As Team Captain of “Team Ramblin” I want to welcome you here! What is “Team Ramblin”? Glad you asked! It’s a group of ladies who are ready for the experience of a lifetime, ready to be empowered, ready to push themselves, and ready to change their life – these ladies have committed to the women only Ramblin Rose sprint triathlon held in Huntersville, NC, September 20, 2015.
I created this page on my blog so that you all have a spot to get info & ask questions as we train and prepare.
Last year, I trained for RR for 6 months. My starting weight was around 290 pounds. I’ve always felt I was a good swimmer, though I have no “formal” form. I hadn’t ridden a bike in ages, and I was just starting to build up my distance walking. Flash forward 6 months, and I cried like a baby all the way down the finish line shoot to my waiting family.
I can’t begin to describe the feelings as I moved thru the swim, the bike, the run. The final leg of the bike portion is a pretty steep hill…the only one like it on the course. I yelled to a volunteer “I can get off and walk if I need to, right?” They said yes. The folks on the sidelines said “come on 209,” “you got this 209,” “you’re almost there 209,” “come on,” “you can do it”…..on and on, their encouragement pushed me up that hill, around the corner to the transition area….where my family stood in support with signs…all along the course, encouraging word after encouraging word..until finally, I saw the sign pointing left to the finish line. I started tearing up. Then, I started crying…a full on nasty ugly, overwhelming cry…my body heaving up and down with every tear “I did it, I did it, I did it…..I am a TRIATHLETE.” And you know what, no one can ever take that away. I will ALWAYS be a triathlete!
You can be too. Please use this page to ask questions. Post your questions/comments in the comments section at bottom. I will do my best to answer. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find out. I want you to succeed. I want you to join this ultra-elite club of triathletes.
Read my Ramblin Rose story here http://losingitdaily.com/i-trid-im-a-triathlete/
View my pictures and see me crying like a baby here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.803062953087532.1073741829.461572047236626&type=3
Visit Ramblin Rose website here http://ramblinroseevents.com/charlotte-tour-home/
How long is the Ramblin Rose?
250 yard swim, 9 mile bike ride, 2 mile run/walk
Where is the Ramblin Rose?
It is held at the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatic center
How much does it cost?
Individual Entry – $75.00 until 05/31/2015 – 11:59 PM EST
2 Person Relay Entry – $125.00 until 05/31/2015 – 11:59 PM EST
3 Person Relay Entry – $125.00 until 05/31/2015 – 11:59 PM EST
Plus,
All Ramblin’ Rose Triathlons are USA Triathlon sanctioned events. Registrants are required to purchase a $12 one-day permit if you are not a USAT member. This can be purchased at time of registration.
Can I swim at HFFA?
Yes! They offer a free 1 week trial membership. They also offer day passes for $10, or $8 if you visit with a member.
Do I need an expense bike?
No. I started out with a years old (but hardly used!!) mountain bike. These are the kind with the wider nubby tires. My bike had 10 speeds, but I always kept it in the lowest speed. About a month before the event, I purchased a road bike on clearance at Wal-Mart. I had a little work done to it, and barely got to use it during the race. When I did, it shaved 30 minutes off my bike time. Road bikes are easier to ride because they have skinny tires….so less rubber hitting the road = easier to ride.
My butt hurts when I ride!
I nearly gave up training. I couldn’t even get my bike up the hill just past my house, much less to then end of our .2 mile road. The pain was agonizing. I’d purchased one of those really wide, cushy seats at WalMart. Turns out, that was a HUGE mistake. My hubby took me and my bike to a local bike shop…they explained that those seats are good for about 15 minutes or so…then the pain sets in. You need a bike seat that will relieve the pressure. Believe it or not, those skinny seats with a whole down the center are your best bet. Here is the bike seat I use. I LOVE it. Without this seat, I never would have crossed the finish line. Keep in mind, it is normal to have discomfort at first. Your body has to get used to riding…but you shouldn’t be in pain.
Where did you train?
I trained mostly in my development. It is full of hills, so the walk/run and the bike portion were much harder in my training, than during the tri. However, I was so jacked up on adrenalin, and had pushed myself so hard during the swim, I did have trouble catching my breath for a while. I have a pool, but I also visited HFFA several times and swam their so I could get used to the facility.
What shoes did you use?
I tend to sprain my ankle a lot…and my feet are a little wobbly. I went to Fleet Feet in Birkdale Village and had them fit me for shoes. I ended up in a pair of Transcend by Brooks. I highly recommend visiting them for a free fitting. They also offer coupons to Weight Watchers members from time-to-time, which help out a lot.
Where’s a good bike shop?
The guys at Cool Breeze Cyclery hooked me up. They are awesome and want you to succeed at your goals. I highly recommend them. 124 Trade Court, Suite F, Mooresville, NC 28117. There are a ton of other shops in the area, especially in Davidson.
Do I need a swim cap?
You will receive a swim cap when you get your bib. It is much better than the cheap ones I’ve found in local stores. I didn’t practice with a swim cap on, but I did use it the day of the event. You may want to wear one if you have chemically treated hair, or have blonde hair.
How can I swim faster?
If you’re swimming on your own, you might consider swim fins. In practice, they will make you swim much faster than you swim normally. What they will also do, is strengthen your legs, so that you are a stronger swimmer without them.
Do I have to do the breaststroke?
No. You can swim any stroke you’d like…unless you’re super-fast and competing, instead of in it to finish it. If you rate your swimming ability at finishing the 250 yards in 6:30 or less, you must swim freestyle only. Otherwise, you can swim whatever stroke you’d like.
Where can I get a training plan?
You can visit http://beginnertriathlete.com/ and create a training plan for free. You can also purchase a training plan by visiting: http://www.endurancemag.com/product-category/ramblin-rose/
Race day tips:
Buy a 5 gallon bucket at Lowes Hardware to use as your transition bucket. You can put your stuff in it, then flip it over and use it as a stool to help you put on your shoes, etc when you’re in transition
Buy a $1 pair of flip flops to wear as you are waiting to swim. You can kick them off just before you go in, and you’re not “out” anything if you forget to grab them once the event is over
I trained with a hydration pack, and used it on the bike and run portions. It was really important to me…but I don’t recall others using one. There are water stations during the run portion, but my hydration pack was key. If you want one, don’t buy a cheap one at WalMart, it will end up making you mad because it WILL leak, trust me. Buy one from Camelbak. You can find them at Dicks, or online.
