kenj's group closed, training hard and having fun!! (Page 36)

Not sure what happened on my swim, it was *awful* (first wetsuit swim but I really don't think that was it). Just didn't get my breathing under control and don't believe it had much to do with the cold water. I was SO disappointed because I've been swimming great (for me) lately and this was only 375m.

This is the only race I've ever done before so it's the only thing close to a yardstick I have so was happy with having taken over 3 min off my previous time from two years ago. The splits haven't been posted yet but I'm thinking most of my improvement was likely transitions. Had a great bike leg on my trusty steed, though, so I'm taking that as my silver lining.

You all did great! 

Don't worry about that feeling of not catching your breath on the swim.  It is so common there are articles about it.   We tend to go out faster than we should because the heart hasn't caught up with the load at first.  Ease into it, find your opening and get into the groove and enjoy the swim.  I use it to center myself for the bike.  Toward the end I'm visualizing the transition.  Love open water.  I want a sleeveless wetsuit so I can feel the stroke better, though and to regulate heat.

Congrats to all who raced this weekend.  Sounds like you put forth your all despite the conditions.

Well done!

kenj - 2011-06-06 8:02 AM

julta - 2011-06-06 9:09 AM Wohoo Ken! Great job on the 5k!!! And glad the sprint went well too! S'n'B that sounds like a killer ride.. My recovery consisted of 2:43 minute 37 mile ride with some hills...legs were pretty done last night. I was going to run this am but decided a day off for the legs would be good. A pretty good week ahead ending with a Century ride with Kathleen on Sunday...hope I can finish it and Kathleen doesn't kill me for being so slow. Making my age group win even less impressive it turns out only 5 people in my age group finished...one placed 3 overall woman so that means I really was only ahead of 3 LOL! ahh well a win is a win. Still pleased overall as in comparing numbers it seems that my bike and run times are improved over the last tri from last year at this same location. So with any luck that means things will get a little better as the season goes on.

In my opinion if there is more than 1 person in your age group and you win, it counts! It means you beat sombody!  So don't sell yourself short, you had a great race!

You will do fine with the ride too!

DITTO!

Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend and great job on the weekend training.

Question for all of you. When you do long rides do you use tri short or bike shorts?

I have always used tri shorts ( if I remember correctly) as the bike shorts I have seem to bunch up. (They aren't anything special so that might be part of the problem).  As Julie mentioned, we have a century ride this weekend and I didn't even give shorts a thought until I did a two hour trainer ride on my road bike last night.  I haven't ridden my road bike in awhile and getting used to the saddle again isa bit rough.  I know it is a personal thing but I am curious what you all think and if you have any suggestions on good biking shorts. 

Thanks!

My preference for long rides is bike shorts, it's what they're designed for. The increased amount of padding comes into its own on the long outings.

Tri shorts are a great compromise where the compromise is valuable.

I just started using chamois cream this year... don't know why I took so long to start. Makes for a great combo with the bike shorts, IMHO.

For whatever reason my tri shorts are much more comfortable than my bike shorts.  I thought with the smaller pad that I'd have a problem but that wasn't the case.  I think I'm due for a new pair of bike shorts though.

What is the general life of bike shorts?  I've got over 1500 miles on this pair.

Great job to all that raced last weekend!  The hard work is paying off.  I hope to join in the success at my first tri of 2011 in 3+ weeks. 

What time should I arrive at the tri site on race day?  There's a race meeting at 7:30am and transition closes at 7:45.  I was planning to stay near the race, but hotel rates are jacked way up being that it's 4th of July weekend.  So I will be driving the 90 min. from home the day of the race.

Also, what does "transition closes" mean? 

Sorry for the n00b type questions.

"Transition closes" means that everyone must be out of the transition area. They will not let anyone else in and all athletes need to leave the area. So, you want to have everything set up and be ready to race by that time.

I always like to get to the site early as I like to be able to pick a good spot to set up (have to guard those spots though as things get moved as late arrivers show up).  To minimize the stress of the morning, I would suggest you give yourself enough time so that you don't feel like you are rushing. An hour at least. Especially if you have to do packet pick-up etc on race day.

Dont forget your ID!   I did that once when I had a race day packet pick-up (not used to that) and wasn't driving and had to go back home to get my license. Very stressful!

kenj - 2011-06-08 8:57 AM

Trout - 2011-06-08 8:33 AM

For whatever reason my tri shorts are much more comfortable than my bike shorts.  I thought with the smaller pad that I'd have a problem but that wasn't the case.  I think I'm due for a new pair of bike shorts though.

What is the general life of bike shorts?  I've got over 1500 miles on this pair.

That's a good question, but I have never kept track.  I have accumulated several bibs, shorts and tri shorts over the years but never kept track of how often I have worn them or for what distance.  I have one tri kit I save for races, but it was new for IMFL last year so just 2 races so far.

Usually I just get rid of them once seams start seperating, or if the material gets too thin.  Do enough tri's and you will come up behind someone on the run that has worn a pair once too often (especially white shorts)!  

The only reason I know their mileage is that I only have one pair!  I got a tri kit last year for my race and plan to use it mainly for races, but I've worn the shorts a few times this year so far for training.  (They're comfy)  I probably should just get another pair at the LBS.

I was just talking to my wife last night about probably not wearing any shorts that were not black or dark blue.  White is a definite no-no for me!

A few more quick thoughts.  When you account for your time of arrival make sure you are including the time to unload your bike and gear and get to transition. I have  done races where there was a mile walk to transition. At one race I left my water bottles in my car (it is dark in those early mornings)  and had to walk a mile round trip to go back and get them. Fortunately someone was willing to keep an eye on the spot I picked out in transition.   One rule that isn't always talked about but can be inforced is wearing your bike helmet if you are riding to transition from the parking lot. Depending on the race and the refs, this can be inforced. You want to keep that helmet on anytime you are on the bike even if you aren't racing.

I'll second the "get there early" idea. My first race I arrived in decent time, then got caught up in traffic at the venue gate (10 minutes), long walk from the parking area (10 minutes), packet pickup (20 minutes in lines), and porta-potty line (10 minutes), and now I was running like crazy just to make it to the starting line. I was stressed out and breathing hard before the race even started. Ruined the day, or at least my starting mindset, to be honest.

Second race arrived an hour earlier, leisurely walked through everything and there was no stress whatsoever.

Hope you can learn from my mistakes and not have to make them yourself. This is all about having fun, not getting stressed out.