Newbz winter training group is FULL!!!!! (Page 12)

I am considering a bike computer - definitely.  Any recommendations?  I know that Trek has a wireless one with a little device that's designed to fit into the frame - I forget what they call it.  I don't really have a feel for how importance a cadence counter is.  I've never been a cyclist...outside of  biking to and from class back in college. 

Thanks everyone for the running encouragement.

Malcolm, Ditto on David's comments for the bike.  No one mentioned a helmet yet, but that is probably becuase we know you know about that.

1) Try to find a riding partner that knows his/her stuff.  The bike shop can be a help but not as good as a friend.  They can help you make sure that...

2) your shoe cleats are set well and properly tight, and adjust your pedal tention.

3) you have the proper equipment to change a flat.

Ditto David on a cheap and basic bike computer.  I ONLY use distance, time, and sometimes avg speed.  You don't need confused by learning how to get any other information at this point.  Eventually some folks rely on cadence, but I know my cadence well enough and tend to let my legs lead me rather than my computer.

Down the road items:

1) Bike trainer

2) Aero equipment: helmet, water bottle, bars if you don't get them with the bike.

3) Ditto David's clothing suggestions.

Have fun.  Do you best, tell us what you got, and use if for a couple weeks and tweak from there.

Gojogo- You gotta let me/us know how the indoor tri goes. I'm gonna be doing one March 1, so I'll be interested to hear how it goes. I know how illnesses can be a major damper, so keep it up.

 I have been significantly upping my running and am planning on a half marathon in a month or so. Should be fun for my first half.

 Finally getting back in the pool tomorrow, should be a blast. Not really.

 Keep up the good work people.

Yeah - I'm pretty excited about picking up the new bike myself!!  Although less excited about all the $$ I'll be parting with and the comments from the wifey... ;-)  I'm hoping to get out on a group ride Saturday morning -if my knees are still hanging in there.  Felt the left one really twinging a bit during this morning's run.

Speaking of runs - I wish I could comment and help you out Dino - but the concept of running for 2hrs...is completely impossible for my brain to wrap itself around.

Hope you guys get over your colds soon..... Sux when getting sick gets in the way of training.  I've always hated that.  I've been paranoid at work - everyone is coughing or sneezing...  Purell is my friend.

I'll probably be forced to take a week off - since I'll be heading to the UK in about a week and a half -for a week's trip for business.  I'll be lucky to get a single run in during that time... and we always hit some pretty good restaurants.  My plan though is....probably to get in 8 or 9 days straight before leaving.

I also need to select a tri-training plan soon....

Malcolm, one thing that helped me smooth over any concern with my spouse on the spending was a really commitment to use the equipment.  $$ spent on a passing fad will get more trouble than $$ spent on something that is commited to and makes on healthier.

David (dinotx), you question is out of my league.  Other than you comming down with some sickness (lets hope that is not it), I can only speculate that maybe the prior long run is taking you longer to recover from than only one week.  I really hope your race goes well and have noted with myself, that my race performance usually seems completely independent of how my training went a few days before.

Kelly, hope you getting better.

Patrick, good luck upping the run volume and getting back in the pool.  I hope you do well on the half marathon.

Thanks for all of the well wishes.  I'm back to work today.  4 of my students were out yesterday and 2 are still out today.  I think the weekend thaw got to us. 

I'm hoping to get a short workout this afternoon. A group from work meets at the high school for some personal training from the P.E. teacher.  I've only been once and last week was good. 

 I'm not sure what the illness will do to my performance next week.  I was feeling pretty good.  I'm glad it's a short event. 

 any suggestions on what gears to ride in?  It's maximum distance in 15 minutes.  I'm a little rusty in the physics department.  Should I stay in high gears and pedal like crazy or low gears and pedal like crazy? 

Just picked up my bike this evening...  A shiny new 60cm Trek 2.3...bled me for the bike, bike shorts, bike shoes, speedplay pedals, helmet, pump, 2 bottle holders and bottles, bike computer, gloves, spare tube, co2 cartridge, multitool and tire levers.  I think that's it...  I was planning to go on an 8:00 group ride with the local tri club...but now thinking I should just take the bike out...and get used to getting in and out of the pedals before I go falling over in public.  Need to figure out how to work a solid ride into this weekend.

I also need a training program.  I haven't signed up for a May Tri yet - but am pretty sure I will - and that will be my first. I need to find a run oriented training program...that I can set time goals - and work backwards (percentages..)  I have time goals I'd like to hit...by May....or if not by May...for sure by July...2nd tri.  I'm not quite sure what to make of the programs on this site.  Currently - I'm just working out...not really tri training - although I am trying to establish some base endurance/experience in all the disciplines... 

Have a good weekend everyone.  I’m going to go check and see if David S. road outside today.  I ran outside in the ice and slush and it was very windy. 

Glad to see you getting a chance to get outside tomorrow since that is what you are motivated and itching to do.  I was on the trainer again today after running outside and I don't mind the trainer.  It was very windy today and I would not have enjoyed that plus the slush, plus the gravel on the road, plus the drivers not anticipating bikes on the road.

Have fun tomorrow.  Let me know if you'd ever be interested in doing the tri-tech time trial this year as a two man time trial.  Not sure out schedule would work it out, but if so it could be fun.  I think we could turn 19 minute laps or better.

Hey guys!  Lotsa good stuff going on here.

I got outside on the bike yesterday and somehow managed to PR a 5K today.

While we are on the topic of spending money for this sport I'm poised to drop a few hundred on new training gear for the upcoming season.  It's all entirely necessary of course

Hope everyone's training is going well.  Enjoy the weekend, and heat wave  

Disturbed- Sweet job on that 5k time, and lots of good training right afterward too! I'd like to say I wouldn't use a race PR in the am as an excuse to slack off and have some junk food, but.....

Eighthman- hope you are enjoying the new bike! That's really exciting! I'll be joining you falling down at stoplights     sometime after next weekend as soon as this race is over with.  I will definitely be buying used with as few accesoryes as possible that stuff can definitely add up. I figure I'll get a cheap (relatively) road bike and spend some real money when it's time to get a tri bike since that's where I'll do most riding I think. Have fun!

Ran and EASY run today at just over a 9 min pace for about 3 miles. Trying to recover quickly from my fubar'd long run! This week is taper off week for the race on Sunday. I'm thinking I'll do 7-8 mi tomorrow followed by 3, 4, 3, day off, friday 20 min easy, sat off, sun race... Sound reasonable? Luckily friday is the only day I have that I am working between now and then so getting adequate rest for once won't be a problem. Once this race is over it's back to a balanced run/swim, adding in the bike, and lifting twice a week. I'm actually looking forward to a more balanced training schedule. I mean I like running, I've learned to appreciate it more actually over the last few weeks, but a change of pace will be welcome...

Good to see things picking up here again!

No - I haven't ridden the bike yet.  I ended up taking everyone's advice - and left it in the back of the SUV while I went to the gym to day for my normal workout.  Did get a good one in - which included a 45min ride on the stationary bike.  I felt great working out today - but really crashed when I got home...kinda wierd...then about 2hrs later - felt great again.  Anyway - Im taking the bike out tomorrow...to get a feel for it....working on clipping in and out....  It's going to be over 60 degrees tomorrow.