Thank you for the response... I will most definitely try the techniques described and report back!

Kurt,

Thx for the detailed posts on swim technique.  I am one of those struggling with the swimming portion of the tri also.  I will definitely work on using some of your suggestions.

Well for the second year in a row, I got an early morning "turkey trot" race in on Thanksgiving day.

Last year I did thanksgiving with relatives, so I ended up entering a race in Shreveport, LA.  I was very early into my attempt at getting back into shape, and I probably ended up walking over a mile of the 5K course.  But it did come with an awesome long-sleeve t-shirt.

This year I was at home, so I signed up for a 5 mile (8K) race in town.  This was a no-frills affair where the entry fee was a canned good.  No water stations, no timing chips, no T-shirt... just a few cops to stop traffic and a few hundred people ready to run at 7:30 AM.  It was chilly (for South Carolina) and raining... but I was out there wearing last year's t-shirt and hoping for the best.  I still had been struggling with leg pains of various sorts every time I get over 3 miles running, so I was afraid I might have to walk the back end of the race.

I managed to avoid running too fast out of the gate... mainly because I was stuck behind a group of people going very slow and it took me a while to get around them.  I settled into my pace quickly, but there were some early hills that took a toll.  About a mile and a half in my shins were starting to get sore and I thought the shin splints that hadn't been hurting me for the past few months had come back.  I slowed things down a bit but kept running... and about a mile later I realized that my shins didn't hurt anymore.  This is the first time that I've actually been able to "run through" shin pain like this... so that gave me a huge boost in energy.  I actually started picking up the pace (for me).

The last mile or so the sky really opened up.  That long sleeve cotton shirt felt like it weighed a hundred pounds, but my lungs felt great and my legs felt okay.  I took the last turn, headed up the big hill to the finish and saw a time of exactly 53 minutes... with me not walking a step.  That time was great for me... I really haven't been very close to a 10-minute mile pace at all in my running, but that put me at 10:35 or so.  I can't complain about that at all.

So... after that I'm feeling an olympic distance tri next year may be a realistic expectation.  I've got a timed mile-swim event at the local YMCA on the 18th of December next on the agenda to keep my motivated through my training.  I'm not sure what to expect time wise, but I think a sub 30 minute swim is a reasonable hope.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Kurt... SO proud of you after reading this post!  Running through shin splint pain is horrible...i have had problems with that as well!  Congrats.  I too went for my run yesterday.  We have a run called the 'Noodleini' here in WI that is a 5K or 15K.  I did the 5K yesterday and was happy with my outcome.  I am suffering from bronchitis at the moment,but did run a good part of the way.  After having to run/walk for part of the race I still only came in just 2 minutes over my expected time.  It was invigorating!

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice on the swimming. I am starting to use your knowledge to my benefit!  Have an awesome day!

Hello. I have been reading the many posts in the thread and find they are very encouraging. I am 33 and just finishing my four-year degree while finding myself inspired to start doing triathlons. I started working towards physical fitness about four years ago and still have a long way to go. But I am hoping to sign up for some races this summer. Being new and a little zealous I am considering a 1/2 marathon early in the summer, a sprint triathlon the end of July and what I think is an Olympic Triathlon in early August. The only competition experience I have is a 5k two years ago and I ran it in 33min. I have mountain biked a fair amount, but have little road bike experience. I am in the process of building up my swimming, but with school and my schedule changing all the time I can't always do things the way I would like. As you all experience with your busy schedules.

I am writing just so I can join in on the conversation and hear some thoughts on my plans for 2011.

Thanks,

Samantha

Hi Jo Ann,

I too was disappointed that the moved the Atlanta Iron Girl event up so much.  My original goals were to run/walk the Country Music half marathon and then do the Atlanta sprint tri.  I can'tstill can't fathom completing either of these events right now, let alone both of them within two weeks.  What are your thoughts?  Since you have completed both types of events, is it doable?  I have already committed to training for the half, so I may have to find another tri that is in the June/July time frame.

I have to admit that the holidays and cold weather have slowed my training way down.  Although, I did move and now have a YMCA close by.  Hello spin classes! I will be attending my first ever spin class next weekend. I have got to get over my hate relationship with the bike.

Way to go Pac!  Keep up the great work!