ChrisM's Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 19)

That stinks, just another thing to take up time and energy debating about. Go for it without the suit, and just bank on the savings in T1.

I am sidelined here for a little bit, 7 stitches in my foot last night due to a home improvement project.

I'd love to hear the story behind that.

From the looks of it, 4th in AG?   Way to go!

bzgl40 - 2011-09-20 11:04 AM yeah, that seems to be the general consensuses I am getting.  Since I already know I get overheated in just half the distance with the suit on I'm likely to go without.  It's interesting, I wonder if I would have signed up if I had known this would happen?  I know I can swim the distance and the wetsuit actually doesn't speed me up much cause I have good balance (I have a whole host of other problems the suit just can't fix though ).  Yet something tells me I wouldn't have signed up.  So this might just be the kick in the pants I need...  funny how things work out

Kim, how was the race?

Just got back from New Mexico.  That's what you always should do after a long course tri, drive for 6 hours.   Anyways, the motto of the course is that it is not for sissy's (even on the medals) and well, they sure weren't kidding.  That course was HARD.  If there was a hill in the area it made it into the bike and run.  They even through in some dirt for the run.  I am sure they were looking for a way to add a hill into the swim as well.  I saw the RD after the race and let her know that she is clearly spawned from the devil himself. Only 71 people signed up for the long course and I should have known something was up when they cheered loudly at packet pickup for only the long course folks.

I did decide to go with a wetsuit.  Water was 78 I believe, which is normally pretty hot but the morning was fairly cool so it worked out.  Wasn't too hot in the suit.  I could probably have done without but did ok with.  My swim was pretty horrible though.  I swam a fair amount extra, even had some folks waving me back on course.  sigh...  But I got out when I expected to.  I hoped for better but it is what it is.

The bike was hilly hilly hilly.  We did the Oly course but then they threw in a 15 mile out (and back of course) in there.  If you didn't train on any hills your legs were going to be toast for the run.  There were two sections you could let loose and get some speed but they were fairly short in length.

The run started in dirt, when over some dams, then up some hills, down some hills, up some hills, down some hills, some dirt, hills, dirt, etc.  You get the idea.  By the run it was killer hot as well.

Anyways, I finished, and not last.  In reality given that I am not fast I am pretty proud of finishing that race.  It was a tough one and if I hadn't trained sufficiently I am not sure I could have finished.  If you want a challenge it's a well run race with a ton of volunteer support.  If you don't want to put the time into training well, pick another race.

All I know is that my partner is no longer allowed to pick my races for me.  She picked the two hardest races she could find I do believe (the other was a mountain bike race).  I am rewarding my finish with a nice flat HIM in Texas in April

Ha, nice.  This comment cracks me up.  From the course map, the half distance looked a little bit "easier" compared to the Olympic because there was a big out and back section that looked false flattish

Um, we did the complete oly course and then some.  How in gods name could that make it easier?!?!?!  lol  It honestly was the run that made it tough.  The bike hard but doable.  The run just killer.

And another podium , so I hear...  Congrats!!!!

wow, ripping it up.  nice

I agree on the strength training.  I always feel better when I have it in my schedule.  Doesn't make me faster, but it makes me durable (and happy).

Nothing too crazy, I was painting behind the fridge on a ladder, coming down I missed the last step. I caught my heel on the edge of the cabinets. The laceration is healing up nicely, but something under the skin still doesn't feel good. I do like wearing flip flops to work, though.

Did Day At The Beach last weekend.  I like it and seemed pretty well run.   

I took 3 days off and now started back up on some strength training and slowly starting my base training for my 70.3 for March.  I am excited about this race.  I do have a few races in between the March 31st Oceanside 1/2 Ironman.

HITS in Palm Springs Dec 4th,  LA 13.1 Jan 25th,  Race at the Base Sprint Tri Feb 25th, and Pasadena Tri March 10th.    I really dig racing and the competition.  

I m still having a little difficulty in the swim....going to do some lessons and try and get better.  I would love to swim a whole 1.2 miles.  Heck, i like to do my sprints swims without any issues!!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Sounds like you have a good winter plan going already.  I hear you about the swim.  I keep saying I am going to go get lessons then never do.  I've managed to correct some things through video but then I have to actually put in some swim time as well to get fast.   

bzgl40 - 2011-10-15 1:32 AM  Sounds like you have a good winter plan going already.  I hear you about the swim.  I keep saying I am going to go get lessons then never do.  I've managed to correct some things through video but then I have to actually put in some swim time as well to get fast.   

I hear you!!  I get the Swim Smooth updates and I am always looking at videos too.  I know I ll get it some day.  

Did a 52 mile ride this morning.  Good times, legs a little sore but I am imagining the 13.1 mile run after this ride   I ll be ready by March!!