got back in the pool & cut 2min off my 300m swim!!

it went from just over 10min to just over 8min...soo its a start. i was def not as exhausted this time around. i feel like i can push it down further, i just hope i can hold it down for race day

im thinking of doing a mock tri at my gym. granted the transitions will be different but i can swim my 300m, run upstairs and do 10mi on the bike (the fancy bikes w clips have displays with distance) then hop on a treadmill and run 3mi. it wont be perfect but it'll at least keep me moving for a period of time doing different activities.

im not sure how else to prepare. the only thing i need to work on is getting my running time down & with less breaks. i havent run for awhile so ive slowed down a lot.

6/6/2010 6:42:52 PM

I did that at the YMCA about 1 month out from mine. It was helpful. Really though, you should focus on doing bike and then run training. Swimming uses much different muscles and shouldn't take much out of your legs.

6/6/2010 6:58:59 PM

i am sooo lazy right now, because i am getting a new job and just have too much going on otherwise. I hope next week to get started up running again. Alas, I need new shoes with a better fit and some stuff done to my bike. I should be swimming since I have everything I need BUT my new job's hours will allow me to take master's lessons at the gym, which i reallllllllllllllllllllly need first. Otherwise I will just be wasting time in the pool. I can do the spin classes while i wait on my bike repairs I suppose though.

I have the paperwork for direct deposit for my new job done, so it seems like I am set. Just the final 'hand shake and welcome aboard' interview is tomorrow

6/6/2010 7:01:50 PM

don't have another tri until july 11th... kind of bummed it's that far out.

but i've been starting to really work on my running training, so hopefully that'll help my times, since that's my weakest section.

6/6/2010 7:25:19 PM

^^lessons are a good place to start, but especially since you aren't doing anything else, bad swimming is better than no swimming. At least you could develop your aerobic capacity.

^my next planned one is the buckner mission man sprint on July 24. Thinking hard about doing the kure beach double sprint on June 27th to give me something to shoot for before then ($75 dollar bucks is steep, though)

[Edited on June 6, 2010 at 8:25 PM. Reason : d]

6/6/2010 8:24:25 PM

Have you done Mission Man before? That's my next one, too. Then UNC Wellness
and Race the Quay after that.

6/6/2010 8:36:31 PM

^^ shit, if that wasn't a 6 hour drive for me, i'd do Kure beach

(although i have a 63 mile bike the weekend before... probably not the best idea)

6/6/2010 8:46:10 PM

i mean i look like an inner city minority when i swim. i won't drown but can't do more than 40 yards at a time

6/6/2010 9:21:23 PM

Triathlon this weekend, haven't trained enough. FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU

6/7/2010 8:22:24 AM

where is it? i will have the weekend off, by my choice, until my new job starts monday. I'd like to go watch if it is close. Hell if its short enough........................yah really I can train some this week but I'd die.

I will start riding again this week since I am not stressing about a job anymore

6/7/2010 5:38:15 PM

I'm doing the n00b race at Tri Latta in Huntersville, NC:

http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1404

6/7/2010 5:42:39 PM

Dear Monday,
Not only were you not humid and gross outside, but you let me get off work early,
buy a bike on Ebay, and go running with the dogs for over an hour. Even the beagle cooperated.

6/8/2010 8:52:20 AM

http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1610

setup just sent out an email offering $1 race entry to the first 20 at this new race in Mooresville. Looks like fun.

6/8/2010 10:50:56 AM

^ nice find. Sold out in 90seconds. For that price I'd be willing to travel to the next state to participate

6/8/2010 12:42:01 PM

took a nasty spill on my bike during the Latta Tri today. Luckily it was in the grass but landed on my shoulder and scraped up my knee. Got back on my bike, fixed the chain, straightened out my handlebars and finished the race. My spd clip lost a bolt so I couldn't clip in for the last 4 miles, but I made it.

6/13/2010 11:18:05 AM

Oh that sucks ^

glad you were able to finish though

6/13/2010 11:41:09 AM

i watched a 1/2 ironman in boise yesterday - wow. definitely inspired me to get my ass in gear for a sprint tri i've never done one, so i'm kinda excited

[Edited on June 13, 2010 at 11:59 AM. Reason : s]

6/13/2010 11:57:54 AM

^^^ow. nice job finishing. how'd it happen?

6/13/2010 6:29:16 PM

the road I was on had about a 5-inch drop-off from the asphalt right into gravel/grass. wasn't paying attention and veered off the drop and lost control. 17 mile ended up taking me 55 minutes, I'd estimate I took about 5 minutes getting myself together and back to pedaling. feel I could've recovered better had I been able to clip in because I was pedaling along pretty good.

on a good note, my swim ended up at 18 minutes and change which is cutting off about two minutes from my times last year

6/13/2010 7:30:23 PM

Pictures!

6/19/2010 10:47:39 AM

Way to Man Up and finish the race. Sucks about the crash, it happens to the best of us.

6/19/2010 11:43:06 AM

Good finish, and those pictures look like that stung hard. The 10-year-old in me still says, "whoa, cool!"

6/19/2010 5:00:12 PM

yikes your shoulder!! glad you're ok and finished the race though!

this morning i did a 26mi ride then 30min run & 300m swim. a little out of order and i need to practice bricking but i felt like im a stronger runner post bike than i am just running first. so i guess thats good for tris its next weekend!! my bf will be in town so i'll get some pics of me participating im excited!

6/19/2010 6:04:06 PM

what's that weird knot/tumor on your back??

6/19/2010 6:18:06 PM

Just a calcium deposit under the skin. I've had it checked out a bunch but no reason to remove it except for cosmetic reasons.

6/20/2010 8:37:26 AM

So I'm competing in the MTA triathlon at Lake James, and the Lake Lure Sprint Triathlon this summer (I think). Any suggestions for a first time triathlete? Any body else thinking about competing in these?

6/20/2010 3:10:31 PM

I'm considering the Lake Lure one.

Suggestions... brick. It's essential that you train for the way you will feel after getting off the bike and starting the run.

Also, if you aren't a strong swimmer you need to train that and probably take some lessons. If you have an inefficient swim stroke you will waste a ton of energy that really should be saved for the bike and the run.

6/20/2010 6:35:58 PM

Have you been training for all three pieces of it?

Swimming is tough for me, and depending on your ability then it may be best to let the people in your wave go. Having people climb over you and errant kicks to the face are never good. I know that my swim isn't strong so I let the people that are going to be climbing over me get in front of me to start with. I'm not super competitive so the extra time they get starting ahead of me isn't a big deal.

Have you done an open water swim in a lake before? Check with the Y's near you and see if any of them have an open water swim. I do them at Lake Norman in Charlotte, it's a great way to get accustomed to the water.

Bring a couple pairs of socks. You won't be able to dry them off after the swim and may want to switch them out for the run.

Get a belt for your number, saves you a lot of trouble during transitions with pins or changing shirts.

6/21/2010 7:34:07 AM

Quote :

"Get a belt for your number, saves you a lot of trouble during transitions with pins or changing shirts."

definitely

and during the swim, i would say use your arms for the most part, and don't use your legs as much as you can. it's the only section where your legs won't do the majority of the work - so might as well give them a bit of rest.

i've got my next one in three weeks - and we might be doing another one in september

6/21/2010 7:37:38 AM

my tri is on sunday! eepp

so i plan to do the swim in my sports bra & bike shorts (w less padding than i prefer)

before i hop on the bike, im going to toss on my tank top & do the bike & run in that... would it work to just pin my number on my shirt? or do i have to wear it in the pool?

i dont know what to expect so any help is appreciated

and kirk do you mean have another pair of socks for after the bike? are you trying to say your biking socks will get wet from the water run off & to bring a second pair for the run? just trying to understand

6/21/2010 10:23:49 AM

Quote :

"would it work to just pin my number on my shirt?"

that works.. you can also get the race belts and just hook your number to that, and put it on after the swim

i don't switch socks, but i haven't had a problem with going from the bike to the run. i would have a towel sitting by your bike in the transition area to wipe off your feet before you put the socks on.

oh and for your transition from bike shoes to running, i would recommend sitting down on the ground. trying to balance while switching shoes isn't easy

6/21/2010 10:27:42 AM

You don't need your number in the pool, you should be marked on your legs and arms with your number as well. If you're going to throw a shirt on top for the bike and run then you should be fine using the pins on your shirt.

Yes, it might be worthwhile to bring two pairs of socks. When you get out of the water and put your socks/shoes on for the bike, it can be difficult to dry off enough. Your socks will be wet after the bike due to sweat/water/etc. It could be worthwhile to have a back-up pair of socks to switch into before the run.

6/21/2010 10:28:40 AM

^^^ You do not have to have a number on in the pool. They will be marking your arms and legs prior to the race with your number. Your plan sounds like a good one (pinning it to the shirt), but like ^^ said, you can also get a race belt. That's what I use and it makes transitions quick and easy.

I usually go sockless for the bike and run. I am comfortable that way, but if you aren't, then make sure and bring a towel for transition and just dry your feet off well before the first pair of socks and you shouldn't have to change in between the bike and run.

[Edited on June 21, 2010 at 10:33 AM. Reason : damn work getting in the way of my TWW posting]

[Edited on June 21, 2010 at 10:33 AM. Reason : ^what he said]

6/21/2010 10:32:42 AM

Tips for your first Triathlon

http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Breaking-Down-Your-First-Triathlon.htm?cmp=306&memberid=103568584&lyrisid=20755646

6/23/2010 8:07:41 AM

thanks for posting that lunak!

2 questions

1. about the towel, are we talking small hand towel or are we talking full size? i guess its preference i just dont want to be totally spotted as noob

2. hydrating on the bike. i have a hard time drinking from biek bottles esp while riding, it slows me down terribly. i'd prefer to have my camelbak in the transition area & chug that while i ride 10mi. i know i'd get more water and it would keep me from slowing down. i assume they're allowed, but i thought i'd ask

6/23/2010 10:35:22 AM

I usually take a full size towel and fold it in half the short way and lay all my transition stuff on it. There should be enough room for that in front of or behind your bike in transition. I will step on it to wipe the grass off my feet and semi-dry off then throw my bike shoes on and go. You may want to also bring a small hand towel to get your feet dry so you can put socks on. The big towel will be nice to sit down on so you can get your gear on. Some people even take buckets and chairs to sit on in transition, but I think that's pretty rude because the space is often pretty tight.

If you like a camelback to ride with, take it. There will probably be others that have one as well.

For shorter races like that, I personally just hydrate well before the race and I might drink something at one of the run stations, but that's just me. Everyone has different preferences.

[Edited on June 23, 2010 at 10:41 AM. Reason : d]

6/23/2010 10:40:21 AM

I bring a large towel too and set my stuff on it for transition. Really the easiest way to do it.

In terms of the camelback - I've never seen people with them - but I've never done a full tri - only the sprints. But I don't think it'd be a problem.

6/23/2010 10:46:32 AM

this is just a sprint too, i just dont want to put myself at a disadvantage due to water consumption

6/23/2010 11:01:27 AM

Quote :

"The pool is 50-meters long with wide lanes. This way, you will only have go under lane ropes twice. Have a great swim! "

wtf does this mean?? go under lane ropes? explain please?

its a pool swim btw

6/23/2010 12:24:45 PM

It means that the lanes are wide enough that you will go there and back in the same lane, swim under a rope to the next lane, go there and back again, swim under the rope to the next lane, then there and back again and get out.

Some pool swims have you switch lanes at every end because there usually isn't enough room in the lanes to swim side by side.

6/23/2010 12:54:14 PM

^ I'm not sure of who thought of that method for doing a pool swim, but it sounds like an accident waiting to happen, as well as slower times. I know it would take longer, but can't they stagger people so they just swim 300 m in 1 lane with flip turns?

I mean, they're already doing it in a pool and not OWS, so it's not like your experience is going to be more like a lake or whatever.

6/23/2010 11:07:15 PM

Id bet it has more to do with the pool size than with them choosing to make it that way. Sometimes you work with the facilities you have.

6/23/2010 11:22:10 PM

I think they make you go uner the lane ropes so that you swim the whole pool andnobody has to count laps.

As to the sock issue...I haven't been able to toughen up my feet enough to run without them. My bike shoes are tri specific and are very vented. I came out of the pool, wiped my feet with a small towel, put my bike shoes on and rode, then put socks on before the run. It worked very well for me.

6/24/2010 11:28:09 AM

it's called 'snake swimming' you snake up and down each lane sliding over as you continue on. it is definitely a good idea to practice the lane changes if you have a flip turn (depends on which way they run the snake, right to left is easiest for most people, the left to right you have to twist opposite of what most folks do for a turn). if you don't still a good idea to practice it so your comfortable with it.



a sports bra in the pool will cause a LOT of drag.... look into getting a womans tri top, they are pretty much a wide banded sports bra that you can swim in with out feeling like you have a parachute around your chest.

i could probably do a 300 m swim in about.....

3 minutes 30 seconds, and that wouldn't be pushing it terribly fast, might be able to shave off 20 seconds if I did... 750m 8 min and something (closer to 9 minutes), shit i can do a 1000 in 11 minutes...

but yes the trick to getting faster at swimming is first, good form, you must be doing the motions correctly. second, practice, practice, practice and more practice.

too bad you can't win a tri with a awesome swim!

6/24/2010 1:41:00 PM

If anyone is looking for a race ready bike, I have two brand new Kuotas sitting here that Im willing to let go for a damn good deal. Both are full carbon, both are size large. Im 5'11" and they fit quite well, but any shorter and you'll probably have issues.

Kueen-K (SRAM Red, Stronglite cranks, pure f'n sex)
Large, Red/white
$4700 (normally $6700)
(http://www.kuota.it/bike.php?IDCategoria=2&IDBicicletta=23&IDColore=1)

K-Factor SL (ultegra, etc.)
Large, Black/Raw Carbon
$1600 (normally $2200)
(http://www.kuota.it/bike.php?IDCategoria=2&IDBicicletta=25&IDColore=1)


More than happy to get some pics up if there is interest, so holllla!!

*the bikes are not spec'd exactly as shown on the website*

[Edited on June 24, 2010 at 3:04 PM. Reason : brand spankin new!]

6/24/2010 3:03:48 PM

I have no idea what I'm talking about with bikes, but those look really nice .

6/24/2010 3:41:20 PM

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=441

incase anyone wants to see a training program geared towards doing an iron man

6/30/2010 11:00:48 AM

next one on saturday

7/7/2010 8:29:42 AM

if i get the job i interviewed for today, i will become a triathlete for sure. The owner of the company is a beast, everyone has bikes, everyone rides their bike to work (well a lot do), gym on the site, right next to umstead, and a 1.5 hour lunchbreak if you use the time fore exercise. yessssir

7/7/2010 11:20:01 AM

^ dude, can i come work there?!?!?!

7/7/2010 11:22:41 AM