Jellyfish's Group - CLOSED (Page 7)

I've been using the AW Newtons for the past two winters and they are good.  Not sure how much better they are with traction, I haven't worn my "regular" newtons in the winter, but I can tell you that they are much warmer and drier than antyhing else I have run in during the winter months. 

I have about 100 or so miles on my current pair and they are nice.  Worth the investment for me, since without them, I would either be running indoors on my Motions or outdoors on Non-Newtons and not sure that I want to do that!

hello all ; this was kind of a slow week as I was traveling, only 2 bike and 2 run w/outs but this coming week, while back home I will be adding 2-3 swim w/outs

January CHallenge thru 1/23
goal:     S: 2:47 / B: 7:40  / R: 3:13 
actual:  S: 0:35 / B: 3:26  / R: 2:50

I have just started switching to mid-foot stryke form this month from a heel stryke form.  Are tehre any special exercises that can help?-other than barefoot running?

Awesome job man!  Keep working hard - we'll all get there.

Not sure of any exercises, but make sure to stretch your achilles post run.

Take it slow... I went over 6 months to do the same and will never look back. Used to have issues after 5k, now, other than the normal, no pain at all running. One excercise that is a bit odd (that is... don't do it at the gym unless you don't mind a stare or two) is walk on one leg and then consciously place the "run" foot right next to the walking foot and push off like your running... then walk on the non-run foot, place the "run" foot next to the walk foot and push off like your running. (hard to explain, I will try and find a video link)... but this starts to give you the feel of dropping your foot sooner in the stride... I will see if I can find the video

take it slow - checked
no pain at all running - checked
walk in one leg, place run foot...  - unchecked  - can you explain that again?   LOL  Thanks anyway,,,  I will use all the pointers I can get, will also look for a video or anything like it...  BT has a video ( VIDEO: Running Easier, Running Faster )  will that show it?

That video doesn't have it... I was looking through Youtube last night and my daughter came in and we ended up watching Shamu clips... then it was off to bed. I will see what I can find.... it is almost like skipping if that helps!? lol

So here's a fun topic... cause I know we all love to talk about or dream about our next Tri bike . 

I'm slowly saving up for my next Tri Bike, which I hope to get either late this year or next year.  I've been mainly looking at the Felt B2 Pro, Cannondale Slice Hi-MOD 1, or Argon 18 E-114.  At this point, I really want the Felt B2. 

What are your thoughts? likes or dislikes? what bike to do you ride currently or want as your next ride??

Right now, I'm using the Trek Equinox 7 with ultegra components, which is a great "starter" bike.  It's done it's job, but I'm looking for more!

How exciting!
A couple of questions - why are you looking at those specific bikes? Have you test ridden any of them? If not, make sure you do - go out for a 15+ mile ride if possible. The most important thing is to get a bike that YOU feel most comfortable (and speedy) riding.
Regarding components - FWIW I have a 105/Ultegra mix on my Cervelo P3. I don't think spending an extra $1000 is worth it to upgrade to Dura Ace...I would rather spend the $ on an aero helmet and wheels...but that is just me.

Agree with Jellyfish on this one...

I just don't think duI have a Cervelo P1 (alum) and it has ultegra components (dura-ace shifters) and it's pretty awesome.

I don't imagine I would upgrade this bike unless I started doing long course. Then I might consider something in carbon.

I dropped the r500 wheels that came with it and put on some Mavic Kysiriums and I think it was a worthwhile upgrade. If I change anything else in the future I bet it will be wheels.

Jason

All this bike talk is like a foriegn language to me!  I have had the same $60 mountain bike  for the last 10 years or so...I really need something better, but cannot spend much more than $400...and thats after we get our taxes back! HAHA!  Any suggestions in that price range?  Thanks!
Corrie

Corrie,

The new Trek 1.1 wsd list for $659 on the web site but I've seen it for around $500.00 in most shops. A lot of bike shops still have 09 bikes on the shelf at big discounts! All the big bike names (Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc...) have some very good entry level bikes around the $500-$800 range that should have some huge discounts on them now. I bought my Trek Madone in late Feb 08 and it was a new 07 model and was almost $1000.00 off.  Every bike dealer,including on line dealers, does this. If you still can't find anything new in your price range,  Ebay/Craig's list are both good options, just go to your local bike shop and act interested in their bike so they will fit you to the right size before bidding! Hope this helps!

Alan

Edited by TAlanP2 2010-01-27 8:11 PM

Absolutely a great topic! I love bike porn!  I am riding a  Trek Madone5.0. I agree with Megan, When I bought my bike I was doing a lot of road riding and I went with the 5.0 with Ultegra components and upgraded my wheels to Bontrager XXX lites vice the more expensive 5.2 or 6  series Madones with DA/Sram Red componants.
 I am most defiantly in the market for a Tri bike but not in place of my road bike. I am big fan of Pinarello. A friend of mine has a Prince that I got to hold on to for a few weeks. I can neither confirm nor deny that I dodged his phone calls and stayed away from the front door when he came to get it back!
  I  have my eye on the Pinarello FT3 Triathlon (http://www.pinarello.com/ita/ft3_386.php), since I'm just getting back into training and have nothing longer than an Olympic planned this year, I will probably wait until 2011 to start shopping and see if I can pick up a 2010 cheaper than $5K.

Tuffli, I love the look of the Felts. (Wouldn't the world be great if we could all ride around on Felt DAs?) I have never ridden one, but I also have never heard or read anything bad from anyone that has one!

P.S. I passed my Bike goals today!

Edited by TAlanP2 2010-01-27 8:14 PM

Corrie, there are alot of good used bikes out there right now in every price range.  My only advice is if you think you will stay in this sport buy the bike you want 1st.  My wife and me bought road bikes 1st, then upgraded to mid level tri bikes (Kuota Kfactor and Trek for her) after 3 years we dropped alot more cash on a DA P3 for me and a P2 for her.  Atleast the wheels can be used on the new bikes.  To add to Jellyfish I would go to a top level tri shop and get fitted on a trainer and put atleast 1hr (short course racing) 2+ (1/2im) 3+(full IM).

So is everyone close to their goals?????

I've tried my buddy's B2 a few times and the ride crazy.  It's a stark difference from my Trek.  I've only tried the Cannondale once in the store and it was only for a few mins and I'm considering the Argon because I've heard some good things about it, but I haven't had the chance to ride it yet... It makes sense to get a good test ride in, but there are just too many bike options out there to test ride 1+hrs on each bike!  I wish I had the time to do that.  I've thought about the Cervelo, but I haven't found a dealer out here that sells it so I can't test ride. 

Thanks for the tips.  Maybe I'll go with the B2 and upgrade wheels instead of components..

Thanks for the tip.. sounds like a good collection of bikes.  How do you like the P3? and P2 for your wife?

Three days left and I'm racing to meet my goals.  I'll hit my swimming goal with masters swim tmr AM, but need to pick up on the running.  My Status to goal:

S: 88%
B: 79%
R: 65%

Sorry I've been MIA.  My grandma just moved into a nursing home, so I've been back and forth helping in Roanoke the past couple of weeks.  On top of that, I've been seeing  a chiropractor about sciatic nerve pain and it seems to be getting worse instead of better.  I'm kind of in a training funk at the moment.  I've never been so low on motivation!  Has anybody else dealt with that?  (sorry to sound whiny)

On the treadmill subject - I got stuck with an indoor long run before a race last February when a snow storm hit.  My strategy was 30 min on the treadmill/30 min on the indoor track (it is a weird square one) back and forth until I had done 3.5 hours.  Definitely less than ideal, but WAY better than 3.5 hours on the treadmill alone!

Thanks for all the advice on the bikes...I am really short 5' 1", so I will have to go into a bike shop to get "fitted", and I think my best bet is to look for something used....I really cannot spend any more than $400.  (if that much)  My husband just got laid off from his job this week...its going to be rough for a while.   Hopefully I can find a really good used one at a decent price.

Corrie

Corrie, my suggestion in to first focus on the main needs at hand.  Although tri training might help release a lot of the stress of your current situation, you can do that with a pair of sneakers and a good run.

Best of luck to both of you, keep the faith!

Smashed my swim goal today (its the one I was worried about). Next week start breaking 1000yds in my swims. I was stoked that the 850 I did today came so easy! A short run tomorrow completes all my Jan goals! BRING ON FEBRUARY!

Megan,

I want to video my swims and let you critique, but right now I swim in a heated outdoor pool in the mornings, 50 degrees outside 85 degrees in the pool all you would see is steam! I'm going to try to get in during the afternoon soon so I can get some pointers. I can all ready tell I'm swimming more efficiently. I'm sure with some constructive criticism I will be hitting my goal of a mile freestyle in no time!

Train Hard and Have a great weekend everyone!

Alan

Jellyfish group - January Challenge  Status

unless I can add a 1 HR SWIM and a 2HR bike ride today, these are my EOM results
goal:     S: 2:47 / B: 7:40  / R: 3:13 
actual:  S: 1:45 (64%) / B: 5:12  (68%) / R: 4:08 (129%)

that will give me an overall score of 87% met - not bad but not good. 

Lessons learned:   Doing more swimming is a must for me, and even more important is: sticking to my program as I can't say that the extra running necessarily helped in any way at this stage. 

Awesome job to everyone who took part in the January challenge.

I made my goals from 1/13 - goals: 25K sim, 150 miles bike, 50 miles run. Actuals: 31,750 yards swim, 164 miles bike, 84 miles run.
Also, I had my biggest run volume month ever at 124 miles



Edited by jellyfish 2010-02-01 7:15 AM

Great job everyone!!

Megan is that right you did a weekly run of 124???? wow are you training for an ultra or a 50/100K???  If my body would allow a qtr of that volume I could be a 3:40 IMrunner. 

So has anyone trained while on a cruise? doing one in 2 weeks and I'm hopeing it doesnt kill my workouts.

January Challenge:

                     Swim / Bike / Run
goal time:     3:00 / 6:00 / 7:00
Acutal time:  3:36 / 5:28 / 6:43

I'm pretty happy with the results considering we had a baby right when the challenge started . 

I competed in the Men's Health Urbanathlon yesterday.  It's a 12.5km run with 8 "urban" obstacles throughout the course.  I've never done one of these, but it was a pretty fun run except crawling through the mud pit which looked & smelled like sewer water..

BTW, I just joined the 2010 Green Storm Racing team (http://web.me.com/gsrnyc/Site/Home.html).  This should keep me pushing to compete in races this year.

TYPO! I meant 124 miles in a month. 124 miles in a week is just crazy.
Speaking of crazy, I bumped into a friend of mine who swam the channel last year, she said she swam a 1/4 million miles this month! Yikes!

I have never trained on a cruise, but I think most have tracks and spin bikes. Not sure what kind of pools, but you could do some open water swims while docked at beaches (if you are going someplace warm).