My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Last post: Oct 31, 2009 1:57 PM by jason Mellet

jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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Oct 23, 2009 1:27 PM

My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Next year i plan on doing my first 70.3. It is going to be the buffalo springs lake 70.3 in lubbock texas. If anybody is interested in closely following my progress, races and training you can check out my blog at http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com/

The thing is this though. I don't want to just compete. I am hoping to win my age group. i know these are some lofty goals but i am super competitive and really like winning. I think i have enough time to do it. Its only in june but the problem i might face is that i will become a father for the first time here in the next 7 days. Wife is due for a C section next friday morning. So that could be interesting. Maybe we can use this thread as i noticed some other people have the same goals for next year including some already have plans for an ironman in 2011.

i am planning on something like 5 olympic races next year and maybe 2 70.3's.

we will see what happens

jason

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

Tags: training, triathlon, ironman, springs, 70.3, half_ironman, buffalo

Tri 2 Do It

48 posts since
Jan 2, 2008

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1. Oct 23, 2009 1:58 PM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Congratulations onf becoming a father for the first time! It is a life changing event and defnitely for the better.

As far as your goal of winning your age group, that's awesome. If you've already competed in sprint or Olympic distance triathlons and placed near the top, then there's no reason to doubt that with continued hard training you can keep improving and be an age-group contender in a 70.3.

Best of luck in fatherhood and triathlons...

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jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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2. Oct 23, 2009 2:48 PM

in response to: Tri 2 Do It

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Thanks mate

let me know if you guys have any blogs i will be sure to check it out as well.

I have competes in two sprint events this year. The first was a short 300m, 15 mile, 3.1 mile tri and i placed 11th. The second was a long sprint which was 800m swim, 40km bike and 3.1 mile run which i got 5th in my age group and 28 overall. so i guess that would qualify as close to the front. apparently people tell me my age group which is 30-34 is a tough group to be in, so i feel good about my chances.

jason

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

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IronMakeover

410 posts since
Jul 7, 2008

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3. Oct 24, 2009 2:24 PM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Hi Jason,

I did stop by your blog & thanks for commenting on mine too!

Motivation is huge - if you can keep your competitive spirit going and avoid injury or illness during peak times, you'll set yourself up a for a grand race.

Something to think about, can you define success for next year's 70.3 in additional ways? Over things that you have "control" over on race day? For example, you can't control the weather, freak accidents, or what other semi-pro athletes may be in your agegroup. So if winning your agegroup is your only measure, you could be in trouble if just one of this categories goes wrong.

I'm NOT suggesting to dump your goal of winning. I have no problems with that at all, go for it. Attack it. Crush it. I'm wondering if you want to add additional targets that will help you see and measure improvement over the season. Examples: increase in power, cutting time, making good nutrition choices, staying strong mentally, using good technique. What do you think? Is it too out there?

And, being a parent & a triathlete is possible and can be a good thing. But, be careful. I've seen & heard too many stories of ironwidows/widowers when things get screwed up.

My latest post on triathlon & the family is here, thanks again for commenting. http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2009/10/triathlon-family-legotown.html

Keep in touch,

Sara

Sara Cox Landolt
USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach
IronMakeover

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jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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4. Oct 24, 2009 4:53 PM

in response to: IronMakeover

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

thanks Sara, that is definately something to think about. when i raced in the US open recently the weather was awful, it was cold and it was rainy so my times were off what i wanted them to be. but luckily so was everybody elses, so i still, to my standards performed well. I will definately think about setting other goals. as you said, chris lieto might come race against me and then there is no way i will beat him. in 2010 anyway. thanks for the advice, its certainly not over the top. i do however still want to win. naturally my views on life will surely change when little girl comes into the world and who knows what my priorities will be then.

this will surely give me something to write about in my blog.

jasonmellet.blogspot.com

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

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Ally Bee

1 posts since
Sep 30, 2008

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5. Oct 26, 2009 12:04 AM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Jason - i'm writing this at midnight after having been asleep for the last 2.5 hours hoping to get up and get a swim in early. I am up now b/c my 4 year old decided she was thirsty and came down and spilled an entire glass of water all over herself, her blankets, and the floor. As one of the other people wrote about things you can't control...... Having kids is amazing and as i am considering a half iron this year (competing - not winning) - my concerns come just based on sheer training time. Unless you don't have to work, have a wife that is a saint and will take every middle of the night feeding, or have infinite money to throw at those problems, i suggest you play it all by ear. Just leave your goals open. Pencil it in and work towards it, just know that there is a real possiblity that you just may prefer to sit and hold your sleeping infant for an hour or two instead of getting on your bike! I for example am scrapping the plan to swim and really want nothing more than to sleep!

you will be sucessful in your goals as long as you are realistic - and that like the water on my floor - is liquid! Good night - AllyBee

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Joe_h1

1,583 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

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6. Oct 26, 2009 7:48 AM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

just my .02 but be flexible you're going to have alot going on with your new little one and you both are going to be very busy and tired. not saying it isn't possible but it will take a lot of communication, flexibility and creativity. good luck and enjoy your new addition

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jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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7. Oct 27, 2009 3:46 PM

in response to: Joe_h1

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

hey guys, thanks for all the advice. Fatherhood showed up a few days early as Kiera Paige Mellet joined us on sunday afternoon weighting a healthy 7 lbs 7oz and with all her fingers and toes. She is perfect.

Let the fun and games begin.

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

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Joe_h1

1,583 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

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8. Oct 28, 2009 7:49 AM

in response to: jason Mellet

congratulations big daddy

say goodbye to sleep

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IronMakeover

410 posts since
Jul 7, 2008

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9. Oct 28, 2009 8:00 AM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Congratulations! Welcome baby Kiera! Enjoy this transition. One thing that helped us (if you have a baby who cries a lot) is to wear earplugs when the crying gets bad. You'll still hear your baby, but it takes the edge off a high-pitch wail, and lowers the anxiety level.

Best to your new family,

Sara

Sara Cox Landolt
USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach
IronMakeover

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Amigold

61 posts since
Nov 14, 2007

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10. Oct 30, 2009 8:56 AM

in response to: IronMakeover

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Congrats Jason on the new addition! Be sure and post photos on your blog. And soon you need to get that kid bikeseat...and the jogging stroller....!

Terry

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jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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11. Oct 30, 2009 12:31 PM

in response to: Amigold

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

hey Terry

good to hear from you.

we have set up a website to show off our new little Kiera. Especially for my family in south africa.

go check it out

http://web.me.com/jasonhammermellet

Jason

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

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billyonson

1 posts since
May 23, 2008

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12. Oct 31, 2009 4:18 PM

in response to: jason Mellet

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

Jason, congratulations on you new addition and welcome to fatherhood. Great timing on having your new arrival during the off season. Is this your first?

As a parent (my youngest is two and my oldest is a sophomore in college) and a triathlete (recently completed the Floridia Challenge in Sept) I'm familiar with exciting prospects of competing and being a parent so can I give you some advice?

Enjoy fatherhood.

Seriously, enjoy being a father. One thing about being a parent it creates and increases the unpredictability of life. My question is doing this first year of your daughter's life why add the stress of trying to train for a 1/2. During the first year of my oldest's life I trained for the NY marathon and you know what, my life was horrible. You can never predict what the demands be on you or your daughter's mother. How about if she is having trouble breast feeding are you going to still go on your 60 mi bike? I hope not.

I would suggest putting your plans on hold for a year and keep in shape by doing sprint and olympic distances. When you do those races, crush the competition. Feel good that you are balancing life and training and just crush the course. You'll have time for the 1/2 later and maybe you'll get lucky as I did when my three year old at the time starting running with me during the beach run portion of a sprint triathlon. Very cool

Enjoy fatherhood,

Bill

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jason Mellet

35 posts since
Jul 6, 2009

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13. Oct 31, 2009 1:57 PM

in response to: billyonson

Re: My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

hey Bill

thanks for your comments and concerns. So far my new daughter has been very captivating and time consuming. Firstly let me say, i would never put my training in front of my families well being. they are my world. I do however feel i have the ability and resources to still train for the event. Secondly, i am probably fit enough right now that i would be able to complete a 70.3, even though it might take me all day and probably walk a large majority of the run as i am getting over an over-usage injury on my knee. I am however in the fortunate position that i work from home as i have recently started a new business. If the business picks up, baby Kiera will be going to daycare 5 days a week, unless of course i feel like spending a day with her.

So in my view as of today, i still feel that i will be able to do it, without taking anything away from my family. My wife is also a gym fanatic and understands my need to get outdoors and ride my bike with my clubmates or run around the nature preserve we have near our house.

But let me also say, i am willing to be and i know i am going to have to be flexible with my time and be open to change. If things go south and i have to go back to work then naturally my training schedule and plans would change also.

thanks again for your input, this discussion is putting a lot of things into perspective for me.

As of right now i havent been on my bike or swam in over a week as my wife had a C section and my focus is caring for her at the moment. I did have my first run in over 3 weeks this morning to test out the knee.

jason

Jason Mellet

My Road To 70.3 and recent fatherhood

http://jasonmellet.blogspot.com

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Oct 23, 2009 1:27 PM

My ironman 70.3 dreams, oh and a daughter on the way!

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