Manatee Express Mentor Group - closed (Page 8)

Well - here is the official picture of my initiation into the Triathlete fraternity!!  I was feelin pretty good as you can see...my body had warmed back up from the bike ride from hell...LOL...but it was a great day!!!  I made it .....I will have the official time postings this evening after 9PM - so I will more then likely post those tomorrow.  Thanks again to all the support from my mentor, Ken, and to all the members of the Express...you guy's n gal's made this journey possible....THANKS!!!  I am going to be working in a Masters swim class next month and will be working on more endurance running and biking for my next race in June...so I will be on the Express again looking for support and advice...I know I can find it here!!!  Well - I am off to Charleston, SC this coming weekend for the Cooper River Bridge Run 10k...woo hooo!!  No time for slackin..gotta get some run's in this week!  I think I will be bumping up the distance on my training as well.  Here is a link to the MAP discussion on the forums here at BT....some good pics as well.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=108400&posts=7#M1302436

It's here!!  I made it and under 2 hrs ...my T1 killed me, I knew it would...but all my other events were great!!! I had a PR for swim time!!!  .......YEAH!!!!  my time for the race was 1:43:28..as shown below...the 1st time is swim = 12:24 = bike = 53:59 run = 32:02

Fellow Manatee's,

      Awesome performance by PapaHawk in his first Tri.  Way to push through the elements and finish in a great time. 

      Pretty good week for me.  7 total workouts, 2 bike commutes and 2 strength training sessions included, for a total time of 9:20.  Plan on hitting the pool again this week at least two times to put in some drills and stroke work.  Only had one run last week for 3 miles but did have a long bike ride for 70 miles on Saturday with my group.  Plans for this week will be 2-3 swims for at least 3,000 yards, 100+ miles on the bike (will include at least 3 or 4 commutes), and have 3 runs of 3.5, 5, and 6.5 miles.  Two strength training days with a great workout from last months Triathlete magazine, if anyone is interested I made a spreadsheet will all of the excercises on it.  Everyone have a great week and thanks for all of the support.

Rusty (excuse me, I meant "Triathlete Rusty" ) -- you did spectacular!  I looked at the picture of that rain coming down -- I am so impressed that you persevered through that!  And did I see that you had a better time than GyGy?

I guess it's time for the dreaded weekly recap.  I need to settle back into some sort of formal training plan.  I did get lots of time in, but not sure it was terribly productive.  Anyway,  I got four runs in for a total of about 17 miles, and five bikes for 101 miles.   

Lately I seem to just go out and do, rather than have a goal in mind.  Maybe it's because the races that are important to me are so far off in time.  Does just putting in the miles accomplish anything, or am I just spinning my wheels?  I know about base miles, but should I add some specific training in as well (such as speed workouts)?

Cheri

Ken/Rusty,

     I want to join in on the bike debate as I am looking to purchase another bike soon as well.  I have done quite a bit of research to date and have a few recommendations but it is all dependent on price.  Papa needs a new bike so he can get to the front of the pack on his next Tri.

Thats right!!   I gotta buy wifey one too...I knew I should have not beat her time in the race this weekend!!  LOL.  Well - we are back on the bike debate once again.  I found a dealer in town that recommended this bike for those on a budget and not wanting to dump alot of money on their 1st road bike.  Then - I get another story from a co-worker who is an avid cyclist and his thought is if your gonna be tri -riding thne you should get a tri bike....well...those babies ain't cheap and Papa makes good money...but not that good!!!  Maybe I can find a good used tri -bike - but honestly folks...I am not gonna be competing for Ironman invites anytime soon...heck...I am in it for the fun factor and the health benefits....so...road bike...tri bike..hmmm I am thinkin road bike will be just fine for me and gygyhawk....plus - I can set us both up on decent road bikes for just over a grand...so..that is sounding more appealing to me.  I know I talked about the Motobecane's last time the bike conversations came up - now I am looking at this one...price is really about where I wanna be for my 1st road bike.....and anything will be a vast improvement over the bike I have now...  let the debates officially begin!!!  Chew on these and gimme some feedback..all the Motobecanes are really in the price range I am lookin for ....

http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.asp?catid=1504,1515&pid=8682

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/ventnoir.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_pro09.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/grand_record09.htm

Papa,

     My quick two cents worth before I go for a lunchtime ride on my FELT road bike, an F4C if you are curious.  All four bikes are good bikes to start on and all will be a dramatic improvement over the current mountain bike.  THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF IT ALL IS THAT THE BIKES NEEDS TO FIT YOU AND GYGY.  Go spend the money or go to the Trek website for some fitting guidelines and do it yourself.  Felt road bikes set up very well for Triathlons as the seat tube angle is a little steeper than most and the addition of some clip on aero bars almost complete the package.  The only drawback that I see to all of these bikes is that if you decide to upgrade you components later on down the line it is going to set you back a little bit as all of them have lower end component groups that are not compatible with some middle to high end groups.  The Shimano Sora and Tiagra do not integrate well with the 105, Ultegra, or Dura Ace groups.  My recommendation would be to find bikes that have at the minimum a 105 groupset (Shifters, front/rear derailuer, etc...)  It will save you money later on down the line if you choose to upgrade to get faster.  I am currently salivating over a Felt B2 and the Cervelo P2C, $$$ I know, but more realistically I will probably pick up a Felt B12 and look at upgrading the wheels later on.  Gotta get all the gadgets so that I can keep up with Ken.  Hopefully I have provided some good gouge but it was probably more like a quarters worth :0  The most important part of it all though is to get the right size frame for you and your wife.  Good luck.

Once again Chappy you bring great info to the table brotha!!  thanks a bunch!!  I will poke around the Trek site and see what I can find out.  Fitting is by far the most critical - I agree - one question though - on the main tube running horizontal ( where you stradle the bike  does it make a big difference in either straight or slanted?  We plan on going to local bike shop and getting fitted for bikes - one of our tri club members works there so I know he can be trusted and he is a bike freak!!  I noticed the Felt I am lookin at has a slight angle on that part of the frame - where as the Motobecanes are straight - what's the scoop on that?..any performance or riding reasons or is it just a difference in the design from one mfg to another?  The Cervelo's are sweet - but I think just slightly outta my budget for now - ahh I am like a kid in a candy store!!  Especially since wifey gave me the green light on buyin a new bike - of course - she get's one outta this as well...   I will dig around and let you know what I find...have a good ride !!

PAPA 

Papa,

       I will do a little more research but I am almost certain that the slanted top tube is now for two reasons:  1) To eliminate the drastic bend to reach the handlebars as it is on a straight tube without putting in several spacers and 2) If the top tube is slanted there is less frame material thus decreasing the total weight of the bike to some degree.  Some also say that it is more aerodynamic.  I will do some research tonight while I am on duty and let you know what I find out.  The whole kid in a candy store nails it on the head for certain.  Good ride today but it was a little bit windy.  Good luck with the Bike Quest!!!

Here is one another bike I am lookin at by a company called Javelin - getting rave reviews on BT and their price is sooooo nice - this model is a closeout - orginal $950.00 - now $224.95!!!  Comes with aero bars , it is a road bike but the guy I spoke with at Javelin recommended this bike for me and the wife since we are just gettin into the tri sport - and this is a much better, comfortable bike then a tri-bike  - they were very knowledgable and helped with sizing and all the other novice questions I had.  Lemme know what you  think Ken and Chappy.  Javelin reccommended a 59' for me since I am 6'2, also stem extenders...