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by Jen_Lada from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 14 days, 13 hours Ago


Tri-ing Something New
Jun 9, 2008 | 1:20 AM
Category: Sports
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After toe-ing the line in hundreds of foot races over the years, I've decided to TRI something new... my first triathlon this July!

A few months ago I signed up for the Danskin. It's a sprint tri (1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) just for women held every summer in Kenosha. And the closer we get to the event, the more nervous I become.

The other day I was biking to the Y to get in a swim (which I'm certain is going to give me the most trouble) when I fell off my bike. Before you go calling me a klutz, hear me out. I'm trying to get used to clipless pedals for the first time and I had to stop quickly on the bike path. Your first instinct is to break. But your first instinct SHOULD BE to unclip your feet. The cycle came to an abrupt stop and I - still locked to my pedals - got a speedy introduction to the concrete. Shaken but seemingly unharmed, I proceeded to the Y for my swim before trekking back home. It wasn't until I woke from a much-needed nap that I realized my right wrist and left elbow were throbbing and swollen. Doctor's report: sprained wrist, fractured elbow. You've got to be kidding me.

The good news is I'm a fast healer. And stubborn. I've followed the doc's orders and after a week (!) off, I finally got back to training today. But no matter how many miles or laps I log, there are going to be elements of surprise. I can't really prepare for the crowds, the conditions or even the reality of the transitions. And for a control freak like me (if you know me, you're knowingly smirking right now) this is probably the toughest to accept.

I'll do everything I can in the coming months to get myself as physically prepared as possible. But if any of you bloggers/readers have any invaluable experience-based advice I would love to hear from you! Lay it on me. The more information I have, the more mentally prepared I'll be come July 13th!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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JAGuse read my blog
Jun 9, 2008 | 2:33 PM

Hi,

I am training for a long-distance marathon type run, not a tri-athlon so my advice is geared more towards the running phase of the event.
I don't know how many miles you are planning on running to prepare for this triathlon, however, a good friend of mine who has ran in marathons (recently a prayer-a-thon) before highly recommends the Galloway method incorporating the use of walk breaks in training: (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html)
.

In addition, I'm finding that exercising the same muscles that I would use to go cross-country skiing in the winter is helpful as well.

Good luck!
Bryan_Polcyn read my blog view my photos
Jun 9, 2008 | 9:13 PM

If at first you don't succeed, tri tri... (I can't believe I almost finished that cheesy line of BLEEP).

I think it's awesome that you're stepping out of your comfort zone and doing a triathlon. I'm training for my second marathon right now, which is challenging enough. But swimming more than 25 yards intimidates the #%$! out of me. I would love to do a tri sprint someday. You'll have to tell us how it turns out.

Break a leg! Or, um... nevermind.
JAGuse read my blog
Jun 10, 2008 | 10:34 AM

Below are some interesting websites I had a chance to check out in my spare time. I would love to participate in a tri-athlon as well someday, but I'm sticking with the marathon first.

Also, in my last response to this post I mentioned something about a prayer-a-thon. On May 25, in Madison, at 7:00 a.m. about 6,000 runners lined up to run what they call a prayer-a-thon. During the event, the runners simultaneously offered up prayers to God while running a marathon. From what I was told, for each half a mile, the runners would pray for one specific prayer request. In all, runners would offer up 52 prayer requests. The requests might range from delivery from evil habits to healing from back surgery, for example. The reason why I'm passing this along is that this event might be "newsworthy" enough for Fox Six to cover. I'll pass along more information concerning future events like this.

The websites are below:
http://www.ontri.com/
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/
pbtri
Jun 19, 2008 | 8:25 PM

Jen do not listen to any of the previous posts. The Galloway method is for a marathon not a sprint triathlon.
Swim. This depends on your swim skills/experience. Fast swimmers go to the front of the swim wave start and slower swimmers should stay closer to the back of the swim wave start. You can also go farther outside from the swim bouy. You might have to swim a little farther but it gets pretty crowded when people try to swim really close to the swim bouy line. Be prepared to get kicked in the head/chin/ribs. YOu will bump into other ladies but if you do keep on swimming. Do not stop swimming. Raise your head out of the water every 4-5 strokes to make sure you are swimming in the right direction. You do not want to swim far off course. Ease into the swim and pick up the pace once you feel comfortable. Many newbies sprint the 1st 75 yards because they are pumped and then they struggle to complete the swim because of lactic acid overload. Lake MIchiagan will be cold you might need a wetsuit.

Bike. Make sure the tire pressure is the desired amounts and make sure the tires are in securely. Before the race look at the layout of the transition area. Look at were you will exit the water and the path you have to take to get into the bike transtion area. Try to figure out once you run in the transition area do you go 3 bike racks north and then turn right for 4 racks? well you get the point. It is easy to panic and forget where your bike rack is.
have the bike in a easy gear to begin with. Your legs will be tired so you want an easy gear and if you feel good you can adjust
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Jen_Lada

I'm the newest face in the FOX 6 sports department... and I love tapping out little sports blogs to inform, entertain and encourage conversation. I'll be on the desk this fall for the High School Blitz (Fridays @ 10:20pm), the Saturday sportscasts (6, 9 & 10) and joining the veterans every Sunday for the Fox Six Blitz! Most other days, you can find me bouncing around Milwaukee's sport scenes working on feature reporting. Got an opinion? We've got the perfect place to share them! Blog away! You know we will!

Member Since: 8/24/2006


 

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