Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED (Page 31)

Hahah, oh boy...I don't know if I could pull one of those off  I don't think I have any need for one right now, but maybe one day! I just think I would look pretty silly in the back of the pack wearing an aero helmet! Everyone would be like "who does that girl think she is?!"They are pretty awesome though! Maybe one day, once I master actually riding a bike I will think about it.

Meulen - 2011-03-20 11:32 AM QOTD. Aero helmet, it's already on my shortlist of things to buy. but I'm a geek anyway. I'm already prancing around in spandex, an aero helmet (or conehead helmets, as Anne calls them ) isn't that big of a deal for me to wear.

Yr totally one of those guys I silently made fun of in my head...until I started training for my first Tri! LOL (okay, maybe a little even now but at least I understand the benefits too)

How did everyone's weekend go? Mine's been productive, but not as much as I'd hoped. Haven't had time to pull out the bike, drool (and then cry) over hooking up the computer & riding outside, and now it's raining. LOL Instead got great workouts in at the gym both yesterday and today. Yesterday went to that huge book sale w/ my mom & dad. Scored over $200 worth of fitness books including Men's Health: The Hard Body Plan, Jump Rope Training - 2nd ed., Run Faster from the 5K to marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach and It's Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong. I'm jazzed to have expanded our fitness library so much!

Another downside was that I went to REI to get the bike shorts and they didn't have my size anymore at any location, so now I have to wait for mail order. The silver lining is I tried on about a dozen other styles and nothing fit well, so at least I know I'm getting the best shorts for me.

Now I'm working a shift at my 2nd job, but it's at least mellow enough to log in.

I don't know if you ordered your shorts or not, but I ordered my tri shorts from them last year and chose the free ship to store option.  It took forever!  I guess it just depends on your timing and when a truck is heading their way with stock, but it did take a couple of weeks for me.  However, it was completely my fault for not reading the small print.  The one good part was that I did not know my size, so I ordered two pair and tried them on in the store when I picked them up.  I simply returned the wrong size right there and did not have to pay any shipping.  So, I guess that it actually worked out well...

Gotta love REI even if they're sometimes slow & don't stock my size. I just returned a pair of Keens I'd had for a year (while I tried to convince myself they fit right) and got a new pair of boots no problem. I love their return policy. Sucks that it took 2 weeks for your stuff though! The predicted arrival for in-store is next Saturday so I'm hoping they come through. I mean, at the distances I'm currently riding, the padded shorts are really just a convenience. I will appreciate them, don't get me wrong, but I'm used to riding these distances (15-20 miles) w/o any special gear so I'm doing ok. I'll still be impatient all week though! LOL

I never did post my March goals, so here is my modified version. I think I can just squeak it out.

Swim: 9 hours or 13,500m

Bike: 6 hours

Run: 3 hours or 15 miles

Meulen - 2011-03-17 8:52 AM

shrevemaintenance - 2011-03-16 8:15 PM

QOTD:   I manage a Pest Control Service Company.  My job is physical.  Climbing, Crawling, Hiking, Lifting, Yelling, Screaming.  Just kidding about the last two.  The first four are daily activities.  Sometimes when I get home from work, I am really tired.  It takes a lot of self motivation to train.  

 I have an addition to the list for biking.  

Never assume the the guy parked on the right side of the street won't try a U turn with no notice or even looking for that matter.  Almost got creamed the other day.  Millimeters.  My mind had already accepted the fact that I would be crushed and not make my race.  Some how I made it by.  Still not sure how.  Was so close.  Went for a 25 mile bike ride that went perfect.  Almost get killed in the last 1/4 mile.

that reminds me! for running, never assume a driver making a right hand turn is looking at the sidewalk! I've landed on the hood of a car sooooooo many times walking downtown, and had many close calls running. It's gotten so bad I think Anne thinks it's not true! LOL I've been pretty lucky though to be hit by cars so many times and never gotten seriously injured.

I cannot say that I have ever had the problem that you have with those cars making right turns, but I do have this strange problem with running into deer when I am walking at night.  It started when I was a kid when I ran right into the side of a deer when we snuck out in the middle of the night, and it has happened several times since.  It just happened again last night when  I was walking the dogs.  The deer jumped right over the guard rail and hit my knee as it ran by.  And no, I do not live out in the country.  Actually, we are just about a mile from being in the city.

HA! you don't know if you could pull it off? how about if i wear one with a mountain bike. better yet, how about i get some aero bars on my mb! can you even imagine if you saw someone racing like that??!!! i should totally do it!

QOTD:  I would have no problem wearing the helmet in terms of looking dorky because what actually looks good about a tri clothing, but I don't think that it would be the wisest investment for me.  There are other pieces of biking equipment that would probably add more speed to my biking than a helmet.

Here's my question for any of you bikers.  If I am riding a new road bike with aero bars, how fast should I expect to go when heading down a long hill?  My big race is half uphill, which means that it is half downhill.  I am just thinking ahead...

I have never dragged my knees at that speed, but I use to drive to work everyday in Vegas on my bike at over 80 on the highway.  I guess my main concern is getting out of aero and to my brakes.  A motorcycle feels a bit more solid than my road bike, but I haven't gotten to experience high speeds as of yet.  I was just wondering, so thanks....

I don't have one, but it is a relatively cheap way to shave a few seconds or a couple minutes.

As you & Sarah remark, You are expected to be FOP, at least MOP with one of these!!

It is drawing me in, in a strange sort of way.  Like the moth, to the flame...

I agree with everyone else.  Easy to get 45mph.

Depends on grade, low resistance tires on road bike, in aero & finally, testosterone!

When I ride with groups in summer & we hit a hill, many brake all the way down.  Some don't like going at that speed, with very little clothing.

There will be some point where you will probably ride the hoods, thinking, "OK this is fast enough, on a pedal bike".

okay, remember, i AM a beginner so wth is FOP and MOP?

Summergirl2 - 2011-03-21 9:24 AM Hey Brian....... Just want to wish you a VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

It's your birthday?!?! Woohoo! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it's fantastic and that this is the best year yet!