dhyte's Group - FULL

Hey Danny,

If there is still time/spot available, I would really like to join your group. I live in Lake Elsinore, few miles north of Temecula. I have one sprint under my belt, Jamba Juice '06, a half-marathon, and few small running events. The more races I do, I realize I still have much to learn about smart injury-free training and racing. I could really use some experienced input. I would really appreciate your advice or, what ever you have to offer.

I noticed you are a member of TCSD. I have recently joined the club myself; however, have not particpated in any of the club events, somewhat intimidating, I guess.

Hi Gary. 

Welcome to the group.  Glad to see another TCSD member too.  They have a lot of good stuff going on all the time, and maybe we can make some plans to ease you into more of it.

I was just up in your area last weekend (was driving to Corona).

I used to have a friend that lived right off of Telegraph Road exit from the 15.  I rode my bike up that monster hill (Summerhill Drive?) one time right before IMAZ last year.  It was a killer!

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to helping in any way I can.

Danny

Hi Cortney,

Welcome to the group. This is awesome that there are other TCSD folks on BT!  I looked at your list of upcoming races and see that you are doing the SD International next month.  Excellent.  I have done that race 3 times and may be able to give you some good input.  I'll miss the race this year, as I will be doing IM CDA on the same day.

3 am???  Yikes...get to sleep!  talk to you soon.

Danny 

Hi Ronn,

Don't worry about taking up my time.  Take as much as you like...no worries. This thread should be available indefinitely, so that won't be a problem.

Glad to see the big guys going for it.  I'm 43, 6'2, 239 and I love it when the big guys are kicking butt despite not being the "prototype build" for a triathlete.  I'm probably 80 lbs heavier than some of the people I ride with, so my mission in life is to keep up on the hills, and then blow by them on the downhill!

How far are you into the new training plan?  What is going well?  What is not?

Hi Carol,

Welcome to the group.

I will be a swim buddy at the Encinitas Sprint, so I hope to be able to meet and say hi!  I also swim at Moonlight Beach occasionally.  The water conditions there can vary quite a bit, and on some days can be tricky.  I'd like to know more about your experience at the surf clinic, and see if there are any tips I can give you.

As far as joining the tri club, it was an easy decision for me (I wanted the discount when buying equipment/supplies), plus all the other benefits they have to offer.  I have met alot of people through TCSD and train with some of them regularly.   You can join in some of the workouts as a non-member and sort of check it out if you're interested.

I'd be happy to help encourage, and keep you accountable, and help any way I can.

Danny 

Hi Carol,

I'm curious what time of the day you actually made it into the water during the clinic.  I've noticed that the water conditions seem to be tougher at Moonlight Beach later in the day.  I had a brutal swim there 2 weeks ago (late in the day)...toughest swim I've had in awhile.   But the water was unusually nasty that day.  The water is often calmer early in the morning, so that will likely help.

Are you pretty confortable diving under the waves/whitewash  as they are breaking?  Surf entry is all about getting under the waves, not fighting them.  Sometimes that means bobbing/treading water while the next wave gets close enough to dive/swim under.  Other times it means you actually have a little window of "clean/flat" water in between the waves (and enough time) to actually swim right at the wave (and duck under at the last second).  Some people will get "stuck" waiting for the set of waves to end...and they wait a LONG time.  When a large wave is cresting in front of you, it is not intuative to swim right at it, but that is the best plan.

Try to conserve energy.  Any race start usually invloves adrenalin, and going too hard, and having a major drop in energy after 1-2 minutes.  Go with the flow.  Swim assertively, but don't blow yourself out, especially if you are fight through rough surf. 

When the sets are coming so fast, or its so choppy, its hard to put together many freestyle strokes.  If you have to throw some breastroke in there.  You won't be the only one.

If you are swallowing water due to the rough conditions, try this:  Swim several strokes freestyle, and transition your arms into a single breastroke movement.  This will bring your head up out of the water, get a clean breath, and allow you to sight.  This will also reduce your "weaving" due to the rough water.

 I personally have a longer, slower stroke when I swim.  This in not always a good thing when the water is rough (its hard to put together many consecutive strokes without getting pounded - as you noted).  I think a shorter/quicker stroke is helpful in choppy water.

A swim buddy just accompanies a swimmer that thnks they would be more comfortable with someone nearby.  Either new swimmers, or someone new to triathlon, or someone with some sort of issue/limitation.  More than anything, I end just encouraging the swimmer andthey do great.  There will be a group of swim buddies at the race, and as every wave goes out, anyone can indicate if they would like one.

I can't make it down to Moonlight Beach on Thursday, but a group TCSD are swimming Friday morning at Solana Beach (Fletcher's Cove).  Myself and others would be happy to help coach or give any tips.  We usually all go for breakfast right afterwards.  PM me if interested.  Otherwise, I'd like to plan to meet before the race, say "Hey" and help any way I can.

We usually meet at 6:30 at Fletcher Cove (sometimes the swim doesn't happen until closer to 7 am).  Here is a link with info:

    http://www.triclubsandiego.org/events/375521.html

Wecould either do the regular swim with the group, or work on any techniques/issues that you would like.  Let me know.

I also plan to be at the race at 5:30 on Sun (meeting other swim buddies at the Volunteer booth).
 

Hi Nikki,

Welcome to the group - glad to have you join us.

If there is any way you can borrow/rent a triathlon specific wetsuit before the rae, and actually get to practice with it at least once, you will be much better off than swimming without the wetsuit.

Your previous bad wetsuit experience is not a suprise, given it was a surfing wetsuit.
IF you want to PM me your size/build info, I may be able to help you locate a wetsuit and maybe possibly a roadbike.  Again, I wouldn't do/use anything on race day for the 1st time...you want no unknowns on race day.

What part of OC do you live in?  I gew up there, and graduated from Laguna Hills High School (class of '82.....that sounds soooo long ago...).

I think Cortney deserves some sort of reward for balancing a crazy schedule (graveyard shift, school and triathlon training).  Way to go Cortney!!!!!!!

Where do you do most of your training?  Are you doing any group stuff, or mostly solo?

Hey everyone,

Since most of you are fairly close by, if you have time, come to the Encinitas Sprint Triathlon this Sunday morning. 3 of the group members (Myself, Carol, and Nikki) will be there.

You could encourage/cheer for Carol and Nikki while they race (I'll be volunteering as a swim buddy). You could also hang out and enjoy the whole scene!

I hope to see you there and be able to meet in person.

Danny

Hi Trish,

Welcome to our group !!!  We're really starting to grow!!  Woo-Hoo!

Are you from Mass?  I'm originally from W. Mass (Springfield).  

Sounds like you have some good momentum on your training, and that little break between races is not causing any problems.

Regarding upcoming races, I noticed the Vineman run.  I did the Half IM Vineman a couple of years ago.  It was a beautiful course, but it was HOT !!  I wilted on the run due to not being prepared for that heat.  Let's plan on addressing racing in warm climates.

Regarding bathroom breaks:

Plan on peeing in the water prior to start of race.
If needed take the time to use the portopotties at T1 and T2.  Sounds like you don't mind the time hit, rather than being miserable or having any embarrassment.

I personally have a high sweat rate and have to make sure I hydrate adequately.  This is less of an issue on Sprint races for me.  I can go a little lighter on the fluids for this distance.  If you hydrate before the race, pee in the water, and then just sip as needed on hte bike/run, you can usually hold it to the end (of course this varies for different people).

A related issue is the technique of peeing on the bike (let's not go there for now....). 

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to helping in any way I can.

Danny 

We should probably talk about your race hydration/nutrition plan.

Even I bigger guy like myself, who has a high sweat rate, has to be sure not to overhydrate. On a long course, I have a general goal of taking in 24-30 oz per hour, and 250-350 calories/hour. There is alot of debate over this, but you need to experiment in different conditions, and find out what is best for you. This includes finding a sports drink and nutritional products (e.g. gels), that work for you.

On a shorter course, I do the following:

Hydrate extra well 2 days before. Early, early on race morning I start sipping 1 bottle of sports drink of choice. I try to finish at least an hour before the race, in order to absorb the goodies, as well as have time to use the portopotty one last time before the race.

I may sip just enough water to keep my mouth from getting dry during that last hour. 15 minutes before the race I will take a gel (at the moment, I'm partial to Hammer Vanilla) with about 8 oz of water.

If possible, try to get in the water to pee one last time.

At that point, I'm good to go. I will have a bottle on the bike. I try to drink gradually throughout the bike segment, ending about 3/4 of the way through the bike (so I am not too full when starting the run).

I will then just carry water with me (only enough to wet my mouth) on the run.

If its Olympic distance, I use sports drink (I like either Powerbar Endurance, or Hammer Heed, sometimes with CarboPro mixed in) instead of water on run, and take another gel at start of run.

There's variations, and eveyone has a plan that works for them, but that's my general approach. I try not to over-hydrate, cuz it sucks trying to run when the bladder is not happy

Keep it simple, and don't do anything new on race day. You should practice your hydration/nutrition plan in advance.

Danny