SBR Utopia Season II - OPEN (Page 33)

20k run for me - about 10s/km faster than I normally go and it felt easy.

I just found out a few mins ago that a 73 year old gentleman that rode the same metric century as me yesterday had a heart attack and passed away near the finish of the ride.  I didn't know him and I was gone before it happened but it sure feels crappy to have something like that happen at an event you participate in.  

Arend - I have been in a couple of races where similar has happened - it really does suck and you can only hope that it is the way they would want to go out I suppose.

I am fending of the taper crazies by fast forwarding through commercials and catching up on the final TDF stage from earlier today. I gotta say I actually have really enjoyed watching this years tour - it has been a really good race. We dropped our bikes off with Tri Bike Transport on Friday and had one final good weekend of training. I have one more trainer ride and a swim left before we head off to Lake Placid. I really need to get packing!

Arend - At my last tri I came around to a point where the swim out, bike and run intersect, I was finishing the run.  There was an ambulance there.  I just though someone went down on the bike.  Turns out a guy collapsed coming out of the water, and passed.  THere is actually video on youtube, someone filimg their relative coming out of the water, and in the background you can see them performing chest compressions.

My friend is the RD, and he's been in touch with the family.  THe son and daughter have said they will race next year to finish what their dad started.

Rusty - how exciting.   I can't imagine what it will be like dropping off at TBT.  It will seem so...final

That happened at a ride I did last month. Still have a bunch of mixed feelings going on, none of them good.

Ouch, my thoughts go out to you and all those affected.

Have a blast!

I'm trying to figure out how to work the kick sets at masters so that I'm actually kicking during them, at least most of it. Still have a huge disparity between my swim and kick speeds where kicking would be several groups behind where my swim is at. Last night, for example, it 4 rounds of 75 and then 100 done on the same send-off. So the 75 was easier and the 100 was hard. I had no chance of making the 100's, so went all in on the 75's (still falling almost an entire length behind and swam the 100's. And by "all-in" I made it burn just as much as a series of 1-2 min bike intervals would. I made it on all 4 of the 75's, but not by much.

How could I work this better? Something I've had issues with previously is my feet getting worked too much by stretching. Today isn't too bad, so next time I could probably do a bit more. Probably not the whole set, but 400-500 would likely be ok. A couple ideas would be to kick 25-50 of the 100's and then swim the rest. Or somehow split Or maybe to do an occasional arm pull while kicking to help make up the speed.

The kick sets aren't regularly this big. Just trying to get ideas from a few more specific situations to know how to develop, and then it should be easier to apply to other set designs.

Originally posted by Jason N When I start falling behind during kick sets...I just start pulling on the lane line to help make the interval.  I wish I could say I was joking...

LOL.  I like to sometimes kick without a board, either on my side or on my back.  That way I can sneak in a stroke or 2 (or...3, or...) down the pool as I fall behind

That's awesome, Kim!  Looking forward to race reports

Originally posted by Jason N When I start falling behind during kick sets...I just start pulling on the lane line to help make the interval.  I wish I could say I was joking...

Good to know I'm not the only one. Also works for backstroke btw. 

I switched to bibs a couple years back and haven't worn shorts since.  I even recently bought tri bibs to race in.  I started with the de soto 400 milers, they were OK, but then got a nice well fitting Capo set.  Love love love them.  Almost more than my compact crank.  I used to save the shorts for the trainer, now I even use them on the trainer

From a guy's perspective, they keep everything nice and secure, and there is less fabric movement which leads to fewer skin problems.  A nice tight fitting pair of bibs is awesome.   Makes #2 slightly more complicated, and for women #1 as well.

I'm pretty similar to Chris, most of my riding is in bibs.  The only time I wear shorts is if the bibs are dirty.    Desoto 400 mile all the way for me.

My wife and I did a 70k group ride today.  Pretty easy going and we stopped to either eat or drink at several places (we were calling it a foodie tour).

Bibs only, except race day. I just find them to be more comfortable. This may not matter to you, but as a person with a bit more stomach, I have no roll over issues. 

Chris, what bibs are you racing in?

I got nothing.  I've been a terrible kicker my whole life and when I swim with the swim team kids they absolutely destroy me in kick sets.

Yeah, I used to have a bit f a rollover....    no more though

I originally got a set of de soto forzas on sale, but needed more padding, so this weekend tried out the rivieras, 70 mile ride plus short brick sat, 17 mile run yesterday in them

A little worried that if it gets hot on the run the two layers (bib and top) may get hot, but i can always pull the top part off on the run.  I actually like feeling a little more "support" in my core on the run.  Mostly mental

In other words, go for the pull buoy instead?

When they're sized right the bibs will just form up on you whereas the shorts will have the tight line with the drawstring. They also seem better at keeping the pad in place along with other areas. Not just how the other guys are talking, but it's something the women would surely appreciate too.

A restroom stop will take a bit more effort for you either way. There are some things that help with that. One would be a full zip jersey, that you noted you have. Some types can have fast release straps, via buckles or some type of clasp. They don't just go back on though, it's just faster and less hassle to be able to go, but the same overall work by the time you get back on the bike. Some types may have a single suspender/strap going up the front. No idea how either well either of these last two items work. Just that they're available. They're also likely to cost more.