Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 48)

elizabethk - 2012-01-14 10:47 AM What is all this complaining about temperatures in the thirties???

Temps here today are 40* ... and partly sunny.  I have the Stumpjumper ready, warmed up and ready for some much needed single track time:

[Dick Vitale voice] Yeahhh baby!!

Nice warm day in Kansas, 65! Despite the wind, 15-25 gusts to 30, I got in a good ride with my husband. We rode 49 miles in 3hr. Averaged 16mph, far from my fastest but not bad considering the wind. Looks like Mother Nature is going to let me get in another ride tomorrow!

It was 37 when we got to the race start line. It was sunny so it actually ended up being ok. I was cold though because I really didn't work up much of a heart rate increase. I ran with my sister who just had a baby a couple months ago and we had to go really slow. We had a ton of fun but for me it wasn't much of a workout so I stayed cold. The things you do for family- lol.

Shelly

Thanks so much Dorm. I ended up not really racing as my sister asked me to stay with her and she was much slower than I anticipated. We had fun though and that's all that mattered to me.

Shelly

Sounds like a great workout.

Shelly

Just want to say welcome to all the new members. Please feel free to jump right in- the water is nice and toasty in our group. Lots of great members and we love to help each other out.

Shelly

Dorm57 - 2012-01-15 10:59 AM

elizabethk - 2012-01-14 10:47 AM What is all this complaining about temperatures in the thirties???

 

Temps here today are 40* ... and partly sunny.  I have the Stumpjumper ready, warmed up and ready for some much needed single track time:

[Dick Vitale voice] Yeahhh baby!!

You guys are making cold just reading your posts. I will admit I am spoiled- I do not like 30 and 40 degree temps. Must be why I live in Louisiana-lol. I'm like a bear and want to hibernate in cold weather. Kuddos to you Dorm for heading out to ride in 40 degrees.

Shelly

So had an awesome day at the race yesterday. Despite having to crawl through it to stay at my sister's pace I actually had fun. We joked and cut up the entire time and she thanked me for inspiring her to start running and living healthier. That made it soo worth it.

Then Dh won 3rd place in his AG. It was his first timed 5k so I was so proud of him. He got an awesome zip up tech shirt, a signed race poster and because he was one of the first 25 first time racers to cross the finish line, he won a pair of Mizuno running shoes. Being the awesome guy that he is, he let me have them. Of course it also had to do with the fact that he doesn't like Mizunos but I'll still give him credit for being sweet- lol.

Then I attended a three hour run clinic taught by Jeff Galloway. He really was very motivational and had some great info. I really, really enjoyed meeting him and the class was awesome.

If the Saints had won the day would have been perfect,

Shelly

Trying to get back into consistent swimming.  Got in 1200m this AM albeit slowwww.  Then a 5 mile(indoor track) run.  Now my back is killing me.  Every year or so back pain rears its ugly head for a week or so.  Glad that its now and not race week.

Happy Monday everyone.

elizabethk & fitmomma2010- I can relate to running in the cold. Kansas in January is not usually as warm as it has been this winter, 65 yesterday. My cutoff for running is single digits. 10 or above and it's on. I'm fine during the run but 20-30 minutes after I finish I'm freezing. I get goosebumps and it takes a long time to get my body warmed backed up. I did get a Balaclava in early December and it has made a big difference in keeping me warm.

leftrunner- Good job on the swim this morning! I had been out of the pool for almost 3 weeks, due to Holiday's, their rduced hours and my schedule. Your time looked good. Swimming is the easiest of the three for me so I bounce back from breaks quickly. It's the running that I can't ever slack on.

Have a great day!

Brady - yep I would check with the Dr.  Review your shoes, maybe have someone evaluate your stride, and back off on running a little for now.

Shelly - nice job on the run!  Very cool to get to run with family.

All - love the activity and love seeing everyone active.  We are all at a different point in our training and endurance.  Doesn't matter if you are knocking out 80 mile rides or 8 mile rides.  Be proud, keep at it and we will improve.

One thing, there are NO DUMB QUESTIONS.  Ask away, don't worry if it has been asked before just ask.  If you are wondering about something most likely someone else is.  I believe we get a fair amount of lurkers (you can join if you want) and they will also benefit.

Got a 10 mile run in last night around the LSU lakes.  Around mile 9.3 my right knee flared up, walked a little then ran with a longer stride that seemed to help.  One of my knees always flares up on my long run but it used to be at the 8 mile mark so maybe there is progress?  Ran with my new 2160's and they felt great.

Noob question incoming.

Aside from the craigslist, ebay, classified forums on here, are there any online sites you use to try and find pre-owned bikes at a decent price?

I still don't have a bike, and I'm looking for something used to ride through my first season while I'm still trying to figure out what I like, etc...

Thanks

Another Kansan in the house! Not sure of other online sources but most bike shops in my area take in used bikes on trade and sell them and also sell them on consignment for good customers. Post in this in  "Kansas" section as well. There are alot of KC people on here and they will have some good suggestions for you!

Everyone has had thier own experiences that lead to varying opinions, but here is the take from mine: 

Save your money.  Do your research, and buy your bike new.  You will end up alot happier with a lot less money spent in the long run.  Several of the major brands (trek) have great warranties that will eliminate any kind of buyer's remorse.  If you choose to go used, than go used from your LBS. 

My first bike was a great deal, until I learned that it need new rims (micro fractures that I didn't catch) that cost me another pretty penny.

CCoffin - funny you ask as Jimmy and I were PMing about similar items.  My recommendations for him was for your first Tri use whatever you have.  If you have a MTB just throw some slicks on it and ride that.  You won't be super fast but there will be others riding MTB's (assuming its a sprint or Oly).  Not everyone sticks with Tri's and it doesn't make sense to invest a lot of money up front until you are sure.  There is quite a bit of info to learn about bikes and its best that you take a little time to learn about all of the different options.  If you don't have a bike of any kind I would either go for an inexpensive used one or an inexpensive new one (to add to your list check with your local Tri and/or Bike clubs).  Realize that for a couple of hundred dollars or less you won't get a long term bike but if you decide that Tri's are not for you then you aren't out a lot of money. 

As for when you decide to buy a more expensive bike things like "are you handy with a wrench" will come into play.  I have only owned used Tri bikes but saved a lot of money that way.  But, except for running internal cabling, I am pretty handy with a wrench and wasn't worried about basic repairs.

The other conversation had to do with wetsuits and open water swimming.  We have a race here in March and most times that water is dang cold.  Being a cold water wimp I found a used wetsuit on BT for $70 shipped.  XTerra sells sleeveless for $99 new.  Not the most durable things but easily repairable.  I now own a sleeved Xterra but eventually plan to upgrade.  The positives for wetsuits are they keep you warm and add bouyancy which will make most beginner to intermediate level swimmers faster.  Additionally the added bouyancy is a bit of a security blanket as you can easily just float.  The downsides are that some people don't like the restricted feeling that some experience.  Also, depending upon the race org, once the water hits 76 or 78 you can't wear them.

For open water swimming, its different from pool swimming (very different feeling) and everyone should try to get some OWS practice in before their first race.  Our local Tri group holds OWS clinics a couple of times a year.  My first tri I was nervous as all heck.  I could swim 500m in the pool but a 400m OWS scared the daylights out of me.  It just looked so far to swim.  Luckily I didn't quit and was very proud when I finished.

Hope this helps.

Gary,

Very helpful, thanks!

Right now I have the privilege of riding a Mongoose MTB, courtesy of Wal-Mart.  Bought it about 9 years ago just so I could ride with the wife, which happened only a handful of times.  My neighbor fixed it up a bit for me (he's a competitive adventure racer and works on his bikes all of the time) and it is ample for training.  Actually prefer it at this point to train on, so when I hop on a good book just before the race comes, it'll feel that much easier (Lord I hope!). 

I have also done quite a bit of reading regarding wetsuits.  End of May here and the water will likely be no higher than 60, if we're lucky.  I plan on on OWS a time or two only a week before the race because of the water temps.  Fortunately, we spend 90% of the free time in the summer in the lake and I won't be overwhelmed by being in the large body of water.  The race is actually being held at one of the smaller lakes in the area and will likely be flat and calm that early in the morning, unless of course there is any rain around.  At this point in my swim training (Week 3), I'm now more worried about getting kicked in the face than I am drowning.  And that is a major improvement in and of itself!

CCoffin - looks like from an OWS perspective you are ahead of the curve.  With water temps at 60 or below most races allow you to wear swim socks and a neoprene swim cap.  For a sprint it may not be necessary based upon your tolerance to cold.  I did my first and only duathlon on a Walmart MTB.  When I built my first tri bike it was a big change.

45 mins on the bike trainer last night.  Watched Betty White's Off Their Rocker and just about fell off my bike laughing.  Great stuff.  1450 yards in the pool today with a short run tonight.  Temps are in the 60's with rain but we may actually get some cold weather soon.

Got a real good lift in yesterday and gave the legs a bit of a break.

4 miles over lunch today in 39:28.

Still feeling good.