BamaDC's Group - CLOSED (Page 8)

Hope you fun in the queen city. I was down lost weekend for the Panthers game. Was cold as hell. Great downtown area.

Merry Christmas all!

I loved hearing all of your cool tri-toys that Santa brought everyone.

I got the triathlete's Bible. Looks very good.

Great training everyone.
Bob

swim is in a fresh water reservoir.  Last year, the water temp was between 60-64.  Any experience with rental wetsuits?

I'm also a bit concerned that I (as a newbie for sure) am able to have all of my stuff in the right place and to know what the rules are.  I've heard about walking or running your bike to the mount line and don't do anything with your bike till helmet on.  Is there a rule pamphlet somewhere?  The YMCA sprint I did was really casual.  I think they had one rule, keep moving.

I've got plenty of time to build up my knowledge and my body, but it makes me nervous. 

I suspect that I will not be able to get an actual drop bar road bike or tri bike before that time.  How much mockery will go on for riding a flat bar road bike?  I won't be going there for a time, just not to finish dfl.

I'm looking for a new gym bag.  Which bag did you get?  Is it on of the duffel bags or their transition bag? 

Never done a wetsuit - someone from further north will be able to help there.

Transitions are easy (and there are a couple good videos on this site about them).  For a sprint you really don't need much there - bike, bike shoes, running shoes, towel, helmet, sunglasses, socks, running belt.  That's it.  No glass items allowed.  Don't bring anything huge like a bucket -  damp towel is more than enough to wipe feet off if you need it.  Line everything up in order that you will put them on - helmet in front (or on the bars), glasses inside helmet, then bike shoes/socks, then running shoes/belt. 

Run in from swim.  Goggles/cap off. Get helmet and glasses on (and clip the strap on your helmet! Important rule here).  Get bike shoes on.  Run bike out of transition to the start line.  Off you go.

Bike in - dismount from bike before dismount line.  Run bike in and rack it.  Helmet and bike shoes off.  Running shoes on.  Race belt on.  Run out.

Most tris will have a meeting before hand to spell these things out.  Most will also have a diagram of the transition along so you know which way to flow through.  The mount/dismount line is well marked.  Just remember no glass and to have your helmet strap clipped when handling the bike and you're good.

BTW, don't worry about the bike.  Lots of beginners at each race.  And zero chance you will be DFL.  Seriously - zero.

Dumb question... what's a running belt?

I think he's talking about a race belt which is belt with built in clips for a bib number.  Or maybe a hydration belt like one of these.

The links will take you to Fuel Belt's web page.

I'm glad I'm not swimming in that water,  I'm a Southern Boy.  I don't have any experience with wetsuit rentals, just remember Body Gilde and Vasoline are you friends!

Don't worry about your bike, just ride the hell out of it on race day!  I'd bet money you won't be the only one on a hybrid.

Jacques make very good points about transition. 

Do you wear running shoes and flat pedals on the bike or do you have clipless pedals and bike shoes?

Next dumb question... do any of you use fuel belts and if so what do you put in them?  I'm starting to think about what I'll do for nutrition for my marathon in march and a fuel belt seems like a good option.  However, I'm nut sure what to put in it.   Right now I use GU for some of my longer runs and am happy with it but I don't want to carry multiple packs in my pocket for the whole marathon.  I know a lot of people put water or Gatorade on their fuel belts but doesn't seem worth it to me since they'll have it on the course.   Also, the calorie content is so low (compared to energy gels) that it doesn't seem worth it.  Any thoughts?

I was talking about a race belt.  I have the cheapest one ($6 from Tri-Sports) that I have seen offered.  At the same time I ordered some Lock Laces - those are well worth it for speed in transition.

Cornfed - mine doesn't have pockets, so no advice on what to carry for a marathon. 

BTW, how do you initiate a link?  The "link" button on my machine isn't clickable (never has been).

I have a 6 bottle belt which I used during my training for my first marathon.  I'd use what ever the race is providing(gatorade, gatorade GE, water, etc.) during my long training runs.  I also had a zipper pocket which I'd stash my gels in. 

For racing I stash my gels in my trisuit(tri) or singlet(run) and I get my fluids from the course.

How far apart are the aid stations during your marathon?

Double Post

Edited by BamaDC 2009-12-28 9:24 PM

They have water and Gatorade endurance and they look to be about 2-3 miles apart which seems a little close to me.  I have an old pair of running shorts with two pockets that I can carry gels in.  Only problem is they're pretty worn out and I'm having trouble finding shorts with pockets.    I figure if I'm going to have to move away from gu I should start trying out whatever I replace it with on my longer training runs now.

Tough ride this morning.  Cold 40 degrees with winds sustatined at 17MPH out of the north/north west.  I felt good about this ride this morning despite the slow pace.  Most people outside the triathletes on this site would have blown this ride off.  I didn't.  That gave me a sense of accomplishment.  I have 20 weeks to the my Disney 70.3 HIM. Swam last night.  Swimming tonight.  I have put off the swimming and now have to insure I don't miss any workouts.

I read some posts on this site and they suggested the TYR Triathlon tranistion bag. You can't go wrong.  It is perfect for my needs.  Holds two pair of shoes, has a wet bag, pocket for cell phone and electronics, pockets for your water bottles, straps to hold your helmet,  and it is a back pack.  Bought it at TriSports.

I had a very tri Christmas.  I got a TYR Tri Bag, IPOD, of course I have to count the early presents,  Felt Tri Bike B12, Giro Saros Helmet, Cateye V20 Computer, Pearl Izumi Tri Fly III shoes, A pair of Wool Pearl Izumi cycling socks, Terry Falcon Seat for my road bike, Profile Carbon Water Bottle holder, Box of 24 assorted GU gels, Box of 24 Roxtane Gels.  I hope each and everyone of you enjoys spending time with your family and has a very Merry Christmas!

Someone in the Maryland forum just posted a time trial challenge.  Everyone is going to do a 1000 yd time trial and then post their time.  Then do it again in April.  I need to start swimming and this seems like fun excuse.  Only problem is that I've never actually swam that far!  We're supposed to post our times by 10 Jan.  I figure I'll swim a couple of times this week and next week then do the time trial at the end of next week.

Okay.  Then we can post our favorite swim workouts and the ones that make us say oh crap.

On a swim note I hit my 140,000 yds for the year (didn't start until end of May).  Aiming for 300k next year.

1000yd TT, huh?  I did a 500 today in ~7:10 or so.  Can we just double that and call it good?

No TT for me today.  My biceps are killing me..... from playing Wii boxing.

How many gels are you planning on using?  They make race belts that hold up to 3 gels and it has a pocket for salt tablets.

Sooo.....

Are we supposed to laugh with you or at you?

Probably 3 or 4.  from the picture it looked like they only held two (one on each side)  I guess I should have read the description more closely...

Sorry, I shoould have been more specific. 

I have this one.  Its nice but you have to use safety pins on your bib.

Edited by BamaDC 2009-12-30 2:01 PM

I now have a picture of the new bike.  How to I get from the SD card to a post here?

Edited by [email protected] 2009-12-30 8:27 PM