left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 76)

Gary, I'm surprised to hear that you use 650's ... if you find wheels, let me know - although I think I'm gonna stick with what I have for a while... at least til I do 1 race  LOL

I don't care if my pedals/shoes make me more efficient on the bike or if it takes me longer to put them on instead of runners... all I know is that when I'm clipped in, I feel that I pedal better... I can use the upstroke - especially on hills, plus, My feet don't fall off the pedals - which they often did on flat pedals... overall, I like the ride better.

I have this in my logs when I went to clipless. I did see an improvement that was worth the time to switch.

As for the wheels, the frame came with forks and the 650 wheels.  In order to keep costs down I stuck with them.  Since I haven't ridden 700's I really don't know what the difference would feel like.

Hey all.....3 days and counting....I just wanna get the party started!!!!

Pete, clipless are worth doing. I would strongly suggest doing it, you will see an immediate difference. I will suggest you take time to get used to clipping in and out, it can be a challenge.

I got new Zipp wheels for my B-day from my parents and my husband. They are beautiful!!!

Bryan I ended up getting clincher Zipps...the idea of flatting on a tubular was too scary!!!! i RODE THEM TONITE ON MY REGULAR 15 MILE LOOP AND WAS 1.4 MPH FASTER THAN USUAL....VERY VERY SWEET.  So they are NOT new and I will ride them on race day. Even if I am not fast...I certainly will look it!!!!

Hey all!!

Go Mav!!!!!

I am leaving tomorrow for the kids Tetrathlon and will be back on Sunday.  I will be bringing my laptop and will hopefully have web access to see how Mav does.  Not sure if I will get any workouts in this weekend but Sat is supposed to be an SRD to it works out.

Take care all!

Woohoo!!!
Found a local OWS clinic the end of this month.  It's actually in BR, I don't have to drive an hour to get to it!  Finally starting to get into the local scene.  It seems like its all about who you know.  No one does it intentionally but it seems that everyone assumes you know everyone.  Once you do Either way it's perfect timing as it will be about 2 weeks before my next Tri which will be OWS, no wet suit.

Off to pack!

Question: I don't mind short runs/rides during the week, but would rather keep my long runs & rides on the weekends... which is better... Long Run on Saturday & Long Ride on Sunday? Or Long Ride on Saturday & Long Run on Sunday? OR is it just a matter of preference?  Thanks

I'm done...I did it!!!!! 6:30. Race report to follow...rehydrating with champange!!!! The Zipps were great!!!!

CONGRATS Mav!!!

Mav - Congrats!!!!

FBP - 17HH, beats my 15'3 app/arab cross.  Although in the Pony club Tetrathlon/Show jumping rally we were at this weekend he would have had lots of company.

3 days of horses, kids, and 100+ heat and I am done.  We are home and I am off to enjoy the world of A/C!

OK...are you ready for a rather LOOONNGGG report???? It was a rather long race!!!!


 I must learn to calm down the pre race jitters as I never sleep well before a race. I had all my gear ready for days. My parents and wonderful husband had suprised me with new Zipp racing wheels for my birthday.I ended up going to the bike shop the day before the race because one of the wheels was losing air. The bike mechanic says " yeah I thought the stem on the tube was leaking". I wanted to ring his neck...he was lucky I was in a hurry!!!!! ANyhow this only added to my jitters. Although they were not technically "new" I had only ridden 15 miles. All of this stuff kept me tossing the entire night.

Anyhow ...I got up at 4 am. Threw on my racing clothes ( you would have thought it was a transition) and downed a cup of coffee and a bagel with peanut butter. Grabbed my gear and loaded it in the car while my hub put my bike on the rack. Had a banana and a rice cake and grabbed another coffee to go. We were on the road by 4:45. I was SO nervous!!!

I got a call from one of my BT friends on the way down and we chatted for a few...couldnt believe I was talking on the phone at the crack a$$ of dawn!!!

Once we arrived I got body marked and set up transition. Stopped to talk to several BTers then put on my wetsuit and headed for the water. I swam out to the first bouy and back. The water felt great and was very calming. Before I knew it they were calling the first wave. I was not feeling terrific as I had a recent head cold thing going on and I felt pretty tired. I just had to tell myself that I was going to race my own race. I reminded myself not to hammer the swim as there was 69 miles to follow.

I was in the third wave. Positioned myself up front and off to the right. Once we started I had very little contact. I swam easy breathing every fourth stroke and sighting everyother breath. Before I knew it we were turning . It seemed to go by pretty quickly. I began passing the wave before me and I knew I was doing fairly well. Had some body contact rounding the bouy to head back, but it was minimal. The wave after me was the 30-40 year olds and a few of them were starting to come into my wave. I still kept telling myself...race your own race...its gonna be a long day. Came out of the swim feeling great. Saw some friends and my husband (Al volunteered) and headed toward my rack...no parties in transition!!!!! I was almost out of my wetsuit by the time I reached my bike.I looked at my watch and it said 28 minutes. WOW! I knew I was a rock star or the swim was short...the swim was short...smile!!! Threw on my bike shirt , helmet , shades and shoes and off I went. Happy!!!!!!

This bike course is beautiful.  2 loops of rolling hills through residential and wooded areas. I have ridden it at least 15 times. I knew I would be faster on my new speedy wheels so I just had to keep my heart rate in control and ride with an RPE of 2-3. The day was overcast yet pretty humid. I knew if the sun came out it would be brutal on the run...so I kept hoping for mist and clouds. My nutrition on the bike was PERFECT. I have been eating uncrustables( which are packaged PBJ sandwiches) and drinking 1/2 strength gatorade. After 20 minutes on the bike I had my first PBJ.....ummmm...followed by some apple cinnamon hammer gel. I repeated this every hour and drank four bottles during my 3 hour and 11 min bike.  By 2:00 I was starting to feel a little fatigue. I started singing/ humming Janis Joplin "Oh Lord Wont Ya Buy Me a Mercedes Benz". Soon the sun started to come out...and all I could sing was the Beatles "Here Comes The Sun"....its all right. I averaged 17.89 mph for 58.4 miles ( the course is long). I must say this is/was my fastest bike split ever!!!!! I was very proud. I got to transition and there were not alot of bikes. I saw my husband who said"damn you are really fast today...you are doing great" I didnt get passed by one person in my AG while on the bike so I knew I was doing pretty well.

I quickly changed into a singlet in transition threw on my hat and shoes and away I went. It didnt take more than 1/2 mile for me to feel the pain of the day!!!! My quads were really sore after that bike. I knew at this point I had really gone too fast on the bike. I gave myself permission to walk for a while and stretch. One guy passed me and said" dont worry the limo is right aroound the corner". I had to laugh.  I will say that the mental part of this run is the tough part. NO negative thoughts. I had planned in advance to dedicate each mile to all the people that had made this race possible for me and draw strength from each person.Each and everyone of yui were included in my thoughts and carried me through to the end!!!! In the end I used the alphabet and all the people with each corresponding name. It really distracted me from the pain. I will say that I walked up every hill...I just didnt have it in me to run. Each mile was an aid station which I declared a picnic each time I arrived. I thanked the volunteers for gathering me such a nice picnic...then took my food and drink and was on my way. They all had something fun or kind to say. It made it enjoyable.I was passed by many people in my age group by mile 5! On the last 10K I tried to run most of it but there was this big a$$ hill right before you came into the camp where the race was held and I had to walk part of it. As soon as I entered the camp there was this long chute you had to run through on this grassy area to get to the finish line. I looked at my watch and I had a little over a minute to get to the finish by 6:30.... my ultimate goal.......So I gave it everything I had...I could hear my friends and family screaming. I threw my arms in the air...I DID IT!!! It was an amazing feeling. One of my BT friends was in the finisher area and quickly put a cold cloth on my head and gave me a big hug. I cant even begin to describe how great I felt! JUST AMAZING...a wonderful journey....a celebration of fitness and determination. I cant wait to do it again! Thanks to you all for being there for me.

I'm going to try to post pics...hope it works

Woohoo!!! Nice RR Mav!!!