Texas Triple Threat

April 2010

Hello there,

Open water swims are upon us. So I figured I would give you a few tips on how to prepare for your next endeavor to swimming without walls or a bottom.

First and foremost, never, ever do an open water swim alone. Even the best of swimmers can incur cramps while out in open water. Especially if you are swimming where you may encounter boat traffic, having multiple people swimming is much easier to spot than one person by himself. You also can provide aid or at least get help for the other person if it is needed. In addition, always wear a bright colored swim cap - guys included.

Second, if the water is below 70 degrees, you will greatly benefit if you have a wetsuit. Other than the obvious of it keeping you warmer, it will give you peace of mind by helping you float, but it also forces your body into the proper swimming position. When wearing a wetsuit you want to make sure to put lubrication in places that will chafe, under the arms and the back of the neck are key points. You won't know every place that rubs until you actually get in and try it out. Putting lube on your shins and ankles will allow for easy removal of your suit after your swim. Once you get in the water with your wetsuit on, it works best if you let a layer of water between you and it. Do this by pulling the suit away from your neck and letting some water in. I know this might take your breath away, but this is actually what keeps you warmer in the long run and will allow the suit to move into the proper fit.

Third, a good habit to get into is wearing your goggles under your cap. This is to prevent your goggles from coming off if you happen to get kicked, or jostled, during your swim. Instead of them sinking to the bottom of the lake, they just go catawampus on your face.

Last, but not least, for triathlon swims you can do any stroke you want, or turn over to your back as often as you want. Just remember, swimming on your back doesn't allow you to easily sight. I have seen people go completely in a circle and return toward shore even though they thought they were going to the next buoy. Play a mental game with yourself and count your strokes between stops and only allow yourself to stop that many seconds. The more strokes you take the more rest you get. You can also swim from kayak to kayak or buoy to buoy. Having something else to focus on other than how much you're panicking will help you get through your swim better. It is legal to hold on to kayaks to take a rest; however, you cannot have them paddle you around the course to the swim finish unless you decide you are throwing in the towel (I'm sure that would be a fun ride though). Do remember that if you aren't the last person, or wave, in the water, the more you take breaks the higher chance you have that another group will swallow you up, or at least swim on by you.

The only way to get better at open water swimming is to practice. Join us at any of the supported open water swims or find some training partners to get out and get wet with.

Group Workouts

All workouts are open to all members with no additional facility use charges. This will be our schedule through October:

Mondays

No official Triple Threat workouts, please post on the forum if you would like training partners for something on this day.

Tuesdays

Track 5:30a (Frisco), Swim 5:45a (Texins)

Wednesdays

Swim 5:30a (The Colony)

Thursdays

Swim 5:45a (Texins), Hill Repeats 6:00p (WRL Loving Hill and Windhaven Hill)

Fridays

Swim 5:30a (The Colony)

Saturdays

No official Triple Threat workouts, please post on the forum if you would like training partners for something on this day.

Sundays

Bike 8:00a (Pier 121) - exception 4/11 bike at 9a, open water swim 8a

First Supported Open Water Swim - April 11th, 2010 @ 8a - bring your wetsuits, ear plugs, and bright colored cap.

Second Supported Open Water Swim - May 9th, 2010 @ 7a

Please see below for information on cancellation updates.

As always, to see updates and addresses for current workouts, please visit the Triple Threat calendar. To get a full listing of workouts available to Tri Community Members please visit the Tri Community calendar. (This is a collaboration between four multisport clubs that opens up more group workouts to each team. As long as you are an official Triple Threat card carrying member, you can attend any of their workouts as well).

Race Discounts

TexasMan and Disco Triathlons - Dallas Sports University has provided forms with special pricing for all distances at these events. Texas Triple Threat will receive $20 off. Just mail your form in with payment. Contact Coach Kristen for the special discount race forms. TexasMan is a team race, but I am sure we will have quite a showing at Disco as well. For TexasMan, we'll have a tent with refreshments at the finish line. Come join us after your race for a celebration drink.

Metroplex Sprint Triathlon - We have designated Saturday, June 12th, as the team event day. We will need to turn the Ironhead Productions form in as a group. If we have 10 people racing, we receive $5 off. If we have 20 or more people racing, we receive $10 off. All forms will be due back to me by April 30th. We will be accepting cash only for this. If we get 20 or more people signed up, a refund of $5 will be mailed back to you. Metroplex Sprint entry form

Forum

If you have not received an invitation to join the team forum, please send an email to ttt_website@texastriplethreat.com. This is the place to post items to sell, share race reports, ask general questions, look for training partners, etc. We want to make sure you are included in the action. Lots of good questions, answers, and banter going on here. It is our social network.

Twitter

All work-out cancellations and updates will now be posted through our twitter page. You can register your email address or phone to receive the messages. This is the best option we have to be able to alert everyone about the pool being closed or other work-out changes. I know not everyone checks their email in the mornings so this gives you the option to get a text message instead. All updates can also be seen on the Facebook widget at the top of the Team News webpage (scroll up :-).

Sponsor Appreciation

A database application has been created on the website for you to be able to input your numbers of funds you spend at our sponsors. We like to support them in any way we can and this is something we believe they are interested in. Please let us know about any money spent at Richardson Bike Mart, Run On, Luke's Locker, REI, or any other possible vendor you would like to tell us about. Thank you for helping us provide you with good discount and sale opportunities.

Triple Threat Photo Gallery

Our new photo gallery is completely interactive and open for team use. We would like to invite you to post any of your triathlon, running, cycling, swimming, adventure race, fun, photos up to our website. Obviously, all photos are subject to our approval, but please get on there and post away. Read some helpful instructions for how to upload pictures.

Team Member Spotlight

Each update we would like to focus on one of our members who we feel contributes to the team in many ways. We want you to get to know others by more than just the type of bike they ride or which lane they swim in. Please allow us to introduce to you...
 
Ken Davis

We have enjoyed having Ken step up this year to be a good ambassador at getting people involved. The forum has taken shape mainly due to his postings. We need people like Ken to create the social aspect of our team. And he likes to play the game of getting to know everyone's names at the workouts. So challenge him. Please enjoy learning a little bit about our team member.

How long have you been a member of Texas Triple Threat?

1 year

What is one tidbit you want everyone to know about you?

I used to be an introvert and very shy. I made it a goal to work on that.

Married?

Yes

Kids?

Yes, 4 of them - 20yr, 9yr, 8yr, & yr old

Tell us something about your hometown?

Krugerville, TX. Went to school in Aubrey. Graduating class size of 37. We ride thru there sometimes.

What do you do?

Applications Engineer for a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company. Our machines are a part of the semiconductor making process.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A mad scientist

If you could go anywhere in the world, or universe, where would it be and why?

Greece - great climate, beautiful water and able to go throughout Europe relatively easily. I've never been to Europe.

Give one word that describes you? why that word?

Goal-oriented. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when attaining a goal. Without a concrete, achievable goal, I get distracted.

If you were stuck on an island, list three things you would want to have with you (all food and water can be found on the island).

An axe, a file (to sharpen the axe), a fully stocked, ready to go boat (in case I want to leave)

If you had six months with no obligations and all the money you needed, what would you do with the time?

Travel across the US and Europe on bicycles.

What's your favorite triathlon related story, or memory?

The beginning of my first triathlon. It was a reverse tri in Allen, so it was run, bike, then swim. During the first mile of the run, I was literally giggling. I WAS DOING A TRIATHLON.

What would you say you bring to Team Triple Threat?

The social aspect of team training. I like to have fun and meet my teammates at workouts. I can easily remember the 1st time with the group. I want everyone to feel at ease in the environment. Hopefully, it makes it more enjoyable for others.
 
Am I rambling yet? If you haven't met me, please do the following:
 
1. look for one of the bald guys at team workouts
2. come up and introduce yourself to me
3. if you're not comfortable with #2, ask the person next to you to point me out
 
Have I mentioned I'm a quiet and reserved person? And if you're still reading this, the secret word is "regoob" (booger spelled backwards).

 
The picture above is of me and a friend hiking to the Continental Divide from the cabin. I'm pointing to the summit we were heading to. 19 mile round trip hike with just over 5000' elevation change. I did this July 09.

Be A Threat!
-Coach Kristen