General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New to Madison Rss Feed  
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2009-06-20 10:02 PM

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A little slice of paradise
Subject: New to Madison

Hi all !

I am newer to the area - loving the biking and hills here 

Running Store -open to suggestions as to where I should go to get fitted for new running shoes.

Open Water Swimming - where do people usually swim here what lakes? any groups that meet somewhere on a regular basis?

Thanx everyone

Nicole



2009-06-20 10:51 PM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
Welcome to MadTown, it's a great city.

Shoes - I've had good luck at Berkley Running and Movin Shoes. Movin Shoes will let you return shoes with in 30 days. Have a friend that got new shoes there. About a week later he was out for a long run near the store. He stopped in mid-run to discuss what shoes might work better the next time he needed shoes. He finished his run in a brand new pair!

Bikes - Most shops in Madison are good.

Lake Wingra near the zoo is a common place to swim. Motor boats are not allowed. I've never done a group swim, but there are groups there often.
2009-06-21 7:57 AM
in reply to: #2231359

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: New to Madison

Hello, and welcome!

Middleton is a little out of the way but I highly recommend Endurance House, and they have a "footstrike analysis" setup to assist with fitting you with a running shoe determined by your footstriked (neutral, over-pronate, etc.).

Regarding bikes - Two stores that I recommend - Cronometro, and Machinery Row (near the Monona Terrace).

OWS - Deannas goes with Lake Wingra.  I've only plunked myself at the right time to avoid the water-ski participants and fishing lines down by the Monona Terrace on Lake Monona, at the IM swim start.

Have fun!

2009-06-21 9:17 PM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
I'd definitely recommend Movin' Shoes as well.  Everyone that works there has always been extremely helpful.  I chatted with who I believe was the owner about triathlons for 10 or 15 minutes last time I was in there.  He ended up phoning his friend who was doing the same tri as me and let me ask for some pointers.  Really nice guy.

I've done OWS in Lake Wingra.  It's starting to get pretty weedy, but it's much nicer than Monona.  Mendota (by the Terrace or by the Porter Boathouse) usually isn't too bad, especially once you get a bit away from the shore.  My favorite swimming spot is off the beach at Governor Nelson's Park, which is north of Madison a bit.  The swim area is extremely mucky, but once you get beyond the buoy line the water is great.  Minimal to no weeds and shallow as well.  The water doesn't go deeper than 4 or 5 feet for at least 100 meters out beyond the buoy line.  By far my favorite place to do OWS, but it is a nice little drive away.

Not sure if you are down town or not, but great biking is just out through the Arb and up Seminole!  Plenty o' hills.
2009-06-22 9:58 AM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
I like Fleet Feet sports and they are pretty friendly.  I haven't had good service at Movin Shoes but maybe things have changed there. 

I would also keep an eye out here as sometimes people will just post when they are planning on going for a swim and you can find some that way.  There is also a OWS message group.  Does anyone have the name of that??
2009-06-22 10:15 AM
in reply to: #2233669

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
http://groups.google.com/group/Madtown-Swimmers/

Is anyone planning on OWS thursday afternoon/evening? Friday?


runs_with_jasper - 2009-06-22 9:58 AM

There is also a OWS message group.  Does anyone have the name of that??


2009-06-22 12:05 PM
in reply to: #2233722

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
I'm planning on Thursday afternoon about 4:15ish if childcare works out. 
2009-06-22 1:59 PM
in reply to: #2234129

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Subject: RE: New to Madison

Welcome!

I typically "lead" (if you can call it that) an OWS at Wingra at 4:15 on Thursdays. You suckers are on your won this week as I'll be romancing it up with my husband at a cute little bed and breakfast place in Galena. Take that!

But, normally, there's a group of us there. There's a different (not BT) group that swims Mondays at 6:30 (I think). They're friendly, too. I've swam with that group as well.

And, I vote against Movin' Shoes, as well. I've had good service at both Fleet Feet and Endurance House, but moving shoes insisted I needed motion control shoes, which both other stores said was hogwash.

 

2009-06-22 2:30 PM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
LOVE Fleet Feet! 
2009-06-22 3:26 PM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
Welcome!

I'm a fan of Fleet Feet and Berkley Running Company for running shoes/etc. Both do a great job of supporting the community and its events.  I use Endurance House to get tri stuff the other two don't carry. I have not had great customer service at Movin'Shoes.  

I swim at Wingra on T&Tr nights at 5:45pm with a group from SWIMfast.  We all paid to take lessons, but at least you know there are a whole slew of us there.  Wingra is getting a little weedy, so I have been swimming at the Verona Quarry too.  You have to swim before 11am or after 7pm after the beach closes.  Again, lots of people are there early in the morning.

Suzy
2009-06-22 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2232651

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: New to Madison

JRL - 2009-06-21 9:17 PM I'd definitely recommend Movin' Shoes as well.  Everyone that works there has always been extremely helpful.  I chatted with who I believe was the owner about triathlons for 10 or 15 minutes last time I was in there.  He ended up phoning his friend who was doing the same tri as me and let me ask for some pointers.  Really nice guy.

I've done OWS in Lake Wingra.  It's starting to get pretty weedy, but it's much nicer than Monona.  Mendota (by the Terrace or by the Porter Boathouse) usually isn't too bad, especially once you get a bit away from the shore.  My favorite swimming spot is off the beach at Governor Nelson's Park, which is north of Madison a bit.  The swim area is extremely mucky, but once you get beyond the buoy line the water is great.  Minimal to no weeds and shallow as well.  The water doesn't go deeper than 4 or 5 feet for at least 100 meters out beyond the buoy line.  By far my favorite place to do OWS, but it is a nice little drive away.

...

If you don't have a pass, you'll need one, too, to get in.



2009-06-22 7:51 PM
in reply to: #2231359

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
Wow thank you everyone for all the helpful info on bikes/shoes/swimming. 

I will be checking out some of the swimming areas - excited to learn my way around Madison.
I live out East and Madison seems easy to get around.  

Question - do you need to pay to run on military ridge ? 
2009-06-22 8:02 PM
in reply to: #2235581

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Subject: RE: New to Madison
LadyDragonfly - 2009-06-22 7:51 PM Wow thank you everyone for all the helpful info on bikes/shoes/swimming. 

I will be checking out some of the swimming areas - excited to learn my way around Madison.
I live out East and Madison seems easy to get around.  

Question - do you need to pay to run on military ridge ? 


Yep, you need a trail pass to ride your bike on Military.  If you are running or walking, you don't.  I run on Military Ridge all the time.  Perfect place to get a long run in.

The head of our swim group called tonight to let me know that Law Park water quality is awful so we are staying at Wingra a little longer than normal.   We are also considering Picnic Point.
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