The "Welcome to the Beginners Open House" Thread
Open House Invitees!
Welcome! Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to the women of TeamEN! They are eager to answer your questions, show you around, and share with you what makes EN such a special space for the long course tri chicka, of any ability.
Please tell us your name, where your from, a little bit about you (yes, even real world stuff), and your triathlon goals/races for this year.
Thanks again and welcome aboard!
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Comments
Well I guess I will go ahead and get this started. My name is Erin I am from Hawaii(don't hate me please). I am an all out geek when it come to electronics and new gadgets. Yes my name is on my local Apple Stores iPad list. My goals for this season are to improve in all the races I have done before and finish my first Half Ironman in Hawaii. I also did the $90 and a dream(Ironman World Championships Lottery), so I might be doing my first Ironman in October(nah I don't think it would happen). I look forward to learning more about what EN has to offer.
Hi Erin,
Welcome-I am not new to Endurance Nation. But I am still not a member. I have done alot of Ironman and half Iron racing! My name is Karen Stone. I soon hope to become a member again. There is so much information you could stay on the computer forever.
Because my world is really busy I have not been able to train for long distance. But I did follow the Off Season plan last year which set me up really good for Xterra. Not sure what I am racing this year.I ahve a nagging injury from marathon training this winter and a new puppy. So will see how the season goes.
Good luck to you! Ironman is fun!
Karen
Hi, I’m Helen from London and wanted to stop by to catch up with how the other EN ladies are doing. I did my first middle distance tri using a Crucible Fitness plan and completed IM Austria a couple of years later using an EN Coach plan. Last year I focused on doing other non swim/bike/run related things but this year I’m back. I’m off to Turkey in May to follow in the wake of Leander & Byron and do the Hellespont swim and then I’m heading back to Austria for the Ironman in July. I’m a back of the pack type of person and generally enter races and other events just to see if I can finish them.
I've been with EN since Dec 08. I joined because I wanted a clearer and data-based way to train and race with a powermeter. I got that and more!
Erin: There's at least one other EN chica who lives in Hawaii. Yep, we're all jealous but may plan on a vacation to visit you!
Karen: New puppy! Post pics if you can
Helen: Swimming the Hellespont! How awesome is that! One of our chicas (Suzanne Kinsky?) did a swim the Aegean sea around Greece trip last summer. Very cool.
Erin- We have a handful of Chicas in Hawaii and at least one doing the Hawaii Half (another new Chica- Linda H) You should find lots of company!
Karen- we have a whole "Injured Athlete Mojo" thread going in the forum to help folks who are dealing with down time from injuries support each other and get through it. Be sure to check that out!
And all ladies- I encourage you to check out the "What it Takes" Thread in the Womans Forum. Do NOT try to read that whole thing!! Just read the first post in the thread and then hop in towards the end. It's like a soap opera kinda deal, just start reading the posts, jump in where we last left off, and you'll be hooked into the story line in no time!!
Morning all!
And Erin, you will find LOTS of tech geeks here. Ridiculous fluency in WKO+. I would' n't be surprised if a thread appears soon on how to Macgyver an iPad to your bicycle to use it as a powermeter head unit (while still being aero).
Happy St. Patrick's Day ladies..thanks for checking in and helping us get to know you! I hope the rest of you are lurking about and exploring all that EN has to offer!!!
Again, welcome...
Coach Patrick
Hello to all new ladies and welcome back Wiggles!!
We have much to offer here and a great time. Please join us, particularly in the Women's Forum!
p.s. Karen- puppy details around here are required!!
DON'T BE SHY!!!! WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PEEPS!!
Welcome to EN Erin! I am from Minnesota and it the temps are FINALLY starting to feel like spring!! So, with that said, I might hate you just a tinsy bit for living in balmy Hawaii
My dream vaca someday! Good luck with your first HIM, you will be awesome! EN has alot to offer, sometimes a wee bit overwhelming, but I just use what I need and let the other stuff go bye. You will find your niche in no time. Also, the peeps are supra helpful, so ask any and all questions! Oh and good luck with the lottery 
Welcome Helen and Karen! Glad you are here.
Glad you are checking us out!
Maura is a past colleague of mine, so was introduced to Patrick and EN a few years ago. I've always kept the site in the back of my head. Basically, I was a competitive college athlete and have always been active, but not until after college with marathons (have done five) and then most recently with Tris. Last summer I did a half iron, with really little problem, so would love to challenge myself to a full IM! Maura and a few other friends are my inspiration. I know I have the mental capacity for it-the training and the race, but I am SURE it takes a whole new level of physical capability too!!
Anyway, I am here today to start to make the connection and just to start reading, and to keep my mind learning about tri stuff. I am currently pregnant with my third, so won't be starting a training plan tomorrow or anything, but have a goal on Cozumel 2011, with a half somewhere before. I have always done well with my training, but have never been scientific about it. I don't understand any of the language that you guys are using regarding power and just the other language you use for workouts. So, I just want to learn while I have time to read up and soak it all in. Ok, I really just miss the training, and want to be involved in the tri world, even while prego!
Not sure where to go from here, but that is me! Due in August, so hoping to get back into the swing of things in Feb March or 2010, which gives myself a good year and a half to get back in racing form for Cozumel 2011.
Any tips for a good half iron before Nov 2011? Patriot Half? Timberman? Those were my thoughts. I picked Cozumel b/c why not make a vacation out of it and swim in crystal clear water? I've heard it's a bit windy and hot, but aren't they all?! I also live and train out of Dedham/Boston, MA, so really enjoy training during the late spring. summer & fall months.
Nice to meet you. Love your site. I visit frequently, and hope you will take me in when I am back at it next spring!
Dottie
P.S. I had posted this in the wrong thread originally, but someone replied and mentioned that an EN girl had done Cozumel. Would love to get a race report from the person!
Dottie- Carrie Himmel was our EN Chicka at IM Coz last year. She's been a bit MIA in the forums lately so I'm not sure if she'll see your post. Anyway- Carrie broke her arm during the season last year and so her training was super stunted. She got to the starting line but wasn't able to make the bike cut-off in time to finish the run (we were all super bummed about that one). Anyway- there's some great threads here with race reports from others (including Carrie's husband who also did the race) as well as some advice for lodging and such that others have provided to the Peeps doing Coz this year. You can find these by doing a "Search" in the forum on the word Cozumel, but I'll post them here to make it easy for you:
Lodging and Logistics
Phil's Race Report
David (Carrie's hubby) Race Report
Jed's Race Report
Aloha everyone! This is Staci... Some of you already know me and hello to all the new peeps! I have been coached by either Rich or Patrick since 2005. If anyone has any questions or doubts, please do not hesitate to ask, but these guys are great! Being a part of the EN team at a race makes the race so much more fun, as other athletes and their family and friends cheer for you. Have fun and be safe!
Erin - Where in Hi are you?
God bless and take care everyone!
As Nemo suggested, definitely take a gander in our colossal "what it takes" thread. As Beth once put it, that's our "big sunny kitchen" where we drop in to chat about anything and everything!! It's where I go when I need a smile and a pick me up! Don't worry about catching up, just jump in where ever. I sometimes find that if I don't have a ton of time for the rest of the forums, if I at least go there and check in with my girls I'm all good!!
I'm in Denver, CO where it was BEAUTIFUL today!! I took the day off to do my first race simulation for IM St. George! (Starting tomorrow the weather is going to turn big time...had to seize the opportunity) I had a really fun day! I was so proud to be running along wearing my EN singlet!! This will be my first IM with EN, but I'm in my second year of being a member. I still have a TON to learn. But it all comes in time. You'll find there's a lot available, and it's really too much to absorb at once. The veteran chicas like Nemo, Marrianne, Gina, Linda, Michele, Kris, Leigh, Carrie, etc. etc. etc. are always sooooooooooo helpful with navigating. The boyz are great too, make no mistake. Lot's of really great brain power here...but it's always good to get another woman's perspective on stuff.
Can't wait to hear from more of you! Hoping to join the call tonight....while cooking dinner....
AKA Shrink
PS there is also a somewhat "glossory" for all the acronyms, should any one want it, I will look it up for you, but it really helped me a LOT, e.g. DH (dear husband) DW (dear wife, probably a SO (significant other) just a ton of good fun stuff, These women are truly stud muffins, I am 56 years old and feel about 12 after joining in +
Ladies- I wanted to thank all of you who joined the conference call last night. I hope we didn't scare anyone away- it was the first time many of us have actually "spoke" to each other and heard our voices so we got a little excited :-).
I also wanted to follow up on a question that Dottie had on the call (the boyz cut us all off and I couldn't get it in- dang them!). You asked about the best way to start working through this forum and learning everything. Here's my advice- go easy and don't try to get it all in one sitting! There is a firehose of information here and if you try to consume it all you will get really frustrated very fast. None of us wants to see that happen! Start with the "Train Map" (Under "Resources" at the top of the website) and just start downloading and reading the information provided in each station a little at a time. If something doesn't make sense- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask us!!!
Rich made some very nice flattering comments about me last night (aw shucks) and I want you all to know that although I may seem "wicked smart" the truth is that 99.9% of the time the question I'm answering for someone is exactly a question I posted here in the forums (well, in the old 3.0 forum anyway) within the past 2 years! Seriously, folks like Chris W, Cramer, Dan Socie were all saints and had such patience! I was the person asking really basic questions like "what's the difference between a crank and a cassette? aren't they the same thing- they both have gears, right?" and now I'm swapping out parts on my bike like changing the sheets on my bed! The more questions you ask, the more you learn. And eventually- the more YOU are able to give back to the next person. That's really what this place is all about, it's a huge "Pay it Forward" community!
OK- that's all, I'll get off the soap box now!
Erin didn't answer but she's(and I) am in Kailua on Oahu.
Welcome to the new peeps. I just joined in the fall and the group has crazy good info and has been very supportive. Frankly a much better experience than I've had with "coaches" in the past. General guidance and then realizing than I'm smart enough to realize how to adjust when I need to.
Lynne
My name is Steve and I am a beginner in the world of long course triathlon (and all triathlon for that matter). I took advantage of the "Beginner Week" offer to check out the community. I'm a little confused that the message I received today suggesting that I introduce myself took me to the Women's Training and Racing forum but hey, here we are...I'm not afraid.
This is my third year a multi-sport. I'm 43 years old, married, employed full-time, and have two great kids. I'm doing IMWI this year, my first IM. I did three events my first year (on my road bike with aero bars) and was on plan to complete nine last year until an untimely clavicle fracture sidelined me mid-season. Prior to my injury I completed my first HIM event (Kansas 70.3) and loved it. I knew as I crossed the finish line that I had to try the IM.
I'm full in on the EN approach. I purchased the Outseason and IMWI training plans and I have followed them closely. I'm really looking forward to learning from the other folks in the team, especially those who find a way to ballance training, family, and very demanding jobs.
Thanks to Patrick and Rich for creating the opportunity for me and the other beginners to try this out.
I am Tona and I am a male
Is great to be here even if it is for a week only
Yup. I double-checked the link, and it's throwing us "newbies" into the Women's Open House thread from the invitation email. Oh well!
My name is William, and I'm a 45 year old chemistry professor with 3 kids (15, 9, and 9), a (great) wife, and a job. All my kids are involved in things like club soccer and swimming, and my oldest is a good triathlete in his own right, having beaten me last summer twice at the Olympic distance by a few minutes, where his best was 2:20. And that was before he learned to run fast this last fall. (Can you tell I'm proud?) We live in Iowa, where there are lots of county roads and more rolling hills than many people would think.
My own athletic history is long in time but very modest. I was a pretty sub-par high school swimmer, and then was out of athletics until about my third year of grad school, when I started running. I did the NY marathon a couple of times while still in school, probably 1989 and 90 and my best time was about 3:30. Fast forward a lot of years of off-and-on casual running, and I "got religion" again about it after my diabetic dad had a heart surgery and a stroke. Took off almost 50 lbs maybe 7-8 years ago. (In the meantime, I have put back on about 10, but they are healthy training pounds...though who wouldn't to snap their fingers and drop another 5...)
I'd have to check , but I think this will be my 5th year of doing triathlons, and my 4th real "season". I've improved enough that I'm pretty consistently in the top quarter of my age group, and I've gotten lucky and on the podium a few times in some local races. (never 1st!)
Last year, I did my first IM at Wisconsin, following a more or less conventional training plan that i put together with the help of tons of reading. I suppose it will surprise no one here that my best bike power was in the early summer before the workouts got consistently long long long, and I couldn't keep up the notion of trying to get faster while I piled on all those hours. My best race of the year was the June 70.3 in KS. After that, I didn't realize how my training was probably too long, and certainly impossible to get faster doing. That said, I did have a great time, and I do want to do IM again. I had to promise my wife not to do one this year because of the huge time commitment I had made the summer of 2009. I bet this sounds familiar....
Anyway, I spent the last few months getting ready for the Boston marathon, which I qualified for in late 2008. As I tell friends, I didn't get much faster, just older. I did do a reasonable amount of bike work, trying to get in about 3 EN-style spins a week for most of the time. So, as of today, of course, I'm in late marathon taper.
I am registered for the Steelhead 70.3 as my second A race for 2010, and am still deciding which late season 70.3 to try.
I am looking for an active community to participate in, but logging on here for the first time tonight has been pretty overwhelming...have to figure the whole thing out!! Some of you may have seen me posting on twitter with the #workworks tag - I have certainly enjoyed even that fringe of the community. Look forward to getting to know things a little better here quickly.
William
Hey Folks,
Welcome! I just checked the email and, yep, I forgot to edit that one link. Sorry! Oh well, here you are!
not sure where the welcome to newbies thread is, so welcome to the brave men that posted in the women's forum. I think that will keep me smiling this mornng! see it was some sort of initiation !! think pledge. no actually us gals are the nicest welcome so you "got" to come here first. Many of us have been around for years with EN! and so we hope you stay too ....so instead of daily Sbux or other little dollars spent in the day.. invest in the EN training plan! we can provide live (well you tube) entertainment, dog pics and family, race reports, vacation reports, advice on training and nutrtion and medical woes and basically an online support group and friendship for this crazy hobby! PLUS on race day, know that we are all cheering for you.. many face to face opportunities as well. so now that we have joined in the women's forum, please post back if you have left Da HAUS or planning on staying! we are terribly nosy and keep up with each other!! smile. m