Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 239)

Yes, that one is mine (so should help with the age  . The race tends to draw some fast people, but doesn't have a lot of depth. One year had a former pro and two IM amateur champs in it. Other places do get something, but can't remember what. Brother got 2nd in his age-group and his wife was 3rd in hers. Last year was a functional bobble-head trophy. It looked like a statue with the metallic coating, but the head really does work like a normal one. Has to be one of the coolest things I've won.

Well NOW I'm getting scared!

Did I miss a RR?  What race is this? (Jo wants to know)

What I see in things like this isn't that gear doesn't matter, but rather they are trying to put the emphasis back on rider development, where it should be. Looking at the speeds of a typical local race, I could still put up a rather strong bike split on my mountain bike. And it also goes along those lines with the comfort, or fit. The bike has to work for the individual rider. It does not do any good if the position can not be held for the duration of the ride. It's also not good if the position makes one sore or squirm about some when riding it.  None of these things can really be directly seen that well, so newer or less experienced may focus on what they can actually see. And that would be the very visually catching aero stuff. Those things help, but the heart of a strong rider is the engine and their ability to utilize it.

Nice job going for it there! I realized Friday that not everyone would start picking it back up within a couple days of an HIM like I would (communications black-out for several reasons for me), and would have suggested to go on a light ride before the race for exactly what you were thinking. Thursday or Friday would have been best for a generally light ride. And with a TT coming up in a couple days I would have tried a steady buildup of like 15 minutes or so in there. Or done it as a series of say 3-5 minute intervals, starting with just a bit over easy on the first and making each one a bit harder than the last. Or maybe some combination of both. That helps to both work out the garbage feeling from the previous big event and to also help gauge what I might be ready for. On those, I don't necessarily look at all of them, but more the later parts to see how well I was operating at a harder effort and if it would be good enough for the upcoming event. Certainly not an optimal lead in, but could I get going well enough to expect a reasonable ride? Then probably expect to have to work some things out again on race morning, but hopefully not as much.

It was a huge sh*t show of never ending people, but my RR is up.  And I'm still freakin' slow. 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=496487&posts=1&page=1

I missed a couple of days, so going back to check things out... and lookie what I get to check out! 

HUGE CONGRATS Chad!  It always awesome to be able to SEE your accomplishments, and that is freakin' FANTASTIC!! 

OMG - that's such an awesome trophy!! 

Congrats on winning your AG too - that's some solid work to get such an awesome trophy! 

Awesome! A worthy reward for a job well done.

Exactly!  How many times have you seen people with tri bikes that cannot stay in aero?  What's the point of that?

Congratulations!

For those of you lamenting the fact that it's Monday (as I am), if it makes you feel any better (or at least you can laugh at me) I almost didn’t make it in to work today as my evil husband decided to make something ridiculous like 17 alarm chili last night “just to use up all the dried jalapenos and hot peppers we’ve got lying around”. 

All I have to say is that food shouldn’t hurt going in or going out.  Yes, you can now starting singing Johnny Cash ‘Burnin’ Ring of Fire’ in your head for your own amusement. 

How about..."Life isn't tried it, it is merely survived, if you're standing outside the fire". Way to LIVE IT UP!

Whew! Manatees may look all cute and slow, but dangit you guys can MOVE!!!!

Pics that made me laugh and cheer---Stacey's "new" bike seat, Ben's little trophy man

Fist pumps for---Jen getting back to her badazz tri self, Skrat's life change, Switch just doing her Switch thang

Ugh...I'm sure there's 50 other things I forgot

I did something I NEVER EVER EVER EVER thought I would do...

It's 7 months away, and I can drop to the HM if I'm really not ready. But 7mo should leave me no excuses besides injury.

(Screenshot_2013-07-25-20-07-20.jpg)

Exit wounds!!!

YOU CAN DOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!   

Yeah, I know.  As does my azz!

Oh it burns, burns, burns... 

Way cool!!!!!!!!!

Did long weekend ride with DH...60miles. Saw our first baby rattlers (road kill ). Tried a Stinger gel- the fruit punch is waaaaaaay too sweet for me,  and ate 1/2 Stinger waffles-vanilla and chocolate are yummy!  

I can definitely tell I'm not getting the good sleep I need (7+ hour girl), but still working on getting baby to stay in her bed. The last 30-40min the heat (100*) and tiredness hit.

But still a good "date" with DH