My girlfriends and I recently registered a relay team for the August 7, Denver Tri for the Cure. The event is an all women’s swim, bike and run triathlon held at Cherry Creek State Park to help raise money for the Denver affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
If you are local, I encourage you to come and race with us! Put a team together, do the full or maybe even volunteer. If you've never done a triathlon, here's your chance. If you've done lots of them, here's another chance!
As motivation and inspiration to sign up for the event, I am using today's blog to provide you all with some expert training advise...just not from me. Because I don't have any.
Last time I did a triathlon, I was in grad school and agreed to do the running on a relay team with my buddies Scott (swim) and Bernie (bike). Bernie's bike seat broke off about half way through the 40K ride, so he pedaled standing up for at least an hour. Quads burning and the sharp metal tube staring up at his man parts. That was 1999 and I am still giggling.
So considering that was 11 years ago and it was my only tri experience, I thought it would be best to solicit the advice of someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Enter-- my sorority sister, Maid of Honor and fellow Steeler fan, KT (that's Kara Teklinski to you).
Her competitive accomplishments include:
3 marathons21 triathlons (including 4 Ironman and 11 half-Ironman)
6 Ultramarathons (ranging from 32-50 miles)
...and if her current injury doesn't hold her back, she is planning to attempt her first 100 miler this year!
Should I also mention she is has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern? Total underachiever...
Now that your sold, here are Kara's top 5 triathlon training tips. I shall call them.......
TIPS TO TRI (TRI TIPS sounded too meaty)
1. Dont panic at the start of the swim... to help with this if you are able to practice mass swim starts in an open water setting. Or get a bunch of friends to pile in together at one end of the pool lane and on your mark... get set... GO! And rush through to the other end... let your self settle in, breath, and begin your streamlined stroke.
2. Don't go too hard on the bike... you still need to save your legs for the run. Prepare during training by doing short runs after your bike runs. This will allow your legs to adapt to the "brick" feeling of transitioning from bike to run. After a few weeks of practicing this, the sensation will go away.
3. If you are new to running, make sure you are wearing the appropriate running shoes for your feet and run gait. If you are unsure, go to your local running store (not a sporting goods store but a specialty running store) and have a gait analysis completed. They are usually free!
4. In training, take at least one rest day per week, your body and your mind (not to mention your family) will thank you.
5. HAVE FUN!!!!! Don't get caught up or intimidated by the other athletes. Unless you are trying to win your age group enjoy your day. You put in your hours and weeks of training for this so enjoy it!
Thank you KT! I couldn't have said it better myself...
Tri for the Cure- Denver
Love, Lil
1 comment:
Go Lil! Keep us posted. I hope you are doing well, sounds like it with all you have coming up and after the side crow.
I think of you all the time and wanted to tell you about a book I am sure you have read called gorgeously green. It has all sorts of ideas for de-toxing our lives.
All my best to you and your family, xoxo, simone
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