Ironman Wisconsin : Official Thread (Page 12)

I was also having ITB issues from a poorly fitting bike - I put on a fast forward seatpost over the winter and it took nearly a month on the trainer (and a side view picture of myself) to realize I had the seat lowered by nearly an inch.  I thought I was just out of shape!  Got myself a tri bike on Friday so I'm good to go now!

I did lots of foam rolling and the ITB focused yoga moves in this month's issue of Runner's World and I'm feeling great.  I couldn't believe how much Cow-Face worked the exact area I was having pain.  Glad to hear you're on the mend and back out there running!

Hey all, I currently have a sleeveless wet suit.  I am thinking about buying the current deal on the Xterra full.  I am on a budget and am watching my expenses carefully but I want to have the right stuff for IMWI.  Should I get the full or swim in the sleeveless?

I am currently a 2:00/100 swimmer if that means anything.

Also, any chance of setting some dates to ride the course later as summer starts?  I know you locals can go when the conditions are right.  I will have to drive the 5.5 hours, get a motel, etc.  But I want to come up at least once and ride part of the course.  Or do you think I could hook up with some folks most any weekend?  Thanks.

Hey Greg

I think you can find someone to ride the course almost any weekend.....start checking in on the WI forum.  Rides are posted all the time and include varying levels.  I intend to take advantage of a few this year myself.  Of course, I do have the advantage of opening up my front door and hitting Old Sauk Pass/Timber Lane within 5 minutes if the weather looks promising.

Suzy

Hey, that was your 26000th post!  Don't you get a prize or something for that?

great....I'm jealous.

Jealous here too as I used to live very close to there as well...The course was just outside my old hood on Timber Lane.  :-(.  I miss my old house. 

Anytime you want to ride the course shoot me a PM and I'll join you.  I live in Chicago and it is only a 2 hour drive for me to get up there.  I plan on being up there a lot this summer.   

ITB kept me from my first running event a few years ago - ice, rest, foam roller, and slowly ramping up were my solutions. I was back to running in 2 weeks.  I credit most of it to the roller - it hurts but it's oh so good.  A  pt gave me stretches to do and sent me on my way after one appt - no help - I couldn't get a stretch anyway.  I still roll out my knees every few weeks for preventative measures.  I also roll my hams and calves if they're tight.  I'm thinking of doing the tennis ball roll on my shins since they're acting up again.

Good luck with your recovery!

Congrats on the new bike!  I see you went with the QR - nice bike.  Quite a difference from a roadie with aeros?  I know mine was.  Although now that I'm able to ride outside I'm noticing I need some tweaks done.

My first 2 hr ride is Saturday and it *will* be outside.  Woo-hoo!

Road part of the course today and did both Timber Lane and Old Sauk Pass. Still plenty of sand on the roads and my back wheel slide out doing about 30 mph down a hill so that was a close call. Felt great riding around on the course and I was definately getting excited. 5 1/2 months away!

Someone mentioned a forum or message board that discusses local rides in the Madison area? Does anyone have a link? I am interested in a weekend ride or two on the course as well.

Thanks in advance!

James

James, go to the US groups and whos racing forum area.  In there you will find all the states listed, check out the Wisconsin forum for the information.

Greg

Edited by GRB1 2010-03-25 2:48 PM

Thanks Greg!

Will do.  I usually ride on the CompuTrainer during the week as I live in the city and won't ride outside (fear of getting creamed by a taxi or bus).  I head out to the burbs during the weekend. 

Gregkl - 2010-03-24 5:42 PM

Hey all, I currently have a sleeveless wet suit.  I am thinking about buying the current deal on the Xterra full.  I am on a budget and am watching my expenses carefully but I want to have the right stuff for IMWI.  Should I get the full or swim in the sleeveless?

I am currently a 2:00/100 swimmer if that means anything.

Thought I would run this again.  I think it may have gotten lost talking about riding.  Thanks.

Do you have a place you can rent a full sleeved suit from to try out?  You will get a little more speed out of having sleeves, but some people don't like the feeling of the full sleeves.  They feel it cuts the range of motion down some.  

I have both full sleeves and sleeveless.  I personally like the full sleeves as it does give me a little bit more speed and helps with buoyancy a little bit more when you get tired towards the end of the IM swim.  Your best bet is to try one out if you can.  I know that Fleet Feet in Chicago will rent them, and once a week during the summer they let you try some demo's out in Lake Michigan during one of their sponsored swims.   

I'm already much more comfortable on the tri bike.  And I instantly looked faster   I went to the store and said "I need a tri bike that fits me.  I do not care about about the brand as long as it fits me properly but I don't want a pink one."  After measurements and angles and sizes the guy said I could fit on Cervelo, Felt and QR (as far as what he carries) so I went with the QR because it has best components for my budget.  And I liked the paint job!

I can't wait to get outside on it.  Might still be a few weeks on the trainer because of my work schedule but I'm ready to get out there.  Enjoy your two hour ride tomorrow!

How about a photo of the new bike?

2010 will be my third IMOO event. The weather was perfect the last two years, and I hope for a continuation of that trend in 2010. I will be happy to answer questions specific to the course as best as I can. Best of luck to all - whether 2010 will be your first or twentieth IM.

Ok, I am a day early but won't be on the internet tomorrow so......

24 WEEKS!!!! 

Gregkl:

I have a Desoto two piece and love it, but have rented an Xterra and liked the fit of that one, as well. Also tried Zoot and 2XU suits, but liked the Desoto fit better. I once rented online from wetsuitrental.com for about $40 without any problems. Full sleeve suits are faster, but I do think there is just a slight bit of resistance when the arm is fully extended in front. Very much dependent on the fit. Also, I learned to really pull the sleeves up on my arms (i.e. the cuff of the sleeve is only about half way down my forearm - looks kind of weird, but gives extra slack at the shoulder). Like bikes, the fit is very important - esp. given at the IM distance.

One thing about Lake Monona (I volunteered last year) - I think the water temps are a little on the warm side that late in the season. I know of a few people who went with sleeveless as they were afraid that they might get too hot.

John, thanks for the info.  I think I will get the xterra.  Not too much money and I will try it at my Oly and HIM this summer.  By IMWI I should know if I want to wear it.  It seems like the general consensus is to go with a full.  I am a weenie when it comes to water temperature. 

What did you do at IMWI this year?  I volunteered in the changing tent on Sunday, bike check in and gear bags on Sat.  I remember talking to a guy during the swim looking out the window.  He was there, I think with his son.  Could that have been you?  You look familiar to me.

I worked T1 and T2 - was in those areas from about 9 - 3, but I camped out on the top of Monona Terrace starting at 5 am (kind of anal, but had a great view of the swim!) I'm sure we crossed paths at some point. And I was with my two brothers - no kids.

Good luck with the suit - its really cool how much faster you are when wearing one!