COgirl's Group - FULL (Page 16)

Becki, Welcome to the group!

Kendra, Good luck on the brick on Sun. That will be a lot of fun! The tri group I'm in is going to be doing a bike then run next Tues. We did a swim/bike last Mon. It was a lot of fun. I started drying myself off with my towel after the swim, and I stopped, realizing I wouldn't be doing that during the race. I did a bike/run this past Sun and wore my bike shorts while running to see what it would feel like. I am a pretty slow jogger so I don't think it made too much difference in my pace.

Heather, You may want to read the thread on the NC board about OWS at Lake Norman. The Lake Norman Y has posted the OWS schedule. I think they are starting April 21? I would like to do these swims but I don't have a wetsuit so I'd like to do the ones in May where it will hopefully be warmer.

Melissa, Good for you doing a brick! Did you say you live in MA? I can't remember. My parent's lived on Cape Cod. I have family that live in NH.

Cathy, Where do you usually wear your race number? Do you wear a race number during the swim? Do you usually put socks on in T1?

I'm biking a 20 mile ride on Sat. (if it does not rain) to support children's literacy program at our local Y, Ride to Read. It should be fun!

Mel

not necessarily crazy!  Many people use mountain bikes also.  I would suggest checking craigslist also for a used bike as you might find a great bike for a little money.  My hubby has a used road bike that he got for $250....it's a Trek with Shimano 105 components (which are decent!)

Anytime you are ready.  I wouldn't do it every weekend, but you could start practicing now.  It helps you get a feel for it and be prepared for your race! 

Hi Heather!  I have used 2 different types....one is the mask (Aquasphere seal mask).  It is nice because you can see out the sides better.  I also like the Aquasphere Kaimen goggles for the same reason.  They are goggles, but are bigger and you can see well.  Sighting is pretty important in OWS! 

Hi Kendra!  Good luck in your brick Sunday!

I think the answer to your question is totally based on preference.  I prefer 2 pieces for the simple reason of not having to totally undress to use the restroom!  But both are the same on the bottom as far as the chamois pad. 

Melissa has great advice!  (awesome thought too....a good reminder that we aren't "bad" people for putting kids in daycare!).  I think daycare is awesome (depending on the facility of course!).  I worked FT until Ryan was born in July, and now I am PT, but still going to school FT.  My daughter Tara was in daycare full time until Ryan was born and she did quite well with it, even enjoyed it!  It's nice to have structure and other kids the same age!  You are a busy mom Jill, and a pretty good mom in my opinion   I think your son will be ok with daycare!

Race belts: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/shop/shop/category.asp?catid=9868

They are the best invention ever.  I have found that pins tend to damage my "tech" clothes.  So your number attaches to the race belt.  I don't put it on until the run (T2).  Your number is on your body - arms and legs - so they can see your number when you are biking.  It isn't necessary to have it on the swim - especially with wetsuits, you can't tell one person from another anyway. 

I do not put on socks in T1.  My reason is because my feet are wet and I don't want to put socks on wet feet and then have my socks get wet and then have to run in them.....blisters!  I do put on socks in T2, by then my feet are definitely dry. 

Good luck on the bike this weekend!

Well I officially signed my son up for full time daycare today and he will start August 1. My 8 yr old daughter was in full time care for a year when she was 2 and it was so hard on me! However, she was my only child at the time. Now I have 3! I think part of the reason I was having some difficulties is because my third child (my only boy) was adopted, in case you can't tell from my avatar, and I don't want him to feel short changed. He is super sweet and such a great kid. He is VERY social, but still a big time momma's boy. He cries more when I drop him off at Mother's Day Out than either of my other 2 ever really did. Anyhow, I feel good about the decision.

Heather - thanks for your input as well! I have personally met the director of the daycare. The daycare is at the YMCA and it is the same place I work out. I was having some issues with the staff in the child watch area and the director of the daycare also oversees the child watch. She was VERY responsive to my concerns and the child watch program has made a 180 degree turnaround. I have toured the facility and seen their programs and mission. The one thing I also really like about the program is that he won't be the only black child. There is lots of racial diversity, unlike the all white preschool he is at now. I think this will be a good decision for our family, but it was hard getting to this point.

Thanks for everyone's feedback! This will also make my workouts easier as he will be in daycare at the same place I workout. I can get in a workout either when I pick him up or drop him off.  

Ditto to what Melissa just said. Kendra, I hope to be able to have a flexible schedule when they get older esp in HS like you were able to do. My parents were not around when I was in HS and I did a lot of things I should not have been doing. If they had been around I probably would not have done those things.

I have my twins in a MMO (Mother's Morning out) 2x a week and they love it. ( I do too!) I think it has really helped them to socialize with other kids. Julie, It sounds like at your sons age that's a really good time to have him there with other kids. Good luck, I know it was a really tough decision for you.

I just got back from my 20 mile bike, Ride to Read. It ended up being a 25 mile ride instead. I was biking with a few other people and we took the wrong turn. They had signs for the 40 and 60 mile rides also and we followed the 40 mile ride, oops! We stopped and figured it out pretty quickly. That was a lot of fun!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Mel

Hi all!  I have been in Portland for a conference, sorry for not writing!  I went by myself, no kids....I was really looking forward to it, but still felt guilty.  Ah, the life of a mom. 

Becki: for biking, in general, you want to maintain a cadence of 90 (count the number of times your left knee comes up in one minute), though it slows on uphills.  On downhills, push hard, on uphills, do what you can without dying!  LOL!  If your bike is heavy, you may need to adjust your cadence....80 or so might be good.

Melissa: bike looks fine as a starter....did you get it yet?  anything on craigslist or at local bike shops/tri clubs?  AND I love your avatar....it's good to see you!

Kateri: If you would like to be part of the group, that is fine, just let me know!

You all are doing great, keep it up!

Oh and has anyone followed Ironman Arizona today?  it's pretty cool to watch people's progress!

um, er, .....uh...... IMCdA 2008.   

Got to watch my coach finish on the live feed....so cool! 

um, er, .....uh...... IMCdA 2008.