Question:

From my experience — I have to say though that I was a real bad swimmer when I did my first tri in a windsurfing wetsuit –the suit can make you swim faster because your legs float better.  It took 1 to 2 minutes off my swimtime but added 2 minutes to the transition time. It probably all depends on how the suit fits you.   Last year, a friend and I participated in Ironman Lanzarote.  In a pool, I am slightly faster than him, in Lanzarote he was out of the water in 1:08, it took me 1:06.  He was swimming in a thick, heavy windsurf suit, I was wearing an Ironman.  You can understand my disappointment when he told me that later on the bike!

I’ve dtired swimming in a windsurfing wetsuit – I thought I would need skin grafts around my shoulders. amd the sleeves twisted up, restricting my arm movement.  I have the Performance shorty swimming wetsuit, and in that I can back float.  In a surfing wetsuit, I can’t float.  I sink like a rock.  That’s why I like it for diving; no weight belt needed. Have you actually ever seen a wetsuit destroyed by vaseline?  

Yes.  Put it on the neoprene, and it started to get soft, so rubbing it actually removed rubber.  There are plenty of non-petroleum products available.  Use vaseline just to make sex easier – smear it on the bedroom doorknob to keep the kids from walking in.

Response:

You can expect a slower swim time and plenty of chafing by using this type of wetsuit. Water-ski specific wetsuits are designed without hydrodynamic principles. They create additional drag in the water and make you sink)

From my experience — I have to say though that I was a real bad swimmer when I did my first tri in a windsurfing wetsuit –the suit can make you swim faster because your legs float better.  It took 1 to 2 minutes off my swimtime but added 2 minutes to the transition time.  It probably all depends on how the suit fits you.   Last year, a friend and I participated in Ironman Lanzarote.  In a pool, I am slightly faster than him, in Lanzarote he was out of the water in 1:08, it took me 1:06.  He was swimming in a thick, heavy windsurf suit, I was wearing an Ironman.  You can understand my disappointment when he told me that later on the bike! Using Vaseline will destroy all types of wetsuits. Do not use petroleum based lubricants on your wetsuit.

Have you actually ever seen a wetsuit destroyed by vaseline?  It’s something you hear everywhere but for me, there is nothing that works better.  My wetsuit (an Ironman Elite, extremely sturdy by the way) still looks like new after 2 years of intensive racing and training.  My neck though is one ugly scarry surface from the years before that.   Is the suit really going to fall to pieces in a few years?  Is there a possibility to just replace the neck piece of the suit? regards, NAt

Response:

Scott: The water-ski wetsuit will keep you warm and assist in preventing hypothermia. However, this is exactly where the benefits end. You can expect a slower swim time and plenty of chafing by using this type of wetsuit. Water-ski specific wetsuits are designed without hydrodynamic principles. (They create additional drag in the water and make you sink) Using Vaseline will destroy all types of wetsuits. Do not use petroleum based lubricants on your wetsuit. Hope this helps. Take care, Keith — Ironman Triathlon Wetsuits Website: www.ironmanwetsuits.com toll free order line: 800-897-6464 international calls: 804-288-6000 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If this is your first tri and you’re not sure if you want to do this again, you can use the water ski suit.  If you’re not a very good swimmer, you will even go faster with this suit then without but be prepared for the chafing (apply A LOT of vaseline) and for a slow transition time.  These things are hard to get off!  If you have the opportunity, try to swim in it before the race! If you’re a good swimmer (let’s say less than 26 min on 1500 meters) and the water is more then 20 degrees Celsius (how does that convert to F?), I would go without.  But that’s just my opinion, of course. good luck, Nathalie

Response:

If this is your first tri and you’re not sure if you want to do this again, you can use the water ski suit.  If you’re not a very good swimmer, you will even go faster with this suit then without but be prepared for the chafing (apply A LOT of vaseline) and for a slow transition time.  These things are hard to get off!  If you have the opportunity, try to swim in it before the race! If you’re a good swimmer (let’s say less than 26 min on 1500 meters) and the water is more then 20 degrees Celsius (how does that convert to F?), I would go without.  But that’s just my opinion, of course. good luck, Nathalie

Response:

OK, here’s mine – I did my first tri with my water ski wetsuit, an Oneil shorty and it was a disaster. It filled up with water like a baloon and literally water whooshed in and out with every lame stroke I could muster. Like wearing a sea anchor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If this is your first tri and you’re not sure if you want to do this again, you can use the water ski suit.  If you’re not a very good swimmer, you will even go faster with this suit then without but be prepared for the chafing (apply A LOT of vaseline) and for a slow transition time.  These things are hard to get off!  If you have the opportunity, try to swim in it before the race! If you’re a good swimmer (let’s say less than 26 min on 1500 meters) and the water is more then 20 degrees Celsius (how does that convert to F?), I would go without.  But that’s just my opinion, of course. good luck, Nathalie

Response:

Is it possible to use a wetsuit for water skiing for the swim?  How much more difficult would it be to race in the wetsuit? Thanks, Scott

Response:

Is it possible to use a wetsuit for water skiing for the swim?  How much more difficult would it be to race in the wetsuit?

OUCH!  Don’t do it! Waterski wetsuits were not made for swimming!  They will neither fit nor stretch properly, and you will wind up chafed and in pain.  You would be far better off swimming with no wetsuit at all. — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "Real triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie *New to triathlon?  Check out Hulaman’s Simple TriTips:  http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/tritips.html    

Response:

Question:

Anyone have experience with these products? Recommended intake? Please share The good, bad, and the ugly will be appreciated. Aloha, Steve

Response:

I used the Pro Hydrator before a 1/2 Marathon and an Olympic tri. The stuff does work and there is plenty of credible literature to back it up. I just mixed it with Gatorade as per the instructions and I did not suffer dehydration like most of the other runners (it was the first hot day of the year and very humid). I am planning on using it at Ironman Florida because for me it definitely worked.     You should just buy a bottle and try it on a long run or long ride/brick. You will be amazed at how much you have to urinate post event. I used the flavorless variety and just mixed it with my favorite flavor of gatorade. It is very important to follow the instructions because it says to start drinking ~2 hours before the race and finish 30 minutes prior to start time. This was about 2 quarts of gatorade and and about 8 ounces of the Pro Hydrator (if I remember correctly). I would definitely stick with mixing it with a sports drink versus water because the sodium in the sports drink will accelerate gastric emptying versus plain water. If you are doing a long event like 1/2 IM or full IM you will want to again consult the instructions and add the smaller but appropriate amount to your bottles on the bike and in the transition area or special needs bag if applicable.     Make sure you try it in training first as with anything else. Good luck and train healthy. Marcus Schantz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience with these products? Recommended intake? Please share The good, bad, and the ugly will be appreciated. Aloha, Steve

Response:

I tried to get my body acclimated to this stuff before last year’s Clermont Nationals. I started using it in preparation for last year’s Wildflower. Though I started out diluting it at one athletes recommendation, almost double the suggested ratio, I found it still cause tremendous bloating and gas. I tried for 6 straight weeks to find a ratio that would work. alas, it just didn’t work for me, and I opted for Endurolytes, the E-Caps product, which works beautifully ! Good luck ! — Lynne Fonda-Kosorek NOVA MATCH USAT Certified Triathlon Coach President, USAT SW Board of Directors TEAM USA ‘97,98 Track & Cross Country Coach. Monterey High School

Response:

Recommended intake: 0. Reason: too gimmicky, unknown side-effects – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience with these products? Recommended intake? Please share The good, bad, and the ugly will be appreciated. Aloha, Steve

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know where I can find info on the Batavia Triathlon?  Cost? Directions? Thanks. Marc

Response:

Batavia, where?   New york?

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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   (   )                        (   )    ) /                         (    (_/                          _)

Response:

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.

Response:

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

Can you say "Industry Standard" Mike Plumb

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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.

Response:

Question:

I don’t know if anybody remembers back a year or more when John Mora posted here that he was writing a beginners guide to triathlon. He requested info from people on how and why they got started in the sport. I gave him my story (a poor man’s entrance to multisport), and sent him some pics. Guess what happened? Book came out and I’m on page 49!!! Got my picture and everything!! But the best thing is this: In  the acknowledgments I’m listed third, after PNF and Mike Greer and 6 people before Mike Pigg!! I know what all my relatives are getting for xmas ‘99. BTW, book is titled Triathlon 101: Essentials For Multisport Success. Only 63 days left till Wildflower….. Butch Forsyth

Response:

Butch, On Saturday, I was browsing through the "Sports" section of a local book store and they had a copy of Triathlon 101.  I made a point to check out your picture and credits. Everyone, he’s in there and I loved the real-world buying advice Butch offered.   Bill

Response:

Question:

The original "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlon was put on for 15 years by an outfit called Envirosports.  They actually "inherited" it, as I understand, from San Francisco’s Dophin Club.

Actually, the Dolphin and South End rowing club still have an annual escape triathlon. No wet suits and the run is the double dipsea in Mill Valley. The guy who runs Envirosports is a member of South End. You have to be a member of the club though to do it.

Response:

I am confused, I know there was some problem a few years ago w/ ownership of the "escape from alcatraz" tri. Which one starts at the island? I’m interested in this for the difficult swim. Whats the scoop? OK, looks like it’s time once again for my semi-annual "Why are there two Alcatraz tris?" explanation.

History aside, here are some dots to consider … how you connect ‘em is up to you:  . Envirosports always starts from the rock — they pick the right    day for the tide.  . GGP only starts from the rock when the tide is right for the day    they decide to pick.  . Envirosports races are really clean.  Literally no litter.  I was    appalled at the litter in the single GGP race I did. –  . GGP has lots of professionals.  I spent about 15 minutes chatting    with Michellie Jones while in the line to the head on the ferry.  . Envirosports has Dave Horning and his dog.  Both do the swim    without a wetsuit and are not shy about telling 500 neoprene clad    triathletes just what kind of pansies they really are.  He does    this with a megaphone every year at the pre-race briefing.  . GGP is rather unorganized.  Poor packet pickup and some folks    didn’t get their swim bag after the race until quite late — they    transport your swim stuff from Aquatic park to the bike    transition for you (it’s a swim-run-bike-run race).  . Envirosports swim is safer.  A boatnik got by the swim-pack herders    during the GGP swim.  Fortunately, he saw me and stopped before I    became "Tri-Chum" (the hors d’oeuvre of choice for discerning sharks).  . GGP had really nice post-race food.  Mmmm.  . Envirosports typically has *very* few volunteers.  Be sure to pack    your own food and water (and pack-out the empties). – Tim Iverson

Response:

 . Envirosports has Dave Horning and his dog.  Both do the swim    without a wetsuit and are not shy about telling 500 neoprene clad    triathletes just what kind of pansies they really are.  He does    this with a megaphone every year at the pre-race briefing.

He wears a wet suit, the type you have to wear 24×7 until you start saying no to desert.

Response:

Here is a posting from Tri-California’s Alcatraz Website. The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon begins with a 8:00 am plunge from the

ferry into the icy cold water between the San Francisco Piers and Alcatraz Island. The currents, ebbs, and available dates make it difficult to determine the exact starting point.  Participants are unloaded from the boat in less than 6 minutes.   It is quite a rush when you take the leap, like a paratrooper from a plane.  A quick 200 yard swim to the start line is the warm-up for the 1.5 mile swim into the Marina Green Beach adjacent to the St. Francis Yacht Club.   Triathletes face the risks of strong currents, treacherous 55 degree waters and two ton sea lions. Wetsuits and hoods are strongly recommended. I did Envirosports last year and had a blast.  I’ll probably do both this year.  Specifically the Tri-California race just so I can experience the "glitz". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fred, All points well taken. Again, I am only going off what I understand to the answers to be from Tri-California. I honestly don’t know what is involved to get dates, etc or what it’s like to deal with city of San Francisco to do so. I still say that both races are fun (having done Tri Californias and hearing about Envirosports) and challenging. I agree with you on that fact that maybe they shouldn’t claim it goes from the island if it does not in fact start there. I did hear a lot of people complain last year about that, but again, I was content that we still had a very difficult swim. I say, pick the race that works for your schedule. If both do – cool.  Safe training! Dennis

Response:

BTW, has anyone else gotten a tad fat this winter (this is the only group I know that might offer sympathy for the horror of an extra 4lbs .

Thanks for the laugh, but you are probably right about this newsgroup.  I do sympathize with you, since I ran my last marathon of the season I’ve put on almost 7 lbs, the horror!  (Thanksgiving didn’t help) Rusty Southwood CMRA#342 "If you never crash, you ain’t tryin’ hard enough!"

Response:

I was thinking about doing this race, but a check of the tide hart, http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide, shows that the race will be run at almost max ebb tide; at 3 knots. This is almost identical to the tide at this year’s race that forced the swim to be along the shore, instead of from the Island. The Envirosports race seems to have planned a little better as their’s is at only about 1 knot of ebb tide. We’ll see how this affects the races. Mark Rinaldi Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

Response:

BTW, has anyone else gotten a tad fat this winter (this is the only group I know that might offer sympathy for the horror of an extra 4lbs . – Tim Iverson

Just say that the extra 4 lbs is intentionally placed for proper body insulation during that chilly Alcatraz swim!  Yea you meant to do that. Mike Tri-PT

Response:

Just a note on the tide situations with the Alcatraz races …… I spoke with Terry Davis about this a while back. I asked why they kept getting the dates situated on these "ebb" tides. His answer was logical – it was the only date available. Terry puts on other excellent races – Wildflower, Pacific Grove, the Tinley Mt. Bike races, not to mention Alcatraz. He has to make sure his races are scheduled at times that they will benefit the athletes in terms of scheduling. Perhaps you want to do WF Long course, but also want to do Alcatraz … well you wouldn’t want to be doing Alcatraz two weeks after WF would you, just to fit the tide schedule. Besides, Terry’s group needs time to regroup reorganize to ensure a successful race. The race was moved back a week this year, but unfortunately was still at a "non-preferred" tide time. However, Terry had no choice in this as the city dictates when he can hold the race (street closures, etc.) The weekend prior was open, but due to a road race the weekend before that, the city did not want the streets closed two weekends in a row. Terry assured that all facts and considerations would be taken into account to see that we got to swim as close to the island as possible – but keep in mind it’s SAFETY FIRST. Terry will not jeapordize anyone’s safety tides or no tides. Also, for those who did the race last year and were frustrated by the registration/packet pickup process (held at 24HR Fitness)… it will be moved to Marina Green this year. So PLENTY of room to get your stuff and not sit in a hot, stuffy room. Also, note that this years race is on Saturday instead of Sunday and that there will be spaces for almost 900 racers instead of 750. From the sounds of it, both races (Terry’s and Envirosports) offer great times had by all. I say, take the one that fits your schedule the best and personally I feel it’s irrelevant whether you are swimming directly from the Rock. You are still doing that swim, once you are in the water off the boat (in either case you start from the boat) it’s still "the" swim and very challenging. Dennis McMinn

Response:

I am confused, I know there was some problem a few years ago w/ ownership of the "escape from alcatraz" tri. Which one starts at the island? I’m interested in this for the difficult swim. Whats the scoop? andy

Response:

I am confused, I know there was some problem a few years ago w/ ownership of the "escape from alcatraz" tri. Which one starts at the island? I’m interested in this for the difficult swim. Whats the scoop?

OK, looks like it’s time once again for my semi-annual "Why are there two Alcatraz tris?" explanation. The original "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlon was put on for 15 years by an outfit called Envirosports.  They actually "inherited" it, as I understand, from San Francisco’s Dophin Club.  OK, so through 1995, there was only ONE Escape from Alcatraz, and it was the one that all the pros did and that got on TV. In the early ’90s, Envirosports contracted with a local TV production company, Golden Gate Productions, to produce the television broadcast of the race. Apparently, after the 1995 race there was a falling out between GGP and Envirosports, and they ceased working together.  However, when GGP took off, they claimed that they now "owned" the title "Escape from Alcatraz." It seems that a local media bigwig with a lot of influence at GGP suddenly was taking a great interest in the race and wanted to start "engineering" it to fit the needs of the TV production, rather than the needs of the athletes. Envirosports is a small outfit and couldn’t really put up much of a legal battle to try to retain their right to the race title.  So GGP, with all the money and lawyers, made off with the Escape moniker, and blithely decided to put on their own race.   The trick here is that GGP knew NOTHING about putting on a triathlon. They just knew how to cover one for TV.  For the first three years of the new "Escape", they hired a different race director every time.  As a matter of fact, the folks who put on the ‘97 event for them swore never to deal with GGP again.  Among other stupidities, the new race owners went ahead and scheduled their event without bothering to check tide charts. They have done this consistently every year now.  I suspect that this is what has happened once again for ‘99—Terry Davis and TriCalifornia probably had absolutely no say in the race date; it was probably foisted upon them by the race owners. Another fiasco:  In the first year of the new "Escape", they announced a race date before they had even obtained permits from the City.  Oops!  So they had to scramble to get permits and find a later date.   Anyway, so now there are two Alcatraz tris.  The "Escape" has all the pros, the TV coverage, the glitz.  The Envirosports one has an actual swim from the Rock, and a slightly longer and harder run course. I agree with Fred Huxham that the Escape is a genuine rip-off, when the event organizers *know* that the racers won’t get to swim from the actual island, yet continue to advertise the race as "The Escape from Alcatraz". Fred’s right, the opportunity to do that swim is the big draw for this race, and when folks come from all over the country to Escape, only to find out that they’re just escaping from Pier 39, they’re right to be pissed.  It’s one thing to suddenly discover conditions on the day are unfavorable; it’s another thing entirely to know in advance that the advertised swim will be impossible, yet continue to trumpet the swim from the Rock. I don’t blame TriCalifornia, although I question their willingness to play along with these jokers. But whatever. As Dennis said, do whichever race fits into your schedule.  If you’re really set on doing the actual Alcatraz swim, though, plan on going with the Envirosports Alcatraz Tri. — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie        

Response:

I’ll be doing both Alcatraz races this year, the real one (from Envirosports, www.envirosports.com) and the fake one (from TriCalifornia). I think it is terrible that TriCalifornia has picked a bad date again this year.  Many people fly in from all over the world to do the race SPECIFICALLY to swim from Alcatraz.  That is the selling point of the race. The whole lore about it being an impossible swim, all the prisoners who tried were never seen again, etc.  Those people spend hundreds of dollars on their flight, hotel and race registration, and then find out they’re going for a bay swim that parallels the coast.  I bet the swim doesn’t get within a mile of Alcatraz. Envirosports seems to always manage to pick a date that enables a swim from Alcatraz.  Whoever picks the dates for TriCalifornia should be fired.  There are plenty of days throughout the year which have decent tides. Perhaps TriCalifornia made an honest mistake last year.  This year, they have no excuse.  The opening page of their website for the race touts "A 1.5 mile swim from the infamous Alcatraz prison".  Dishonest.  They should be up front about it and admit that the race doesn’t have much to do with Alcatraz even though it is in the name of the race. As far as the swim being irrelevant, the two swims are totally different. I’ve swam from Alcatraz at least 10 times now.  I’ve also swum the span of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Tri-California Pier39 to Saint Francis Yacht club pseudo Alcatraz swim.  Swimming from the Rock is WAY more difficult, mostly because of navigation.  It is very difficult to spot off of anything when you’re in the middle of the bay, and the current might chage direction 3 or 4 times throughout the course of the race.  Swimming along the shore with the tide at your back is a piece of cake compared to a real Alcatraz swim. Both races are very well put on and have something to offer.  I race the TriCalifornia race to compare my times to some of the best triathletes in the world.  I race the Envirosports race to do the real thing. If TriCalifornia can’t pick a date that will enable a real Alcatraz swim, they should at least be honest and up front about it in their advertising so that people who ARE interested in swimming from Alcatraz can save their money.  The real honest thing to do would be to drop the Alcatraz name and call it the "San Francisco Pier 39 Triathlon" or something like that. Instead they hype the "Alcatraz" part, and when asked about why the swim doesn’t start there, they make excuses about it being the only date available, or its the City’s fault, or its too close to some other race, excuse, excuse, excuse, blah, blah, blah.  Envirosports manages to get a date picked with good tides and the City’s blessing for a field just as big year after year. Fred Huxham I am not connected with Envirosports or TriCalifornia. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a note on the tide situations with the Alcatraz races …… I spoke with Terry Davis about this a while back. I asked why they kept getting the dates situated on these "ebb" tides. His answer was logical – it was the only date available. Terry puts on other excellent races – Wildflower, Pacific Grove, the Tinley Mt. Bike races, not to mention Alcatraz. He has to make sure his races are scheduled at times that they will benefit the athletes in terms of scheduling. Perhaps you want to do WF Long course, but also want to do Alcatraz … well you wouldn’t want to be doing Alcatraz two weeks after WF would you, just to fit the tide schedule. Besides, Terry’s group needs time to regroup reorganize to ensure a successful race. The race was moved back a week this year, but unfortunately was still at a "non-preferred" tide time. However, Terry had no choice in this as the city dictates when he can hold the race (street closures, etc.) The weekend prior was open, but due to a road race the weekend before that, the city did not want the streets closed two weekends in a row. Terry assured that all facts and considerations would be taken into account to see that we got to swim as close to the island as possible – but keep in mind it’s SAFETY FIRST. Terry will not jeapordize anyone’s safety tides or no tides. Also, for those who did the race last year and were frustrated by the registration/packet pickup process (held at 24HR Fitness)… it will be moved to Marina Green this year. So PLENTY of room to get your stuff and not sit in a hot, stuffy room. Also, note that this years race is on Saturday instead of Sunday and that there will be spaces for almost 900 racers instead of 750. From the sounds of it, both races (Terry’s and Envirosports) offer great times had by all. I say, take the one that fits your schedule the best and personally I feel it’s irrelevant whether you are swimming directly from the Rock. You are still doing that swim, once you are in the water off the boat (in either case you start from the boat) it’s still "the" swim and very challenging. Dennis McMinn

Response:

Fred, All points well taken. Again, I am only going off what I understand to the answers to be from Tri-California. I honestly don’t know what is involved to get dates, etc or what it’s like to deal with city of San Francisco to do so. I still say that both races are fun (having done Tri Californias and hearing about Envirosports) and challenging. I agree with you on that fact that maybe they shouldn’t claim it goes from the island if it does not in fact start there. I did hear a lot of people complain last year about that, but again, I was content that we still had a very difficult swim. I say, pick the race that works for your schedule. If both do – cool.  Safe training! Dennis

Response:

Hi Dennis, I hope you didn’t think I was directing my post at you (it didn’t seem like you did from your reply). Last year at packet pickup for the tri-california alcatraz race I was wearing an alcatraz swim shirt.  Before things started, a number of people came up to me and asked me if I’d done the race before.  I told them "not this one in particular, but other swims, bi’s and tri’s from alcatraz". They then asked, "doesn’t the swim start at alcatraz?"  I said "sure it does, usually about 100 feet off shore".  They then pointed to a drawing posted on the wall and asked why it looked like the start was very far away from the island.  I said it was probably just a bad drawing.  Later during the orientation, we found out the drawing was indeed correct.  Those people were really bummed out and for some reason, it really bummed me out as well.  I don’t know why it is such a sore spot with me but it is (I’m usually really laid back about stuff).  I love racing, have a blast doing so and hope others do as well.  I guess it disappointed me that people had taken all the effort to travel to the city where I lived, and then ended up with less than they had hoped for. Anyway, I’m blabbing on.  Safe training to you too and have a great season… Fred Huxham – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fred, All points well taken. Again, I am only going off what I understand to the answers to be from Tri-California. I honestly don’t know what is involved to get dates, etc or what it’s like to deal with city of San Francisco to do so. I still say that both races are fun (having done Tri Californias and hearing about Envirosports) and challenging. I agree with you on that fact that maybe they shouldn’t claim it goes from the island if it does not in fact start there. I did hear a lot of people complain last year about that, but again, I was content that we still had a very difficult swim. I say, pick the race that works for your schedule. If both do – cool.  Safe training! Dennis

Response:

I know it’s early…..but I got my race entry confirmed yesterday.Who else is doing this race?                                  G.Cook

Response:

I’ll be there.  I did the other Alcatraz Tri, The Ultimate Escape, last year.  Had a total blast.  See my review at http://www.strayernet.com/triathlog/alcatraz.html. Ken Strayer Triathlog Multisports Resources http://www.strayernet.com/triathlog – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know it’s early…..but I got my race entry confirmed yesterday.Who else is doing this race?                                 G.Cook

Response:

I know it’s early…..but I got my race entry confirmed yesterday.Who else is doing this race?                                 G.Cook

Real or phaux?  I’ll probably be doing the real one, depeding on where it fits in with the other races. BTW, has anyone else gotten a tad fat this winter (this is the only group I know that might offer sympathy for the horror of an extra 4lbs . – Tim Iverson

Response:

Question:

My Brother was racing in a Club Triathlon on Sunday and doing quite well (3rd) until he hit an unseen hole in the road at around 40km/h. The result was an extremely fast and sudden 8 meter slide to stop, his left hand taking most of the force (resulting in no skin left on the palm of his hand). This, along with other areas of his skin removed, has left him quite sore and wondering what the hell happened. Such was the seriousness of the fall, he was taken to the Hospital for clean up and tetness and pain killer shots. It has also put a stop to training for a short time. Now this message is not intended to scare people (especially newbies like me) but more to make a point to be aware of everything around you. Especially on the bike when high speeds are common. Feel free to add your comments and experiences. Greg

Response:

        I had a beauty this summer… I missed my weekend workout due to a bike problem, and was eager to get out on the road the next day. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain outside, and I couldn’t go. After what seemed like forever, the rain lifted and away I went. I decided to ride a bit on the bike trails near my house, as they have cool sweeping turns (first hint) and nicer scenery (second hint). I started off on the road, noticed it had dried, and hammered away. I arrived at the trails and proceeded to pedal furiously. That nice scenery I mentioned earlier was in the form of big, tall trees which did a great job of keeping the sun off my back… needless it kept the sun off the trail and it was still wet… remember those cool, sweeping turns..?         I am riding hard… really hard… "gee wizz, I should be braking on these turns, still a little wet"… slow down from 40 to 35 km/h… what a wicked day to be riding… sharp turn up ahead… slow to 30 km/h, and         I smashed into the road and slid for a couple of meters. I thought I had seriously damaged my elbow because I couldn’t feel a thing from the elbow down… I was also the proud owner of a huge patch of road rash on my but, shin, and ankle. Luckily it was nothing that a week and a bit couldn’t cure, so I was really lucky. My head hurt a little from the impact, but I had my helmet so I could have been a lot worse. The lousy part was my back wheel was a mess and I couldn’t ride home. I tried to hitchhike, which I did the day previous when I had a bike problem, but no one would pick me up. I guess they didn’t want blood on their seats.  The moral of the story: if you fall off your bike, try not to bleed, it will hamper your efforts to get home. The second moral: don’t be a crazy 20 something when the conditions aren’t favorable. But it could have been a lot worse. I also have a cool scar on my shin David Barclay IMC 1997: 11:55:59 Triathlon: "Swim, Bike, Crawl"

Response:

Haha, funnily enough my Brother’s name is also David. Hmmm, I think there is something in that for all of us. Greg

Response:

My Brother was racing in a Club Triathlon on Sunday and doing quite well (3rd) until he hit an unseen hole in the road at around 40km/h. The result was an extremely fast and sudden 8 meter slide to stop, his left hand taking most of the force (resulting in no skin left on the palm of his hand). This, along with other areas of his skin removed, has left him quite sore and wondering what the hell happened. Such was the seriousness of the fall, he was taken to the Hospital for clean up and tetness and pain killer shots. It has also put a stop to training for a short time.

Greg, Thanks for posting this.  I needed a safety-first reminder. Bob Williams

Response:

Question:

RST,    Here’s the e-mail addresses for Triathlete magazine & subscription. Take one step beyond flaming them here in RST and bitch to’em directly about how the magazine comes later than on the newstands. I am. Chaz

Response:

RST,    Here’s the e-mail addresses for Triathlete magazine & subscription. Take one step beyond flaming them here in RST and bitch to’em directly about how the magazine comes later than on the newstands. I am. Chaz

I’ve been trying to hold back on adding my 2 cents but I couldn’t resist any longer. If you think YOU get the magazine late, I wouldn’t even want to begin to tell you how long it takes to get paid. AND I have been writing since 1994 and I’m still NOT on the comp subscription list. I go to the newstand on campus and stand there to read my own articles to make sure it came out okay. I refuse to buy a magazine I contribute to. However, in defence for the mag, I know they moved operations to LaJolla and I believe that is the reason the Oct issue was delayed. I think things are moving forward. Perhaps they can get that Public Relations person to respond to the concerns of the triathlon public instead of releasing info telling us how subscriptions are up.                                              o Lisa Lynam                                  < /           / TRI IT Communications               –0    /          /     48 Longwood Rd. S                (*)/ (*)             /  TRI   Web: http://www.retailbiz.com/lisa.html "Our greatest glory consists NOT in never falling, but in RISING each time we fall."         Olympic Rower Silken Lauman’s favorite quote

Response:

Question:

  Along the same lines, I was truly disappointed to read that Michellie   Jones, a staunch opponent of drafting, will be racing ITU this season.   As I’ve said before, I really don’t blame the pros for racing the   draft-legal events, because they *have * to race where the money is,   but it’s hard to see an icon like Michellie give up the fight.  It was   admirable while it lasted, that’s for damned sure! From last news I’ve heard – she’d be doing the ITU for the same reason Miles Stewart is:    "Contractual Agreements"         – Perhaps better phrased as contractual disagreements. Remember she left the GP series in Oz after competing in (I think) only one race?  The Bray Bros run the GP and ITGP series.  The ITGP series also initially didn’t include women’s races, there now appears word of a ‘gracious’ three. As for Miles – he seemed to always be having fun with the Bray Brothers. If memory serves me correctly, he entered the GP series a year later than other athletes, which was very much due to ‘contractual’ fun and games. This is why he is not part of the ITGP series and why he took part (and won) the ITU round in Japan.  He may rue entering though.  He ended up with a broken toe after the camera helicopter got too low and blew up the matting/carpet at the swim exit.  He was on it at the time and took a stumble – crippling his toe.  To think he still had to run 10k after a 40k ride.. impressive. Back to the main topic – I guess it’s never mind the ethics, the organisers have bought everyone out.  And if they don’t like you?  Well you’re out.  They seem to have the final word. It’s amazing what money can buy these days.  Now it’s the right to decide who does and doesn’t race. —   Woof!

Response:

Well, since the dreaded "D" word has been getting tossed about ’round these parts again lately, I figured I might toss out a little morsel for consideration/discussion. Was everyone else as disappointed as I was with the news (I guess by now it’s not "news" but "olds") that the million dollar race series that was supposed to represent a defiant slap in the face of the ITU will be all

I hadn’t heard of this. It’s *very* discouraging. I’d like to read of this……do you recall where you heard/saw this?

Response:

Was everyone else as disappointed as I was with the news (I guess by now it’s not "news" but "olds") that the million dollar race series that was supposed to represent a defiant slap in the face of the ITU will be all draft-legal?

Sure, they’re draft-legal, but then on such short formats (700/7/3) drafting really doesn’t have much effect, and the courses are so narrow and fields so bunched it would be silly to try non-drafting unless the cycle was at least 10km on a 2km circuit. The ITGP is still a slap in the face for the ITU becasue now their’s a choice of series and the ITU can’t just be dictators and have all the athletes themselves because there are no other races with money. The ITGP put the ITU against the wall. I don’t think it a choice of the devil you know and the devil you don’t know – comments in the paper would indictae the Bary brothers listen to the athletes a lot more than "less". Then, that wouldn’t be hard, would it? But just look who’s racing for the ITGP, it must be percievd a lot better than the ITU seroes: Brad Bevan, Hamish Carter, Simon lessing, Spencer Smith,Mike Pigg, Mark Allen?, Greg Welch plus some brittish/australian juniors. Who’s going to be doing the ITU cup? Myles will be pretty lonely…… Along the same lines, I was truly disappointed to read that Michellie Jones, a staunch opponent of drafting, will be racing ITU this season.  As I’ve said before, I really don’t blame the pros for racing the draft-legal events, because they *have * to race where the money is, but it’s hard to see an icon like Michellie give up the fight.  

What!!! Where did you read that… Michellie said at the january GP race (when she lost to Emma, but wasn’t fit) about not doing the Mexico WC "there’s heaps of other races…". The interview in Triathlete with Jeffrey Justice showed she made more money last year without competing ITU events than in the previous years when she did. You remember the question JJ asked her: "I think the two ITU world championships really mad your career…" And she showed he was finacialy wrong. Only PNF made more money last year….How many ITU races did she do?? Isn’t it Zero?? TriBaby

Glad you liked Wildflower, sounds like a fun race..but I may have need aid at mile four on the run….. Now, if i can just qualify for the OZ IM…. Richard

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Along the same lines, I was truly disappointed to read that Michellie Jones, a staunch opponent of drafting, will be racing ITU this season.  As I’ve said before, I really don’t blame the pros for racing the draft-legal events, because they *have * to race where the money is, but it’s hard to see an icon like Michellie give up the fight.   What!!! Where did you read that… Michellie said at the january GP race (when she lost to Emma, but wasn’t fit) about not doing the Mexico WC "there’s heaps of other races…". The interview in Triathlete with Jeffrey Justice showed she made more money last year without competing ITU events than in the previous years when she did. You remember the question JJ asked her: "I think the two ITU world

championships really mad your career…" And she showed he was finacialy wrong. Only PNF made more money last year….How many ITU races did she do?? Isn’t it Zero??

Check out the June issue of Triathlete.  Michellie talks about plans to race 6 ITU events in 1996 TriBaby — "’Be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wise crack." "Y’know, I tried that once, but it didn’t snap back into place." —Katharine Hepburn & Eve Arden in "Stage Door" (1937)    

Response:

  [..]   I hadn’t heard of this. It’s *very* discouraging.   I’d like to read of this……do you recall where   you heard/saw this? Yes, the ITGP *Will* be a draft-legal series (as is the TGP series). I had noted this earlier this year, and wondered out aloud on RST .. it’s the ITU (board) which needs changing, as we still need an ITU we can respect and trust to uphold the true spirit of the sport rather than the current dog fight twixt private and business interests, which unfortunately appears to include the ITU.  The sport seems to be secondary right now.  This is not a good sign. These draft legal races are fine (did I say that??) as long as they’re not the basis for determining World and Olympic champions (to echo Spencer Smith’s sentiments). —   Woof!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Was everyone else as disappointed as I was with the news (I guess by now it’s   not "news" but "olds") that the million dollar race series that was supposed to   represent a defiant slap in the face of the ITU will be all draft-legal?   Several months back, I recall, when this series was first announced, there was   great rejoicing in the land because finally it appeared a significant rebellion   was in the works, one that could actually weaken the ITU’s death grip on the   lives and careers of many pros. When it was later announced, however, that the   ITGP series would be draft-legal, there was nary a peep of disappointment anywhere.   What do you all think?

Remember that Who tune "Won’t Get Fooled Again"? (my favorite pre-race pysch song but thats another story)…. theres a line in there that goes: "Meet the new boss… same as the old boss" Yeah, I’m disappointed.  They’re pioneering a different sport and calling it the same thing. Art Hutchinson Newton, MA

Response:

Well, since the dreaded "D" word has been getting tossed about ’round these parts again lately, I figured I might toss out a little morsel for consideration/discussion. Was everyone else as disappointed as I was with the news (I guess by now it’s not "news" but "olds") that the million dollar race series that was supposed to represent a defiant slap in the face of the ITU will be all I hadn’t heard of this. It’s *very* discouraging. I’d like to read of this……do you recall where you heard/saw this?

I don’t remember the specific articles now, but it’s appeared in a number of places in Triathlete and Inside Triathlon, in various articles about the ITGP series. Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft!" http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie        

Response:

Well, since the dreaded "D" word has been getting tossed about ’round these parts again lately, I figured I might toss out a little morsel for consideration/discussion. Was everyone else as disappointed as I was with the news (I guess by now it’s not "news" but "olds") that the million dollar race series that was supposed to represent a defiant slap in the face of the ITU will be all draft-legal?  Several months back, I recall, when this series was first announced, there was great rejoicing in the land because finally it appeared a significant rebellion was in the works, one that could actually weaken the ITU’s death grip on the lives and careers of many pros. When it was later announced, however, that the ITGP series would be draft-legal, there was nary a peep of disappointment anywhere.   OK, yes, the ITGP series still counts as a blow against the ITU, but to me, its impact is severely weakened by the drafting concession.  Perhaps I’d feel a bit better about it if at least *some* of the events in the series were non-drafting events, but this is not the case.   Of course, the sins of the ITU extend beyond the drafting flashpoint, so any concerted assault upon ITU supremacy must be interpreted as a positive, and yet….  I am not comfortable cheering on a race series that promotes drafting.  I’m not even interested in the ITGP, no matter who is racing in it, because I honestly don’t think of it as real triathlon.  I don’t even think of the series as a real "alternative" to the ITU. Along the same lines, I was truly disappointed to read that Michellie Jones, a staunch opponent of drafting, will be racing ITU this season.  As I’ve said before, I really don’t blame the pros for racing the draft-legal events, because they *have * to race where the money is, but it’s hard to see an icon like Michellie give up the fight.  It was admirable while it lasted, that’s for damned sure! I suppose I really didn’t have a particular point to make, but I just wanted to share my thoughts about this.  What do you all think? TriBaby — "’Be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wise crack." "Y’know, I tried that once, but it didn’t snap back into place." —Katharine Hepburn & Eve Arden in "Stage Door" (1937)    

Response:

Question:

Tony-      Since you do your long rides already, you probably have a decent base. I wonder though what you are using for gearing on these rides. Common themes among triathletes are incorrect gearing (too high and too low). In order to be fast on the bike you need to be able to have leg strength. This means being able to push the big gear, however trying to push too big a gear will actually sloww you down. So, which gear do I push? Get out your HRM (or 2 fingers and watch). In your big ring find out your HR in different gears at the same cadence. Optimal cadence for most is 60-90rpms. I tend to keep to the 60 range. Once you know which gear you can push at a desired HR, design a program.  On long rides do some sprints (15-60 secs).  Keep in a small gear and try to spin at 100-120 rpms. Get full recovery between and do 10-20 reps. On interval days do 1-5 min intervals using a variety of gears and cadences. Should all be big gears!!! If you can do these with others in a pace line. Other ways to build strength include big gear interval into the wind at 20-50 rpms. Hill repeats with ankle weights strapped to the BIKE, not your LEGS!! This worked well for me. Another is to ride with Roadies who can teach you about riding skill. Overall though it is important to ride more, and in your big ring.  Good luck. If this is confusing e-mail me directly. Rich K

Response:

 am a beginning triathlete(1 yr exp.) and would like tips on how to improve my  cycling. I am a swimmer, and have decent run times, but in the past have  discovered that I start out in the top after the swim, get passed horrendously on the ride, and hold my own, or pass people on the run. I would really like to reverse this trend, so tips would be appreciated. I have no problem doing long slow rides, but my speed leaves something to be desired. Thanks, Tony Berwald C long slow rides, but me speed leaves s — Anthony Edward Berwald Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 uucp:     …!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt9407b

Response: