The Triathlon thread

[ironz]

Thanks, Carrie....I will. I love it up there.
When is your tri coming up?

 

[skfulkers]

I'm heading to Lake Placid, NY this weekend to watch friends do the Ironman up there, and get some good training in myself.

Betsy--you're not going to take advantage of being in Lake Placid race weekend and get a jump on next year's IM registration, are you? You know, since you're already up there and everything.

Steve

 

[ironz]

Betsy--you're not going to take advantage of being in Lake Placid race weekend and get a jump on next year's IM registration, are you? You know, since you're already up there and everything.

Steve

That's what my friends think, too! As tempting as it will be, I really, REALLY need to take a year off of Ironman distance. IM Canada this year will be my 7th start (and hopefully 6th finish...dnf'd one a few years ago because of a stress fracture in my foot) in 6 years. That's enough for a little while.

Though I do LOVE the LP course, and the town and the area. It's going to be tough not to sign up. Maybe in 2010.

I will get some good training in, though...have 2-3 bike rides, 3 runs, and 2 swims planned for while I'm there. And a full day of cheering, which is seriously harder than doing the race myself.

 

[skfulkers]

That's what my friends think, too! As tempting as it will be, I really, REALLY need to take a year off of Ironman distance. IM Canada this year will be my 7th start (and hopefully 6th finish...dnf'd one a few years ago because of a stress fracture in my foot) in 6 years. That's enough for a little while.

Though I do LOVE the LP course, and the town and the area. It's going to be tough not to sign up. Maybe in 2010.

I will get some good training in, though...have 2-3 bike rides, 3 runs, and 2 swims planned for while I'm there. And a full day of cheering, which is seriously harder than doing the race myself.

You amaze me with all those IMs, especially in that short of time frame. Whenever I finally take the plunge and decide to embark on that crazy adventure, I'm going to pick your brain for training tips--you know, the real life stuff that you can't find in books or online. I'm still pretty scared of that distance. At times, I really think I can wrap my arms around the distance and comprehend what it would take, and then other times it just appears so much more than I could do. Of course, I've studied the training plans and on paper, it looks do-able, but every time I finish an oly tri, I just can't imagine going 4 times that distance in one shot.

I have a half IM "tentatively" scheduled for September, and I really need to see how my training holds up once the baby is born, but I would love to do a few halves and see how I hold up so that I could make an educated decision about a full. Would love to target IM Lousiville in 2010. Do you know much about that course? (as if anything you tell me will really make me feel better. You could tell me it was flat as a pancake, no wind, and 65 degree air temps, but it's still an IM! ).

Steve

 

[wtpclc]

Betsy - 9 days

Tried to do 45 min ride and 40 min run last night. Strated riding back towards the house (actually lot across street where we had trucked parked for transition area) and heard thunder. About 1.5 miles from home, sky got really dark adn wind kicked up. About amile from home, darn near got blown off my bike. Half mile from home I say, "are we going straight home or do youstill want to try to run". KNowing darn well that dh is not an idot and we will go home. I was wrong. he still thinks we should run. Just a thunderhead that will blow over. Ok....ABout a 10th mile frm home, we almost got blown off again. "MAybe we should go home, but I still don't think it's going to rain." OK. ROde straight to barn and put bikes away. Ran to housee. (Darn, felt pretty good wish I could have tried farther). Less than 5 min in house, al lheck broke loose. No, it wasn't rain, it was a monssoon! On the bright side, new seat, adj location adn angle seem to have worked wonders. Tri suite felt good too. WIsh I coudl have run for real, bu tthat's life.

Tonight is a swim. Here's a goo one. Tomorrow, we will work half days, do our mini tri (20 swim, 40 bike, 20 run) and then prceed to sit in teh car fro 9 or 10 hours. Ugh. Oh, and let's do this around noon of the hottest and most humid week of teh year. Nice. Complaining here becasue dh has too much going on and I'm trying to be nice. His lack of logic ltely may be the death of us, though.

Mike, Liz? Urban Tri Gear and/or ice cream Friday? I'm thinking Mike will already be headed to his tri, but I can hope, can't I? I'm thinking I'll be at the shop btwn 6 and 7. Does that work for anyone?

 

[laxdef69]

I can't do Friday...I'll be prepping the bike, packing, saying bye to the family right then...I'm REALLY sorry...Mike

 

[wtpclc]

I can't do Friday...I'll be prepping the bike, packing, saying bye to the family right then...I'm REALLY sorry...Mike

Very bummed, but COMLETELY understand and figured Friday would be bad for you. Good luck this weekend!!!

 

[twoWDWfools]

Carrie - wow that was close! And your DH sounds like mine...it'll blow over. Right....

Mike, Liz? Urban Tri Gear and/or ice cream Friday? I'm thinking Mike will already be headed to his tri, but I can hope, can't I? I'm thinking I'll be at the shop btwn 6 and 7. Does that work for anyone?

Let me check. I'm off tomorrow but have appt in the afternoon. I'll let you know.

Mike - Have a great tri!

Betsy - have a great time in NY.

 

[wtpclc]

Did my mini practice tri last night. I was able to convince dh that noon on a 90 degree day before we have to drive 9 or 10 hours maybe wansn't the best plan. Did ok. Pretty windy so swimming back took us 10 min longer than swimming out. Except for wanting to die of heat on teh run, though, things went ok. My hiney hurt when I first sat on teh bike because I had biked yesterday, but not enough to effect my run. Legs didn't feel too bad.

Liz - I'll text you later, but if you're reading this, we'll be coming through at more like 3:30 to 4:30 unless one of our jobs blow up. DOn't knwo if that's a good change or a bad change.

 

[Alysa]

Subscribing because I would love to try this! I wish Disney did an actual half. I have one question. How do you get over the fear of icky creepy things in the water? Since I was little I could REALLY freak myself out about that and still today I find I am only comfortable in clean, clear water.

 

[stego]

they actually have hills! Found that out on the bike segment with a 24 mile out and back. Saw a number of tri specific bikes and so it was obvious it can be done. I completed the Lake Marble Falls tri yesterday: 1000m swim, 24 mile bike, 4.4 mile run in 2:21. I had no aspirations for AG placing and by the time the run portion came I just held on and actually picked one guy off. I am spoiled as my backyard swimming training course does not allow power water craft so after literally "hopping" into the Colorado river got a good taste of gasoline. Went off with a largish group and learned about "trashing and mangling" as I never quite got my rhythm...in other words my swim time stunk but I made up a lot of time on the bike. My transition times are mid pack, my bike times are mid to high speed avg. and my run times are average as well. It seems my bike time is my strength and I think in 2 years a tri bike will be in the cards. I am of the mindset to complete the distance and do my best as opposed to entertaining thoughts of training 20-30 hours a week to even think about competing for top 5. It's not too hard to figure out the physique for those guys and I DON'T HAVE IT. Labor day weekend is the Austin tri and I am registed for the olympic distance. Swimming almost a mile was something I never even thought about but I will be prepared. Looking at last year's results there were 100 guys in my AG and it will be interesting to see how well I swim in that kind of crowd.

 

[postesf]

Hi guys! Can I get some info on biking???

I have just started biking some...only about 1/2 hr a few days a week and my neck always hurts. Someone suggested I get fitted for a bike (and get a new one). My current bike is just a Target Clearance Mountain bike.

A co-worked does tris and I asked about the little seat on the bike...and she said that you really don't spend much time on the seat. Really? I thought you spent a lot of time on the seat. Apparently I am not biking correctly!

Is it really important to wear bike shorts/compressions shorts when biking?

Can I get a descent started bike for a few hundred $$? I really don't want to sink a lot of money into something until I know I'm going to stick with it.

Any ideas, suggestions, tips... would be appreciated!!!

Stacie

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hi Stacie!!

I got a good bike from a local bike store during one of their big sales for $300. They fitted me for the right size and let me take two out for quick ride to see which I preferred. No rush and no pressure which I like.

As for the seat, well I do spend a bit of time on it and did replace the seat. Is still thin/slim but better than the leather wrapped piece of metal that came with the bike. Something I can ride w/o bike shorts.

Which brings me to shorts. If short distance/time I wear comfy shorts of some type. Longer distance/time and I switch to bike shorts. Personally prefer the 8 panel shorts for comfort and fit (I have..um...full hips and the 8 panel seems to fit better than 6 panel). I plan on trying tri shorts with thinner padding - 1) plan on doing tri next summer and 2) hopefully won't feel like diaper when walking.

Good luck and holler if any other questions. Sure the more experienced will have advice/suggestions too.

 

[postesf]

Thanks Liz! There is a Trex store nearby so I'm thinking of going by checking them out today. I may also check out a few other bikes stores before I decide on what to get (or if I can afford anything!). Unfortunately, price will be the biggest deciding factor for me right now.

Stacie

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

I have just started biking some...only about 1/2 hr a few days a week and my neck always hurts. Someone suggested I get fitted for a bike (and get a new one). My current bike is just a Target Clearance Mountain bike.

Hi Stacie!

First step, take the bike into your local bike shop and see what they can do to fit it to you. Don't spend the money until you've decided this is for you. A few adjustments may help a lot. That being said, it is possible the bike is the wrong size and you won't be able to get a perfect fit, but at least they will do what they can for you. The right fit should help to reduce neck pain.

A co-worked does tris and I asked about the little seat on the bike...and she said that you really don't spend much time on the seat. Really? I thought you spent a lot of time on the seat. Apparently I am not biking correctly!

I dunno, I spend most of my time in the seat. I'm up mainly for climbing hills.

Is it really important to wear bike shorts/compressions shorts when biking?

It depends how much time you spend in the saddle. The longer you go, the better those ultra padded bike shorts are for your hiney!

Can I get a descent started bike for a few hundred $$? I really don't want to sink a lot of money into something until I know I'm going to stick with it.

It really depends what your ultimate goals are. Try the bike you have once it has been fitted, then think about it some more. If you can find a good deal on a used bike or last year's model, then go for it. But think about what purpose you want the bike to have. If it is just to bop around town, go for a mountain or a hybrid. If you have any thoughts about triathlons you'll want a road bike. They cost more, but it would be a shame to drop $500 - $700 on a bike, then a year down the road wish you had bought the other kind of bike. I know I really worried about buying my road bike this year, but ultimately I found that I loved it. Spending so much money on it made me make sure that the thing gets some use! And now...watch out...I'm turning into a triathlete!

Good luck!

 

[wtpclc]

Ugh, life has chewed me up, swallowed me down and just finally spit me back up. This is very bad the week befoer your first tri. :-O

Alysa - I've been swimming in lakes my whole life adn still get creeeped out if seaweed touches me and my mind goes bonkers from tehre. I just tell myself to deal with it. WISH I was of more help.

Mike - No time to look for a race report, but I was thikning of you. Hope to find it tonight for inspiration. Hope things went well. Did stop at Urban tri and teh O smethign ice cream place last week. Very good!

Stego - COngrats!!!

 

[laxdef69]

I don't know how inspiring it will be, but its at:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1892508

Sorry I missed you...hope all went well in MN...

Mike

 

[wtpclc]

Inspiring, terrifying.... It was a great report Mike. Huge congrats!

I made it, so that;s what matters, right?

Here's my report if you're interested. I learned a lot.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1900375

 

[skfulkers]

A co-worked does tris and I asked about the little seat on the bike...and she said that you really don't spend much time on the seat. Really? I thought you spent a lot of time on the seat. Apparently I am not biking correctly!

Is it really important to wear bike shorts/compressions shorts when biking?
Stacie

I would guess what your friend meant is that she doesn't use "much" of the saddle, so it doesn't matter to her that it's so little. I can't imagine that she meant she does most of her riding standing up out of the saddle, unless she is super-human! If she has a tri (or tt) bike, which basically puts the rider in a more forward position--you know, those bikes with the aerobars that look like the rider is lying forward on the bars--she probably only uses the front inch or two of the seat. The back end of the seat is just for looks. Seriously, in that position, you are so far forward on the bike that you don't use most of the seat, and you're supposed to rest on your "sit bones," which sounds easier than it is.
If you're looking at a road bike as opposed to the above mentioned tri bike, the saddle will matter a little more since you'll sit further back on it. Most road bikes still have narrow saddles, but after a few weeks of riding, it really will be more comfortable.

As far as shorts, I agree with Liz. The bike shorts are much better for any sort of distance, since they have padding to keep the bum from getting as sore. They also allow a lot of freedom of movement and less drag than running shorts, so it's a lot easier and more comfortable to spin on the pedals.

Good luck on your choice of bike. As others have said, I'd agree that what type of bike you want depends on what you'll be doing with it. I wouldn't advise dropping a lot on an expensive road bike unless you think you'll be riding quite a bit, and I would REALLY do some research if you plan to buy a tri-specific bike, since those bikes are somewhat limited in "what" they can be used for and they aren't as versatile as a traditional road bike.

Have fun with whatever bike you decide!

Steve

 

[ironz]

Agree with what Steve said. I also sit almost the whole time I'm riding. Just watch the Tour de France...pretty much, unless they are climbing or accelerating, they are sitting.

And fyi: a larger/wider seat may not be the best option. Sure, it looks like a comfy couch, but the wider it is, the more likely you may chafe, etc.

p.s. I can't speak for the guys, but for the girls, I really, really like the seats with the cutout in the middle so there's not so much pressure on the girl bits.