owl_girl's Group --- FULL! (Page 4)

Bao, I didn't take it as discouraging. We're all learning here and one of the things I'm learning is the swimming is going to be a challenging as I fear. I'm using multiple strokes and pulling off half a mile is still work..which it's supposed to be, it just shows me how much I need to train.

My goal today is to go to the club, swim 1/2 mile, then spin for 45 minutes, then run 5 miles. I've got my 6 year old and no one to watch him this afternoon so it all has to be indoors at the club where they have day care.

I bought special shoes with the clips for spinning or cycling (with the right pedals).  

Owl, I think in an earlier post, you said you had once lived in Portland. Have you ever done Hood To Coast? 

I'm actually in Vancouver too. HTC is awesome. I've done it the last two years as part of the team for KINK radio. My HTC goal is to do it for 12 years, then retire. I say 12 years because there are 12 different legs and I want to do all 12.

I've not heard of First Run till you mentioned it. I think I'm going to sign up with my son. He's only 6 but has run several 1, 2 and 3k races. I'll post back here once a decision is made. If it turns out he'll be doing it with me, it will be more of a run/walk.

Back on HTC, it is important that you get an appropriate set of legs. Discuss this with your team Capitan so you, and everyone else gets legs approriate for the abilities and goals. The easiest sets start with legs 3 or 4. The hardest are 5, 1 and 9.  3 and 4 are the easiest because they are the shortest and for the most part, the flatest. 5 is the hardest because the third leg in that set (Leg 29 I think) is 5 miles up hill, followed by 2 miles downhill. Leg one is a solid 7 miles all downhill and Leg 9 is the longest total distance when you combine all three legs in the set. If you plan on staying the night in Seaside when the race is over book your rooms NOW. If your team needs to rent vans, do so NOW.

HTC is a blast. It's a party. Realize you're going to be in a van for around 24 hours with 6 of your closest friends who have each run about 15 miles broken up into three legs, haven't showered, and have lived off chocolate covered espresso beans and whatever other snacks you pack.  As the race nears, I can give you some other pointers as far as what to pack and what to leave home.

My head congestion is almost gone so I got out for my first WO since last Friday. I did a slow shorter run, but my shins hurt like heck! I basically ran today so that I could say I've passed 250 miles for the year. With todays run I am retiring my first pair of running shoes. I've got an easy biking session on the trainer stand planned for tomorrow so that I can also tick off 1800 miles biked. I'll get in one more swim session on Monday.

Baowolf, how far do you need to go for a pool? 

Amy,

I don't think you've said why you are in a cast. Will you be needing PT when it comes off? Will you be OK to start training right away? I hope that your orthopedic doctor knows that you are planning to train for triathlon. 

I think you need to figure on the file size being no larger than 100kb. I think the format needs to be gif or jpg. 

I just started reading Chirunning, and am really impressed so far. Has anyone else read this book or used its principles?

Rodney and Sarah, where would you recommend running in Portland? I'm going to be there for a week in a couple weeks and I'm familiar with the area, but relatively new to running so I don't know the good running spots.

Thanks,

Roni

Roni,

I'm actually across the river in Vancouver WA and the only time I run in Portland is during an organized event/race of some kind. I work on the west side of the river and most mornings I see people running along the Waterfront. There's probably a 3 or 4 mile stretch along the water and another 2 or 3 miles if you extend either direction a little where you should have clear running. Also, just about any runner you talk to during a run in that area would offer suggestions. If you want hills, ask someone how to get to Terwilliger.

In Vancouver, I just step out my door and start running. I've got about 6 different routes I run, everything from 3 miles to 15.

Hi Guys!

I've been trying to catch up on everything.  You are all so dedicated!  I LOVE IT!!!

Anyway, I know there was a question regarding bikes.  Steve and Nicole gave some very nice summaries on the types of bikes to buy.  In my opinion, start with a good road bike from a quality bike shop.  They will measure you and put you on a bike that you will have for years.  A good road bike will get you through any triathlon you wish to enter AND let you be competitive.  Throw some clip-on aerobars on it and you are good to go.  (A retired pro triathlete that I know here in town raced a road bike during his entire career.....and won!)  If you are very tall, a road bike may very well be more comfortable over long distance races, too.

As for me, I have had my road bike for a few years.  Old Blue is quite adequate for the rough roads and nasty weather of Humboldt County.  I bought a tri bike this past summer and I love her.  I'm able to go much faster and my legs feel wonderful going into the run.  I'm also shorter than average so the fit is much better.  I'm glad I have both bikes but I am glad I started with a road bike.

I hope everyone's weekend is going great!  I'll write more later.  Cheers!!!

I've never done Hood to Coast......but would love to someday!

Yes Amy!  Please get the go ahead from your doctor.  If they say yes, then keep to your program.  Swimming is so wonderful!  Well, as long as you don't have a cast!

I've never read the book before but have heard some good stuff about it.  Please let us know how it is working for you!

As a Spinning instructor, I would love to see all my students get some mountain bike shoes with SPD cleats.  Mountain bike shoes are easy to walk in and can be purchased relatively cheaply if you shop around.

For road cycling, I would opt for road shoes which are lighter weight, have velcro closures (rather than laces), and have very, very stiff soles.  Road shoe cleats must match your pedals.  The two most common types are SPD and LOOK.  They are NOT interchangable.

And just to make things more confusing......you can also buy triathlon cycling shoes!  There are only one or two velcro closures and they close backwards so they don't get caught in your chain if you are coordinated enough to leave your shoes clipped into the pedals and jump on and off your bike barefoot!

Hope this helps you.  Maybe it just muddied the water more!  Triathlon does have an evil sister.......shopping!

Do you have access to open water for swimming? An addition to the house for a pool is pretty radical. Are you thinking about one of those "endless lane" things or straps? 

I started riding in mountain shoes because I like the idea of being able to walk in them. When I got more serious about speed, etc, I found some Diadora shoes that are built exactly like road shoes, with fully stiff soles and velcro closures, but that have a "rim" and heel that make them walkable. So, I'm still using mountain pedals with spd cleats. As far as I'm concerned I've got the best of both worlds. 

Those shoes sound pretty cool!  I'm going to look them up!  Yes, road shoes are a pain in the butt (literally) to walk in.  I've slipped and fallen on my rear too many times.  I sure love my road shoes, though.

Had a good run today.  It was really pretty out!

Diadora Astro. They make basically the exact same shoe as a road or a mtb version. 

My wife and I bought Triathlon shoes with SPD cleats for spinning classes. The bottoms of the shoes also have slots for getting the cleats for pedals.

Did my first half mile swim today. Do you guys use those nose plug things? Water keeps getting up my nose as I swim longer distances. I guess my so so form becomes poor form and I inhale through my nose when I shouldn't.  I also started getting cramps in my feet and legs as the distance increased. Any thoughts on a solution?

Thanks 

I exahale through my nose underwater during my stroke.

Are you trying to do your swimming as one continuous swim, or as sets or less distance? Try to increase your total distance, and your distance per set, slowly.