Question:

But in a *race*, it’s the amount of time you can *gain or lose* over the opponents that counts, not the total time per event. "Balance" in multisport means that the edge (in minutes) a good swimmer has over an average one is the same as the edge a good runner has over an average one, etc. Total time per event means nothing.

That would be a good criteria except for one thing.   The swimming average is brought down considerably by people who simply cannot swim.  I would say in any given race a good percentage of the people are doing the breast stroke.  This would be the equivalent of having a good portion of the people do the bike on roller blades, or walk the run.  Hell, in Chicago, I’ve seen people dog paddle.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But in a *race*, it’s the amount of time you can *gain or lose* over the opponents that counts, not the total time per event. "Balance" in multisport means that the edge (in minutes) a good swimmer has over an average one is the same as the edge a good runner has over an average one, etc. Total time per event means nothing. That would be a good criteria except for one thing.   The swimming average is brought down considerably by people who simply cannot swim.  I would say in any given race a good percentage of the people are doing the breast stroke.  This would be the equivalent of having a good portion of the people do the bike on roller blades, or walk the run.  Hell, in Chicago, I’ve seen people dog paddle.

The classic statistical remedy for that problem would be to set the event lengths so that the median event times are roughly equal.

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Sounds to me like a simple ethical / philosophical matter.  Was drafting legal at the race and were all of the competitors informed of its legality?   If yes, no one can say she did anything unethical.  If it was a team event (like the Eco-challenge on TV), one could argue that she wasn’t pulling her weight.  The fact that drafting introduces an element other than raw physical power and endurance doesn’t change anything, since every other competitor also had the same opportunity to draft.   If anyone wanted a race to measure only raw physical power and endurance, they’d be doing time trial races on stationary bikes, treadmills, pools, that way, you’d eliminate any possible random effects from nature or any effects from other competitors (drafting, crowding, etc.). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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I’d tell everyone to shove it and if they don’t like it  they don’t have to race draft legal tri’s.

Not many pros have this option. Andrew http://www.andrewduncan.ws

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The beauty of Alcatraz is that for most people, each leg is roughly equal in time.  I think the average legs, excluding the .75 mile T1 run are 41m, 1:06, 1:08. Unfortunately, it would be hard to increase the number of more balanced events so long as most triathletes don’t like the OW swim.

But in a *race*, it’s the amount of time you can *gain or lose* over the opponents that counts, not the total time per event. "Balance" in multisport means that the edge (in minutes) a good swimmer has over an average one is the same as the edge a good runner has over an average one, etc. Total time per event means nothing. This is too bad, as a balanced event (by the above def.) still leaves the swim too short for my taste. Come on, even high-school kids can swim 10,000 yards every day of the week. Not many pro athletetes run daily marathons… Andrew http://www.andrewduncan.ws

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This makes me wonder about the possibility of real teams in draft legal triathlon… cycling is recognized as a team sport, I don’t see why draft legal triathlon may not evolve into a similar situation.  It seems only logical to have a team of 4 or 5 able to work to win through using constant attacks while saving the strongest runner. I know the purists in here will hate the entire idea, but consider the concept… Alex www.geocities.com/milktrout

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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Well, she won – was a good idea on her part.  The others didn’t HAVE to pull her.  They should’ve peeled off and went behind her.

You must remember that real run specialists like Carol Montgomery can make up 2+ minutes in the run alone, if they’re in the chase pack then letting up for a second just isn’t an option for the strong riders. I must admit that I missed the women’s race at St. A’s this year… Alex Jones www.geocities.com/milktrout

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but there are methods of getting rid of someone not pulling his/her weight.

Like how? I don’t think  you should cause a wreck or anything but short of some fairly extreme action how else could you get rid of a determined drafter? dd

Response:

Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off.

    What a great story.  Michellie almost always sits back.  Why take a pull?  I’d tell everyone to shove it and if they don’t like it  they don’t have to race draft legal tri’s.  Any competitor who complains has absolutely no basis unless they want to physically pedal their scantly clad  posterior fast enough to lose the wheel suckers.

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I hate drafting but this is what draft legal racing is about.    She was within her right to suck wheel the entire race if possible.    Those ahead of her are pros and should know the tricks of dropping her or getting her to take her turn at the front.   They didn’t and they lost,  fairly and squarely.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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You all are right and that’s what draft legal racing is about. They need to make mhep pull more if they’re unhappy. I was at the race and happen to have a great picture of her pulling the whole pack (how ironic), I also have a great picture of her running. If anyone wants some just let me know! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hate drafting but this is what draft legal racing is about.    She was within her right to suck wheel the entire race if possible.    Those ahead of her are pros and should know the tricks of dropping her or getting her to take her turn at the front.   They didn’t and they lost,  fairly and squarely. Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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That’s why we have duathlons, if you don’t want to swim, why are you doing a tri in the first place? I’d imagine that for a lot of people doing a du would get boring. You get to run twice. (And sometimes the exact same course.) Doing a tri mixes it up a little, and gives you another sport to crosstrain (or train) into. Personally, I’d rather do a tri over a du. It’s not that we have hydrophobia or anything. (Or maybe we do…) Some people do prefer swimming, although they dislike open water. Who knows?

So we have a group of people who a) don’t like to swim in open water, and b) get bored with just running and biking, so the rest of us who truly enjoy all 3 aspects of the sport get shafted with itty bitty swims.  That about sum it up? James

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In Germany they have this kind of format, at least for one event in their "first league". Un-fortunately (!?) they just decided to ban aerobars for this event, which caused quite a stir over there…. The funniest complaint: The sponsored athletes would be forced to rebuilt the front ends of their bikes at "considerable" cost. Thew most valuable complaint: In cycling team trials aerobars are legal. Another brick in the wall. trInIc

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This makes me wonder about the possibility of real teams in draft legal triathlon… cycling is recognized as a team sport, I don’t see why draft legal triathlon may not evolve into a similar situation.  It seems only logical to have a team of 4 or 5 able to work to win through using constant attacks while saving the strongest runner. I know the purists in here will hate the entire idea, but consider the concept… Alex www.geocities.com/milktrout Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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There was no rule violation involved was there?  She may have pissed off the others but it is their responsibility to get rid of the person not pulling through.  That does not mean flicking them or doing anything to harm them, but there are methods of getting rid of someone not pulling his/her weight. I have had discussions with folks at USAT about methods for using this strategy and methods to counteract it and I know that at least former USA Cycling National Team coach has had similar conversations.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All athletes play on the edge of the rules without breaking them (usually). She did what was allowed and won.  Can’t fault her for that. Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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Ahh, there’s the rub, isn’t it.  You as long as a) drafting is illegal, and b) the bike is the longest portion of the race, it’s a bike race. Personally I don’t care which one changes.

The beauty of Alcatraz is that for most people, each leg is roughly equal in time.  I think the average legs, excluding the .75 mile T1 run are 41m, 1:06, 1:08.   Unfortunately, it would be hard to increase the number of more balanced events so long as most triathletes don’t like the OW swim.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

Response:

The beauty of Alcatraz is that for most people, each leg is roughly equal in time.  I think the average legs, excluding the .75 mile T1 run are 41m, 1:06, 1:08.

It’s a better ratio than many, but still less than 25% swim.  That race is definantly on my todo list. Unfortunately, it would be hard to increase the number of more balanced events so long as most triathletes don’t like the OW swim.

That’s why we have duathlons, if you don’t want to swim, why are you doing a tri in the first place? James

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That’s why we have duathlons, if you don’t want to swim, why are you doing a tri in the first place?

I’d imagine that for a lot of people doing a du would get boring. You get to run twice. (And sometimes the exact same course.) Doing a tri mixes it up a little, and gives you another sport to crosstrain (or train) into. Personally, I’d rather do a tri over a du. It’s not that we have hydrophobia or anything. (Or maybe we do…) Some people do prefer swimming, although they dislike open water. Who knows? –Vincent

Response:

All athletes play on the edge of the rules without breaking them (usually). She did what was allowed and won.  Can’t fault her for that.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

Response:

err your, typo.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You’re "Yea" infers that I share your opinion.  I assure you, I do not. Yea Drafting Sucks ! If it ever becomes legal in the little leagues I’m out ! Any editorial comments out there? She won.  Must have been a good strategy.

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Draft legal might make for easier video, but it sucks as a sporting event. Make the swim longer so the strong ones there don’t lose the current advantage that drafting gives.

Ahh, there’s the rub, isn’t it.  You as long as a) drafting is illegal, and b) the bike is the longest portion of the race, it’s a bike race. Personally I don’t care which one changes.

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comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute.

They could have slowed down the pace – common in races where this sort of issue is present. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there?

Draft legal might make for easier video, but it sucks as a sporting event.   Make the swim longer so the strong ones there don’t lose the current advantage that drafting gives.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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Any editorial comments out there?

She won.  Must have been a good strategy.

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Yea Drafting Sucks ! If it ever becomes legal in the little leagues I’m out !

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any editorial comments out there? She won.  Must have been a good strategy.

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You’re "Yea" infers that I share your opinion.  I assure you, I do not.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yea Drafting Sucks ! If it ever becomes legal in the little leagues I’m out ! Any editorial comments out there? She won.  Must have been a good strategy.

Response:

Hi all: According to an Inside Triathlon race report, Michellie Jones won the St Anthony’s ITU race on the weekend, but ruffled feathers (see comments by Sheila Taormina in the IT article) by not pulling her weight on the bike: she apparently sat in the back of the lead pack to start the run with fresh legs, winning by almost a minute. Strikes me as a smart strategy for a run specialist – though perhaps I can also see why Taormina and others would be pissed off. Any editorial comments out there? rich

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Question:

Has anyone out there had experience training with powercranks?  I am trying desperately  to improve my IM bike split and want to know if they really help. Additionally, does anyone have a used set of 172.5 powercranks?   Thanks,   Erik

Response:

Hi Erik – If you go to www.deja.com and do a powersearch of rec.sport.triathlon as well as the cycling newsgroups then I am sure you will find plenty of past info. Personally, I think there are two keys to a good IM bike split – squats and hills. Cheers, gordo

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Question:

I am very interested in getting into triathalons.  Generally in good shape, run usually three times a week.  I saw an add for a local duathalon, it’s not a tri but I figure it would e a good start.  It is a 3 mile run-12 mile bike-3 mile run and it goes on 30 Sept 00.  Is this too soon to give it a shot and would anyone have any good ideas to get ready for it.  Thanks.

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Go ahead and do it.  Sometimes the hardest step is the first one. Just go out with the goal of completing the event and having fun at the same time. Go at your own pace and don’t worry about anyone else. Good luck.    -eric – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am very interested in getting into triathalons.  Generally in good shape, run usually three times a week.  I saw an add for a local duathalon, it’s not a tri but I figure it would e a good start.  It is a 3 mile run-12 mile bike-3 mile run and it goes on 30 Sept 00.  Is this too soon to give it a shot and would anyone have any good ideas to get ready for it.  Thanks.

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I am very interested in getting into triathalons.  Generally in good shape, run usually three times a week.  I saw an add for a local duathalon, it’s not a tri but I figure it would e a good start.  It is a 3 mile run- 12 mile bike-3 mile run and it goes on 30 Sept 00.  Is this too soon to give it a shot and would anyone have any good ideas to get ready for it.

Thanks. Definitely not too soon if you’re already running 3x/wk (of course, if you’re only running 100M at a time, that’s a different story You should be fine – just do a couple of ‘brick’ workouts (a ride followed immediately by a run) to accustom your legs to running off the bike. Since it’s a du, you might even want to do a Rubric(tm) – run- bike-run. Before you buy.

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Hello, Racing a Duathlon is not a preparation or a good start to race Triathlons. That is what people think but it is not true at all. The Duathlon effort is very specific with very specific heart rates trends. The 2nd run has no comparison with the run of a triathlon. The only way to get into triathlons is by racing a triathlon. Anyway, a Duathlon can be great fun and helps you entering the atmosphere of multisport. Olivier I am very interested in getting into triathalons.  Generally in good shape, run usually three times a week.  I saw an add for a local duathalon, it’s not a tri but I figure it would e a good start.  It is a 3 mile run- 12 mile bike-3 mile run and it goes on 30 Sept 00.  Is this too soon to give it a shot and would anyone have any good ideas to get ready for it. Thanks.

Before you buy.

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Question:

Hi all! I’ll be in Orlando Aug. 6-12 for a conference.  Can any Orlandans clue me into any local races during this week, or is there a web site I can visit for this information?  I’d be interested in running, duathlon or triathlon. Thanks! John John Faith Ft. Washington, MD, USA "Hell, kid – I’m too old to grow up!" – Huey Walker

Response:

Hi all! I’ll be in Orlando Aug. 6-12 for a conference.  Can any Orlandans clue me into any local races during this week, or is there a web site I can visit for this information?  I’d be interested in running, duathlon or triathlon. Thanks! John

Hi John: You’re in luck! Fred Sommers has one of his CFT Sprint Tri events on August 6 out at Clermont. http://www.triflorida.com/events/calendar.htm Other options: One of the best sites for southeast running is: http://www.runningnetwork.com/RunningJournal/ They have the following listed. Both Cocoa and Titusville are about a 45 minute drive east from Orlando. Aug. 7, Cocoa – Police 10K, 8am. Info: Paul Drinkwater (407)454-7000. Aug. 9, Titusville – Police 5K Cross Country, 7am. Info: Paul Drinkwater (407)454-7000. Aug. 12, Cocoa – Police Half-marathon, 7am. Info: Paul Drinkwater (407)454-7000. RJ also has links to club sites in Orlando and there might be more races than listed right now. Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" Ironman Canada ‘98 16:17:03 Great Floridian ‘99, 17:13:38

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Question:

Usually, in the cities, they will have a higher degree of security there than those in the rural area. For example, the then New York City Triathlon, held at Coney Island in the NYC area in the late 80’s/early 90’s, had what I thought was a whole precinct of cops there guarding the area. I’m not sure how it is in Chicago but I think they will have police assigned to the area also. Can anyone who has done Mrs. T’s Tri confirm this?

I don’t know about Mrs. T’s, but having worked Escape from Alcatraz in June, the biggest problem about securing the transition area were the ATHLETES (!) whining about having to show your number on your body and your bike or wanting "my mother/wife/roommate", etc. come get their bike while they drank beer.  This was not everyone and the people with the really expensive bikes were very appreciative that we were checking. There should be something in the packet or something said at the pre-race meeting. clm in sf — Cathy Morgan San Francisco, CA REMOVE ZZ ZZ to e-mail me.

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This is a good point as for some of the big Olympic distance races here in the UK they require you to check in and rack your bikes the day before. This year at Windsor 3 bikes were stolen while people were still racking their bikes. This was a well planed break-in as the thieves used big wire cutters to get through the fences and timed it perfectly so the security guys were otherwise occupied. In these cases I would suggest locking your bike to the rack as you’ll have plenty of time the following morning to unlock your bike and set your kit up. Steve

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I have done Mrs T’s the last three years and the transition area is locked down pretty tight with police and volunteers.  Depending on your distance and wave time you will more than likely finish well before other waves because the wave starts go for almost two hours due to the sheer amount of people.   When going to retrieve your bike you must be escorted by a security person to clear your transition area and then escorted out. I recommend you give yourself ample time for this, as the lines grew long last year as the day progressed. Derik – Former Chicago native now in Nor Cal IMcal 00 Attempting to keep the knee cartilage intact!

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – contactmadzin  says… should I be concerned about leaving my bike in the transition area? I doubt it. What safeguards are taken by the race organizers to assure against bike theft? I don’t know about the States but here we get little number that you stick on the bikes and you can only take a bike out of transition if the number on the bike and your race number match. Mike "I don’t want my bike stolen" Madzin Personally I’ve solved the problem by only having a no-name aluminium frame with cheap racing gear on it.  With so many people racing on Cannondales and Softrides who would want to steal my no name bike.  And besides I get a great deal of pleasure in blowing away said cannondales and softrides during the bike leg. AJ

I’m worse than you AJ, I actually *count* the number of TREKs, Cannondales and Softrides I pass on my cheap seat. (Hey, we all gotta have a hobby). Last Sprint. . .  7 TREKs, 10 Cannondales and 2 Softrides.  For my Ironman in October I’m thinking of investing in a little hand-held counter.  <jk Keep on pushing it, it’s the athlete, not the equipment!  :) — Matt

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The newest trend in security is guard dogs. Very effective ! They had several dobies a couple years ago, in Perth. Great idea.

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The biggest problem you will have is getting back INTO the transition area if the race is still going on after you finish.  Last year I had to wait about 30 minutes until someone could *escort* me into the transisition so I could get my bike and gear and leave. I wouldn’t worry.  It seems much more likely that a bike could be stolen at a smaller tri. td

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contactmadzin  says… should I be concerned about leaving my bike in the transition area?

I doubt it.   What safeguards are taken by the race organizers to assure against bike theft?  

I don’t know about the States but here we get little number that you stick on the bikes and you can only take a bike out of transition if the number on the bike and your race number match. Mike "I don’t want my bike stolen" Madzin

Personally I’ve solved the problem by only having a no-name aluminium frame with cheap racing gear on it.  With so many people racing on Cannondales and Softrides who would want to steal my no name bike.  And besides I get a great deal of pleasure in blowing away said cannondales and softrides during the bike leg. AJ — If swimming is so good for the figure, explain whales Simon Haigh Illawarra Triathlon Club – Australia http://members.xoom.com/ajsimon/index.htm    

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Usually, in the cities, they will have a higher degree of security there than those in the rural area. For example, the then New York City Triathlon, held at Coney Island in the NYC area in the late 80’s/early 90’s, had what I thought was a whole precinct of cops there guarding the area. I’m not sure how it is in Chicago but I think they will have police assigned to the area also. Can anyone who has done Mrs. T’s Tri confirm this?                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMNZ, IMC ‘99 IMC’97: 10:42:53          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

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Hello everyone, First, I would like to thank everyone over the last few months for all the advice you have given me regarding a variety of subjects (wetsuits, bikes, shaving legs, ITB syndrome etc…)  My question today is about bike theft at races.  I have done a few triathlons in the past, but they were all small events with only a few hundred participants.  I currently live in Chicago, and I am planning on doing Mrs. T’s in a few weeks.  Knowing that Chicago ranks second, only to New York in bike theft, should I be concerned about leaving my bike in the transition area?  What safeguards are taken by the race organizers to assure against bike theft?  Again, thanks everyone for all your advice in the past, and I look forward to hearing your comments about this subject. With kind regards, Mike "I don’t want my bike stolen" Madzin P.S.  For all you fellow Chicago triathletes, runners, and bikers, there is a new triathlon club being started in downtown Chicago.  I don’t have much information, but I was able to attend the first meeting and it looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun.  Contact Fleet Feet on North Ave. for more information.  The phone number for Fleet Feet is (312) 587-3338.

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Question:

        I’ve got a health question for you trigeeks out there like me! Which is better for the body? Sleeping with one pillow or two at night? I’ve heard that it can cause undue strain on the neck if you use two, don’t you think this could hamper future tri efforts? Ryan A. Rowe – Montreal, Quebec aka CyberEyes, Rubik’S Cube Tel. – +1-514-626-0328                |                 __o         o WWW – http://www.cam.org/~cyberia     | __/o_       (_)/(_)       / IRC – #CAli4NiA, #Triathlon, #Surfing | FTP – ftp.cam.org /users/cyberia      |  swim          bike       run      /Seeking Internet-related job./ Read my RESUME on my home page!            "I may not know everything, but I’m willing to learn."                 Will relocate _ANYWHERE_ in North America.              "Everyone has their day, mine is July 15th, 1998."

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 Sleeping with one pillow or two at night? Your best bet is only one pillow.  A cervical pillow will give you the support you need.  Your local chiropractor should carry one.   Paul

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Your best bet is no pillows.  Sleep on your front: gives great neck flexibility for that aero position. Ha Byron J. Byron Walthall, Jr. Charlotte, NC, USA

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Todd: 1) I would be willing to bet you don’t know what the drafting rule is. 2) There is absolutely NO requirement in TriFed rules to give a warning. Period.  Officials don’t have any control over what the pre-reace course talk guy says. 3)  You can’t seriously believe that TriFed had time to hatch and execute a conspiracy to cheat someone out of a win, can you.  If you do, please call TriFed and volunteer to help man the TriFed tables at nect years nationls.  (Of course, you’ll get no lunch, no break, and a three day weekend of all work, no play, and a constant barrage of unjustified insults and rude behavior.  Trust me…you won’t have tome for a conspiracy!). Cooter

I was not implying that there was some conspiracy! I just feel that I was unfairly penalized. I go out of my way , if stuck in a pack, to stay back far enough and or stagger so that I’m more than a meter to the side of another cyclist. I do know the rule, if you are refering to the distances involved. I make it a point to not even come close to the zone , if possible – in fact I try to avoid other cyclists. I could be wrong – maybe I was in the zone for more than fifteen seconds, I didn’t have a watch or tape measure, and couldn’t escape for any more than a few minutes from the several other riders trying to escape me. No big whoop. Sorry if I hit a sore spot there cooter boy, just posting my opinion. No need to get bent outta shape. — <“`; <“`; <“`; <“`; <“`; <“`; <“`; <“`;<~

Todd N. Kenyon: fishdoctor, trigeek, geekgeek, etc. Key Biscayne, FL ~;

Question:

What are your personal goals for this year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?

My goals are as follows: 1. Complete Latta Plantation (Olympic) Triathlon in under 3 hrs. Swim (1.5k)   0:30 Bike   (45k)   1:25 Run    (10k)   0:59 This is my main local race. I train on the course, so I know what my goal times should be. 2. Complete two add’l Olympic Tri’s that I’ve never done. 3. Complete my first Half-Ironman Tri I plan to accomplish via much better training. Last year was my first year & I really didn’t know what I was doing beyond swimming, biking & running. This year, I’ve got a focused training program (email if you’d like more info), keep a log & have biking partners. Don’t need them for the swim, I’d love to find some for the run! I’m also gonna spring $$$$ for a better bike! I have been impressed with twhat I have heard from RSTers as far as training advice

Most all info I’ve gained has been through rst. You’re right, learn from the experts that post to this group. (And pick up what little advice you can from people like me who can mimick them ) Anyone can hit the Snooze button.

OK, you’ve inspire me! I’ll do my Swim Workout in the morning tomoroow!!!

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Last year my personal goals (new year’s resolutions) were to a) compete well in a duathlon (in the top quarter), b) complete a marathon, c) improve my century time to sub 5 hours and d) run a sub-40 10k.  I managed to do all except the last (40:37 damn damn damn).   This year my goals are to a) place in my age group in a duathlon, b) run a sub-40 10 k, c) complete my first triathlon (I am just learning how to swim). I think these goals are reasonably realistic. I think from the goals you mention, the hardest will be to get your bike speed up to 21 mph if you are currently at 17 mph.  Just try to ride as fast as you can and if you only get up to 20, be happy.   Good Luck! Scott. — Scott MacDougall-Shackleton   o_ Dept. of Psychology         _,/’_      Coffee:  Breakfast of Champions Johns Hopkins University   (_) (_)  

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I like to set several goals.  1) Several small "stepping stone" goals e.g. increase .5 mi/hr on the bike, or 5 seconds/mile faster in the run etc. 2) Reasonable goals for the season. 3) Dream goals for the season. I feel it is important to always have a dream goal, but also have the smaller ones so you can have the satisfaction of meeting your goals. Janet

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Just having started triathlons last season, my goals were relatively simple: Do a duathlon, do a sprint triathlon, finish, and don’t finish last.  This year, though, I need to get more specific.  I know I need to increase my average bike speed from 17 mph to 21 mph, and bring my 5k times down from 8:37 to mid 7’s.  Any suggestions on accomplishing this are welcome, but I have been reading up for training suggestions, so I don’t want to bore people with such a wide open question.  What I really want to ask is this: What are your personal goals for this year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?  I have been impressed with twhat I have heard from RSTers as far as training advice and ways to fit training into a balanced lifestyle, and I think that seeing the goal setting process of more experienced triathletes might benefit beginners like myself.  Thanks in advance. Brad W. — Anyone can hit the Snooze button. Brad W. Chesapeake, VA

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Just having started triathlons last season, my goals were relatively simple: Do a duathlon, do a sprint triathlon, finish, and don’t finish last.  This year, though, I need to get more specific.  I know I need to increase my average bike speed from 17 mph to 21 mph, and bring my 5k times down from 8:37 to mid 7’s.  Any suggestions on accomplishing this are welcome, but I

I used to think this way, too but after a while I found that I never struck the same weather conditions twice, which made it difficult to use times as a performace measure:   Swim- smooth as glass, chop, swell, waves, cold, very cold…   Run-  hot, cold, still, windy, gales, rain, hills, humidity…   Bike- hot, cold, still, windy, gales, rain, hills, flat tires.. I still hang out for a perfect day, mind you, and I know the exact time I want to do on it – 2:00 – but I also know that I’ll have to quit the day I get the perfect day cos I’ll never see another one! (I’ll have done that 2:00 anyway by then) Now my goals tend to be a bit more subtle. Number one: Quality training.  Consistency was my biggest problem. Keeping a diary helped here.  It doesnt say much, except to document what I did, how long it took, was it good or bad…days that say "skipped another" tend to stand out!  You put together 8 weeks of quality training (3x a week each of swim, run, bike) and I dont care how bad/slow you were to start, you’ll be a lot better! I used to have a 6 month layoff over winter – now I dont. That made a big difference too cos it effectively saved me the 8 weeks! Number two: Smart training.  Start slow and only gradually increase the intensity and duration.  Stay injury free.  Find your limits and stay inside them. Its not easy training "full on" in 3 disciplines. Heard the saying "train to race, dont race to train"? Number three: Learn technique.  I used to think that anyone can ride a bike, swim a bit and run a bit.  And its true – but I pass them. I found swimming the most technical – Join a squad.  Best thing I did. Number four: Be positive. Session intensity, duration and quality will automatically fill themselves out if you have a positive attitude. We had a guy in the swim squad who used to stop when he got tired and then say "but how to I improve – I keep getting tired and the others are getting better"?!  Of course you get tired – but now you’re doing more distance, faster, you fool! I know from my training times that I am improving, but somehow there are always people still finishing ahead of me…I’m not going to win, I’ve learned to live with that. I’ve just turned 35 – but so have most of the elites and they aren’t slowing down, either! Bastards I tend to focus on one race at a time, build mentally for it. I cant hold a long term goal – I cant save money, either! But anyone can have a short term goal – and when this race is over I’ll switch immediately to the next one, and then the next one… If I have a good race I’m happy.   A "good" race is one I feel satisfied with my effort, intensity, pace, approach, technique…oh, and maybe my time but not usually. I’ve done enough tris to be objective about it. For example my number 1 goal for my next race on the 29th is to have a more agressive swim – I feel I’ve tended to cruise it for the first half and then by the time I’m ready to make a move its over! If I can get past that I’ll think of something else for the next race. Sorry to ramble – Hey, it *is* a lifestyle thing, you know! —                                                               __o      o       Jim Simmons, Lower Hutt, New Zealand           ____/o__   _ |/<_     <      

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Question:

Ross) writes:

Netters, flame me if i’m wrong, but I think that for an Olympic distance race, food during the event just isn’t a priority, even for newbies.  Just eat lightly a few hours before the race. Maybe carry one 0r two Gatorade ReLode packets or Leppin?? Fluid on the bike is important, carry 1-2 bottles of water/electrolyte (unless it’s brutally hot, of course, then drink a lot) and drink on the run at aid stations. I feel olympic distance is pretty user-friendly for most and carrying sacks of food can be overkill, though I guess it’s pretty harmless overkill. Keep it simple.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ross) writes: Netters, flame me if i’m wrong, but I think that for an Olympic distance race, food during the event just isn’t a priority, even for newbies.  Just eat lightly a few hours before the race. Maybe carry one 0r two Gatorade ReLode packets or Leppin?? Fluid on the bike is important, carry 1-2 bottles of water/electrolyte (unless it’s brutally hot, of course, then drink a lot) and drink on the run at aid stations. I feel olympic distance is pretty user-friendly for most and carrying sacks of food can be overkill, though I guess it’s pretty harmless overkill. Keep it simple.

I generally agree with the KISS (keep it simple -n- stupid) principle.  If your predicted time is closer to 2:00 hours, then you can do it on water alone.  As you get close to 3:00 hours+, then you need to start eating some calories. My guess would be to eat either at the swim-bike transition or early on the bike and take fluids for the rest.    W.Patrick Brug, Ph.D.  _-           -_    Los Alamos National Lab -__       __-                                       /    cis:      72410,3372        /  

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I am planning on doing my first triathlon in October in Noosa, Australia. I am curious as to what levels of fluids and food that I should be taking on in a race (1.5/40/10)?  I am particularly interested what rate do you consume fluids, not overall consumption.   Also when is the best time to take it – during the cycle and then missing out during the run???  The temperatures in Noosa around then should be about 30 degrees celcius (sorry dont know what that is in F). Generally when I do a 40 k training cycle I consume just over a litre of water (one biddon) and I usually take a muesli bar or a yoghurt/fruit slice.  I might stop for a very quick gulp in a 10k training run, but dont bother for shorter distances. I figure the one or two beers that we have after a weekend ride doesn’t help me B-).  I am quite a strong swimmer so I only swallow about one or two litres of the pool in training B-), this is a bit of a worry as we will be swimming in salt water! I am worried that over 2 and a half hours or so that just leaving it to how I feel at the time might not work so well and that I should concentrate on topping up throughout the race.  I figure that Gatorade or someone is supplying at drink stations, but so far haven’t bothered with energy drinks, should I start using some of these in training? Cheers Kelvin   _-_|        Kelvin Ross.  /     *  <–  Software Verification Research Centre      Tel:   +61 7 365 1657  _.-._/       The University of Queensland               Fax:   +61 7 365 1533 6 months to submit my thesis and I’m looking for a postdoc job – hint, hint B-)

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Question:

I hate when people call running boring.  I get that comment more then anything from people who either 1) lift or 2) swim.  Look who’s talking.  First of all, running(if you run outside), the scenery is different every day, and you’re outside enjoying good ‘ol mother nature and her fresh air. Lifting involves spending about an hour and a 1/2 sitting in an indoor gym lifting metal breathing stale air. Some lifters I know have spent 5 hours in the gym!  Swimmers swim god knows how many laps back and forth to workout. I’m not bashing lifting or swimming in either way as they are excellent workouts in them selves.  I just needed to vent the urge to slap people when they have the notion to call running boring! :^) Thanks for the time, Eric —        –    O   The race is not always              Eric J. Lorenzo

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Running boring??  Not!! I started my athletic career at the age of 1 with swimming.  I swam year round competitively from age 4 to 15 and 16 to 18.  I gave it up for running when I went to college because I was bored to tears swimming back and forth. I’ve yet to get bored with running.  Even if I run the same routes everyday for several months, the weather is always different, the people are always different, etc., etc. Running is NOT boring.  But then I’m preaching to the choir aren’t I? Just my personal experience. — Suzanne Roat                            Phone:  (510) 242-5313 Voice Chevron Research and Technology Company         (510) 242-4647 FAX Richmond, CA  94802-0627

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I hate when people call running boring.  I get that comment more then anything Thanks for the time, Eric —       —    O   The race is not always              Eric J. Lorenzo

Hey Eric, I completely agree…I’ve run for over 20 years (starting in AAU at age 12) and I’ve heard the "running is boring" commment more times than I care to remember…I find that most people who say that to me haven’t stuck out their choice of workout for very long (a couple of months maybe)…they can’t believe I would prefer to run over other activities… Don’t get me wrong I do other things (basketball, softball, golf, etc.) but I prefer running for maximum results and body satisfaction… Well, that’s all I had, Jean

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Eric J. Lorenzo writes: I hate when people call running boring.  I get that comment more then anything from people who either 1) lift or 2) swim.  Look who’s talking.  First of all, running(if you run outside), the scenery is different every day, and you’re outside enjoying good ‘ol mother nature and her fresh air.

The only part of running that I have found boring is doing solo runs of 15+ miles.  Talk about mind-numbing!  I’d _almost_ rather swim or lift.

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The only part of running that I have found boring is doing solo runs of 15+ miles.  Talk about mind-numbing!  I’d _almost_ rather swim or

lift.

Ahh!! But that’s the point!  I can see you have not been biten by the ultra-bug.  Good for you! I, unfortunately, delight in taking off with my water bottles strapped to my back for 7 or 8 hours at a stretch and covering 35-50 miles.  By the time I get home, there’s nothing left in my head but stale air.  Not that there’s anything else there to start with. — Suzanne Roat                            Phone:  (510) 242-5313 Voice Chevron Research and Technology Company         (510) 242-4647 FAX Richmond, CA  94802-0627

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Looks like I have tendonitis, so I haven’t been running for 2 months now.  :-( Anyway, other than laying off it, and icing the ankle, does anyone else know what I can do to heal faster?

 just a little something, if I understand it you mean with "tendonitis" "tendinit", which is an inflamation in a tendon. In that case you should rest and make sure it’s *warm*, not cold…  your local doctor can give you shots of heparin, give you some inflamation inhibiting medicine or put you in a tournique…  Department of Physics, University of Stockholm — Sweden (Northern Europe)

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I, unfortunately, delight in taking off with my water bottles strapped to my back for 7 or 8 hours at a stretch and covering 35-50 miles.  By the time I get home, there’s nothing left in my head but stale air.  Not that there’s anything else there to start with. — Suzanne Roat                                Phone:  (510) 242-5313 Voice Chevron Research and Technology Company             (510) 242-4647 FAX Richmond, CA  94802-0627

I know this lady and will definitely attest to the condition of her head.  Of course, she’s not chopped liver in trail ultras, as a few age group trophies and a second woman at the World’s Toughest Triathlon will attest.   Personally, I find no trouble at all in doing long solo runs in training, and of course, in an ultra, you often find yourself running alone for long stretches.  (But then you do have aid station people to talk to from time to time.)  I have myself run the Western States 100 without crew and without pacer, so that I was running for about 24 hours pretty much by myself.  I didn’t have any trouble staying away from boredom, though, although  running alone through a forest in the early hours of the morning  wi th only a flashlight for company can get a little wierd – the shadows keep jumping around and you can imagine all kinds of things…… Martin

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: I hate when people call running boring.  I get that comment more then anything : from people who either 1) lift or 2) swim.  Look who’s talking.  First of all, : running(if you run outside), the scenery is different every day, and you’re : outside enjoying good ‘ol mother nature and her fresh air. : : Lifting involves spending about an hour and a 1/2 sitting in an indoor gym : lifting metal breathing stale air. Some lifters I know have spent 5 hours in : the gym!  Swimmers swim god knows how many laps back and forth to workout. : : I’m not bashing lifting or swimming in either way as they are excellent : workouts in them selves.  I just needed to vent the urge to slap people when : they have the notion to call running boring! :^) : : Thanks for the time, : Eric : : — :        –    O   The race is not always              Eric J. Lorenzo

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