ladies...anyone do the Divas only tri before?

thanks so much!  I have already signed up - so I will be there!

I noticed that the swim is 740m - how does that work - or is that a typo?  How does a pool swim work for that distance anyway (I have only done a 300m pool tri swim before....do you get to the end - halfway - and then go back?  I would imagine that would be crazy if people are still making to the halfway point?) ....and would you describe the bike or run as 'hilly' (just need to be mentally prepared!)

thanks so much for the info Leah - that helps alot!  pool swims can be done sooo many ways it seems! (just to clarify - you don't actually switch lanes across the pool - just do your 10 laps in the same lane?)

In the change room I imagine.   

haha - i wonder how many MALE volunteers will be at this race!  cool that you'll be there though!  and thanks again for the info Leah!

Actualy, I am doing pre and post race massages.

Leah, after IM CDA...I will NEVER volunteer for "stripper" again! Lessons learned on that race were not all pretty ones... :P

this may be a 'no go' for me unfortunately.

I am having issues with my knees right now - that I suspect is ITB issues - but i don't have an official 'diagnosis' yet (appt today).

more info is on this thread:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=123568&posts=8#M1530951

Maybe that's true in some cases - but I know I clearly need orthotics.  When you are pregnant you have excess 'relaxin' hormone that allows your hips to widen to allow the birth of the baby - the problem is that relaxin isn't just partial to the ligaments in your hips but to all ligaments in  your body.  Your ligaments in your feet are particularly susceptible especially if you are heavy (which I was) and because of the added weight of pregnancy.  I was pregnant four times (well 6 actually but only 4 went to term)....and my feet got really flat and really wide.  I used to be a size 7 shoe - now I am a size 8.5 to 9 - all because of pregnancy! 

I feet over pronate when I am just STANDING - never mind running!

Anyway - I am obviously back from my appt: and this is what I learned.

ITB issues - (check) - I have a lot of built up scar tissue on the lateral side of my right knee and right glutes - more than my left (but still some on my left too).  He did ART and the treatment (forget the name) with the metal bar....OUCH!  It's tender now.

He said I could still run - but ONLY to the point of the pain.  He said that no harm will be done if I stop as soon as the pain occurs.  And it will be good to see if the treatment helps by seeing if the running time before pain starts increases.

As for my orthotics:  he said usual life span in 2 years (I got mine in May '06) so time for replacement.  But he said he saw no evidence of any leg length discrepancy any more...He thinks that my original leg length discrepancy may have been more of a hip issue which has worked itself out over time.  So now the lift that is in my right shoe makes my formerly shorter leg now longer than my left when I wear my orthotics.  This could explain why this has happened for me....

He told me it is too early to tell about running for the race....not a 'no' or a 'yes' at this point - just a 'maybe' - and even at that he said I would likely not have a good run just because I haven't been able to have a good run in a little while...so we'll see....

I am going to try running tomorrow (just to the point of the pain) and then I go back and see him on thursday - at which time I will be getting cast for new orthotics (which won't be here until after the race anyway even if I do get to do it).

nope - definitely not racing tomorrow - infact I have been given 'orders' to not run or bike until next week anyway....but the last time I tried to run I only got 8 minutes!  It is looking doubtful for even the sprint in Langley in 2 weeks....but....

Good luck to you Leah tomorrow - you are way better prepared/trained than I could have hoped for - I am sure you will RAWK!

I think I am going to sleep in.  I have my youngest 3 kids home with me (the oldest just went on his first 'in field' job with his dad for the past 2 weeks - they get home tomorrow night). 

It's an awfully early morning getting 3 kids out the door and to North Van from here.....we are up early enough on Weekdays so I will take a leisurely morning when I can get it!

Can't wait to hear about the race though - and hopefully I'll be able to do it next year!

wooooohooooo - AWESOME job Leah!

(edited to correct for crappy spelling!)