Manatee Express Group - Full (Page 2)

Tried reading throught the "how to's", but couldn't find how to post that colorful graph of races that I plan to do...any help???

Well, I have no where to go but up. I have been riding a JAMIS sport comfort bike, and am now ready to move to a road bike. I agree with you on the local bike shop advice, and have actually been talking with them for a little while. What they have told me is that one of the most important things for me is weight (I'm not a big person). I want to ride with groups, and worry about keeping up with the "big boys". I've actually been looking at a couple of Felts (funny Ryan should mention that), and plan to go test driving next week. As far as budget goes, I just got a bonus check from work (yea!) so I'm not too constrained. However, I'm thinking mid range in case it doesn't turn out to be the bike for me, or if I really want to upgrade later, or for other miscellaneous reasons.

Cheri

one more chime...

LBS and the relationship aspect will be huge. I have starting dealing with a LBS (gearwest) and I actually get to deal with the owner, do spin classes (once I buy the bike) with their team members, do training and the whole nine yards.

I also hope that I will be part of their tri team, get advanced registration, a place to stay (under their tent at races) and also plug money into a LBS that is willing to hopefully reinvest their time with me to help me out.

Well, I have no where to go but up. I have been riding a JAMIS sport comfort bike, and am now ready to move to a road bike. I agree with you on the local bike shop advice, and have actually been talking with them for a little while. What they have told me is that one of the most important things for me is weight (I'm not a big person). I want to ride with groups, and worry about keeping up with the "big boys". I've actually been looking at a couple of Felts (funny Ryan should mention that), and plan to go test driving next week. As far as budget goes, I just got a bonus check from work (yea!) so I'm not too constrained. However, I'm thinking mid range in case it doesn't turn out to be the bike for me, or if I really want to upgrade later, or for other miscellaneous reasons.

Cheri

Awesome info, thanks very much!!

You know I think I my explanation of tri vs road bike was really weak. Here is a link to an article that really does a great job.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml

since we are talking about bikes...update from my first post!

I bought my Felt S32 yesterday. They still have it. They had to order a size 52 shoe (road not tri) and I also get a QR full john wetsuit!!! It was a package deal. I will pick it up when the shoes come in!

Cool, I love new bikes.

Cheri did a pretty quick half marathon today. Way to go!

As I noted earlier, Cheri raced today and she asked me how to write a race report. The site has a template and it helps you write a race report. It's a great tool to document for yourself how you performed for reference for future races and to look back when you go to do a race you have done before. Its also a great way to research a race your interested in doing. You can find others who have done the race and read what they say about the race.

To write a race report do the following.

1. First you have to add the race to your race list. On the left side of your training blog there are 3 buttons that say Alblum, Races, PM. Select Races and it takes you to a new pages.

2. On the bottom of the new page there is a button to add a race. Select this button.

3. This takes you to the page where you input information about the race. You input the info, date, location, etc. After you enter the info, press search for existing races. If another BT'er has already entered the race, you select the race and it puts the race on your schedule. This is neat because you can look and see if any others are doing the race. If it isn't in the database then you tell it to add the race.

4. If you have to add the race, you give more details on the race per the template.

5. Once you input the race, save it as draft. You can input your races in advance if you like or do it when you get ready to write the report.

6. To input your report go back to your blog and hit the race button again. The race will now be listed on this page. Click on edit and then just follow the template to write your report. Some people write long ones, some just fill in the times, its up to you. If your writing a long one, save it as you go, to prevent losing what your typing.

7. Once you complete the report, save it as draft. You then can make it public if you like. By making it public it post to the a forum of race reports. This forum is called race reports and it has race reports that others have printed. You can go in and look at the others race reports and read about other races. This is how I actually found BT. I was looking for info on a race and googled the race name and it took me hear. You can also comment on race reports, just like any other post.

8. You can edit your report any time.

hope this wasn't too long winded.

I would be interested in some sprint races between PCB and Destin. My wife and I have a place we stay in PCB quite a bit from March to September.

I realize I"m a bit late on the bike info, but I feel the need to chime in. First of all, I'm a big fan of the local bike shop idea. I have done everything over the past 2 years with one shop that is fantastic. I have a Cannondale R700. I had to order it since it's a 63 and I wasn't about ready to "build" from parts the best sized bike. It's a road bike due to the "geometry" of a tri bike that was not going to work with my geometry. I still don't really know what that means but various experts in various bike shops shared the same suggestion after seeing me.

I'm really excited about having a group to share, motivate and ask questions to. I'm looking forward to kicking of 2007 in a big way.

Chris

Gina (and everyone else who chimed in about supporting LBS),

I am certainly a believer in supporting any local business. If you don't support it, it just may go away and then where will we be? And I'm especially glad to have the bike shop, because I'm very much a beginner when it comes to buying. I sure don't want to make a bad purchase! Thanks for all of the help (especially Ken!). I'm going to "test drive" a couple of bikes this week, and see what works.

Gina, I like your comment about making peace with running. I'm thinking about doing the Azalea Trail Run in Mobile on March 24th. Are you going to do it?

Cheri

My First Tri is on June 9th. That's the one I'm shooting for. It's on Eglin AFB, so you have to pre-register so that they can put you on the base access list. I volunteered at it last year to get a feel for what a tri is all about. But I still have lots of basic questions, since I really am a beginner.

The whole transition thing is a mystery to me. Is it difficult to get out of the water and on a bike?

Then there's the "lead" feeling in my legs going from bike to run. I tried it the other day, and it was very strange. It only took a couple of minutes to get past it, but still...

And then there's the clothes thing -- I saw some people wearing bathing suits and not bothering to worry about anything else, then there were others who threw shirts on, and others who wore running shorts in the water. It was all very confusing. What do you recommend?

I still have lots of other questions, but I don't want to wear everyone down immediately. But any help would be appreciated!

Thanks Ken. And thanks for the instructions to fill out a race report. I did one for this race. As everyone will see, I didn't have my best race ever, but I do know what happened and will work to correct it. It is an excuse (which I hate!), but between weather and traveling over Christmas I wasn't able to keep up with my long runs. That showed up at mile 10, when I just crumbled. I will definitely do more long runs between now and my next half in March!

Very good questions! First with your run base you can be ready to race earlier than June but I am not trying to rush you.

Some notes on transition and don't hesitate to ask. In my wife's first triathlon she actually had a towel and changed from a bathing suit to bike shorts and shirt after her swim. You will see even more interesting things at some races. The ideal solution is a tri suit which you do the whole race in. They come in both one or two piece. The bottoms have a small chamois for compfort but nothing near as big as regular bike shorts. If you go to the gear review forum's and search you can easily find some feedback on different brands. Some good brands are DeSoto, Zoot, and Pearl Izuma, but there are plenty more and you can find them in bike shops or online. For guys, same thing - two piece or one piece but you race with what you start with. It's a real pain to try to put on clothes during transition when you are wet or in a hurry. Feel free to ask more questions here.

As for how transition works, the big rule is practice before you race. For the bike to run, its a real good idea to do combo (brick) workouts as you get close to your race. They help you get use to the feeling. Swim/bike bricks are good too. As we get closer to race season I will try to elaborate alot more of transitions. For those who are competitive in your age group transitions can be the difference in a race.

Thank you for the above post on transitions. I actually had that question go through my mind right before bed last night. I am awaiting more advice closer to race season. Thank you.

What are your plans for the week. I am planning on swim team 3 days. At least 2 runs and maybe a bike trainer ride. I may do a half marathon Sunday if my ankle feels good on Friday. I also plan on starting strength work again.

Not as lofty as yours, but...
I plan to have a great week of training and finish with a nice brick (swim/bike) on saturday morning. I have 2 swim days left, 2 bike, and 1 run left. My strength training is my strong point. My strength is up near were I want it...Felt good during chest and tri's today. I also want to have a very healthy week at work (foodwise).

KEN---i did a search for cycle computers...saw you logged over 5000miles...wow. My question for you...what computer are you using? I have a Polar HRM that can double as a bike computer, but i want a specific one that stays with the bike...any suggestions?

Edited by hundoracer 2007-01-07 7:35 PM

I can't help but chuckle. My plans for tomorrow are to get the stationary bike out of the back of my van (been there since wednesday) and to ride it for 1/2 and hour. That and some free weights will be my best friend for at least a month. I don't plan on running or swimming till mid february, and then I plan on taking it slow and learning how to do both right. Hopefully by September, I will be at least competent enough in all three disciplines to finish "not last."

I'll do my morning runs Mon-Fri, plus a long run on Sunday and a run with the track club after work on Wednesday. I also plan to get a couple of bike rides in, plus go to the gym a couple of days after work.

You don't need to chuckle. I may not have explained myself on my historical training well. I am just coming off training for an ironman (14 to 20 hours a week) so I can still ramp up pretty quick. My base is pretty solid even though I am slow, I can go forever.

I started in a very similiar place to you and you are correct in starting out slowly. Doing too much to start is an invitation to injury. The only suggestion I might make is consider getting some walking in. Walking is underrated as a calorie burner.

Now get that trainer out of the van!