left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 101)

I finished the IM challenge.  My totals for January so far are: bike-129 miles, run-40.49 miles, and swim 11,300 meters. 

I'm up for the next challenge.   Count me in...whoever wants me on their team.....

So excited that I found a swim coach!!  She is going to work with my brother as well.  We start Sunday!!

This past weekend was another out of town hockey weekend. This coming weekend is another full weekend of hockey but at least Sat. and Sunday we will be in town.  I can't believe my hockey player and oldest turns 16 tomorrow!!  He may be 16 but he's still my little boy!!  It is amazing how time flies!!  We have made so many great memories and I look forward to many more.  I don't know how I will even make it through his high school graduation without crying my eyes out.  But I have two years to get ready for it.  Anyone on here have kids that have already graduated?  How did you do??? 

Ok sorry about that!!!!  I got way off the subject of training!  LOL

My baby boy (21 years old) is in Europe... it's awesome watching them grow up and go out into the world on their own... at the same time, I miss him terribly... at least he still TM's me just about daily... My other baby boy (18 years old) is also out on his own - well kinda, he lives with his Dad, and I don't hear from him as much... it takes a while to adjust to an Empty Nest, but I have ME time, I spent years of THEM time, FAMILY time, and now I can say I'm a triathlete, an athlete, and yes, a Mom, but I'm first, it's a nice time of my life.

I am close to being done with the challenge.  I am done with the swim and run but the bike will come down to the wire. 

I'm in for the challenge.  I can be one of the QB's.  I think its a great idea.  Team Slackers????

I still have awhile before my kids will graduate.  My oldest daughter is only 7 right now but already noticing the change.  No more hugs and kisses at school.  I still do it just to embarrass her. 

My daughter is 25, married to a great guy, officer in Iraq for the second tour, no grandkids, dangit!

My son is 20, sophomore at Mississippi State, (ugg,) SMTTT!.  Full academic aero space engineering scholarship.  Bu the way, he will still hug me in public.  Has run half marathon with me and wants to qualify for the Boston.  Just started swimming.

Congratulations on the completion of your IM distances everyone that has made it.  I am really missing the running, I am only short by 9 miles, I guess I could walk it would that count?

Billy

Hey all!
Yep, done with the IM challenge: 205 mi bike, 14216m swim, 38.9 running.  My goal to double the bike and the swim are on course and should make those.  I am also in a winter challenge but will come up short as I was shooting for 19000 swim and 50 run.  Looking at my plan I have a chance on the swim but with only 2-30 minute runs between now and the 31st I will come up short on the run.

As for the Feb challenge, sure I will be a Quarterback.  Billy, if I am chosen your on the team. 

As for kids, mine are 9 and 11.  Let's not talk about them leaving as Gary is in no way ready to even think about that.

Aero space engr.  Good major

I need to buy my shoes and pedals.  Using cages and running shoes currently.  What do you use and what should I buy and why.  Looking for advice so please feel free to give it.

Billy

Sorry I haven't been posting that much-just trying to soak up all your experience and wisdom. THis group is a wonderful match for me and I'm totally excited to be here!

We were out of town this weekend, so to speak: DH's company does their holiday party in January, so we dropped the kidlets off at grandparents on Saturday and went to dinner and stayed at the hotel there...ah, heaven! It was the very first time my 8 mo was away from mommy for more than 2 hours, and I wasn't sure how we both would do, and everything went perfect! it was SO nice to get away! Our 4yo did great, too, but we already knew he would.

I'm done with the run and swim portions of the challenge, the bike is not there yet. I'm going to push until the last minute to get it done, though! John has been absolutely wonderful in helping me with the running, I feel I have a good training structure in place. Would love to be on Team Slacker for this next challenge

Bryan, I'm SO sorry for the loss of your friend. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through. How devastating...

Walker.. I agree with John, chasing a 3yo on ski slopes most definitely qualifies as brick!

Billy, glad your foot is cooperating.

Diane, the course sounds quite interesting! thanks for sharing your experience..

Mav, nice to see you sticking with the WOG and not overdoing it.

Amy and Gary, your distances for Jan are quite impressive!

Nancy, how do you like riding with aerobars? What is the main difference? worth the investment (silly question, I know)?


Edited by Lyoshka 2010-01-26 11:21 AM

Billy - I went with SPD-SL's they are shimano pedals and they have different "levels" of the same pedal from 105's to DuraAce - with the difference in the weight and the bearings, but not on how they work. I have the generic ones on my tri bike and I upgraded to the 105's for my road bike... They work well and work well with my budget. The only issue I have is that they are one sided - in other words, you have to turn them if they get upside down. If speedplay's were less money - I'd have gone with that in a heartbeat. But for a beginner, the SPD-SL's more than meet my needs.

Lyoshka - I have a tri bike with the aerobars, and I found myself hardly ever using them. The reason is that I do a lot of group rides or out in traffic so I like to be on my brakes. It's fun when you're not in traffic, and going at a good clip to get down on them, but that's only about 5% of the time for me. If you're gonna use them, then get them. But don't think they are necessary as a beginner. Also, as Gary said, it will change the "fit" of your bike. My tri bike was a bit big for me, so maybe that's another reason I wasn't in the aeros as much. But I don't miss them on my road bike.

Billy - I have Xpedo pedals.  They are dual entry but the main reason I got them was price.  Bike mechanic put them on for a total of $35, didn't have a clue if they were good or not.  They were used but have worked well.  I can't remember the brand of shoes (Forte?) that I have.  One thing for Tri's, get Tri specific bike shoes if you can.  Will save time in the transitions.  One strap instead of three. 

Swam at lunch.  Looks like I am actually speeding up some as I avg 2:16/100m, that is flying for me compared to a few months ago.  Did 1350 yards and it was much better than yesterday.

Okay, how do we divide everyone up for the Feb challenge?  Since I am usually one of the last to get picked for a team I am in uncharted territory.  Just let everyone pick or divy up to make sure the teams are balanced?  Based upon the numbers being put out for the Jan challenge, the Feb challenge will be great!

Just signed up for the Tour de Palm Springs - 55 mile bike ride... my first "Tour". Not really a finish line as it's not a race. do with it as you want... it's Feb 13. I'll let you know how it goes.

Pick me Pick me

I can't really answer if the aerobars are a good investment, because the size of my bike was based on me being in the aero position. In my case I'm just going to have to learn to love it

I also believe the breaks up on the top bar are not typical of a normal road bike, so when I pull my arms out of my aerobars, the pads fold up and my breaks are right there. I'll have to take a picture one of these days.

I'm in for the next challenge.  I'm not going to be building my time up much from this month, but I may do a little less cross-training, so that'll help my numbers.

Speaking of numbers, when I look at the bottom of my training calendar, I see:
Monthly totals:
S:  12800.00 Yd - 4h 37m
B:  150.00 Mi - 11h 00m
R:  27.50 Mi - 5h 34m 03s
R:  1.00h 1.00m

What is the second R?  Did I enter something wrong?  My strength and sport numbers are higher than that, so that's not it.  If anyone can shed some light, I'd love to know!

I am afraid I did not come close to the challenge. I'll get there though....
riding tomorrow am.
running on thursday.
really need to swim

I think that "R" refers to an hour of strength training you did.

As for pedals I have SPD on my road bike and I have Look Keos on my tri bike. I like the Keos better. They feel more comfortable and they are easier to clip and unclip. I would have stayed with the SPD's but my son bought me the Keos for X mas last year and I love them. I will say I get annoyed that I have had to replace the plastic piece for the bottom of my shoe twice this season to the tune of $25 each time. SPD dont have this issue.

Shoes: I have tri shoes and heavier "road" shoes. I wear the road shoes when training conditions are cold. Tri shoes the wind goes right through them and your feet freeze. The road shoes have 3 velcro straps and too much fuss for racing. Tri shoes have one velcro strap for those who dont want to be long in transition (LOL)I have neoprene booties to wear over my shoes for temps under 50 Toasty toes

Aerobars... I have clip ons on my road bike and I dont like them at all. They dont feel comfortable. I did not adjust my fit...I just stuck them on ( probably why they feel lousy)

MY tri bike...I LOVE IT.....I almost never ride my road bike. I have a perfect fit on my tri bike and I can ride forever...really! I ride in the aero position 90% of the time.I have had friens tell me that I look like I am one with my bike. I really do feel that comfortable. I do group rides but only with triathletes so we dont ride pace lines. I am taking my road bike out this week as the roads are crummy and I wont take my tri bike out in these conditions. Tommorow is going to be 45!!!!!! Time to ride

The most important part of any bike purchase should be the fit. I recently went with a friend to look at tri bikes and there were several brands she could not fit well on because of the geometry and her physical frame.

SO those are my opinions...

I will be on any team. I swam 4,000 today...does that count???LOL I dont know how much biking or running I will be able to do because of my back.But what I cant do in those sports I will make up in the pool.SO who wants the wounded????

Alright, will wait for John to make his pick.

Lyoshka - I use my aero bars a lot, either on the trainer or on the road.  I live in a fairly rural area where the fastest speed limit is 30 and half my ride is in a 20mph area (so traffic is not an issue).  I can feel (and see on my garmin) the speed pick up as I get onto the aero bars.  But I did have to get refitted when I got my aeros.  

Diane - that sounds soo cool!  Take lots of pictures!

My strength training totals about 1:18, and my sports total well over three hours. Anyone else have any ideas?

Gary, I'll leave the picture taking to someone NOT on a bike

Diane, just get a camera like this guy!!!!

Feb Challenge: 

Just want to make a list of everyone who has posted recently.  If you do not want to be in the Feb Challenge, please post a note here and let us know. 

List of people who have posted in the last 2 weeks (Screen Names)

Left.right.repeat
elcaminobill
cardholic
swimmermama
amyleigh
FBP
GaryRPM - QB
Lyoshka
walker
Mav
Jslacker - QB

Did I miss anyone or does anyone want to be taken off the list.  We have 11 players so we might have an uneven number on each team but we will make an adjustment of the numbers depending on the numbers at the end of the challenge.

Do you mind if I take a stab on the scoring system? 

Since the goal of an Ironman is 2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run, I think we need to base the scoring system off that.  but the competition is only for 15 days so lets cut that in half.  HIM scoring.

For each 1.2 miles swim  - team gets 7 points
For each 56 miles biking, - team gets 7 points
For each 26 miles running - team gets 7 points. 
Bonus points
You get 1 points for each 1 hour of "Other" training such as strength training or yoga. 

You will add everyone's swim,bike, and run distance together. 

For example, the 5 people on my team may put in 150 miles running during the challenge. That would be 35 points with 20 miles remaining.  If we would have just pushed a little bit harder and got 156 miles, we would have gotten an extra 7 points 

Yes, it will be a pretty high scoring challenge but not sure how else to score it.

What does everyone think?

Sorry, correction,

The running should be 13 miles not 26 and I am not going to worry about the 0.1.  That might make it too hard to score. 

Thanks