COgirl's Group - FULL (Page 12)

zschaller - 2007-03-02 8:30 AM Hey Girls, I posted this on the mail forum but here is it as well; what saddles do you use on your bikes? I need to find a saddle that does not make me cripple after a ride. The saddle i have right now makes me almost cry even with a good pair of biking shorts. The very female area is mostly affected Thanks, Z.

Some options:

I LOVE this one: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5802&subcategory_ID=5211 

There is also a "tri" version of the same saddle with more gel in the nose of the seat: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21203&subcategory_ID=5211

No they aren't cheap.  BUT there are some things that you just can't skimp on....running shoes and a saddle!  You spend a lot of time on them!  Watch for sales too. 

OR, you can get something like this:  http://www.desotosport.com/products/product.asp?Category=Accessories&ProdID=SPW This is a good thing for long races to put over your seat. 

In addition, keep riding....there is an adjustment period, but it certainly sounds like the saddle you have is NOT working for you!  I tried 2 other saddles before I found the Terry Butterfly.

I have heard good things about Serfas saddles!

Z - did you decide on one yet?

How's everyone doing?  Zoya says it is snowing in the east.  It is BEAUTIFUL here (finally!).  It is supposed to be high 50s-low 60s with no precip for the next 10 days! 

Wahoo! I bought a bike, a KHS Flite 300. He's adding on clipless pedals and taking the clip pedals off. I am really psyched to start riding. I also bought a helmet, (It was originally $140 and he only charged me $80) He also is not charging me for the bike fitting. He said that is included with the bike sale. He told me several times when I start riding to ride with a group and not alone.

After reading Z's post I'm wondering if I should look at buying a different saddle, yikes that sounds very painful.

I also bought a Polar F11 HRM. I've been playing around with it and learning how to use it.

Unfortunately, this week has been a complete wash. My son has the flu and had a high temp of 104 on Mon. His temp has gone down but he has a cough and his nose is stuffy. I was supposed to go for my bike fitting this am but I had to stay home with him. I haven't done any training since Sat. aaagggghhhh! The 3 of us have been couped up at home since Mon. I'm just praying that my dd doesn't get sick.

Kendra, Did you mention you have a race coming up in March? I couldn't remember when you said it is. I wanted to make sure and wish you Good luck! before your race.

I hope everyone is doing well and is training more than me this week! (which wouldn't be too tough)

Mel

Congrats Mel!  Sounds awesome!  I'm glad they are doing the fit for free.....

Usually the "stock" saddle (what comes with the bike) is awful.  But try it out, you never know! 

And no worries about missing your workouts.  I am in the same boat and it feels awful, but get back to it when your life is a little more settled!  Kids come first  

Yeah, Kendra, what IS the date of that 1/2 marathon.....and why can I not remember that?

interesting.  are you stressed?  Is it worse if you don't workout?  Have you tried either valerian or melatonin? (just a thought!).  And maybe you need a thyroid check! 

those are my thoughts.....keep me posted!

OK, I just wanted to say "hello"! I am always checking out Cathy's logs as she is such a seasoned triathlete and I am in awe of her dedication with all she has going on, plus a baby under a year! I just thought I should let you all know that I have been reading your thread for awhile now and get inspiration from all your training. I told Cathy I had been lurking around her mentor group and she said I could stop by and say "hi" sometime. I joined a mentor group, but ours isn't very active and I really like the fact that this group is all women and many (maybe all) of you are mothers and get your training in with small kids.

My name is Jill and I live in Texas. My husband and I did our first tri six years ago and then took a break until this past fall when we started up again. We each did 2 sprints this past fall and just completed our first ever half marathon in February. We have already signed up for an Oly in April and a HIM next October, so I guess you could say I am hooked! I am still very much a novice at all of this and this site has been so helpful for me to learn all the lingo associated with the sport, plus to improve my training techniques. Is it OK if I join you all on occasion to have a solid group to check in with?

Zoya - one other thing.....there is a new med called Rozerem - I'm a nurse practitioner which is why I know this (but I'll officially say that I'm not giving advice here )  I've seen it work well and it is not addictive....but that is really meant for long term sleep problems.  I am hoping that yours is NOT long term.  Hang in there.

HI JILL!    I personally would love it if you would chime in.  I think you would have a lot to add here! 

Jill, are you doing any races between April and October?  Or is it too hot in TX in summer?

Z-did you get any sleep? 

Mel-bike fit yet?  You must be so anxious to ride it!

Heather - how's it going with your exercising now?  are you totally cleared? 

Kaci-did you find that HRM yet?

Kendra-maybe that brick would work after your upcoming 1/2 mary

I'm going to a conference today and tomorrow and I'm a speaker tomorrow.   I  haven't done that before, so I'm a bit nervous!  Still struggling to fit in my workouts due to the grant proposal....it will be totally done by the end of March, so at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Jill, Welcome! I love your avatar, your kids are so cute.

Cathy, I had to reschedule my bike fit for next Fri. The owner of the store is a full time firefighter so I had to work with his schedule. I also need to get a pair of shoes before the fitting. He sells shoes but there wasn't a really big selection.

Good luck on your speech today! I hope it goes well.

Zoya, I'm glad you were able to get sleep. I've had problems with sleep on and off. I have hypothyroidism(slow thyroid). My dh has chronic insomnia for years and he only gets about 4 hours of sleep a night.

My dd caught the flu from my ds and now my dh is sick too. We are going to the Dr. this morning for their 3 yr check up.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Mel

Thanks for the welcome!

Cathy - I am doing other races between April and October, I just haven't put them on my list of races. I am doing a sprint in May and I am doing the Danskin in June. I don't have anything on the calendar for July or August, but I am planning on doing some races.

Zoya - good luck on your first triathlon! My guess is that you will be so excited (and a bit nervous) at the start, that it will be hard to hold yourself back. However, I would suggest going with the enthusiasm at the start, but don't push yourself past that. You want to have energy for the full race. Good luck!

Our spring break is next week and we are headed to Colorado. We are leaving in the morning and are planning to camp at Palo Duro Canyon for a night and then on to see the Sand Dunes. Eventually we will make our way to Vail and stay for a few nights there. I think we will ski some, but we skiied at Christmas and the snow was NOT good. I am hoping it will be better. I will have access to a computer by mid week, but will be out of contact for a few days. Good luck everyone with your training and have a great weekend! 

Hi All!  Looks like everyone is doing well! 

Mel: man, you can't get a break!  LOL!  Good luck with the bike fit.  You can order shoes online.....I would think that there HAS to be a shoe size conversion chart somewhere!

Zoya: Race intensity.....I think I'll post a separate note about that next.  Are you getting more sleep?

Kendra: TWO WEEKS baby!  woo hoo!  Your trip sounds like it will be nice.  I would love to go to Ground Zero.  A friend of mine from childhood died in the WTC.  His sister is my best friend....she goes every year (lives in CA).  I need to make that trip, but I've avoided it. 

And I agree with Jill, no shoes on the swim!  You'll only hit bottom at the beginning and end, but then you have to battle rough surfaces to the transition area!  If you can practice in open water before your race, I HIGHLY recommend that.

Jill:  The snow is GREAT in the mountains now, the mountains got clobbered with snow in the past month.  It's warm up there too right now!  Let me know when you'll be in Vail! 

Heather: I'm so sorry about the loss of your family member, but I'm thankful that you made it to say goodbye!  That must have been very difficult.  On the other hand, it sounds like you are doing well!

My speech went well.  I was only nervous the first minute.  then I chilled

RACING!  Good question Zoya.   What are the distances for this race?  Since you are a good swimmer, I'd take that as fast as you can, but get in a rhythm to start.  For the bike, take the downhills and flats STRONG - get in your big gear.  Try to keep your cadence at 90 or more, but no gear mashing!  Meaning, don't get in too high of a gear and use up all your leg muscle strength and have nothing left for the run.  Then on the run, push it!  (but not to the point of feeling like you are going to fall over! ).  Uphills, smaller steps....downhills, TAKE IT!

YOU WILL OWN THE COURSE! 

Before your race (and during), think positive.  Your attitude is a huge part of your performance!