The Triathlon thread

[skfulkers]

PS - Steve - DId I miss your report on your river swim?

Carrie--no, you didn't miss the report. I never ended up getting to swim the Ohio River. We had heavy rain two days before the tri and it caused the bacteria counts to climb "above safe skin contact levels" (whatever that means, but it scares me ). So the tri was turned into a duathlon with a run-bike-run.
I was disappointed I didn't get a chance to swim the river, but honestly, if they say the bacteria level is too high for contact, I'm ok with their decision to cancel it.

Steve

 

[twoWDWfools]

Carrie--no, you didn't miss the report. I never ended up getting to swim the Ohio River. We had heavy rain two days before the tri and it caused the bacteria counts to climb "above safe skin contact levels" (whatever that means, but it scares me ).
Steve

Steve - that happens on a regular basis at some Chicago Lake Michigan beaches. Hence the reason I won't swim in it here. Have to take a trip by Carrie.

Ok, it's stupid question time from the newbie. I wear biking shorts when riding any real distance. However I would not want to run any distance in those. What do you do?

Thanks!

 

[wtpclc]

Steve - That means someone upstream has leaky sanitary sewers and when it rains, teh sanmitary fow is to obig and dumps in teh river. You didn;t want to swim in it. Bummer, though.

Liz - We get that from Grand Rapids sometimes, but not too often adn tehy're not as big as Chicago. Still, our side is much cleaner than yours. I just ordered a tri suit from REI (bargain). It's padding should be lighter, so I'm thinking htat will eb more comfortabel to run in. I hate even walking in biking shorts.

 

[skfulkers]

Liz--since apparently there are only a few of us goofing around posting this afternoon, I'll throw my two cents in.

I wear tri shorts when I do my biking combined with running. They're basically bike shorts that have a thinner pad than your typical biking shorts would have. So it's a little less comfortable for the ride, but A LOT more comfortable for the run. You can even wear these things for the swim, or wear them underneath your wetsuit for the swim as well. Usually, most bike shops will carry these shorts (maybe even some running stores). If you have a shop around you that specialilzes in tri stuff, they'll definitely have them. They're usually intermingled with the bike shorts on the racks, and it's tough to tell the difference between the tri and regular bike shorts, so look at the tag and then check out the pad to see how thin it is.

Hope that helps!

Steve

 

[laxdef69]

Go see Preston or his wife Devyn at Urban Tri Gear in Westmont, in Pasquinelli Square, just west of 83 on Ogden.

Tell him Mike (his swim student) sent you.

Great shop, good gear, good prices, VERY knowledgeable.

Mike

 

[ironz]

Ditto on the tri shorts.

Sometimes I find them more comfortable than bike shorts on the ride, even, if the pad on the thicker shorts doesn't hit just right.

About transition: PRACTICE! I promise you won't look like a dork or anything...set up a little mini-transition area in your driveway or wherever. Pretend you are coming out of the water...run up, put on your helmet and sunglasses and shoes, grab your bike, ride around the block, then come in and practice: dismounting, put your bike up (against the wall--I don't presume anyone has a tri bike rack) , change shoes (if you wear bike shoes), grab your race belt and cap, and go for a quick jog!

Once you get it streamlined, it's very easy, and you make habits so you don't forget stuff.

I agree you don't need to worry about blasting through transition as a newbie, but in a sprint race if you're aiming to be competitive, it really counts! I have placed in my AG by the difference in t-times.

 

[wtpclc]

Mike - Thanks fro teh info. We might bea ble to stop ther ethis weekend, as we're headed to MN going 88 W to 355. Yay!

 

[twoWDWfools]

Thanks for the info on the shorts and Mike - I'll see about getting out there this weekend.

Betsy - great idea on practicing transition. Thanks!

Carrie - you posted while I was typing. Give a holler one of these times thru and we'll meet up for lunch/breakfast/ice cream.

Sometimes I feel like an idiot with these questions but thankfully none of you have made fun of me...yet.....or at least not typed it.

 

[wtpclc]

Liz - I don't feel like I know enough to be up to idiot level! Hmmmm...Ice cream might be enough to get dh to stop.

 

[wtpclc]

OK, here's a ral beginner question. Are T1 adn T2 teh same place or do you lay out 2 different spots?

 

[skfulkers]

Carrie--it depends on the event. Hopefully, your first one is a single transition area. It is much easier to set up. If you have two transition areas, don't worry, it just takes a little more planning to make sure you have the correct items in each transition. Be extra careful about that, because if you show up to your transition during the race and you have left something you need at the other transition area, you could be in trouble.

You should be able to tell from the course maps if there are one or two transition areas. Usually, the race description will tell you as well. As a last resort, you could always e-mail the race director. Worst case, it will tell you in your race packet that you pick up. I'm no expert, but I would guess that 80-90% of all tris have one transition area as opposed to two, so you should be fine.

Steve

PS--hey, if you and Scott end up liking this tri thing, we shoud all meet in Chicago again and do the Chicago tri in August some year. I've heard it's a great tri!

 

[laxdef69]

are chopped liver...Steve didn't invite US to do the Chicago tri...and we live here and all!

 

[laxdef69]

Mike - Thanks fro teh info. We might bea ble to stop ther ethis weekend, as we're headed to MN going 88 W to 355. Yay!

Get off 88 on Route 83 south. Your first exit should be Ogden Ave.

Go west to the first light, go right, and then your first right.

 

[twoWDWfools]

are chopped liver...Steve didn't invite US to do the Chicago tri...and we live here and all!

Yeah...what's up with that Steve??

 

[mkymsehi]

Probably going to do a tri next year here in Honolulu, the Tin Man held each July.

Normally I'm a marathoner, and I bike to work when I can. I need to work on the swimming.

My Princess daughter #1 has already done her first tri at age 9, so she's one up on me.

Glad to have found this thread for info.

 

[skfulkers]

Mike, Liz—no, no, I didn’t mean it that way! I was referring to the Chicago Distance Classic last year that several of the WISHers ran (Carrie and Scott were among them).

Re-reading my post, it did completely look like I shafted you, and even in your home town!!! Yeah, I’m an idiot. (crawling back into my doghouse with my tail tucked between my legs).

So let me re-phrase that……who’s up for a WISH meet at the Chicago tri next year???

By the way, Mike--are you going mad with taper madness yet? Where again is your half IM? You're not doing Steelhead, are you?

Steve

 

[laxdef69]

Mike, Liz—no, no, I didn’t mean it that way! I was referring to the Chicago Distance Classic last year that several of the WISHers ran (Carrie and Scott were among them).

Re-reading my post, it did completely look like I shafted you, and even in your home town!!! Yeah, I’m an idiot. (crawling back into my doghouse with my tail tucked between my legs).

So let me re-phrase that……who’s up for a WISH meet at the Chicago tri next year???

By the way, Mike--are you going mad with taper madness yet? Where again is your half IM? You're not doing Steelhead, are you?

Steve

Steve:

I actually met some wishers at the distance classic last year....my wife Maggie (who, to her chagrin, steered me to these forums) walked with the group...I took a few pics of some of the finishers, but I have no idea who they were now.

As far as taper week, its actually next week, but I can't wait to get there...this week has been kind of a taper anyway.

I'm attempting a 1/2 IM in Racine, called the spirit of Racine.

Mike

 

[skfulkers]

Mike--oh yeah, I remember Maggie! We met her on the Saturday before the race. That's cool, I didn't realize she was your wife. Tell her Krista and I said hi!

I’ve heard of the Spirit of Racine race. I hope your taper goes well and I’m sure we’ll all get a chance to tell you next week before your race, but GOOD LUCK! I’ll have to pick your brain about your training and how the race goes. I’m targeting a half IM this September, but with our first baby on the way, I’m going to have to see how the next 5 or 6 weeks play out. I’d love to hear how your training went. Did you do massive bricks (ie—long bike and long run) or just shorter runs after a long bike? How many miles did you get to on the bike for a long ride in training?

Steve

 

[wtpclc]

OMG Mike. We must have met. I am so bad the first time I meet people. Scott and I ate at Ginos across from Maggie adn your son (dd too?). Your ds made quite the impression (in a good way)

If teh Chicago tri fits in our schedule, that would be fun! (Provided I do another one) Is tehr a cleanplace to swim in CHicago? (only say that because of Liz's comments)

I think we shoudl just have 1 T area fro this race tehn. Yay! I don't need to think that much for a race. Ugh.

 

[wtpclc]

GOt so excited when I figured out who Mike was that I forgot to post about my brick last night.

It was better. not great, but beeter. Did 60 min on teh buike and 15 min run. WIll go longer enxt week, but our legs are still recovering a bit frm teh half Friday.

I think that my booty hurts so bad when I get off that I don't run right. I think that's why my claves seized up. Did a little stretching last night before and triedn to not change my stride adn it was better. Had loosed up considerably by teh end of 15, not that I wanted to go further.

Got my tri suit last night. Yay! Too late to wear it on teh work out, but I'll swim with it tonight.