Lifetime Fitness Triathlon 7/14/07

[ABV]

http://www.ltftriathlon.com/website/

Has anyone here ever done a triathlon before? It's something I was thinking about doing last summer, but I never got around to it. So I decided this year that I would just pick one, and plan on going to it. If I had a date set, I figured I would be much more likely to go through with it.

I had planned on signing up for Chaska River City Days triathlon in July, but that one was canceled due to planned road construction on the race route. So I figured I would try this one, since it is much larger, closer to home, and on routes that I regularly travel. This is my first tri, so I will be doing the short distance, which is .4 mile swim, 15 mile bike, and 3 mile run.

I've only just started training for it, and thought it would be much more fun and challenging if I could get a couple people to train with and compete against on race day. The biking part should be easy for me, but it's the running that I'm worried about. The swimming I'm kind of indifferent on. I know how to swim, and I think if I get in a month or two of lapping, I should be able to get through .4 miles without a fusss, but I could be wrong. I guess that's why I'm starting to train now. So who's game?

[AJ]

I'm reading this thinking I'd love to try it, but I'm also eating this really rich chocolate cake at the same time. The cake is winning, it's making me happy.

[A//// Guy]

Considering ive put on alot of weight, im not sure Im in shape for this. My dad wanted to try it this year but Im pretty sure I would die and come in last place. haha. Plus time for training is a big issue.. dont really have it.

[Thor06]

Hmmm, I may do this... I have always been interested in triathalons. A 15 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run sound fine but I dont know how I feel about swimming .4 of a mile. Oooh, or theres Olympic distance, a 1.5k (a bit less than a mile) swim, 40k (24.8 mile) bike ride, and a 10k (6.2 mile) run. The swimming would kill me but the bike ride and run would be nice. I have been running a while though.

[ABV]

Well, I'm officially signed up. There's no turning back now. All I have left to do is train.

Allan, put down the pie and get on the tread mill.

Peter, even if you gained weight, you're still probably lighter than me. Invalid excuse, try again.

Thor, just do it. I was thinking about it forever, then I decided to just sign up and go for it.

[Goat Blower]

I've thought about it, but I'll just be coming back from a weekend up on Pelican, plus my high school reunion. So I'm thinking I will probably throw away all the training I put into it just in that week.

[ABV]

Here's a little update (just in case anyone is interested): 6/15/07 29 days to go

Bricks are fun, I'm going to do one tonight. It's a workout where you ride and then run immediately after. Tonight I'm going for 10 miles on the bike and then running 2.25mi. The distances are pretty short, but it's the transistion that kills you.

After about a month in the pool, I've realized that I'm not that good of a swimmer. If I keep at it I should be ok for July. If I have to, I feel comfortable going from the freestyle to the breast stroke to catch my breath. (That's what she said) So I don't think the swim will be an issue. I won't be very fast, but I will be able to get through it.

I signed up for another tri on August 5th. It's the Brewhouse triathlon in Duluth. I'm going on the long course, which is .8 mile swim, 20.6 mile bike, and a 5 mile run. It's just a hair under an olympic distance. I also have a 10k fun run on the calender in September, but registration hasn't opened up for that yet.

I'm going to hang on to my fitness and keep training through the winter (instead of letting it go like I have the past couple years). I would like to do an Olympic distance tri next year, and possibly a half ironman (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run.) From there, who knows? Anyone care to join me?

Why am I telling you all of this? Because if I say I'm going to do something, then I'll be more likely to be held accountable and do what I said I would do. So yeah... Half Ironman in '08.

p.s. On the off chance anyone here is interested in the Lifetime tri on 7/14, there's less than 50 spots left, then registration is closed. So go sign up!!!

[A//// Guy]

Ive been running about 3 miles everytime I go the gym.. every other day and lift afterwards. I want to get better so I can might join you in on of these events soon.

I doubt Ill want to do the one next month though... I dont think Im ready, especially with the swimming part of it! haha

[2003eclipse]

are life jackets allowed on the .4 mile swim? I'd drop out after the biking though I'm not a runner at all

[AJ]

Dude, I'm out of breath just reading that shit Mark.

[ABV]

Well, I finished! Yay!

My swim and run were terrible, but whatever. I was really happy with the bike though. My goal was to finish and have fun, which I did both, so this one was a success.

-------------

Finish Time: 1:44:01
Category place: 67 out of 93 Men 25-29 finishers
Overall Place: 576 out of 1134 Short Course finishers

Swim .4 miles
Time: 18:47.2
Pace: 2:55/100m
category place: 80

Transition 1
Time: 2:53.7
category place: 15

Bike 15 miles
Time: 48:29.1
Pace: 18.6 mph
category place: 30

Transition 2
time: 2:00.1
category place: 45

Run 3 mile
time: 31:51.7
pace: 10:37/M
category place: 82

[Jana]

Congrats Mark!!! It's an awesome accomplishment!