea for signing up! I've heard good things about the Iron Girl series. I would love to hear how your race goes!

Betsy - Yea for being cleared to run! I hope your recovery continues to go well!!


I'm officially signed up for the Disney Trek Triathlon, and I keep checking the Danskin site about 10 times a day - nothing yet. Tuesday I tried my first jog in a looooong time. Being rather Pooh-sized, running is not so much fun, but I did walk 4/run 1 for 30 minutes, and it wasn't horrible. Yesterday was rest day, today is bike, Friday swim, and a 5K on Saturday. I think my boys have shared their cold with me, though, so we'll see how things go.

Hope everyone has a great day!
--Lynnda

 

[laxdef69]

Well...I was able to get to 3200 yards in the pool today...only 1000 yards short of the IM distance, with 8 months to go for training.

I'm starting to feel a little better about the 2.4 miles...of course open water is much more difficult than confined, but hey, a step forward is a step forward.

Only 40 minutes on teh trainer tonight, and then a FULL rest day tomorrow!

Stay consistent fellow triathletes; congrats on the workouts...I'll be afk for a week starting Saturday...going skiing in utah from Sat to Sat.

Mike

 

[ironz]

Nice swim, Mike!!

Hi, Carrie!! good to 'see' you!

As for the swimming...I swim in a regular suit. I don't like the one piece tri suits, and race in tri shorts and a top instead. I just think it would be a PITA to go to the bathroom, etc. in the one-piece for racing. Though I do agree that if you may wear one in the race, swim in it once or twice to be used to it.

For all of our swimwear....rinse them out well after swimming!! I even wash my swimwear and other tech clothes in the washer...too lazy to hand wash ...using only cold water, and the tech-specific detergents such as Win or Sportwash. Then I hang or lay out to dry. My swimwear lasts fairly well this way.

The run was good...I had a zillion errands and dinner plans yesterday, so didn't work out. Another run today, and a baby swim....not actually any swimming, because I can't do that, but I will kick and just be getting used to the water again.

I'm thinking the Trek race in the fall at WDW may be fun! maybe we could meet up? Or I may do the Danskin there unless there is a conflict. Or maybe the Athletes for a Cure race also in the fall. Would love to meet some of you!

Mike, I got a drive to search through my floppies and see if that old RR is in there! haha!

 

[wtpclc]

Mike - Woo hoo!! You are doing awesome! Here I am worried about less than half that distance in 7 months. Then again, I'm only swimmign half of what I need to now, and I'm bit sure what I do is swiming.

Lynnda - lol. That's why I was trying to swim for real and Scott was doing TI. I didnt' want to look weird. TI is pretty well known by swimmers it seems. FYI, we got the DVD adn that is easier to follow. Scott says the book has good tips, but DVD shows better what you need to do in general.

Betsy - WOo hoo fro running!!!!!! Yay!! HOpe you can swim fo real soon too, but that seems a lot to ask.

SUzanne - I picked up some good tri separates end of season. I will still use the one I have once I start doing bricks again, but Betsy is right, those things are a PITA ewhen you have to use the restroom.

 

[jmasgat]

Carrie I was looking at this new all women tri that's new this year. Somewhere near Chelsea, I think. They also have a "she tri'd, he tri'd" race for male/female team (although it's a separate race for each) Does Scott tri? Here's the link.....

http://www.estevents.com/index.htm

If not, I would definitely do one at Kensington or Island Lake.

Maura

 

[JimB.]

Or maybe the Athletes for a Cure race also in the fall.

Already registered!!!

It was $50 off the registration fee (it may still be, IDK ) & since it is reasonably local I jumped on it in a second. I did this race last year and it was a lot of fun. Except for the blast furnace in the run.

 

[Millenium Mickey]

Hi - I'd like to join this board.

My goal in 2008 was to run my first marathon. Check. My goal in 2009 is to do my first triathlon. My plan is to do a sprint tri and I prefer a women's event for my first attempt. The ones in my area are not until June/July (Danskin and US Women's Triathlon Series). I notice a few others on this board from the Chicago area and wondered what events you have participated in.

Also, I run (obviously), I bike (although mostly spin), and know how to swim (but haven't swam laps in a long time). I found some beginner training plans online but want to know what are good resources out there? Should I look for swim lessons/clinics? One of my trainers (who does IM's) does Masters Swim but she says she's one of the slowest swimmers so I don't think that would work for me. Basically, where do I start???

Thanks...

 

[laxdef69]

Hi - I'd like to join this board.

My goal in 2008 was to run my first marathon. Check. My goal in 2009 is to do my first triathlon. My plan is to do a sprint tri and I prefer a women's event for my first attempt. The ones in my area are not until June/July (Danskin and US Women's Triathlon Series). I notice a few others on this board from the Chicago area and wondered what events you have participated in.

Also, I run (obviously), I bike (although mostly spin), and know how to swim (but haven't swam laps in a long time). I found some beginner training plans online but want to know what are good resources out there? Should I look for swim lessons/clinics? One of my trainers (who does IM's) does Masters Swim but she says she's one of the slowest swimmers so I don't think that would work for me. Basically, where do I start???

Thanks...

Welcome to the wonderful world of triathlons! I don't know how many womens only events there are early in our area but I believe that Naperville has a womens only as well as an open sprint triathlon.

I also struggled with swimming....I'd recommend you check out Urban Tri Gear, and chat with Preston (who owns the store with his wife Devyn). They have locations in Westmont and Burr Ridge. Preston has a pool in his house where his gives private lessons at very reasonable rates...Swimming for a triathlon is different, and I found getting feedback on what to correct and what to concentrate on very helpful. I think I took a total of 8-9 lessons.

Good luck, and again welcome!

Mike

 

[Caseydilla]

Thanks for the welcomes into the tri world. It is all very new to me since I've only been a runner all this time. I just purchased/ordered my road bike last week. My husband does tri's so, I am thankful I have him to train with. I have plans to work with a trainer for swimming and biking that my husband used. I need the most help in the swim.

ironz - So glad to hear your experience with the LV Iron Girl. Congrats on doing the Olympic distance! Do you plan to do this event again?

suzann - Thanks for the encouragment. I hope to have more to come after this first tri.

Mike - I hope your Vegas trip was a good one. If you have any questions to run by me in the future, feel free to ask and hopefully I can help. I hope your knee surgery goes smoothly and that your recovery is a quick one.

Lynnda - Thanks! I have heard fantastic reviews about the iron girl events too. It sounds like a good place for me to start. Good luck to you with your training for the Disney Trek Tri!

Millenium Mickey - Hello! I'm new to the tri thing myself and training for my first one. I'm doing an all female event. Have you looked into the Aflac Iron Girl website? They do mostly 5K/10K running events but have a few all female tri's. I'm doing the one here in Las Vegas. Good luck to you!

 

[Suzann]

I just bought my real first road bike.
I know its not fancy, and I don't think I'll need a fancy one until I start to do longer courses or want to get really fast. I just really want to finish the race and this will get me there

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/780737

 

[wtpclc]

SUzann - Huge congrats on teh new bike!!! It's very similar in style adn price to mine. Mine did wonders fo me, so I hope you love yours too!

Maura - lol. Scott adn I looked at those over the weekend. Scott said I shoudl do She rocks, but it's a long way to go if he can't participate too. The He Tried/She Tried looks cool too, but it's teh same day as Chicago. May think about SHe ROcks if you di it, but I will have been in Brighton the weekend before and will have family to my house teh following weekend. That may start to add up to my being crabby when the family comes for teh 4th.

 

[Millenium Mickey]

Millenium Mickey - Hello! I'm new to the tri thing myself and training for my first one. I'm doing an all female event. Have you looked into the Aflac Iron Girl website? They do mostly 5K/10K running events but have a few all female tri's. I'm doing the one here in Las Vegas. Good luck to you!

I looked the Iron Girl website - unfortunately none in the Chicago area.

Someone mentioned a Trek women's triathlon series. One of their events is in Chicago (Wisconsin border). What's the difference between this one and the Danskin series?

A silly question - does anyone do tri's that are not local (or within driving distance)? Do you bring your bike or rent one? A Disney tri would be fun, but the logistics seem way too difficult. Just curious...

 

[Millenium Mickey]

Caseydilla - I looked the Iron Girl website - unfortunately none in the Chicago area. What is your training schedule like? How many times a week do you bike/run/swim? How many weeks total? Lucky you can train outdoors. I won't have that luxury for a few more months.

Someone mentioned a Trek women's triathlon series. One of their events is in Chicago (Wisconsin border). What's the difference between this one and the Danskin series?

A silly question - does anyone do tri's that are not local (or within driving distance)? Do you bring your bike or rent one? A Disney tri would be fun, but the logistics seem way too difficult. Just curious...

 

[laxdef69]

A silly question - does anyone do tri's that are not local (or within driving distance)? Do you bring your bike or rent one? A Disney tri would be fun, but the logistics seem way too difficult. Just curious...

There are services that will pack and ship your bike for you...

http://www.bikesherpa.com/ is one that I have heard good things about...

 

[crzy4pooh]

Someone mentioned a Trek women's triathlon series. One of their events is in Chicago (Wisconsin border). What's the difference between this one and the Danskin series?

A silly question - does anyone do tri's that are not local (or within driving distance)? Do you bring your bike or rent one? A Disney tri would be fun, but the logistics seem way too difficult. Just curious...

I have no idea what the differences will be at other race sites, but here is how the two races will compare at WDW.

The Danskin is still supposed to use their regular course - start on the shore in front of MK, 400 yrd swim in 7 seas lagoon, 9 mile bike around the back roads behind the park, and 2 mile run in MK, coming out through the castle, down main street, out the front, turn right to finish back on the beach. It is now being called the Danskin SheROX series, but is supposed to basically be the same atmosphere as before.

The Trek is brand new, although being run by the former race director for Danskin, and Sally Edwards is the spokesperson (also formerly with Danskin). She is just incredible - so inspiring and encouraging. Had the race not been at Disney, I still would do it just to hear her again. Trek hasn't given course specifics, but they advertise their race series to be 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 run (longer than the Disney Danskin). They said the race will be at Ft. Wilderness, but have given no other info.

The Danskin is supposed to open registration on Feb 3 for a few of the races, but last year it opened a day before they said, and Disney filled within 11 hours. Trek registration is already open for several races. Prices are the same for both races.

I've done Danskin twice, and both times TONS of people rented bikes from a local shop. I believe once registration opened that Danskin gave a specific bike shop to contact. They delivered the bikes to the rack area and were there to get the bike fitted to you. They were also there the morning of the race with repair equipment - just in case.


Hope that helps! I'm signed up for Trek, and anxiously awaiting Danskin registration!

--Lynnda

 

[Millenium Mickey]

I've done Danskin twice, and both times TONS of people rented bikes from a local shop. I believe once registration opened that Danskin gave a specific bike shop to contact. They delivered the bikes to the rack area and were there to get the bike fitted to you. They were also there the morning of the race with repair equipment - just in case.


Hope that helps! I'm signed up for Trek, and anxiously awaiting Danskin registration!

--Lynnda

Thanks (or no thanks depending on who you ask!). A tri at WDW is really tempting... I guess a have a couple of days to think about it.