Scott's Mentor Group-Closed for training. (Page 40)

Awesome job Nicole!

Congrats Troy and Paul on signing up for IMLP.

Can't wait to sign up for my first IM. I'm just ready to do my first Tri period. I kind of wish I would have signed up for another one sooner. I didn't expect to be ready this early. I really though I would need longer to prepare.

You will be unstoppable.

I've been meaning to share this pic I took of Andy Potts while volunteering at IMLP. It was really just a bad shot but it's kind of cool because it looks like he's running so fast he's in 2 places at the same. I was on River Road so he came by 4 times and looked strong throughout.

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First of all ... Congratulations to Scott and Nicole for some outstanding racing! That's some good reading.

Nicole ... and Paul (?). I'm so sorry we didn't connect with cell phone numbers ahead of this past weekend. It would have been great to connect in person for a beer or a ride. Or both. I did meet up with Tim and had a nice sit-down with he and his family at his swanky camp site. Was disappointed not to get on the roads with him as well.

But I had an AMAZING weekend in Lake Placid. I volunteered in the gear bag/transition area from 3pm until 11pm. That was ideal, as it allowed me to see the start, move around the course a bit to see how it all unfolded through town, and track Potts' amazing racing for a while. He was 2 min ahead after the swim, 10 min ahead after the bike, and I think he finished more than 20 minutes ahead in total. Amazing athlete.

I swam one loop of the course on Friday evening (39 minutes and some change) and then biked one loop on Saturday (3:18:xx). I loved the swim course ... so peaceful to just zone out and follow the cable without needing to worry about sighting. It's a long rectangular course and I paused before the return to the start area and just took in the sights. Sitting there in the middle of Mirror Lake, looking at the surrounding Adirondacks ... very inspiring to know I'd be signing up for the race in two days time. It truly was one of the best swims I've ever taken.

The bike course ... whoa. That's a beast of a course. I'm so glad I took the time to ride it, as I have a solid understanding of what I'll need to do for training over the next year. The ride starts with a moderate and manageable climb out of town and then you're treated to a screaming decent into the village of Keane. I hit 46 mph without even trying and feathered the brakes a bit due to the fact that I was forced to stay to the shoulder which wasn't in all that great of shape. It should be a blast next year when I have the entire line to manage the curves a bit better. I was reminded by Tim, though, of Lance's mantra ... "you can win a race on the decent, but you can certainly lose it". I may practice a bit more prudence next year in the race.

The course then flattens out for a while before turning back toward LP. And with that turn comes the beginning of a very long grind of a climb up and over Willmington notch. Yikes. I see MANY gap rides in my future. I'm actually starting this weekend with a 70 mile ride to include the Appalachian Gap.

My volunteer shift was so much fun. For the first part of it, I didn't have much to do beyond pumping up those coming in toward the end of the bike leg. I was there for the cut-off, so I saw a lot of people who really killed themselves just to make the cut-off. Not sure how some of them managed to perform on the run based on how trashed their legs seemed. On the other hand, you could tell many runners were just doing a great job of pacing themselves on the bike in order to have the strong legs left for their best discipline. And, of course, we saw the people who didn't make the cut-off. There are just no words to be said, so you help them locate their gear bags and try your best to wish them well.

I ended my shift at 11pm and then headed to the finish line. I got a great spot ride on the barricade and  watched dreams come true. In keeping with tradition, the leaders showed up for the final hour to hang some medals and congratulate the final finishers. At about 11:57pm, Andy Potts realized there was an athlete out on the course who had a chance at still making the midnight deadline. It was so touching to see him take off around the Olympic Oval in reverse, running back out onto the course to try and run this guy in. The crowd was given the athlete's name and started chanting "BILL, BILL, BILL, BILL". He was the last athlete allowed onto the oval to attempt the finish, but, sadly, the clock ran out before he made it. Nonetheless, it was so inspiring to see him and his support crew moving across the finish. He was fully supported and looked to be in rough shape. Yikes.

I am so ready for a year of training and glad to have seen the workings of the race from inside the transition area. It gave me a great sense of what to expect and how to prepare.

Onward!! 

I'm thinking about it.  I have the National race on the 18th, so I'm leaning towards not doing it, but the racer in me is saying to do it.  Do you know if it is full yet?

I don't get the sense that it is, but I don't know for sure. I'm hoping to get a spot to the National Champs, as the sprint from June didn't gain me a spot. Let me know if you do sign up and you want to car pool down. 

Good morning, all!

Troy, I will not be participatinging in the Branbury Classic. It sounds like a nice tri but my wife is scheduled to deliver our twins the next day, 8/6, so I can't be traveling that far. I'll try come up in 2014 and race with the gang.

This is taper week and race day is almost here! I have done 'race distances' during the race week and that has worked out well for me. It helps give me an idea of where my training is and what I can expect. I went out and ran yesterday- 2.6 miles. Ran it at 8 m/m pace and felt good. I am debating what to do today with a rest day scheduled for tomorrow. I might do short sessions of all three. I have rested the day before the race my last two times and i think it serves me well. I always feel like I made it this far with no injuries, don't push it the day before.

I am excited about Saturday. There are some big hills coming my way!

What is everyone doing today?

I'm really starting to question your commitment to this sport, Ashley. You can have twins any day of the week ... this is the BRANBURY CLASSIC!!

In all seriousness, enjoy this final shot of anticipation!!

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I skipped my swim today when I read about e-coli being found at a beach up the lake. No closed beaches here, but I wanted to be safe in the absence of any detailed information. I'm already sick with some summer cold. I'll probably get a run in later ... maybe some speed work with my team. 

Really, Ashley! The twins will still be there after the race. HTFU!

Troy-I'm not even going to comment about the Vermont lake pollution. Scott's heard me complain about it plenty, though.

I've found it took longer than I planned to recover from my weekend. It wasn't just the race it was the partying after followed by very little sleep and volunteering. Headed to the gym to swim tonight, though. Why am I always needing to HTFU? I must be a real loser.

I love this group!

I went yesterday and drove the bike course for Saturday. It is HILLY. I might not set a PR for the race but I will for speed on my bike. I've been in the lower 30s and I read about you guys hittig the 40s. I don't feel like my bike is built for that kind of speed! I will take a dose of HTFU before the race and see what I am willing to handle. Maybe I'll take 2 HTFU pills and lay it all out there! No brake tapping!

There is a line on our race packet that says "Do not hesitate to get off your bike and walk it to the top of a hill." Yowsers!

What is your fastest speed on your bike??

Speed work at the track this morning. Felt great. Sure is nice to start running faster. Really glad I put in the slow miles building a good base tho.

I have lost 50 pounds since I purchased my bike so tomorrow I am traveling to a Tri Shop in Dallas area to get a bike fit. My saddle is torn from a wreck a while back so I'm planning to get a new saddle, some Tri shoes (currently wearing mt bike shoes), new pedals and a Pro Fit using Retul. Really looking forward to the fit and can't wait to see how it feels on my Saturday morning ride. 

JJ, congrats on the weight loss. I know you feel great and want to keep going. I know you are excited aboout your fit. Be cautious....you might need to buy things you did not anticipate and fits become more expensive.  I still ride in my mt bike shoes. I'll upgrade one day to some nice flats (road shoes) but not this year. I want to do a bike fit as well to see what kind of power I am leaving on the table.

I hit 46mph on the IMLP course on Saturday. It's a crazy decent into the village of Keane. I think I could have opened it up a bit more, too ... the road wasn't closed, so I was being cautious. Can 46mph on a bike be considered cautious?

Excellent work on the weight loss JJ!!  It's an awesome lifestyle, isn't it?

Good morning, tri groupie!

It's race eve!!! Time to get everything ready to go! My last few races I stuck with my normal routine of swim-bike-run with a rest day before the race. Did a mini tri yesterday of 1/2 race distances. I did a 5 mile ride, 2 mile run, and a 475 yard swim. It was a fun workout. We had bad weather here so I hide to ride a stationary bike. I don't know how to work those darn things sometimes.

I am ready for tomorrow! I can't wait to get out on that course and crush dreams! Here is my goal.

950 yard lake swim- 20 minutes- that is conservative with it being my first open water swim.

T1- 1.5 minutes

Bike- this could be awesome or awful- going to go with an average of 18 mph b/c the hills are gigantic. The bike course is 9.1 miles. Goal is 30 minutes.

T2- 40 seconds

Run- It's a 2.6 mile run with big hills. It overlaps some of the bike route. I'd like to keep an 8 minute pace but don't know how I will feel after the bike. I still want to keep my goal at sub 8 so I need to finish in under 22:24.

We'll round that off to around 75 minutes. I'll be very happy with these numbers.

From a very excited Brit, the greatest sporting event is about to kick off, and yes it is raining!! Really looking forward to the Olympics and have tickets to a few events, but not the Triathlon, that was the quickest event to sell out!!

Today I took my training a step further, I have joined a local triathlon club and attended my first ever swim training session!! Feel really pleased with myself.

Anyhow, back to the Olympics, lets hope (not that I am biased) that the best male triathletes prevail and the Brownlee brothers bring home gold and silver!!

Let the games begin!!

Oh, have a good training / race weekend

Gareth

That's awesome, Gareth. I was only 5 when the Olympics were in Lake Placid but we lived about 45 minutes away (my parents still do) and I do remember spending a day in Olympic village, although we didn't go to any events. I'm so jealous! which events do you have tickets for? Hope you enjoy it!

And congrats on joining the Tri club!!

I have tickets to watch a couple of football (soccer) matches, some are being held in my home town of Cardiff, and we have tickets to watch the rowing, generally Great Britain are good at that!! There are some free to view events, like the road cycling and the marathon, but they are on during working hours so difficult to het to.

I also have tickets to go to the Olympic village, not watching any events there, but want to at least go to the village.

Lets just pray that the games are a success, Britain is highlighted for all its beauty and the tru champions shine highly!

Lets go team GB!!!

That's awesome Gareth!

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Bike fit was very interesting today. The fitter started by performing several stretching test to see if I had any limiters that need that needed to be addressed on the bike. He then started the fit and right away said this bike is way too big for me. After replacing the stem and making quite a few adjustments we ended up with a great fit. I also picked up some Tri shoes. The before and after pictures are pretty significant on the bike fit so I really think I got my money worth. Can't wait to ride tomorrow and see how it goes.

I want to hear to hear glorious stories of dream crushing from you Ashley.  Good luck!!!

Sometimes it takes a bit of time to get used to a new position.  Don't be disappointed if you don't see gains right away.  They will come it time.  Congrats on the fit.  

Morning, all!!

I appreciate all the support. I like to come on to BT on race morning and get one more bit of inspiration from you guys!

Just finished breakfast- oatmeal, yogurt, banana, and coffee.

I'm off to ruin peoples' day!

Go Ashley!!!!!

JJ-Just for curiosity (I've never had a bike fit) would you be willing to post the before and after pics? It's cool if you don't want to-I might not if it was me-but I'm interested in how the fit might have changed your position.