left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 106)

WAEF - so sorry to read that your family has been impacted by the devastation in Haiti. There is a very significanty Haitian diaspora here in Canada. We have had both troops and police there under the auspices of the UN for a number of years and a close friend of mine is a physician with "Helping Hands For Haiti" She now has 2 adopted sons from Haiti and spends a lot of time working at a clinic there.

Sorry too that you are taking your leave of our little group but great to know that you have a great support team taking our place. All the best!

Gary - I really liked the name you picked that was the length of the dictionary.....

Wetsuits - 78 degrees and under - wetsuit legal.  78-83 or so....you can wear it but no one does...or almost no one....above 84 they don't allow them because you can actually come out of the water pretty dehydrated.  I wore one in a race that was 78 degrees and also boiled....and it was sleeveless.  Xterra has a sleeveless for $99 right now for the next three or four days.  Fitting is SNUG....like a sausage casing.  Here's my advice - if it is legal 78 or below - always wear it.  If above 78 then I would not wear it.  The awards are not a big deal for me but you just won't need it.  Buoyancy is nice but not to burn up.  IMLOU is not wetsuit legal.  You can wear a speedsuit but not a wetsuit.  A speedsuit really has very little buoyancy and is CRAZY pricey...think Michael Phelps Olympics.  Prior to my first HIM, I swam an Olympic distance with no wetsuit to be sure that I could OWS a mile.  That boosted the confidence factor big time.  The HIM was wetsuit legal after all and I bobbed like a cork.  You will need to swim at LOU the full 2.4 with no suit.  I think they are specifically prohibited...I don't know if NA Sports cares if you wear them if you are not looking at awards or not.  I would email them the question off the race website.  Full vs sleeveless - I have both.  I don't notice much difference in buoyancy or temperature BUT they say that you are faster with a full because of the additional hydrodynamic shape with the arms covered. Rocket Science Sports has a video on YouTube showing how best to put on a wetsuit.  I recommend watching it and not only because the model is a beautiful young lady although that is an added benefit.

The Challenge - it is 2 weeks.  Then we may start Challenge 2 for the 2nd two weeks.  We will tweak what we need to at that time.  PLEASE DON'T OVERDO IT ON THIS SILLY THING (first that will help our team win and second no one will get hurt).  Do not add more than 10% in duration or mileage in a week.  Keep to the volumes and have some fun.  I do however love the smack talk.....

John - Passing On Your Left is just too long....we pass much quicker than that....how about shortening to On Your Left.....that is what I say to those I am fortunate enough to pass....there aren't many of them.....LOL.

What a great group you ALL are....I am still travelling a lot right now so sorry I haven't been here much....I will try to post more.  I am trying to figure out how to post from my phone.  Does anyone know how to post on an Iphone?

John - I will get you my volumes for the week by PM.  There are certain Mavs - I mean people lurking around my BT stuff.....and I don't log here anyway -- I use WKO+ from Training Peaks to sync my Garmin and my PowerMeter.

A good refresher above on NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY.  For you new folks, always try out equipment, food, techniques, etc prior to race day.  That is NOT the date to find our that your tri top actually absorbs water weighting you down or the pockets catch the water and cause extra friction (this happened with my first tri top).  And it is certainly not the day to try a flying mount or dismount.....

sTRIve

Billy - simple green diluted with water to wash the bike....keep the simple green less diluted for the chain....a chain cleaner works greats.  The lube the chain, leave overnight and then wipe off the excess the next morning.

One other thought, don't air your tires the night before a race....as it warms the next morning you can hear tubes pop.....there is nothing more disconcerting on race morning to hear than a POP....POP....POP....and then see some very disappointed cyclists....in cooler climates I wouldn't worry as much but here where it is hot....well, let's just say it happens....

WAEF - sorry to see you go but I totally understand.  Thanks for all your contributions during your time with us and know you are ALWAYS welcome back.

Gary - I have a fuel belt bento box...it is a little longer and not quite as tall as some of them. It also has a plastic insert that you can keep in it for harder sides of take it out for a more free form bento box

Diane - layers for the temps as appropriate with the final layer being waterproof (breathable if possible).  also you can consider putting your feet in plastic bags or grocery bags - plastic - to keep some of the water off your feet.  Be sure you take dry socks to change into....you might also consider a pair in a ziploc bag in your jersey - if it quits raining you can change sox and your tootsies will be happier....IMHO.  Dry clothes after are a must.  I have also seen people wear a swimcap under their helmet to keep their hair dry / head warmer....I haven't tried this so I won't opine on the merits of that outfit.

Dan - spin class equals 16 miles

that's my problem....no keyboard....I have even tried to type in an email....and then copy and paste....no go there either....I will have to try the patience route....although that has never been my strong suit....

I just cannot get a keyboard when I tap on the reply box.....dang it....

Oh Man, I have to agree with Mav on the road ID tag.  I don't leave home without it.  I run with the same people every week but if I went down, they would have a hard time contacting anyone since all my phone contact information is stored in their cell phones and we hardly ever run with our cell phones.  If someone has issues, it's usually when you are the farthest away from your house or vehicle. 

And you may have me on the swim, but I will be passing on your left in the run.  Here me coming yet?