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Post by jbrown on Apr 9, 2012 11:58:52 GMT -6
I was just thinking the other day how int he world I ended up being addicted to such a crazy yet awesome sport. I want to hear your stories. What is your background? Running, cycling, swimming or none of the above. What made you get into it and how long have you been doing it? Best finishes? Fav races/venues? Can't wait to hear all about it!
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Post by mfranklin01 on Apr 10, 2012 8:10:42 GMT -6
I got my start by riding mountain bikes. Like so many other people I got interested in triathlon by watching Kona on T.V. for several years. Made up my mind that one day I was going to be one of those "crazy folks" stumbling across the finish line in Hawaii. Then something interesting happened (at least interesting to me), I was having dinner with the some friends and a guy with an IMCD hat on and I said "nice hat". He asked me if I wanted his and I told him I wanted to earn my own. Turns out this guy was a tri coach and has become my coach and friend.
I did a couple of sprints before jumping into a 70.3 in New Orleans its first year out. Laid out for a couple of years after that because of injuries and then I moved to Shreveport (Bossier now). Anyway finally getting back into the sport, mainly because I'm tired of being fat and slow. So thats my slightly boring story. Looking forward to getting to know the people in this group.
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Post by jbrown on Apr 10, 2012 13:21:47 GMT -6
HAHA The ole fat and slow reasoning! That's a pretty good motivator! Did you get you one of those IMCD hats yet?
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Post by joehinton on Apr 10, 2012 14:15:54 GMT -6
It’s all about the ink Jeremy. There are all kinds of explanations given for why triathlons are so addictive. Some believe it to be an array of natural body chemicals generated by the intense exercise. Well I agree that those naturally occurring brain changing injections do in fact play a part but I’m convinced I know the real answer. The real answer is tied to the one common thread among all beginning triathletes, the one common ingredient that everyone is touched by at the very beginning of the race day. Yes, the real answer lies in the body marking ink. Yep, when you stand there and someone marks your legs and arms with that black body marking ink the sensation slowly begins. You begin to feel that sense of euphoria and you start to feel taller and faster. All that is coming from something in the ink as it seeps into your bloodstream as a silent and very addictive drug. It is so powerful that once you’ve been marked the first time you can’t seem to wait until the next opportunity to tri.
I hope no one takes this too seriously because it’s all in fun but just think about the first time you were body marked. I’m thinking you didn’t want to wash it off for several days. LOL
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Post by jbrown on Apr 10, 2012 14:24:08 GMT -6
HAHAHA. JOE!! I love it. It just made me flash back to my first, which wasn't too long ago. And you know you were spot on with your theory. maybe I will mark up before my next track session to see.... Thanks Joe, that was awesome! Honestly though, I would love to hear some of your stories. Every time I see you at a race or somewhere I just smile because I hope to be half the athlete you are! Do share for the masses!
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Post by mfranklin01 on Apr 10, 2012 16:26:53 GMT -6
jbrown I haven't gotten the IMCD hat, yet. But after the 22nd I will have two NOLA 70.3 hats (two halves make a whole right)
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Post by mfranklin01 on Apr 10, 2012 16:29:18 GMT -6
It’s all about the ink Jeremy. When I saw the opening line my first thought was tattoos and I was thinking "i can see that". I do remember the first time I got body marked though. I was thankful they didn't put my weight on there! |
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Post by jbrown on Apr 10, 2012 19:49:52 GMT -6
2 halves always make a whole, except in this sport. LOL Ya my first thought was of tats as well!
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Post by bsimmons on Apr 11, 2012 22:11:23 GMT -6
INTRO TO TRI'S. I was Baseball player in college and in reasonably good shape... To swing a bat and run 90 feet... After school i got lazy at work and put on some pounds. I had never run more than one mile at once, and only when I had too. I did a weight loss challenge at work with a group (then in Oklahoma City) and dropped 40 lbs, way more than I thought possible with P90X. There was a group of runners at work that were planning on the Oklahoma City half marathon and I got talked in to doing it 12 weeks out. We stayed on a training plan together and having others to keep me on track made it pleasant and easy to get better each week. I had never entered any races and the first day of training was a 2 mile run, the longest ever for me at that time. It took about 3 weeks to not hate the idea and regret the decision, but learned pretty quick what a runners high is. Each week I had put in a new longer distance and pushed myself with a goal of under 2 hours for the half marathon. I finished with an average of 8:23 miles (1:47), obviously a PR being my first. My wife and I moved to Shreveport for work the very next week in May 2010. When I got here I looked for another running event to keep things moving in the right direction. I met a friend at work who was signed up for River Cities and my wife and I went to cheer him and his wife on. He said it was quite the rush and I should give it a try. The only problem was I had no bike and had not been on one since I was 12. Once I convinced my wife that purchasing a road bike was a rational idea and perfectly acceptable way to spend a bunch of money, no easy task, I was set and just needed to find my first event. We were living off Clyde Fantt so I was still running in the mornings about 4 miles three times a week, but not long runs. I got brave one night at Superior Grill and told some work friends I was going to drive to Alexandria in the morning for a triathlon at Indian Creek. Hadn't been in a pool over a year... I got up at 3:30 to drive down to Alexandria for my first event. I think it was a 400 yard swim, but it felt like miles. This was my first lesson in pacing and training. The bike was 18 miles (12 longer than anything I put on my bike just purchased as I had only ridden laps around my neighborhood) and it felt uphill both ways. By the time I got to the run the "runner" I had fooled myself into thinking I was had morphed into a feet dragging 10 minute miler zombie, but.... I finished... My second race involved a little more training, and was the Meat Pie Tri in 2010. I really enjoyed it but only put in about 3 hours per week of swimming and running to lead up to it. The bike was still my weakest link but could tell with some time I would get stronger. My third race was the Holy Toledo Tri in preparation for the 2011 70.3 in New Orleans. The Holy Toledo Tri was quite the experience showing how poor I am on bike when you throw in some hills, but i was able to keep a 9:30 pace on a crazy stupid run course. That was and still is to date the most fun tri I have done. Leading in to it and the New Orleans 70.3 I followed a training program from training peaks for the swim and bike pretty close but skipped on the runs much more than I should have. I was consistently getting better on the bike and felt very strong on the swim going in to New Orleans which unfortunately ended up getting canceled. I did great for me on the bike coming in right at 3 hours in a crazy strong wind, but had stomach cramps like nobodies business on the run, and came in with a ridiculous 12+ minute mile run/walk/crawl pace, but was very proud to finish, and vowed another 70.3 would be a different story. I also learned a valuable lesson about sunscreen as my race numbers are still somewhat visible almost one year later... I have since done the River Cities, Austin Tough Mudder, and Galveston 5150, learning a ton with each race, but mainly that my training must take precedence over my desire and will to enter bunches of races, and I will never again ask what Body Glide is and why it is necessary after the salt water wetsuit swim in Galveston. I have been proud of each finish and know I want to stick with this for some time. My goal is to be more competitive, but I struggle with fitting in the training time. I am still rather new to the tri community and area, and because of work have sidelined the training since Galveston, but with work slowing down I feel I will have a good 6-8 hours a week I can easily fit some training back in. I have one or two 5150's in mind and am once again signed up for River Cities, but want to make sure I have the time to train before just jumping in to races way over my head so I can be a little more competitive, and not just claim a finish. My eyes are definitely much bigger than what my training ever has me ready for which teaches me a valuable lesson in putting in the hard work each time. I still look forward to meeting more people in the club and try to make an appearance at most events, but never stay long with two little ones (2 years and 2 months). If you see me show up at a training event in my Chesapeake work truck and wearing my Chesapeake cycling jersey don't hesitate to say hello, and please don't mock me for my seemingly over-proud attire... I only have the work truck, and the jersey was a gift (those thingies are pricey) so I only had one until I purchased one of the club jersey's late last year. Once I learn to set reasonable goals based on my available training time I will probably get to share some more well rounded race stories, minus the hard lessons learned, and look forward to reading and hearing more from others. After all... Experience is something you get 15 minutes too late...
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Post by Michael Mayence on Apr 13, 2012 17:46:45 GMT -6
Got my start racing BMX Bikes competitively way back in the early to mid 80's...Always loved bicycles. Then while living in Southern California stationed there in the Marines around 94' I stumbled onto the beach one weekend morning and there was a Triathlon going on. I watched it in amazement! Could not believe they were swimming that far out. Then I noticed the bicycles in the transition area and fell in love. Something about the spirit of competition drew me in. I could not afford a bicycle while in college, but continued to watch various races wherever I lived. I always told myself that one day I would compete and finally around 2006 purchased a Felt F90 and did my very first Tri. The rest is history. I need the challenge in my life!!!
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Post by joehinton on Apr 14, 2012 18:34:26 GMT -6
it started at a garage sale in yr. 2000. following a not so good report from my age 60 annual checkup, my lovely bride says ”lets get us some bicycles”. I say “not likely”..she says “please consider” ..i say “ next time we go to s’port maybe we’ll look at the bike shop….she says “no, I meant garage sale”… it is now 75 triathlons later .
so, go to your dr. and get a reality check and have the greatest spouse in the world as a coach.. I did and I do. Love my Joyce.
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eblyzes
Rookie
Courage to start, strength to endure, resolve to finish!
Posts: 30
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Post by eblyzes on Apr 16, 2012 16:24:59 GMT -6
Joe Hinton -- your story brought tears to my eyes! Congratulations to you! You are an inspiration to us all and I pray I'm healthy and can do what you do when I hit 70+  |
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Post by joehinton on Apr 17, 2012 11:11:54 GMT -6
such kind words Elaine.
thanks.
joe
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