kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2011 Part 2 - CLOSED (Page 103)

I had a Scott (uhcoog) moment in the pool tonight.  Something just clicked.  Breathing was under control, I wasn't dragging in the water, and I was swimming 200's before taking a break.  I was only doing 50's before.  Weird how it just all comes together without expecting it.

Not sure if it was due to my last 4 swims being in open water, and barely being able to see.  When I got in the pool tonight, it just was so much easier.

very cooL! 

How'd this go from raw corn to eating puppies???  You all are crazy!  But funny too!

I thought we just laughed and snickered at vegetarians behind they're back???

I became an omnivore once I got pregnant with Conrad.  I say bring on the puppies, kittens, and swans.... 

BUT if you're ever in my hood, I will serve you beans and greens with a side of baked tofu.   

I know.  It's scary; isn't it?  Haha!

elitist

I'm partial to North Carolina BBQ.

Awesome, you sound like my kinda girl!!!  One turns into 8 for me also, then i stop counting.

I forgot, everything is bigger in Tejas, even the ego.....HA!!!!!!

beans, greens and tofu is fine, just make sure you have a nice vegan beer to wash it all down with.

that is awesome!!!  I remember when it happened to me, total Zen moment. you must feel proud all the hard work is paying off.

There is more truth here than I care to admit.  See Rick Perry.

Shifting question - what's the best way to shift going up hills.  I typically stay in the big chain ring and downshift the cassette until I'm on the smallest/easiest gear in back.  Then drop down to the small chain ring if necessary.

The last few rides I've changed and will now drop down to the small chain ring while somewhere in the middle gears on the back.  Then start dropping down on the back to the smaller gears.  I think I'm faster up the hills this way.

I'm not sure that makes sense, but what is the best strategy for shifting when the hill is big enough that you will definitely have to drop down to the small chain ring?  Wait until you run out of gears on the back, or drop earlier?  How do you all ride hills?

bryancd - 2011-07-19 8:26 AM My Aunt, as per my request, made her awesome BBQ ribs, homemade cole slaw, and baked beans Sunday night after Vineman. I'm still full...and hungover.

BT needs a like button  ;o)

In the case you described, it would be more prudent to shift sooner and avoiding cross chaining. I tend to cross chain since i can usually keep my cadence up in the big ring, if my cadence slows or if i know i will have to get into the small ring, then i will shift the front down sooner. The last thing you want is to lock the front derailleur in the big (usually under heavy load) which will cause you to seriously bog your cadence and cost you alot of time and momentum. There is also a smaller chance of dropping the chain in the front when you shift in the more middle gears.

Keep in mind that cross chaining is a heated debate, some say you should never be in the big big or small small rings, and while i agree that it can wear out the drive line prematurely, sometimes it is just more efficient to keep it in one or the other as long as you are not seriously stressing your legs and/or heart rate and can keep cadence at a nice smooth quick pace. Quick being relative to the rider and what he or she is comfortable at.

I shift earlier.  If I know I'm going to need the small chain ring, I shift when I'm still in a small cog and then work my way towards the larger cogs as I need them. 

Karen, up until last week, I was doing the same exact thing.  I accidently shifted to the small ring in the front while in the middle gears on the back, and it was so much better.  Now I just follow that.  I was originally never switching to the small front ring, as I though just using the big ring was going to get me stronger.  I am probably wrong with that, but I do feel it helped initially since I am a newbie, sort of.  5+ months into this, I am still learning a ton.

I know you crazy Tri people probably don't taper for a Sprint, but my first one is August 7th.  I'd like to have fresh legs, and perform as well as possible.  Our wonderful mentor , aka Kelly, is going to be at the same race.  I now feel confident I don't have to hold on to her legs during the swim.  But she is still going to kick my a$$.

My plan is to follow my training plan for the next 2 weeks, then treat the race week as a rest week and just reduce my volume.  Rest completely 2 days before, and the day prior maybe just a light spin on the bike. 

What would all of you do?