Approaching the first attempt at a triathlon

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Well I am less than 2 weeks away from my first triathlon. I know that I can complete it (barring any mishaps)... I am concerned about how well I will do though - I thought it would be enough just to do it and complete one, but now I want to be somewhat competitive. My biking time is killing me - I am a good 10-15 minutes slower than most of the competitors on the bike. Part of it is that I have a 15 year old mountain bike that I am using - I can't afford a new bike right now so I am going to just have to suck it up. I don't know how to get faster on the bike - I've been riding regularly for the last 3 months and while my pace has significantly increased - it has leveled off for the last month. And slower than I would like. I am frustrated. I know I shouldn't be - I know that I can complete all the portions of the race - just maybe not to my satisfaction.

Any suggestions to increase the speed on the bike?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TIMOTHYNOHE 6/18/2013 2:41PM

Like your first half or full marathon, your concern should only be finishing. Well, finishing and making the cut. If you are only 10-15 minutes behind the leaders on the bike leg, you will make the cut. 1) Swim -- don't drown. When the horn sounds, swim to the first buoy. That is your only goal. Then swim to the next one. Open water scared the crap out of me, but I did it in plenty of time. 2) First Transition -- at this time of the year, you won't be worried about a wet suit. Just get your bike shoes on as quick as you can. Don't dawdle. Be careful not to mount your bike too soon. 3) Bike -- Ride you best. Don't fall off. Your times will be fine. Me I was a little intimidated about flying down hill at 30+ MPH. I felt so naked. If I fell, I thought O would break something --- off. Use all your gears to get up the hill. 4) Second transition -- No need to change your shirt. I had a singlet under my bike jersey so all I did was strip that off. A lot of people leave their shoes clicked onto their pedals. I never mastered that. You running shoes should be untied. One thing I did was to use old school clips so I didn't have to change shoes. I rode in my runners. 5) Run -- by the time you get here, you are pretty much done. But I found that my legs were like rubber for the first quarter mile or so. One of the things I did was to bring my shoes and helmet in a 5 gallon work bucket. It then became my seat for the transitions. The upside. You will have a PR no matter what. Have fun. You have trained for this. you will do well. Report Inappropriate Comment

Holiday Parade 1 mile Run

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Last night I completed the 1 mile run before the local parade with my 2 sons. The boys were excited they decorated their red tshirts with Christmas stickers to be festive for the parade. Everyone has had the sniffles this week so I was a little concerned, but for nothing. Joey my littlest - 6 years old took off at the start - he stayed ahead for the first quarter mile, then stayed with me for the second quarter. My oldest said he just wanted to stay the course like the turtle - he usually bolts and then can barely walk past the finish. But he stayed the course and held strong and even was able to sprint to the end. My little one was burned out and couldn't do a sprint at the finish, but he finished - Since I wasn't at the line - I don't know the exact time for either - however, both boys finished at about an 11 minute mile. That is a minute better for Dylan than his July time and 2 minutes better for Joey and his July time. Mom is estatic with her 9 minute mile pace - I'm not sure that I've ever run a 9 minute mile in my life. I am very happy today. The 15th is my next 5k - the one that I am supposed to run the entire thing. Hope I can do it.

I am also entering the boys and me into another 1 mile fun run on December 30th. The boys are looking forward to it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CATTUTT 12/6/2012 10:54AM

Aw, sounds like you guys had a great time! And what an awesome thing for you and your boys to do! Report Inappropriate Comment

Turkey trot

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Well this morning I got up predawn, not to cook a turkey but to take my 3rd attempt to run a 5k. I still was not able run the entire thing. This is very frustrating to me. I think it's that I jet don't have the ability to push myself. I do definitely run more than I have in the past. I wish I could get my diet under control ... Maybe if I wasn't carrying around the extra 15 pounds it would be easier. I finished in 35:08, so I have taken a minute off my time. Next run is a one mile fun run I know I can run this entire thing. The next 5k on December 15th... This was he deadline to run the entire 5k. I hope I can get my act together.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MISSMRWHITE 11/22/2012 2:13PM

doing great! 35 is still a great time! Report Inappropriate Comment

LINWINAGAIN 11/22/2012 2:12PM

You are doing great! don't be so hard on yourself! I wish I could WALK a 5K! Happy Thanksgiving! Report Inappropriate Comment

ARW715 11/22/2012 2:00PM

You inspire me! Report Inappropriate Comment

5K

Monday, October 22, 2012

So I ran a 5K - well I ran and walked. I started out with a bunch of college kids and my ego got the best of me - the first mile was at a 10 minute pace - of course I couldn't keep that up. But I did finish in 36:17. Not too bad... need to work on pacing myself and endurance. Going to try again on the 10th of November. Since my goal is to run an entire 5k by then end of the year - I must lear to pace myself or find someone to run with me to push me more. My friend Suzan is great for keeping me going but she is at a slower pace than me - I need someone to push me that is better than me. So next run is in 3 weeks.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MADDIEMOM27 10/23/2012 6:10AM

Congrats!!! A trick I use to run is find a person a little ways ahead of you and keep pace with them... Report Inappropriate Comment

PJBONARRIGO 10/22/2012 11:04PM

Congrats on your 5 K run! A buddy can help you with pace. Good luck in November, happy running! Report Inappropriate Comment

Patriot Dash

Friday, July 06, 2012

Well after many obstacles I ran a 1 mile run on the 4th with my 2 sons... Yes both of them ran. We ran with another mom and her 2 sons. I was very happy with my 11.05 finish - I was even happier with Dylan's 11.53 finish and ecstatic with Joey's 12.44 finish. Our friends did not fair as well, but I think everyone had a good time.



This was the first time Joey had run, and he didn't complain he just did it. He now wants to run in the Holiday Parade like Dylan and I did the year before last. I am now going to look for some more 1 mile runs to see if I can get them into them more and see if they can improve.

Maybe this running is something the entire family can enjoy together.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DMF2012 7/6/2012 3:39PM

Congrats! Also, great to get the boys running too. Report Inappropriate Comment