triOK's Group - FULL (Page 12)

I have pretty regular episodes of insomnia... and it has been made worse by training.  I actually started to take OTC sleep medication once and a while (if I was really tired and needed the sleep), but they always gave me really weird, disturbing dreams.  So I tried to stay away from them.  I have used Benadryl in the past, too, and that works really well.  But I really don't like having to take meds.

My massage therapist (whom I worship like a god) told me to try melatonin... I don't know if it psychological or what, but THAT STUFF WORKS!!!!!!!!  Its herbal and non-addictive, so it makes me feel a little better about taking it.  You can get it at any drug store, or natural food store.  Its not expensive at all (cheaper than Benadryl, by far).

I am not a pharmacist, so I have no idea if it reacts with any other medication, so you might want to talk to a pharmacist before you start taking it.  Their advice is free if you walk into a Walgreens.  Anyway, that might be something for you to look into.

Thought that I would share my pool story from today:

EEEEEWWWW eWEW EWWWWWW ewWWWWWW eeewwweWWWWWWEEWWW EEEEEWWWW eWEW EWWWWWW ewWWWWWW eeewwweWWWWWWEEWWW EEEEEWWWW eWEW EWWWWWW ewWWWWWW eeewwweWWWWWWEEWWW EEEEEWWWW eWEW EWWWWWW ewWWWWWW eeewwweWWWWWWEEWWW EEEEEWWWW eWEW EWWWWWW ewWWWWWW eeewwweWWWWWWEEWWW!  Gross!

I am so pissed off and grossed out.  I went to the pool today after work, paid to get in, changed, and got in.  Started doing my laps, and 300 m into the workout, I look up to see the lifeguards running around frantically.  They run over and grab the net thingy and use it to scoop something out of the pool.  The other guards start walking around looking for something else.

The way the pool is set up, there is a kiddie play area in the shallow end with slides and water guns  and stuff.  Then off to the other side there are two lanes for lap swimming and water aerobics classes.  But they are all connected... one big body of water.

So as I see the lifeguards freak out, I jump out of the pool to ask one of them what was going on.  I was dreading the words, "poop in the pool."  I asked repeatedly before they finally announced that everyone needed to get out of the pool.

Yeah, some little yellow bike took a yellow bike in the pool...right in the middle of my workout.  So this ended up being an unintentional rest day.  I was actually looking forward to swimming!

Got out of the pool and rushed into the locker room to scrub myself clean with scalding hot water and extra anti-bacterial soap.

Needless to say, I will not be going back to that pool ever again.  Neither will I be going to any pool that has a kiddie pool attached.  Lap pools only...from now on.

That's an impressive quote!

Reminds me of last summer when we went to Hilton Head.  We went out to the pool, but it was shut while the cleaning crew was loading up the pool with chemicals for the same reason. 

Makes you sick when you see it, but at least we were never in that water.

Thanks for the sig line honor.  And I am lovin' the new avatar!

Poop in the pool is not good... and I won't be going back!

So how was everyone's week?  I think some of us are coming up on our first races!  Anyone have a race in April?  We gotta start thinking about that... There's a lot of stuff that you are going to need that no one tells you about until you figure it out on your own.  Stuff like a race belt, transitition towel, flip-flops, a tri suit (not really necessary, especially for a sprint), and of course, Yankz.

Race belt = has little ring-things on it that you can attach your number to.  You just clip it on during T1 (coming out of the swim) and your gone.  A LOT FASTER than trying to put on a shirt when your wet, or trying to safety pin it to yourself.  Some of them have spots where you can carry gels.  Super handy.  Renee sells them at the BT store.

Flip-flops = when you come out of the water, you usually have to run across a parking lot, up a boat ramp, or some other generally unpleasant place to get to T1.  Find a place out of the way, but near the water to set up a pair of flip-flops that you can slip into when you get out of the water.  This saves your feet and loads of time.

Interesting about the flip-flops, I never thought of that.

That quote was too funny to let it die!

I'm on 5  hours again this week. 

Right now, that time is working out alright since I just started, but I just barely get it in each week by going to the gym in the morning, and only being a little late for work at 7:30.  I realize though I'm going to need make time to increase that though throughout the spring and summer.  I drive past two different bike/running trails on my way home, so I'll probably start doing some after work rides or running as well.

Probably also get the family involved as the weather warms up and go to a park nearby to add some time to the weekends.  But that will probably be more sporadic.

I'm not quite sure what I want to do for buying the shorts and shirt though.  It seems like you can get much better deals on the internet, but I'm not sure what size to get.  I want it to be tight enough to reduce drag, but not be uncomfortable.  Would it be bad to try on sizes in a local shop, but instead of buying it there, get it off the internet?  That just doesn't seem right to me.  Any suggestions?

As for Yankz, I've been wearing them on my running shoes for months now.  They're great! 

I wear size 32 pants, but they're a little bit loose, so I actually wear size 30 speedos.  I'm afraid if I get size 30 tri shorts though, they will be too tight during the bike and run.  Is it better to sacrifice some drag during the swim in order to be more comfortable during the rest of the race? 

I've noticed they usually sell 9" and 5" lengths, and I was thinking I'd get 9".  Isn't it supposedly good for your leg muscles to have better coverage?

I have no idea what my chest size is.  Also, I didn't even know they make different lengths of tops, that would fall over the top of the shorts or not.

Sorry I didn't jump in on this earlier, but I don't know a whole lot about mens sizing.  But this I can offer some advice.... take it or leave it.

You spend the least amount of time in the water... regardless of how slow (or fast in your case) you swim.  I would go for comfort on the bike, but that is just me.

Also, the longer shorts do provide some extra support for your muscles.  My tri-suit hits just above the knee, and honestly, I don't like it.  But I am a girl, and I usually don't wear anything that long.  It just bugs me.  But I do get huge benefits from the extra support.

Depending on the brand, I am pretty sure that each of them fits differently.  Some might fit small, and some might fit larger.  You never know.

I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you guys!  Everyone is doing SO GREAT!  I just flipped through everyones logs and you are all doing SO WELL!  Its coming down to the grind, as almost everyone has their first race coming up soon!  I anticipate everyone doing really well their first time!

Congrats to everyone!  You all make me feel like a proud mom... **sniff**

Gotcha.  You're in the same boat as I am .  That's my waist size too.  But I do go down to 29 in the middle of the season.  The reason I asked about your chest size is because from your avatar you look like you have a large chest, unlike me.  I would recommend getting a Medium short.  It shouldn't be too tight unless your legs are massive. 

Yes, there is a school of thought that the better leg coverage 'hold' your muscles together and supports them.  I haven't found any difference between my 5" and 9"shorts other than then initial, "these are shorter".  The 9" shorts will come to between your mid thigh and your knee (like jammers) and the 5" shorts just abover your mid thigh. 

You won't be uncomfortable unless they are uber tight.  They are amazingly stretchy.  It's the top you have to worry about drag if you're going to wear it during the swim w/o a wetsuit.  You general racing cut come to just above your belly button and the training ones, I've found, come to just below the waist of the shorts.  It's all about preferance and torso length.

FWIW, I wear M top and M shorts.

Glad you were able to jump in here.  I am clueless when it comes to guys fit.  Glad you are good for something.

triOK's group:

No Mercy:  93.9% so close!

kbkav:  100%

firstriguy:  100%

poke4christ:  I didn't find your goal time.

erjellum:  100%

gator22:  42.8%

willie05:  100%

gc150:  100%

Marvarnett's group

starcorp:  100%

mcole158:  81.1%

Cashmason: 100%

Marvarnett: didn't get your goal either.

I'm just here to look pretty.  Kinda like what you do right.