Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 86)

Saw this posted on FB today.  I know we've got some SC set-up racers in here :-)  They do a great job here in VA.

Set Up Events,one of the nation’s largest triathlon production companies, announces that beginning with the 2013 season, triathletes completing five or more designated ‘Set Up Cup’ events will be invited to race at a free Championship Race event and compete for top-level awards. Setup offers the registration-free race to reward these athletes’ commitment to the sport of triathlon.

The 18 events in the Set Up Cup series include three events from each of the Setup race series in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as the TrySports Triathlon Series. The series includes sprint, international, and half iron distance events. The championship race, to be held in Spring of 2014, will be an international distance event with awards for overall, masters, and age group winners.

Thanks for posting this; I think I've done 5 SetUp events this year, and the idea of a Championship is pretty cool. Thanks!

Stu-did you ever end up getting sick. Meant to check in with you early in the week to see if the weekend funk had turned into anything.

If anyone is interested in a used tri bike at a good price I have a Cervelo P1 sitting in my garage. I recently put the wheels back on it with the intent to sell it but have not gotten around to it. I rode it for about 1.5 years but have not ridden it since January 2011...when I got my current bike. Good aluminum aero framce with ultegra components. Size 54.  I'm 5'10.5 for what its worth and I think I'm on the taller side of what would fit on the bike.  Probably 1500-2000 miles on it.

Crazy busy at work yesterday and today.  Headed to Tuscaloosa tomorrow with the family to see XC meet on Saturday. Roll Tide!

Randy

I can't say it enough.  Fit.  Fit.  Fit.  Find a good fitter -- preferably one who is not also going to sell you the bike -- and get fit prior to purchase.  A good fitter will be able to give you a list of bikes (and sizes of those bikes) that are suitable for you.  Ask about this service in advance.  If they say they cannot do that, move on.  If getting this done means you have to reduce the amount you can spend on the bike, it is 100% worth the trade-off.

Oh, and to get the full 100%, be very communicative with the fitter about your goals, how you feel as you go through the process, what you're willing, and not willing, to put up with while riding, and anything else that comes to mind.

I bought my first bike with my eyes, and based on opportunity.  I loved that bike in many ways, but it was a poor purchase and I was always monkeying with it to try to make it fit, which it never did.

Randy - still "sick".  Finally broke down and went to the doctor's yesterday (a very rare event for me) and apparently have junk stuck down in my ear which is causing the hearing issues, headaches/dizziness and lethargy.  But advice is to just wait it out which could be awhile yet apparently.  No swimming for 2+ weeks.  But honestly, haven't felt like doing much of anything this week (including work).  On the plus side, the doctor I saw is running the Richmond marathon, so I was able to give him some advice about the course :-)

Michael - thanks for emphasizing the fit aspect and I do plan on making that a central part of the process as I'm pretty sure I don't have great fit on my current set-up.  One follow-up which perhaps should be obvious, but I'm not sure I know what you mean by goals in that context.  This is probably a telling statement as to my knowledge level... hahaha. 

Rene-looks like you are finishing off another great week of training.

Stu-sorry to hear that you ended up getting sick. Hope you feel better soon.

Nate-glad the knee is better. You will do fine come race day.

Heading out to Tuscaloosa in a few minutes. Hope to get a run in on the XC course when I get there. Looking forward to seeing Gil run......text last night from him said he was having some foot pain.  Hopefully, it isn't anything significant.

I'll be checking in on what's happening at Kona periodically tomorrow. Always enjoy following the race although the live feed is usually pretty iffy.

Have a great weekend!

Randyl

Good luck to everyone racing!

Randy

Good luck all you racers this weekend! I have my half marathon tomorrow that I hope to improve my personal best in.

The husband has returned and he's fully aware of my determination to kick some butt in 2013 running and triathlon wise. If all goes well, he'll be getting himself a mountain bike to do weekend MTB runs with me.

All of you are so inspiring. Keep being awesome.

Will there be an off-season mentor group?

Awful picture, but my better half with the littlest on his arrival:

Great picture, Blanda!  Those are three very happy faces and I bet the one behind the camera had a huge smile as well!

Seem to have my balance back this morning, though I always feel better first thing.  Maybe finally turning the corner.  Hope so.  This is getting old :-)

Good luck racers!

Great pic, Blanda; that's a really happy scene!

I just got back from the Expo. Got my bike checked in, and did a practice swim with Nate. The water felt great, at least to me since I had a wetsuit, Nate forgot his They also did the pro panel before the mandatory meeting, which was really cool; I'd never seen real pros at a race before, but we got to see Richie Cunningham and others talk. Now I just need to get my gear together, and I'll be all set to race and close out my first season! 

Oh yeah, Nate and I were both a little impressed with how the race planners managed to find every steep hill within 20 miles of the bike start...those are going to be a lot of fun!

Race is all done, and here's the Race Report!

It was a good race, the bike and run course were pretty tough; hill after hill, but not bad. I definitely performed as well as my body could, and got 9/13 in my AG. Nate did a great, and got 4th place! 

That's the season, time to plan what to do the next couple months. This is the first week without a training plan since February!

Here's my Race Report!

Overall a great day! I'm pretty surprised that I got 4th place! Looking forward to next season and my first Half IM. Glad to have had Jamie there to show me the ropes and just generally be there at all the races. I'm guessing these are much more fun when you have someone to hang out with before and after the race. 

First time my girlfriend was able to make it to a race too! Unfortunately she missed the last shuttle from T1 to T2 so she missed my Bike transition and my Race finish. That'll teach her to choose Waffle House over the last Shuttle of the day! Luckily a police officer gave her a ride back to T2 so we didn't lose her forever