Yanti & Salty MAD MANATEES Mentor Group - FULL POD (Page 13)

Hm. Y'ever put on pantyhose? Do I want to know the answer?

Okay. Put plastic bags on your feet and the wetsuit will slide right up without catching. Dab of Bodyglide or any non petroleum based lube on calves, quads, any other place the suit might get caught on can help. Pull bottom up to calves (will make it easier to pull the suit up tight in crotch--you can always smooth the legs out further down your legs later). Remember, pull with FINGER PADS (not fingertips) only. Get that suit up into your crotch!!!

Repeat the plastic bag trick with hands, and pull suit ends up to forearms (that will help get the sleeves as snug as possible into the armpits).

If you do this, that's how a suit should fit. Uncomfortably snug in the crotch and armpits means it's at maximum flexibility where it counts--in the shoulders. Chest will be very tight until you get in the water for a bit.

I'll have to research getting a real fit.  I let ego get the better of me and tried to go super aggressive.  Note: I'm really comfortable on bikes in general as I rode a lot during my youth.  With clip on aeros even back then (over 20+ years ago).  I am really confident handling on the bike, even in the aero bars.

As for my current conifguration, well, I "slammed the stem" first which made me want to move the seat up and forward.  Then I got the bright idea to flip the aero bars so that they attach from under the handlebars instead of over to get even lower.  At some point I'm sure I hit an area of diminishing returns.  Problem is that I don't have a reputable fitter within easy access to me.  Maybe I'll try putting a couple of spacers back under the stem. 

Slammed the stem ... this is a PG forum! Oh wait ... no, I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you ... I can relate. I got the bright idea to take my aerobars apart in the middle of a long ride ... WHILE RIDING ... good thing I was on the trainer. I did get them put back together in a better configuration, but geez.

Try one spacer. Make adjustments in increments; put them back in increments. Keep rigorous track of the changes you make.

And the bike fit gurus on here are pretty good. Just sayin'.

Sighhhh I was right there with you Yanti. We need help. 

wushunut - 2012-04-10 5:22 AM Admittedly I was already there when Yanti offered to "go to town" on me earlier.

cantstopraffing

What can I say? I love this place. I love you guys

TriAya - 2012-04-09 4:24 PM

wushunut - 2012-04-10 5:22 AM Admittedly I was already there when Yanti offered to "go to town" on me earlier.

cantstopraffing

What can I say? I love this place. I love you guys

Oh my!  Yep, I knew the Manatee group was the right one for me, hehehehehehehe, I need a Scooby Snack now....

I rarely stretch.  I totally agree that it doesn't make a difference for me.  I am generally not sore and my hamstrings are super tight.  I have never been able to get my heels down in downward dog (that is the test of a tight hammie) and I CANNOT touch my toes.  I am pathetic also. 

I do believe massage has helped me though.  Maybe it just feels good and I think it is helping but whatever, it is part of my training plan. 

I can't get my heels down in downward facing dog, either. When I try, I feel like I'm going to bust something. I push them as far as I can, to get a stretch, but it's not very far.

I do stretch after running, however. It feels good, and it gives me a few minutes to gather myself before moving on with the day.

Today was kind of a bust, but not completely, I guess. My middle son and I were both feeling some . . . um . . . intestinal discomfort. So I spent most of the day in bed -- and actually slept a few hours.

But I finally was able to pull myself out of bed a little after 4:00 and ran 3.75 miles. I would have liked to get 6 in, but I was afraid to get too far from home.

I have my first tri this Saturday. The forecast, so far, is for low 60s, winds out of the south at 23 mph (!!!!), and scattered thunderstorms. I am not going to lose my nerve.

Good luck on your first tri!

~Pauline

I am very lucky in that I have a pool in my backyard - which now we are into colder weather is just perfect after the bike or the run to stand in up to just above my knees.  It does more for my screaming muscles than any stretch has ever done.

Not sure if you have seen these, but thought they would be appreciated here. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxRoXuPjAKc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onHUf3CnOzc

Slammed the stem

I was already there when Yanti offered to "go to town" on me earlier.

I have never been able to get my heels down in downward dog

For a minute there, i thought that i had clicked onto the other website saved in 'my favourites'.

Can't wait to find out how your first tri goes Felicia. I bet you'll nail it.

So looking forward to mine.........probably.

You haven't so far ... and you've gotten through all the really hard parts, which are the motivation / training / life balance! So Saturday is the party, and you will celebrate, and all of us with you.

OF COURSE YOU ARE! You will be a tri-cherry-poppin' daddy ... the Manatees have been waiting for this for two seasons now

Got a question for you all.

Just before Christmas, when i first decided that i would 'do a tri', I really hadn't thought or realised that there were so many different distances that could be done.

SO...When do you think you can call yourself a triathlete? On completion of any triathlon, regardless of distance? Once you have completed more than one triathlon and can therefore demonstrate some commitment to the sport or only when you have done one (or more than one) of the classic distance(s) and if so, what is a classic distance?

I ask this because my first tri is a sprint distance and when i first looked for a race to enter, i was surprised (and relieved) to find that such a thing existed because doing a 'big' tri seemed so daunting. Now i have been training for a bit, a sprint doesn't seem to be very hard and i feel that i am cheating myself if i call myself a triathlete after doing it.  Please dont read that last sentence as though i think i am good at this. My goal has simply been to finish a triathlon and ideally not come in last. I am just trying to say that i know i can do the distance now.

So, honest comments please as i value your opinions and your experiences, as most of you have 'been there and done that'.

That's an interesting question.

If you run, you're a runner. (In my case walk/waddle/shuffler, but we'll say running).

If you swim, bike, and run, you might be able to call yourself one or more of the three.

Triathlon does imply one integrated sport, though, that involves doing all three in a timed setting, with the accompanying transitions (otherwise it's just a swim and bike and run separated by lots of time).

So if you finish a triathlon, more or less within the circumscribed time limits set by the event, you're a triathlete.

I don't think the distance has anything to do with it. Is Usain Bolt not a runner because he sprints 100s and 200s?

Interesting view on it Yanti, my sage.

I am currently unable to view things with such circumspection. If i was Usain Bolt i would call myself a sprinter and Paula Radclife a marathon runner.

I am not sure though about such a distinction between a sprint triathlete a full triathlete as both compete in endurance events, just with varying degrees of length. In the same way, i would find it hard to differentiate between someone who runs marathons and another who runs half marathons as to me,they are both long distance runners.

As such both train in similar ways whereas Usain and Paula have very different approaches to become successful in there respective disciplines.

The answer is 12. I know this because the race shirt I received on April 1st says "Triathlete" across the front and it was my 12th triathlon.  So, if the shirt says it, it must be true!

As far as a sprint not being so daunting; in part you're right, but sprints can be incredibly hard if you sprint them!  If you go all out during all disciplines you will feel every bit of the distance and be totally spent afterward.  Your heart rate will be on the red-line the entire time.  So, yes, the distances are totally doable, but you can make a sprint a daunting race.

There's nothing like a first, so enjoy yours