Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 75)

CC - yep, after having always bought low-end models I was very interested in giving this helmet a go.  Plus, I thought doing the review would be interesting.  For now on I am getting higher-end models and will probably stick with the WIndmax.  Considering you only replace your helmet every 2-4 yrs (or after a crash) its not a huge impact.

All- check out this article about doing cork screw turns around buoys in open water.  I have practice these and they work great and will save time in a race: http://www.feelforthewater.com/2012/06/corkscrew-open-water-turn.html

Gary - Nice article,a nicely done.

Corkscrew - Has anybody tried this in a race?  Is there room or confidence to do this?

Definitely need to practice it to get it right.  Not that its difficult but felt a little awkward the first couple of times I did it.  As for room in the race, unless you are in a crowd near the buoy should be plenty of room.  Making 90 degree turns is pretty easy doing this (u- turns you do two).

Hey all!

1.5 hrs on the bike today, was actually chilly out this morning and had to head back in for a jacket.  Half way thru dropped it back off to the house.  I have 45 min run planned for later today.   Put a latex tube on my rear wheel with the wheel cover, have to switch cassettes, and will be ready for the race on the 16th.  I have a spare front wheel, putting a tire and tube on and it will be trainer tire.  For my race tire I will put a latex tube in. 

Tracey - My guesstimate is 5-10 secs per 100.  Maybe a bit more if no wetsuit.

wow. 5-10 secs.  I would have thought it would be more, and then you form is probably better than mine.

Here's my whining for the week.  I had strong 30 mile ride this morning, but now I am sicker than a dog. I was practicing flip turns in the pool last night. I am horrible at them.  I inhaled so much water that it left my throat raw, and now I have a serious sinus infection.  #$$^^&&.   I guess Monday's work out is off.

That sucks Tracy. I've never done flip turns but when I first started swimming I would get water in my nose anyway. I used a Neti pot to clear that stuff out and it seemed to help (though it felt weird).

I am faster in Open Water.  I do not do flip turns in the pool, and I do sink in the pool sans wetsuit, so the buoyancy factor of the wetsuit really helps me.

Hey all -

I have a mens med 2XU tri top for sale - royal blue. I ordered it online and is a little short for me (it was on clearance so I cannot return). Tags are still on - $40. Please PM if interested

Thad

30 mile ride this morning that went very well.

Took 19:57 off the time from last week's ride and averaged out at 17.7 mph.  Something I've never done before.  Figuring out appropriate gearing seems to have been a major factor.  Legs felt really good after.  Wish I had time to run the 4 mile loop to see exactly how strong.  Maybe next time.  Ever closer to my goal of maintaining 20 mph.

Shooting to go clipless in the next week or two.  That should help as well!

Hope you're feeling  better soon Tracy.  Nothing worse than a sinus infection.

Super nice weather here for the weekend.  Was a bit sore yesterday ... I organize a golf tourny every year and the event was Friday.  I used to play a lot of golf, but it's moved to the side now with the training and such.  Anyway just a bit sore from the golf, but I did get in a 2m run last night around the neighborhood. 

Got in the pool this afternoon and was very pleased with the session.  It was one of those wherein, once warmed up, I could just go and go and go.  It's real nice to get back to where I was before all the work projects put the training on hold April-May. 

Glad the weather was good.  I was in Raleigh last week for business, flew in Thursday afternoon and out Friday afternoon.  It was hot and humid! Ran over to Lake Crabtree (I think that was the name) for a short run. Beautiful lake.

So 6 days to go and I am just ready.  I had a so/so ride yesterday.  Cut it short, as I figured that going another 1/2 hour of a slow windy uninspired ride was less valuable to my race than cutting the grass was to my family and marital harmony. 

I have some "keep loose" swims this week with T1 practice, an easy run today with some little 1-2 minute accelerations just to remember what fast is, and a 1 hour ride.  Then 20' of each event Friday and Saturday before sitting through 6 hours of dance recitals Saturday.  The weather looks to be 80 and Sunny with low humidity, so could not be better.

I hate predicting times as it sets me up for disappointment, but under 6 hours and I will be satisfied.  I am really shooting for a 5:45, and 5:30 would be a pie in the sky dream if the wind is at my back in both directions on the bike and run and a tsunami hits the river and pushes me through the swim.

Hope you all are having as much fun as me.  Training is fun, but I live for the race!

Dorm, that sounds like fun.  I'm not very good at golf (low 90's), but enjoy playing from time to time.

Left, I'm excited for your race too!  You seem dialed in and I'm sure it can't get here quick enough.  Which one are you doing?  I'm thinking about heading out to check out Kansas 70.3 for a bit.

Today's run was just awful.  Went for my 6 mile hill work out.  Damn near gave up mentally twice, and it was physically labor intensive.  Not sure if it is leftover fatigue from my bike yesterday, the heat today, or just a little of both.  Either way, it sucked, but glad I gutted it out.  1:00:05.

Rob - you are there man ... just need the gate to drop on the race. 

Frankly, what will you do with all your free time after the close of the race

Hey all!
Yesterday and today were SRD's and tomorrow is a ride (2x[3x3 Power intervals] with 2 min rest between intervals.  Hurts just typing it.  Will also swim tomorrow.  Have my super sprint on the 16th and looking forward to it.

Tracey - I was reading a thread over on ST and it talked about being 24 seconds/100 slower in open water vs. pool.  He wasn't sure why but potentials included sighting issues and incorrect distance tracking to name a couple.  I also think the number of turns affects time as some people don't go around them properly.

Left - wow, very exciting!  Count down has begun!

Good luck Left, Gary, and anyone else with a race coming up. I am heading to Miami for 10 days with the Grandkids. A foot, knee, and saddle issue has limited my training this week, but look forward to a few OWS in the Atlantic while on South Beach! Also know of a few parks where the GK's can romp while I run loops around them. If my body heals well enough to ride, may rent from lbs and get a little riding in. Looking at doing the oly South Beach Tri next April 2013 for vacation and will rent for that as well, figured this is a good time to check it out.

Wife got an iPad for Mothers day and IF she will let me touch it I hope to post a few times while in Miami and will include pic's to as proof I was there!

That really struck a chord with me, hard to imagine myself saying this, but while I am still playing the league once a week, I find myself wishing I wasn't so I could bike or run --lol. Planning on skipping one night in July to do a spint tri, unheard of from me in the past to miss a night of golf.

Been meaning to do this for a while, but I've attached a pre-race checklist which hopefully you can use and cater to fit your needs.  Hope this helps.