ChrisM's Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 15)

My advice for getting comfortable with clipless probably won't help you much.  I went mountain biking on a technical course.  I got really good at getting in and out of the pedals that day.

If you have a good sense of balance and don't freak out easily you'll be fine.  I don't really subscribe to that concept that it's only a matter of time that you will fall cause of clipless.  Sure it is possible but it is not a foregone conclusion.  Until you get comfortable with them keep your tension easy on them.  When coming to a stop don't wait until the last minute to unclip.  When I am at a light or something waiting to go I actually keep one foot clipped in.  I typically only ever unclip one.  So I am always ready to go.  I have the foot up at the top of the pedal stroke so that when the light changes I just start the pedal stroke as I get up and on my seat and then I try and clip in.  If I don't get it no biggy, I might try again if there is not a lot of traffic or I might just single leg pedal through the intersection.  This is much easier if you shift into an easy gear as you come to your stop.

Also, practice balancing on your bike (track stand but you don't necessarily have to do a track stand).  This allows me to clip both feet in as the light is about to change and I can take off quicker when it finally does.  I find that helps in heavy traffic areas.  But you want to be super comfortable doing that.  Also, because I can do that I actually don't unclip all the time when coming to lights.  If I think it will change shortly I stay clipped in.

There will always be times when you'll have to make unplanned sudden stops.  That's where the calm mind comes in. 

Very nice!

Very nice!

Very nice!

Sorry folks, i have no idea what happen with my repetiveness....so i apologize.

This past week, I got my wetsuit (2XU V:2). OMG!!, that thing is great.  I can still in the water and not do a thing and float.  I feel like i am gliding when i swim for once in my life.   Also, i did a decent job of getting it on and off.   So i am a happy guy!   I have my first tri of the summer at the end of the month in Goleta!

Hope everyone is doing well and training hard!

Hey guys, back from my frolick in the moutains.  Pulled my calf the day before we left so didn't get any running in, but got some hiking in, including 5 miles one day, lots of hiking down into then out of a river gorge for fishing, got two mountain bike rides in (not very technical, I am a wimp on the MTB), and no swimming.  But came back with a healed calf and 12 caught trout (well, caught and released).  And lots of napping. 

Actually got back friday but been off the computer pretty much.  Since i am not at work LOL

Did my first non-wetsuit Pacific swim yesterday, 1.5 miles and the water is pretty warm.  was a bit bumpy, then ran 5 miles in the evening, so I feel better about alcatraz this weekend.  I am really there more as a tourist than a competitor 

Hope everyone's week is starting out well.  Mondays after vacations suck

Go to your local park, and ride around on the grass.  Clip in and out both feet LOTS, just get used to it.  Go ahead and fall down even, it won't hurt    Like Kim said, just anticipate coming to intersections, unclip well before, and if you don't have to stop, just clip back in.  I usually just unclip the left, keeping the right in.  Honestly, I might fall if I swapped that

You might fall eventually, you may not, but I know for me I fell after I got used to them, I just forgot was I clipped in one day and came to a stop and, well.....  Also, make sure you are leaning in the direction of the foot you unclipped    Don't ask me how I know.

bzgl40 - 2011-07-07 3:17 PM So which takes more energy to swim in?  Cold water or hot water?  Pools here are very hot and I feel like I am swimming uphill both ways.  I know your body uses extra calories when swimming in cold water due to trying to stay warm but if it is extra hot are you using extra energy?  It feels like I am.  One thing I did learn today is that you can only zone out so much while swimming though.  Those walls come up quicker then you realize sometimes.

Warm water is horrible.  I find it much more difficult.  If the water is a little chilly getting in, I find that to be perfect in the long run.  Watch your head 

Sometimes it's very hard to balance rest and training...   Especially if the training is a bit spotty at times.  Really need to come back smartly, and I don't always do that     Also made more difficult if you are "training through" races, as I have been doing.  Nothing really an A race until late August.  Still want to get some volume in, but rest before a race is nice sometimes.

Left work about 4 yesterday, got home around 4:45, laid on the couch.  Didn't think I slept until I was woken up at near 7 by my wife calling and asking what was for dinner.  Guess I did sleep.  Feel MUCH better today, but still going to take it easy on swim tonight, maybe 2K yards, then a short easy 2 mile on the treadmill. 

I HATE to rest!!!  I like high and low intensity days instead.  Low intensity days are more like active rest.  Although occassionally I have to take an actual Rest day. 

Started swimming again.  YAY for me.  Got up this AM at 5 and went right to Walden Pond and swam the 1/2 mile across and back.  Then I started swimming the other way. Didn't get too far.  1.1 mile total I have to take a lot of little rests.  But I know if I keep at it, I can just keep going and going and going!

My sprint is in 3 weeks.  I am doing this as a relay with the hubby and a friend.  Going to NH next week to ride the course with the hubby.  Give him a little confidence.  Its an off road bike,  lots of logs and rocks.  The trail is wide at least...oh yeah its uphill too.  THis will be his first race ever. 

Good luck tio all those racing this weekend.

Speaking of swimming....ugh.  I got my partner to video tape me this morning and I am doing even worse then I thought.  The video from the side clearly shows me pretty much entering with my elbow first instead of my hands.  And from the front you can clearly see my hands (both to make sure I am extra slow) crossing the center line.

Anyone got some good drills to correct those two problems?  I didn't think I was crossing the center line at all.  So what clues can I look for as I swim to prevent that?

Congrats!  Well done

Back from Alcatraz.   A whirlwind trip, LA to SF Sat, race this morning, back this afternoon.  Fun race!  Swim was good, heavy fog in the a..m. caused a drop closer to shore than usual,but during the swim the fog cleared, and the GG Bridge was all lit up as we swam towards it.  And the views from the bridge were absolutely spectacular.  A bit disappointed in the run pace, but it's a bit of a bear of a run, lots of up on the out section.  Good weekend though

Chris and Hoots good job at your races.

Seren, i love rest too and I finally getting a day today.

Steph keep at the pedals, you will laugh a few years from now, when you arent falling anymore.

I have a swim question...  are there any kicking drills to improve your full leg kick?.  I apparently dont use my whole leg from the hip to kick...i guess i only use from the knee down.   

Have a nice week