STEPH SPRINT FULL Let's do this thing! StephSprint group FULL! (Page 6)

Threejs - I'm not laughing...I bought a pair of those too because I was afraid to commit to the shoes/pedals!

Susie-Too funny. I've been hitting the pool early on Saturdays & then rushing upstairs to do 5-7 miles on the stationary bike. I like to avoid the crowds if possible.

I haven't been on any bike since junior high, so I opted for the 'fitness' style as opposed to an all out road bike - ok to use on limestone trails and such.  I wasn't sure what your location was, and didn't want to list a bunch of misc trail names.  I have the maps for DPRT and there are some smaller forest preserve routes farther west near my house.  I think for my first few outings I'll stick to the paved path in Independence Grove.  I ran there a few weeks ago (when it was 85!) and it seems pretty bike friendly and connects to DPRT for when I have accumulated a little more time in the saddle (just can't abbreviate that).

The clip-in/out technique is definitely daunting and Look pedals seem to be the frontrunner in terms of recommendations. I don't want to overthink it and will probably be fine using gym shoes. But I also don't want to start with bad form that could develop into bad habits and potential for injury down the line.  Nonsense?

Off to pack the swim bag.  I always forget my water bottle.

Terri

I eventually learned to ride with clipless pedals after several hilarious slow motion tumbles.  My best one was in a ferry port at passport control on my way home from Calais in France to Dover in England.  Even the grumpy French boarder guard laughed!

If you can learn to manage clipless pedals you'll find they give you more power when you cycle and I've also found that I stopped getting knee pain. 

A good friend of mine has reversible pedals that are clips on side and flat the other.  She uses the flat pedal when she's in heavy traffic or she has her young daughter on board in the child seat.

Lisa

^^These...

After just a couple of rides, I'm noticing my knees when I would prefer they remain quiet and unobtrusive. Not pain necessarily, but some twinges that weren't there before.  And I would like to learn how to harness the zoooom, engaging all the leg muscles not just quads.  I'm attending a tri event at the LRS tomorrow - there may be cycling resources there that i can tap into.  

In other news, my DH installed the cadence sensor for my Garmin on my bike, so I can upload biking workout info now to my training log. Yay! And today's swim workout was my longest yardage yet - only 2700 meters but a good way to start the weekend.  Does anyone use a lap counter of any kind?

Another late night hockey game is going to make tomorrow's 6mile run a challenge... #becauseitsthecup. 

Did you have some help to align your cleats when you fitted them to your shoes?  It is possible if they fractionally aren't in the right place you can make your knees hurt.

Lisa

I WAS doing a half as my first race, now my work has a 5K on May 5th- that will be my first race.  I ran 3 miles in 40 minutes yesterday- would like to get that down to 30 minutes by June.  Going on a business trip today bringing my swimsuit and running shoes.  I will check out usa triathlon- thanks for the info!

I am taking easy on bike and running, 9just run/walk a minute at the time).

I am getting some massage every night, thanks to my wife patience, and some ice after that. Compretion during the day.

i have been taking ibuprofen for a wile but didn't work for me. I feel a little better with aspirin.

It is going better every day. Thanks

Regarding the conversation on bikes/clips/knee (and other) pain.

The position of your cleats, seat etc can make a huge difference in how your various body parts will feel on the bike.  You  can  play around with position yourself, just make sure you only change one thing at a time so you know what made a difference, either for good or bad.  If possible the better option would be to go back to where you purchased your bike and have them adjust the fit.  A recent purchase should include some adjustments.  If you continue to have problems you can get a bike fitting, although that can be pricey, but worth it if biking begins to cause pain.  My friend would always have a bad back ache after a long ride.  She finally gave in a had a professional bike fit and what a difference it made.

So my club is closed for renovations this week. 

So to keep active I am going to do core and strength work and  home and swim at a local park district pool.  I swam yesterday and WOW!  The water temp was perfect!  I have been freezing my @$$ off at my club.  I wear a swim shirt over my suit in attempt to keep warm and I have a friend who wears her wetsuit in the pool.  I can only go for about 45 minutes and then I'm shivering.  After my hour swims I have to take a really hot shower to warm up. I swam in the park pool for an hour and half and was never cold, or too warm either.  Could have stayed in longer but was turning into a prune.   How am I ever going to get back into the club pool? 

No one will ever laugh at you here.  You are out there riding, that's what counts. 

And Terri, you have some great trails to ride on up there in Lake County.  Independence Grove is really nice and going north from there in the DPRT is very scenic. 

I got Speedplay light action pedals and some incredibly amazing Secialized Ember shoes this week...today I practiced clipping in and out nine million times in my garage, then it was time to at least attempt a little riding. I managed a slow-motion fall exiting the garage while clipped in on one side. Sweet. Am I a real cyclist now? ;-)

After the one fall (on my mountain bike so as not to hurt my precious my road bike), everything was pretty uneventful. I was no longer worried about falling and clipping in and out of the speedplays was really easy. My long ride day turned into a "putz around the parking lot" kind of day, but whatever - I'm clipless!

I've been following everyone's posts, but not sure I have anything interesting to add....  I still don't have a bike, so just using stationary bike at the gym.  Probably should think about it soon.

Love my swim training, but really not enjoying running.  I do it cos I know I need to, and i just 'hope' it all improves over time....

Well, hope everyone has a fantastic week, and gets some good training sessions in!!

The bike stores here are doing great closeout sales on last year's models. I checked online inventory before heading into a few bike shops and I got a great deal on a 2011 Trek Madone. So if you're looking, you may be able to get a good deal right now!