Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Group version 3-CLOSED (Page 60)

Randy- I have several different types of triathlon bags. Basically a different bag for each distance and occasion. 

In state or local races- Zoot triathlon bag to leave in transition

I also have 2 IM (Texas and Florida) that were "freebies" after the race fee.. lol. I've never used them. They live in the closet. 

For out of state travel I have a HUGE Zoot Triathlon backpack which fits in the overhead of most planes. It holds almost everything needed for an Ironman including the aero helmet and wetsuit.. Once I get to the race site a Janzten? cheap zebra backpack is what goes to transition. Mainly because it folds up and fits in a suitcase. 

Jon- Congratulations on the promotion! Enjoy your family. Triathlons aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Randee- when do you start training with your coach? Feeling better today?

Chris- 4:45/mile? Geez that is so fast. Be patient it will be back soon. Oh, I have Hoka's but won't run in them. I like feeling in contact with the ground when I run. I wear my Hoka's to work.

Steve- nice weight loss. Have you noticed any fatigue during your workouts since you cut out wheat?

Blanda- you're going to have a great race! 

Suzy- I was always surprised at how much pushing off the wall could tweak my knee. I finally started only using one leg to push off before and after surgery.

Jamie- have fun! Tell Nate that we said hello. My words of advice for the race- Hand sanitizer and baby wipes. I would also suggest taking your own food or snacks. I ran on a 230 mile relay a few years ago. Several of us got food poisoning during the race. Lets just say that we had to take a lot of Immodium AD to make it through the race.

The coolest part of the race was running down the side of a highway at 2 in the morning with a headlight. It was a blast!

Me-. It looks like we will be swimming  at Galveston after all. I'm feeling a bit flat during my workouts but also hitting the targets. Everything is coming together and shaping up well for next weekend. 

Rene - The first couple of workouts, yes, I did experience some fatigue issues. But I'm not sure if it was from the lack of wheat as an energy source or just an accumulation of normal fatigue. Every 5-6 weeks, I tend to get dragged down for a while by built-up fatigue . But I've put together some decent workouts during the past 10 days or so. Maybe my body took a while to adjust? I certainly don't miss those extra 5 lbs when I run. I do miss bread though -- I was a bagel boy through and through. But when I read how much fat you can pack on from bagels, I was convinced it was time to let it go...

Randee - I'm assuming "Coach Mike" is Mike Plumb? If so, that's great news. He and I are doing the same event in April -- the Silicon Valley International Triathlon. He's in my age group too, but I'm sure he'll be far, far ahead of me right from the start. Still, it will be pretty cool to race with him.  I've been surprised by how motivating it is to have a coach. It's really helped me focus my effort on the key workouts each week. Before, I didn't really understand the importance of having a purpose for each workout. Also, doing structured workouts tends to make the time pass quicker. You really have to stay focused... I hope it works out well for you!

One of the guys on my team, a super fast veteran, brings a "milk crate" to transition with all his stuff in it. Its maybe 18X18X18. I've tried to pare it down over the years but still carry too much "just in case stuff."

Terrible weather here today. Thunderstorms off and on with almost constant thunder in the area. So, no swim at the pool near the office. I leave early, get a haircut, and the weather is marginally better. No thunder. So, I think well I'll go to the pool near the house. No problem getting the swim in....only person in the pool. Only problem is that while the pool near work supplies towels the one near the house does not and I didn't have one. Tough drying off with paper towels but better than having to try to do it with a wall dryer.

Here is a good link on basic bike maintenance tips including adjusting derailleurs:  

http://blog.artscyclery.com/keeping-the-rubber-side-down/7-essential-tips-for-proper-bike-maintenance/

Hoping to get out in the morning if the weather clears for another race specific workout. Put the race wheels on so I can make sure everything is in good working order heading into my first race next weekend.

Completed my last "race" specific brick workout for Galveston today. Felt amazing the entire time which is kind of scary in a way. Now the trick will be to rein myself in for the rest of the weeks workouts.

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of my knee surgery. Big difference on the bike from this time last year to today.

Here is a video that my son took the day after surgery last year. My first "ride" back on the roadie..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m-U-fKe_MM

I'm really glad I went back and reread this post after watching the video.  I thought this was the first day you were allowed to get back on the bike, not the day after you had the surgery and it scared the crap out of me.  It's looking more and more like surgery is going to be the way to go. Kind of wish it was next week,not two weeks from Thursday.

I was told I could start some "riding" 5 days after surgery, but my guess that means some tensionless training.  The general guideline the doc gave me was 5 days to bike, 10 days to swim, and 4 weeks to jog, 6 weeks to run.  I never quite understand a surgeons definition difference between jogging and running.  Is this pretty close to what you heard?

Suzy- sorry I didn't mean to scare you. 

My surgeon starts everyone back at PT the day after surgery. 5 days at the hospital with his physical therapist. Between PT and the ice machine things progressed fairly quickly. Regardless of what the doctor says you need to insist on an ice machine. It makes such a big difference. 

I was back in the pool as soon as the stitches were out. On the bike day after but for very short time periods and without any tension. Mentally it was easier for me to be on the road bike in the formal dining room instead of on the TT bike in the training room. 

That way I was able to focus on rehab instead of feeling like I ws missing out on training. Running wasn't until 12 weeks? My surgeon was really conservative with returning to running which I knew going in. 

Randee and Nancy-  I  have a JOF saddle and absolutely LOVE it. If you're having problems you may want to check and see if the saddle is tilted in anyway. What were you riding before switching over? I was on a Cobb V flow max before switching over to the JOF

I am so glad that I took the tri bike in for a checkup this afternoon. Rear derailluer was messed up and the gears were skipping. The bike now has a new chain and is ready to go. I'm going to take her out tomorrow just to test things out again before the weekend. 

Randee-I use Cobb V Flow Max on my tri bike and road bike. Tried the Adamo but it never worked quite right for me. Lots of folks swear by the Adamo but I do think you have to get the tissue over the sit bones acclimated. Good thing is that if it doesn't work you can sell it easily.

I had the LBS put a new chain and cassette on last week. Last night I put the race wheels on and tomorrow I'll do my workout outside to test and make sure everything is working properly. The season starts early down here. Basically two seasons. Late March through June and then mid August through late October. There are a few races in July along the coast but its really too hot to do much racing other than sprints. Depending on how things shake out I'll do somewhere between 8 and 12 races over the next 6-7 months.

Suzy-good luck to your Badgers tonight!  

Jason-hope you are OK. Trust me the E-motion rollers that I use have to be easier than traditional rollers. I would highly recommend them if you are considering a new trainer. Quiet, durable and now available with wireless magnetic resistance control. Some of the best $$ I have spent on tri related gear.

Jason- very nice! Congrats on a great race!