Beth and Yanti's Manatees Mentor Group--FULL! (Page 33)

heh - I can totally relate to  not wanting to know anyone, that's pretty much how my first race was, with the exception of the couple of people that did it with me that were in the same place as I was

anyway, the reason I asked was to see if I had any point of reference from which to offer advice - being from the midwest, I can at least share my observations (I've never actually worn a wetsuit in a race)

So, my thoughts/observations are this - 

the tri starts early in the morning - if Wisconsin is anything like Minnesota (which I suspect it may be), it should still be fairly comfortable at 8:15 am -

You will be wet from the swim warm up, which will help keep you cool -

the kids will start and the time will fly by until your time is there

if you haven't practiced taking off and putting on a wet wetsuit, that could cause stress you hadn't planned on 

I've done a few races in the midwest and I honestly haven't seen anyone take their wetsuit off in between the warm up and the race - the one that strikes me in particular is the Midwest meltdown.

there were 3 events, an Oly, a Sprint, and a Du

I did the Sprint and we had to wait until the Oly folks were on the bike out before we started - no one took their wetsuits off

it was in Kansas, in late August 

anyway - you need to do what is comfortable for you, but hopefully this is some good food for thought  

Safe travels Yanti!

looks like you guys are stuck with me  

We could do a lot worse

Yes....I am back from the "presumed dead"

Yaaaaay!  He's back!!!

Hi Steve  

Beth, we are not STUCK with you. We are very lucky to be in your presence.

I've been offline a lot (thanks, kids) but thought I'd check in since I am up before them today.....it's finally nice here this week and that is helping my moods so much.   I am going to try to read some RRs and blogs before the kids wake up.  Cross your fingers.  In the meantime, hopefully everyone is out doing what you do best and enjoying it!

yay for the sunshine!

Why is it that race pics are always so unflattering? 

ok, here's a link to the race photos (only for the manatees) - mostly I think I look like I'm constipated - LOL! My form really falls apart at the end of the run..............

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=37867&PWD=&ID=52459485&FROM=photos&BIB=1655

I was going to copy and post a couple of the less horrid ones, but they have them pretty well protected from that

probably the more accurate question is

why, when we look at pictures of ourselves do we tend to see only the flaws and weaknesses and others see the beauty and the strengths?

hmmmmm.......... 

LOLOL!

Erin, you just made my day!  To be honest, I hadn't even noticed the chick behind me - that is hysterical!

To be honest there were some points at the end of the run I wasn't all that happy, I wanted it to be over........

the the victory ones were the ones I was going to post - hehe! 

ps

don't you DARE post the thread in CoJ - LOL! 

oh, and my secret is out about being a random moustache guy - dang!

ROTFLMAO!!! 

THE OTHERS ARE LYING!

Totally kidding.  I think we already know things we hate about our appearance so we see those magnified in race photos, especially in spandex!  Those around us are willing to look at the total photo, not the grimace or other small imperfections we see.  I decided after Boston to buy every PR photo regardless of how I look.  I display it in a room in a frame with all the rest...I even have learned to love my thighs in some of them (after all they are strong and carry me great distances!).

that is a great attitude! 

LOL

thanks!  I'm sort of tempted to buy one of those, not sure which one though

Renee just sent me a few pics I'll post them as soon as I have them uploaded to flickr 

Pics from the race - Thanks Renee!

It was a BEAUTIFUL day!               I am getting closer, aren't I???

The finish line is FINALLY in sight!!!!!

VICTORY!!!!