The Second Wind Group - CLOSED (Page 6)

dprocket - The treadmill is not my friend. I am going to try and conquer it though. I made a promise to myself that I would not miss any workouts because of the weather so I better get used to it! $120 for a gps watch sounds doable for me. Doe the Global Trainer have real time pace? Someone I ran with had that feature and I thought it was a nice feature and what I really would like to have if I owned one.

Gomesbolt - I will have to try your treadmill workout idea one rainy day. But I think I will always dread the treadmill or dreadmill. I do have a cheap Schwinn bike computer that has such a small display that I cannot read anything on it but the MPH as I ride. I also own a heart rate monitor and a swim watch. Question for you, do you put your garmin on and use it after the swim portion of your races? I'm sure it's useful as your racing.

Stegaman - I don't have and iphone but I have used the mapmyrun site for setting up my runs. Theres also a pace calculator online where you can put in your distance and time and get your pace. I'm so on the fence with this one...maybe I will wait a while and see how I progress without one.

Chick - I'll have checkout your blog. Kudos to you for completing that race!

It's been a nice day off for me, but I will be doing dual workouts tomorrow - swim 1/2 mile and run 3 miles.

TGIF everyone! Happy Training!

Nice race recap Chick! What an accomplishment, especially under the heat conditions you had. Great job! I'm sure you are still feeling great about it! What other races do you have planned?

Nice race recap Chick! What an accomplishment, especially under the heat conditions you had. Great job! I'm sure you are still feeling great about it! What other races do you have planned?

I am still feeling good about the race.  Today I got back in the pool and felt good.  Hard to believe it, but my legs feel pretty good 5 days post-race.  Much better than I expected.

Upcoming I have a sprint tri on June 2, a 5K on June 30 and then and OWS sprint try on July 21.

Nice thing was you could have it on the bike and have the strap on your wrist at the start of the run, jump off the bike, hit the lap button and be running.

I think I'll swim with the 910xt, then just leave it on my wrist for the ride and run. I can look at my wrist on the bike when I'm on my aero bars just fine.

Haven't done much HR training. I have a funky heartbeat. Doctor says it's common, but it makes it look like my HR jumps around all the time.

What bikes do people have?

When I started out in '08, I went from an old, borrowed Bianchi that was 4 inches too big to a Cervelo P2C that's perfect but I'm constantly monkeying with the setup. I really wish I could borrow a trainer to get my setup worked out better.

I find that the best way for me to get faster on the bike is to drop weight. 5lbs=1mph...If I can get down to 145, I can race in the tour de France...

J1woody - The Timex Global Trainer does support real time pace. On my run screen, I have it set up to show me: Current Heart Rate, Distance, Current Pace and Total Time. You can set up alerts for different heart rate zones, when you reach different paces, etc.

I know the Garmins can do all of this as well.

The Timex integrates with the TrainingPeaks website. I sync all of my workouts into that site. I also upload them here. One differnce between the Garmins is the "quick release" system. Timex doesn't have it. It wraps around your wrist like any Timex Ironman watch and to take it off you undo the buckle as normal. You can wear it on the bike or use a little holder that attached to your bike that you can wrap it around. I lost my holder the 2nd day I had it so I've been wearing it on my wrist during rides.


As far as bikes go, my buddy found a black Cervelo Dual Tri Bike on craigstlist that I gave $450 for. I think it is a 2006. As far as I'm concerned its a really nice bike and even though I'm not fast and don't really know what I'm doing I think it is nicer than most of the other bikes I see on the road.

This morning, I ran a personal longest 8.2 miles. I'm slow (ave pace 10:09 p/m) but I'm not too worried about that. I have been wanting to get this distance down and I've finally done it. Now, I'll be working on lowering my HR and improving my pace.

One other thing (I hope me and Gomesbolt are not dominating the forum too much), I am 90% certain that I'm going to sign up for another Oly Tri: the Nations Triathlon in Washington DC. I think I'm going to join the Team in Training program and raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm planning to take my family out to DC for the raise and to do siteseeing afterward.

Thanks for the information on the GPS watches. I'm almost convinced, lol. I just might be asking for one for Mother's Day! I don't think that's too big of a request...haha!

I have a Specialized Dolce and  I'll try to attach a picture....love this bike! I started off with a hybrid I bought from sears in the 1980's with dry-rotted tires and never had a tune-up. On my first ride with my tri-club I rode on low tires and just about died. Oooooh, the learning curve, lol.

Had a 3/4 mile swim today and going for a 5k run. Tomorrow is a 20 mile bike ride. Can't wait to get back outside on my bike after riding in spin classes this week. 

Well I had a terrible workout weekend.  

On Saturday I was scheduled to go on a long ride but blew a tire 8 miles in.  Of course, I didn't have my flat kit with me (would have been great learning experience).  Instead, my learning experience was NEVER GO WITHOUT THE FLAT KIT.  I had to call my wife to pick me up and we were booked with birthday parties and soccer games the rest of the day.

Next, I spent the next 48 hours eating way too much bad food and not taking enough fluids.  We had Mother's Day activities and soccer games all day on Sunday so there was no workout yesterday.

I went for a long run this morning and my pesky calf issues returned in full force.  I'm limping this morning.  I think that fact that I probably didn't drink enough water over the weekend probably contributed to the problem.  

I hope others had a better training weekend than me!

Seat's too low... (sorry couldn't resist).

I use the bike mount here that can probably work with Timex too: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Bicycle-Mount-Kit/dp/tags-on-product/B000VK5BMQ  I just take it off the mount before I hit transition.

I think we are dominating the group, but until Chick tells us to stop, we keep going.  Hopefully it's at-least interesting for the others.  The Nations Tri looks like a great race.  I'd love to do the same thing.  I went to high school in MD, ran the Marine Corps Marathon, was stationed in Quantico for a while.  I love going to DC.  But I gotta wait for my kids to get a little older.  Besides, I've got 3 vacations between now and then.

10 minute miles for 8.2 miles is not slow.  It's just pacing yourself. At least that's what I say to myself.

I did a great brick this morning, but I didn't take the time to replace the calories so I'm dragging.  I did my 25 mile ride in 1:24 (17.5 MPH) my 6.6 mile run in 1:07 (close to your 10:09min/mile).  I had to get up at 4 and start at 4:30 so I could be done in-time to get ready to go to work... The brick this morning showed me that if I can have quick (but don't hurry) transitions, I can finish the Oly under 3 hrs.  So, that's my goal.

Stegaman, I feel you on the bike setup issues.  I had to stop twice during my ride to adjust my seat because initially it felt like the nose was pointing up, then I put it too far down, then I got it tolerable and rode.  I wish I had a trainer for that reason.  I would love to put the bike in the trainer and just monkey with the setup for an hour.

Haha! Well, if it was any higher I wouldn't be able to reach the ground with my 5' 1 1/2" self! : )

dprocket - Did you feel ok when you ran your 8.2 (nice job - btw)? Maybe it was just dehydration. Hope you get over it quickly.

Gomesbolt - Nice brick! I can't even begin to think about an Oly tri yet. for you though!

I think I want the garmin 210. Did lots of reading and it looks like it will do everything I want except go in the water. I'm ok with that. I'm really trying to increase my cadence when running and I think the garmin will be huge in helping me do that. Checking out a local running store tomorrow and if they have it, I am there!

Had a great workout weekend. Felt strong in my swim, pretty good on the bike and faster in the run.

Happy training this week!

Chick, congrats on the HIM; that's no small feat.

As for GPS watches, I'm sure many of you have seen these, but the dcrainmaker reviews are priceless. 

I'm starting to get a little momentum going. I even pulled my bike out of the dusty corner of my garage, put some air in the tires and gave it a once-over. I found my rear brake seized and the cable had actually rusted where it enters the housing. That was last weekend and I still haven't replaced it. I should stop by the LBS tomorrow and pick up a replacement along with a new chain.

My current bike is a '99 Litespeed Tachyon and I've had it for about 2 years. I started with an '80s Schwinn (still have and love), then got a deal on a '95 Klein tri bike (Aeolus) which I sold to buy an '06 Javelin Varese (another killer deal). After a year of wishing I still had the Klein, I sold it when I found the Tachyon and I'll probably keep it for life Oddly, I'm not fascinated by new bikes. Shoes, now that's another story ...

Has anyone here ever considered masters swim classes? If you can find some convenient and reasonably priced, I highly recommend it.

Welcome Back camy.

I've been doing Masters Practices too.  I noticed last week that I was slacking pretty bad though.  So I decided this morning that on every length, I would try to catch someone and pass them.  My shoulders are killing me now.  I think it's too easy in a Masters setting like that to slack-off and swim with the slower group instead of challenging yourself to move into the faster group even though they may be a lot faster.

Just checked the countdown to my first Oly that I made on Excel and there are 17.85 days/428 hours/2.5 weeks until the start on June 2. 

J1woody - regaring my long run last Friday...I felt quite good. In fact, later that night I ran another 1.5 with my kids (and could have gone much further). These calf problems are really frustrating me. I could barely walk yesterday and the bad thing is that this is my left leg (it's been my right leg up until now). There's no way I could run right now...maybe in a few days. I am starting to think hydration may be a big culprit. I've been wearing compression sleeves and they seem to have helped quite a bit, but not on Monday.

Normally thru the week when I am at work I keep a 1 gallon jug of water at my desk and try to drink it each day. On the weekends, when I'm I'm at home I'm not attached to my jug and so that is the one major difference. On my run last Friday, I problably was well hydrated. On MOnday I was coming off of 2 days of less water and an eating binge.

REgarding the Garmin watch...the 210 looks pretty nice. One consideration (and I thought of this after your comment on your height...) the Timex Global and the Garmin XT watches are very large to have on your arm. The 210 is "watch-like". I think you give up some space on the screen however (I don't think it will show 4 fields). If you don't care about swimming in it I think your options open up tremendously. Keep in mind for the cadence to work you need to have a foot sensor (run) or the power kit (bike). I haven't invested in either just yet.


Gomesbolt - you're a workout beast! I'm really looking forward to this Nations Tri. I haven't officially signed up for the race or the Team-in-Training. My wife is 3 months pregnant and we're going to wait for the next dr. visit before nailing down our plans. My brother in law is a Naval pilot and is stationed in VA so we'll see them at the same time. if you change your mind, it would be cool to meet you. I've got 3 kids under 8 and we think my two boys would really enjoy seeing the Washington DC sites.


I've never really considered a masters swim course. I do think I could benefit from someone breaking down my stroke. RIght now, when it matters I can catch anyone in the pool (that I've run into where I swim). I do know that there are lots of faster swimmers out there than me.

Hi camy and thanks for the link to the watch review site. I have been spending a lot of time there and have learned so much! Some of those watches are huge. I liked how he puts them on a rolling pin to compare the sizes. That in itself was worth the trip to the site, lol.  

dprocket- stumbled across this and thought you might find it interesting. I was wondering if you replace your electrolytes along with the water during or after a run?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/337797-how-to-help-calf-cramps-after-running/

I have totally slacked the past 2 days. Got thrown off with a migraine. Hopefully back on track full force tomorrow!

Gomesbolt - you certainly have it figured out to the minute, lol!

Have you guys ever seen the Espresso Bikes in your gym maybe?  We have them in our Company Gym.  They have a computer screen so you can drive through the mountains, the redwoods, etc.  Those things are awesome.  I killed myself for 19 minutes on this mountain course that a bunch of guys did as part of a challenge.  There is one guy who averaged 357 watts for the whole 5 miles (in his case, it was 14 minutes).  I averaged 204.  But I didn't get that you have to keep hammering on downhills to get the credit for the watts.

dprocket, Congrats on the new baby!  Number 4 huh?  I'm always happy when good christians are doing their job of populating this country with good christian kids.  If you go to DC, call your congressman/senator first and tell him you want to go visit the white house, the capitol, etc.  The staffers set stuff like that up for you. 

I remember going to DC for the first time when I was about 6 (I lived right up the road from 6-7 yo and from 13-18 yo).  What I remember most as a kid was the Air and Space Museum, National History Museum, White House, Archives, the Navy Museum is actually really cool.  It wasn't there then, but the Native American Museum is really cool.  Tomb of the Unknown is cool and if you want to visit some of my buddies at Arlington, I'll give you their names and you can visit their markers.  I go there every time I'm in DC.  I'll be there for work again in 2 weeks, and I'll make the walk to Section 60. 

If you're in DC on a Friday night, you have to get tickets in-advance, but it's free, go to the Marine Corps Barracks at 8th and I for the evening parade.  The Silent Drill Platoon performs. They also do a performance at the Marine Corps War Memorial (aka the "Iwo Jima Monument") on Thursday nights during the warm months.  I don't know if Sept is too late for that. Here's the link to 8th and I.  http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/pages/welcome.aspx

It's the best free show in DC.  Arguably the best show in DC... 

I'm pretty frustrated.  My leg felt decent this morning so I decided to go ahead and try to run on it to see how it responds.  I got .20 miles into the run and knew that I would do more harm than good.  I have a bad habit of pushing through stuff like that but I was scheduled to go on my son's field trip (to Legoland!) today--I could just see myself limping around on one leg with 100+ 1st graders.  I stopped and walked home.  The most frustrating thing is today should have been an awesome brick workout.  Since I was going on the field trip this morning instead of work I had an extra 90 minutes of workout time.  I ended riding my stationary bike in my basement for my workout.  (Unfortunately riding on the street was out for today because I still haven't been fixed my flat...long story)

J1woody: thanks for the article on hydration and electrolytes.  I think that could be a major contributor.  I've got a new strategy.  After resting it up, I plan to: stay hydrated (1 Gallon of water + per day) and also take a small bottle of gatorade with me on my run.  I usually make a big loop so I'll stash it in a booth somewhere and pick it up mid run.  Over the past several years I've weaned myself off of sports drinks because I didn't like the empty calories and carbs, but I recognize that they do offer some of the stuff I need that water alone may not give me quickly enough.

GomesBolt - Thanks for the info on D.C.  Sounds like it will be awesome.  In all my travels, surprisingly I've never made it to DC.  I used to sell software to banks and brokers but never visited my only customer in Baltimore.

I am wearing Nike Lunar Glide shoes.  I've been thinking of switching them, but haven't done it yet.  I know I probably need to get to my local running store and have them check me out.

I am a terrible runner and so I know there are lots of things with my stride that are off.  I run on my toes and I know that is a big problem.  So, I've been trying to focus on landing on my mid-sole.  It's funny, I have  buddy who ran with me a few days ago and he was trying to coach me to heel-strike.  I've got a rebuilt knee and so I think heel striking is not a good option for me (plus everything I read indicates heel striking is not good).  But, since my stride looks sort of like a rhino, I didn't say too much.

I do plan to read Born to Run.  I've got it on my amazon list and will pick it up in the next few days.   Sounds like a great read.  

Today's workout was messed up. I arrived at the pool this morning and it was closed because of contamination.  Unfortunately, for me I don't have much success "making up" workouts later in the day. 

Mid-70s should be fine actually.  I prefer the water to be a little cool when I swim.  Pretty soon down here the water will be the same temp as the air.  Swimming in 90 degree water sucks.

There's really nothing special about open water.  If there are no waves where you are, you should have fewer concerns than if you were in a pool (dodging people, kids jumping on you, etc).  If you get tired, turn-over and float for a minute.  Like Dory says in Finding Nemo "Just Keep Swimming, Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

Oh, and have fun!

Hey everybody.  I completed my first brick workout of the spring last night.  I biked about 26 miles in 97 minutes, worked on my T2, and then ran about 1.4 miles in 13 minutes, total time 1 hr 52 minutes.  My legs felt like jell-o during the run, and I was suprised at how fast my pace was.  I was trying to take it really easy, but I ran at the same pace as my stand-alone running pace.  I was really tired when I was finished. 

Lessons learned: bring a 2nd water bottle on the bike ride, because I drink a lot apparently.  Chap stick is my friend, strong wind is not my friend.  I need to work more on staying in aero position.  Small changes in fit made my ride more comfortable and faster.  Practice more bricks.

Weekend plans:  OWS on saturday morning.  30 mile ride on saturday afternoon, might add a short run afterwards.  8 mile run on sunday.

16 days til race day and I'm starting to get excited/anxious.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.