owl_girl's Group --- FULL! (Page 26)

Hi Everyone!!!

I'm in sunny San Diego again!!!  I brought my tri bike down here!!!  Went on a quick ride this morning.  I didn't even push it and I was FLYING!!!!!  I felt like I could easily do a few hours at that pace.  That is good news this far out from my half-iron!  I'll take it on some more rides out here in the next few days.

How is everyone else doing?  Sarah, that ride sounds like it was brutal!  How are you feeling today?  I'll catch up with all of you soon!  Cheers!

I rode 33 miles yesterday. I finished the route I got dead ended on last weekend. However, it really whupped my behind! By 20 miles I was pooped and with 4 to go I was near agony just wanting to get it over! I'm ot sure why it was so hard.   My swim this morning was also hard, probably because my legs are tired from yesterday.

OK.  I forgot to mention that the BIG California 70.3 is on Saturday in Oceanside.  (Did you spend time at Pendleton, Shaun?)  I've watched it a few times.  I really wanted to do it this year but the timing was not right.  (I got married instead.  Sheesh!  The priorities! )  Anyway, Brett and I are going to hit the expo on Friday and see what kind of new and exciting things we can get our hands on!  I'm sure I will find all sorts of things that I can't live without!

I'll be running on the treadmill on Tuesday.  My shins are still unhappy.  How is everyone's training?

Spinning class works good, too.

The bricks sound like a great plan.  Remember to do some of them with a bike focus and some of them with a run focus.  Your running has been, simply, fantastic lately!

Cotton socks are aweful!  I have found a brand (name escapes me) which have a double layer.  I have never ever gotten a blister in those socks.  OH!  I just remembered!  They are called "Wright Socks".  I love them!

LMAO!!!!!

Thanks Nicole. Yeah I practiced clipping unclipping while on the trainer before riding outside. The thing is I don't have any problems clipping in and usually unclipping isn't a problem, but then twice I have come to a stop and fallen over. I thought I was doing the same twist to get out as any other time but they just didn't release in time. Oh well, really more embarrasing than anything. I was going very slow or stopped so just a few bruises. Love the bike though! I haven't tried to go very fast yet as I'm still getting used to the feel and everything else, but even at a very casual pace it's almost as fast as my hybrid is when I push it. Lovin the aerobars too

Sounds like a blast Tracey! You'll have to tell us all about it! There always seems to be more tri toys we must have. I really don't think I knew what I was getting into when I got into this sport, but it sure is fun!

The fitting sounds great Shaun. I'm just hoping I can find someone in Salem to do it because the guy here wasn't helpful at all. It's a fairly small town and most everyone who does bike around here rides MTB. They have a couple road bikes at the shop, but no tri bikes. At least he was honest though he told us he had no idea how to fit a tri bike.

Yeah, the real thing can be harder than practice. One key is to anticipate your stops and clip out early. What kind of pedals are you using? Do they have adjustable release tension? Does it need to be made easier?

I haven't yet gotten used to the aerobars on the race bike. I was quite comfortable with them on the Sequoia but haven't had much practice with them on the Allez. My last few rides were pretty windy and didn't offer nice lengths of road without climbs or turns. The route I have planned for this weekend should be just the thing for aerobar practice.

All of the fun stuff to see is at Oceanside Harbor.  I've watched some of them scream down the hill, past the tower, into the harbor and crash and burn on the corner right at the end of the race.  It's an ugly down hill.

My cousin works on the base.  He has offered to take me running along the beach out there.  He and his girlfriend do that every weekend.  One of these times I need to go with them.

Have you looked at the training plans on this site, Nicole? They have some really good ones and rest weeks are worked into it every 4th week or so. On the training plans I've done the rest weeks are about 1/2 time/distance of the regular weeks. So, you could also just try cutting your normal workout in half for a week. I'm sure some of the more experienced members will have more advice for you, this is just my 2 cents. I do think recovery weeks are important though to avoid overtraining.

Yes, you need recovery weeks.  That does not mean that you can be a couch potato, though!  Push like you have been doing for three weeks.  On week four, take it easy.  Do half your distances or replace a hard workout with an easier one of the same duration.  Go running with your daughter.  After your recovery week, repeat the third week.  You will feel stronger!

Recovery is very important!  It sounds like you need to schedule recovery weeks for yourself.  Some of us have to take them due to work or family commitments.  Use those commitments to your advantage.  Your family will love it!

I hope this helps, Nicole.  You have been working really hard, and it shows!

Didn't you know that triathlon (or should it be quadathlon) was specificly made for women?  The fourth sport is SHOPPING!!!!

roni_runnw - 2008-03-25 9:31 AM My pedals are Look keo, and they do have adjustable tension. I have them as loose as they can go, but I'm glad to hear they will loosen a little more with use. I think Nicole has it right though, I need to unclip ahead of time because on the two occasions I fell I think I just waited too long to unclip and then didn't have time. Also, I can see the wisdom of unclipping both. Thanks for the advice! Thanks, also, for sharing your falling story Sarah. Your right the worst thing is the embarrasment. The first time I got lucky no one was around, the next time it was in the parking lot by my car at a very busy intersection with a whole line of cars sitting there. I got up really quick and got out of there. I can imagine how ridiculous it must look to see someone just fall over on a stopped bike

Just keep practicing.  You'll get the hang of it.  I typically unclip one pedal about 100 feet before I anticipate coming to a complete stop.  You will end up using the clipped in pedal more during that short period of time so make sure you have a nice, even pedal stroke.  Practice a nice, even pedal stroke while on your trainer.  Put a chair next to your bike.  Put an unclipped foot on the chair and pedal with the clipped in foot.  Listen to the sound your tire makes.  Is it loud when you are pushing down on the pedal and quiet during other parts of a full revolution?  If so, you need to work on other parts of your pedal stroke.  Before long, you will have a nice flow to your pedal stroke.

BTW.  My husband fell over the other day while trying to avoid a dog at a road crossing with cars coming.  He chose to fall over rather than hit the dog or get hit by a car.  It happens to everyone.  Just make sure you have a good story!