zia_cyclist's Group - FULL (Page 7)

I've also been contemplating getting an aero helmet.  I probably will before BSLT.  I've read the same research as Jim.  I've tried on the Giro aero helmet.  It seemed to fit well enough and has large vents at the front.  I'll do more looking around before making the purchase.

Do you train in your aero helmet?  Or use it just for races?

TJ

Oh yeah.  We'll meet up at BSLT.  Last year several BT'ers were there.  We met up for the athlete's breakfast, drove the bike course, had dinner, went to the awards banquet.  Good times.

And there was this little race that we had to do in the middle of all this.

TJ

I'm staying at the host hotel - Holiday Inn.  I'm doing the same- arrive Friday, leave Monday.  Last year the awards banquet on Sunday night was nice.  All the pros were there, pretty cool.  If you get an inside room in the atrium then all you do is walk out your door and you're at the expo and all the other events.

TJ

All of my races have been in relatively good weather.  The worst conditions for me have been the heat at BSLT and at Prairie Man. 

At Prairie Man I became so overheated and over reached on intensity that my digestive system shut down.  So, everything I tried to drink on the run went right through me - diarrhea.  I went out too hard on the bike, then tried to run fast in the heat.  Moral of the story - Take it easy on the bike and so you have something left for the run.  (I ended up 5th in my AG even with the problems). 

Did an Oly in Las Vegas, NM (that's New Mexico not Nevada).  The elevation of Las Vegas is 6,400 feet.  The altitude got to me.  I was only there one day before the race and didn't have time to acclimate.  It was a slow race for me because I couldn't get enough air.

TJ

A guy in my office ran Boston.  He'll be back to work tomorrow.  I can't wait to talk to him about the conditions.

TJ

okay - new england HIM in july means plenty of humidity..any tips for racing in these conditions from my TX pals?

I am trying to train mid day - unfortuntely my gym wont let me pull a trainer in the sauna

Scott,

Definitely train during the day.  In training last year for BSLT, I switched the time for my swim and run training so I could get my long run in after work when the temperature was 90+.  I needed to acclimate to running in the heat instead of at 5 am in the relatively cool morning.

With humidity your sweat doesn't evaporate very fast.  If your sweat isn't evaporating then your body isn't being cooled.  At every aid station on the run I dump cold water on my head, down my back and down my shorts (large arteries on the insides of your thighs).  Sometimes I put ice under my running hat.  Wet sponges stuck under your tri top near your armpits help cool your blood.  If the race doesn't have sponges, bring your own.  A wet towel under your running hat.  I've done all of these to help stay cool.  All of this means running in wet shoes, so be prepared for that.

And, of course, drink plenty and take in electrolytes.

TJ