triOK's Group - FULL (Page 13)

GFY.  You're just jealous.

gator:  some (most, actually) have rules requiring shirts.  That's why some guys wear the shortie tops.

poke:  you are here and trying, and that's all that matters to me.  Hope you enjoyed your spring break.  (I am on spring break too, and its giving me some extra training time)

New Triathlon tip from "New Year, New..." article:

.... I realize that saying “I suck, I suck, I suck” for over an hour does not result in a good race performance. Wastes a lot of energy. I instead have got to work on my chants: “I am quick. I am strong. I can race all day long.”

Classic!

That reminds me of something a lady in my tri club taught me.  I have a hard time maintaining my glide in the water.  I get fatigued and my body roll goes to crap.  She said that when she swims she repeats the words "long and strong" to herself over and over.  I am a bilateral breather so I gave it a try.  Strangely enough, it works.  It fits perfectly into my stroke, and slows me down enough to glide. 

I like your chant.  That one might work for me when I am dragging @$$ on a run.

When I first switched to my new road bike, my hands really hurt too.  Mainly between the thumb and hand.  At first, I had to really switch positions a lot too.  They seem to be a lot better now though.  So, I guess if you give it time your hands will get used to it.  I'm no expert though, so maybe somebody else might have better advice.

OOOO...that's a toughie.  I didn't have that problem too bad.  I would say, give it a few rides and if its not getting any better, try going to the LBS.  They might be able to do some adjustments that would ease the discomfort.

gator22 - 2007-03-23 7:29 AM I think it is so funny that most often the solution is "spend more money". I love stuff and this is getting to be a problem for me I did feel better on this morning's ride, but it was like 30 degrees so my hands were pretty cold too!

I have this problem too.  Spend, spend, spend.  I love bike stuff!

I always shift the number to the back, cuz, yeah, it kinda gets in the way.  Some races (usually not tris, but road and mountain bike races) will actually make you put your number on your handlebars.  I've been to a tri that required that, but since its like putting a parachute on your bike not many of them do.  Yes, races numbers are required for both the bike and run.  Its annoying but if the MarathonFoto people are there, they will get good action shots for you and then you can look them up online after the race.  They group you by your race number.

You'd be amazed how quickly those numbers fade.  Unless you want them to fade, then they are there forever.

But it's mostly for the photographers and officials.  Every race requires you to have a number on your bike.  some require you to wear you number ON you (ie race belt).  You just slide it to the back.  I personally run with my number on my hip.  It bothers me less.  PLUS, nothing says you can't fold the number a bit to make it smaller when attaching it to the race belt.  And curl it up into a ball before you put it on there.  It moves easier when you do that.

Does anyone drink Fitness Water type drinks such as Propel?  Do you think it makes a difference vs. regular water. 

I have some that I drink at work, but the sweetness starts to get to me after a while, then I'd rather just drink regular water.

I will try and help since TriOK's on travel.  When you approach a hill, keep your speed and gear until you start to climb the hill.  As your speed and cadence slows down, then change gears.  If you reach your smallest gear (small front, large rear) and you are still mashing, then get out of the saddle.  Eventually you'll get stronger and keep a higher gear.

Ideally, as a Triathlete, you want to spin up a hill because it saves your legs for the run.  That's an ideal.  When you're training, it's good to practice spinning up a hill.  But if you run out of gears, it's fine to get out of the saddle.  Even getting out of the saddle isn't a bad thing especially if you want to get some strength training.

Usually, technical is reserved for Mountain bike trails and means lots of sharp turns and obstacles.  But for road riding, yep...just lots of sharp turns.