BT Development Mentor Program Archives » Todd's Tri Turtles 3 (Beginner, Sprint, 5K, 10K) Basically Closed Rss Feed  
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2014-07-18 8:48 AM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: new bike
Conrats on the new bike!

Thats exactly how you need to look at it, its an investment. Getting the pedals now will also be a benefit. I was using clips ( or cages for regular shoes), and when I went to clipless, what a difference. The bike fit will also be well worth it as well, as you will be fitted right from the start and this will minimize any back and neck soreness, and allow you to generate more power and speed because your using your muscles more efficiently.

Doing this up coming tri, then the tri in August will be night and day with the different bikes. You will definitly see a difference.

Good luck on the tri's and here to enjoying your new ride!

Mike


2014-07-18 8:23 PM
in reply to: tri-ing to do a tri

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Subject: RE: Questions from the newbie
Originally posted by tri-ing to do a tri

Oh, the orange swim cap thing makes me feel a lot better! Thanks for that gem! Curious - what is the benefit of a swim cap? I have never used one before...

We have devised a plan to go try and swim in the sound down here on the coast. Anyone know the difference between a sound swim and a channel swim? I'm thinking no waves in either. We're going to try day 1 swimming with ski belts and day 2 without. It was the best we could come up with at this point. How exactly does one know how far in the water they've swam? I'm assuming I should just be going for a certain time in the water and build up stamina.

Several questions for you today:
1. How on earth do you keep up with how far you're swimming. We've devised a system of putting pennies at the end of the lane and moving a penny over every time we get back to it. People always look at us funny and I've noticed no one else seems to have a system of counting. Are they doing it in their heads??? I tried that and kept losing track of where I was.

2. I've noticed several of you said you should train in what you're actually going to do the tri in. Ummm, unless I'm going to do a triathlon in a bathing suit with a skirt I'm going to need to buy something new. This is going to sound ridiculously silly, but what would one wear if they don't want to drop a load of money for their first tri? It's in NC (not cold) at the end of september so I'm thinking not a wet suit. I can just wear a regular bathing suit throughout, right? I'm not going to need additional clothes for the bike/run, correct? Sorry, I tried to google "What to wear during a triathlon" and you can imagine the results!

Thanks for any advise!

Laurina


Laurina,

You have already been given some great answers, here are a few short ones from me.
Swimming, I keep could in my head of the laps I've swam when going distance, and keep track of sets (usually 250) and then add it up at the end. If swimming in the open a Garmin 310 or 910 will track your swim and distance if you want to spend the money on one. I can tell you that you will finding it much easier to count laps as your endurance and swim improve.

You will likely want to buy a pair of tri shorts, usually you can find them on sale for about the cost of a bathing suit. Then pick up a tri top or sports bra type garment and you are good to go. You will swim, ride (much more comfortably) and run in this for the race. You can practice swimming in a normal suit but make sure to do at least a few swims in the tri shorts and top, you will notice very little difference, but it's good to know what those differences are.
2014-07-18 8:25 PM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: new bike
Originally posted by Kris67

I ordered my new bike today! Omg, it's so fast and what a difference in my hybrid. I'm getting a Giant Avail 2, will do a 4 hour fit once it comes in. I purchased clipless pedals (Look Keo) and Shimano cycling shoes. I wish it was all here in time for my next tri in 9 days, but at least it will give me time to train on it for the end of August tri. I ended up spending more than I'd hoped, but feel like it's an investment. The local bike store was very helpful and tell me during the 4 hour fit, I will learn a lot about the bike. I just can't believe how much faster it was.
I'm doing a mock tri this Saturday and the actual tri the next Saturday, so this will be my last on this hybrid bike.



Congrats on your purchase and set up you decided to go with. I can tell you that Giant is a great bike manufacture and my first road bike was a Giant Defy 2 and I never regretted my purchase. The bike road great, felt great, and had everything I was looking for in my price point and the time. Again congrats and make sure to post that bike porn when it comes in. Also you have to decide if it is male or female and give it a name.
2014-07-18 8:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Turtles
Well, I guess you can tell by the posts that I am back from Vacation and even got in a 13 mile ride this evening. While the trip was rain filled I can feel that it did me a world of good to get away from things and take a look at how I want to approach some things in the future. I really did a lot of thinking this week about whether or not I want to give Ironman Texas a go this May and have not come to a conclusion but have noticed that I truly am no longer measuring things by distance. I want the the challenge and know I can do it if I put my mind to it, but I am having more of an issue with the training that would be needed, which would take away from family time. I just really don't want to be one of those people that's life revolves around training. So I have decided to take the next month or so catching up a work and getting back into a normal workout routine, and will decide around September where I stand and if I can do it with little lose of family time. I think the other thing for me is that I feel that I did not complete what I set out to do this year, which was all three of the Half Ironman races in Texas, which was not my fault, but still did not happen, so I have that as well. I also have a deferred entry now to Buffalo Springs next year, which I would never do if I did IM Texas because it would only be one month after the full. I know my body takes 2 to 3 weeks to return to normal after just the half. Time will tell!

Edited by Hunting Triathlete 2014-07-18 8:38 PM
2014-07-19 10:17 AM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Turtles
I did an organized Mock Tri today. It was shorter than my first tri and much smaller. I had so much fun. Next Saturday is the real race, at the same place, Ft Desoto, FL. The water was calm for the swim and I did freestyle the whole 1/4 mile. My bike slowed me down, but I enjoyed checking out everyone's bike that passed me, and saw several women on Giant's. I'm thinking about renting a road bike for next week, as it makes such a difference. THe run was 3 miles, and I finished it all in 91min. It was a good chance to see the course. I knew no one there, but next week my daughter will be with me. It was nice to get an open water practice, as I usually train alone and it's not safe to do that alone.

THursday, when I test road the Giant, even though my ride was less than 15min, my upper back was sore Friday. Good thing to know to ease into long rides on the new bike.

Keeping track of swimming laps- I have used coins too, and even made a bead bracelet to keep on the deck, and slide a bead every 100 or whatever. I do well counting in my head, then my mind drifts, and I cant remember if I missed a lap, or what number I was on. I've used the lane dividers to count too, if there is enough room to move the discs apart. I've seen a commercial for apple, I think, that shows a swimmer linking some disc thing to her iphone, and I wish I knew what that was.

Question to the veterans- do most people do sprints their first year, and move to olympic tris or longer the next year? Most tris here are sprints, but the first one I did, also had an olympic. THe thought of a half ironman is an awesome dream, that I may never complete, but it's in the back of my head, for maybe in a couple years?

Have a great weekend everyone
2014-07-19 1:06 PM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: Turtles
Originally posted by Kris67

I did an organized Mock Tri today. It was shorter than my first tri and much smaller. I had so much fun. Next Saturday is the real race, at the same place, Ft Desoto, FL. The water was calm for the swim and I did freestyle the whole 1/4 mile. My bike slowed me down, but I enjoyed checking out everyone's bike that passed me, and saw several women on Giant's. I'm thinking about renting a road bike for next week, as it makes such a difference. THe run was 3 miles, and I finished it all in 91min. It was a good chance to see the course. I knew no one there, but next week my daughter will be with me. It was nice to get an open water practice, as I usually train alone and it's not safe to do that alone.

THursday, when I test road the Giant, even though my ride was less than 15min, my upper back was sore Friday. Good thing to know to ease into long rides on the new bike.

Keeping track of swimming laps- I have used coins too, and even made a bead bracelet to keep on the deck, and slide a bead every 100 or whatever. I do well counting in my head, then my mind drifts, and I cant remember if I missed a lap, or what number I was on. I've used the lane dividers to count too, if there is enough room to move the discs apart. I've seen a commercial for apple, I think, that shows a swimmer linking some disc thing to her iphone, and I wish I knew what that was.

Question to the veterans- do most people do sprints their first year, and move to olympic tris or longer the next year? Most tris here are sprints, but the first one I did, also had an olympic. THe thought of a half ironman is an awesome dream, that I may never complete, but it's in the back of my head, for maybe in a couple years?

Have a great weekend everyone


Kristen, congrats on the mock Tri and I'm sure after next weekend you'll be hooked. To answer your question, there really is no answer because that's an individual decision based off what you want / enjoy. An example of that is my post above about deciding which way to go next year. I can tell you that for me distance was always the goal but that may have been because I was slow, and that just seems less like being slow and more like pacing when going longer. I have noticed thought that doing Halfs is more expensive so I've done less races, which makes it harder to stay at it in training. I guess what I'm saying is that you will decide what is right for you. You don't have to go long to be a triathlete or feel accomplished. Some say that going all out in a sprint is more difficult then pacing a half. As you race and train you will realize what you like and it will work itself out.


2014-07-20 4:16 PM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Turtles
Hi Turtles,

I hope you all had a great weekend and managed to complete some training along with all the other activities.

My road to recovery continues to be slow but steady. This week I went on 4 walks averaging over an hour each session and I also managed 25 km on the exercise bike. I'm looking forward to the coming week as I'm now ready to start including some running in my training and getting on the road bike again in preparation for my annual 100 km charity ride in October.

I'm so jealous of those in the northern hemisphere enjoying summer as it's very cold and windy in Melbourne. I keep reminding myself that a lot of you have to deal with snow in your winter so I guess I don't have it too bad.

Well done on the new bike Kris67. Once you are used to riding with clip less pedals you won't want to ride any other way.

Rod

2014-07-20 6:52 PM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Todd's Tri Turtles 3 (Beginner, Sprint, 5K, 10K) Basically Closed
Had a nice day today- I went and watched a sprint tri run at the location I'm doing mine in 3 weeks- by the same group- they do 3 of them across the summer. I got a pretty decent feel for how things go, and it was a good thing to watch- I know I won't be int he front, I'm in the back somewhere, but I also won't be last. While I was there I did another OWS, at a bit more than the tri distance, which was pretty hard- I needed to break out the breast stroke for a good part towards the end; that's my resting stroke. I might be able to do it mostly free, with occasional pauses for site checks. Also, they did staggered starts- so 30-40 people at a time. My friend who was running in it said it made for a much more relaxed and uncrowded start- you were much less likely to run into other people.

I biked home from there; 16 miles, and just over an hour, so I feel like I can do pretty much what I'm shooting for- around 2 hours from the whole thing. Less if things go great, more if I need it.

Now I just need to get a run in; I haven't in a couple days. On the role for tomorrow.
2014-07-21 12:58 PM
in reply to: el penguino

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Subject: RE: Todd's Tri Turtles 3 (Beginner, Sprint, 5K, 10K) Basically Closed
My PT is going well. Last week they massaged the scar tissue that had built up in my lower legs, which resulting in my legs ballooning up for the weekend. Today my legs feel much better, so there is progress.

I've signed up for my next sprint tri in September. I'm not sure when I'll be 100% to start training again, but it's nice to have that goal on the horizon once again.
2014-07-21 9:21 PM
in reply to: cassowary

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Subject: RE: Todd's Tri Turtles 3 (Beginner, Sprint, 5K, 10K) Basically Closed
Originally posted by cassowary

My PT is going well. Last week they massaged the scar tissue that had built up in my lower legs, which resulting in my legs ballooning up for the weekend. Today my legs feel much better, so there is progress.

I've signed up for my next sprint tri in September. I'm not sure when I'll be 100% to start training again, but it's nice to have that goal on the horizon once again.


Sorry ahead of time for the inspire Patrick, I forgot about the issues and forgot you weren't racing this weekend. Great to hear some optimism though and hopefully the recovery comes along quickly.
2014-07-22 4:59 AM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Todd's Tri Turtles 3 (Beginner, Sprint, 5K, 10K) Basically Closed

Rod, Cass, good to hear your respective recoveries are coming along. Slow and steady, slow and steady.

Nancy, it's great to just watch a sprint, isn't it? Inspiring and heartening watching people slogging away, and then their faces as they finish



2014-07-23 8:08 AM
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Subject: Back after a 5-day break
Life got busy but I'm (hopefully) back into my training plan!

In the last week we did two travel college visits with my older daughter and threw in a weekend with my parents. Yep, this was a nice break! I have to admit that this change was welcome. I had gotten to the point of being tired and feeling "heavy" all the time. It seems like it had been weeks since I had any spring in my step or felt I could double-time it up a flight of stairs.

Tuesday night was was our tri training at a local beach. It was a really hot night (low 90s) and perfect for a swim! This was my 2nd OWS and I really needed a confidence boost since my 1st swim was TERRIBLE! Fortunately the swim was great! We were essentially doing what will be the Syracuse Iron Girl course (600 m) and I was able to swim it twice. I was MUCH more relaxed and literally took it one stroke at a time. My only issue was with my goggles fogging during the 1st lap. I had to turn onto my back and dunk them. And BTW these prescription speedo goggles worked great! Being able to see while out in the water was a HUGE help!

So the other big part of the training (besides the swim) were the practice transitions we did. My lessons began early here... I need to make a list and check it twice! I left home in the morning with everything I needed for the evening's training, but left my helmet in my office :-( The logistics of the day were challenging (I did not want to leave my bike, helmet, etc. in my car during the day) so I had to bring everything with me to work...

Anyway some random thoughts:

- Make a list and check it often. I will be printing out BT's checklist and actually using it!
- Bring a large and small towel. We had to run through sand to get to the bike rack. A small towel to clean up my feet would have been handy.
- Take a few extra seconds to double-knot my sneakers.
- Since I am blind without my glasses, I have to wear my goggles while running to the bike rack. Remember to rinse them out before getting out of the water. They fogged up pretty quickly.
- Use the transition to nourishment and hydration
- Don't rush clipping into pedals. At least make sure I get a positive clip-in on my 1st foot.
- If I even *think* I need to take a leak before things start. Take the time to do it!
- Eat properly the night before.

So I think we have one more week of Fleet Feet tri training. Next week will be our concluding "mini tri". My 1st real race (Cazenovia, NY sprint tri) is about 2 1/2 weeks away so the timing of this break is probably just about right. I should be able to get back into a good routine before by goal race!

That's all for now (and sorry for a long post...) . I hope everyone is having a great summer :-)

- Matt


Edited by mbcoulter 2014-07-23 8:12 AM
2014-07-23 10:13 PM
in reply to: mbcoulter

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
1.5 + hour softball practice tonight which ended up being a good workout and had a great time.
2014-07-24 12:33 PM
in reply to: mbcoulter

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
Hey Matt,

Great list of tips for a tri. I find running these kinds of lists through my mind over and over again helps me to feel more calm and confident leading up to the race. I don't like surprises.
2014-07-25 3:50 PM
in reply to: cassowary

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
My new bike came in and I was able to do my bike fit today, which means tomorrow I get to do my tri with my new bike. I know that's not ideal, but there's no way I'm not riding it. Clip less pedals, and all! I changed out the saddle and handle bars during the fit. And it's a new 2015, liv Avail 2 (giant's women's brand). I thought I was getting a 2014 but they say they don't have anymore. The fit was fun and informative.
Bad news is, while they changed out my parts, I drove home for lunch and was rear ended. I'm thankful I'm not really hurt( mild sore neck) but very thankful I didn't have the bike on the back of my car. I eventually got back to the bike shop and rode my new baby home. Looking forward to tomorrow. I'm not sure how to name a bike- will have to think about it, but I'll try to post a pic



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2014-07-25 5:16 PM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: Beautiful bike and Give um Heck
Kristen, that is one great looking bike and I totally understand your desire to ride the bike tomorrow. My thought when I read it was that I would like to see someone try to stop me from riding my new bike after I knew I was fit for it. Sorry to hear about the accident but glad that you're alright. I know that you are going to do great tomorrow. Remember to smile and have a great time. There is not pay check at the finish line, so take the day for what it is and give it what you've got.

For an example, my bike's name is "Lucille". Don't know why, I just said it, and it stuck. Most guys have female names for theirs and vice versa. I laugh because my daughter has told me before to stop talking about Lucille, when she heard me talking about it with my wife. Lucille is like one of the family


2014-07-26 5:22 AM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Beautiful bike and Give um Heck

That's one sharp looking bike! Very nice 

2014-07-26 11:49 AM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
Sweeeeeet!!!
2014-07-26 5:23 PM
in reply to: Kris67

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
Great looking bike!!
2014-07-26 5:25 PM
in reply to: el penguino

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
GREAT training day today- I went to the lake. Did a shorter version of the tri swim- 450 yards maybe instead of 600, then hopped on my bike road the bike leg (it's a loop, I want to check it out), then ran a short half mile to check out the legs after all that. And did it in my new tri-suit, which I found at TJMaxx, and it was comfortable to swim, bike and run in. Race is in 2 weeks, and I'm feeling confident that I will do well. Meaning, not crash out, or not be able to finish. And less than double the winners times- I may even finish before the olympic racers. depending on how they start everyone.
2014-07-26 9:44 PM
in reply to: el penguino

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Subject: RE: Back after a 5-day break
Nancy that is a great day of workouts and excellent prep for 2 weeks from now. I think you're under estimating yourself. You will do great and surprise yourself


2014-07-26 9:59 PM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Turtles
I had a really productive work and workout day today. I rode 25 miles this morning, then got in 7 hours at work (extra hours), and then got home and knocked out a 16 mile ride. I can tell that my cycling fitness is starting to come back now. The Tour de France always gets me off my butt and riding.

Now I'm sitting here wandering how Kristen's day went, I'm sure she did great but can't wait to hear it from her.
2014-07-27 2:29 AM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Turtles
Hi Turtles

Great to read about all the training going on and Kristen's new bike.

I started to add some running to my walks this week and pulled up OK so I'll continue with the walk/run combo.

Did 10km at the outdoor velodrome in 27 mins 27 secs and I'll be using that as a baseline. My goal is to complete 10kms in 20 mins so I've got some work to do.

I also started the 5BX exercise program this week. This program has been around since 1960 (nearly as old as me ) and was designed by the Canadian Air Force. The program takes 11 minutes a day and gets harder each day as you advance through the program. It's very good if you're time poor and there's no excuse if you can't squeeze 11 minutes in your day. I was able to download a PDF of the program for free.

I've also started to look at my diet. I'm using software to track my intake of Carbs, fat, protein, fibre & calories. It also adjust daily totals based on exercise. I've certainly modified my diet and was quite surprised at the fat content of some "healthy" foods.

My challenge this coming week will be a return to the pool.

Enjoy your week.

Rod
2014-07-27 4:29 AM
in reply to: AussieTurtle

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Subject: RE: Turtles

Nancy, sounds like you'll be absolutely fine for the sprint. If you can do all three legs one after the other like that, just make sure you're well rested before the event and it'll all go OK.

Rod, it's great to hear you're getting back on track again. 5BX sounds interesting, I've heard  of that before but never really looked into it. Must do some googling when I get off BT.

Well, I had an interesting day of training today. A local charity bike ride, last year I did 40km but this year I tackled the 100km. A morning of dense fog that didn't lift until around 10am (just about unheard of here) which was a bit of a blessing as it hid the tops of the hills. It was a long, long 100k (turned out to be 108 in the end) of hills, hills, and more hills with just over 1000m of climbing. I've been eating ever since I got off the bike and I'm looking forward to early bed after a glass or two of wine. 

2014-07-27 7:34 AM
in reply to: Hunting Triathlete

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Subject: RE: Turtles
Originally posted by Hunting Triathlete[/b

Now I'm sitting here wandering how Kristen's day went, I'm sure she did great but can't wait to hear it from her.


I'm sorry I didn't post here yesterday. I did put it in my log and races though. I've been so tired this past week, and yesterday was no exception. I took a nap in the afternoon and then went to bed at 830.
My 16 year old daughter and I did the race. It was at the same place as the mock tri last week, but the swim and run were both longer, and the run went on the sand the second half.
So, it started out that they changed the swim order, putting the 15-19 age group first, but of course a lot of the kids weren't at the beach in time to start (originally, they were to be the last group starting). Luckily, we were at the beach, so I was able to see my daughter start. She started 8-10 min earlier than me. The ocean was not as calm as last week either, a definite chop, but not super wavy. It was good open water practice, and I was able to do freestyle the whole way. My daughter told me she did back stroke a lot. It was my first real swim with a good amount of body contact with other swimmers. That is interesting. I touched several people's feet, rubbed against a couple, but nothing too bad. 42 women in my age group.
The transition area was a good distance to the parking lot from the beach. I managed to clip into my bike with one foot easily, but had to start pedaling a bit before I could get the other one clipped in. After that, I was off. It felt so good to not have the whole world pass me. Don't get me wrong, a lot of men on tri bikes passed me going very fast, but I was able to pass some people too, a first for me. In fact, towards the last 1/4 of the race, a lady my age and I kept trading places. She had regular pedals, so I told myself I had the advantage, and that I should lead with the heel in pedaling. It would get me ahead of her, then she would get ahead of me again. I didn't feel like I was pushing it too much, but my avg speed was 17.5 mph, compared to last week on the old bike, 13.4mph. I un-velcroed my shoes, leaving them clipped in, and stepped out of them when I dismounted, something I hadn't done, but had only read about. Not too bad.
The run sucked. Starting right away, I was too tired, taking walking breaks. I decided to do 1 min of walk, 1 min of run, alternating. It worked out for me but that is not what I'd hoped for, and just a sign of my tired week. Maybe I used too much energy on the bike? I ate a gu and drank a lot, but ?
My overall time was 1:30, 8 min ahead of my daughter (although she had come in ahead of me, due to early start).
A good after party, lots of food.
My second official triathlon. I feel it went well, other than the run, but it's July in Florida, HOT.
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