left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 58)

Hey Diane!  There is a race here called the Fat Boy 5k.  I ran it once and it was fun (and plan to run it this year).  The guys running it are a hoot.  Anyways I guess someone in LV decided they are going to do a Las Vegas version (the running club I belong to just got this notification):

Race day/time/location:

February 21st, 2009, 8am

Bunker Park, Las Vegas, NV

I was nervous about a long run today so to play it safe, I cut my long run short. Instead of a run/walk for 2 hrs and 30 minute (about 14 min per mile pace), but today I did straight running for 90 mins. Felt great. Left Garmin at home so as not to pressure myself to run fast. But I think the estimated pace is probably around 12 min mile. Maybe a little faster because it was a nice flat run and I was running really strong today.

Ran for time not distance. Ran strong and in control from start to finish. No pressure on pace. Just focused on not stopping and not walking, adjusting pace/turnover as needed.

The rest really helped. Not only my knee but everything. This was the best, the strongest run I've had since I started running. Most of all, I just really enjoyed it. I'm proud of myself and proud of this run. It's a nice feeling.

Gary - I had never seen it before, but I found it on the my club's website - They are having it where I have my 5k PR - maybe a new PR??? Unfortunately, I don't weigh that much because of my height - now if they would only give short people bonus points   But it sounds like FUN!!! THANKS!

WAEF - WTG on a FANTASTIC Run!!! I love it when I have a good run like that - doesn't happen too often, but when it does - yeah!!!

I x-posted this in Gordo's group... but any and all advice is needed here...  

I have a bike questions... I have a "performance hybrid" Diamondback bike... I bought it 4 months ago for commuting to work (2.5 miles each way)  Then decided to do a tri... questions...

1. Will this bike be okay?
2. I was riding it, and found myself at the bottom of a hill at a dead stop (to let a car pass) I had to change gears while on the hill (I know this is bad... but what to do?) My derailler broke off the bike... Is this common?
3. How do I switch gears while going up hill to avoid further problems?
4. Should I just fork out more money on a road bike?

Okay... I guess any and all advice is needed here... thanks!

Shark, the race here is fun so I hope you get to do it there.  (but different people running it so who knows).

FWIW - I am still planning on doing my first Dua and Tri on a mountain bike. Putting street tires on it and I am set. From what I have read you are simply buying speed as a better road bike will outperform lessor bikes or a MTB in my case.    Interested in why shifting up a hill is bad.  I can see it if you wait until your almost at a stand still but as long as your pedaling.  Hopefully our resident bike experts will have some answers.

FWIW - No bike expert either. But I did my mini with my mtn bike. I'll probably do a half century ride with it too. I have no plans to buy a bike anytime soon.

I switch gears while climbing on my bike.  Especially on long hills of which there are plenty in my area. If I kept it in the easiest gear for the whole climb all that spinning would wear me out and I wouldn't be getting anywhere. The only difference is I switch before I come to a dead stop during the climb. I switch when it feels the hill is getting to difficult and my cadence is dropping too much. I usually try standing up before playing around with the gearing. Sometimes I can make it just standing. Depends on how long I will be climbing. If standing doesn't work, then I change to an easier gear. My bike responds fine. No issues except occasionally it has to "pop" into gear. I feel that but eventually it evens back out. I have an old 10-speed mtn bike. Maybe your gearing is more complicated. Don't know. Hopefully the experts will have advice.

I don't have a system down yet. I go by the amount of energy expended and fatigue level. Meaning I experiment quite a bit. Some of my rides are rolling hills one after another. some are long slow climbs others are isolated hills -- some small some long and steep. It depends on terrain but I change gears as needed depending on fatigue. 

I'm really interested in any help here too. I have a long and hilly ride scheduled for tomorrow.

Shark - my approach has been to try and shift before I absolutely need to so that I keep my cadence high. I also prefer to switch to easier gears more often probably than most. When I'm in a situation where I realize that I have waited to shoft too long I try and do a bit of a burst in the harder gear and then ease off on the pedaling as I am changing. That way the chain/derailleur are under less stress at the time of the change and so you avoid pops, breaks, etc.

As for riding a hybrid - everything I have ever read says ride what you got (or what you can afford) as you start into multi-sport. Mountain bikes are not uncommon although always good to have skinnier tires rather than the off-road knobby variety.

School cancelled today for my son due to a winter storm but (sadly) the University is open so  "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go ..."

Thanks for the info. It's cold here so my bike ride is going to be shorter than I'd planned. We'll see how long I can hold out before turning into a popsicle.

***

Rode 15 hilly miles. incredibly slow. Couldn't break 10 mph today. I usually do a little bit better than that. Took me an hour and a half. But I got the mileage. I'm feeling better about the MS ride. I registered last night. Signed up for 60 miles.  Feeling like it's completely do-able by Sept.

Great job Sticka! Kudos to you!!

FreddyBeachPete - 2009-01-08 12:53 PM I finally did it ... I finally dragged my butt down to the pool and did a noon-time swim. Didn't feel as utterly horrible as I expected. It did take me 5 tries to remember the combo for my lock though  

Good job, I have been slacking this week on swimming too.  The roads have been icy and I haven't wanted to try driving that early in the morning.  But tomorrow it's gonna happen no matter what.

Glad you finally  remembered your combo number, I hate getting old.  Happens to me a lot too.

I had my second free personal trainer session.  We did a lot of things that were suppose to focus on stability.  Which it does appear that I don't have much.  I really wish I could keep going after my free sessions are over, but I just can't justify the cost.  Especially when there are so many resources out there in books and online.  I know I can come up w/my own strength training schedule just like I've done with my running schedule

Half Marathon training starts Monday!  Woo hoo

Hey all,

Had my swim lesson.  Got chided on not practicing the drills enough (she was right so I can't argue).  But a few corrections and things went well.  Worked on extending, keeping my back up and rotating on axis.  One length everything came together and it was awesome!  I know what I need to do so it's just practice, practice, practice.  She taught me the backstroke and that went okay.  I need to practice but floating on my back is pretty easy for me so this went okay. 

I am going to extend my lessons.  She wants to go over some Tri specific stuff like sighting, etc.  Turns out she has several Tri swimmers.  She agrees with you folks that the 800m for April won't be a problem.  Swam for a full hour, no idea how far I swam but I am tired and I can feel it in my shoulders, arms, and legs

Gary, that's AWESOME!!! Coach Nan sounds like the perfect coach for your OWS.  Back float comes in really handy if you decide to do Total Immersion one day. It's a good thing you're a natural at it.

I can float on my back all day long but can't do backstroke without sinking. Why? I have no idea. It's funny to watch though. Lifeguards get a kick out it.

The one thing I keep doing is over arching my head and shoulder (to keep my butt/legs up) and end up drowning myself.  The other thing is that my right arm strokes are okay but the technique with my left arm is not so great.  So as long as I only do right arm strokes I am set.

She told me that while it is good for catching your breath during the Tri, she wants me to learn other strokes.  She commented that is too easy to get off course and you can't site very well (OWS).  EIther way I am a bit stoked.  Actually felt like a swimmer today when I completed a lap.  Also, knowing she has some Tri specific workouts in the future makes me feel more confident about April.  I may just go sign up.

One question: Do you folks just do the $10 USAT race fee or do you go to the USAT site to sign up for the year?  (did that make sense?)

Can't remember exactly who brought up total immersion, but I owe you big time!

Spent some time working on drills over the last few. Did 800m straight (no breaks) at lunch time. That's a new best distance for me. Was able to put together about 300 of pretty decent 3 stroke breathing as well.

Thanks for the heads up!

Sounds like everyone is rolling along beautifully....

Here are a few thoughts....

Bike - mountain, tricycle, hybrid, road, tri - go do a few sprints with what you have...see if you like this....then you can justify the investment.  Be sure you love it before you end up with another "asset"

Shifting - it is easier on all parts - bike and yours - if you shift while comfortably spinning, as FBP said, less tension makes it better - it sounds like you just waited a little long and the tension was too great, the angle was too great and something snapped.

Swim - it comes back pretty quickly....

wetsuit - rentals are a great idea to again, save the investment until you know how many of these things you plan to do...then buy if possible at the end of the season as there are great deals on closeouts - bikes too if you are buying new...

USAT - to support our sport I buy an annual license...but I also do more than enough races to cover the cost....the $10s at a race would add up to more money....I think if you keep your one day license, USAT will credit you $10 on a yearly membership if you sign up for a year within a month or so of your race.....the first year I did just pay the $10s....then I went ahead and bought the yearly after I knew I liked triathlon

One quick word of caution - all of you are putting a lot of miles in you body right now....just be careful to pace yourselves to avoid injury and burnout...the season is still a ways away.  Take some time off....save those STP - spousal training points (the time your spouse can accept your training) - until you really need to use them during the season...for you early season racers you can disregard most of this....I just don't want anyone hurt....

Bryan

Hey all!

Signed up for the Duathlon then found another a little later but closer! Oh well, my boss may do the Dua with me. 

Biked this morning, plan called for 20 minutes.  I just could not move, no energy left.  Garmin says avg of 13.3 mph but it felt slower.  I have a 1.5 mile run tonight and then off tomorrow for a much needed SRD.  I think Swimming is kicking my tucas!

One more question on the USAT, when I signed up for the race it asked me to enter a USAT number or NONE if I didn't have one.  But the price didn't change.  Will I have to sign up for that on the day of the race?  If so, getting the one year membership could save some time race day?

Ok I used this as an excuse to blow off my run today   Just kidding.  But I did decide after the 2 days in a row of weights/strength training and then a hard swim this morning, I would forgoe my run at lunch today.  I am going to actually start my Half Marathon training next week so I'm allowing myself one more day to take advantage of the slack.

Just a note to let everyone know I'll be out of training for a few days. Accident last night. We're ok just cuts, bruises and the like. Car's totaled. The driver of the other car is completely traumatized. 18 years old. First car. Just got her license. No experience. No judgment. Talking on a cell phone. Fortunately her first accident didn't turn out any worse. Fortunately we were all wearing seat belts and the cars were both equipped with air bags.

So no swimming, biking or running this weekend. Maybe some walking but that's about it. 

Felt so strange staying in today. My body woke up at 4:30 am like it always does. Actually thought about going to the gym. But reason returned when I took a look at my body.

All I can say is, crumple zones work. The passenger cabin is all that's left of the car. It's like the car gave itself to save us. There's nothing left of it. But we are all still here.

Thank you little silver Mazda.  We'll miss you.

Jennifer!  That must have been very scary.  So glad that you are okay!  Please take care of yourself and give yourself some time.  Some times it takes 24-48 hrs for all of the ache/pains to manifest themselves. 

Very glad to hear that you are okay!

That is scarey, so glad you're all right. 

Give yourself time to heal.

I'm officially going BROKE, but in a good way I offered to match funds for TnT donations - today only... I've gotten 11 donations so far!!! Still not where I need to be, but at least I've gotten more than the $100 I had before - GO ME

So the offer stands for all of you too... if you feel so inclined to help out... I wouldn't normally ask, but I want to give you the opportunity to give if you wanted... http://pages.teamintraining.org/snv/rstri09/Cardholic

The deal is, if you give $20 or more, I'll donate $10... if you donate $50 or more, I'll donate $20... I'm up to $170!!! (I'm capping it at $500)