Artemis's Group - FULL (Page 18)

One other note about clipless pedals: ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure your cleats are tightened into your shoes before your tri.  Nothing is worse than clipping in and realizing that your cleats are loose.

Thanks for the advice on the shoes.  So far, I've not had any problems with them.  They're Look cleats/pedals, and they clip out very easily.  Not to say that they clip out on their own, but I don't have to fight them.  I'm getting better at clipping in after a stop, too.  I noticed my average speed on the bike has increased, which is what I had hoped for. 

Yeah, I learned that the hard way at my last race. Falling as a result of it may have been worse, but it still was far from ideal.

I am glad you are enjoying your clipless pedals. I love them and feel much more connected to my bike and more efficient biking with them.

I have a race on August 26th, so my main goals are all related to preparing for it:

- Be more efficient in the pool for my 400 yards
- Swim 1000+yd training sessions 2 times a week
- Bike faster and do lots of hill work
- Build run volume
- Complete at least 2 brick workouts before my race

I know that those are not great measurable goals, but I basically just want to "work hard" leading up to this race.

I want to get some brick workouts in, but the area around my house is so very hilly, that I do so much hill work that drains me fast. I should just suck it up and do a few so that I get used to the transition.

As for swimming, it has just taken me a while to build up the volume. I am getting there, but it has been a slow-go.

I am so sorry to hear about your setback, Jen. How does it look for the Richmond Sprint race? I would assume not good, because I am sure you want this to heal completely, but I was looking forward to running that with you.

I should have the splint off on Monday before the Richmond Sprint Tri, so I will be doing it.  I might have to walk, but I'll still be there.  I am looking forward to it. 

AUGUST GOALS

I am half way through my racing season. I hadn't planned on it being so strung out, but oh well. Friday I leave for Hilton Head. I am bringing everything with me. Biking and running are easy, the swimming is a bit harder. I found out there is a triathlon happening on the day I get there.. too bad I would have joined them. So anyway, I am planning on practicing open water swimming in HH.

I have 3 tri.s planned, a couple of 5Ks, hopefully a 10k and of course the Army 10 miler. So busy time.

Hope everyone is well... especially Jenn.

Sorry I've been absent lately - life has been keeping me busy.  My goals for August is to survive my triathlon on the 18th, and then prepare for my final race of the season - a 5k in September where I took 2nd in my age group last year.  Then I'm taking two weeks off, b/c my leg is still bothering me.  Then it's rebuilding time!

I would like to throw a question to the "crew" to see what everything thinks.

I am currently riding a 2005 Trek 7300FX hybrid "Fitness" bike (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/City_Bike_Path/Hybrid/FX/7300_FX/print.php). I got this before I had any thoughts of doing any racing of any kind, just some leisure riding with the family while working on getting a workout.

It is a nice bike, I enjoy it, and I have gotten some good use out of it over the past two years. However, now that I am thinking of racing triathlons and getting interested in longer road rides for fitness and recreation, my thoughts are naturally going to a bike more geared to that.

I have heard, and embrace, the "its not the bike, its the engine" mentality of biking, but I can't help but think that a jump from a hybrid to a race road bike is one worth taking. Does anyone have any experience with the actual feel and speed difference between the two? Is it unreal to expect a few mph increase in avg speed by just upgrading to a road bike?

I am obviously still on the early steps of attaining any real biking endurance. Is the fitness bike better for training if that is the case? Should I wait and upgrade when I can make most of it?

I am currently passively looking at the Trek 1500/1600/2100, probably. We are between model years, and I will require the 61/63 cm size, which are in low supply even in the best circumstances.

Also, I can imagine that there is always the desire for a "better" bike. Should patience become a virtue and wait until I could justify a few steps up from where I currently can (specifically a full carbon/Ultegra type bike)?

What does everyone think? Or if you have any other thoughts on road bikes and what is important, please share!

Or a simple "train and pine until you prove its worth it" could work, too.


Edited by dlvt52 2007-08-07 7:47 AM

I think you could make a lot of gain by switching from a Trek 7300 to one of their road bikes.  The geometry between the two is significantly different.  I currently ride a Trek 1500 after switching from a Cannondale that was similar to your current bike.  I got a lot faster on the road bike.  Call around and see if anyone has your size in the bikes.  I was able to get a good deal getting the bike at this time of year.

I don't think you would regret getting a road bike, you'll like it.

Good questions Dave.

I am in the middle of the bike dilemma myself. Before I got into doing Tri's I went out and bought a 'good' road bike from Dicks Sporting Goods. Good idea at the time, but not a great bike. I went from using my daughter's commercial hybrid bike to a road bike. BIG DIFFERENCE in performance, speed and agility.

The question really is "what are your future plans?" At the time of my purchase I was just into biking around the country and into town. Now I am racing. I see myself as staying with doing triathlons and getting into longer bike tours. So now I am thinking about a higher quality bike for my needs. Racing bikes have lighter more aerodynamic frames. The components are also geared towards racing needs.

Personally I don't believe a hybrid will do it for you if you plan to keep with racing tris. Use your current bike for your casual rides. Then your racing bike for training and races. At least this is my thought for myself. I am planning on getting one for next season myself.

As far as which one? I don't know myself. I am planning on testing riding some and asking around. I am rather short for most frames and will need to specially order it. Since I did not get actually measure for mine, I am looking forward to one that actually fits me instead of adjusting for my frame.

Best of luck. I will follow you experience on this.

Sorry I've been absent (again) - we were at a church camp for boys this last week.    I have my next tri coming up on Saturday, and I'm feeling VERY confident that I'll finish close to 1:30:00.  I also fell while clipped in today - loads of fun, but nothing serious.  Took off from a start and for some reason, my front wheel turned left, causing me to gently fall over.  I managed to land flat on my back, and only had a minor scratch on my arm. 

Falling with the clips.... considered yourself initiated! The trick for me is to always take the same side off. Always start with the same leg. I have fallen a few times when my 'rhythm' is upset and I don't do things the same way.

I always take my left foot out and stand on it. When I first pedal, it is always with my right. Does this all make sense?

You made perfect sense - and I typically clip in with my right foot first, but this time I wasn't paying attention.  Oops!

I haven't fallen yet, luckily, but I have gotten very close several times. What gets me is either having to come to a stop quickly or not paying attention while waiting for a light and drifting to the left.

I also get into trouble when I have to stop at the near end of my rides in this heat. I can only touch with my tip-toes if I am up on me seat, so that allows me very little room for error, and if my calf starts to cramp up in that position, I do a grace-less wiggle to try and stretch the calf and not fall over.

I should probably get off my seat to be safe.

Well, there it is, my second tri in the bag.    According to my watch, I finished in 1:30:45 (I wanted 1:30 or better, so I'm pleased).  I will post a race report when the official results are posted online.  My one mistake was not obeying "NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY!".  I didn't have any gels left at home, and didn't have time to go pick some up, so I used a new GU sample I got at work (shoe store) and used it.  It's a new flavor to me - mint chocolate - but it didn't sit well in my stomach.  Otherwise I had a fantastic race!

Shamless plug - my race report is up now in the race report forum. 

Well, my second race is over and done, and I have finally finished the race report.


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Now I think it is time to work on an off-season workout approach and focus and start preparing for next year.

I will probably look for a few 5-10Ks or something to motivate me to train (especially on running).

I am taking it easy for a few days, catching up on some home chores-type things and relishing in my first triathlons.

So...it's been what, two months since we've posted here?  LOL!  How is everyone doing?  Any major goals for the offseason?  I think I'm finally on the mend with my leg, now that I'm getting deep tissue massages and therapy on it.  I'm hoping to maintain some base this winter and then train for a fall marathon.  I hope everyone is going strong!!!