Razorxp & KC Mentor team RFP CLOSED (Page 4)

GREAT NEWS!!!!

I work at the hospital.  2nd year ENT resident. 

Great training yesterday, everyone!

I had someone jump in my lane once and start doing a lazy breaststroke.  I was cooking off one-arm training drills at the time so I was moving slow, so no biggie.  I finished up the drill set with a lap of free and got hit by the guy.

Then I entered interval work.  We were in the fast lap lane, so in my head the point is to be fast.  He ended up getting out.  Besides registering a complaint to management that they need to be more diligent about vacuuming the pool, I'm also going to ask that they post pool ettiquette guidelines on the doors going out to the pool IN BIG FONT SIZE.  Anyone that can't appear to follow them is going to get a polite reminder that it's not their personal private pool.

Looking at my A race this year - and there's only time to get two or three OWS practices before the race...oh boy....

KC- Sorry but it is about 5 months apart and this year is the final year of the original contract.  I am hoping that they up it another round so I can compete.    Keep up the good work in the pool.  Everyday adds more confidence doesn't it? 

Awesome job KC!!  Way to stick with it!  I'd be proud of myself to if I were you. 

2000 yard wim total today.  Felt really good.  Last week I was apprehensive about my new swim workout, and I had a hard time with it.  This week I decided I was going to look forward to doing it.  So I was 'excited' about going to the pool this morning and kept thinking good thoughts all the way there, and guess what, it worked.  It felt really good.  Positive thinking!!!

I have two cats that I'd like to say would kick all your dogs b**s, but they are truly fraidy cats! lol

You all are awesome posters!  I don't get on my computers much at home because the kids are always on them. So I find myself getting on-line at work.  But as a teacher, well, I can only post lunch times, planning times or after school usually.  So forgive me if I am slow.

This is how new I am.. how do you all get a clip of the other post to comment?  Are you cutting and pasting?  or is there another way to do that with this site?

Iceman, I am happy for you in your 5 year free check up. Also, I'll try your suggestion about sighting a tennis ball. 

Coach-I don't really have an A race, I just want to improve my times each race.  My first is the Danskin sprint at Dinsey. Women only. OWS in a lake...ugh. 1,000+ entrants, double ugh what was I thinking for my first?? Second is Marineland sprint in June.  OWS in the Atlantic, again, what was I thinking.  Luckily I will be able to train for that after the Danskin, as I run on the beach twice a week.   I'll just add the swim at that time.  Last sprint for my first season is Club Med which I think also has a lake swim.

KC I love your animated crawl on your signature!

Everyone-Thanks for the overwhelming suggestion to check out swimsmooth.  I'll do that today right after work, after turtoring, after taking the son to the orthodontist, after my swim-bike, after diner, and oh yah, celebrate my birthday. 

 I know we all have busy lives.  Kind of cool how we still find time to train and not use that as an excuse NOT to train, huh?

Any of you BT'ers dong the FROGMAN Olympic Tri here in Daytona this weekend?  I am going to watch, paying careful attention to the transitions.

it might have been a good time to "practice" closed fist swimming.  some people are so rude but luckily most are friendly.

On each post in the upper right hand corner there is a "Quote" button.  Click that in it will open a new post with the post you were wanting to reply to in quote brackets.  You can type above or below them your response/questions/etc.

Also, you can link to the group in your training blog at the top or on the side. If you want it at the top, there is an "edit" button for the blog and you can paste a link.  Or on the sidebar, there is a "links" section that you can edit under your "settings" at the very top of the page.

That's a quick response.  If that isn't super clear, I can be a little more detailed if you need me to be.  Hope that helps.

You are clever.  i never noticed you could do that - over several years here :/

Thank you

I've got a question for everyone.  Being new to this sport, I don't have all the "right" equipment.  At the same time, however, I don't want to be sinking thousands into this on my first time.  Thus, remember your first time, what would you recommend as must have's regarding equipment for a first tri, either for the race or for training?

Here are some things I've gathered during my research and trial:

• Swim goggles - MUST - I got the Aqua Sphere Kayenne (awesome, BTW)
• Running shoes - MUST - Your joints will thank you
• Wet suit - MUST (at least for open water in May) - Rent at wetsuitrental.com
• Bike - Use own bike or rent a bike.  I have a Specialize MTB, I'll be getting new tires so there's less resistance.  Should I get any shoe clips or grips to ensure more power?
• Helmet - MUST - Standard ones should do
• Tri Shorts - MUST - Reduces chaffing and perfect for all three sports
• Sunscreen - MUST - Any recommendations?
• Sunglasses - depending on weather

Any comments?  Anything else you'd add to the list for beginners?

Now I don't feel so bad! Yeah!

I am new as well, never competed in a tri, so I am not the one to give advice, but I was training for a while with just my running shoes while biking.  Thought I'd save time in T2.  Then talked to a cyclist who highly suggested bike shoes and clips. OMG! What a difference!  When my legs get sore, I can pull up using other muscles.  Really do see a difference! It was a big purchase though almost $300 (lots of money to a poor teacher!)  but the salesperson (also a triathlete-they're everywhere!) said he's had his for 15 years, never wears out as you don't really run on them.  He just washes them.

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I got a used road bike on craigslist when I started last year.  Granted, I didn't already have a mountain bike to use... You will see plenty of folks (especially for sprint distance, some in olympic) with mountain bikes. 

I must say, the clipless pedals (which actually means you clip into them) and bike shoes make a huge difference.

Bought some super cheap Iron man brand sunglasses at Big Lots for $3.  I have a cheap helmet.  No wetsuit needed down here.  Shoes, tri shorts, goggles, swim cap.  Nothing much else!

(only in second year, so other opinions probably more worthwhile)

Thank you ICE MAN. That is all very useful information. I will definitely try the tennis balls tomorrow.  The very first time I attemped to freesytle I got water in my left ear and had to go to the Dr so Im using ear plugs now and they work great. I will also check for land marks this weekend. Thank you again

Rode 17miles today with a group and a Surgeon with a Ferrari of a bike made fun of mine.

I have a very begginer rode bike with the shifters on the top of my handle bars...he first asked me what they were and finished with "WOW I havent seen those in 30 years" I was too nice to make a smart- return comment but someone in else in the group said something for me. I didnt let him ruin my ride I just kept peddaling.

Great info, Mary.  I never thought of clipless pedals and shoes.  I'll have to look into those now.  Where did you get yours?  Any recommendations from anyone?  (not sure if i can justify $300 though)  Also, can I mix and match?  (i.e., Shimano pedals and Puma shoes?)

Remmeber, it's not the car, but the engine that matters!

Mine are "look" brand, entry level pedals.  Got my shoes for $100 from the LBS, Specialized brand.  Shoes can be interchanged, but the cleat that attaches to the bottom should be checked to fit your pedal.  I don't know if you always buy that separately, or if it comes with the pedals.

For instance, my husband's shoes fit his and my pedals, my shoes only fit my pedals.  I'm sure someone else knows more about why that is...

Check craigslist, too.  I've seen people just selling pedals on there before. You can buy just the cleats at the bike store for about $20.

??I would assume you could use that on a mountain bike??

Very true. Ill keep that In mind. Im sure Ill see him next Wednesday.

Real endurance athletes are easy to spot.  They're the ones offering encouragement.  Start with what you have and go from there.  The sport has a way of becoming a little addictive (just a little) and I have built up my gear from where I started.  But I've got great bikes because I bought pristine frames and built the bikes up myself. Any bike you buy at a LBS and drive out of the shop is used at that very moment.  So I've developed the attitude to make it a challenge to get really great gear as cheap as I can.  I have friends who buy new who happen to ride my size of a bike so I've been luck.  But eBay has bikes, some bike shops have used, and there are clubs in every area with buy, sell, trade info on their web sites.  Ask around.  Also, the new lower end bikes on the market these days that brand-named companies are producing are really good. 

Just don't let the negative folks bug you. In triathlon, they are few and far between. It's one of the things that drew me to the sport in the first place. 

My shoes are Shimano, carbon soles, the pedals are a Look brand.  Shoes were $200 pedal $90+.  Got them at Plan B bike store in Daytona Beach...

Depending on how much space in TA some like a bucket/bottle of water and a towel. This is very nice if feet are sandy.  Sounds like you have the basics, if you like watchs/gps/hr monitor those are other things to remember.  I always have a snack in TA for pre race.  Bt has a great checklist if you search for it.  I will see if I can find it too.

BT is a great place to look for pedals, I have picked up used speedplays pedals/cleats for under $50.  Just look in the classifieds tab.  Plus I feel safer buying from someone on here vrs ebay.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=8#s

FOr the checklist go under your race logs tab and at the bottom is a race day checklist tab.