Caius's Group - CLOSED (Page 27)

Been missing in action for while - at least it feels that way.  Now that my last race is done I just find that I'm kind of yo yo-ing.  I'm still trying to get ready for the Scotia 1/2 but we'll have to see what baby # 2 says about it in terms of her arrival times.

Everyone seems to still be in ful on focused race mode - which is great - keep it up everyone.  I'm starting to wonder what I would like to aim towards for next year.  I'm contemplating a 1/2 ironman, but not sure at this point.  The running is coming along, so I'm also wondering about a marathon, but not sure if I can cope with the training to do the distance.

By the way - how do you really know when your shoes need to be swapped out?

Oh, one more thing.  I'm thinking about requesting that my username be changed.  I figure I've done what I hoped to accomplish this year, and squishybelly is old news (may still need a little work) but it's time to make a name change.  Any suggestions?

 Neil

Baby #2? Awesome! When's the due date? Sometime in the next couple of weeks?

As for shoes, they say (not sure who 'they' are though) that shoes will last about 500-600km. I can actually start to feel a difference by the 400km mark where the shoes just don't have the same amount of cushioning in the heel. Especially on my long runs on the weekend this is quite noticeable.

I use BT's equipment tracker feature to keep track of the mileage on my shoes and it works great. Give it a try.

Thanks....September 16th - her brother was 2 weeks late, so we're kind of hoping that she arrives when she's supposed to.  If she is late then I'll stay away from the Scotia 1/2 and try to find something different.  I think my wife will need all the help she can get for the first week or so.

I think it is time for new shoes.  I can see that the tread is starting to wear on the heel, and I've been noticing a bit of pain in the outside of my left thigh on some of my recent runs, I'm guessing because the cushioning is starting to go.  At least I hope that's the reason.  I'll use the equipment tracker for the new stuff.

It's just that everything costs so much when you keep having to replace stuff.  I probably need to swap out my bike shoes as well, but I'll wait till the bike show in October and see if I can find anything (though I haven't found much in the way of shoes in the past).  Think I'd also switch to Tri shoes.

Tread wear and especially pain is a good sign that it's time to replace your shoes. I hear you about the cost though. I check the Running Room when they have sales and buy last season's models when I can.

For example I use Asic Kayano's (amongst other shoes) and the current model is Kayno XIV which retails for about $180. But, I was in the RR one time earlier in the summer and found Kayano XIII on sale for $90 so I scooped up a pair even though I didn't need a new pair at the time.

As for bike shoes, I usually buy a the spring bike show. I've had luck finding LG shoes (not many people wear size 13 I guess). I can see other sizes going faster so you may need to get there early. Lastly, tri shoes are a great idea. I really prefer them over regular bike shoes.

www.RunnersWorld.com is a good running resource.

Got up at 4AM yesterday, drove 45 miles one way and met 20 or so other people at this weekend's tri site to do some OWS.  We swam a few laps of the course.  I was nervous as it was only my 3rd OWS and I hyperventilated on the previous two.  We did a time trial start, like they will do in the race this weekend.  The course goes down one shoreline, crosses the cove, down the other shoreline and back to the boat ramp (400 yards).  I think watching the trees go by and having some perception that I was actually "moving" helped a lot.   Didn't have any issues and was able to sprint the last 25 yards each time.  I'm really looking forward to the swim now.

Then we prerode the bike course (12 mi).  Should be a blast this Saturday.

Hey everyone,

I have been MIA for a few weeks on the board, sounds like you all have been plenty busy. I had a race last Saturday (5K) it went really well. I gained 2mins, 45 Sec. over my time last year in the same event.  I was going to do my last tri this weekend for the summer but plans have not worked out to travel to Utah for it.  Oh well, if the weather keeps cooling off like it has this week I will be cross country sking in no time lol.

Good luck to anyone racing this weekend !

I wrecked, sort of, in today's mtn bike race.  Washed out my front tire on an off-camber part of the trial on a slick root.  Flying along and all of a sudden I'm on the ground.  Landed on my left shoulder hard and knocked the wind out of me.  Got my breath back, didn't hurt the bike, and did the DFL thing out of 13 riders or so.  Oh well.  I was "out of gas" after yesterday's tri anyway.

The bike is my strong suit.  I took 5th on the bike out of my AG yesterday and missed 4th by 5 seconds.  I may do like Tim did, find a HIM and do a relay and do the bike portion.

The OWS went well except that I needed to sight better.  I passed the 1st bouy by about 20 yards.  I was focusing on my breathing, my stroke, trying not to go too fast and keep my heart rate down.  I kept going to the right and started hitting big rocks just under the surface of the water near the shore.  I actually had to stand up and walk, ahem, in water only up to my knees.  |I waded back out to deeper water and rejoined the swim.  It was a time-trial start, so I had plenty of room to manuver.  Swim time was 9:59'ish considering the veering off course.

There is a big Oly next weekend here and they claim it is the 2nd longest running Oly in the country (Music City Triathlon).  I'd like to hone my OWS and make that an "A" race next year.  For that event, it is usually a borderline call on whether it is wetsuit legal or not.

Hi all,

Life's been super busy lately. Let's see...we hosted a big BBQ party for my mom's 69th birthday this past weekend, our daughter started going to school (junior kindergarten) and we had a funeral today. Lot's of good, some bad, all tiring.

Funny note, my wife and I were off today because of the funeral but today was also the first day that my daughter was going to take the school bus. Let me tell you, I was excited but also pretty nervous. We waited for the bus, helped her get on and then made a mad dash for our car so that we could drive to her school, watch the bus drop her off and watch her being walked into her classroom. We were a pretty funny sight hiding behind other parked cars, behind trees, and peeking into her classroom window. I think we need help

Okay back to our triathlon discussion. With the tri season winding down, what's everyone's plans for the remainder of the year? What is your plan for the off season? What are your hopes and aspirations for next year?

I can see the light at the end of the competitive season!  I have an off-road "fun" tri on the 27th; we canoe 4 miles, mtn. bike 8 miles, then run a 2.5 mile trail run.  I'll run a few 5ks this fall with our 11 year old for giggles.

My 1st tri isn't until Memorial Day '09.  I may quit mtn bike racing next year and just ride trails for fun; I want to focus on triathlon.  I think that is where my forte and comfort zone are.  (Thanks squishybelly!)

I liked the BT 20 week Oly training plan - it more than prepared me for the sprint tris.  I'll start that plan again in late Jan while training lightly through the winter.  I'd like to drop 5 or 7 lbs this winter.

One question Caius - My insoles of my Saucony shoes came loose (okay, from sweat!) but the shoes aren't near the 300 mile mark or so to get another pair.  Do you replace the shoes or just buy an athletic insole?

Hi All,

Sorry for continuing to be absent - life is rather hectic at the moment through a combination of work and home and I just haven't seen to have time to sit down and post on our forum.

The Tri season was done early for me (ending in August) but I'm focusing on running the 1/2 marathon at the end of September.  If I can't do that one then I'll want ot find one in October but I really think I'm peaking for end of September - ran 23km in under 2 hours on Saturday.

As for post 1/2 marathon, I'll get back to swimming with the Tri group at the end of this month, and this is really an area that I would like to see a lot of improvement over the next 6 months.  I'm also going to spend as much time riding as I can possibly fit in (with 2 kids in the house).  

So, depending on how well the 1/2 marathon goes this year I will start to really consider training for a full marathon in May of next year (Mississauga).  I'd also like to consider doing the Muskoka 70.3 (Caius - any idea when registration opens?  I know it sold out fast this year), and then I'll do some Sprints and at least one Olympic.

In a nutshell - those are my long and short term plans.  At least as they stand right now.

Oh, and I did get a new pair of shoes and ran 8.5km in them at lunch today.  Still had some pain in the outside of my left thigh, so that has me a bit worried.

Neil

P.S.  Tracy passed along a suggestion for a new username, anyone else got thoughts?  Although I will admittedly probably go with whatever I come up with myself.

Anyone racing this weekend?

Yeah, I'm doing the Muskoka 70.3 race this weekend but in all honesty, I'm not looking forward to it. Last I checked they were calling for rain...let me check again now...okay, they're still calling for rain but at least it went from 70% chance down to 40%. Let's hope the trend continues as I really don't want a repeat of LP conditions.

Good luck Caius if you race this weekend.

In the off season I hope to work on my swimming and cycling.  Next year I would like to do an Olympic tri.  I don't get much opportunity to swim in lakes but there are two pool Olympics in the area so I might choose to do one of those next summer. 

My family is hoping to go somewhere warm for Christmas, perhaps Mexico.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Mayan Riviera...did it a few years ago and loved it.  Also did the DR just over a year and a half ago, and really enjoyed it.  Wasn't sure what to expect but had a great vacation.  We were on the Punta Cana end of the island.  One of the best beaches I've ever been on.

I'll second Squishy's suggestion on the Mayan Riviera. Sooooo incredibly amazing. Been there several times and I just can't get enough. Absolutely incredibly pristine calm waters and beautiful white sandy beaches. Incredible snorkling (even 50ft away from shore) and scuba if you're into that, lots of different day or half day trip possibilities and warm people. Love it there! Stayed at the Barcelo Maya here several times.

I can also recommend:

Paradise Island, Bahamas - More resort/water park type of place with absolutely stunning grounds and lots of fun water slides, lazy rivers, pools, casino, etc. The ocean is nice but usually rough and there is very little snorkling to be had immediately off the beach. This place can be expensive BUT here's a secret; the Comfort Suites is clean, cheap and has FULL access to all of the Paradise Island amenities at 1/3 the cost of the other hotels. This is a good place to go with kids since they'll enjoy all the water rides.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Island - Awesome beaches and crystal clear ocean waters. Not too much to do on the island which is GREAT if you're looking to really wind down and relax. Stayed at the Marriot Beach Resort here and loved it.

Bahamas was great as well - did this on a budget as we had friends with a family house down there, but the island was great with plenty to do.  Also, really loved doing St. Martin- stayed on the Dutch side, but rented a car and travelled around visiting different beaches, etc. and got to use a bit of French on the French side of the island.

Jamaica - I'd rather not go back.  Loved the resort, and the island is gorgeous, but you just don't feel as safe.  Maybe I heard one too many stories before the trip.

Oh Squishy, I forgot to answer your question about 2009 Muskoka registration. Nothing has been announced yet. Not on the ironmanmuskoka.com, not on the NAS website or on the Trisport website. Odd. I'll see what I can find out at the race this weekend and let you know.

I signed up for this race since it's the innagural (sp?) year and it's an Ironman branded event, which is something I cared about at that time but not any more. Frankly, I think it's too late in the year which leads to iffy weather (i.e. this weekend). If you want to do a HIM but don't care if it's an Ironman brand I'd really really recommend The Canadian 113 in Ottawa. It is an amazingly well run event and I guarantee that you will thoroughly enjoy it.