Triathlete mamas!!!!

[Eaglevoice]

Hi mamas! I haven't been super active on MDC lately, but figured this would be a great place to find support while I train for my first olympic triathlon in April. I trained for a sprint tri close to 10 years ago and wasn't able to compete because of an injury. I met my stbx right after that, and never went back to tri's. Now, I'm getting divorce and I'm ready to go back to "my" life. Starting with triathlons. I signed up to compete with Team in Training, because I felt like the coaching and tips they give would be worth it in the end. At first I had decided to do a sprint tri, but since I've started with the training, I've become totally addicted and I know I've got it in me to finish the olympic. It's a scary thought, though, since I've never even competed in a tri before. I was a swimmer in high school...but that was 15 years ago. I played volleyball in college...again a decade ago. So I've got the swimming and running experience. I first decided to start training last May. But then got distracted and stopped my training after a few months. Then I decided to sign up with TNT to really get me going in January. And I've got 6 1/2 weeks left before my race. I'm super excited, because since May, I've lost 35 pounds! I've still got another 25-30 to go but I know I'll get there eventually. So...6 1/2 weeks til my race! So excited! I did a 45 minute run this morning and I'm heading out for a 60 minute swim right now. What are the rest of you doing for training? Any advice on bikes and gear? I'm using my dad's hybrid with some nice road tires for the time being, but it has straight bars, and I feel like I am sitting way too upright. I'd like to save my money and get myself a nice bike, but I don't see that happening in the next 6 1/2 weeks! Can't wait to hear from some other tri mama's out there!

[ambereva]

Hello there! I have an olympic in April too, then a 70.3 in July and a couple sprints and a half marathon scattered through the summer. My training is by the seat of my pants, my schedule is so crazy that I can't really stick to a formal training program. I try to do one longish brick each week and one long run, the rest of the time it's whatever I can squeeze in. There are a couple tri moms in the dingo thread but it moves too fast for me to keep up with, I only manage to visit mdc a couple times a week.

Good on you for getting back into tris! They are so fun. I started training for the first time (ever) in Jan. of '09, did a few sprints last year. In September I placed 84th out of 700+ in a sprint. I was so amazed and proud! I'm super excited to see what I can accomplish this year!

[GearGirl]

I was thinking of jumping back into this summer, but I'm really enjoying my current work out which is pretty much strength training, so I'm not sure I can get into it right now! I think the bike you have would be great for a sprint tri, but it might be hard on you on an olympic tri! That's so awesome that you are jumping right into it!

[Eaglevoice]

I'm thinking about getting tri bars for the bike, maybe that will make a little difference for this first race. I can't wait for the day when I can afford to buy a new bike! I'm sure it will make such a difference. Today I'm planning a 60 minute ride and later this evening I'll do a 30 minute run. I couldn't believe how good my body felt after getting out of the pool last night, I'm seriously loving these workouts right now!

[Eaglevoice]

So...my race is in 5 weeks! I'm super excited! I also signed up to do a 10K next weekend. I signed my 4 1/2 year old up for a 1/4 mile kids race, too, so we are sort of having a mommy-daughter race day!

I'm getting a little addicted and I keep looking for more races to add to my schedule this summer...I'm wondering, after completing my 1st ever olympic tri on April 17th...what's the chances I'll be feeling up to doing a 1/2 marathon on May 2nd? To this day, the farthest I've run at 1 time is 10K...so I have my work cut out for me, but the 1/2 marathon literally goes through my neighborhood, I want to do it! What do you think? Should I skip it this year and let my body recoup? Or do you think I'll be ok to handle it?