Question:

Amen girl! I vacation a little south of Portland each August and the water temp is 62-65 at best. My gut says if I was up near Acadia the temps might shrink even more. Not to play with the word shrink but Seinfeld’s show on shrinkage rings true in Casco Bay.

lol   It’s why Yankees are so tough! — Walking on . . . Laurie in Maine 207/110  60 inches of attitude! Start: 2/02  Maintained since 2/03

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Amen girl! I vacation a little south of Portland each August and the water temp is 62-65 at best. My gut says if I was up near Acadia the temps might shrink even more. Not to play with the word shrink but Seinfeld’s show on shrinkage rings true in Casco Bay. lol   It’s why Yankees are so tough!

I’ve often wondered what the water temp was when I took swimming lessons as a child.  It was an outdoor pool, late May in Ohio and 8:00am.  I can remember standing at the edge of the pool wrapped in a big towel and shivering all over – the lips were turning blue, too<G  I doubt they had any heated pools in those days! Beverly

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Way to go Ig,   A little over 3 miles in 25.20.  Not bad for a beginner…lol.  I ran a 19:15 once in the Marines when I was in the best shape of my life.  Now it takes me about 45 minutes to walk…lol. 19 minutes is very impressive and would earn you an award in my category. Congratulations. I am, unfortunately, a slow runner.

The awards went up to about 22 minutes for 5k, right ? With practice, you could do that. Consistency and patience count for a lot. Cheers, — Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

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Yes, I think that I can do 22 minutes if I practice. Maybe I will try to shoot for that for next year. Maybe a stupid question, but there is no serious health danger to a basically healthy person, from trying to run fast for 5 km, is there?

The leading cause of fataly in distance races is undiagnosed heart condition. This most commonly occurs in marathon races. Even these fatalities are fairly infrequent. I think the risks that you should be more concerned about include things like getting hit by a car, struck by lightning, mugged, attacked by a bear, or whatever — whatever risks one usually takes on by being outdoors. Personal safety is for the most part about properly attending to these more mundane risks. Cheers, — Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

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Congrats on your first race.  I know that any first is a big step and I think it is great that you did this.  Do you plan to run competitively on a regular basis? Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I ran the race for 25.20, according to my watch. Will see what the official results are, next week. i

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I ran the race for 25.20, according to my watch. Will see what the official results are, next week.

I think it’s great that you not only had the guts to drag yourself to the starting line  but you also ran what looks to me like a pretty solid race, given what your expectations were going into it. How was the race anyway ? are you going to post a report for us ? Cheers, — Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

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does triathlon involve shooting guns, like biathlon? i

biking, running and swimming http://www.usatriathlon.org/

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But the thought was intreging.   Something to aspire to.  Although I’m not sure how these guys do it this time of year, the water is in the low 70’s.   I’d freeze in that temp.    

That’s bathwater temp in Maine!  lol  We wouldn’t know how to act if the beach water was that warm – in August! <g — Walking on . . . Laurie in Maine 207/110  60 inches of attitude! Start: 2/02  Maintained since 2/03

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But the thought was intreging.   Something to aspire to. Although I’m not sure how these guys do it this time of year, the water is in the low 70’s.   I’d freeze in that temp.   That’s bathwater temp in Maine!  lol  We wouldn’t know how to act if the beach water was that warm – in August! <g

Amen girl! I vacation a little south of Portland each August and the water temp is 62-65 at best. My gut says if I was up near Acadia the temps might shrink even more. Not to play with the word shrink but Seinfeld’s show on shrinkage rings true in Casco Bay. — Doug Freese "Caveat Lector" (remove the NOBS)

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Way to go Ig,   A little over 3 miles in 25.20.  Not bad for a beginner…lol.  I ran a 19:15 once in the Marines when I was in the best shape of my life.  Now it takes me about 45 minutes to walk…lol. Keep up the good work, Paul 300/187/175

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I ran the race for 25.20, according to my watch. Will see what the official results are, next week. i Not bad!  Congratulations. DH and I were talking last night as we watched the news about a triatholon that was in the area over the weekend.    For me, the running (right now with the knee) would keep me from a tri.   For him it would be the swimming. But the thought was intreging.   Something to aspire to.  Although I’m not sure how these guys do it this time of year, the water is in the low 70’s.   I’d freeze in that temp.      But, if I can ever get this knee pain under control to the point I can go running again, that would be my next task to undertake.   does triathlon involve shooting guns, like biathlon? i

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I ran the race for 25.20, according to my watch. Will see what the official results are, next week. i

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Congratulations.  I certainly hope you had better weather than we’re having around here.  It’s rained everyday this week except yesterday Beverly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I ran the race for 25.20, according to my watch. Will see what the official results are, next week. i

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Question:

So far, I haven’t been the last but I came close. And I do have to admit it kind of scares me to be the last. I am one of the older bunch, just started tri last year, I am not into the tri high tech and don’t follow elaborated training plans. I just do it for the fun of it. Okay, testing my limits is another part of it. But with going into longer distances, I probably will be the last one day. My goal is now to be the oldest one, although to reach this goal I have still a couple of years, although it’ s geting thinner in the women’s group. Greetings, Katharina

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I haven’t personally, but one of the guys that’s been helping us produce races for the last 15 years and sets up and manages most of our run and bike courses decided to do one of our 2-10-2 duathlons. He’s mid 30’s about 5′10" and 170-180lbs and was dead last. He gained a whole new perspective on the sport. JJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races, even though I’m frequently well back. Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last? Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please. Colin

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Since many tri’s here in the UK are pooled based, when you first start out there is almost a sure fire way to come last. Don’t read the race instructions, submit your application which almost always requires a swim estimated time. When you turn up for the race you find that your already slow swim time, after all you’ve only just started, has suddenly become an Olympic record becuase the swim is double the distance you thought. There is one race this happens at every year for one new comer or another, It happended to me back in ‘99. I was out at the back of the course anyway, slow people who’d made the same mistake. We’d already been passed by the fast people either on the swim or within a couple of miles on the bike… When I finished they’d already taken down the finish gantry and mostly gone. There was one loan woman sat there with a stop watch waiting for me and the two behind me. Never put me off though and I still come way down the pack becuase of my leg. I raced the Freeport Lobsterman in Freeport Maine at the w/e, great race, didn’t come last, but got passed by a 120 or so people on the run and ended up way down the field… This weekend its the UK Tri-club I’m President of, annual club champs race. Biggest field ever! ++Mark. still in NY, and hoping to go swimming with the Hudson Valley Tri Club again on Wednesday.. another great tri-crew!

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This weekend its the UK Tri-club I’m President of, annual club champs race. Biggest field ever!

and I meant to say, its all carfeully handicapped, so the best performance on the day should win… People start off a specific time gap between each other based on this years performances, or best estimate. Great fun. We have a 25-minute stretch between first timers and a couple of elite members… There are prizes for first across the line and fastest male/female. Last year I was still nearly last… sigh. ++Mark.

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I raced the Freeport Lobsterman in Freeport Maine at the w/e, great race, didn’t come last, but got passed by a 120 or so people on the run and ended up way down the field…

How was this race?  Is the course difficult and was it accurately measured? I don’t think they publicized this race that well this year.  It did sell out, but I just found out they were giving prize money $500, $400, $300, $200, $100 for men and women, which is a pretty big purse.    The winning times did not look that fast (especially the women) and none of the names looked like any of the usual suspects (nor were there any pros to speak of), who win races around New England.  If they keep the prize money next year, watch out for the heavy hitters.  I bet a lot of people are kicking themselves for missing out on this one. A pity about those pool swims.  I just don’t think a tri is the same without the open water.  Is it lack of water, or just lack of "clean" water that prevents the outdoor swims in the UK

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I raced the Freeport Lobsterman in Freeport Maine at the w/e, great race, didn’t come last, but got passed by a 120 or so people on the run and ended up way down the field… How was this race?  Is the course difficult and was it accurately

measured? It was generally the concensus amongst the people that I talked to that the swim was long. There was no noticeable current or waves yet many people posted 24-26 minute times. It was claimed by the race starter to have been .9 miles. On the other hand some guy call Brian Wedge posted a 15.54 minute swim and Jeffrey Dwight a 14.45… so not sure what to make of it. Personally I thought it was long, I’d have expected my swim time to be around 26-mins given the conditions but I was 32-mins. The timing mat was on the boat ramp so added no more than 10-seconds. The bike was described as "rolling". My view was either you were going up or down. No really serious hills but they ground you down after 20-miles. Course was probably accurate. The run was back out on the same start of the course as the bike and then turn around and come back. So, no surprises that it too was probably accurate, may have been 100-200yds long, but my run times are so poor I can’t really judge. The run also had the rolling hills to deal with. Overall I would say for a top triathlete it would be a moderate, rather than easy or hard course. The average age grouper it was a great race, but didn’t favour the flat, fast cyclists(ie me). I’d definately go back and race next year, great Lobster bake, beer, location, give aways etc. but I won’t go back becuase I have too many other races to try before I start repeating… ++Mark.

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and I meant to say, its all carfeully handicapped, so the best performance on the day should win… People start off a specific time gap between each other based on this years performances, or best estimate. Great fun. We have a 25-minute stretch between first timers and a couple of elite members… There are prizes for first across the line and fastest male/female. Last year I was still nearly last… sigh. ++Mark.

ahh, a handicap race…sounds just the one for my speed….I’ll start while you’re setting up the course )

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Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has?

At one tri the last place finisher was 87 yrs old. He received more applause than did the winners

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It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races, even though I’m frequently well back. Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last? Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please.

I’m still waiting for an explanation about what makes you think I have anything against BOPers. -Harold

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Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has?

Not yet… but I have an Oly coming up end of this month where I stand an excellent chance of being last or near to last, based on how people did in it last year. This is my first year doing triathlons; have done three sprints. I’m pitifully slow in the water…. in the sprints, there were a lot of newbies so I wasn’t quite last out of the water, and I passed a lot of people on the bike (my strength), but have the feeling that in the Oly the competitors will be better so – I’m betting I’ll be dead last out of the water and it’ll be a lot harder to catch up on the bike since they’re going to have a 10 to 15 min. lead on me (okay, some of them will have a 20 or 25 min. lead!). If it’s a hot day I might have a chance to pass a few walkers on the run; I’ve been running at lunch so have gotten used to the heat while others probably haven’t been doing that. But if it’s a cool day, forget it! My goal this year is just to complete an Oly, so as long as I finish, being the Lanterne Rouge won’t bother me!

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It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races.

Why train at all?  Devote all your energy into convincing couch potatoes to take up the sport as a fun activity.  Get enough of them and you will quickly find yourself winning AG awards.  Even better, maybe they will create even more special categories.   They could subdivide the Master Clydesdales First Timers division into an over under 220 division.

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My apologies to you Mr. Buck. Having reviewed a couple of long threads I find that my flippant comment was misplaced and that it should have referred to a poster you indicated you had killfiled. Colin

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It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races, even though I’m frequently well back. Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last? Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please. Colin

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It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races, even though I’m frequently well back. Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last? Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please.

EXCUSE ME?! I’m all for anyone who wants to to compete in triathlons, no matter how slowly, provided they understand that some races have time cutoffs. If you can produce any posts where I stated the contrary, or took a position against MOPers and BOPers, please do so! And I *sincerely* hope that you don’t have me confused with that elitist jackass "Cleveland Dreamer." -Harold

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Yea, my ex-wife did just about every time. (just kidding) Not "last" per se, but I’ve come close.  I DNF’d in my first tri after blowing my legs up riding a hilly course on a single speed bike.  So… At my second tri, I was so obsessed with pacing myself and guaranteeing a finish that I sandbagged the whole event.  Ended up 139 out of 143 and last in my AG.  I can also say that I was within sight of the last place guy and I assure you he does exist. Was I scared off?  Nope, just happy to finish.  But I took some lessons from those experiences that still help me today. John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It recently struck me that no matter how undertrained I am, I never come last in my races, even though I’m frequently well back. Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last? Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please. Colin

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Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has?

I flew to Vienna Austria to visit a friend a few years ago.  At the airport she says we’re gonna do a triathalon this weekend…Sure!  I had been rock climbing all summer…nothing aerobic at all. Definately no swimming. bad things:  it was at altitude and the swim was in a mountain lake that was really, really cold.  I rode an ancient borrowed mtn bike.  The "run" was off road and to the top of a ski resort (about 3500′ of elevation gain). I was nearly last out of the water, nearly last on the ride and while I did ok on the "run" there weren’t too many people behind me.  It actually was a pretty good time. At the awards the announcer thanked the "americans" for coming to race.   I thought that was pretty funny. Remove S.P.A.M in email adddress Climb <at mac <dot com

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Do the literal BOPers read this group or have they been scared off by the comments of Harold, for instance? Your thoughts please. EXCUSE ME?! I’m all for anyone who wants to to compete in triathlons, no matter how slowly, provided they understand that some races have time cutoffs. If you can produce any posts where I stated the contrary, or took a position against MOPers and BOPers, please do so!

Harold are you trying to weasel out again.  No one is buying it.   Just own up to what you said about those women and slow people.

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Has anyone here ever come last or known someone who has? Or are triathlons some kind of athletic mobius loop where no one ever finishes last?

My first tri back after an 8 year layoff, I was last to cross the finish line, but due to the wave starts, beat 4 people, I think.  Ironman New Zealand 2001–I was second to last official finisher with one guy behind me and at least one more out on the course who crossed the line after midnight.  Probably more people at the finish cheering us BOPers on at an IM than the fast folks. In races where they have Clydesdale/Athena divisions, I’m usually near the bottom of the division if they lump all the ages together, but, depending on the race, I’ve also finished on the podium, especially if they split it over/under 40.  Lots of fun to race against girls 17 years younger than you (San Jose International 2002). clm — cathy morgan, san francisco, ca REMOVE x x to email

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Question:

I’ve been a runner for many year and triathlete for a few. Last year I broke my tibia and fibula. I had to have surgery to repair it and now I have a plate and some screws in my tibia. I’ve been mostly cycling and swimming since then. I have recently started to run more seriously again. Does anyone here have experience running with hardware? So far, things seem to be okay.

Love the Subject line I’ve broken my tibia also, but no hardware — at least not in that particular break.  It was a clean break, not a fracture.  Absolutely two halves.  Played high school football 4 weeks after ditching the crutches. (After 4 months on crutches, my tricepts and shoulders were ready for anything.) Same leg, 28 years later, I sheared off the bottom end of my tibia (malleolus).  THAT one took a little hardware.  (It usually does when you spit a bone on the joint.)  After five years I still have two 2-inch titanium screws in the bottom of my tibia, and they have about 10,000 running miles on them.  I’ve never felt them and never had even a moment of pain or discomfort in that ankle after recovery. My guess is that unless the plate (which is actually just a very thin piece of titanium shaped a bit like a capital "I" with the top and bottom forming a semi-ring around the bone, for the uninitiated) is positioned on a bone location that is supposed to flex with stress, you’d have absolutely no incentive to ever have it removed, nor would it ever affect your running. My only suggestion would be to do some strength work on the that calf and tibialis to make sure your stride is balanced.  Running with a weak wheel can cause more injury than your tibia plate. — Mark

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I’ve been a runner for many year and triathlete for a few. Last year I broke my tibia and fibula. I had to have surgery to repair it and now I have a plate and some screws in my tibia. I’ve been mostly cycling and swimming since then. I have recently started to run more seriously again. Does anyone here have experience running with hardware? So far, things seem to be okay.

I have a screw and some wire in my outside metatarsal on my left foot, and it’s never bothered me. The doctor told me I could come back in and have it removed if it ever does become a problem. If I were you I might check with my surgeon (especially since it was so recent). — Robert

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Hi all – I’m new to this group and I have a question… I’ve been a runner for many year and triathlete for a few. Last year I broke my tibia and fibula. I had to have surgery to repair it and now I have a plate and some screws in my tibia. I’ve been mostly cycling and swimming since then. I have recently started to run more seriously again. Does anyone here have experience running with hardware? So far, things seem to be okay. Thanks! Tanya

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Question:

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT TO SOME DEGREE , THAT WE SHOULD APPLAUD THEM. WHEN THEY TRY  TRIATHLETE SUCH VENTURES. I AM IN MY EARLY THIRTIES  AD YES ABIT OVEWEIGHT. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE TO RUN A MARATHON. I WOULD BE TRYING TO RUN WITH OTHERS WHO ARE BUFF. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT.  

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THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT TO SOME DEGREE , THAT WE SHOULD APPLAUD THEM. WHEN THEY TRY  TRIATHLETE SUCH VENTURES. I AM IN MY EARLY THIRTIES  AD YES ABIT OVEWEIGHT. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE TO RUN A MARATHON. I WOULD BE TRYING TO RUN WITH OTHERS WHO ARE BUFF. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT.  

Insight number one:  hit your CAPS LOCK key.  You don’t need to shout. Insight number two: find a good training program that starts very slow, and if you have to, go even slower.  Check out www.newrunner.com for some tips if you haven’t run at all before. — Asya Kamsky I will complete a marathon and raise $5000 for the SF AIDS Foundation, Dec 9, 2001, Honolulu, Hawaii.   Sponsor me! For more information see http://www.things.org/~asya/why.html

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Question:

Hi, I am about to buy a new wristwatch. I am looking for a model with some extra functions for runners. I know there are watches that can measure up to, say, 50 lap times. This could be used to track down the time for each kilometer of a marathon. But, are there also models that can forecast your (possible) end-time, based on how fast you ran last kilometers? This could be nice… If so could perhaps someone give me an indication about what brand, model etc. – and possibly also where to buy (via Internet) and the price? Thanks, Philipp Maier — Read how I felt during my first marathon: http://www.philipp-maier.de

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Philipp, Timex IRONMAN with Datalink was good sized numbers for Splits and time but can only store 1 race. Timex IRONMAN with FLIX has VERY SMALL numbers for the splits (too small) but can store a few different races. I’m sure there are better, but these only cost about $45 around here so it wasn’t too bad, and they are what I use. Roger – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am about to buy a new wristwatch. I am looking for a model with some extra functions for runners. I know there are watches that can measure up to, say, 50 lap times. This could be used to track down the time for each kilometer of a marathon. But, are there also models that can forecast your (possible) end-time, based on how fast you ran last kilometers? This could be nice… If so could perhaps someone give me an indication about what brand, model etc. – and possibly also where to buy (via Internet) and the price? Thanks, Philipp Maier — Read how I felt during my first marathon: http://www.philipp-maier.de

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am about to buy a new wristwatch. I am looking for a model with some extra functions for runners. I know there are watches that can measure up to, say, 50 lap times. This could be used to track down the time for each kilometer of a marathon. But, are there also models that can forecast your (possible) end-time, based on how fast you ran last kilometers? This could be nice… If so could perhaps someone give me an indication about what brand, model etc. – and possibly also where to buy (via Internet) and the price? Thanks, Philipp Maier — Read how I felt during my first marathon: http://www.philipp-maier.de

I have a Timex triathlon w/data link, a triathlon without data link, and my newest addition to the collection is a freestyle predator. Each has advantages and disadvantages and I use all three at different times. The data link watch is neat in that it can store lots of useful things like phone numbers. I also kept track of miles (weekly, yearly, miles on each of three pairs of shoes) using the timers. The recall of laps is neat because while the chrono is running it gives you most recent first, and when it is stopped it gives them "chronologically". The down sides are the plastic band is less comfortable(but easy to clean), and the buttons are somewhat hard to press (I occassionaly miss a split). The price is also slightly higher than the others. This is the watch that I usually wear when I am not running. The other triathlon has the fast wrap strap which is very comfortable(but harder to keep clean). The buttons are easy to push and I rarely miss a split. The recall function is a little weird in that you have to reset the chrono to get them in order. It always makes me nervous since if you hit the start button at that point you will lose the splits. I usually write the splits down in reverse order after a race because of this. The chrono has some flexibility in the display but this is more of a pain than a feature for me. I’ve gotton it in the wrong mode twice, luckily on training runs, and had to stop to get it back in the right mode. This is the watch that I normally wear for races. The predator has larger numbers for the split times, but the total time is smaller. Since the width of the display is about the same on all three watches you don’t get as much advantage out of the taller letters as I had hoped. The buttons are firm but I havn’t missed a split yet. The best feature of this watch is that It keeps track of each run along with the date for a total of 100 splits. the triathlons only have one segment of up to 50 splits. I don’t always get arround to filling out my log after each run so this really helps. With the triathlons I would just record a short split to seperate runs but this is much nicer. I train with this watch usually however I use one of the others if  I’m doing a lot of short repeats and am going to have 40 or 50 splits in one session. The back lighting on all three is good but the triathlons are more flexible. You can set them to stay lit for about 10 seconds or for only as long as the button is pushed. also they can be set to light with any button press. The predator is set to light for about 4 seconds and can not be changed. It also doesn’t light with other button presses. Split times stay on the display longer on the triathlons but I haven’t had a problem getting the splits on the predator. If you do miss seeing a split it is easier to recall on the triathlons. The new triathlons don’t have large enough split times for me to see so I havn’t looked at them much. Remember you need to be able to read them at the end of a race with sweat in your eyes. Overall any one of the watches would work fine, but hey, I’m a spoiled brat who likes neat toys. Mike

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Question:

Because QR makes an awsome bike. I love mine!!!!!

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Since I have been reading the messages I’ve noticed everyone is trying to decide between QR’s and something else -but- Qr is always one of the choices. Why is this???? — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

I would guess, it is because QR ‘invented’ today’s tri bike. —                        \  - –  //      Achim Wilfried Heinle                         oooO   (   )                        (   )    ) /                         (    (_/                          _)

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Since I have been reading the messages I’ve noticed everyone is trying to decide between QR’s and something else -but- Qr is always one of the choices. Why is this???? — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

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Qr is always one of the choices. Why is this???

Can you say "Industry Standard" Mike Plumb

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Since I have been reading the messages I’ve noticed everyone is trying to decide between QR’s and something else -but- Qr is always one of the choices. Why is this????

Because they are the market leader for forward-position triathlon bikes. Like it or not, they are the standard by which other such bikes are measured. Rick "And they earned that position, too" Denney

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because we’re all scared of dan empfield.  he posts all the time and makes the rest of us look dumb. except that "bike god" guy. mather callaghan

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scared to death…. too bad that he gave up painting all his bikes black trinic – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – because we’re all scared of dan empfield.  he posts all the time and makes the rest of us look dumb. except that "bike god" guy. mather callaghan

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because we’re all scared of dan empfield.  he posts all the time and makes the rest of us look dumb. except that "bike god" guy.

come on.  i’m a pussy. qrman

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QR is the benchmark against which all others are measured and compared. Best thing to do is ride one.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Since I have been reading the messages I’ve noticed everyone is trying to decide between QR’s and something else -but- Qr is always one of the choices. Why is this???? — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

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Question:

Jennifer – canonized as Saint Jennifer the Virginal and Demure

You are much to shy. It’s time for you to come out of your tight angelical shell and speak your mind. Be brazen – take that first step. — Caveat Lector!

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I say that, then realize that I haven’t seen them in a while. Not a complaint, I think people who care and feed Usenet newsgroups should be cannonized.

As in fired from a cannon?  You jest. Just wondering if I’ve missed them.

Maybe.  Check the cannon targeting coordinates.  Mine is notoriously inaccurate. Jennifer – canonized as Saint Jennifer the Virginal and Demure

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I say that, then realize that I haven’t seen them in a while. Not a complaint, I think people who care and feed Usenet newsgroups should be cannonized. As in fired from a cannon?  You jest. Just wondering if I’ve missed them. Maybe.  Check the cannon targeting coordinates.  Mine is notoriously inaccurate. Jennifer – canonized as Saint Jennifer the Virginal and Demure

I am honored. I have been spell checked by Jennifer. On the other hand…maybe it wasn’t an error… * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What format are the faq files? I have heard numerous mention to the FAQ for this newsgroup but have not seen it.  Could someone please post this?  Thanks ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil Plain text format. If you have trouble connecting to an ftp site, you can also get the FAQ at http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/ Also, there are 2 FTP locations. ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/rec.running ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil

And be patient. Ozzie is quite good at posting them to the newsgroup regularly. I say that, then realize that I haven’t seen them in a while. Not a complaint, I think people who care and feed Usenet newsgroups should be cannonized. Just wondering if I’ve missed them. — Beverly Brandt bev brandt at mindspring dot com Before you buy.

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What format are the faq files? I have heard numerous mention to the FAQ for this newsgroup but have not seen it.  Could someone please post this?  Thanks ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil

Plain text format. If you have trouble connecting to an ftp site, you can also get the FAQ at http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/ Also, there are 2 FTP locations. ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/rec.running ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil

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What format are the faq files?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have heard numerous mention to the FAQ for this newsgroup but have not seen it.  Could someone please post this?  Thanks ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil

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I have heard numerous mention to the FAQ for this newsgroup but have not seen it.  Could someone please post this?  Thanks

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I have heard numerous mention to the FAQ for this newsgroup but have not seen it.  Could someone please post this?  Thanks

ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/running-faq/    -Phil

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Where can I find the FAQ for this group?   Judd

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The recent rec.running FAQ was last displayed in this newsgroup in Sat, Jan 17, I suggest you skim through all the little letters in this newsgroup, and try to find it.   Kirk S.   http://members.aol.com/coincider/homepage/index.htm (running, swimming, triathlon, and tennis links here)

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Question:

I know a lot of people kind of mock any coverage of Daryl Haley but it should be noted, as so many of these posts prove, that even the major triathlons are apt not to get any coverage at all.  As unfair as it may seem to the die-hard tri-geeks, the attention directed at Haley is better than the alternative — none at all — and furthermore rubs off on the sport in general, helping it grow in stature to the general population and leading to more participation and interest.

Ditto.  It would be great if we could get several *famous* Tour de France cyclists, world-class runners and more Olympic swimmers to do this event as well.  OBTW, by several, I mean like a dozen…    W.Patrick Brug, Ph.D.  _-           -_    Los Alamos National Lab -__       __-                                       /    cis:      72410,3372        /  

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I can’t believe it.  One of the most exciting Ironmans ever, for both the men and the women, and this bleeping rag can’t print a word about it. Nothing. Zilch.  Nada.  Not even in the "Sports Digest" section where they condescend to print brief paragraphs about other "fringe" sports.  The Examiner printed nothing about it on Sunday, either.   There are pages and pages and pages about college football, pro football, even prep and JC football, but they couldn’t spare a couple inches of column space for the premier endurance event in all of sports. I’m sorry, this just makes me sick.  Were major newspapers in other parts of the country as myopic?  I hope at least the NY Times managed a paragraph or two.  Thank god for the ‘Net!  I wouldn’t have known a damned thing about the race until either the TV broadcast or in 2 months when the Tri rags finally publish their Ironman stories. For all its warts, I’m still exceedingly grateful to Outside/Triathlete for their "live" coverage.  I was glued to my computer for a good part of the day Saturday.  My biggest complaint was their callousness in cutting the reports abruptly short after Paula crossed the line.  I was going crazy wondering if she was ok, yet there was no additional information forthcoming.  Many, many thanks to Paul Huddle for easing the concern I’m sure many of us were feeling. It would have been nice, too, to hear more about the "other" racers.  As usual, however, the coverage stopped as soon as the pros did.  And, they have yet to publish any sort of comprehensive summary of the race; their coverage really did just STOP when the race did. I swear, we need to start our *own* tri rag, written by, for, and about age groupers, the real bread and butter of the sport.  The existing publications don’t seem to give a damn what the age groupers *want*. Oh well, at least we have RST, and that’s nothin’ to sneeze at! Sorry to ramble on so! TriBaby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  /

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Regarding Haley: I agree, I think it is great that he did the Ironman, and deserves all the media coverage he can get.  It helps make the sport bigger, and the financial pie for the sport bigger.  Triathlon needs all the help it can get.   Diana McLaughlin

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The Arizona Republic ran one piture and one story line– both on a retired NFL player who finished in over 16 hrs.  Pat  Q. , Phoenix

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I can’t believe it.  One of the most exciting Ironmans ever, for both the men and the women, and this bleeping rag can’t print a word about it. Nothing. Zilch.  Nada.  Not even in the "Sports Digest" section where they condescend to print brief paragraphs about other "fringe" sports.  The Examiner printed nothing about it on Sunday, either.   There are pages and pages and pages about college football, pro football, even prep and JC football, but they couldn’t spare a couple inches of column space for the premier endurance event in all of sports. Sorry to ramble on so! TriBaby

Well, I must say you missed the small (and I mean small) little summary in the Examiner’s Sports Roundup or whatever they call it. In fact I read the results there before hitting the computer because I was gone all day. Also, you can;t really blame the Chronical for not having any coverage: they don’t put out a Sunday edition (where I live anyway). I don’t think any paper prints results even from pro sports that was not the day before. Anyway, it was in there. myke — Tellmesomethingidontknowtellmesomethingicanusepushthebuttonconnectthegoddam ndots

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writes: If it’s any consolation, the coverage in New York was no better. In my area (Buffalo/Rochester/Finger Lakes) the local sports writers have to have the damn copy written *for them* by one of the wire services! Augie Calabrese

After participating in running events for years I came to the conclusion that the people who sit around and watch football all afternoon like to sit around all afternoon and read about it. The runners who didn’t get the race coverage just went out for a run instead of sitting around all afternoon complaining to the editor about coverage. Until runners and triathletes write or call the newspapers and convince them they’ll sell more papers which include coverage, they won’t. The SF Examiner, like the Chronicle continually fails to post results of large Bay Area races. It has been my idea that if I set up a booth at large races with postcards addressed to the local paper with a request already typed on it pertaining to more and better coverage, this might help. And as long as the glory of running in track, roadracing, crosscountry, and triathlons is kept hidden in specialty magazines and word of mouth, the many benefits and satisfactions derived from such will continue to elude the general lazy public:-) just my .02 Chris "Crash" the Cab     Don’t drive any faster than your Guardian Angel can fly —            EVERYONE DIES, BUT NOT EVERYONE LIVES

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After reading all these posts about the incredible dearth of Ironman coverage I rushed to my local Sunday paper (the Los Angeles Times) thinking SURELY it would have SOMETHING- the sports section is 22 pages!! Well, way down at the bottom of pg 19 in pass-me-the-magnifying-glass-I-think-I’m-going-blind print, two inches of just the bare facts– top 10 male finishers with times and top 5 female finishers with times (sexist or what?).  Mind you, I never read the paper anyway- it can make you suicidal to read the LATimes- but I am truly shocked by the lack of coverage, especially in such a major paper.  Didn’t check out Monday, though. I am extremely new to this sport and before I got started never knew anyone involved in it either, never even had any tangential contact to it, but even I knew that the Hawaii Ironman was a major event and the people who race in it are awe inspiring.  I’ve got to believe that others out there would be interested in seeing coverage whether or not they knew it was happening ahead of time. Has it always been this way? Roxanne

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The London Times managed a short paragraph and a photo in its monday sports section. Gave top 5 male/female + brief description. In the results section there was also the ITU Auckland results. Considering the recent coverage of the Bath Tri (+ national TV) and the coverage of the Nice long course, the sports editor should be congratulated. Unfortuately, I don’t know his email address. timbo

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   I think Bob Babbitt was right, we’re barking up the wrong tree. We should be calling in to the Gary Radnich Show, or calling the newspapers and *telling* them what they’re (we’re) missing, preferably in advance. Kurian Davis

JJ and Kurian are right, I guess it’s up to us to press the media to cover the events we’re interested in.  Quite frankly, though, it hadn’t even *occurred* to me before the Ironman that the Chronicle would be totally ignoring the event.  It would have seemed incredibly presumptuous to me to call them up and say, "Hey, you’re doing a story on the Ironman, aren’t you??" Then, too, it would also be presumptuous to offer to write something up for them when you were going to be nowhere near Kona on the day of the race! Hmmm, maybe it *is* time for a career change…. p.s. …and yes, JJ, I know, personal race reports wouldn’t cut it in "the real world"! TriBaby                                                                       –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  /

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I can’t believe it.  One of the most exciting Ironmans ever, for both the men and the women, and this bleeping rag can’t print a word about it. Nothing. Zilch.  Nada.  snip I’m sorry, this just makes me sick.  Were major newspapers in other parts of the country as myopic?  I hope at least the NY Times managed a paragraph or two.  <<

For all you aspiring sports writers out there, next year try contacting the sports editor and request to submit a short reportwith results  to meet the paper’s deadline. They might be interested and even pay you. You will have to be concise and fast– and not be a cheerleader. You will have to meet the paper’s style guidelines. Meaning, the narrative race reports popular  here on rst won’t cut it. Also if there is a local angle, a local pro triathlete or top age grouper, this will interest the editors. My first paying writing assignments were with the SF Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury newspapers. Both were about triathlons.  I wrote the sports editors a  letter about the sport and what I wanted to do. They accepted it. I swear, we need to start our *own* tri rag, written by, for, and about age groupers, the real bread and butter of the sport.  The existing publications don’t seem to give a damn what the age groupers *want*. Oh well, at least we have RST, and that’s nothin’ to sneeze at!<<

I think you do have a tri rag right here. Though everything on rst isn’t accurate or objective. It’s freedom of speech, freedom of the press etc. It’s nice to have a forum for ideas without having negative business/economic pressure. — JJ

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If it’s any consolation, the coverage in New York was no better. In my area (Buffalo/Rochester/Finger Lakes) the local sports writers have to have the damn copy written *for them* by one of the wire services! Augie Calabrese

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   I think Bob Babbitt was right, we’re barking up the wrong tree. We should be calling in to the Gary Radnich Show, or calling the newspapers and *telling* them what they’re (we’re) missing, preferably in advance.

Another effective method is to write a short letter to one of the local sports writers about doing a story on a local tri star, pro or age group. List the person’s accomplishments and why it would be a good story. If a race is coming up with this person it it, all the better. Follow it up with a positive phone call, a few weeks later (before the event). I did this with San Jose pro triathlete Krista Whelan in 1989 and my masters swim club in Palo Alto. Whelan got a big color photo and story in the SJ Mercury amd my masters group (traithletes) got a story and photo in the now-defunct Palo Alto Times. (Both were written by the paper’s staff writers.) Newspaper writers like good stories. But they are too stressed out and busy to find out the more obscure stuff. Give them a lead. If you just call up and harrass them, you might feel better, but you won’t make much progress. Do you think a big newspaper really cares if a few hundred triathletes are dissapointed in its Ironman coverage? The Ironman is already OLD news to them. Tri-Baby writes;

 Then, too, it would also be presumptuous to offer to write something up for them when you were going to be nowhere near Kona on the day of the race!<<

You don”t have to be in Kona. If you know the sport, can write in newspaper style and obtain no BS, verifiable facts, times and results (newspapers don’t like mistakes) you can write a short report. I doubt if it’ll be front page, but it could make the sports section. I bet the Ironman even has the ability to transmit color photos if the arrangements are made in advance. Hmmm, maybe it *is* time for a career change….

If you like long hours, tight deadlines, major stress and low pay–go for it. — JJ

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I couldn’t agree more.  It almost brought tears to my eyes to realize that high school football means more to Bay area sports fans than one of the toughest athletic challenges known to humankind… For the record, the San Jose Mercury wrote a couple of paragraphs about the race on page 2 (Sunday) and included a photo of a female competitor on her bike with a bagel stuffed down her top… Excuse me while I go retch.  Patrick Goebel           | voice: (415) 321-2052     ——  __o  CASBS/GCN/VeloNet        |   fax: (415) 321-1192  ——-  _`<,_  202 Junipero Serra Blvd. |                           —- (*)/ (*)  Stanford, CA 94305       | High Speed Digital Commuter  http://cycling.org       | Gweebe in ‘95 – Ironman in 2000

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   Yup. Not a word in the  Mercury News either. The Chron even had individual swim, bike and running event results, too! And just look at all the local angles!    I think Bob Babbitt was right, we’re barking up the wrong tree. We should be calling in to the Gary Radnich Show, or calling the newspapers and *telling* them what they’re (we’re) missing, preferably in advance. Kurian Davis

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I couldn’t agree more.  It almost brought tears to my eyes to realize that high school football means more to Bay area sports fans than one of the toughest athletic challenges known to humankind…

The Sunday Boston Globe had a column about Karen Smyers winning, but made practically no mention of the other 1449 triathletes out there. The only reason they published the column is because she is from the Boston area. I was very grateful to find the column on her, since I have admired her for a very long time, and have tremendous repect for the fact that she never gave up during the Ironman, but persisted until she passed Paula with scarcely a quarter mile to go. Karen’s victory was very well deserved and quite heroic. The rest of the Boston Globe was, of course, a waste. Several pages bemoaning the dreadful Red Sox. two pages of the Bruins (I gag when I see hockey) and page after page of college football (retch). Yes, I am biased about sports! I admit it. Like Tricia said, thank goodness for RST, where we can really find out all the news in our sport, both behind the scenes and out front, way before the mags get to it. Cathy Corning

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Question:

Triathlete friend seeks video of ‘89 Hawaiian Ironman. Is there some way to arrange this? Thanks!

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I would also like a copy of the 1989 Ironman.  My ex-wife erased my current copy with A DAYTIME SOAP!

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I have been looking for a copy of the 89′ duel b/w Scott and Allen for a long time.  I’d really appreciate if someone has it if they could contact me through e-mail (JUSTRIT) or even phone me (215)659-5954.  Thanks! Mike Flynn

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Question:

I just did the Barrington, RI YMCA triathlon last weekend.  A very well run race with both olympic and sprint races.  One thing the race director did that I thought was very useful in light of the discussions about enforcing rules was to put a one page list of rules which are commonly violated during a race along with the penalty.  I thought it was a great reminder to experienced triathletes as well as a good overview for the novice. If any race directors are on the net, you might want to consider a similar addition to the race pack.  Perhaps Tri-Fed could develop a similar list to be distributed at Tri-Fed sanctioned events.  (I am sure that the one day members don’t read the entire rule book!) kbb Kim B. Blair, Ph.D.                     Senior Staff Scientist 1033 Massachusetts Ave                  (617) 354-3124 Cambridge, MA  02138                    (617) 491-4522 (fax)

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One thing the race director did that I thought was very useful in light of the discussions about enforcing rules was to put a one page list of rules which are commonly violated during a race along with the penalty.  I thought it was a great reminder to experienced triathletes as well as a good overview for the novice. If any race directors are on the net, you might want to consider a similar addition to the race pack.  Perhaps Tri-Fed could develop a similar list to be distributed at Tri-Fed sanctioned events.  (I am sure that the one day members don’t read the entire rule book!) kbb

 Kim, Tri-Fed sends in its sanction packet a list called "Most  Commonly Violated Rules."  It is the race director’s RESPONSIBILITY  to make copies and insert one in everyone’s race packet, and most  of us Tri-Fed Race Directors do just that.  Tri-Fed has been  sending that list since 1991.  I always add "local instructions"  to the back such as where to put your bike number and that "No,  you do not have to wear your paper number on the bike, but you  must have it on the run."  I would not put on a race without putting  that sheet in the race bag.  One day event permit holders do not  have any other access to the rules.

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I just did the Barrington, RI YMCA triathlon last weekend.  A very well run race with both olympic and sprint races.  One thing the race director did that I thought was very useful in light of the discussions about enforcing rules was to put a one page list of rules which are commonly violated during a race along with the penalty.  I thought it was a great reminder to experienced triathletes as well as a good overview for the novice. If any race directors are on the net, you might want to consider a similar addition to the race pack.  Perhaps Tri-Fed could develop a similar list to be distributed at Tri-Fed sanctioned events.  (I am sure that the one day members don’t read the entire rule book!)

I just did the Boulder Peak Triathlon (TriFed sanctioned) and exactly this "note" was posted all over the race check-in area. —    LSC (aka Larry Chapman)    (303) 229-3117

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Kim, Tri-Fed sends in its sanction packet a list called "Most Commonly Violated Rules."  It is the race director’s RESPONSIBILITY to make copies and insert one in everyone’s race packet, and most of us Tri-Fed Race Directors do just that.  Tri-Fed has been sending that list since 1991.  I always add "local instructions" to the back such as where to put your bike number and that "No, you do not have to wear your paper number on the bike, but you must have it on the run."  I would not put on a race without putting that sheet in the race bag.  One day event permit holders do not have any other access to the rules.

That is exactly the sheet I am talking about.  Last weekend was my third race of the season (all Tri-Fed) and the first time I had seen the list.  Thus my original post suggesting everyone do it. Sounds like you put on some pretty well run races! kbb

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kim, Tri-Fed sends in its sanction packet a list called "Most Commonly Violated Rules."  It is the race director’s RESPONSIBILITY to make copies and insert one in everyone’s race packet, and most of us Tri-Fed Race Directors do just that.  Tri-Fed has been sending that list since 1991.  I always add "local instructions" to the back such as where to put your bike number and that "No, you do not have to wear your paper number on the bike, but you must have it on the run."  I would not put on a race without putting that sheet in the race bag.  One day event permit holders do not have any other access to the rules. That is exactly the sheet I am talking about.  Last weekend was my third race of the season (all Tri-Fed) and the first time I had seen the list.  Thus my original post suggesting everyone do it. Sounds like you put on some pretty well run races!

Check out triathlete magazines spring article on ‘Great Races.’ You’ll see not one, but 2 of Charlie’s races! Well run….great awards…. great results…and a feast after the event. My wife and I have raced in 12 states, but Alabama tops the list for great events.  Along with Charlie’s events, the state also has some great races put on by Therese Bynum and Team Magic Inc. mark/karen copeland

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