Experior and Slornow's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 31)

I almost forgot that I'm racing as well on President's Day.  An 8.15 mile running race.  Looking to crack 1 hour.  Last year was 1:00:41. 

I have no idea what to do with temps in the low 40's.  It's going to be about 70-75 for my race...and I think anything below 65 is cold.

Rene-I think you will be fine with shorts rather than tights.  I would definitely want a light jacket for the bike though.  Never tried the arm warmer thing but can see how that could be an option.

Randy

Randy - Nice looking ride!  Thanks for the info.  I will look into all of your recommendations.

Rene - Possibly toe covers?  They shouldn't cost you anything in transition, and certainly keep your feet a bit warmer.  Personally, I like the arm warmer option.  Always easy to slide down if you start to heat up.

Wheels -- have you considered a race wheel up front and a disc cover on the back?  You train without the disc, then put it on for racing.  Saves a lot of money, and as Randy said, aero trumps weight in almost every tri, and disc in the rear is very aero.  (It's very aero in front too, but also very squirrelly.  Don't do that!)

Rene:   Those videos are a little too close to hoe for me...

Jason: Nice work on the swim.  I've had a bit of a swim focus lately too.  Today, when having to choose between swim and bike, I actually considered choosing swim. I didn't of course -- I'm not actually insane -- but I found it interesting that I even considered it... 

Cold:  I grew up mostly in Wisconsin, and for part of that time, on Lake Superior.  So supposedly I know something about cold.  I went to grad school in a cold place.  I worked for 10 years in a somewhat cold place.  And yet, I hate the cold.  I have come to embrace that fact about myself.  BUT:  for whatever reason, in whatever way, after a few failures, I have managed to convince myself that for a short race (sprint), I can live with the cold.  Last year I did an early season sprint in pretty cold (4o degree) and wet conditions.  I just wore my usual gear and as a result I couldn't feel large parts of my body after a few miles on the bike, and on the run it felt like I was running with no feet because they were completely numb.   But I didn't die, and after the race, and 30 minutes with warm clothes on, it was all a distant memory.  I'm going to try to remind myself of that next time I'm tempted to pile on the clothes in a sprint.

That's for a sprint.  In B2B full in 2010 I piled on the clothes (and trash bag up the jersey) for a cold bike, and I'd do it again.  I can be cold for 45 minutes and survive.  Not for 8 hours.

Oops - missed Bennet's reply before I started. So just to second what he said:  

* toe covers -- definitely.  With some shoes it does require a quick practice because they can alter how you get your foot in the shoe a little

* for longer races where you aren't sure whether to go with long or short sleeve, arm warmers are a good option.  I'm more inclined to use them for training than racing though.  In a short race, I'm more inclined to err on the side of being cold because the consequences of being a little cold are much less significant than are the consequences of wasting time on clothes, or being too warm.

Nice bike Randy.  I have always like Blue Comp. Bikes.  Never rode one just how they look.  I wish I had a Tri BIke.  Maybe next year when I begin to train for my Iron Distance Race.  I'll keep wishing.

Rene-can't believe I forgot the toe covers!!!!! A must on cold mornings.  Good luck this weekend!

Randy

Got my long run in today cause I won't be able to tomorrow, home alone with the kids.  Maybe got my long trainer rinde done tomorrow, if not then on Sunday.

Because I sort of had a recovery week because of lack of training time, I will  restart my 4 week plan on Monday.  I also decided on which HIM I will do, originaly thought of June 24 but going to go do Peterborough HIM on July 8.  It's much closer.

Good luck Blanda, Rene and Jason.

Have good weekend everyone.

Good luck at your races this weekend Blanda, Rene and Jason.  Get'er dun!!!

Brian 

You get a good idea of who lives in warm climates vs cold climates from this page!!

My suggestion - arm warmers over something long sleeved.  Much tighter fitting, and if you start to get warm on the run you can simply roll them down rather than trying to take off a layer.

Toe warmers - not for me unless we're in negative digits.  But a better suggestion so you don't lose anytime in transition is duct tape.  Just put it over the front of your shoes + if you have any holes in sole.  Does the job just as effectively plus it's done in advance.

Also, wear wool socks.  I found my best pair of wool socks are the thinnest (DeFeet).  I've done 20km runs in them, and been very comfortable.

Hope everyone has fun racing this weekend.  Jason - you'll crack the hour mark.

Just back from a glorious ride.  Weather is perfect here today.  65 and sunny.

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!

Headed back home tomorrow after another weekend on the road.  Last night my HS senior son was the speaker at an Honors Scholarship banquet at his high school in Chattanooga. (proud dad here).   We left right after the dinner to drive part of the way to Lexington Kentucky so he could participate in a big HS indoor invitational track meet today at the University of Kentucky.  He finished 8th of 32 in a strong field in the mile but had hoped to shave a couple of seconds off his PR.  Not his best race but still a solid showing.  Drove back to Chattanooga (275 miles) and home tomorrow (400 miles).  I'm ready to get back on a normal schedule and get in more biking/swimming. Not sure how many more books on CD I can listen to in the car.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! 

Randy

Sprint tri today. The swim felt a ton better than the last one. Waters were calmer and it was two big loops instead of three small ones. Less bumping around in the waters. Freestyled all of it and pushed myself  a little bit more than last time.

Riding the mountain bike in high winds kills me, but I'm training for an off road tri, so going to continue using it till after Xterra. Felt the oddest bit of pain in a little spot on my left quad. I don't think I've ever had quad pulls/injuries before, so not sure what to think about it. The spot is still a little tender to the touch. Not annoyingly painful, but there's a little pain when I poke at it.

The run felt really good today. Less tightness in the calves and didn't feel fatigued. Was able get a steady, feel good pace. I actually enjoyed it.

Things I did different. I ate 1/2 a Cliff Bar, no coffee. Last time banana and coffee. I also picked up some Cytomax Performance Drink mix and had that instead of plain water to hydrate with throughout the race instead of just popping some Shotbloks at the beginning. I have feared using anything but water because of my sensitive tummy. Cytomax had no ill effects. Yay! I also hydrated very well the day before.

Overall, good race. The bike always kind of sucks for me though. Soccer game next, then some wine and Italian soccer replays. REST.

Have a great Sunday!

Wow Blanda it sounds like you had a pretty productive race filled with all kinds of successes except for the sore quad.  Nice job.  Sometimes you have to take some chances with things to see how your body will respond.  You did great!!!

Opps

Good luck to the racers!  (or by now, hope it went well)

Just back from a 35 mile bike ride.  72 degrees - ahhhhhhh.  Wrapped up the conference yesterday and now have two days in Florida with my Mom.  Unfortunately, I also have a 16-18 hour drive back home ahead of me.  And apparently, it is snowing in Virginia today - first snow of the year.  Hmmm... maybe I feel a cold coming on... hahahaha.  Right now, a bunch of errands and little fixits for Mom.

Hope everyone is well... just plugging away here :-)

Stu

I think today is the worst run I have ever had.  From the time my wife got back from shopping she looked at me and said it doesn't look like you are wanting to run.  She was right....I had a stitch in my left side and felt drained.  I told myself I needed to get out there and run.  My goal was 12 miles today.  I ended up doing 7.85 miles.  I walked about 1.75 miles at the turn around.  Once I felt like running I did so at a very slow 11:30 - 12:30 pace.  Man that was hard I just had no energy.  Unsure what the issue is.  I have a 15 miler next weekend and I plan to go to the site of the Marathon and run part of the course.  We'll see if I go the 13 the group is planning or add an additional two miles in to make it 15.

Day off tomorrow.  Going to the movies with my son.

Stu: Enjoy your time with Mom and the warm weather! Safe travel back to VA. I actually did that drive when I visited the states. Bro and sis live in VA, and my Mom in FL. OUCH! Especially with the kids.

Brian: Man, those days when you just don't feel it are tough.  I, and I'm sure many others, have walked away from runs on such days. Sometimes the body is just tired and needs some love. Take care this week and just go into the weekend expecting to do the 15. You can do it!

It's Monday. Sigh.

I am wondering if I was lacking hydration before running.  I also had an achy body before I ran and I may not have gotten enough sleep the last few days and just got worn out.  Probably need to be eating more fruit.  I only lost .8 lbs. this past week so I am thinking I maybe wasn't eating the right kinds of foods and just got run down some.  I still feel very tired and achy.  I hope I am not getting sick.  I'll bounce back tomorrow.  I have a day off from work and home with my son.  Relaxation at a movie.