BigSkiesMentorGroup - COMPLETE! (Page 40)

Lisa,

Got down to 45 last night - had to close the windows to keep warm.

Denise

Steve,

My race on Sunday is USAT (only my 2nd, Racine was 1st) and the thought was that it wouldn't be wetsuit legal but maybe these cool temps will change that.  However, the race is about 3 hours south and it's warmer there.

How's West Point look for water temp?  Are you leaving Saturday?  Have you been practicing changing tubes?

Good luck to you two this weekend.  I'm doing a local sprint on Saturday for the fourth time and looking to cut 7 minutes off last year's time (which would break 1:30).  Starting at 7:30 rather than 8:30 or later in years past which should help with the heat/humidity.  More importantly, a cold front is supposed to move in over the next couple of days and Sat's lows are supposed to be in mid 70's.  That would be perfect.

My swim has improved and I'm riding my tri bike for the first time, both of which should help somewhat.  However, it always comes down to the run.  Last year I struggled due to heat and, if I'm honest with myself, lack of training.  I've felt pretty strong on my recent training runs particularly last weekend in Chicago where it was fairly cool in the morning.  So, although 7 minutes is a fairly large margin given the relatively short distances involved, I'm pretty confident at this point.

For those of you that have experience with wetsuits.

I have yet to do a wetsuit swim.  Looks like I'm going to do an early 2012 HIM that will require one so I have some questions:

1) Forget about the water temperature for a second but...  Does it really make that much of a difference in swim performance?  I've read a lot about how they add buoyance and change your swim angles but as a MOP swimmer should I expect better performance with one?

2) I don't want to dump a lot of $'s into a wetsuit (most of the races around me don't allow one - so I won't be using it a great deal).  What should I expect to spend for a decent lowend wetsuit?  What would you recommend?  I've seen them advertised on BT (I think Vortex) for $189.

3) Is it really necessary to get fitted for a wetsuit as opposed to just ordering one over the internet?

Any advise/thoughts would be appreciated.

Jeff, Yes on the wetsuit.

1) It will improve your performance as much as it improves everyone elses so you will be on equal ground (water).

2) Once you start using the wetsuit, you may find you can OWS earlier and later into the season! Maybe someday you may do a tri in a state like Alaska! All of the open water tris here are wetsuit legal.  From emails in my local tri group, BT has the best deals on wetsuits.

3)There are not really any local shops here to get a good deal on a wetsuit so we frequently order online. If there is a local shop in your area with good choices and prices, buy locally. Other option ordering over the internet (this was recommended in our tri group emails) is ordering two and keeping the better fit. Of course you need to check the vendors return policy prior to doing this. We have had luck working with the vendor actually letting them know the intent prior to ordering.

And another thought is, before I bought my wetsuit, I was able to rent one locally. We have one shop that rents ProMotion wetsuits for women only. Check if anyone rents them in your area.

My 2 cents worth:

-  Yes, it will make you faster.  I've done some time trials and I'm 12-14 sec/100 yds faster.  However, I'm a very slow swimmer and I have heard that slow swimmers show the most improvement with a wetsuit and elite swimmers the least.  Also, it takes time to get the wetsuit off so you lose time there.  For a 1/4 mile swim, my overall time saved isn't much.

-  I got an Xterra full 2 years ago for $150.  They're always on sale for 1/2 off.  It's not top-of-the-line but I've been perfectly happy with it.  I measured myself and picked the size and ordered online and the fit was fine.  Ordering online is ok - just make sure you check the return policy.

Denise

Thanks gang for the wetsuit advice.  I'll probably pull the plug and get one sometime in September.  Lots of good advise that gives me something to think about before purchasing.

Steve - the HIM is the Gator Half.  Local Sarasota triathlon.  I know the race director.

http://www.gatorhalftriathlon.com/Home_Page.html

BTW - I'm really excited about the new HITS series triathlons.  Primarily because there are 2 early season races in my neck of the woods (Jan. Naples, FL - 2 hours south & Mar. Ocala, FL - 3.5 hours north).  Plus they are offering just about every distance race (Sprint, Olympic, Half, Full)

http://www.hitstriathlonseries.com/

I'm hoping they really do well (looks like they have the funding to pull it off).  Anyhow, if any of you decide to do one and want to drop by Sarasota you are more than welcome to stop by our place.  We do have the top rated beach in the USA:

http://www.livescience.com/14358-top-10-beaches-2011-revealed.html

Good luck Steve and Joe!

Joe - You should post your race otherwise I can't stalk your results - haha.

Denise

Its the Wood River IL sprint tri.  Don't know how much "stalking" you can do but results usually up within a day or two on the web.  I'll post a report pretty quickly.  Weather is holding but now there looks to be a pretty decent chance of storms tonite into tomorrow morning.  It hasn't rained in a month but we wouldn't want to break my streak of raining thruout virtually every event I've competed in during the last 3 years.  Better than a Native American dance - simply sign up for an endurance event!

Either way, I'm pretty confident just not convinced the distances are long enough to guarantee any significant time improvements.  Improved last year about 4 minutes so shaving another 7 or more is doable.  In the end, it all boils down to how I feel on the run.

The nervous energy and anticipation are already kicking in.  Swam an easy 450m this morning and might go for a slow 2 mile run at lunch just to keep the juices flowing.

e-coli...  Ha..Ha....  Could also be a contributing factor to why you are so fast? 

stevebradley - 2011-08-11 9:19 PM JEFF -  I have yet to meet an e-coli warning sign that I haven't ignored, and so far my system seems to have survived okay. No rashes, my intestinal trauma, no spurious growths anywhere.....just escalated hair-loss and more of a dependence on Viagra . Were there a connection between those two and e-coli......I might have to question my steadfast nose-thumbing at all those warning signs!

Steve,

Would it help if you left early so you can stop frequently?