BigSkiesMentorGroup - COMPLETE! (Page 25)

Well, in prep for the Golden Gate Tri, I had my first open water swim in the SF Bay.  It went much better than I expected.  I was nervous (I don't know why - I've been swimming since 3) so I got in the slow group.  Not long into it, I settled into a good rhythm.  The mile went by fast.  I even got a chance to drive the bike ride (It's near where I swam)  It's not as hard as some of the hills I've been riding but still quite challenging.  At least now I know which hills to focus on to prepare.  

Only down side was that in a fit of stupidity, I didn't use Body Glide around my neck... the back of my neck is tore up!  I promptly bought some for next week's open water swim and the race.

Canon

RR to come.  You girl Julie won and I even talked with her while standing in line for the bathroom - I ddin't realize it was her until she talked and then I got looking at what she was wearing and said, "Wait?  Aren't you Julie Dibens?  Don't they give you guys your own special place to pee?" ha ha  VERY nice person.  She didn't put off that Pro vibe at all, down to earth and I liked her a lot.

And I will do a write up, here is the quick and dirty:

Rev3 puts on a FANTASTIC race.  Best race I have been to hands down - holy swag too.  The course at this race is relentless.  WAY tougher than Timberman, hands down. The bike is constant rollers, but you can never get enough momentum from the downhill to get up the next uphill, and it chips away at you.  You need to be master of your gears to ride this course really smart.  I think I stayed within myself.

The run. Holy hell. Mile 2-8 is up hill.  Constant, no break, and steep.  Then the last mile is uphill too just to put one last beating on you.

6:43 for me - a 7 min PR on a tougher course, I am happy with that.

I went to a sports store yesterday and bought one of the gels... It doesn't taste good. I'll try with other brands. Also I'm looking into buying tri shorts. I tried a few tops but I'm overweight and none of the ones they had was large enough. I'll probably will need a XL size.

Did anyone ever buy online? I saw a couple of places that sell tri clothes online and most of them have a size chart so I think it shouldn't be a problem. But would like to hear other's experience or even stores recommendation.

Sandra

The Golden Gate Tri is June 26.  I have about two more weeks of hard training before I start my taper. (And two more weeks to figure out a true taper and what gels/gu/powershot to use - I've been following the conversation on that - any advice on either the taper or which Gel/Gu/Powershot people like (as well as eating/drinking plans for a sprint) would be much appreciated.)

The swim was conducted by Water World Swim: http://www.waterworldswim.com/swim_pedro.html 

I'll do one more next week, but mostly focus on getting faster on riding  hills.  This course is all hills and that and running will be my toughest parts. 

 Canon

Hey Mandy,

Congrats on 1/2 and also on PR.  I was looking at the race website and they had the word "challenging" in both the bike and run descriptions.  That is never good.

I've heard lots of great things about REV3 races - I might have to look around for one.

Denise

No. No.  I'm working on a full race report and I'll post a summary here later.

Great race.  In my Race Report I will talk more about it - but I will say this - Rev3 does it right.  They put on a top-notch event for sure. If you can get to one, DO IT!

And the course was HILLY.  WICKED HILLY.  On the run and bike.  I would say that the only flat part of that course was the swim. 

stevebradley - 2011-06-06 7:55 PM MANDY! Absolutely fabulous performance, kid! And that on a course that I have heard is STILL one of the toughest around, even though they made it easier than when it first ran in '09. Can you imagine?? I will look at the splits later, which will be as soon as our dopey dial-up decides it can display that page. Grrr. Rev3 has always had a problematic website for me....and it's staying true to its history! Good to hear that Julie is very nice, but most pros are. It really is remarkabel that way. I have found some of the non-pro elite types to be a bit prickly, but that might be because they are consumed with working hard enought o see if they have what it take sot be a pro. The pros are already there....and only have to worry about a paycheck; how hard can that be? That's an impressive PR, and I just hope those splits materialize soon for my edification! How's the bod feel today? Did you drive straight back to maine afterwards?

I feel good, thanks!! I did a recovery spin on the trainer tonight.  We drove home after, 6 hours -I was pretty stiff!  

My splits were: 

Swim: 48:15

T1: 2:20

Bike: 3:38

T2: 2:13

Run: 2:14

6:43 total

RR coming!

Buffalo Olympic - my 1st Olympic

Overall 350/362, Females 86/95, Age group 1/1

swim: 2:37/100    bike: 16.0   run: 9:55 

What a difference a day makes.  After the race, I was very discouraged and disheartened but today all is good.  Even though I knew there weren't going to be many slow racers in the Olympic and my placement was about what I expected, it was still discouraging to be so far in the back with this number of racers.  (You noticed, Steve, there weren't any 50s or early 60s women - I think they know to stay away from this race).  Also, I finished just after the awards ceremony started, so I wasn't on the age winner list.  I went up later and asked for my prize.  That was a little disappointing especially since my husband had driven 2+ hours to see the finish.

But today I am happy with the race and my times - not great but perfectly acceptable.  The swim was slow but I had no problem with the distance - same with bike.  I was quite happy with my run because it was very hot and a big hill at mid-point.

And my record is intact: 10 triathlons, 10 1st place age group awards

Details here:

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=255426

Denise

Congrat's on your HIM Mandy.  If I remember correctly your are doing IMLP so your REV3 race should set you up well for the big upcoming IM.

manfarr1974 - 2011-06-06 9:26 PM

stevebradley - 2011-06-06 7:55 PM MANDY! Absolutely fabulous performance, kid! And that on a course that I have heard is STILL one of the toughest around, even though they made it easier than when it first ran in '09. Can you imagine?? I will look at the splits later, which will be as soon as our dopey dial-up decides it can display that page. Grrr. Rev3 has always had a problematic website for me....and it's staying true to its history! Good to hear that Julie is very nice, but most pros are. It really is remarkabel that way. I have found some of the non-pro elite types to be a bit prickly, but that might be because they are consumed with working hard enought o see if they have what it take sot be a pro. The pros are already there....and only have to worry about a paycheck; how hard can that be? That's an impressive PR, and I just hope those splits materialize soon for my edification! How's the bod feel today? Did you drive straight back to maine afterwards?

 

I feel good, thanks!! I did a recovery spin on the trainer tonight.  We drove home after, 6 hours -I was pretty stiff!  

My splits were: 

Swim: 48:15

T1: 2:20

Bike: 3:38

T2: 2:13

Run: 2:14

6:43 total

RR coming!

Nobody can stop her!!!  Well done Denise!!

Steve,

Great race story.  I'm certain that the person you were stalking was a tough competitor and you were reaching deep to cut the 90 second gap.  You almost pulled it off!!  I have said this before, I don't have much of a tolerance for pain so I have no idea how I would react in that situation.  Of course I'm not good enough to put myself in that situation so I don't think I'll have to worry about that anytime soon!!!!

Regarding HR, I hear what your saying.  Personally, I was raised using the tool and have found it helpful particularily as a beginner in the sport.  How helpful is it in the "heat of the battle"?  I don't know.  You have advocates like Mark Allen and those like Macca on the other side of the HR fence.  Both pretty darn successful triathletes.  Who's right, who knows?  My guess is that they are both right given their circumstances.

Steve,

I'm a big chocolate nut so I'll have to give the Clif product that you mentioned a shot.  As for sugar flavored panther pee - think I'll skip on that one 

Steve,

As you can probably tell by now I often read backwards (I have my quirks) in the thread so I already responded to one of your later responses about HR. 

Like you my HR can be all over the map on different days depending upon my fatigue level, heat, hydration, etc....   As a relative newbie to the sport I don't always know how it should feel.  As I get more experienced I'm hoping that I get more familar with the feel of racing at different distances (sprint, olympic, HIM).  If you were to ask me what my race run pace (or feel) should be like for the next local HIM, my answer would be: I don't know.  So the HRM just helps me put a threshold on my efforts more than anything else (as you can probably tell I have a fear of exploding).

Anyway, enough from me on the HR subject. 

Steve,

What race are you doing this weekend?

Denise

Hey Guys,

For anyone interested, here is my Race Report:

http://caratunkgirl.com/2011/06/07/rev3-quassy-half-race-report/

I think that link should work. I also did a report here on BT for that race.  But the link one has some pictures and video.  Weee.

Mandy