Asphalt Junkies CLOSED AND GETTING OUR FIX (Page 35)

I hope everyone feels better soon.

Oh I'm sure the water temp of the pool is on par for other pools, I'm just a wimp.  I called my gym, and they told me lap pool is 78-80, leisure pool is 84-85.  I actually never thought about doing the intervals in the leisure pool, I might try to do that! (I try to go in the off hours so as long as there's space it's not a problem to be going back and forth- in fact there are others walking/swimming "laps" too.) The only thing is I don't know the distance (and I'm swimming a shorter width.)  I had always had in my mind if I'm doing intervals, I need to be in the lap pool so I can do it based on the 25m distance and so I can see my pace, but actually, that's not really a necessity for me... so I could do it based on time... Or I can just suck it up and get into the lap pool. For sure, if I don't swim, I'm not going to get any faster!!!

Also, this article from 2010 is funny to me... 

http://www.startribune.com/business/105831243.html At first I tried to google water temps of my gym and I came across this. They were actually lowering the water temps of the pool (not sure if this was a nationwide thing) in an effort to save money.  Then a member talked to the CEO about how she (and others) were quitting the gym because of the cold pool!  Then the CEO was like this cannot happen and ordered the pool temps to be raised...

No popping, grinding, or cracking sounds. Just that constant ache.

I'm RICE-ing it today again.

Your leisure pool temps are fine for lap swimming. The Y I swim at keeps a temp of 84-86 degrees. It is not ideal but very manageable. The aqua aerobics classes and children in the pool for swim lessons like it a little warmer. 78-80 would feel cool getting in but I think once you get going and get used to that temp you will like it (maybe ).

Or you could always split the difference - I don't know how many days a week you swim but you could alternate - one swim leisure, next swim lap pool! Then you can check your pace with accurate measurments but not hate getting in for every swim.

Made it out for the ride after all. I decided to go to the state park - that way if the storms roll in I would only be a few miles from the car. I just did 4 laps around the park then hopped on the trail for a short run.

Turned out to be really nice though, very still and 71 degrees. Here comes the humidity though. I need to race again soon before it gets really hot and humid here because my run will take a huge hit (and it already stinks) in that weather!

Good there is no noise! Fingers crossed this will clear up quickly for you!

I posted this question in tri talk but have not got a lot of feedback so I thought I'd see what you guys think:

How important is the specified gender to wetsuit fit. I am a woman but found a good deal on an extra small size wetsuit for a man. I barely fit within the size but very close.

Wetsuit size says 120-134 lbs, 5'6"-5'10"

I am 118-120 pounds and 5'6 & 1/2" (that 1/2 inch is really important .

The wetsuit is a zoot fuzion FS. It would be an online purchase. I do not have anywhere local to try on or purchase a wetsuit. I don't think I can return clearance items to this vendor.

Any opinions?

Well it wound up being a pretty nice day here in NY so I was able to get a 6 mile run in but I really wanted to call quits after about 4 miles. The mind was willing but the 44 year old body was not cooperating today. I did manage to finish up and glad I stuck it out as it was good mental training. I actually noticed something very cool as well as I finished up I looked up and caught the sight of the moon against a clear blue sky at 3 pm. Not something you see everyday. Got the lawn mowed as well but the late afternoon project went totally awry. I had to replace the flush valve on toliet in one of the bathrooms. Needless to say it did not go well, two and half hours later and two trips to Home Depot and it is still not working. I got everything put back together and then new flush vlave does not work. This is the second time this has happened as I did the other bathroom about 3 months ago and had the same thing happen to me. I will have to go get another one tomorrow. Man I hate home repairs, a 30 minute job winds up taking two days.

http://twitpic.com/9ffk3i

I came across this and thought to share!  A pro triathlete's swim session! (My guess is for IM training.)

I don't see the caption in that link to go along with it, so here it is: "Here is our swim set for today. We did the session on the right. Enjoy." (Chris McCormack)

I am not an expert on wetsuits but I would say that the mens wetsuit may have "parts" issues for ladies.  You might remember that we aren't anatomically the same and that the different parts fit into the suit a little in each of the affected areas.  I don't think I would try purchasing a wetsuit of the opposite gender without being able to try it on first.

Got it - thanks. That is what I was wondering. I'll keep looking.

Just checked ebay again and found a womens full sleeve Quintana Roo that fits my ht & wt for $100. Took the plunge and ordered it. Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!

had a busy weekend and just now catching up.  I did a quick recap.

Brenda, sorry U DNF and I feel for U but it is much metter than DNS which is what most people do. Get everything well from it and sign up for another.  Ultra's, they are amazing to me and my hat if off to U!!

Samantha, I understand about the cold water.  Living here in FL. we have THIN blood!  Yea try the leisure pool or if it is saltwater, put on a wetsuit.

Jeff, congrats w/ daughter.  I see U smiling!!!  How is the achilles?

Jo, cancel the cruise...got to have ur priorities..lol  just kidding, U can train on the ship, just don't drink to much. U R in shape and can perform in the race!

Vero, how is the knee pain today?  Have U been to a dr

Allsison, hope the bug is gone!!!

Dina, enjoy ur wetsuit!

Well I finished the 10K after the bike ride, yea it was just a training ride but dumb me, got 30 minues out and remember I had to get back, put bike on rack, put on bib (no racebelt yet), etc etc and get to the race.  I did it but the 1st mile was tough..i wanted to walk so bad but I said NO WALKING!

I am very pleased w/ the time...yes I'M SLOW but since I just started running this  year, I'm OK w/ it for an old guy.  Now is time to bump the mileage up.  The SAD thing is our race season is basically over, there are still some 5k's but I'm not interested in them, i will do some just for speed work but that is it.  Our season starts again in October.  I guess IF I ever learn to swim I can do sprint tri's in the summer.

Tomorrow is supposed to be around 90 and sunny so I'm thinking of taking the day off and running/biking in the am and swimming around lunch for a while.  When I mean swim, I mean struggle and still trying to learn and not drown.  I have gotten better but I'm not at the point to where I can swim and practice my cardio, still working on breathing and strokes.

Enjoy ur day.

Holy crap - busy weekend! I'll have to go back through everyone's posts...

Meantime I had a great 10k yesterday. Another PR (although everything is a PR for me right now because I've never done the distances before!!). RR is up and here. The final time was 48:15 - about a 7:47 pace - although I got some help from a net-downhill course!

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=437737

On a not so happy note, late yesterday during our polocrosse practice I took a kick from a horse to my right foot. Fortunately it hit me and not my horse, so he's okay, but my foot is a little sore this morning. I'll take a picture of the bruise if it comes out looking good!

Brenda - sorry to hear about your DNF. It sounds like you did the smart thing by pulling out. I hope it comes right soon!

Jeff - Congratulations to your daughter! That's a solid HM performance!

Allison - get well soon!

Dina - I hope the wetsuit works out for you. The QR sounds like a better bet than the zoot. At least it should fit around the right... anatomy!

Okay - I've got to go catch up on what I missed!

John

Brenda sorry to hear you were unable to finish the race this weekend. I think you did the right thing, better safe than sorry. I hope the knee is feeling better and soon.

Kurt congrats on completing your 10K this weekend.

John congrats on completing your 10k as well and also getting that PR.

Dina glad to hear you were able to get the new wetsuit and get a good deal on it. The QR sounded like a better choice to me as well.

Karl apologies for not getting yout name right, that is the second time I have done that and what makes it worse is I have everybody's name and username on my training log page.

Dina, my impression of wetsuits (I'm not an expert btw) is that they are very much like bikes.  A man's wetsuit vs. a woman's wetsuit is much like a man's vs. woman's bike.  In bikes, the only difference is the geometry of the bike assumes a woman has slightly longer legs vs. torso than a man's bike assumes.

I THINK that this is mostly likely the difference in women's suits (along with perhaps cosmetic 'style' differences).  But in wetsuits, the actual length of the arms and legs don't matter.  If either is too long you can and should trim them down.  If they are too short...well they aren't!  They can ride quite a way up the forearm or shin without any downside.

There is only 1 company I know of that has made gender specfiic suits with a real logic behind the differences.  They make the legs on women suits less buoyant because women already have more buoyant legs (generally) and having a full 5mm of neoprene on the legs for many women will lift their legs out of the water and negate their kick.  They come right out and say that if you are a woman with less buoyant legs, buy their men's suit.

And many wetsuit manufacturers don't have a 'women's' suit. 

So don't hesitate for a second to buy a 'men's' suit if it's the right size.

My internet diagnosis is chondramalacia (runner's knee).  I base this on 2 things.  If it were patellar tendonitis it would be both directly centered below the knee cap and would hurt less as you run and hurt more after you stop. 

If you want specific information on runner's knee google it (or chondramalacia).

In 99% of cases it's benign, but painful.  ANYTHING that makes you limp while running requires ceasing running IMO.  Because limping while running is practically guaranteed to injure something else.  The inflammation under the kneecap needs to be treated with ice and nsaids.  When you do run, ceasing the run when the pain starts will help to keep it from progressing in severity.

the most important rehab treatment is to strengthen the vastus medialis muscle of the quads.

Man, I'm a horrible mentor!  I hope to be a little more with it this week and the next.  Finished the raised beds for my mom, went to the tasting for the wedding and successfully did NOT stuff myself with fattening food.

This is race week for me.  I have to shed the 2 lbs I've been carrying around for the last two weeks in the next day or two and then solid nutrition up through Saturday.  My race is this Saturday morning...pool swim.  First one I've ever done, so I'm looking forward to it.  I have no idea how I will do and it's always stupid to set time/speed goals for a race course you've never done before, so I'd like to just go have fun and see what happens.

My major issue with this particular race is that it could be in the 30's like it was this past weekend.  Hard to tell at this point.  If this is the case, I am not sure what I will do about the pool swim.  I know it's darn near impossible to get a tri shirt on when you are wet, so I'm thinking of keeping a jacket on my bike if the temp is 45 or less.  Armwarmers up to 55....Thoughts?

I should probably get a bike in this week too.  The weather has been so crappy and windy, it's been hard to get out and the trainer looks very unappealing at this time. 

Is the pool an indoor pool?  That's going to be my assumption because of your weather there.  Outdoor pools probably don't open until the end of May for you.

So, no wetsuit.  You come outside wet wearing whatever you swam with and you need to ride fast.  It's a huge slowdown to put clothes on in T1, but here are some simple facts that I learned this season:

• 50 degrees and not raining (regardless of wind) requires no additional clothes
• <40 degrees REQUIRES gloves.  Otherwise you won't be able to safely control your bike or remove your helmet in T2.
• Between 40 and 50 is a guess...but ideally you would get a non-insulating wind-proof layer that is form fitting.  The ideal layer would be a tight fitting cycling rain jacket. (a rain jacket because they offer no insulation are usually very light and cheap)

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product2_10053_10052_169610_-1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/O2-Cycling-Rain-Jacket-Yellow-LG-/280773301301

Pay close attention to the sizing charts and buy it in a size that will be tight.  For this particular use it's only going to be worn over a tri top and you don't want extra bulk to blow around in the wind and drag your speed down.

And yes, you are a terrible Mentor! 

I've done a race at the beginning of April in Oregon a couple times.  It's called the Beaver Freezer.  (Begin laughter now! )  It's a frigging cold race!  The last time I did it, it was snowing  and sleeting during the bike ride and blowing cold during the run.  The swim is an indoor pool swim.

Here's how I managed the clothing:

• trisuit and barefoot at the pool
• ran super duper fast in bare feet on cold azzzzz concrete to transition
• took the time to put on my Gore windstopper cycling jacket and full finger gloves
• I was uncomfortable on the bike but I wasn't super cold
• ran in just the tri suit.  Yes, I was cold!  Husband had a big parka ready for me at the finish line