Triathlon Thread 2009

[3DisneyKids]

Hi Tri Team!

Good news on the swim front for me! I already shaved 1:30 off my half mile time! I did it today in 18:30. Still slow, I know. But considering I have only done 3 training swims so far, I am encouraged! 90 seconds off from the first swim to the third swim, I'll take it! For my first tri (now just 12 days away), I would love to get the 1/2 mile done in 17:00, with an eventual goal of 15 even.

I agree with Matt about alternating breathing patterns. The common thought seems to be that this will significantly improve time. I have to admit that I am not doing that for my upcoming tri, as I just don't have time right now to screw with my stroke like that. But it is definitely the way I will be training once I get this first one done.

As for the bike...I am following The Great Pedal Debate with interest. I am heading to the bike shop on Friday to talk pedals, so I am glad to have some opinions!

We CAN do this!

 

[Suzann]

Erika~ Way to go!!!! I'm so jealous of your swim times!!! My triathlon is this weekend. 1/4 mile swim, 8 mile bike and 3 mile run! I'll definitely let you guys know how I do

 

[wtpclc]

Thansk for teh breathing info everyone! I have improved tons but still have a long way to go. WIth the way my legs are lately, it's a darn good thing I can get joy from my swim improving!

Mike - Sorry teh swim was rough, but Septemebr is a long way away!

Steve - You signed up for a race in MI without telling me??? That's about 1.5 hours from us, and I *htink* we'll be home. NOw, do I tell Scott about it? He will so want to do it with you. Please tell me this doesn't mean CHicago is out.

Erika - Woo hoo on the swim! Whne is your tri? FOrgive me if I missed it.

Mek - Woo hoo on the bike! Erin used to talk about liking lollipops. I think the real name is speedplay.

Suzann - GOod luck!!!

Liz - Woo hoo on the new bike!!

 

[wtpclc]

WHIle I won't have to worry about Scott trying teh half iron, we can't go to Steve's race. I'll have a house full of company.

 

[JimB.]

Hey fellow Tri Guys!!

I tried something different today.

Instead of biking then going for a run, I ran first & biked second. I thought that some of the "muscle confusion" factor woould help since it was a short day for me.

I ran 5.1 & then biked (on my "mountain" (hey! I live in Florida!) bike) 10.6.

Other than the thighs feeling VERY tired on the bike ride (which I take to be a good thing), it went ok.

I think in a few weeks (when it's less windy) I'll do it again, just for "fun".

Happy Thursday!

 

[Suzann]

Hey Jim... way to go on the training!! I've never thought about mixing it up and doing the running first and the biking second.

As for me, my tri was this morning... 1/4 swim, 8 mile bike, 3 mile run

Got up early, had a protein shake and a banana... heard the rain pouring on the sky light. GREAT. Loaded up the car with all my stuff and off for a 35 minute drive to the triathlon. Finally got there and walked into the pool area where they were doing the registration and it was HOT! Registered and got my goodie bag (lots of great stuff in there.. a tech tshirt, a beanie, water bottle, a canvas bag and of course the normal swim cap and race number.) Started setting up my bike on the trainer (it was an indoor swim and indoor bike on a trainer) There were 20 trainers set up, 10 people per wave so the next people could have their bikes set up and ready to go too. They weighed yourself and your bike too so the computers would calculate how much power you needed to pedal for 8 miles. Looked outside and noticed it had cleared up and the sun was coming out!

It came time to actually get in the pool (And I was happy I was in the first wave of the day because we got the most time to set up and get ready!) Took some practice strokes then came back to the wall for the start. The countdown came and I was off! I only had to share a lane with one other person so that wasn't bad! I get three laps in and realize I'm not far behind the same person in my lane.. either she swims as slow as I am or my swimming training has been paying off! The pool went from 3 feet depth to 12 feet depth at the end and you could tell the difference of resistance! We had to swim 9 laps total (18 lengths) and by the 8th one I was beginning to slow down. My lane partner finished a lap ahead of me, but out of the 10 of us that started, I didn't finish last!!! When I was done my 9 laps, I had to get out of the pool. This sounds easier than it was! 3 feet of water and you have to have the strength to get yourself out of the pool without going into other lanes. I stepped on the lane buoy and hoisted my way out and ran to the bike section. (I think my swim was 11 minutes)
I got to my bike, put on my socks and shoes and hopped on the bike... started peddling and then stared at the computer trainer... it had turned off! I let one of the volunteers know and she came and turned it on for me. I think that reset the weight for the machine, which made me pedal further for my distance. Once again, the biking portion was right near the pool and it was HOT in there... right above us the ceiling was only 8 feet high so it felt like a SAUNA! All the heat rising would come back down on us... I sweated so much! The riders next to me were joking saying we're just riding in hawaii. Ha. We all chatted while riding, learning a lot about each other and giving some tips. I was second to last out of my ten people to finish the bike, but that was ok. (I think being on the trainer is mentally harder than on the road for a tri. I couldn't play the catch up game with other people on the course... I pick someone and try to catch up with them) I finished the bike in about 36 minutes
While I only had a tenth of a mile left, I put on my long sleeve tech shirt that had my number on it to get ready for the run. Once I was done with my 8 miles, I got off the bike and ran out of the pool and outside. My legs felt a little wobbly, but I didn't stop running. The running portion was around a lake, of which I've ran before. I caught up to the woman that left before me and we decided to run together... loved that and we supported each other all the way around the lake. With only a quarter mile left I decided to give it a last push effort and found the finish line at 1 hour and 16 minutes. Received my medal and had a smile on my face.
While packing the bike away in the car, it started to rain again... hasn't let up since. Great timing!!!

 

[JimB.]

Suzann -

Congratulations on your event!!!

Nice report also. Sounds like it was a lot of fun!

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana's Monday Mixer

We had so much fun with last week’s Monday Mixer, ‘Ohana is doing it again tomorrow! Come early, stay late, visit on any day of the week. No need to stick to the topic, either. We’re just happy to hear from our cousins and swap a tale or two over some tasty beverages.

Tomorrow, we’re curious to find out how you pass the time on long walks/wogs/runs if you don’t listen to music and are training solo. (Or what you do in addition to/as an alternative to listening to music.) What makes the long miles less daunting and maybe even enjoyable? What do you watch for, think about, concentrate on? From the serious to silly to the surreal, we want to hear your stories.

Me, I’m pretty sure I hallucinate, but the rest of you probably have better strategies...

Hope to see you on the ‘Ohana thread. The mixer posts for this week start here.

 

[laxdef69]

Suzann!

sounds like you had a great event...congratulations!

Mike

 

[twoWDWfools]

Suzann - Congrats!!! Sounds like you had a good time too!

I got my new bike Saturday and it is on the trainer. Will post a pic of it tonight.

 

[skfulkers]

Suzann--great job and congrats on your event!

Liz--so cool about getting the new bike! Do be sure to post pics for us!!

Jim--interesting brick workout. I never thought about doing that. Glad it seems to be working for you!

I actually got a chance to get the bike outside this weekend. It was cold (30 deg) and windy (25-20 mph), but I just couldn't stand any more time on a trainer. I managed 20 miles before the wind got the better of me. But it felt really good to be outside again.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Steve

 

[ironz]

Yay, Suzann!! I was totally thinking about you this weekend!!

Your swimming has definitely paid off! I remember you had posted once about thinking the swim would take more than 20 min. See?! You rock!

Big smiles for you!!

 

[Suzann]

Thanks guys! Yeah, the swimming really helped A LOT! And I didn't rest much on the wall (just to catch my breath!)

 

[3DisneyKids]

Way to go, Suzann! Reading your race report is getting me excited for my event this coming Sunday. I am both excited AND nervous! This will be my first. But I feel ready!

 

[Suzann]

Erika, you're going to do great!!! Do you have any questions? I almost forgot a couple of things to pack before the race, so maybe I could do a little packing list on the first post of this thread?

 

[twoWDWfools]

Quick one this morning with a pic of my new bike on the trainer still (sigh). Please ignore the mess in the background - Patrick moved the bike to a better spot to get the pic but, well, it is the basement.

It's a Fuji Newest 3.0 - feels great. Stayed with SPD platform and will just get different shoes. I like the SPDs and since I also have them on the hybrid it makes sense to me. Will pick up aerobars after I can get out a couple times. (please let that be sometime soon...)

 

[Suzann]

Good looking bike!!!! I wish it was warmer outside too! I've been stuck with indoor activities most of the winter.. BOO

 

[3DisneyKids]

Erika, you're going to do great!!! Do you have any questions? I almost forgot a couple of things to pack before the race, so maybe I could do a little packing list on the first post of this thread?

YES! I would love a packing list! Thanks!

Back from my workout. TIRED! I did the whole tri today. It wasn't my planned workout, but that is how it rolls sometimes. I am SO fatigued. And I held back. I didn't swim, bike, or run my fastest. I just wanted to do the course slow and easy. But I can't get over how tired I am. And I want to eat everything in sight. Everything. I ate high protein after I was done...and I am still just ravenous.

Now I will just do light, easy workouts for the rest of the week, rest Friday and Saturday, and be ready for Sunday. My heat is at 7:20 am. And it is the day we change the clocks ahead, so it will FEEL like 6:20. UGH! I am doing this tri with my mom (who is 70, thank you very much) and she got a 10:00 start time.

 

[Suzann]

Erika~ Maybe you didn't eat enough before your workout tri?? I find that I don't eat enough for my workouts, so I really have to watch what I eat and eat MORE than normal.

Here's my packing list rough draft... anyone have anything to add?

PRERACE
Race information
Map to start
Phone
Bike lock (?)
ID
Triathlon card
Sports Drink
Water Bottles (full)
Pre-race food (?)
Tire pump
Extra bike tools/cartridges
Hairbrush
Ponytail holders
Sunblock
Heart rate meter (?)
Watch
Antacids
Anti-inflammatories
Crate/transition bag
Misc. plastic bags (For wet clothes!)
Tape (never know when you need some)
Safety pins (I've been at a race that didn't have any!)
Toilet paper (never know!)


SWIM
2 towels (bright color to spot) I normally have a ground towel and a hand towel
Flipflops
Trisuit/jogbra and shorts
Wetsuit (?), PAM (wetsuit lube)
Swim cap (?)
Goggles
Anti-fog
Chip/strap

T1/BIKE
BIKE (Important)
Race number/holder
Helmet with number
Wrap sunglasses
Bike/full fluid bottles
Bike shoes
Bike gloves (?)
Seatpost pack (check supplies)
Energy bars (?) Or GU
Electrolyte caps
Cycling socks
Cycling jersey (?)
Eyedrops
Chapstick
Sunblock
Insect repellent
Bright marking to spot your transition rack

T2/RUN
Running shoes/RoadID
Extra running socks
Nylon socks
Visor/hat
Bandana
Dry Coolmax shirt (?)

POSTRACE
Sweatshirt/jacket
Tshirt
Shorts/pants
Underwear
Snack
HAT! (My hair is always messy after a race!)

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for an awesome list, Suzann! Definitely things on there that I never would have thought about!

Ok, I have a question. Guys, sorry if this one is TMI for you, but a girl's gotta ask!

I am going to just throw my shorts and shirt on right over my swimsuit (indoor swim in an olympic pool). As I said in my earlier post, I already did a mock tri today. And I am glad I did. Because, um, "the girls" were NOT happy running with just a bathing suit for support.

The good news here is that I am pretty small on top (well, good news for this anyway! ) but I still need some support. How the heck do I get a jog bra on? Do I just wear it with my suit and swim with it? There is no where to change (and I don't want to take the time anyway), so unless I flash my ta-tas to the world, I don't know how to get it on.

Thoughts?