Matt Gilmartin's 2nd Quarter Group- back in the pool! FULL HOUSE (Page 22)

Let me rephrase that- it's hardly easy to get to the finish.  It's crazy hard, too.  But once you've gotten to the starting line you have overcome the biggest obstacle.

FYI All,

RobinRN finished her 3rd marathon in 2 months yesterday!  She did the Philadelphia in addition to the Marine Corps and Chicago.  She's officially a Marathon Maniac (2 in 3 weeks or 3 in 2 months).

Way to go Robin!

You can be so proud of yourself ~ especially in light of your training challenges.

Proud to know you!

Bryan

Awesome Robin, congrats!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I ran a Turkey Trot this morning, here's my race report for your reading enjoyment.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=469015

Okay Matt, been wondering what you keep in your race bag? Looking to see  how my list stacks up on what I carry in my training/racing bag.

Let's build the ultimate list of what to have in your training and race bag.

All of the above.

I am finding what works for me, but have learned to value experience and am always watching other triathletes to see what tools and tricks they bring.

I love cable ties for tying gel packs to my handle bars on my bike.

Also I love my 5 gallon bucket for a stool and to carry gear i n.

Ah, OK!  Well this might be best done over several posts.  Maybe I'll start with triathlons, then move to running races.

As far as Body Glide, that's pretty good stuff.  I think you guys may or may not be aware that I am actually sponsored by New Skin this year, so of course I'm recommending that.  Not only do they sponsor me, but the product is far superior to anything else out there.  The spray-on anti-chafe is awesome.  I trained for the Chicago Marathon with it all summer long and it was great.  I had almost no chafe through training while running over 100 miles/month.  I actually have some samples and coupons if you guys want some.

Matt - is is possible to add the temperature to my training logs so tha tis a field that I can track?

Bryan

Bryan, there is no field in training logs for temperature.  That's a heck of an idea for site enhancement though.  E-mail [email protected].  I would use that as well.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend.  Due to massive calorie consumption I've also been racing.  Today I had a half marathon:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=469206

Bib shorts vs Tri shorts?

What are the pros and cons?

Bib shorts vs Tri shorts?

What are the pros and cons?

Bryan, are you asking for triathlon or cycling?  I wholeheartedly agree with Mariah about bibs for riding only.  However, in a triathlon, you probably would be better off in tri shorts and tri top, or a unitard.  Which one is dependent on how comfortable you are, I personally like the two piece.

I haven't forgotten about your race bag question, I'm trying to formulate some responses that will be easy to follow and understand.

I didn't even know they had bibs for tri's! I'm with you on that Matt - I don't think I would use bibs for a tri either, however, for short tri's (the only distance tri that I've participated in), I liked the one piece. I can't really tell you why other than it fit better and just worked for me better than the 2 piece I have. To each their own...

Jen, why don't you want a magnetic trainer?  Just curious.  Have you checked out dcrainmaker.com for reviews?

As far as one that can handle an MTB, your MTB isn't a 29'er is it?  The big wheels aren't designed for trainers.

This being said, I have a Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer and I love it.  I have several friends with the CycleOps pro trainer and they rave about it.  

Mariah, what do you guys have?  You're probably on a trainer more than anyone I know!

I've heard that the magnetic trainers aren't as "realistic" in the ride feel or the shifting - not sure if that's true? I am reading some reviews for the fluid trainers and people seem to like them. There's a Kinetic road master trainer on Craigslist that sounds like a good deal. "Gently used" and in "excellent condition."

My husband's mtn bike is a 29'er so it would be nice to have one that would support his bike too. The specs say the road master can handle a 29'er but that might not be a good use for the trainer even still. What do you think?

To be honest I haven't heard that about magnetic trainers but I suppose it's possible.  I'd definitely suggest you check out the Kinetic on Craigslist.  Mine is awesome.  I've had it for about 4 years and it's got 100's of hours of use on it.  Definitely a good company and a great product.  If the product documentation says it can handle a 29'er then even better!  I know mine does not work with my MTB (which is a 29'er as well).

You'll be using it a lot this winter with that 1/2 Ironman next fall