1st Triathlon
01-18-09, 09:49 PM
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1st Triathlon
I completed my 1st Triathlon Saturday! It was a benefit by the Stroup Kids for Kids with Epilepsy Foundation.
It was an indoor event (good thing as it was 2 below zero) based on time rather than distance. The object was to cover as much distance as possible in the alotted time.
It was held at a fitness center with a 20 yard pool. The facility was great, the people were great, what a great time!
The swim portion was 10 minutes, I made 23 laps, only 3 or so were breast stroke. I heard someone got in 29 laps. Swimming is my weakness so I was happy with 23. It was a 4 lane pool that was split into 8 lanes with an opposite end start. A little bumping as we passed each other and the water was churning pretty good. There was a 10 minute transition to the bikes. We were able to go to the locker room, dry off and change into dry clothes.
The bike portion was in a spinning room, you had to spin for 30 minutes. I've never used a spinning bike before... you can't coast, if you stop pedaling - it'll launch you out of the seat! At the easiest resistance setting, I was bouncing in the seat - I had to put some resistance on it to smooth it out. They had music playing and the high school kids who were timing volunteers "entertaining" - which was basically doing the "YMCA" dance to the village people. It was fun, got things started on a light note, then they left us to spin our legs off. I did pretty well here, kept a 19 -21 mph pace throughout and got in 10.25 miles. 5 minute transition to the treadmills. Just enough time for some water and a Quad stretch.
The Treadmills were out in a big room with about 20 machines. 8 were reserved for the Tri. I stayed with 2 friends I made while we waited for our time slot to start. That made it fun as well, you could go faster or slower than the others but you always stayed together. There were a bank of TVs and a lot of activity that helped pass the time. You had to run for 20 minutes. I started out slow 5.5 mph to make sure I'd have enough at the end. I stepped it up to 6.1, 6.5, etc as time went on kicking at 7.1 for the last 3 minutes. I was aiming for 2.25 miles and got it.
That was it! I completed my first Triathlon! Up the stairs to the locker room and a warm shower with soap, shampoo and conditioner! I could've taken a sauna too, but I had to go. Granted, it was inside, in a heated pool, on an excer-cycle with no hills, traffic, etc. and a 20 minute run on a treadmill while watching Sportscenter!
I realized I'll need a swim coach. I watched the videos and listened to everyone's advice but still get winded to the point where I have to stop and breast stroke so that I can breathe. The breast stroke is great to catch your breath but is harder and more tiring on your arms.
The Stroup group were friendly and helpful. The packet included trail mix nuts, an energy bar, coupons and an awesome UnderArmour event shirt. They also had healthy snacks for sale. The entry fee was reasonable considering all you got for it. It also felt especially great to be helping kids with Epilepsy.
Awesome experience and workout. I can't wait for the next one!
It was an indoor event (good thing as it was 2 below zero) based on time rather than distance. The object was to cover as much distance as possible in the alotted time.
It was held at a fitness center with a 20 yard pool. The facility was great, the people were great, what a great time!
The swim portion was 10 minutes, I made 23 laps, only 3 or so were breast stroke. I heard someone got in 29 laps. Swimming is my weakness so I was happy with 23. It was a 4 lane pool that was split into 8 lanes with an opposite end start. A little bumping as we passed each other and the water was churning pretty good. There was a 10 minute transition to the bikes. We were able to go to the locker room, dry off and change into dry clothes.
The bike portion was in a spinning room, you had to spin for 30 minutes. I've never used a spinning bike before... you can't coast, if you stop pedaling - it'll launch you out of the seat! At the easiest resistance setting, I was bouncing in the seat - I had to put some resistance on it to smooth it out. They had music playing and the high school kids who were timing volunteers "entertaining" - which was basically doing the "YMCA" dance to the village people. It was fun, got things started on a light note, then they left us to spin our legs off. I did pretty well here, kept a 19 -21 mph pace throughout and got in 10.25 miles. 5 minute transition to the treadmills. Just enough time for some water and a Quad stretch.
The Treadmills were out in a big room with about 20 machines. 8 were reserved for the Tri. I stayed with 2 friends I made while we waited for our time slot to start. That made it fun as well, you could go faster or slower than the others but you always stayed together. There were a bank of TVs and a lot of activity that helped pass the time. You had to run for 20 minutes. I started out slow 5.5 mph to make sure I'd have enough at the end. I stepped it up to 6.1, 6.5, etc as time went on kicking at 7.1 for the last 3 minutes. I was aiming for 2.25 miles and got it.
That was it! I completed my first Triathlon! Up the stairs to the locker room and a warm shower with soap, shampoo and conditioner! I could've taken a sauna too, but I had to go. Granted, it was inside, in a heated pool, on an excer-cycle with no hills, traffic, etc. and a 20 minute run on a treadmill while watching Sportscenter!
I realized I'll need a swim coach. I watched the videos and listened to everyone's advice but still get winded to the point where I have to stop and breast stroke so that I can breathe. The breast stroke is great to catch your breath but is harder and more tiring on your arms.
The Stroup group were friendly and helpful. The packet included trail mix nuts, an energy bar, coupons and an awesome UnderArmour event shirt. They also had healthy snacks for sale. The entry fee was reasonable considering all you got for it. It also felt especially great to be helping kids with Epilepsy.
Awesome experience and workout. I can't wait for the next one!
01-18-09, 11:53 PM
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Cool! Never heard of a tri like that before but it sounds like you had a good time. Welcome to the sport, you are a triathlete!!!
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Fredo, you're my older brother and I love you...but don't ever take sides, with anyone, against the family again...ever.
Fredo, you're my older brother and I love you...but don't ever take sides, with anyone, against the family again...ever.
01-19-09, 08:52 AM
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My local gym is doing an indoor event at the end of Feb. but its format is slightly different. 500m swim, 8 mile bike, 2 mile run. I have never done an indoor so this will be new but it sounded fun and it will give me an early season goal to shoot for - very much needed. This one takes place over a week and you sign up for a slot and they have someone meet you to record your times.
Looking forward to doing it and getting my tri season officially started.
Looking forward to doing it and getting my tri season officially started.
02-05-09, 07:53 PM
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Go for it Fred. Since it was time based instead of distance, they had a scoring system. The person who swam the most laps, went the farthest on bike or running, got 100 points. Then you got a percentage of that based on the number you completed. So it was a great advantage to come in first and get those 100 points. Also to squeeze out a 10th of a mile in the last minute to get an extra point or two. Over 3 events it could add up and boost you up a few places. Looking over the scores, I stopped 1/2 way across the pool to save energy for the bike. If I pushed it and got that extra lap - it was worth 4 points! and guess how many points I was behind the 18th place finisher - 3.5! Great experience!
