Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 78)

Thanks all!

Finished, did well on the bike and the run.  Swim was too much of a combat zone but did okay.  My goal was 1:03 and I hit 1:03 and change.  Very happy with the time.  20.6 mph on the bike, burned out on the run but held a 8:21.  RR to come but am happy!

Weather could not have been nicer.  Clear blue skies, with temps starting out in the mid=60's.  Inside pool swim and a rolling hill bike course, with the run going down a bike path cut through the woods, so lots of shade there.  Somewhere in the lo 7 for the swim, 17.8 avg on the bike and a terrible mid 13's for the run (how I do loathe running )

I'll post the RR later this evening or tomorrow.  Daughter and SIL had a great time and asked when we can do another. 

One surprise I had on the bike ... I clipped in, swung the leg over but could not sit down on the seat.  The seat was waaay too high by like 2".  At first I thought it was some kind of a joke or something, but I did take the bike yesterday to the LBS for derailleur adjustment.  Only thing I could think of was these sometimes raise the seat to grip the bike around the seatpost ... obviously it was not put back as it should have been.  So I had to pull off beside the road, lower the seat, laugh about it and get back to business.

Excellent job to both Gary and Dorm!

Haven't even started packing yet.  I'm doing lots of homework.

Feeling ready.  Won't get much sleep, but not uncommon for the night before anything for me.  445am is coming quick.

Looking forward to those RR's guys!

Nice job Gary ...  smokin on the bike and I'm really jealous of the running pace.

RR for me is here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=446137

Dorm, congrats on the finish!  Bummer about the seat but love your attitude on handling it.  Great job.

Chris - hope the race went well.

RR is up:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=446233&posts=1#M4265959

Dang!  Didn't go as well as I'd hoped. 

Swim - Awesome.  Swam the entire way, managed to avoid the crowding, and felt good.  Knocked off at least two minutes from last race.

Bike - This is what killed me, and something I've been concentrating on.  Two loop 4.5 mile course that rode like 9 miles a loop.  1 very steep climb, with no down hill.  2 steep climbs with minimal downs.  2 long moderate climbs with nice downs after.  5 large hills in 4.5 miles left me no time to save the legs.  The first lap was murder.  Second lap was a bit easier because I had a better clue about where I should be gear wise.  Still torturous.  Ate my legs for breakfast.  Only avg'd 15.7, and I was hoping for 19.

Run - After that bike?  Dealt with a hamstring cramp coming on in the first half mile.  Fought it off.  The very steep climb from the bike was on the run as well.  Ran it better than I biked it, but it brought calf cramps at about .75 miles in.  Had to battle them the rest of the way.  Only the first mile was marked, otherwise had no clue where I was because my Garmin was sitting safely on my dresser!!!!  Should have been pushing harder, but was spent mentally.  9:07 pace.

I did have the 11th fastest T2 time!  :37

And I managed to knock off 3 minutes in T1 from last race.  2:08

1:20:09

The winner went 45:xx.  That's moving!

Just 3-weeks to go until my first tri this year. Lot's of OWS while in Miami so feeling good there, having some foot and knee pain which is hurting the running and haven't touched my bike for 2-weeks due to traveling. Playing catchup at work and graduate school but still hoping to log 3/3/3 (swims, rides, runs) the next 2-weeks with major bricks on the weekend. Have set a goal of 1:48:00 for this year. (2:03:00) last year at the same race.

Also watching craigslist and ebay for used road bike in the $300.00 range. Biggest problem is my long legs, need a 27" / 62+ cm frame size, not too many out there. Let me know if you come accross anything. Thanks.

dp

Finally had a chance at the RR:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=446513&posts=1&start=1

Think I linked it right this time.  Pre-read Warning:  I soap boxed it!  Proceed with caution.

Congrats!  I'm 36, with two small boys (5, 1.5).  You better not spread that bug around here!!  

Tracey, congrats on your "wife done got knocked up" I thought I might ask if you knew the father but thought better of that!

Chris - +1 on loving the soapbox! 

Tracey - sorry, bad news.  I won't be at Austin 70.3 this year.  My company has me going to a different conf (probably in Atlanta) that weekend.  WTC will give me back $75 and my company will spot the rest. 

With that I am probably going to do the new HIM on Nov 10th.  Starts at the same location as most of my tris are this year (including last weekend).  For $135 its not a bad price.  Also its a non-WTC HIM so will be interested on how this works out.

David, way to hang in there with the training and know you are ready for the event to be here.  On the bike, you're looking in the right spots ... sometimes it takes time for the right thing to come along. 

One place you might consider is: www.bikesdirect.com.  These have an assortment of bikes from entry to uber experienced level and free shipping.  You just want to make sure there's good hardware on the bike you're considering ... Shimano 105 or better (Shram, Ultegra or Dura Ace).