jsiegs and slornow's Train Hard and Have Fun group - CLOSED for Training (Page 46)

I'd like to pose a "fun" question to the group: What's your favorite race you've ever done and why? 

Mine would probably be the US Women's Series Naperville Sprint Distance Triathlon. I did it for 2 years and I loved it both times. It was the first triathlon I ever did. I like that it's all women, the swim is not intimidating, and there are loads of spectators on the course to cheer you on. Plus, my family usually comes out to cheer and we go to a big breakfast after. Fun for everyone. I also find it really inspiring that it is usually the first time doing a triathlon for many of the women there.

Fun.  I think mine would be the Danskin Women's Tri in Seattle.  It was my second ever race.  It was HUGE.  Like 3000 women.  And everyone was so supportive.  They had people in the water with noodles and floats to help those who were not good swimmers.  Fun stuff like that.  Would have been really annoying if I was trying to "race", but I thought it was cool.  My mom was visiting so she got to see me.  That made it nice too.

Christy

I have heard the Danskin tri series is great. We have one nearby in Pleasant Prairie, WI, that I have yet to do but it's always on my list when the year starts. I have a feeling I might do it next year. Good to know you liked it too!

I too have heard this is a great race! I might have to check it out sometime - I think the closest one to me is in Austin. sounds like a road trip

I have nothing to compare races too... so I will go with the TriGirl races! I'm doing the same one on the 14th, a little longer distance. I'm part of a facebook forum group for them, and let me tell you... I have met some AWESOME women on there. The race itself is very well organized, and the race director is super cool.she gives so much support and information since her race is 'first-timer friendly'. she holds clinics and offers tips etc. I'm forever a huge TriGirl fan

I did a two-a-day today. I went for a nice steamy run this morning, even in this ridiculous heat advisory we are under. this evening I met with a couple people for an OWS. It was great to get out there and help a friend with some pointers. she is very intimidated by my swimming (*blush*) but I think by the end of the swim she felt more confident. I love to help people swim

I got a feel for what headwinds in the water feels like, lol! It was super windy, which made it hard to stay in line with my focus point, and to swim in general. The water was pushing against me, it was weird.

Sorry for the MIA-ness.  I'm not used to putting in OT at work, but I'll be crazy here until my wedding (and not at my compy to read up on BT).  Also, did anyone know how hard it is to do table settings when one family is divorced and one parent is remarried?!?!?!  Holy Charlie Foxtrot!  About 5 hours later, I think we're set though.  Unfortunately, this means training has suffered quite a bit recently.  Plus I worked a trade with a BTer for my saddle for his and my is missing that essential part for the next few days.

On the plus side, my batchelor festivities are gearing up .  This weekend I'll be going out to get *ahem* some adult beverages...oh why hide it...I'll be going out and pretending I'm a college freshman again.  A bunch of friends are coming, but nothing special, just hitting some bars.  Next weekend, a few of my close friends and I are headed out to WV and my BM has rented a cabin for the weekend.  A few of us bike, so I'll be bringing that, plus there's a river, shooting range, fire pit and some other stuff out there I haven't heard about yet.  Lots of Man stuff going on, wilderness, guns, rivers, fine Scotches and Burbons, fire...I'm pretty excited.

My wedding was a mess.  We had my mom, her boyfriend, my step father (no longer married to my mom), my dad (who ended up not coming), my father in law, mother in law and my mother in law's new husband.  We had several spreadsheets  

Have a great weekend!  Be careful in WV.  Watch out for the mountain men and moonshine.

Christy

Hi guys! It's really fun to hear about all your favorite races. Kind of cool to hear that most of us are more about the atmosphere and experience (and swag, of course) vs. considering our "favorite race" to be the one we PR'd at. 

Speaking of fun races, I ran Chicago's Terrapin 5K last night on the lakefront and it was a fabulous experience. It was a more mellow crowd than usual, smaller, too. And most were wearing tie-dye. I swear someone was pumping patchouli into the air at the starting line. There was a Grateful Dead cover band at the end, Magic Hat beer, and loads of pizza. Great night to sit under the stars on the greens outside Soldier Field and enjoy some music and conversation post-race. 

As far as my performance, I didn't really push it; just considered this kind of a tempo run. I ended up finishing with a time of 28.47 (9.17 miles), which was fine for me. August in Chicago is just too hot to do more than that. I would have overheated had I dropped below 9 min. miles... I will save that speed for the Spring and Fall. 

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

Good luck Matt! 

Good Luck Matt!!

Bike rack question -

This may seem like an odd question, but here goes. I have a bike rack - the Swagman, with a hitch, and the tires go in the two brackets. The guy at the bike store said it will sway, but dear God, it really sways!! Is it supposed to sway a lot, and why? I have almost an hour drive to the race site, it's going to give me heart failure the entire way!

Ok, I'll do that - Yes, it's a hitch rack, not a strap one.

Race day is the 14th, woo hoo!

We had 85% humidity here yesterday. I did my 'long' run (4 miles) at 10:00 a.m. and it was absolutely miserable. I was moving so slow I probably could have walked faster.  I think we're going to get a break in the weather this week - all the discussion on my midwest friends training logs lately is about the terrible weather. We need a break!

I was talking to my 4 year old about my race next weekend. She said "The people in the front always seem to win.  You should just get in the front, then you could win."  She went on to tell me the spirt of winning was in my heart   Kids are funny.  But I did think i should pass along the advice....If you want to win...be in the front.

Christy

I love it! She is right, the spirit of winning IS in your heart.