Rookie Triathlete - Triathlon Week

Moustache · 04-19-2006, 04:23 PM

Been lurking around the site for a while soaking up the posts and info. Seems like there is some good stuff. Most questions that I had I've been able to find some post that address' it. Because of that I wasn't sure about posting anything so I just thought I'd do an intro.

I am an almost 40yr old (November) former competitive powerlifter (past 5 + yrs). I started a slow transisition to endurance stuff last summer. Had a sort of awakening and decided that I wanted to focus on my cardio health. I keep up the heavy weight training until sometime late in the fall. I then realized that the 2 sports just don't mix.

I didn't jump right into this thought. I started stair climbing, treadmill walking, etc..Each new activity was a new challenge and continued to prove to me that although I was strong as a powerlifter, I was not in shape. As the weeks/months went on I added swimming and spinning and eventually started running in October.

I initially didn't really care to run on the roads and did a lot of trail running. Within 2 months (probably less) I had finished 2 trail races. 1 was a 5k the other was a 10k. I continued to run outside all winter (by the way I live in Michigan) and entered a 10k snowshoe run in late Jan 06. I followed that up by completing the Hustle Up the Hancock stair climb at the John Hancock building in Chicago. 94 floors in 19min.

Sometime early this year I decide to go for broke and entered the following events:

May 13 - 25k run in Grand Rapids, MI
May 28 - 10 mile Soldier Field Run in Chicago
June 10 - Triathlon in Holland, MI (.5 miles swim, 24 mile bike, 5 mile run)
Aug 5 - 1/2 Ironman Tri in Benton Harbor, MI
Oct 22 - Chicago Marathon
Nov - Sears Tower Stair Climb

You'll probably think I am crazy, but this is the way I am wired. Hell I even have thoughts for doing a full Ironman in 07'

Training has been going good. Fortunately minimal injuries that I have been able to work around.

Basically my training is as follows:

Run - 3x's per week. 5-7 milers tues / thurs and a long run 10+ over the weekend
Bike - had been spinning 3-4x's per week, but have not introduced the road bike so I'll drop some of the spinning.
Swimming - 3-4 times a week. Generally 1/2 - 3/4 mile. Starting to work up to a mile in at least one of the swims.

I am not doing anything fancy or complicated other than some bike/run bricks. No intervals, speed work, etc... Focusing on building a good base. I worry about speed later. Although my runs are getting faster.

Thats pretty much it.

Oops - forgot to add that thru this process I've dropped 25lbs. From 208 (at 5'10") to low 180's.
Used to be able to bench 500lbs, squat 550+, and deadlift 500+. Now I am weak as a kitten..MEOW!!!

Jim

sfricks · 04-20-2006, 06:51 AM

WOW DUDE! I'm impressed!!! You're a stud! Let me throw a race in for your consideration... Don't blow your capabilities off when you read this. 19 min up the JH tells me you're already there...

May 7th: St Croix Ironman 70.3 (half iron distance race). This is a super beautiful, super challenging race that is actually equivalent to a 3/4 Ironman in difficulty. Travel to the USVI is easy and relatively cheap from the NE (not sure so much with short notice). You can sign up last minute if you need to but housing's getting scarce. This is the best HI I've ever done (helps that I happen to live here too :)

October 21st: The Great Floridian ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ]). This is as super Iron Distance race in the Orlando Florida area. Easy swim, challenging bike and easy 3 loop lake run.

Keep hammering & I'll see you on the road (though never in the snow!!!)

Spike10 · 04-20-2006, 08:58 AM

Jim, I have to chime in too, I agree with Scott, Your a STUD. Remember that there is such a thing as overtraining or just plain burnout, I hope this doesn't happen to you. Keep up the good work and enjoy every step, the tri life is a great life (I too lost about 30lbs doing this) and if you get to the VI say hello to the Beast for me:)
Spike.

Moustache · 04-20-2006, 10:01 AM

Sfricks

thanks for the heads up on the St Croix Triathlon. Probably too short notice, BUT certainly something to consider down the road. I am sure I wouldn't have to twist my wife's arm too much to get her there.

Spike - good point on the overtraining. it's something that is in the back of my mind to pay attention to. I am sure that my IT band injury late last year was the result of ramping up quickly (along with running on snow covered sidewalks)

As far as being a stud?? Damm if my wife reads this I'll never hear the end of it. I appreciate the comment anyway. I just dove in hard and want to do well. Now in my book doing well is finishing an event strong and not feeling like ****...aka being prepared. I'm not too concerned with what my placement is. I learned a long time ago (from powerlifting) that you compete against yourself...be very prepared...execute in the event...work to beat personal PR's....Placing will take care of itself.