HILDEBEAST'S Mentor Group, CLOSED! (Page 19)

I have the Shimano 105's too.  They seem to work fine.  I need better shoes though.  They are not as stiff as I really need.  They were a good beginner shoe.  I got the cheapest shoes I could find.  Wish I had splurged a bit for something stiffer.  So this may be something to think about.  They are perfect for commuting but not great for racing.

Just ordered some new running shoes - Brooks Adrenaline GTS.  My old standby.  I've been running in Brooks PureFlow since last September but they seem to have lost all cushioning with less than 200 miles on them.  My feet actually hurt after my workouts.  Any run that is over 40 minutes or so anyways.  I have two pairs and both have less than 225 miles on them.  So I think the PureFlows are perfect for training for a 5K distance but anything longer and they are no good for me for running.

Melanie, good to know on the Brooks Pure Flows... 200 miles and worn out, NOT good!! 

I've had regular SPD pedals (mountain bike), SPD-SL 105's and whatever the model lower is, they were black, and now the Speedplays.  The Speedplays will cost more, although check Ebay, you might find a deal, I think the Light Action Chromoly's are $114 new.  I found with any of the SPD-SL style pedals, I HAD to look down to clip my foot in EVERY time, with the Speedplays I can feel it and just step down and click and go.  The SPD's will not stay parallel to the ground, they kind of hang down and you can only use one side, whereas the Speedplays are double sided.  Melody, they will get easier the more you use them, they are probably a bit stiff because they are new.  You can also adjust how easily they will let your foot unclip, there's a screw somewhere.  I could never unclip my left foot by swinging it out, I had to turn my heel towards the bike to unclip.  That habit was a bit hard to unbreak with the Speedplays because you HAVE to push your heel out to unclip.  It seems that the higher in level of pedal you go, (as in more $$$$), like Scott said, it's more about weight.  I just got new bike shoes, not spensy ones, so I hope I don't run into what Melanie did with them not being stiff enough... I find it ironic that I have no problem spending $200 for a pair of bike shoes and I won't spend $50 for a pair of casual shoes, ha ha!!!  Oh another thing on the the bike shoes... TRI bike shoes will have one wide Velcro strap, road shoes sometimes have this ratcheting thing .... think about transition, much faster to slap that Velcro over then be trying to get multiple ratchet thingies done up when you're breathing heavy from the swim!!

Charlie- this is where Hilde was talking about tri shoes vs road shoes.

As far as running shoes- do you have the option of a running store where they can check out your stride? If so I would go there for your first pair. Foot shape is a part of what type shoe to order, but if you pronate and how you tand (forefoot, heal, etc.) also matter. If not LRS, I would google as much info as possible and buy from a run shoe store with a good return policy like Road Runner Sports- they let you try a running shoe for 90 days and if it is not the shoe for you you can return.

Edited to add- money is an issue with me concerning almost everything I buy for Tri- but running shoes are one thing I refuse to skimp on.

Hey all!  I know I've been MIA lately - the last 2-1/2 weeks have been a bit crazy for me.  We spent 5 days in Maine with DH's family for my FIL's burial.  It was so nice to see everyone but strange to not have him there.  And work has been a little "challenging" lately.  It's the end of the fiscal year (which for an accountant means lots of work in a little time) plus we had a bunch of people retire and my job has changed some because of that.  All boils down to lots of stress and not much working out.  I'm thinking I'll take it easy this weekend with an easy bike tonight and short run tomorrow and then try to get back into my training plan starting on Monday.  It's a scheduled cut-back week so seems like a good time to try to get back into the swing of working out.  I'd still like to get a tri in this fall if I can - just have to find one that will work schedule-wise.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Janet

 Janet- I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. A loss is always so hard.

Charlie- as I understand it the main advantage of being clipped in is you are able to use the same power on the up stroke as the down stroke, making the power you use much more efficient.

THIS BT THREAD from a few months ago has a neat diagrams showing which muscles are used when on the pedal stroke.

HERE is  a Livestrong article on the benefits.

Personally my main reason for going to them was I believe i will get faster with clipless pedals than I ever would without them. I had bike shoes for a while before I put the new pedals on. Just riding with the stiff bike shoes and cages I could tell I was much more efficient than with sneakers. Riding clipped on feels 100% more efficient. 

Lots going on with the Beasties... Janet, sorry work is beating you up, but glad you are getting back to your training plan!

Andrea -- I thought you must have been on vacation with all those blank days, so unlike you!  I'm trying to reign in the eating too.  I used to be able to put my mind to it and the pounds would just drop away.  Now I put my mind to it and I drop a pound, wtf?!  UGH.

Charlie -- clipped in shoes and pedals ARE much more efficient, but you only realize that when you try them.  The only good thing for using tennis shoes and flats is the time you will save in transition.  I rode a bike in tennis shoes and it was horrible, I kept lifting my feet off the pedals on the upswing!  Besides, I think being clipped in makes you "one" with the bike, !

Charlie -- x2 on going with clip-in.  You'll generate more power and be more efficient.  With respect to right leg going numb.  Might try to adjust seat height just a bit or move seat forward or backward just a bit.

Andrea -- Welcome back!  Vacations are hard.  I have no discipline when I am on vacation with respect to exercise (I don't do any), food (I eat constantly), and booze (sometimes we start before noon!).  We did CSA for two summers.  Really liked the first year but the second year wasn't as good an experience.  We did discover Kale Chips as a good way to use kale.  I am also a big fan of Mark Bittman and love his book, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.  Everything I have tried from this book has been good.  The Vegetarian Times website is also full of good recipes.  Good luck!  Sounds like a bunch of us are in the same boat -- trying to eat healthier and have some self control.

Last week was a really good training week for me.  I am hoping to build upon that and have two really good training weeks in a row.  Today is a swim day.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Kale Chips!! I love Kale Chips.

That being said, that is not what I was munching on the last few days (head hanging in shame)

BUT- its Monday- a new week and I am ready to eat right!! AND log my food consistently!!!

I was suppose to run this morning but did not because I have literally had a pain in my a$$ since Saturday. It is either extreme upper hamstring or my glute muscle. I noticed this after my ride with my clipless pedals Saturday morning so I am thinking maybe I just used some new muscles. I rolled it yesterday with a tennis ball and it is better today, but not completely so I thought I better not push it.

Melanie- will check out Mark Bittman and his book- sounds great

BTW- i found some extra instructions for using the other wire to get cadence in my bike computer. I just need to figure out exactly what the crank is and the chain stay Thank God for Google 

Here is a nice graphic.  I have to try and find another one I really like.

Here is a nice graphic.  I have to try and find another one I really like.

Here it is!!

(Bike.jpg)