Manatees Roar into the 20s! CLOSED (Page 95)

I have some off brand vest that is actually advertised for runners. I like the pockets up front(Gels, trash, leys, etc), but I too have had to get a new bladder. Platypus brand bladder, which I use both in the vest and in a hiking backack that gets used on occasions. Generally, I wear this vest on the MTB. I have an Orange Mud Hydraquiver single, which is a vest that carries a water bottle in the back of it. It is awesome for running, but the bottle is up high and hits the back of my helmet on the bike. I also have a cheap hip bag that has side pockets for bottles on it.  This is the solution for me for gravel, until I get a bike with the ability to carry three or more bottles. I carry a phone, bandana, small first aid kit, keys, and nutrition in it. It has a ton of room for more stuff, if needed. When it dies, I will seek out a quality one that should last long enough to get me to another bike. The draw back is that it is a challenge to get the bottles in and out. So, I keep one bottle on the frame, and change it out as I go.

I think we all need to acknowledge that virtual races may be the only racing we do for the forseeable future. I have to go read this and see what other people think.

I just realized I have 3. 

First is a regular smallish backpack-style EMS that has a large bladder and pockets for storing other stuff.  This I wear when MTB since that bike only holds one bottle.  Does the job of holding snacks, first aid (both for humans and bikes), maybe an extra shirt or misc can be stuffed in with the bladder.  I also use this [day] hiking.

Second is the Salomon Sense Ultra vest.  2 small bottles up front, I've carried a larger bottle in the pocket in the back.  Lightweight, has pockets for phone, gels, salt, etc.  I've worn this in most of my HIM races.

Third I just bought last year, Orange Mud Gear Vest.  2 bottles up front (slightly more volume than the Salomon bottles), one large bladder in the back.  Large pocket in the back, smaller pockets on the shoulders and front.  I like the pocket design on these less than the Salomon, but like the amount of liquid I can carry more.

I really dislike running holding a bottle.  I can/will but prefer not to, hence the vests.  I also have the old hydration belt but that sometimes feels like it is in my way, too.  Plus I cannot wear that trail running, the bottles fall out.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk ok so I've missed a lot. I've pretty much lost my mojo and don't even care that all the races were cancelled because I don't feel like going anywhere anyway. It's not to say I'm depressed or sitting around doing nothing but I've decided to take 2 months off (coach is on pause) and I'm just doing fun stuff. I've been battling back issues since March and I had an MRI last week. I have a herniated disc that's hitting a nerve - but it's MUCH better than it was at its worst. So we're continuing with PT and see where it goes. Running and sitting at my desk are the only things that really aggravate it. That of course brings me to CDA. It is now on the IM website (not open for reg yet) but I have my doubts as to if it's really going to happen. And I think reg will sell out so do I risk the $1400 reg fee? (me and DH). THAT is the question! I heard that this year the people registered for St George were given CDA as a deferral option. I have ZERO desire to do SG - and did they ever announce the third race in that rotation? hydration packs - for hiking/running I mostly use my orange mud and I also have a nathan (bladders). For MTB I use my camelbak. BTW, I'm enjoying doing a lot of HIKING and mountain biking this year. I figure the uneven ground on hikes is probably good for my back and stabilizing muscles. Thanks J for checking on me OH LASTLY - BIG STORY - we have a LOT of bears near me. My former Gym trainer and his dog were both BIT while hiking!! Unprovoked attack. EEK! They closed off that trail. Hopefully the bear knows she's supposed to stay on that trail.

I'm surprised to hear you say that you lost your mojo because I see that you've been really active!  I guess you mean your structured training mojo?  I figured that you had returned to your love of mtb!

Yes, St. George folks were given deferrals to CdA. I have several teammates that took that option because was the most distant choice and they wanted to punt their race as far down the road as possible.

June 2021 *might* be OK for a race, although I have my doubts about Chattanooga in May so there is that.  If our government took things seriously and we had treatments/vaccine without shortages... Personally, I'd probably feel more comfortable with a driving distance type event.

I'm sorry to hear that your back has been angry.  I had a bulged disc (L5/S1) with sciatica and it was not fun but did eventually resolve (knock wood).  Lots of PT and stretching and eventually an epidural.

Yikes!  Bears and hiking and unprovoked bites! Oh my!

Ah! And here I was giving them the benefit of the doubt and thinking it was insurance policy related!

Any insight on how they plan to conduct events with two years of payroll covered by one year's entry fees?

I was trying to be positive with my above statement. Personally, I am over race registrations of any kind until I am confident that races can move forward. I plan to ride my bike a lot from now through the fall and then do an off season plan and see where things stand in February before starting an HIM plan for May.  Worst case, I ride my bike a lot again next year.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk ok so I've missed a lot. I've pretty much lost my mojo and don't even care that all the races were cancelled because I don't feel like going anywhere anyway. It's not to say I'm depressed or sitting around doing nothing but I've decided to take 2 months off (coach is on pause) and I'm just doing fun stuff. I've been battling back issues since March and I had an MRI last week. I have a herniated disc that's hitting a nerve - but it's MUCH better than it was at its worst. So we're continuing with PT and see where it goes. Running and sitting at my desk are the only things that really aggravate it. That of course brings me to CDA. It is now on the IM website (not open for reg yet) but I have my doubts as to if it's really going to happen. And I think reg will sell out so do I risk the $1400 reg fee? (me and DH). THAT is the question! I heard that this year the people registered for St George were given CDA as a deferral option. I have ZERO desire to do SG - and did they ever announce the third race in that rotation? hydration packs - for hiking/running I mostly use my orange mud and I also have a nathan (bladders). For MTB I use my camelbak. BTW, I'm enjoying doing a lot of HIKING and mountain biking this year. I figure the uneven ground on hikes is probably good for my back and stabilizing muscles. Thanks J for checking on me OH LASTLY - BIG STORY - we have a LOT of bears near me. My former Gym trainer and his dog were both BIT while hiking!! Unprovoked attack. EEK! They closed off that trail. Hopefully the bear knows she's supposed to stay on that trail.

Unprovoked bear attack/bite?!?!?!?!!!!!  WOW!!!!  Hopefully trainer and dog are OK and yeah, that the bear knows to only stay in the closed area, ha!

I believe that Randee is referring the the CdA full on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Well, if things settle down, maybe you can come to western NC rather than the coast in the fall. If things settle down...

I think that this could be a good solution for you, however, I'd definitely want to try it out before spending that kind of money. It *seems* like it would be more similar to OWS than pool swimming but I have no idea.

My husband has been doing A LOT of shopping for pools/hot tubs/spas/swim spas and apparently a huge drawback to the endless pool is that it uses a TON of power. Like double your hydro bill kind of power ... so take a look and research that before jumping in. Could still be worth it!

My home in Kansas came with a hot tub, and it definitely about doubled my electricity bill when I had it running (small 2-bedroom home for reference). It had it's own breaker box.

I'm probably not the ideal person to ask because I'm not great at upkeeping things, but when I bought the house I was excited about the hot tub. I used it occasionally for about 2 years. Then a few things broke () but I kept thinking I would use it or worst case it would be enticing for a buyer down the road. Then it just got to the point of too much for only using a few times a year - the chemical upkeep, the cleaning, the parts breaking. I ended up not using it for many years and then having to pay a bunch of money () to have it hauled away and have the deck re-done as it was built into the back deck. 

Well, if the Endless Pool is not an option and you are considering Soup Can Swimming in the interim, you could see if a Vasa system is a middle ground.  I know some people who have them and have found that they have good results without spending a lot of time to/from pools until quite close to race date. They've had enough success with them that I looked into it but decided that I was $500 interested, not $2k interested.