Mad Manatees 2015.3 CLOSED (or Poptarts? Pet pics?) (Page 83)

I hardly ever go to the main forums anymore.  I'm really not sure why it is other than perhaps it just got to be a rehashing of the same topics.  If it weren't for this group and the log feature I don't know that I'd ever look at BT.     

Curious, do you think it's BT specifically or do you think there is a decline in new athletes taking up triathlon (not necessarily a decline in triathlon participants)

I feel like the market for those new athletes has more competition from things like obstacle runs and crossfit. And while BT has issues of it's own, it might be more about the sport in general. 

Maybe not. 

Way to go, Steve!!  You rock!!

I went for a gorgeous trail run yesterday that went along the base of the foothills.  The terrain was pretty challenging, for me at least, with a fair amount of loose sandy dirt and lots of ascent into a headwind.  Despite the challenges, now the thought of running on streets bores the living daylights out of me.  DH told me that when he was doing lots of trail running, his road running times increased dramatically because of his increased strength and cardio fitness.  I think I'm going to start doing my longer runs on the weekend and out on trails as much as possible.  I have to drive a little ways but the scenery and solitude are totally worth it.  It'll be good training for my HM in March, especially since the race is all uphill.

I've seen a trend of a lot of new triathletes coming to BT either before or right after their first race.  They get a bunch of advice, stay active for a little while, usually saying hi to other new BT'ers, then drop off once they have the info they need. The same thing has happened here in the Manatees to a certain extent.  Whenever we open up the group, 5 or 10 people jump in and it gets crowded for a little while.  Then people stop participating and we're mostly back to the regulars with a few new folks who continue to keep up.  For example, the last time we opened the group, 12 people joined.  4 are still regular posters (Robin, Steve, MR Matt, and Sean) and Chris/Spanky and Troy check in occasionally, although neither has for awhile.

I agree that the obstacle/adventure runs seem to siphon off potential triathletes but there is certainly a lot of growth in the number of people doing tris.  Colorado, especially the Front Range along and near I-25, has a tri of some sort nearly every weekend throughout the summer and lots are very beginner-friendly.  Maybe that's because CO is such a fit-conscious state, but the demand seems to be growing, at least in this area.

Yes Mary, absolutely. It's a big reason I designated a block of my summer for trail-specific running; to build strength for cross country and then road running.

I will warn you, though. You might not want to go back!

I might not run a road marathon this spring, which was the goal. Goals change... 

I would add though, to be sure to get some road running in if it is going to be a road race. Specificity is an important element. Granted it doesn't all need to be road.

trail running is the best! but, i think i've said that before 

In my local racing area, interest in triathlon waned pretty hard after Ironman Chattanooga, which a large portion of my area raced.  Now Crossfit is becoming a big deal in my area.  It's just marketed better as something that will get you in shape while still being doable.  There are a lot of triathletes that want to make the sport out to be a near impossible challenge, which sounds cool on social media posts but it doesn't exactly encourage others to try it.

There was a thread somewhere asking if triathlon has lost its cool, and while it may not be uncool it certainly doesn't have the cool factor that Crossfit currently does.

I think there is a decline in popularity of triathlon. Like you mentioned, there are multiple other options that didn't exist before.

ETA: Funny you  asked, DD2 and I were having this discussion on Saturday.  Local race had a little over 200 finishers, where it was around 400 a few years ago. She works for the "Y" so they want to know if it was them.  I'll talk to the RD about it, but it wasn't anything they are doing "wrong". It just is the way it is.  Sometimes that is the hardest answer to hear.

And crossfit has the built in community. Triathlon you could potentially get it but you definitely have to seek it out.

Also, all the gear. There's kind of a big up front investment, especially if you don't have a bike.

That may be one of the more challenging aspects to a site like BT. I hate to see newbs not give it a shot because they feel like they can't do their first tri with the gear they have (ie rolling on on the hybrid bike, no wetsuit and your cross trainers you have worn to the gym for the past 8 years.) But I also think people who have graduated from beginner and moved on to advanced should have a venue to discuss rolling resistance of tires, bike fitting, aerodynamics, swim technique etc. I think the beginner should have visibility to these things but not feel intimidated or as though they are mandatory to participating or even competing. And that is really hard to do!

I also understand some thing the newb questions are a little tired but referencing them to something like a FAQ would change the dynamic from a forum to a more static FAQ, which I don't think is the intent.  

Actually, I don't think any of this really matters, personally. Which is why I haven't responded in the thread.

I kind of feel that for a site like this to be successful it needs to happen organically. Of course there is always room for comment or improvement but this seems to be bigger than that. 

Bueller is checking in. (Ann-Marie   

I started teaching preschool last week with a co-op mom's group. Nine busy 4yr olds of very wide-ranging abilities. With this arrangement, I get a few hours a week without Mak, and she gets some group practice for Kinder next year.

Jason had a birthday on Wednesday. As a late celebration, we went camping over the weekend. Left on Friday morning for Jacob Lake, just outside North Rim of Grand Canyon. We had a fantastic time exploring back trails and away-from-the-crowd sights. A few pictures from our travels... we climbed two fire towers for awesome views, found a resting spot at Point Sublime, came upon a lone bison, examined a deer carcass, and T learned to use the saw. Seriously, so much packed into 3 days. We chose one trail each day and each was gorgeous.

On a disappointing note, our local tri has been canceled for the foreseeable future. The college pool needs major $$ for repairs/updating, and since it is the only pool, or even body of water, of size in the area...  

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Sounds like a great time Erin.  I mean the trip, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle a room full of four year olds.  Great pictures.  Your kids are so lucky to have parents that take them on all these wonderful adventures.

I'll let Ben and Adrienne delve into the technical stuff. 

Have you tried the add one hour a day break in?  Just wear the shoes around the house or whatever for one hour on day 1, then two hours on day 2 until you get to "all day."  It's worth a try before you toss the shoes!

On the one hand, most of it happens organically.  On the other hand, having too many forums is probably not helping things so consolidating makes some sense.

Glad to see you Erin!  What a great trip with the family.  Your kids are lucky to go on so many family adventures.  And that deer carcass looked fascinating  

Looks awesome Erin, thanks for sharing! The Bison! Wow!

Oh and happy birthday to J!!!!

Honestly if it's uncomfortable, return them. In most cases running shoes really shouldn't need to be broken in.

Shoes change all the time, even within a specific brand model, even season to season. Which is unfortunate when you land on a pair that really works, especially in Aus where they are so expensive.

But burning and numb are definitely not good and likely won't go away. 

From the Swamp Point trailhead. 14mi down ( and back   ) to the Colorado River with 3 camp sites on the way. T and I walked down it a bit, but a storm was rolling in. Someday when they're bigger!

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I have not worn these so have no first hand knowledge but from what I read the shoes have some fairly significant changes on both the uppers and the sole.  The uppers can be more restricitve in the toe area which may be contributing to left toe numbness.  The makeup of the sole material is different and the heal is narrower.  If it was me, I'd rotate the new shoes in gradually along with the 14's.

From my experience, I have had two types of problems with new shoes. First, they just are not right for me in how they are designed.  Second, I have had manufacturing issues where something wasn't quite right usually a poorly sewn seam or excess material not trimmed on the interior.  For a shoe I really like except for an isolated hot spot I'll take them back and exchange for another pair and see if that remedies the problem.  I doubt this is case in your situation.  Sounds more like the shoe has changed pretty dramatically from what you are used to and if gradual breakin doesn't help maybe look for another pair of 14's online somewhere or try something else..  So many options out there now it can be difficult to find just the right shoe.

I tend to like the up and back a little better

Odd. This maybe? "Note that the overlays that connect the toe box to the midfoot are wider in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 and run right across the big toe and small toe, so the shoe could feel a bit tighter in those areas, especially if you have wide feet or large bunions."  

Tried 6 times each? I wouldn't keep wearing them and risk long-term soreness. Since you've worn them so little, can you recoup some money by reselling? *thinking it might be an expensive pain to return them, but maybe not