Question:

Orthotics can be made by a variety of places. I got mine from the sports med shop where are the people who work there are Kinesiologists. Very hapy. My running partner got hers from a Chiropractor who happens to be a runner and triathlete. I saw a podiatrist and was none too impressed- they wanted doublr the price and the guiy saw me for 3 minutes. Didn’t explain what was wrong- which is important to me. Some advice that the Kinesiologist had for me was to try some over the counter ones such as birkenstock or superfeet and see if the help. They help alot of people. I wear otc ones in my regular shoes and the custom ones in my  runners- my feet need more support when I am running it seems. I agree with the other poster- get recommendations from other runners as to where they got theirs. I have had great luck with the sports med people, but rotten luck elsewhere. I am sure the podiatrist is not a runner and I tnd to feel that runners or athletes understand sports related problems better than anyone. My feet are very happy now! My orthotics came in a week and they are to last about 2 years- they were $300 but insurance will cover that. If you have no insurance, a 24.99 pair of birkenstocks may be a good investment to start! Jenn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m thinking of getting orthotics for my wide, flat feet. My insurance covers the cost of them, which is nice.  I’m wondering what difference there is between going to a podiatrist to get them or an orthopedic surgeon. Does anyone have any insight on this? Also, how long do orthotics last, and how long will it take to get them? And, does anyone know any podiatrists/orthopedic surgeons in the Northern New Jersey who are runners or specialize in treating runners? Thanks for the help, Mike

Response:

Find someone else who had orthotics made and is happy with them.  While they are molded to your feet, there is an art and science to how to shape the various posts and inserts. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m thinking of getting orthotics for my wide, flat feet. My insurance covers the cost of them, which is nice.  I’m wondering what difference there is between going to a podiatrist to get them or an orthopedic surgeon. Does anyone have any insight on this? Also, how long do orthotics last, and how long will it take to get them? And, does anyone know any podiatrists/orthopedic surgeons in the Northern New Jersey who are runners or specialize in treating runners? Thanks for the help, Mike

Response:

Hi, I’m thinking of getting orthotics for my wide, flat feet.   My insurance covers the cost of them, which is nice.  I’m wondering what difference there is between going to a podiatrist to get them or an orthopedic surgeon.   Does anyone have any insight on this? Also, how long do orthotics last, and how long will it take to get them?   And, does anyone know any podiatrists/orthopedic surgeons in the Northern New Jersey who are runners or specialize in treating runners? Thanks for the help, Mike

Response:

Question:

(I tried to post this once, but it didn’t appear to go through, so I apologize if this turns out to be a repost.)) I’ve recently been bitten by the multi-sport bug, and I’m wondering how much I really need to spend on a bike. I did my first triathlon last month on an old, borrowed touring bike that weighs at least 40 pouns and is in bad need of a tuneup. No aerobars, no cylcing shoes, one of the cranks is bent. I can comfortably go 18 mph on this bike. I have no formal bike training at this point, just what dad taugt me when I was 6 and some stuff I read in books. I ran cross country in high school and was pretty good, and I’m a decent swimmer. So, given sufficient training and a decent bike, I think I could potentially challenge for age group awards (currently 30-34). Next summer I’d like to do a few Olympic-distance races, a century ride, and a half-ironman. If that goes well, maybe an ironman the summer after. I’ve seen some bikes that look like nice road bikes for about $800 and a really nice tri bike (a Cannondale Multisport 800) for $1500. My questions are: How much faster should I expect to be able to go on the $800 road bike? What about the $1500 tri bike? And–most importantly–does the extra $700 buy a big enough difference in speed that I have any chance of justifying it to my wife? I have a host of related questions, like what kind of speed improvement do you get from the cylcing shoe/pedal combo? What about aerobars? Also, tri geometry is supposed to isolate the quads to save other muscles for running. How much extra speed does this give you in the run? Does it cost you speed in the bike since you’re using more quads and less hamstrings/glutes/etc? How big a difference does the tri geometry make when you’re doing an ironman as opposed to a sprint triathlon. Thanks in advance for your help. -Harold Buck

Response:

<snip How much faster should I expect to be able to go on the $800 road bike? What about the $1500 tri bike? And–most importantly–does the extra $700 buy a big enough difference in speed that I have any chance of justifying it to my wife?

Read some of the articles on slowtwitch.com about tri-specific geometry before deciding.  I’ve found them very informative. I have a host of related questions, like what kind of speed improvement do you get from the cylcing shoe/pedal combo?

Huge.  You can now use your entire leg all the way through the pedal stroke ("pedalling in circles").  Of course you have to learn the technique, comes with a little practice. What about aerobars?

Also huge.  Something like 95% of your effort on the bike goes into overcoming resistance from the air.  The more time you can spend tucked on a properly-fitted aero setup the faster you’ll go.  Especially considering many races are laid out fairly flat (aero doesn’t help much with slow climbs). Don’t have any experience with your other questions…however I would suggest a great bang-for-the-buck is spending $250 or so on a tri- specific wetsuit for the swims. Cheers S. Austin Before you buy.

Response:

I have a host of related questions, like what kind of speed improvement do you get from the cylcing shoe/pedal combo? Huge.  You can now use your entire leg all the way through the pedal stroke ("pedalling in circles").  Of course you have to learn the technique, comes with a little practice.

Thanks for your response. I was hoping to get something a bit more specific, though. Does "huge" mean another quarter mph or 3 mph difference? For a quarter mph, I’d probably save the money and be a bit slower, but for 3 mph I’d have no problem spending the cash. In between it would depend. And, since I’m trying to justify the money I spend, this info would really help. What about aerobars? Also huge.  Something like 95% of your effort on the bike goes into overcoming resistance from the air.  The more time you can spend tucked on a properly-fitted aero setup the faster you’ll go.  Especially considering many races are laid out fairly flat (aero doesn’t help much with slow climbs).

Same thing here: percentage-wise, how much do I shave off my times with aerobars? Thanks much! -Harold

Response:

It all depends on you. A non-cyclist would not perceive any real difference with an entry level bike or a top of the line bike. Sure, if he lifted it up he’d notice it was lighter. If he inspected it closely, he’d notice the components look of higher quality. But when he got on the road with it, he’d probably only notice that it rolled more smoothly, not that it shifted more crisply, it cornered with more stability, it stopped better and more reliably, etc… he’d have no body of experience with which to judge it. His cycling ability would not allow him to take advantage of the climbing ability of such a bike, his VO2Max wouldn’t let him time trial on it at 25mph, etc… But a pro cyclist would surely notice the differnces AND be able to utilize them. Where do you fit in between these two? (where do I?) Lots of guys (and gals) can kick my butt on an inexpensive bike. I ride pretty nice bikes – Litespeeds, Aegis, Softrides, etc.., but do I really need them? Who knows. What do I get from them? Reliability. Looks. Ego strokes. Crisp shifting. Good handling. Comfortable aero positions. But what I think I get most of all is that I ride more often and ride more miles because I look forward to the integration of man and well engineered machine. I feel like I’m part of a single machine when I’m on a really nice, well fit bike, not that I’m trying to get down the road on some wierd thing with wheels. I dig that feeling, and it makes me more likely to get out the door and down the road, and that’s surely worth some amount of money. If I’m cursing at my dropped chain, my ragged tires, worn gears, poorly designed deraileurs, and uncomfortable handlebars it makes me want to get off the bike. If I can shift my gears pretty much by just thinking about it, well, that’s cool – and if you’ve ever had a shifting system that is so awesome you pretty much just tap a shifter and hear the click, you know what I mean. If you’ve had a crappy one that you had to force your way to a shift, you also know what I mean. Am I faster? As I said, who knows? I do know, for a definite fact, that I have never been faster than I was on my Litespeed Blade. I also know that I have never been more comfortable than I have been on my Softride. But then again, I know that my Aegis handled like a Porsche (oops – BMW M5) and all together better than the other two combined. They all do different things, and they all lend themselves to enjoying the sport more. Is that worth the price? You bet your butt it is. Sorry I avoided the technicals, but to me they’re not as important as the intangibles. Hope this helped some. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (I tried to post this once, but it didn’t appear to go through, so I apologize if this turns out to be a repost.)) I’ve recently been bitten by the multi-sport bug, and I’m wondering how much I really need to spend on a bike. I did my first triathlon last month on an old, borrowed touring bike that weighs at least 40 pouns and is in bad need of a tuneup. No aerobars, no cylcing shoes, one of the cranks is bent. I can comfortably go 18 mph on this bike. I have no formal bike training at this point, just what dad taugt me when I was 6 and some stuff I read in books. I ran cross country in high school and was pretty good, and I’m a decent swimmer. So, given sufficient training and a decent bike, I think I could potentially challenge for age group awards (currently 30-34). Next summer I’d like to do a few Olympic-distance races, a century ride, and a half- ironman. If that goes well, maybe an ironman the summer after. I’ve seen some bikes that look like nice road bikes for about $800 and a really nice tri bike (a Cannondale Multisport 800) for $1500. My questions are: How much faster should I expect to be able to go on the $800 road bike? What about the $1500 tri bike? And–most importantly–does the extra $700 buy a big enough difference in speed that I have any chance of justifying it to my wife? I have a host of related questions, like what kind of speed improvement do you get from the cylcing shoe/pedal combo? What about aerobars? Also, tri geometry is supposed to isolate the quads to save other muscles for running. How much extra speed does this give you in the run? Does it cost you speed in the bike since you’re using more quads and less

hamstrings/glutes/etc? How big a difference does the tri geometry make when you’re doing an ironman as opposed to a sprint triathlon. Thanks in advance for your help. -Harold Buck

Before you buy.

Response:

Unless you’re currently on a mountain bike with knobby tires, you won’t see three miles per hour difference, no matter what the bike. You WILL see 3 mph if you train smartly (and with a coach), even on your current bike, especially if you’re new at the sport, that is when you’ll make your most dramatic gains. A quarter mile per hour, sure, a good bike, the right tires (and pressures) and aerobars/wheels will give you that. I would think though, that you can get a 1/4mph out of your current bike by spending no cash at all – tire pressures, lubrication, position, etc… (but I’ve never been one to refrain from the solutions presented by spending cash) Others will disagree. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a host of related questions, like what kind of speed improvement do you get from the cylcing shoe/pedal combo? Huge.  You can now use your entire leg all the way through the pedal stroke ("pedalling in circles").  Of course you have to learn the technique, comes with a little practice. Thanks for your response. I was hoping to get something a bit more specific, though. Does "huge" mean another quarter mph or 3 mph difference? For a quarter mph, I’d probably save the money and be a bit slower, but for 3 mph I’d have no problem spending the cash. In between it would depend. And, since I’m trying to justify the money I spend, this info would really help. What about aerobars? Also huge.  Something like 95% of your effort on the bike goes into overcoming resistance from the air.  The more time you can spend tucked on a properly-fitted aero setup the faster you’ll go.  Especially considering many races are laid out fairly flat (aero doesn’t help much with slow climbs). Same thing here: percentage-wise, how much do I shave off my times with aerobars? Thanks much! -Harold

Before you buy.

Response:

Thanks for your response. I was hoping to get something a bit more specific, though. Does "huge" mean another quarter mph or 3 mph difference? For a quarter mph, I’d probably save the money and be a bit slower, but for 3 mph I’d have no problem spending the cash. In between it would depend. And, since I’m trying to justify the money I spend, this info would really help. Same thing here: percentage-wise, how much do I shave off my times with aerobars?

It’s irrelevant.  Part of the fun of triathlon is building/buying the trickest bike around, a neverending quest.  It’s a hobby.  The only logical need for the information you seek is to justify the expenditures to a spouse, and unless your spouse is an engineer, you should be able to fake most of it.  If you spouse is an engineer, then the sheer gadgetry of it will suffice for justification.

Response:

Unless you’re currently on a mountain bike with knobby tires, you won’t see three miles per hour difference, no matter what the bike. You WILL see 3 mph if you train smartly (and with a coach), even on your current bike, especially if you’re new at the sport, that is when you’ll make your most dramatic gains. A quarter mile per hour, sure, a good bike, the right tires (and pressures) and aerobars/wheels will give you that. I would think though, that you can get a 1/4mph out of your current bike by spending no cash at all – tire pressures, lubrication, position, etc… (but I’ve never been one to refrain from the solutions presented by spending cash) Others will disagree.

Mike, Your observations are well-reasoned, thoughtful and (to my mind) very, very true…  So, of course others here will disagree heartily. -Kevin Munday

Response:

Thanks for your response. I was hoping to get something a bit more specific, though. Does "huge" mean another quarter mph or 3 mph difference? For a quarter mph, I’d probably save the money and be a bit slower, but for 3 mph I’d have no problem spending the cash. In between it would depend. And, since I’m trying to justify the money I spend, this info would really help.

You’re asking a question that doesn’t have the kind of answer you’re looking for.  Money and "fast" aren’t directly linked as such.  For example, you’d be somewhat faster on a Schwinn Varsity (the battleship of road bikes from the ’60s) than on a Cannondale with the same geometry, assuming a flat course.  This is due to the fact that the extra weight costs you very little in terms of speed, but the skinny fork (SOLID steel!!!) and smaller frame tubing would more than overcome the loss of speed due to weight. Your best $/speed bargains are in aerobars and aero wheels.  But even then the advantage between a typical 32h spoked wheel and dual disks isn’t 3mph (maybe 0.5mph?). Same thing here: percentage-wise, how much do I shave off my times with aerobars?

Depends on your position now, and the position you’ll be in with aerobars.  There are riders whose posiiton on the drops is so good, and position on aerobars is so bad that the difference is miniscule, or even negative.  I’d guess in my case that the difference is around 1mph – YMMV. And of course it all varies greatly with the speed you ride – if you’re looking for huge improvements at 16mph, they’re just not going to be there – but at 25mph, they can be much more significant. Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ Home of the $695 ti frame

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HB,  Also factor in that getting into this biking thing is a lot like buying a boat.  Brother, you will be sinking almost as much cash in acessories as you will in the purchase of the bike.  Not really, but you will be surprised.  It sounds like you’ve got some high aspirations.  Consider buying used?  This is a great time to pick up a deal, and you’ll typcially get alot more bike for the buck. Before you buy.

Response:

Then I feel compelled to offer a conflicting viewpoint. It is quite possible that cumulative factors could yield an improvement in the 3 mph range.  We’re talking about going from a total clunker to an entry level racing machine. Lightness and responsiveness will make some difference.  The better quality will be apparent in the feel and handling of the new bike.  This will be a contributing factor but will probably be responsible for only a small part of the gain. Going from toe clips to clipless will also be a measurable improvement.  Even with cleated shoes, toe clips just don’t meld you to the bike the way that the clipless setup does. Adding aerobars will also add speed if you use them.  How much speed depends upon the use but it could be very significant depending upon the course and conditions. Last on my list are the psychological factors.  A good bike makes riding more enjoyable.  Hopefully that will encourage you to ride more often and give the confidence to train harder.  Making the purchase also means making a commitment.  You made an investment and now you have to get your money’s worth out of it. I own 2 bicycles – a Nishiki Modulus and a Cannondale (R600?).  I use the Nishiki for commuting and the Cannondale for racing although on occasion I commute on the Cannondale.  The difference between the two bikes is very significant.  The C’dale cuts 5 minutes off a 35 minute commute on a flat route.  My previous commute was hilly but the results were similar.  I have tracked this for several years and in my case, I see a huge difference just by changing bikes. In summary, just buying a new bike won’t automatically make you faster.  You’ll need to drill for technique, endurance, and speed.   But good equipment will definitely make a difference.  You definitely have a better chance of a large performance increase with a good mount than you do on one that feels inadequate. Larry Unless you’re currently on a mountain bike with knobby tires, you won’t see three miles per hour difference, no matter what the bike.

snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Others will disagree. Mike, Your observations are well-reasoned, thoughtful and (to my mind) very, very true…  So, of course others here will disagree heartily. -Kevin Munday

Response:

Last on my list are the psychological factors.  A good bike makes riding more enjoyable.  Hopefully that will encourage you to ride more often and give the confidence to train harder.  Making the purchase also means making a commitment.  You made an investment and now you have to get your money’s worth out of it.

This is very, very true – and the reason so many people are right (though for the wrong reason) when they say "my new bike is SO much faster than my old bike".   Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ Home of the $695 ti frame

Response:

(I tried to post this once, but it didn’t appear to go through, so I apologize if this turns out to be a repost.)) I’ve recently been bitten by the multi-sport bug, and I’m wondering how much I really need to spend on a bike.

$1000 to $1500 road bike is what I would recommend.  Its hard to beat Cannondale. They are a world class frame that is used in Tour de France for about $400-$500! I did an Ironman Qualifier on a $250 used road bike once. If you start to really ride allot then more money and more bikes are justifiable.

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Question:

The result are up on Ultafit’s web page http://www.ultrafit-usa.com/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone know where I can find results to the Wendy’s Triathlon that took place at Alum Creek in Ohio on July 25?

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Anyone know where I can find results to the Wendy’s Triathlon that took place at Alum Creek in Ohio on July 25?

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Question:

Thats what the whole of Australia is asking. We even contacted our local MP and asked them if they could get more info. All we got was that all tickets had been sold, i did however get an offer to buy tickets at $200.00Aud each, original prices was $64.00Aud ea., from a travel agent in Sydney who aparently got them through other ’sources’ ! The whole Sydney Olympics is a big scam to most people in our region. Lloyd — Curloo Bicycles web:          http://www.curloo.com                   http://www.deewal.com associate:  http://www.elitebicycles.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to buy some Olympic Triathlon tickets recently and discovered that the Canadian Olympic Association was allocated a grand total of THREE (3) tickets for the women’s event and NONE for the men’s. Where have all the tickets gone? Ken Ken Parker Runner’s Web A running & triathlon resource site. http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html

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Think that is a rip off…get this, you could sign up for about a weeks worth of Olympic spender through the USAT’s travel agent for something over $12,000 US (if you sign up early – I think it went up to $15,000 after Jan – Feb).  And, this doesn’t include tickets to any Olympic event. Nor, any guarantee of getting tickets.  I put my name in the ticket lottery back in November.  Haven’t got a reply yet (heavy sigh).  I don’t remember the details, I threw away this USAT travel package "deal".  If I go, I decided that I will stay in a New Zealand or Perth and fly in/out every day and save money.  If I don’t get tickets…well, I could probably lease a helicopter for a day to view the Triathlon – by then, the helicopter might cost about the same as the ticket cost.  Ah well, there is always TV (another heavy sigh) Joe "meer tri-mortal finding Olympic = rip-off" Moya – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to buy some Olympic Triathlon tickets recently and discovered that the Canadian Olympic Association was allocated a grand total of THREE (3) tickets for the women’s event and NONE for the men’s. Where have all the tickets gone? Ken Ken Parker Runner’s Web A running & triathlon resource site. http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html

Before you buy.

Response:

Atlanta ain’t looking so bad when compared to this fiasco…….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well… the cynic in me (what me??) would say that the aim was to make it more tv friendly — ‘cos that’s the only way anyone was ever likely to be able to view it. Olympic Tickets is a scam — all of Australia is asking "what happened??" — MB. Does anyone beside me see the irony in this, considering how the ITU has been telling us that the changes made to triathlon for the Olympics were necessary to make it more spectator-friendly for the non-athletic masses?

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Ken, I can tell you from my experience getting tickets in Atlanta, we saw everything we wanted to. The deal is that tickets are allotted to sponsors, govt., etc and then sometime closer to the event those tickets are put back in the pool of available tickets.

Due to the lottery system back in ‘96 I was only able to pre-purchase a single track cycling ticket for Atlanta.  Once I was down there getting tickets was absolutely no problem.  In fact they were actually GIVING away tickets to swimming trials if you got there early enough. (Some corporation had hundreds left over, so they gave some out and the box office sold the rest). Of course all the best seats (for VIPs) were still empty for both swimming & track cycling (velodrome attendance was disgusting – 1/2 the venue was empty seats even though it was "sold out"). SO I imagine there will be a similar scenerio in Australia (though it is more comforting to be able to prepurchase). -hug Before you buy.

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Hmmm!  So, the plan is to… … fly half way around the world … … and prepare to pay about $1,500 a night … … on an chance that the tickets will be available.  With a deal like that how can you go wrong? Where do I sign up Joe Moya   … asking the "REAL" question?  DO YOU GET A T-SHIRT? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ken, I can tell you from my experience getting tickets in Atlanta, we saw everything we wanted to. The deal is that tickets are allotted to sponsors, govt., etc and then sometime closer to the event those tickets are put back in the pool of available tickets. I just kept watching the web site and eventually even the best seats to the best events (including opening and closing ceremonies) became available. They were not cheap. I think we paid $260 each to see the final night of Track and Field. (Athletics) We also participated in the lottery but only got a couple of tickets that way. I ended up spending about $1800 on tickets which I parceled out to friends and family who wanted to go. Good luck. Wendy "persistant as always" in St. Pete Beach

Before you buy.

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$260 USD that’s about $400 Aud. If you could get a seat within a mile of the Sydney stadium for that much money you would be in luck. I think the Sydney Olympics will be the end of this type of blatant crap. I cannot see the general public putting up with this again. Worst thing in all this is that the more money wasted on the 2 weeks of the Olympics there will be a lot less money for the athletes for the next 3 years. Just look at all the bike and clothing companies who all of a sudden jump up and sponsor Olympic athletes, then next year they get dumped and have to struggle again. Lloyd — Curloo Bicycles web:          http://www.curloo.com                   http://www.deewal.com associate:  http://www.elitebicycles.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ken, I can tell you from my experience getting tickets in Atlanta, we saw everything we wanted to. The deal is that tickets are allotted to sponsors, govt., etc and then sometime closer to the event those tickets are put back in the pool of available tickets. I just kept watching the web site and eventually even the best seats to the best events (including opening and closing ceremonies) became available. They were not cheap. I think we paid $260 each to see the final night of Track and Field. (Athletics) We also participated in the lottery but only got a couple of tickets that way. I ended up spending about $1800 on tickets which I parceled out to friends and family who wanted to go. Good luck. Wendy "persistant as always" in St. Pete Beach

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Does anyone beside me see the irony in this, considering how the ITU has been telling us that the changes made to triathlon for the Olympics were necessary to make it more spectator-friendly for the non-athletic masses?

Maybe they made a mistake when they typed "non-athletic masses". Maybe the "m" was not supposed to be there??? D.J. " I know— shut up and wipe my nose;-)"   (IRONKID) PPS    just to let someone know I learned something:)

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Where have all the tickets gone?

They were bought up and burned by age groupers angry at the ITU? <g

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I tried to buy some Olympic Triathlon tickets recently and discovered that the Canadian Olympic Association was allocated a grand total of THREE (3) tickets for the women’s event and NONE for the men’s. Where have all the tickets gone?

I don’t know what happened to all the public tickets, but the triathlon was designated as a "premier event" or whatever they call it. This means that there are a limited number of available tickets, and a large chunk of tickets alloted for the IOC, visiting dignitaries, heads of athletic unions, etc etc. John "Ad astra per aspera" "A rough road leads to the stars"    http://www.newsfeeds.com       The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!

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I don’t know what happened to all the public tickets, but the triathlon was designated as a "premier event" or whatever they call it. This means that there are a limited number of available tickets, and a large chunk of tickets alloted for the IOC, visiting dignitaries, heads of athletic unions, etc etc.

Does anyone beside me see the irony in this, considering how the ITU has been telling us that the changes made to triathlon for the Olympics were necessary to make it more spectator-friendly for the non-athletic masses?

Response:

Ken, I can tell you from my experience getting tickets in Atlanta, we saw everything we wanted to. The deal is that tickets are allotted to sponsors, govt., etc and then sometime closer to the event those tickets are put back in the pool of available tickets. I just kept watching the web site and eventually even the best seats to the best events (including opening and closing ceremonies) became available. They were not cheap. I think we paid $260 each to see the final night of Track and Field. (Athletics) We also participated in the lottery but only got a couple of tickets that way. I ended up spending about $1800 on tickets which I parceled out to friends and family who wanted to go. Good luck. Wendy "persistant as always" in St. Pete Beach

Response:

I don’t know what happened to all the public tickets, but the triathlon was designated as a "premier event" or whatever they call it. This means that there are a limited number of available tickets, and a large chunk of tickets alloted for the IOC, visiting dignitaries, heads of athletic unions, etc etc. Does anyone beside me see the irony in this, considering how the ITU has been telling us that the changes made to triathlon for the Olympics were necessary to make it more spectator-friendly for the non-athletic masses?

There you go, thinking again.  Stop it! it’s unnatural.

Response:

Well… the cynic in me (what me??) would say that the aim was to make it more tv friendly — ‘cos that’s the only way anyone was ever likely to be able to view it. Olympic Tickets is a scam — all of Australia is asking "what happened??" — MB. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone beside me see the irony in this, considering how the ITU has been telling us that the changes made to triathlon for the Olympics were necessary to make it more spectator-friendly for the non-athletic masses?

Response:

i read recently that of the 3000 or something seats available in the grandstand for the triathlon, all of 30 were for sale to the public and the rest were given to media, dignitaries, and people with friends in high places. the olympics have so much potential but have become such a sham. -mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to buy some Olympic Triathlon tickets recently and discovered that the Canadian Olympic Association was allocated a grand total of THREE (3) tickets for the women’s event and NONE for the men’s. Where have all the tickets gone?

Response:

My thoughts were that J. H****n used the money he would have otherwise had to buy Spinervals tapes with to insted purchase all of the tickets, in an effort to further peeve the triathletes who he desperately does not want to be like. — Don’t tax the NET! http://www.worldnetdaily.com/petition/dont_tax_internet.php3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where have all the tickets gone? They were bought up and burned by age groupers angry at the ITU? <g

Response:

I tried to buy some Olympic Triathlon tickets recently and discovered that the Canadian Olympic Association was allocated a grand total of THREE (3) tickets for the women’s event and NONE for the men’s. Where have all the tickets gone? Ken Ken Parker Runner’s Web A running & triathlon resource site. http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html

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Question:

:There are also several on-line coaching services. :     do you have any address for one such service??

TriBaby used "supercoach" (http://www.supercoach.com) for her first Ironman if my memory serves me correctly. Try mailing her (http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie/) for an opinion of their service. I haven’t used them so don’t know what they’re like. There’s also Rod Cedaro’s "TriTraining" site at http://www.tri-training.com.au which someone from r.s.t. (can’t remember who) recommended to me a long time ago. I haven’t used them either. There are probably lots of others out there too. thanks for your advice, Christian!

You’re welcome adrian IMUK98 12:19                         Dare to dream !

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:What level are you? :What are your goals? :What are your strengths and weeknesses? :You need to answer these before anyone can give you specific advice. : :A good place to start might be a bookshop. :There are also several on-line coaching services. :     do you have any address for one such service?? :adrian : thanks for your advice, Christian! :IMUK98 12:19                           Dare to dream !

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I admire your ambition.  My suggestion is to temper your youthfulness with a couple of years of experience gathering by working your way to Ironman distances by doing shorter races and progressing to 1/2 IM distances first.   Don’t make IM your first goal.  Set some intermediate steps that will allow you to gain experience and confidence.  IM distances are nothing to play with.  You need to be serious about your training and the level of dedication needed. Also, your body needs to adapt to the stresses you will put it under, and there are many. Good luck.  Post your progress.

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Hi, I

Question:

This was a topic of discussion on RST last year.  I paid attention because achilles tendonitis just about ruined my triathlon season in 1997.  It started in only the left one, but eventually affected both ankles.   I received a ton of advice on what to do, some of it very conflicting. However, I’m totally healthy again and running pain free for the first time in a while.  So, something I did must’ve worked. Rest is probably the first and foremost thing you want to do initially.  If rest doesn’t do anything after a week or two, then the problem may be more severe than just tendonitis (i.e. a partial tear).  Ice therapy after workouts is an excellent idea along with anit-inflammatory drugs.  I’ve been told that NOT stretching the tendon is a good idea, and this seemed to work for me.  It can be difficult to stretch your calfs without hitting the Achilles, but it can be done with care.  Running hills hard, especially steep ones, is BAD.  Using a shoe insert for a heel lift was also advised.  I used a 1/4 in. heel lift, but I’m not sure if it really helped me.  Currently, I’m not using any kind of orthodic/insert. Hope this helps. Dave Radomski

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Ok, my Doctor has ‘benched’ me for two weeks as a result of a mild case of Achilles Tendinitis (very sore heel).  I am instructed not to run and to concentrate on another form of exercise (i.e, swimming) for the time being. Also, I am to take Ibuprofen Tablets regularily until the two weeks expire. Question.  Do you think it’s safe for me to use an excercise bike during this period?

Yes. I had Achilles Tendinitis a few years ago and cycled through it. When cycling, your ankle joint doesn’t flex much (at least, mine doesn’t!) so you’re not causing the friction which inflames the tendon sheath. I suggest regular icing to reduce inflamation too, and maybe an ancle support bandage. If any of this contradicts your doctor’s advice, go with the doctor. Cheers, S.Williams

regards adrian

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Ok, my Doctor has ‘benched’ me for two weeks as a result of a mild case of Achilles Tendinitis (very sore heel).  I am instructed not to run and to concentrate on another form of exercise (i.e, swimming) for the time being. Also, I am to take Ibuprofen Tablets regularily until the two weeks expire. Question.  Do you think it’s safe for me to use an excercise bike during this period? Cheers, S.Williams

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I guess I would recommend that you could do it to your tolerance with the seat higher than usual to limit stretching your heel and stationary bike ofcourse. give it some time, Dennis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, my Doctor has ‘benched’ me for two weeks as a result of a mild case of Achilles Tendinitis (very sore heel).  I am instructed not to run and to concentrate on another form of exercise (i.e, swimming) for the time being. Also, I am to take Ibuprofen Tablets regularily until the two weeks expire. Question.  Do you think it’s safe for me to use an excercise bike during this period? Cheers, S.Williams

Response:

Ok, my Doctor has ‘benched’ me for two weeks as a result of a mild case of Achilles Tendinitis (very sore heel).  I am instructed not to run and to concentrate on another form of exercise (i.e, swimming) for the time being. Also, I am to take Ibuprofen Tablets regularily until the two weeks expire. Question.  Do you think it’s safe for me to use an excercise bike during this period? Cheers, S.Williams

I’ve had periodic bouts with AT and have always continued biking with no apparent adverse effects. The hard is when you start to "run" again. You need to start slow and then slow down. No hillls. No speed. No long distance. Learn to like ice. Mike "TriBop" Tennent Remove "nospam." for email reply IMC ‘98 IronVirgins Website http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/imc_iv.htm WebRunner Running Page and my Model Railroad page http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/

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Question:

Is anyone going to this tri on 8/17?  I’m curious about the course and also just where in NC that is.  I’ll be coming from Winston-Salem. Thanks for any info. Drew

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Is anyone going to this tri on 8/17?  I’m curious about the course and also just where in NC that is.  I’ll be coming from Winston-Salem. Thanks for any info. Drew

That’s not one on my list. If anyone would know, it would be InsideOut Sports in Raleigh (919-755-6202). I’ll be at the duathlon in Cary the day before. David

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I just looked it up again.  I had the place wrong.  Triathlete mag has it in Morrisville. Thanks for the contact though. Drew

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Question:

Those are indeed, some nice results!! Steve Fleck

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Anyone hear results from Nice, France – 1997 World Long Course Championships. Please post to group or notify me directly. Cheers, Mike — Mike Sandomirsky Executive Director Alberta Triathlon Association Alberta, Canada

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -TOP 10 RESULTS ITU ARENA LONG DISTANCE TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Nice, France Women:     1.   Ines Estedt, GER           6.12.04 2.   Isabelle Mouthon, FRA      6.19.04 3.   Virgina Berasategui, ESP   6.23.33 4.   Christine de Wit, NED      6.31.10 5.   Mieke Suys, BEL            6.33.38 6.   Beatrice Mouthon, FRA      6.35.14 7.   Marie Overbye, DEN         6.35.47 8.   Kari Bailey, CAN           6.38.13 9.   Juliana Nievergelt, USA    6.43.30 10.  Veronique Chastel, FRA     6:47:18 1.   Luc van Lierde, BEL        5.35.44 2.   Rob Barel, NED             5.39.48 3.   Jean Chis Guinchard, SUI   5.41.00 4.   Peter Sandvang, DEN        5.43.08 5.   Christoph Mauch, SUI       5.46.43 6.   Gilles Reboul, FRA         5.48.02 7.   Andreas Niedrig, GER       5.49.44 8.   Vassilis Krommidas, GRE    5.49.56 9.   Olivier Marceau, FRA       5.50.10 10.  Xavier Galea, FRA          5.51.37

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Question:

Outside magazine, October 1996 Sport: From Wurst to First Propelled by Eastern Bloc training methods and a zest for junk food, a trio of Germans looks to sweep the Ironman By Lolly Merrell

Although Lolly’s review is a fresh look at Ironman compared to Outside’s Marty DuGard, she unfortunately does not make any predictions about the women’s race.  How about Karen Smyers-Isabelle Mouthon-Gina Derks! Tucker Newberry

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Outside magazine, October 1996 Sport: From Wurst to First Propelled by Eastern Bloc training methods and a zest for junk food, a trio of Germans looks to sweep the Ironman By Lolly Merrell It’s midnight in Worms, Germany, and European Ironman champion Lothar Leder is in the midst of his rest-and-recovery regimen: channel surfing in his two-bedroom apartment. "We’ve got Oprah now," he says flatly. "I’m not too crazy about her." He reaches for a pint of ice cream, which he spoons out in big dollops. "In fact, I think German television is much better." But then, the 25-year-old Leder and the rest of his government-sponsored Deutsch Tri Union squad feel much the same about their approach to the sport: The German way is superior. Indeed, with its focus on camaraderie, patriotic fervor, and, surprisingly, a junk-food-laden training table, the German take on triathlon stands in stark contrast to the monasticism of the American variety, as established by Dave Scott and Mark Allen during the 1980s. And like it or not, on the 26th of this month there may be no avoiding the Germans, with Leder and compatriots Thomas Hellriegel and Rainer M

Question:

I’ve got a couple equipment questions. 1.  What is considered a safe speed for driving with two bikes on a     fork-mounted Yakima rack?  I drive a Chevrolet Beretta GTU and the     rack was installed by a certified dealer.  I lost a front wheel     off the rack once, going 55 mph with a strong cross wind.(The wheel     bouced off my rear spoiler then rolled for about 300 yards.  Tough     wheel, It wasn’t even out of true.)   Well I realize the schewer(sp?)     wasn’t tight enough, but it has made me very paranoid.  I’ve been     doing a lot of interstate highway driving and some of the roads are     a bit rough.  Is that safe?  Also, what is the best method for     locking the bikes to the rack? 2.  I wanted opinions on which was the best indoor bike trainer.  I have     seen the fans, magnetic resistance?, and rollers in the Nashbar,     Performance, etc.  I would like something that is relatively quiet,     not too expensive, and sturdy.   I would appreciate any advice you can give me.  Thanks,                                                  Alan May                                     Fightin’ Texas Aggie Triathlon Team Keywords:

Response:

[....] 2.  I wanted opinions on which was the best indoor bike trainer.  I have    seen the fans, magnetic resistance?, and rollers in the Nashbar,    Performance, etc.  I would like something that is relatively quiet,    not too expensive, and sturdy.  

IMHO, rollers are by far the best indoor trainer.  They improve your spin and your bike handling.  They are less boring than a training stand (but still boring).  You can get a good workout if you use a resistance device.  The mag units are far quieter.   Rollers take a little work to master.  You should be able to ride them the first day but it will take a couple of weeks of regular use before you’re comfortable.  Set them up in a narrow hallway (which is ideal) or a doorway so that if you execute an "unexpected departure", you won’t fall over. Dave LaPorte U. Minn.

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May) writes:

I think the mag trainers are best. Quiet, simple to use, low cost. The small ones (rear wheel only) a portable but I like the front fork lock ones the best for home use. You can stay in great shape using a trainer. Wonder if this is why East Coast traithletes are so good?

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