Penn State's mentor group - CLOSED! (Page 116)

There is nothing in CA 5 minutes away!

As far as the bike goes, my advice is to find a reputable fitter and get a fitting done then have him recommend an appropriate bike.  I did that for my tri bike and I have not had an issue on it since.  Typically if you buy from the fitters store, the price of the fitting is aplied to the purchase. 

Although I think if I am successful in executing an off season bike focus I will likely get refit in the spring.  As we become better and stronger on the bike, our tolerance for a more aggresive position may improve.

I agree!

Ken how much longer?

I am still waiting to hear if I got in IMWI again next year.  I have been totally slacking on training lately.  Getting caught back up with the family and overcoming some training burnout from IMOO.  I have felt a potential shin splint/lower leg tweak so I have been resting that as well. 

The countdown is at 9 days!! Starting to get a little short timers at work!  We fly to PCB next Tuesday night on the overnight and check into the condo on Wednesday!!

Training is back on track after missing a few days last week with some bladder/kidney/urinary track issues, but all is well now. 

Wondering what you guys think of WTC/Ironmans announcement yesterday?  Definately has brought on some strong opinions on this site and facebook.  Probably ST too, but I haven't looked there.  Personally I think the market will determine if it is a good idea or not. 

I read some of the threads here and I have to agree with you Fred.  The sense of entitlement to doing a cheap Ironman seemed a bit misplaced considering there are options to WTC events, not to mention as you said, there are still slots available through traditional means.  Not to mention if I was a shareholder of the investment group that owns WTC I would be pushing them to make a profit  as they are attempting to do.  The interesting part about the social networking aspect is that this "could" be a case of the vocal minority dictating events over the silent majority.  The majority of the posts I read felt the company had a right to do it and some even indicated that they would consider joining under some circumstances. 

I am also amazed that the main thread, there were several others, was up over 12 pages with some pretty heated debate and to the best of my knowledge nothing was pulled. 

Either way it is not an issue to me one way or another as I would have no need for joining it now or the forseeable future.  IF I do a 140.6 race next year it will be REV3 in Ohio, but the jury is still out on that decision.  I was just curious about the thoughts here since our group is primarily made up of folks that have or will be doing WTC events.

While I can't see spin classes replacing cycling in the off season for me, I can certainly see in the couple of classes I have taken how they can offer a good workout to help build cycling intensity, which I sorely lack.  I do try and do some of the up and downs, but some instructors in my opinion can get carried away with it.  I'll probably do a class or 2 a week during the winter.

Surprised that it is bothering your legs though as you had a pretty good base of cycling and running! You must have really got into it!! Good job!

I started a thread that I was considering IM Access membership -- you want to see your PM box light up, just do that!

I agree with everything you said Fred, and also agree that satirical post on ST about the impending release of IM's new program IM Access Access to get you early entry into the IM Access program was the funniest one-liner I've read in a while.

Any negative feelings I have towards WTC are more from amazement at what they can get people to do.  Charge us money to put on a great event... I'm all for that and will pay as long as I think what they offer is worth it.  What I can't believe (and again I'm more in disbelief than upset) is how many people they can get to volunteer all day long to put on an event where they are just raking in the cash.

I also agree with what you said - where is the facebook campaign demanding that IM reduce the field size back to under 2,000 for safety reasons, or switch to a 3 wave start, or something... or else I'll never give another dime to the M-dot brand????

People got really high and mighty about capitalism doing what capitalism does (driving up the price because the supply/demand curve has not yet intersected), and ironically capitalism was the only thing that got the position changed (IM was scared because they pi$$ed off their consumers).  It simply proves we do have enough of a collective voice to be heard on more important issues (for me those would be safety, rules enforcement, KQ age group PED testing, pro prize money, and maybe [though I haven't sorted it out] KQ slots distribution and lottery practices).

But the fact is IM has no incentive to make changes to any of that as long as the status quo has people standing in line for 7 hours the morning after lake placid.  And I don't blame them for experimenting with changes that would make that line 8 hours long.  And here's a confession... I love what WTC offers.  I didn't even give a second thought to a non-m-dot 140.6 this year.  So I'm not complaining.

Funny, I read the email about the VIP Access stuff and just hit 'delete' with no feelings besides "damn, IF I had the money and WANTED to train for more than one IM/year then this program would be GREAT!".

It makes sense to let people pay more for perks IMO.

I still don't know what my opinion for a solution to the mass start would be.  I was seriously scared at IMLP, would that change if I was only swimming with 1,000 people instead of 3,000 people if they did a 3 wave start? Je ne sais pas.

Looks like Pete is doing the Marine Corp Marathon tomorrow!  Good luck and have fun!!

(I dont know if he still checks in here, but maybe he does!)

Yes it is, and those 2 worlds (bike and vette) seldom collide, which is why I have more miles on the bike this year than the car!