Any cyclists or triathletes in here

[ShawnQ]

Shawnq I'm going to busy busy today but I'll try to get back at you in the next day or so. But basically, look at this: http://www.trifind.net and select Texas on the left hand side and pick a sprint triathlon sometime around April or May.

Far enough out you can turn in a decent performance and close enough you won't lose motivation.

You can do a sprint on 4 hours a week of training for it.

OldGuysRule,

Thanks for the info. I'll look into that side and see what I can get into. Unfortunately I'm stationed up here in KY now (Owensboro). I know Louisville has IMKY, but there's no way I'll be ready for that kind of torture yet
I also wish I had the good ol' 70* winters in TX! These single digit temps are killer for someone who wants to run or ride. I can't stand treadmills or stationary bikes, so it will be tough.

Any advice as far as using my road-bike for a tri? I really don't want to make a huge monetary investment. I can give my time, but I'd like to keep the spending as low as possible. I've got a Lemond Tourmalet, nothing fancy but it works.

I'm not out to beat records or win these things...just want to increase my stamina for the job I'm training for.

Thanks for the info.

Shawn

[OldGuysRule]

Shawnq I'm going to busy busy today but I'll try to get back at you in the next day or so. But basically, look at this: http://www.trifind.net and select Texas on the left hand side and pick a sprint triathlon sometime around April or May.

Far enough out you can turn in a decent performance and close enough you won't lose motivation.

You can do a sprint on 4 hours a week of training for it.

[ShawnQ]

Any recommendations for a 'iron pumper' who is trying to make the switch to a more cardio based lifestyle?

I've always been strong, and had no trouble putting on mass and keeping it. I've never been too lean though, and that's probably because I hated cardio.

In 2009, I enlisted and went through boot camp barely passing my 1.5mi run. I have since cut it down from 12:20 to under 8min. I still slow down a good bit after the first 2mi, but I keep running. Before, I would've died, lol

I have also started swimming. At boot camp, a 100m swim in 5min was required. I passed it, but struggled because I knew NOTHING about swimming, form, etc. I can now do a 500 in around 8min, which is slow in competitive swimming standards...but it's an improvement. I'm also a beast with fins on because I've still got monster legs from heavy lifting.

I ran a few 5K's last fall, and would like to try a Triathlon this spring, summer.

As for cycling, I've got a Lemond Tourmalet...I put a few hundred miles on it last year (took a few months to get it shipped here). I plan to start riding it again once it warms up a bit. Ice and road bike tires don't mix! (I'm located in KY right now...not the 80* temps you guys have). Will this road bike get me through a Tri? What's the difference, just the bars?

Any pointers on how to get started in training? I can run/bike/swim all day long when I'm not at work or on duty...but it is nice to have a regimen to follow, it keeps me on track.

I appreciate the help.

Shawn
(Hopefully going to USCG Rescue Swimmer school late 2011...trying to get a head start on the stamina required to complete the hardest school in the Coast Guard)

[OldGuysRule]

Eric, do you have Kona dreams or are these "epic races" more akin to Ultraman type stuff?

No real Kona dreams. If it happens it happens. I won't try to lottery into it but if I string together a good season, great. My issue right now is consistent training time. Between two club playing daughters and my company there always seems to be a 3 month stretch every year that just screws up training.

It's tough to build up wattage up on the bike required to compete at the national level when there are 10 volleyball tournaments between January and April (all weekend things) and you are on the road 2-3 days a week with the company. Same with swimming.

Running I can keep up with and at this juncture in my life I consider myself much more of a runner than when I was single.

(lol! Sounds like I'm making up a lot of excuses now! Maybe I need to re-evaluate!)

So I've been gearing the last few years more towards ultramarathoning and my long term goal is to run the http://www.texasindependencerelay.com/ solo. 2012 or 2013? Hopefully one of those years.

I will say if I can get my 40K road bike time trial back under 1 hour and more in the 55-56 minute range I might consider getting back to competitive triathlon and a possible run at Kona.

[Strychnine]

Figured I'd check back in here. My down time is over. I took a break from riding [involuntarily] almost all of September thru December b/c of work.

I'm starting my 2011 odometer today.




Eric, do you have Kona dreams or are these "epic races" more akin to Ultraman type stuff?

[AnthonyS]

I'm off the two weeks around Christmas so I tend to do a lot.

Typical week is 12-18 hours and peaks are 22-25 hours a week stair stepped. So it will look like 12,13,14,15,13,14,15,16,13,15,16,17... peaking at 22-25 hours.

Stress, recover, more stress, recover, more stress recover...

All part of a larger plan to do some epic races in my 50th year (I'm 47 now.)

If you need some assistance holler. No way I can do that sort of training volume or any epic races.

My big races this year will be two Olympics, but it's my 2nd year . I'm shooting for 5 to 8 hours a week with work, kids, etc.

[OldGuysRule]

All of that in one day? That's insane man. Someday I'll get there, but no this week.

I'm off the two weeks around Christmas so I tend to do a lot.

Typical week is 12-18 hours and peaks are 22-25 hours a week stair stepped. So it will look like 12,13,14,15,13,14,15,16,13,15,16,17... peaking at 22-25 hours.

Stress, recover, more stress, recover, more stress recover...

All part of a larger plan to do some epic races in my 50th year (I'm 47 now.)

[AnthonyS]

8 miles running @ 5am, 3500m in the pool with 20x100m on 1:35 as the main set after running and just wrapped up 20 miles MTB at Arbor Hills.

Love the last two weeks of December esp. when its 80 out!

All of that in one day? That's insane man. Someday I'll get there, but no this week.

[Beej]

8 miles running @ 5am, 3500m in the pool with 20x100m on 1:35 as the main set after running and just wrapped up 20 miles MTB at Arbor Hills.

Love the last two weeks of December esp. when its 80 out!

no doubt. Me and a friend went out to Grapevine and road till the sun went down. It was sad though the one day its 80 and not windy I was on the mountain bike.

[OldGuysRule]

8 miles running @ 5am, 3500m in the pool with 20x100m on 1:35 as the main set after running and just wrapped up 20 miles MTB at Arbor Hills.

Love the last two weeks of December esp. when its 80 out!

[OldGuysRule]

What are you riding? I did a bit of riding Saturday. It wasn't much, but it was fun.

I got in 1500 yards of swimming tonight. Tomorrow morning will be an hour on a stationary exercise bike with the ipod... I can't really get into the idea of biking around Dallas in the cold and dark with the way people drive. That totally defeats the purpose of trying to get into shape.

http://bikemart.com/product/cycleops-aluminum-rollers-with-resistance-41031-1.htm

[AnthonyS]

i just did my very first ride today. had a blast. legs are a bit sore, but it feels good. i was really happy to get my heart rate up for a good 30 minutes. i cant wait to stretch my legs some and get to do some real riding, but you have to start somewhere i guess!

What are you riding? I did a bit of riding Saturday. It wasn't much, but it was fun.

I got in 1500 yards of swimming tonight. Tomorrow morning will be an hour on a stationary exercise bike with the ipod... I can't really get into the idea of biking around Dallas in the cold and dark with the way people drive. That totally defeats the purpose of trying to get into shape.

[32vfromhell]

i just did my very first ride today. had a blast. legs are a bit sore, but it feels good. i was really happy to get my heart rate up for a good 30 minutes. i cant wait to stretch my legs some and get to do some real riding, but you have to start somewhere i guess!

[OldGuysRule]

[AnthonyS]

That is pretty funny. I think everyone has seen or heard itxquoted before.