Triathlon Thread 2009

[wtpclc]

Betsy - Wlecome back!
Mike - Hope all went well!
Erika - How's the rehab?
Mel - Congrats!

SO....my swimming's gettign better while my running has crashed and burned. WTH???

 

[laxdef69]

I'm cleared for cycling today, swimming on Friday, and no running for SIX weeks.

He said that I have some accumulated damage and arthritis, and from a knee joint preservation perspective, I shouldn't be running at all.

He did admit that I probably wouldn't do TOO much damage with one Ironman, so this is it for me...no second chances on the IM

My plan is to start back cycling and swimming ASAP, and do my "running" work outs on the elliptical until the end of March...hope this works!

Thanks for the support and positive thoughts all...

Mike

 

[3DisneyKids]

WOO HOO! I had LOOONG PT session today and I am cleared for biking and swimming! And conditionally cleared for running. Have to run on TM only, short distances, and slow, easy pace and then see how it feels! It felt SO GOOD to work up a good sweat today!

Short of 3.3 miles last night...felt ok during the run, hurt like HELL after.
Today, biked 10 miles then short run of 2.3 miles...still hurt afterwards, but not as bad and for not as long. I'll take that as progress!

Tomorrow I will swim and bike (since I have done two short runs two days in a row) and then Friday I will short bike and then a longer-ish run (aim for 4 miles and go for 5 if I feek ok).

 

[deekaypee]

Monday Mixers w/ Team 'Ohana

I thought I'd let the Triathletes know that Team 'Ohana is inviting their WISH family to come visit its thread on Mondays. We thought this would be a good way for people on the teams/threads to get to know other WISHers better. Plus, 'Ohana like to think we know how to throw a party and we always like new guests! The drinks are free, if virtual, and no one will tell you when you've had enough.

I'll post a reminder on Monday, with a loose question/discussion topic to get the conversations going. There's no need to stick to the topic, of course, as it's really your sparking, non-alcoholic but still intoxicating presence that is requested. So, if you have a little time for socializing with your cousins, please stop by 'Ohana on Monday!

 

[ironz]

yay for everyone who is progressing through their injuries/rehab!
I am with y'all...my ortho cleared me to start swimming yesterday! only breaststroke to start out, but that will be better than just kicking.

DKP--I'll pop in...can't promise I won't bring alcohol though! I do like a glass of wine now and again.

just off the bike trainer...I was too busy all day finishing my furniture shopping to ride during the day. More riding tomorrow and hopefully a short swim.

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hey everyone!

Quick question: I've been using SPD cleats on my hybrid bike since last summer (love them!) However the road shoes I want take LOOK cleats. Any thoughts on that platform? I'll be getting my new road bike next month (so excited) so trying to decide on pedals.

Thanks!

 

[ironz]

Liz....I have been on Look pedals on 3 bikes. I love them! A lot of my friends like Speedplays, but I like the bigger platform so I don't get hot spots under my feet. You can adjust the tension for clipping in/out. And some of them come in spiffy colors! I've got some sharp ones in white with blue trim on my blue bike (with white trim and bar tape).

Keep the shoes you have with the spd's, though, as back-ups...you can use them for spin classes and if you ride the other bike.

 

[skfulkers]

Hey all! I haven't been on here in awhile (in fact, I don't think I've posted on the 2009 tri thread at all). So......is there room for one more??

I really want to try to keep up with this thread. You guys are all awesome. I see some familiar faces and some new ones as well. I need to stay on here for motivation this season. I just bit the bullet and signed up for Steelhead 70.3 in August today. I had been toying around with signing up for awhile and finally took the plunge. I suddenly feel really motivated to get a lot more miles on the bike! If only this 15 deg weather will go away.....

This will be my first half IM and I must admit I'm a little nervous. I'm going to pick a lot of your brains for first-timer advice.

Anyway, HI to all the new people on here! Hope to get to know all of you soon!

Steve

 

[laxdef69]

I was going to sign up for steelhead, but wound up signing up for the Madison IM instead...I'd be concerned that the 1/2 in August is too close to the full in Sept...

Great to see you back on the thread!

Mike

 

[chimera]

Finally got to take my bike out today. Wow...cruising speed is at least 2 mph faster than on my old bike and crazy fast in aero position. Wow.

I'm going to talk to the adult swim teacher at the Y on Tues to see about registering for the class. I can swim well enough to save myself if I fall off a boat, but don't know none of them fancy strokes.

Someone mentioned pedals...any suggestions?

Steve...way to go on the 70.3. Can't wait to hear how it goes for you.

Glad to see everyone's coming off IR.

 

[deekaypee]

Monday Mixers w/ Team 'Ohana

I thought I'd let the Triathletes know that Team 'Ohana is inviting their WISH family to come visit its thread on Mondays. We thought this would be a good way for people on the teams/threads to get to know other WISHers better. Plus, 'Ohana like to think we know how to throw a party and we always like new guests! The drinks are free, if virtual, and no one will tell you when you've had enough.

I'll post a reminder on Monday, with a loose question/discussion topic to get the conversations going. There's no need to stick to the topic, of course, as it's really your sparking, non-alcoholic but still intoxicating presence that is requested. So, if you have a little time for socializing with your cousins, please stop by 'Ohana on Monday!

We invite you to visit Team 'Ohana for the Monday Mixer! Stop by anytime today (or anytime, really) and say hi. The mixer starts here on the 'Ohana thread.

Our loose topic for 'Ohana's first Monday Mixer is "What song made you laugh out loud the last time you heard it?"

Of course, you don't need to stick with that prompt. You can talk about the last thing that made you laugh out loud, period. Or the Oscars, Nascar, Pixar. Or the meaning of life, the universe and everything. (Although we over at 'Ohana already know the answer is 42. You'll learn to love our geekdom. )

 

[skfulkers]

Thanks guys for the welcome back!

Mike--I thought I saw somewhere that you were doing a full IM this year, but then I thought, "nah, who would be that crazy??" Good luck in your training! By the way, is that Jefe in your avatar picture? LOVE that movie. "It's like living with a six year old."

Mel--I'm sure you'll get all sorts of better advice on pedals from the really experienced people on here, but I can at least tell you what I use. I have Look Keo's with 4.5 deg of float. I love them and the float really seems to help take the stress off my knees. I will warn you that clipless pedals do take some getting-used-to. Guaranteed you'll fall over at least once, and it will most likely be while you're stopped at a busy intersection with about 100 people watching.

Debra--I just now noticed all the new pics in your sig. Great sutff!

Steve

 

[Suzann]

Hey everyone... I'm in awe of you guys that are doing half ironman's and whole ones!!! Phew!!!

Don't have a lot of comments on the pedal debate, since I have baskets on my bike.. maybe some day I'll graduate!

 

[twoWDWfools]

Betsy - thanks for the info. Looks like Steve uses them, too so will give them a try.

Planned on leaving the SPD's on the hybrid as those are MTB shoes. Much easier to walk in those but heavier.

Mel - yep, you will fall over getting used to them. Just a matter of when and there is always a crowd around when you do it. No idea how that works out. Can tell you this though, once you get used to them riding with just gym shoes feels weird.

Can't wait to get my new bike even if can't ride outside yet.

 

[stego]

well, quite simply, are a matter of preference. I did do shimano road pedals for awhile as the footprint is more spread out to prevent hot spots. Going to a cross bike led me back to 540's, which is what I run on the MTB. What is important is to have well vented shoes in the summer because my feet do get very hot. Tri specific shoes are usually well vented and meant to run sockless but all that I see have 3 bolt pattern. Another concern is the footing in transition. Road shoes aren't condusive to sprinting...flying in on the bike going into T2 and coming off the bike can lead to disaster. Hitting asphalt or concrete with that footprint...well it certainly entertains the spectators.
Tri events will start in about 2 months here in central TX, and I've found there are many such athletes in the general Austin area. I soon discovered there is a reason why they call it slowtwitch...tri is just way too evenly paced for me. There are a number of athletes who are built that way and can train like that: it takes a huge amount of discipline to do a 20/30 AG week in and week out. At my level of training, the most I usually max out is at 12 but my sport of MTB has spikes that I really can't describe. Sometimes I need a map because I am literally all over the place with my range.
I look forward to reading about everyone's training/season/events for '09.

 

[laxdef69]

Today the pool just about killed me.

2700 yards, 60 minutes.

How am I ever going to swim 2.4 miles in open water in September if 1.5 miles is murdering me in the pool???

Mike

 

[thndrmatt]

Mike- What I can offer as help is that when I swam 2.4 in the ocean for the first time ever covering the distance a few weeks ago it took me about 1:54, which means I only avg'd about 2223 yards an hour. I'm just a slow swimmer in general, but perhaps avging a bit slower pace might take less out of you? The best change that I made was going from every 3rd stroke breathing to a pattern of every 2 every 3 every 2 every 3 and so on, so kind of a left, left, right, right, left, left pattern. It gives me a lot more oxygen than I got before I guess, and most of the fatigue I fight right now is from boredom rather than gasping for air.

I'm headed into the peak 5 weeks of training or so for my Apr IM, and I've been hit and miss with training the past few weeks due to a lot of travel, so we'll see what the crazy hours do to me... Bout to hop on the trainier for 2 hours while watching the Tour of California then finishing the brick with an hour run, and I know it's going to drain me like crazy.

 

[laxdef69]

I'll try swimming slower...I actually breathe each left stroke...I'm able to turn my head easier to that side, and my airway is more open...that made a big difference coming from every third stroke.

I still have an hour to do on my trainer, but I also have a trade show from 11:00 - 8:00 tonight, so this will be a long long day.

I hope you are able to get more consistency, and BEST OF LUCK to you at your IM (China, right?)

Mike

 

[Suzann]

Wow Mike... hats off to you for even swimming that far! I'm lucky if I can get 400 in

 

[thndrmatt]

One other thing I should mention, for me doing that breathing style I was talking about allows me to swim straighter in open water. When I was breathing every left I found I was actually slowing down significantly, and would always be turning in the direction of the breathing or opposite it I forget which, but it was always real tough to get to the buoys in the shortest distance.