Mark Dixon's Triathlon Training

Done!

markdixon3 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:24:18 +0000

Sunday was the big event…the SoBe Mossman Sprint Triathlon. After waking up at 3:45am to drive to Norwalk, I arrived with my trainer Kim Foster a little after 5am. I went through the registration process and then set up my spot in the transition area with all the stuff I needed going from one leg of the tri to the next. After a pre-race briefing to make sure we were all aware of the rules, etc…it was onto the beach, in preparation to get the tri underway. We went into the water in 5 minute intervals…being a “first-timer” I was in the last wave to go off, at 6:45am.

The 0.5 mile swim went okay…I did a combination of freestyle and breaststroke, never stopping to tread water (one goal that I set for myself…lol). Coming out of the water, it was to the transition area where I then removed my wetsuit, goggles and swim cap…and put on my cycling shoes, helmet and sunglasses. The 12.5 mile bike ride was nice…not too hilly, so that was a huge plus! After completing that leg, it was back to the transition area to get into my running shoes for the 5k run.

Here’s the low-down for my finish…total time: 1:25:48, I was the 233th to complete the race (out of over 550 participants), the 182nd male. In my age category, I came in 25th! For comparison, the guy who won, did so in just over 59 minutes (about 26 ahead of me!)

I’d like to thank the following for their assistance and contributions in my quest to complete a triathlon by the time I turn 30, on 080808: The New England Athletic Club (Trainer Kim Foster and Swim Coach Sharon Fagan), Pig Iron Sports in Glastonbury, Pedal Power in Middletown, Timex, GU, TriSports.com, and Beginner Triathlete.

Furthermore, I’d like to thank everyone that got up early to come out and support me on Sunday morning…friends Mike, Martha & Rene, Kelly, Paul…and of course Scot Haney!

Lastly, a big kudos to Susan Raff…as she also completed her first triathlon and did so in under 2 hours. Also, my friend Dave (who also was a first-timer) and his girlfriend Kim – congratulations to everyone!

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It’s this Weekend!

markdixon3 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:16:58 +0000

Well, the moment is here…Sunday is the big event, my first triathlon!

http://www.teammossman.com/SoBeMossmanTriathlon2007Info.htm

After weeks of training under the guidance of Kim Foster from the New England Athletic Club in Cromwell, I feel confident and am ready to go!

For the race, we are setting a goal to finish somewhere between 1hr 30 min to 1hr 45 min.

Less than 3 weeks!

markdixon3 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:48:22 +0000

It’s been awhile since my last posting…my apologies, expect higher frequency updates…especially with the event 26 days away!

The countdown is on! The SoBe Mossmann Triathlon is coming up soon, on Sunday July 13th to be exact…happening in Norwalk. After some continued concern, still about the swimming, I’m starting to feel better about my time in the water. Last Friday, with my trainer Kim Foster of the New England Athletic Club in Cromwell, I went the full distance (one half mile) without stopping!!! Apparently it was all about pacing (on my own, I was going WAY TOO FAST!)…with Kim leading the way, I was good to go! Then Saturday, I ran for 5 miles in Hartford using my Timex BodyLink System (sooo cool, it measures not only distance by using GPS, but also pace!). On Sunday, I met up with some friends in Canton for a bike ride. Now keep in mind, the distance for the tri is only 12.5 miles…well, we went for 35 miles!!! We traveled through Canton, Avon, Barkhamsted and New Hartford…it was a gorgeous ride, but WOW did those hills become a challenge!

Now that I know I can do all of the distances, it’s time to combine the different legs. This Friday, I hope to complete a mock triathlon indoors, to get a gauge of timing, transitioning and endurance. We’ll see!

I should also point out that Susan Raff is completely onboard and will be participating as well. Let me just say, Susan is a MACHINE! Having her along will be great fun and am looking forward to event!

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Training Update

WFSB.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:25:51 +0000

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46 days to go!

markdixon3 — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:32:26 +0000

What a week it has been with the Holiday weekend! Speaking of the weekend, I was able to get in a great ride with my friend Dave…we went for about 13 miles from Middletown to Meriden.

Tuesday, i was stuck at work covering storms…so my training had to go to the back-burner.

Today, Kim put me through some “brick-work”…meaning we combined two of the three elements of the triathlon. After spending some time on a spinning bike, she had me hop on the treadmill. By doing so, for the first time, I was able to see how the transition will work…and it wasn’t that bad (I just didn’t eat enough today…so I fatigued quickly). While doing everything, we were constantly monitoring my heart-rate using a Timex BodyLink System…targeting different zones and getting a feel of my comfort level in each.

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53 days to go!

markdixon3 — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:30:44 +0000

Yesterday was a busy one…as we prepare for our weather special: “Forecast Connecticut – The Pinpoint Advantage” airing tonight at 11:15…I had to get some time in at the gym and in the pool. In total, I was able to get on a spinning bike for about 20 minutes, then in the pool for about 25 with Sharon trying out some new apparatus that tethers me to the pool (simulates an open water swim) to a 4 mile run after work. Needless to say, I slept quite well last night!

Today, I’m participating in a Body Pump class and then will swim for at least 30 minutes.

More tomorrow!

Mark

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Decision Time

markdixon3 — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:12:35 +0000

So I’ve been in training now for roughly a month and after numerous conversations with my trainer Kim Foster of the New England Athletic Club (www.newenglandathhleticclub.com) and also a discussion with Channel 3 reporter and good friend Susan Raff (who has decided to participate with me), we have collectively decided to compete in the sprint distance triathlon on July 13th in Norwalk (http://www.teammossman.com/SoBeMossmanTriathlon2007Info.htm).

This week, here are my goals: swim 3 times, run twice and bike twice…additionally, Kim has me doing a lot of core strengthening. Check in for details…another goal of mine: try to update this blog each day, documenting my progress as I train for this challenging event!

- Mark

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Which Triathlon???

markdixon3 — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:24:39 +0000

So initially, I had my sights set on a Sprint distance triathlon (0.5 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, 5k run)…but after meeting with my trainer, Kim Foster from the New England Athletic Club, she thinks I need to challenge myself (given my background in running, etc) and should consider the Olylmpic Distance (doubling the distances of a sprint…yikes!). My biggest challenge right now is the swimming and in the coming weeks, we will decide which distance is best for my ability.

Since I’m turning 30 in August, I have to decide to either participate in the Sprint on July 13th in Norwalk (http://www.teammossman.com/SoBeMossmanTriathlon2007Info.htm) or the Olympic distance on July 20th in New Hartford (http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/foundationnew/calendar/greaterhartford.htm)

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Here we go!

markdixon3 — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:05:05 +0000

Greetings and Welcome to my Tri-By-30 Blog on wfsb.com!

If you can’t tell by the title of the Blog, I’m setting a goal…to participate and successfully complete a triathlon by the time I hit the age of 30! Now the window of time to do so is shrinking, with my birthday now about 3 months away…it’s 08-08-08 (pretty cool, huh?!?). Anywho, I’ll be documenting my progress each and every Monday on Better Connecticut with Scot Haney and Kara Sundlun; furthermore, you can track my progress right here on this Blog…this will also help keep me accountable as I train for my first triathlon, posting an update each day!

More to come!

Mark

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