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Entries categorized as ‘Triathlon Training’

Update: The Danskin Tri Shorts are IN!

July 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment

 

Danskin 7″ Triathlon Short – $48, available up to a Size 22 (essentially)

Just got a call from the most excellent client service representative at Danskin (Gina, thank you!) who has informed me that they’ve just received a shipment of their super-functional, wicking, great-fitting 7″ triathlon short. 

They have a limited stock, but there are about 150 of them in currently in a Size XXL, and another 300+ in an XL, so if you are looking for a short, check this one out.   REI, which previously had them in stock in an XXL and XL, is out of stock in this 7″ model, but still has the 5″ model in.

Click here to access the page on Danskin’s site (you cannot navigate there from the main site – there is a problem with the indexing on the online catalog, which is tech speak for “no one connected this short to the main page”).

Categories: Clothing · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Xterra Wetsuits 1/2 Off

June 23, 2010 · 1 Comment

Just got a note from Xterra saying that for the next 5 days, they’re offering their sleeved wetsuits for $199 and sleeveless for $149 – a 50% discount on mid-season pricing.

If you need a suit and have been holding off, I’m a big fan of the sleeveless suit, and the price point is really good…

Enter the code SUMMER50 to get it going on.

Categories: Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training · Uncategorized
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Alert: Danskin XXL Tri Shorts Available at REI!!!

June 3, 2010 · 1 Comment

Okay kids.  As you know, finding triathlon clothing for women over a size 14 is tough.  Danskin, who (in my humble opinion) offers the best Tri short in that category, their 7″ Triathlon short, has not re-ordered stock for their online store yet this year.

I spoke with a rep from Danskin today, and they are not going to have new stock in, and available online, until at least July.  (They’ll call and let me know when it’s live). In the meantime, GOOD NEWS.  REI is stocking the 7″ Triathlon short in a Size XXL online ($48) , and you can order it now.   It comes in plain black, or, if you prefer a shorter inseam (5″), you can get it in a Black/Aqua combo in an XL or XXL as well.

If you are planning a later season race, I would suggest that you purchase your shorts now if you can.  These are fantastic training shorts, and they can usually fit up to a Size 20/22 (depending on where you carry your weight.)  The folks at Danskin let me know that REI is the only group carrying this stock, so if you want in, you’ll have to go to REI to get it.

I know you’re thinking “Wow, do I really have to spend $48 for a pair of shorts?”  The short answer is no, you don’t.  But your life will be much easier if you do.  You can wear these puppies in the swim, on the bike, and on the run, and you never have to change clothes. The legs have silicone grippers, so they’ll stay put.  The fabric is quick dry with flat seams, and is comparable to what you’d get with the Big Boys, Zoot and Tyr.  And the 7″ inseam is modest without being crazy long.

You may also notice that REI is stocking the Skirt Sports Tri short in an XXL as well.  My professional (er, non-professional) opinion is that the Danskin short is a better fabric, construction, and all around better short than the Skirt Sports option.  SkirtSports is trying valiantly to serve the larger market, but unfortunately, their materials and design just aren’t up to my standards.   Simply put, you’re not getting $60 worth of shorts with their design.

As for Danskin, I’m a big supporter of these shorts.  After years of trying to wear Men’s TYR shorts and looking for something with a better fit, I found these.  I wore them last year and am a Raving Fan about how well they work.  So if you need shorts, go get em.

See you on the path!

UPDATE!!!!  As of 7/7, Danskin has received their shipment!  Check here for details!

Categories: Athlete · Clothing · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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The Triathlon Checklist – Putting the “A” in “Type A”

May 31, 2010 · 5 Comments

The night before the first triathlon I ever did, I spent at least three hours laying out my stuff.  It was All New then, the idea that I was going to be swimming, biking, and running, without a time-out in between those events.  At the time, I operated on a somewhat simpler approach: I swam in a bathingsuit with a bra underneath. I threw on bike shorts in transition, and a tee shirt. I put on socks and gym shoes and sunglasses, and that was it.  Okay, so it took me EIGHT minutes the first time, but hey, I did it.

These days, I’m a little more precise.  After realizing that the “finish time” actually includes those eight minutes spent in Transition, I try to make sure I have everything organized and laid out before I ever get to the race.  It keeps me steady on race morning, and lets me settle in the night before (well, at least I can try).  So what’s the organizing principle?   Simple: there’s the Night Before. And The Morning Of.  Or something like that. 

The Night Before

The night before any race – especially your first – you might take one of two approaches.  Maybe you’re a Fly By – as in Flying By the Seat Of Your Bike Shorts – kind of guy or girl.  Maybe you think “I’ll get up in the morning and throw some stuff in a bag, and that will be that”.  And maybe that will work for you.  But for me, I like having a plan, and even more, I like having a list of things to check off.  As someone said in a meeting this week, I put the “A” in “Type A”.  Read into that what you will, but the bottom line is that I don’t like surprises on race morning. 

The Night Before then, is about prepping the race bag, and the car (if necessary) and the food, and the bike.  I designed the attached checklist to summarize the things I usually do when getting ready, and you’ll see it’s broken down into a few areas (Head, Body, Feet, Food, Bike, Car, and Timing).   It might make more sense to think about things as you’ll need them in the course of a race, in which case, you’ll have to read between the lines!

The basic thing to remember about the night before is this: if it’s your first race, you’re going to be nervous.   If it’s your twelfth race, you’re going to be over-confident.  In both cases, a checklist helps you remember the little things that will, otherwise, slip your mind.

After doing races for so long, of course, this list is built to suit ME. You might not need all this stuff. Indeed my friend Lisa, a master of efficiency, can show up with NONE of this and still kick my ass.  The other key to remember is that you don’t NEED all this stuff to race well.  All you really need is your body, some clothes that let you do your thang, and the basics: a bike, goggles, and running shoes.  In most cases, the rest is there if you need it.  So don’t get psyched out.  Just know what kind of race you’re running, and prep accordingly.

The Day Of

Race mornings can be a little bit much.  I’ve literally RUN to Transition before (Wendy’s Triathlon, forgot to put gas in the car, forgot my watch, lost my chip, and walrus-ed into a wetsuit in a not-so-attractive manner before stumbling into the start).  And I’ve been two and a half hours early for my start (every Chicago Triathlon I’ve ever done, because Transition is such a challenge and you have to be there early when there are 7,000 racers getting ready).  

But what if you’ve never done one of these? What should you expect on race morning?  Truthfully, that’s a whole other (very fun) post. But for now, you should remember the basics:  it’s like any other early-morning workout. You’re going to need your gear, and your fuel.  Make sure you have them in order, and make sure you get your stuff set out in Transition, and you’ll be fine.  I’ve added a few basic tips to the checklist (pack a fuel bag the night before; lay out your stuff in Transition on a towel so you can see it – but not a beach towel, people, a hand towel) but mostly it’s just a trigger for you to make sure you’re not missing anything.

If you do forget something, don’t hesitate to ask around.  Most seasoned athletes pack backups – backup tubes, backup goggles, backup saline.  I’ve given out all three in Transition on race morning, and always gotten them back. 

In the end, this preparation will maybe save you some time.  But it really only works if you practice your Transitions during your training session.  Yes, that means running up to your stuff, wet and out of breath, and finding out what works best for YOU.  Practice a few times (at your race site, even if you can) and you’ll find that after a few attemps, you’ll get smoother at getting out of your wetsuit, putting socks on wet feet, and running through Transition in your bike shoes. 

Here then, is your checklist – use it, save it, trash it, or change it – whatever works for you.  And in the end, just remember, it’s not this kind of preparation that determines whether you finish – it’s all that other training you’ve done – on the bike, in the pool, and on the path. 

PlusRunner Tri Checklist

See you out there.

Categories: Athlete · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Scratching the Triathlon Itch

April 12, 2010 · 9 Comments

I was at the Chicago Cubs home opener today at Wrigley Field when a friend of mine starting giving me shit.  Ed, who is a lovely, funny, and very smart man, told me that I really had quite a different view of “leisurely” activities than he does.  I had mentioned that the upcoming 57 mile ride at Little Red would be pretty easy – all things considered – as there was only one really brutal climb, at Mile 54.  Ed pointed out that “easy” was sitting in a green seat at The Friendly Confines, not pedaling through the mountains of Utah.  And I had to agree.

But, if you’ve been struck by a desire to challenge yourself – or, to simply stay active – setting goals and trying to knock them down becomes a bit addicting.  I know, because I can’t go through a Spring season without signing up for new races, and trying to plan my summer around trying just. one. more. race.

If you’ve been bitten by THAT bug, you may be one of the ten people who’s asked me in the past few weeks how to get started in triathlons.  Perhaps I’m overstating the case, but all of the sudden, it feels like EVERYONE has found out about my favorite, secret sport.

And what’s not to love?  Triathlon is a great starter sport.  Aside from the mastering of three disciplines, and the sometimes overcomplicated lists of gear, if you can swim, bike, and run, this is a sport for you. 

But say, for argument’s sake, that you’re new to triathlon, and want to train.  Where should you get started? Do you need a training group if you’re only doing a sprint? Can you train and work – or even, travel – at the same time?  And what about the gear? 

In the next few posts, we’ll talk about some of the unique issues surrounding triathlon, but for today, I just want to share some online and print resources to help you understand the training approach, and how you might begin to accomplish a goal of completing your first tri.

Training Schedules and Guidance

When I first started doing triathlons in 1999, I pulled down a free, easy schedule from www.trinewbies.com . (at the time, it could fit in a single graph. It’s safe to say things have gotten a bit more detailed since then.)    I think I used an 8 or 10 week schedule, which called for morning and evening workouts of less than 45 minutes each.  I stuck to it, but not too close…and it got me through my first race. 

Today, there are a variety of programs out there, including free guidance at www.beginnertriathlete.com (Sprint programs here).

If you want a more detailed read, combined with a training schedule, and some advice on how to avoid purchasing too much gear, check out Joel Friel’s book, “Your First Triathlon”.  For less than the cost of dinner at your favorite restaurant, you’ll have a good guide to help navigate your new sport.

Do you travel for work?  Find it hard to work in a workout?  Looking for some additional detail about how to cross train (this is you, my running friends).  If so, I’d highly recommend “Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week”.  Sure, more than four hours will give you a better time, but if you’re working within some constraints (um, children?) this is a good book which will give you a ton of knowledge about core exercises and training, while letting you pick and choose from what you need.

Next up: finding a local training group – what to look for, and how to make the most of your training experience. 

Until then, read up, and take a look at that summer schedule. I’ll just bet there’s a race with your name on it.

Categories: Athlete · Getting Started · Inspiration · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Deal Alert! Tri apparel you need to check out!

March 26, 2010 · 3 Comments

I know, I know, I’ve been a delinquent poster these past few weeks! Forgive me, please! I’m back at a full-time job and it’s been an interesting ride!

But fear not, readers! I was wandering the lunch web today and found a couple of steal-of-a-deal-deals you need to know about if you’re racing this summer.

The All-in-One Women’s Tri Top (Zoot! In Sizes That Fit!)

First, REI Outlet has listed a Women’s 09 Tri Top (impossible to come by during the season) in an XXL (which equates to a Size 14-16, measurements of 43-45 bust, 37-40 waist, and 44.5-47.5 hips). Rather than assume you know if you’re a “14″ or a “16″, grab the tape measure and see if this MIGHT fit you, because if it does, it’s a PERFECT addition to the tri wardrobe. It will solve all your problems as a “one stop top” you can wear in the water, on the bike, and on the run.  Keep in mind, it’s going to be “slimmer” but it will be worth it in the water and on the bike. 

You don’t have to be an REI member to shop there (though I recommend the one time joining fee because they have some of the best clothes out there for larger men and women). AND you can ship free to a store in your area, but right now, they’re also offering free shipping.

Zoot TriFit Tank Top ($44.95 down from $70.00). Sizes XS-XXL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tri Shorts You’ll Want All Summer

For the guys, Zoot is offering their Tri Zoot 8″ triathlon short in a Size XXL for a SUPER steal, too, at $42.00. They include the leg grippers of silicone (but not those sexy quad muscles pictured below).  Also, a couple of stash pockets for your gu’s, and a nice, “it’s not really a chammy” chamois to give you just a stitch of comfort on the bike.  If you don’t own a tri short, and are wondering if you should buy one before you start training, the answer is yes.  Buy these, because this is the best price you’ll see all year.

This is last year’s model, so you’re getting a break on the price (these are normally $72.00). Click here, or on the picture below to link to Zoot’s site for purchase.  Measurements: Fits 38-40 Waist (I would think you could probably stretch that an extra inch or two, but don’t hold me to that…)

For more apparel guidance, check out the “most frequently read posts” at right, or on the “what to wear” page above.

Categories: Athlete · Clothing · Getting Started · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training · Uncategorized
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Spring Training (Or: Why You Want to Run a Marathon, Today)

March 13, 2010 · 8 Comments

I often start these posts talking about the weather.  Today is no exception.  This morning, I donned a rain jacket, capris, and a single, lovely, long-sleeved tech shirt for a nordic trek with a friend.  It was a crisp 40 degrees in Chicago, and the clouds never parted.  We got spit on, my shoes got wet, and two hours after the walk, my quads were still cool with the wet cold of a rainy morning. 

And I loved it.

Why? Because spring is here, and there were hundreds of people chugging along the lakefront path here in Chicago this morning, getting ready for their next (or first) big race.  The Chicago Endurance Sports group was out in force, training people for the upcoming 1/2 marathon in Door County.  The Chicago Area Runners Association groups were out, too, rumbling along on the path, prepping for their spring races.  And there were lots of couples out today – channeling the slightly frightened look of people who haven’t run outside all winter, and who just realized that the Shamrock Shuffle (an 8k with a whopping 40,000 registrants) is taking place next weekend, and that they maybe, just maybe, should get outside and try a few laps.

In short, it was exuberant, wet, sloppy fun today on the path, and just like when the pitchers and catchers report for spring training, there was a feeling in the air.   You can see it in the looks on the people you pass on days like today – a short nod, and an acknowledgement, that yes, the weather’s not perfect, but “LOOK AT ME! I’m out here! I”m running like a fool in the rain and AINT IT GRAND???” 

Of course, there’s some misery, too.   There was one poor girl in shorts (wind, honey, it will kill you on days like today), her legs red and raw.  And there were some hot, hot men out there, overdressed in thermal tights with rain jackets, winter hats, and gloves (not over 40 degrees, folks!)  But mostly, everyone looked determined, and excited.  Like they knew what was coming.

So what was I doing today?  Simple. I was catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in forever.  She joined me for a nice, hour + walk, dodging puddles and catching up.  We talked about the blossoming success of her new small business; the difficulty in getting yourself motivated to get out there when things are tough; and the people we had in common.  Oh, and dating.  The best part about walking or running with a friend is a roundup of your favorite dating activity (at least if you’re a girl) and at the end of our walk, we had some laugh-out-loud moments about what it takes to find a good guy – and how we might tackle that topic next weekend.

I’d imagine that things look somewhat different at the Cubs Spring Training camp in Mesa, but what do I know?  Maybe the pitchers spend all their time talking about hangnails and hammy pulls, and the catchers just talk about what they did with their knees in the offseason.  But I’d bet they also have that little kid excitement that we have when the weather turns – that sense that it’s spring, and anything can happen if we just set our minds to it.

I know that’s how I’ve been feeling lately, and today just confirmed it for me.  So, given that optimism, it’s a good time to share my events calendar for the year with you.  Sometimes, people wonder if I just talk a lot about running and walking and all these other sports – but alas, I’m the real deal – and this spring, I’ve set my sights on some great events to keep me motivated. 

As some of you may know, last year I developed a lovely case of “athletic pubalgia” – aka – sports hernia, among other things – after the Rock n’ Roll 1/2 marathon in Arizona in January.  I ran for awhile afterwards, thinking it would resolve on its own, and it didn’t. Shocking.  I turned to triathlon training late last year, and only in August, when I really couldn’t run without pain, did I finally give in and see the doc.  Since then, I’ve been (gasp) running-free.  I’ve done some PT, I’ve walked, I’ve snowshoed, swam, nordic walked, and done lots of core strengthening, but even now, I’m nursing a nagging injury to my left foot, and am going to take care of that before I start to run again.  In the meantime, I’ve booked a few things to keep me going. 

If you’re looking for an event, or are planning to do any of the events listed below, drop me a line! I’d love to meet up and see you in person!

Pirate’s Cove Trail Run (8k) –  March 20.  Golden Gate National Recreation Area, near San Francisco, CA.  March 20.  I’ll be hiking this 8k with my friend and her husband!  It’s my excuse to get to San Fran to do some exploring, and the course looks beautiful!

Door County Half Marathon & 5k  May 1.  (No, I’m not running the 1/2 marathon, just going to cheer, and to run/walk the 5k).  I’ll also be taking my bike and exploring the park on two wheels.  This will be my first run in 9 months, so I’m looking forward to it!

Little Red Riding Hood Ride – June 5.  Cache Valley, Utah.  One of my favorite readers, and a fine writer and inspirer to boot, Diane (www.downhourtraining.blogspot.com) who’s an avid cyclist, told me about this ride.  She’s an organizer extraoridinaire and sang its praises, and who was I to judge?  The ride is non-competitive, takes place in Cache Valley in Utah, and it’s a women’s only, fully supported ride of a distance of your choosing (18, 35, 57, 80 and 100 mile options).  I’ll be riding with 3,000 other women in a gorgeous area, with “rollers” – no big climbs – to raise money for women’s cancer research.  And I’ll be completing my longest ride in about 4 years, which has me pretty excited.  I’m aiming for the 57 mile ride (I couldn’t do the 85 right now, I just know it) and my good friend Karen has committed to joining me for at least 30 miles.  Considering she last rode long on the hills of Italy, I’m prepared to get my butt kicked, but it should be good times.   I’m also looking forward to being part of such an amazing event in Utah, a state I’ve never spent any time in.  Look out, Utes!

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon - July 10 (TENTATIVE) – Minneapolis, MN.  This is a legacy race for me, and this year I’m considering adding it as my “A” triathlon (Olympic distance).  I’ll be one month removed from great bike shape, so this might be the perfect year for me.  I’m holding off on registration for one more month, but I love this course, so, worst-case scenario, I’ll be here, doing the Sprint. Best case: it will be the Olympic I didn’t get to do last year.  Lifetime’s also offering a Clydesdale/Athena category for the Olympic, so there’s a great chance to be compared against your peers!

The North Face Endurance Challenge, 10k Trail Run - September 18 – Kettle Moraine S.P., Wisconsin.  I watched my friend Jenny Hadfield run the Ultramarathon here last year, (though it was a month later) and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day and the cameraderie of the racers.  Sure, she made running over 30 miles look easy, but I was inspired, and I said to myself “next year, you’re doing this.”  “This” is “just” the 10k, which is a distance I think I’ll be pretty good at, come September.  The race last year was a great event, and I’m putting it on my calendar as my first-ever “real” trail run. 

Other than that, I’m not quite sure what’s on deck – but it’s a good start, right?

So, take a look at that schedule – and think about what you might want to do for yourself this spring – and summer.  Pick out a race for yourself, and make some goals.  Don’t be afraid to go all pitcher-catcher, and report for Spring. I  promise it will help keep you focused, and you’ll have a better 2010.

See you on the path!

Categories: Getting Started · Inspiration · New Runner · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Plan for Next Season – $99 Xterra Wetsuits

August 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Well, it’s getting close to the end of the season, and that means one thing: we’re already thinking about next year.

If you’ve caught the tri bug this summer, you’re probably wondering what’s next.  Maybe you completed a Sprint this summer.  Maybe you caught the excitement of standing on a beach at dawn, waiting with hundreds, or thousands of other athletes, and realized “I’m one of them.”  Now you’re thinking about what it might take to keep playing.

As I’ve said here before, if you’re a plus-sized athlete (man or woman), finding gear can be hard.  And if you’re like me, until you know you’re in the sport to stay, you’re not going to invest in the gear.

So, assuming you’ve gone through one season of racing now (or maybe more than one) and are looking forward, you should take advantage of some late-season gear deals that you will NOT find for another year. 

Case in point: Xterra Wetsuits is offering a HUGE sale on their sleeved and sleeveless wetsuits.  But it only runs until September 1st.  So if you’re looking, now is the time to order.

Click HERE for more details and to order.

These prices are incredible. You can purchase a sleeveless Vortex 3 for $99.  This is simply because Xterra is not selling through retailers, and they can pass these savings on to us.

Can you afford NOT to buy a wetsuit for $99?  I can’t. I just bought a sleeveless AND a sleeved one, in sizes that will fit me, so I can continue swimming through the fall.  And I did it for under $275.

Sample pics and prices:

Sleeveless Vortex 3 - $99

Sleeveless Vortex 3 - $99

Sleeved Vortex 3 - $149

Sleeved Vortex 3 - $149

Vector Pro $250 Sleeveless

Vector Pro $250 Sleeveless

Vector Pro Sleeved $350

Vector Pro Sleeved $350

Categories: Getting Started · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Wetsuit Rentals, After All.

August 23, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Wow.

I hate admitting I’m wrong, but sometimes, it has to be said. 

I thought that I could get through the entire training, and racing, of the Chicago Triathlon without a wetsuit.  Today, Mother Nature decided to deliver a beatdown to remind me just how wrong I was.

I met two friends from my training group this morning at 8 at the Ohio Street Beach here in Chicago.  We stared out at the water, thinking that surely those people who were just standing around, not swimming, were overreacting.

I mean, the water was a bit wavy, sure, but how cold could it be?  We had just swam on Wednesday night, and it was a balmy 65+ degrees.  They donned their wetsuits; I stripped to my bathingsuit. 

We got in.

It was the coldest water I’ve ever voluntarily swum in, save the Colorado River, which is fed from mountains, in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There, at least, the heat of 110 in the Canyon balanced out the cold. Not so much here.

Add to that the waves – 3 feet at times – and we barely made it 100 yards before returning to shore, numb, shaking, and ready for a warm drink.

Did I mention it’s August?  That my race is 1 week away?  That I’ve trained all summer?  And that now, I didn’t think I could do 1 mile in that cold, without a wetsuit?

So yes, I started dialing for dollars.  I finally found nirvana at Element Multisport, a shop on Clybourn and Damen in Lincoln Park.  I know it mostly because it’s sandwiched between the Subway I hit up on my trips to Costco, and the Golfsmith where I gear up for that sport. 

From the outside, the store always looked intimidating.  It has $5,000 bikes in the window, and I wasn’t sure what I’d find inside.  But when I called to ask about the availability of an XXL wetsuit, they said they didn’t have any – but I thought they might have something else that worked.

From the minute I walked in the door, they helped me find the right suit.  In addition to purchasing a suit, they’re offering wetsuit rentals for the Chicago Triathlon, and they have men’s and women’s XLs.  After looking at a few options, and deciding nothing was likely to work, Chris (one of the gurus helping me out) pulled out a Zoot Fuzion, full-sleeved.  We looked at it, and thought it might fit.  It was an XL, but sure enough, after some Suit Juice (which helps to smooth the pulling-on part of that adventure), it went on like a dream.

When I walked out of the fitting room, sweating, and just a bit red, I looked at the three guys at the counter – Noel, Chris, and The Guy Whose Name I Didn’t Get.  Between the three of them, they were as surprised as I was, I think, that it fit – but it did!!!! 

I cannot express how relieved I am to have a suit for next weekend.  And I learned a really good lesson today – that going to a specialty retailer, like Element, who really only does this one thing, and does it well, can make a big difference in your season.

One other note: the Gang at Element was ready to search high and low for a suit that was going to fit me – calling around to anyone they could find on Monday.  In my real life, I work in the Client Service group for a large, large company.  If everyone who worked for us treated our clients as Chris and the gang treated me, we’d never lose a customer.  They were all the things we look for – patient, kind, knowledgeable, helpful, and efficient.

So if you’re in the need for some last minute help, advice, or gear, check out my new friends – your time will be well spent, I promise.

Element Multisport  www.elementmultisport.com

Phone: 773-529-4TRI (4874)

Categories: Getting Started · Overweight Runner · Triathlon Training
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Now, Discover Your Strengths

August 13, 2009 · 1 Comment

There’s a career book out there, written by two gurus from Gallup, which has a simple premise: instead of spending all your free time in your professional life trying to be better at what you suck at, focus instead on the things you do really well.  Then make sure that you’re choice of a job matches those strengths.

I found the book incredibly helpful when I was making a transition out of one type of consulting (and, turns out, into another) a few years ago.  But I thought of it again this week as I continued to train for the upcoming Chicago Triathlon.

After my recent escapades on the bike, and pacing the half marathon at RNR Chicago, I was thinking about how I’d rather be forced to sit in the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop and NOT eat chocolate than ride up a hill on a bike.  It’s about that bad.  My turnover gets lower as I start up the incline; my right hand madly shifts the gears on my uber-responsive bike; and yet I frequently find myself panting, heart redlining, as I approach the crest of a hill.

After the race in Minneapolis, I wrote Coach Mike and asked him for some advice.  I’m a big girl. I know that.  But I wanted to see if he had any magic bullets (or, better, hidden speed tips) to share with me about how to conquer the hills and make sure that I’m prepared for race day. 

Turns out, Coach Mike rolls like the Gallup guys do.  Essentially, he said, I could think of myself like a Tour de France rider – who creates speed with power and, um, other factors which are countered by how hard you have to work to overcome the weight you carry.  The higher your weight, the harder it is (relatively speaking) to bike.  I’m probably screwing up the sentiment, but Mike basically said this:  focus on keeping your effort light to get up the hills – don’t kill yourself.  Go over the crest with power.  And focus on your strengths.   In my case (and maybe in yours), that’s the flats, and the downhills.  

Turns out, Mike’s right.  Every time we’re out on a group ride, I slowly, but steadily, make my way up the uphill, usually getting passed by every Tom, Dick and Harry on two wheels.  But man, get me on a flat stretch or a part where there’s a downhill, and I can toast people – at least the ones on those Mary Poppins bikes.

So if you’re getting ready to ride your first race, and you’re nervous about the hills, don’t be.  Focus on what you do well – going downhill, and powering through those flat surfaces. A couple of other things that you might want to remember, too: if you’re clipped in, don’t wait till you can’t get your foot over the top of the crank to unclip – you’ll wind up as roadkill.   There’s a pretty, short, steep hill along the Mississippi on the Eastern edge of Illinois that probably still has a mark from the last time I made that mistake.

And don’t be afraid to walk that bike up a hill.  There is no shame in admitting that a crazy, steep, hill is not your thing.  Take a breath.  Enjoy the scenery.  Think about what you’re going to do when you get to the top.  But DO NOT beat yourself up for it.  Just accept it as part of your race, and keep moving.

Finally, ride your own race.  You are going to be surrounded by athletes, many who will be faster than you.  Some will be on a better bike.  Some will have fancy clothes.  None of them are you.  You have trained, and worked hard, to make sure you’re ready for your day – and if you find yourself gasping for breath in the first two miles of your bike ride, you will be miserable on the run.  So when you’re on the bike, hydrate, keep your breathing comfortably hard, and keep your chin up. 

That’s about it for my bike advice.   Remember your strengths….

See you on the path….

Categories: Getting Started · Inspiration · Overweight Runner · Triathlon Training
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