HILDEBEAST'S Magnificently Motivational Mentor Group - CLOSED!!!! (Page 22)

Try looking for a silicone swim cap.  Slides over the hair a bit easier than latex.  They are more expensive.  

Might also try a lycra or nylon swim cap.  Fabric so might be more comfortable.

Speedo also makes a "long hair" swim cap (silicone). It has a little extra room in the back for tucking hair in:

http://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Silicone-Long-Hair-Black/dp/B000F6E2JE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326895750&sr=8-1

I have a silicone swim cap also.  The 2 latex ones that I got from tri's are so tight I can barely get them on my head but the silicone one fits really well.  It was a little more expensive but so far it's lasted me for 3+ years (of course, I don't swim that much so take that for what it's worth). 

So DH has been asking me about my tri in May.  I guess he saw the confirmation email that I got after I registered.  It wasn't that I was keeping the race from him but he's not usually that interested so I just hadn't mentioned it yet.  He asked if I was going to take DD along since she's going to school there next year and what I'm going to do about the swim since I haven't been to the pool in months.  Not sure if he's really interested or is just miffed that I spent the money considering our financial situation right now (I signed up early to get the discount but it was still a little bit expensive).  I'm cutting back on the number of races that I'll do this year - doing a lot of volunteering instead - and only doing nearby ones, and this is the most expensive one all year.  I guess we'll just have to talk it out.  I can't give up racing entirely - I enjoy it too much.

Suzie- I'd second trying out the long-haired caps to get a little extra room.  I find a cap a must-have for comfort while swimming.  Plus, you have to wear them if you do a tri, so might as well get use to it!

I had my parents-in-law, brother-in-law (his wife, and two kiddos) in town for the past 10 days.  It was wonderful having them here, but I am exhausted from all the cleaning/shopping/cooking/entertaining!  I'm also finally tapering and nervously awaiting my first half-marathon in a week and a half- if anyone has any advice to throw out, I'm open to it!

louise, you're going to do great!  definitely start off with a slow/comfortable pace.  you can always pick it up at the end if you have anything left in the tank. 

also, make sure you don't wait the last minute to pee.  those port o potty lines can be LONG!  i waited until 15 minutes before the race started (i think i have a nervous bladder or something, sorry TMI!) and barely made it to the start line before the gun went off

Awww, you're adorable, Turtle! (And definitely the undisputed queen of long TM running!) Thanks, Brad-- I copied the image and will print it out and put it in my training area! It's fabulous!

SwimOutlet it is then - thanks for the info!  

Regarding swim caps - I have found that a little bit of baby powder goes a long way in making it go on easier. I have moderately long hair and have no trouble tucking it into a normal (read: cheap-o free ones from the races) swim cap. Haven't tried any of the other types though, so I have no comparison. 

x2 on this!

Yep.  Get in line when you get to the race.  When you're done, get in line again.  I go as many times as possible!

Louise, everyone has pretty much covered any advice I'd have-- I just want to second Joe's point about HAVING FUN!! That's why we're all involved in this audacious sport, isn't it??

Thanks for the tips on swimoutlet.com, everyone-- just noticed that my current suit (a double-layered Lycra one from TYR) is starting to get that about-to-be-worn-out look, so I'll definitely swing by there and pick up some suits-- it's criminal how much some stores charge for them!

x2 on a silicone cap, too, by the way-- the only kind that both stays on and doesn't rip my hair out (and I have short hair, so it should be harder to tear out, but not with cheap caps!). The fact that our indomitable Hilde is COMPLETELY colour-coordinated comes as no surprise to me: a streak of black-and-lime-green lightning, she is!

Congrats on the new job, Janet-- and I absolutely sympathize about the trickiness of fitting rehearsals into a busy life: I've just got cast in a production of DOUBT in Chicago, so somehow I'll have to start fitting rehearsals into my evenings and weekends starting in late February... It's all worth it, though, right?

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Alex

Cost of races:  Amazing how race fees have crept up.  I was planning on doing the Rock-n-Roll half marathon here in DC on March 17.  Went to register and balked at the registration fee ($110).  And that is for a running race!  Instead I'm doing a 5 mile trail race two weeks earlier for less than half the price.  The route will be prettier and post-race food better.  First time I balked at a race price.

Hi all!  Haven't posted much over here lately, but wanted everyone to know I'm still around (even though I've been a lazy slug for the past 3 days - haha). 

Janet - Congrats on the new job!

Tammy - Awesome job on the HM.  Glad the ankle is doing ok.  Can't believe you've got another one next month.  You are a glutten for punishment.

I totally agree about the cost of races ... I've noticed that tris are way more expensive than running races.  And the food isn't usually as good either.  Sigh.  If I'm gonna register for the HIM, I've got to do it soon or the price will go up.  Hmmm  Feeling a little wary about doing it.  Seems like my training is lagging somewhat.   Still undecided. 

Brad - loved the poster. 

Where's Wilson lately?

Thanks for the swim cap tips everyone - I just did a google search and found another thing that probably contributed to what was happening with the one I used in the swim meet - they work better (go on better) when wet and the one I ended up with was getting put on dry + it also says to not use a ponytail underneath but just essentially shoving your hair under it instead.

Janet - hope the tri questions from DH is for good reasons. I'd recomment taking DD with you so she can check out the school too.

Louise - have fun with the taper.

 Everyone else - keep plugging along

Here's the baby triathlon equipment range:

along with the requisite swimsuit and swim nappies if needed - I've noticed a lot of boy babies tend to just wear the swim nappies as normal bathers while the girls wear them under a normal swimsuit

 http://weeride.com.au/Product_detail.php?product=19 - actual pic keeps screwing up the rest of the post plus it's worth looking at the actual proper product info on the site as this is a centre mounted seat rather than a back mounted seat

Ok I know this is pretty much the top top jogging stroller but given it has "ironman" in the name it fits with the triathlon idea - might as well start them off with high expectations right?

Oh and I'll excuse you for not catching up on the friends stuff given the situation. I wanted to see "all the details" but as I'm not on your list I can't access your log.  

This indoor tri is not a series.  It is offered in a few places in the country and is a fundraiser for Epilepsy.  http://www.tritohelp.org

There are others in my area that are series, but they are further away from me.  I've sent in an entry form for one in Feb., but it's a lottery entry, so I won't know for a while if I got a spot.  That one is 20min swim, 20min bike, 20min run on an indoor track. 

Andrea - Looks interesting

Jen - glad to hear the caps work. Who do you donate the hair to?

OK, I've drunk the Kool-ade. After hearing all about the Speedo Endurance suits, I scooted right on over to SwimOutlet. I thought I had been swimming in one already; my first few disintegrated after a few months, so I upgraded to one that is so far holding up better, but it's the Xtra Life Lycra. I took a chance and ordered one that didn't even have a photo up yet, and look what I got: pure awesomeness!

I guess when you dress like this, you don't have to worry about color-coordinating anything!

Tammy turtle - Love the swimsuit - very psychadelic. Are you sure the old ones were speedo? I haven't had any issues with any of my speedo stuff and I've had the black one since probably late 09 or early 10

Oh and I must be becoming a swimmer I finally lost count of my laps today :D - I knew it was an odd lap (I know finishing in deep = odd and shallow = even) but I couldn't work out whether it was lap 3 or 5 so I finished the return (to shallow which is actually when I lost track) and called it 100 although for all I know I may have done 2x150 rather than 1x100 1x150

Tammy/turtle - love the suit!

I'm planning to get back in the pool tomorrow morning.  I hope I can remember how to not sink, lol!  I've never been a strong swimmer but can usually get through a decent workout.

Bike question - not really bike, but bike accessory I guess.  My hands (palms mostly) get really sore when riding.  I move them around as much as possible but it doesn't really help.  I know the big problem is that I put a lot of my weight on my hands/wrists due to really weak core muscles - working on that - but would wearing gloves help out for now or is this just something I need to get used to, like my butt getting used to the saddle?  My trainer ride went pretty well last night except for the soreness in my hands.  Anyone here use gloves and would I look silly wearing them on the trainer?

Janet2