kenj - motivated triathletes in training - CLOSED (Page 15)

Bike computer connected to your rear wheel.  I used to have the wired version, PIA, then I got the Garmin 305.  Don't count the distance or speed on the trainer. It's not the same as it is on the road.   My speed on the road would be 15-16mph (yeah, I'm slow), but it's 10-13 on the trainer, yet I'm putting out the same effort.   Focus on time instead.  I do this for my logs - TRAINER - and since I KNOW I always put out 15 mph avg, so every hour I put in 15 miles.

As for the second question - I don't have a tri bike, so I just use my road bike. Takes me two minutes to get everything set up, so it's not that much of a hassle.  If you're really strong on the bike, I don't think it matters, but I would go on the tri bike because of the postioning. Your hips/legs would be different on a road bike. So If you're on the road bike for a while until April, then it'll take a bit to get used to the "new position" ie, arms, leg angle, open hip angle, etc.   That's just my opinion...I could totally be wrong.

Like someone said, you can get a computer that reads off the back wheel, I think a good inexpensive one is the Cateye Astrale 8.  It is available in both wired and wireless at most any bike shop, and it includes cadence.  But keep in mind, other than satisfying your need for numbers (I am the same way) the relationship between trainer miles and actual road numbers are going to be different.  Having the cadence though will be a big help.

As far as which bike, I try and use my race bike in the trainer and keep my road bike for the few oportunities that I get to ride outside this time of year.  I will also use the road bike on the rollers when I get brave enough to get on those.  One lesson I learned the hard way a couple of years ago was to get plenty of miles on the bike you are going to race.  I had my road bike in CA when I was out there for an extended work assignment.  I came home to race a HIM with only a couple of rides on the tri bike. I paid for it dearly in a bad bike split and a worse run split.  The best thing IMHO is to mix it up and try and ride them both as often as you can.  Putting a bike into and out of a trainer is a relatively quick process.

Plugging ears and humming loadly!

I've looked at a few profiles and they are very well put together.  I have a few questions:

How do you add the weather at the top of the page?

How do I add you guys as friends?

On a related note, it's getting very frustrating now that I'm reaching an age that I can't figure out technology. 

I think I've got it figured out now.

I went for price 2 years ago, just starting out - got the cycleops wind trainer, and it's tough to hear the tv on full volume over the bike if i want to get up to a decent cadence....

For the weather, click settings up top, then choose the Training Blog Customization tab, and then the weather tab.  You should be able to check to box to chose to have it displayed and a zip code to your home. 

first, mazel tov on your upcoming wedding!

2nd, the advice you've already been given is exactly what i'd suggest. and, wedding or not you really need to use the sunscreen! i spend way too much time around people with cancer - believe in it pretty strongly. good "sports" spray sunscreens, with spf's of 30-50 (i prefer bullfrog - sold at my local bike/sports shop). even for races, i spray them on after i get my numbers on and use body glide with spf. i splurge and buy "cosmetic" stuff for my face - shiseido - so that it doesn't drip & sting my eyes. none of it feels weird or off.

woo-hoo - congrats! is this your first?

sure, your secret's safe with all of us

still at my mom's in NC, still sick so had a lot to catch up on, but now at the point where i can at least contemplate getting in the pool in a day or so...and enjoying the vicarious training by reading about all of yours. what a great group.

and carla, what a report. you write so beautifully, and i so admire your persistence and reliving it with us - pretty inspirational, actually, and easier for me to relate to in a lot of respects than the reports of the folks who cross the finish  line with plenty of time to spare....

Hope you get feeling better soon!

Massive Post Replies for All: 

Many thanks for everyone’s responses to my Ironman Florida Race Report – “Life after DNF”

GoGoGo – “Engaging and enlightening read!”  ß Wow… what a compliment, thanks!  And yes, now I’m free!  (Or at least beginning to embrace my new freedom!)

Robin Gray – It is a “sad story”… and I am glad that you ultimately felt inspired at the end.  I am looking forward to 2012 with an open heart and mind!

IceManScott – You asked if I had figured out why I felt “less than optimal” on the bike… to be honest, I am just not a strong cyclist.  I was 20lbs heavier this year than last… and I didn’t do NEAR the “POWER” work I did last year (nor was I as consistent with my week day training sessions as I was in the past).  So the combination was “less than optimal”.  I am focused on “Weight Loss and Fitness”.   The Jellyfish were actually beautiful… it was me that was fearful.  I finished the swim without a sting… so we are grateful for that!  Hoping for a stellar year in 2012!

Jpbis26 – Yes, the “Jellyfish Thing” WAS Crazy!  It wasn’t nearly that bad a year before.  I was freaked out but now after writing about it, I wonder if I made it a lot worse than it needed to be.  They were very peaceful and non-aggressive creatures.  If I had been a “Diver” and not a “Triathlete” perhaps I would have been able to enjoy them more.

Abake – So glad you enjoyed reading my blog… I love to write… and I love the sport of triathlon… now if we can just get my bike speed up the next entry will be a LOT more exciting as I will be writing about my Ironman “Finish!” 

Gator22 – My understanding about jellyfish is that the “Pink Meanie” and the “Portuguese Man of War” are actually different.  After the race I did some research and my findings were that the Pink Meanie was more “flat” and “furry” where the Man of War has more of a “fin” appearance.  I think we can agree that we probably don’t want to identify either of these on our next swim!!!

Mikeylee – So glad you found insight in my write up!  I am struggling to keep everything in perspective… and it was just a “Snapshot in time”.  Several weeks prior to the race I rode like “THE WIND”.   Just didn’t have it on the day.  Definitely looking forward to 2012!!  “Bring it!”

KenJ – So glad you felt my race report was “Well Written”!!!  Someday I would like to write a book or be a motivational speaker.  Just gathering material right now I suppose.   And yes that road leading up to the Bike Special Needs Area needs a re-pavement job!  Last year I called it “Crotch-Break-Hill!”  (Read my IMFL 2010 Race Report! )  Did you see many jellyfish in 2010?  I saw a few but not like I did this year.  I think it is ever changing.  Looking forward to 2012!  (Still may buy a slot for IMFL 2012 and see you on the beach!) 

I think average bike speeds are very relative. A "slow" speed on one course could be "fast" on another depending on the difficultly of the terrain. Last summer, I raced three races within a few months of each other and had very different average speeds for all of them (one course had quite a bit of climbing, one was flat, and one had a lot of downhill). They were in Vegas, CA, and UT.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that when you're talking to people who aren't riding in your area, you're never comparing apples to apples with bike speed.

You will slay that IM Fla. course next time.

No one is slow.   We are fast and less fast.  No one has limiters. We have "challenges" which makes us like everybody else in the world.  We're lucky.  We chose our challenges. What a luxury. 

I love this stuff.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words.  Yes, this is our first one...getting a late start but better late than never!  Now I just to get my back better so I can get back out there.

PM

I feel for you.  I have had chronic back issues for 13 years. Back pain is horrible. Does it hurt more when you are sitting, standing or..?  If you could find a way to relax the muscles, it would probably help. If you tweeked something, then your muscles are most likely tight to compensate for the injury which just makes things worse (I think someone mentioned that in a prior post).  Hope you feel better soon.

Ken, I am with you.  I had to e-mail Carla to ask just how bad the jelly fish were. 

OMG that was funny!!!  "(read the 's' word)"  !!!!!  ROTF!!!!!!!!