Question:

Last week I read an article in the Chicago Tribune about the Pilates method of body conditioning. It sounded kind of interesting. Has anybody ever tried it as part of a triathlon-training program? If so what was your experinece and what exercise did you do? Rich G.

Response:

Funny you would ask, I made a similar post a couple of weeks ago and got only one reply from John Forrest Tomlinson in NYC. He is a cyclist and says some of his buddies have had good results. My husband and I are both triathletes and have really poor flexibility. We have gone to a Pilates instructor twice now and really see where it can be beneficial for our training program. E-mail me if you have any other questions. Wendy

Response:

Wendy,     I tried to e-mail you but got the e-mail bounced back. Do you have new e-mail address? Rich

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Funny you would ask, I made a similar post a couple of weeks ago and got only one reply from John Forrest Tomlinson in NYC. He is a cyclist and says some of his buddies have had good results. My husband and I are both triathletes and have really poor flexibility. We have gone to a Pilates instructor twice now and really see where it can be beneficial for our training program. E-mail me if you have any other questions. Wendy

Response:

Question:

I don’t know about crawlers, but we tied a toddler to a tree and let him run the length of the rope after having him walk it and get stopped…..

I recall using a leash and a plastic tarp when my son was crawling and we were camping in a cow pasture (as part of an wilderness survival course). Don’t recall what we attached the leash too – maybe a log or rock in the middle of the tarp.  It wasn’t lightweight backpacking, but still pretty primitive living. Paul

Response:

Does anyone have any advice for children who are at the age of crawling. I feel this would be a big concern when you’re at the camp site. We like to backpack so a playpen is out of the question.

It’s a huge concern.  I car camped when kids were crawlers, and toddlers, though the "leash" idea is good, too.  When my kids were little (the baby is 15 now) you could buy a harness that went on their whole upper body, so that when they pulled the stress was distributed and could not hurt them. But you DO need to watch closely, since they also put everything in their mouths. They are not crawlers too long, though, in six months he/she will be a toddler.  Then you have new worries.

Response:

I don’t know about crawlers, but we tied a toddler to a tree and let him run the length of the rope after having him walk it and get stopped.  He loved it.  He’d run and get jerked back and laugh a lot. But then he enjoyed the whole camping bit (car camping, I’d not have taken him first time anywhere we couldn’t escape from) until it came time to get in the tent.  "Some day we’ll look back on this and laugh. Nervously.  And then change the subject quickly." Try it out car camping first?  Other than that all I can say about crawlers is what you doubtless already know.  Pay attention.  Pay constant attention.  Have an adult within grabbing distance at every moment the kid’s not sound asleep inside the tent.  Those little wrigglers are fearless.   And fast. Does anyone have any advice for children who are at the age of crawling. I feel this would be a big concern when you’re at the camp site. We like to backpack so a playpen is out of the question. Any ideas and input would be appreciated.

—– I’m going to live forever or die trying. I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

  Some of the first and truly the BEST memories I have are of my parents taking me and my sister camping, fishing and backpacking.  I’m sure it wasn’t always a "field day",pardon the pun,for them,but we always had a great time and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I know they wouldn’t either.     Besides what better lesson could you teach your kids than family and enjoing nature, maybe more parents should take their kids hiking instead of leaving them with a sitter or day care so they can really learn what a family is all about.   I don’t think life or fun ends with kids,  I think that is when it truly begins, I only wish I could have kids of my own to share some of these great times with.                                           Just my opinion,                                                      Rick

Response:

Does anyone have any advice for children who are at the age of crawling. I feel this would be a big concern when you’re at the camp site. We like to backpack so a playpen is out of the question. Any ideas and input would be appreciated. Regards, Chris Vancouver, BC CANADA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

Response:

My fiance and I joke that we’re going to have Sherpas for children (when we decide to have kids, of course). All kidding aside, he and I have said that we intend to take our children car camping/hiking/backpacking.  We want to share the wilderness experience with them. So, thanks for the good advice! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

Heather Verley

Response:

My fiance and I joke that we’re going to have Sherpas for children (when we decide to have kids, of course).

No, no, no .  Your kids don’t become sherpas, your friends do!  Seriously this is how we did a lot of packing with all the extra crap that comes long with munchkins:  you make sure some of your childless friends really like your family and then your recruit them to help schlep when you go backpacking!  I have written posts extensively on this topic ( backpacking with kids, babies, children) and you may want to do a power search on www.dejanews for all the good stuff in prior yet recurring threads on this subject. If it’s any consolation, we finally graduated to two lightweight two man tents instead of a 4 man last summer. Here we are in Valhallas, British Columbia: http://www.nextdim.com/users/pschwyn/valview.jpg   (mom & the boys, dad took the picture) Penny

Response:

My twins are 7 now. We (my wife, son Pim, son Stan and me) had our second weekend hiking in the Ardennes last week. They walk about 15 km/day in the Ardennes with their own backpack which weighes about 3 kg (they themselve do 24 kg). We camp in a tent. Our third weekend is already planned. My kids like hiking as long as its fun. So bad weather (rain) is not funny but afterwards crawling through the mud changes their view considerably. In summer we camp in the Alpes and make daytrips of about 16 km and 1000 m alt-difference. Then they carry less. We always compromise on time. The morning is ours for a hike and the afternoon is theirs for playing and fun. We started walking when they were very young (about 3) back in the woods telling them al kind of stories. I think its just what you are used to. Pim and Stan don’t know any better now. They start enjoying themselves during hiking. They like having a chat or just making jokes while hiking. Of course it is not what adults do but who cares. You’re out! So is their live after children? YES!!! AND IT’S FUN! greetings Leo Hendriks (NL)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

Response:

There are other options as well.  If your wife hikes too, take turns going alone, leaving the kids with the other.  I used to have a great deal when my kids were young.  I would go away with the kids, and my wife would stay home painting the house. Know what worked good?  Each one of us thought we had the best end of the deal!

Wow!  I only did this rarely, when my kids were small.  The husband was not into it, so it tended to die.

Never died for me.  It was tough at times.  I remember one 3 day september trip with three kids, the oldest 8, when the rain turned to wet snow after we had hiked in 8 miles.  One adult with 3 kids has a heavy pack.  It was a tough trip, but the kids still talk about it.  The (at that time) 4 year old now has 150 hours of volunteer trail work under his belt. (at 14, he had the job of moving an outhouse that was full…Not many teans enjoy the outdoors enough to do that… (although he didn’t know in advance he would do that job))  the second husband has never done it,

So, he’s the kid… and is almost as psyched as the kid (15 year old daughter, wants to start) and I find we are beginners again. It is just a question of how much you value activities. You missed the kids activities part.  How do you juggle those.  Right now we are trying to put together a 2 day trip, and there are NO free weekends in the next 8 weeks to do this, thanks to Katie’s schedule!!!!

Ahh my guys did seasonal activities.  Triathlon season ended then some time before the Ski season would start…  When they got older, they would stay home if an activity needed them. — *Julie Holm, Northern Virginia, USA         DoD #1604 *Virago Rider, avid cross-stitcher, church musician, geek and mom *Official Armourer and Webmistress of the Nasty Girlie Gang http://www.ziplink.net/~holm   You can get to the NGG there if you try!!! – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - "You can wait a lonely lifetime for a knock upon your door; Ships are safe inside the harbor, but is that what ships are for?"    (From "Wake up and Dream" by Thom Bishop and Ed Tossing)

– Fight Spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email)                  at http://www.cauce.org/  It is there as an experiment to see if email spammers scan content — Pete Hickey               |                         |       VEIWIT University of Ottawa      |                         |      mirrors for Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5|  (613) 562-5800×1008    |       dyslexics.

Response:

We camp, hike, and climb all the time with our kids.  We started with short camping trips when our first was 8 mo. old.  We had the car close by and then packed a lot of things we thought we might need.  We did that for the first summer.  The next summer was a little better because she could walk and once we figured out what to bring we were able to go further away from the car. For long hikes it works well to play nature games like letting them pick up a neat rock or pine cone or something… when they aren’t looking you can get rid of it because they forget quickly.  Just make it fun for them and they don’t mind. Now our oldest is 4 and she can’t wait to go camping, fishing, and hiking. We will probably only go no more than a mile and camp for one night but that is because we have a 10 month old and there is more to carry. Get a good child carrier and start slow. Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

Response:

There are other options as well.  If your wife hikes too, take turns going alone, leaving the kids with the other.  I used to have a great deal when my kids were young.  I would go away with the kids, and my wife would stay home painting the house. Know what worked good?  Each one of us thought we had the best end of the deal!

Wow!  I only did this rarely, when my kids were small.  The husband was not into it, so it tended to die.  the second husband has never done it, and is almost as psyched as the kid (15 year old daughter, wants to start) and I find we are beginners again. It is just a question of how much you value activities.

You missed the kids activities part.  How do you juggle those.  Right now we are trying to put together a 2 day trip, and there are NO free weekends in the next 8 weeks to do this, thanks to Katie’s schedule!!!! — *Julie Holm, Northern Virginia, USA             DoD #1604 *Virago Rider, avid cross-stitcher, church musician, geek and mom *Official Armourer and Webmistress of the Nasty Girlie Gang http://www.ziplink.net/~holm   You can get to the NGG there if you try!!! – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - "You can wait a lonely lifetime for a knock upon your door; Ships are safe inside the harbor, but is that what ships are for?"         (From "Wake up and Dream" by Thom Bishop and Ed Tossing)

Response:

From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell

Nope.  Life after children CHANGES.   Big difference. You can probably continue your activities for quite a while after you have kids.  Of course when they are infants you have the issue of carrying them PLUS carrying all your gear PLUS carrying all their gear.  Not exactly minimalist. When they get to be toddlers they can move under their own steam, and Mom and Dad only need to carry the gear.  But their pace is significantly slower then yours. Then the killer part happens.  They become little people.  With their own activities.  Music lessons, dance, soccer games, boy and girl scouts. Soon your life consists of supporting their lives!  This lasts for quite a few years, peaking in Junior High school and early senior high school just before they get their licenses. Then, when they get their licenses, they are pretty autonomous, but you need to keep close lest they get involved with drugs, alcohol, and sex. You sure don’t need your stoned kids hanging out on streetcorners while you start all over raising the grandkids. So you find fun activities in those intervening years that are more kid friendly.  My family has done a lot of car camping with day hikes, which work well with kids.  Also lots of other activities. I backpacked when my oldest son was young, stopped soon after he started grade school.  Right now I am getting ready to get back into it with my youngest daughter, who is 15 and very very interested.  The whole family is doing the Grand canyon corridor Hike to Phantom Ranch in August.   Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, would not change having any of them, but complications happen.  Being a parent becomes the #1 thing you do. Its incredibly rewarding but you put your whole self into it.   — *Julie Holm, Northern Virginia, USA             DoD #1604 *Virago Rider, avid cross-stitcher, church musician, geek and mom *Official Armourer and Webmistress of the Nasty Girlie Gang http://www.ziplink.net/~holm   You can get to the NGG there if you try!!! – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - "You can wait a lonely lifetime for a knock upon your door; Ships are safe inside the harbor, but is that what ships are for?"         (From "Wake up and Dream" by Thom Bishop and Ed Tossing)

Response:

Like any relationship there is always sacrifice.  My wife and I have two children ages 6 and 5 and we take them car camping and last year went on a weekend canoe trip. You have to of course tone down the adventure but you are still able to enjoy.  You’ll be surprised, once you have kids you won’t question the things you give up since the enjoyment you’ll get from kids is priceless. Not saying it is all cake and ice cream but it sure is interesting.  And as long as both you and your partner are  prepared and have a good mind set you’ll enjoy the experience rather than regret it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

– Shawn Graham Operations Finance Dept. Newbridge Networks Corp. 349 Terry Fox Drive Kanata, Ontario K2K 2E6 Fax: (613) 591-1960 Work: (613) 591-3600 x3958

Response:

From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t

It changes things.. No doubt about it.  Don’t worry too much about it.  If things get too tough, just leave the wife with the kids and go out on your own being single again.  Lots of guys do that. My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids?

Just change your goals.  You won’t be able to go as far/fast/high. If you want everything to be the same reconsider your plan. You won’t be able to go as far/high/ because you’ll have a heavier pack and maybe a pair of less strong legs walking (when they are old enough to walk).  You also may have to limit your winter trips-At least I didn’t want to take my kids out in -20 weather until they were around 10 years old. You’ll need a lot of patience.  Plan flexible trips.  Be prepared to shorten a trip. Things like bad weather, heavy mosquitos/blackflies have more serious consequences. You’ll need more gear.  Larger pots, which when the kids grow, you’ll be able to sell (for sale, 4 liter pot.  Kids grown.. these sale things work both ways).  Gear for the kids is a pain, since they keep growing.  Shoes are the worst, since packs can last several seasons, shoes can’t. There are different phases.  When they are unable to walk it isn’t too bad, exept you have a *lot* to carry.  (I wouldn’t want to do that solo.)  One nice thing about this age is that you can plot them down and they stay.  Then when they can walk, but not far things get tougher.  Expect to carry them a bit. Cooking is a bit af a chalange, since you have to watch them. Be careful in your choice of campsites.  That nice scenic ledge isn’t as good as it used to be. Things get more fun as they get a bit older.  Its fun to watch their awe as they see various things (animals, waterfalls, etc). You can also get them to start carrying some of their own gear. THen, they get old enough to hike at the same speed as you.  They may not have the endurance, though.  They can also help.  Know how nice it is to get to a site and tell your kid(s), "set up the tent while I rest?" Then, they get older, and don’t want to go with you, but want to go alone.  But they use your gear.  Make sure they clean and dry things after their trip. Then they get older, and buy their own gear, which may be better than yours.  Borrow it.  You earned it. There are other options as well.  If your wife hikes too, take turns going alone, leaving the kids with the other.  I used to have a great deal when my kids were young.  I would go away with the kids, and my wife would stay home painting the house. Know what worked good?  Each one of us thought we had the best end of the deal! Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.

It is just a question of how much you value activities. — Fight Spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email)                  at http://www.cauce.org/  It is there as an experiment to see if email spammers scan content — Pete Hickey               |                         |       VEIWIT University of Ottawa      |                         |      mirrors for Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5|  (613) 562-5800×1008    |       dyslexics.

Response:

From what I understand life after children is over. Once you have kids you sell all your toys and begin your life of indentured servitude. However, I don’t understand this. I already informed the fiancee that I will never be one of those people that post an ad "gear for sale, have kids and no time to use it." My question to the group is how do you continue backpacking and hiking after kids? I know it can be done because I read about Backpacker Magazine editiors that take there toddler with them on backcountry trips. In theory it seems easy but the prospect of life being over at the delivery does scare me. Also, if an active life can continue then why do so many people throw in the towel after the kids arrive.  Anyway, kids are not in the plans for at least 5 years (maybe more) but it is something that I do think about from time to time. Especially when looking for used gear and I see that line "For Sale, Have Kids."

Response:

Question:

Best sites with links I use are: Virtual Breakaway —  http://www.bikeride.com Bill Mitchell’s —–  http://www.cyclingnews.com Soren’s Cycling —–  http://users.cybercity.dk/~bfh1080/cycling.htm Let me know if you need any links to advocacy, etc. Cheers! Bill Whitman

Response:

Kevin, I’ll assume you’re not joking.  I don’t know what happened to my bookmarks, but I have been able to access the sites again WITHOUT reformatting the hard drive. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you get the bookmark virus too? It deletes all your bookmarks and makes it impossible to ever access those sites again without reformatting the hard drive. Kevin Just joking.

Response:

Nope, works fine (just checked), but there is a chance that it was down as a result of some of the severe thunderstorms we had in this area (SE Pennsylvania) today.  What kind of problems were you having? Pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There seemed to be a problem with that site.  Is it possible the address has changed? Or, you can use the BikIndex, which actually DOES have every URL you’ll ever need…and more. Forget the rest.  Use the best.  BikIndex.  http://www.bikindex.com/ The goodness is baked right in. Pete Go to Tri-world Every link you need http://tri.base.org I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

Try http://www.bikeride.com for hundreds of cycling links

t… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

Did you get the bookmark virus too? It deletes all your bookmarks and makes it impossible to ever access those sites again without reformatting the hard drive. Kevin Just joking.

Response:

I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

Take a look at: http://www.sportplaza.com/tce/index.html I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

– Sportdesk Cycling Infostrada BV Sports Databases, Multimedia, Statistics and Infographics Graaf Rupertlaan 2, 3434RJ Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Tel:     +31306007171 Fax:     +31306007177 Homepage:http://www.infostrada.nl

Response:

Go to Tri-world Every link you need http://tri.base.org – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

Or, you can use the BikIndex, which actually DOES have every URL you’ll ever need…and more. Forget the rest.  Use the best.  BikIndex.  http://www.bikindex.com/ The goodness is baked right in. Pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Go to Tri-world Every link you need http://tri.base.org I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

There seemed to be a problem with that site.  Is it possible the address has changed? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Or, you can use the BikIndex, which actually DOES have every URL you’ll ever need…and more. Forget the rest.  Use the best.  BikIndex.  http://www.bikindex.com/ The goodness is baked right in. Pete Go to Tri-world Every link you need http://tri.base.org I’ve spent the last two years building my library of bookmarks for cycling and triathlon sites (news from Europe, race information, equipment, etc.). I remember that there are pages with several of the best links out there, but can’t seem to find them.  ANY help is appreciated.  Fell free to e-mail me or post any addresses that may be of interest on the newsgroup. Thank You

Response:

Question:

I am Canadian, and planning to do a few races in the States this year.  Do you have to be American to join USAT, rather than pay the insurance at every race?  Anyone?

Doesn’t USAT have a reciprocal arrangement with TriCan?  Every race I’ve done in Canada accepts my USAT membership.  Or is that because Canucks are so much nicer than people in the States? Mike Gilson

Response:

USA Triathlon does have an agreement with Canada. We accept valid Canadian province triathlon  licenses in lieu of USAT cards if the triathlete/duathlete is a resident of Canada. Steve Locke USA Triathlon

Response:

i’m not an american and belong to USAT so i assume it’s ok – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am Canadian, and planning to do a few races in the States this year.  Do you have to be American to join USAT, rather than pay the insurance at every race?  Anyone? Alison Keple

Response:

I am Canadian, and planning to do a few races in the States this year.  Do you have to be American to join USAT, rather than pay the insurance at every race?  Anyone? Alison Keple Mill Bay, BC

Response:

I am Canadian, and planning to do a few races in the States this year.  Do you have to be American to join USAT, rather than pay the insurance at every race?  Anyone? Alison Keple Mill Bay, BC

I’m virtually certain that you don’t. Lots of pro athletes from Germany and Australia register pro with USAT to come and compete in some of the big money races…no reason that wouldn’t extend to age groupers. Chaz

Response:

Question:

Which of the three events is the most technique sensitive?  Which the least? I’ll even start: Swimming is the most technique sensitive because drag (poor technique) has more effect here Biking requires good technique, but not as much as the swim Running is the least technique sensitive OK, fire away….

Response:

Now why did you have to do THAT!?  OK, I’ll bite.  While I agree with you that swimming is a very technical thing in and of itself we are not just talking about one individual sport and I don’t think we should be comparing them to each other on this newsgroup (isn’t that how the Ironman got started? A spitting contest between individual athletes).  That not withstanding, my opinion is that the bike is the most important technically speaking because an athlete has the most to gain or lose on the bike.  I have beaten zillions of people out of the water in the last 13 years only to have a lot of them get on their bikes and kick my butt.  The triathlon is won or lost on the run but I think that depends on what kind of a cyclist you are.  If you are dead when you get off your bike, you don’t have a chance on the run.  If you have a crappy swim…I think you still have a chance.  Well I fired the second salvo,  let’s go, I like this debate! Mick O.

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I think John’s point was which one requires the most technique, not which

one is the most important.

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Question:

I take two Tylenol PMs before a big race. It has mild sleep-aid that I have never, ever felt the next day. I wake up very refreshed. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everybody ! My problem is: I can hardly get any sleep before my long distance races because I`m woorrying all the time. Last year I got only two hours of sleep before an half IM race. Well, the race worked out fine, but I would have preferred 6-7 hours of sleep. I

Question:

Where can I find the Inside Tri screen saver?  Is is on the Inside tri web site?  Please let me know. D Kother

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Go to the Velo catalog on the it web site www.insidetri.com and I think it is listed there. If not call 1 800 234 8356. Thanks, and Good Racing!

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Question:

The Canadian Running web page is now up and running, and waiting for input at http://www.yotta.com/run/index.htm I had been posting a list of all Running races in Canada, to most of these newsgroups, on a biweekly basis, and as soon as I get more 1996 races on the web server, I will again post them here. If you feel that they do not belong in this newsgroup, please let me know, and likewise, if you feel that it should be posted into another group, I would also appreciate hearing about it.  I will only be posting the list monthly, and the title will be "Canadian Running Information (Races, Club, …)" The newsgroups that this posting went to and will go to in the future are: (most were requested by other runners) torfree.general torfree.events tor.general tor.events sk.sports sk.general sk.announce rec.sport.triathlon rec.running qc.general pei.general ont.general ont.events nwt.general ns.general ns.events nf.general nbnet.nb.upcoming.events nbg.general nbbiz.health nb.general misc.fitness.misc can.general can.atlantic.general bc.general ab.general thanx tim

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Joe Sventek writes…. .I doubt that many people will be interested in getting up an hour earlier .to drive to Guerneville, drive back to the airport business park, then .shuttle back to Guerneville.  If there were more accommodations in .Guerneville, it might work.  Unfortunately, most of the hotels are in the .Santa Rosa area, leading to the circuitous travel outlined in the first .sentence. .The only problem I perceive with the current setup is that the shuttles .stop running too early in the evening, especially for the Half and Full .Vineman races.  I found it difficult to finish the Half, recover, shuttle .back to Guerneville, and return to the business park to see the finishers .for the Full Vineman.  I would recommend simply running the shuttles from .the business park back to Guerneville much later in the evening. Joe… These are pretty much the same concerns that I have with this scenario. It would be great if there were more lodging near Guerneville, but since you’ve been there you know what that little town is like.  If the morning shuttle could accomodate bikes (and I would hope more than just one or two)….do you think this would be a more feasible solution?  Next question is how late would you suggest the  shuttles run (forgive me, but I honestly haven’t paid attention in the past as to how early they stop running them…).

My experience with buses that accommodate large numbers of bicycles is that one hangs the bike by one wheel from a hook, possibly using a bungy cord to anchor the rest of the frame from flopping in the breeze.  I doubt that you will find many takers who wish to hang their bikes from their deep rim wheels (certainly not my HED Jets). I’m a little uncertain, but I think the buses currently run until 9 PM, although the course doesn’t close until 11 PM.  Here I have two suggestions: 1. run the last bus at midnight, thus permitting any late finishers/folks    picked up by the SAG wagon to return to their vehicles in Guerneville. 2. run buses every 15 minutes between 1:30 and 3:30 (5-7 hours after the    Half Vineman start) to permit Half finishers to more easily return to    their vehicles.  running them every half hour after the Half, with its    600+ participants, leads to very crowded buses at that time of the afternoon. Joe Sventek

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Joe…. I’ll take these suggestions and see what we can come up with at the next meeting.  I agree with your comment about the bikes….and unless the shuttle was a vehicle that was designed for carrying bikes of the caliber you mention, I doubt seriously it would be utilized, too. Thanks again for your input….it’s greatly appreciated. Dana

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After reading Josh’s note about lodging up near Guerneville it brought back to mind a suggestion that was made following the ‘94 Vineman and was wondering if I could get input to see how feasible this suggestion is. In past years the Vineman Triathlons have offered shuttle service from the finish line back to the swim site for athletes to return and pick up their belongings and/or cars, etc.  While driving a poor, tired athlete back to Guerneville at midnight last year to retrieve his car (the shuttle had already stopped running)  he suggested that we offer a shuttle in the morning before the race to Johnson’s Beach.  This would allow athletes to leave their vehicles at the finish line and not have to worry about getting back to the beach after the race.  The potential downside to this is that the athlete(s) would most likely need to drive to Johnson’s Beach to leave their bikes/etc. in the transition area and then return to the Airport Business Park which would probably mean starting an hour or so earlier on race day.  This would probably depend on the vehicle being used for transport and whether or not it could accomodate bikes. It sounded like a good option to offer and I have presented it to Russ Pugh, but would like input from those of you who have perhaps encountered this dilemma to see how valuable this idea is.  Any other suggestions are also greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and suggestions. Dana Martin Vineman Triathlon Medical Director

Response:

Joe Sventek writes….

.I doubt that many people will be interested in getting up an hour earlier .to drive to Guerneville, drive back to the airport business park, then .shuttle back to Guerneville.  If there were more accommodations in .Guerneville, it might work.  Unfortunately, most of the hotels are in the .Santa Rosa area, leading to the circuitous travel outlined in the first .sentence. .The only problem I perceive with the current setup is that the shuttles .stop running too early in the evening, especially for the Half and Full .Vineman races.  I found it difficult to finish the Half, recover, shuttle .back to Guerneville, and return to the business park to see the finishers .for the Full Vineman.  I would recommend simply running the shuttles from .the business park back to Guerneville much later in the evening. Joe… These are pretty much the same concerns that I have with this scenario. It would be great if there were more lodging near Guerneville, but since you’ve been there you know what that little town is like.  If the morning shuttle could accomodate bikes (and I would hope more than just one or two)….do you think this would be a more feasible solution?  Next question is how late would you suggest the  shuttles run (forgive me, but I honestly haven’t paid attention in the past as to how early they stop running them…). Thanks for your input… Dana

Response:

: After reading Josh’s note about lodging up near Guerneville it brought : back to mind a suggestion that was made following the ‘94 Vineman and was : wondering if I could get input to see how feasible this suggestion is. : In past years the Vineman Triathlons have offered shuttle service from the : finish line back to the swim site for athletes to return and pick up their : belongings and/or cars, etc.  While driving a poor, tired athlete back to : Guerneville at midnight last year to retrieve his car (the shuttle had : already stopped running)  he suggested that we offer a shuttle in the : morning before the race to Johnson’s Beach.  This would allow athletes to : leave their vehicles at the finish line and not have to worry about : getting back to the beach after the race.  The potential downside to this : is that the athlete(s) would most likely need to drive to Johnson’s Beach : to leave their bikes/etc. in the transition area and then return to the : Airport Business Park which would probably mean starting an hour or so : earlier on race day.  This would probably depend on the vehicle being used : for transport and whether or not it could accomodate bikes. : It sounded like a good option to offer and I have presented it to Russ : Pugh, but would like input from those of you who have perhaps encountered : this dilemma to see how valuable this idea is.  Any other suggestions are : also greatly appreciated. I doubt that many people will be interested in getting up an hour earlier to drive to Guerneville, drive back to the airport business park, then shuttle back to Guerneville.  If there were more accommodations in Guerneville, it might work.  Unfortunately, most of the hotels are in the Santa Rosa area, leading to the circuitous travel outlined in the first sentence. The only problem I perceive with the current setup is that the shuttles stop running too early in the evening, especially for the Half and Full Vineman races.  I found it difficult to finish the Half, recover, shuttle back to Guerneville, and return to the business park to see the finishers for the Full Vineman.  I would recommend simply running the shuttles from the business park back to Guerneville much later in the evening.     *******    / /        *******        Hewlett-Packard Laboratories  *     ****     / __  // __  /  **** phone: +1 415-857-8664               *     ****    / / / // /_/ /   ****   fax: +1 415-852-8030               *     ****   /_/ /_// ____/    ****                           =o         *     *****        / /        *****         ___^o_     _=o    <|        *     *******     / /       *******                  _ <_             *

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Question:

Does anyone have a recommendation on training software for the Macintosh? Secondly, any ideas of the best written diary for tri training? Please post responses. Thanks!

Response:

(BPSullivan) writes: Does anyone have a recommendation on training software for the Macintosh?

I’ve tried several, and the best I’ve found is The Athlete’s Diary by Stevens Creek Software. There is a great demo version that is downloadable from AOL. It has full capabilities, but limits the number of records to 25, enough to give you a good feel for the program.  I recommend it highly. Dave Lambing peloton1

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I just downloaded it two days ago, and haven’t looked at it too hard, but it seems to do quite a bit. I am currently using "Athlete’s Diary" from Steven’s Creek. Its a good program but a few *minor* inconviences. But it does the job well overall. Check out the back of any Triathlete mag for the address. BTW, has anyone tried "kickstarter" leg buoys. I saw an ad for them, and I think somethink in Tri Mag – but couldn’t find the article in what’s left of my back issues after moving! -Marty

Response:

The beginning of my last post should have read: I found a training log on AOL in the hypercard stacks of the computing library, called "exerciseLog1.14". It was written by a Harvard grad student. If you don’t have an AOL account, try e-mailing the programmer at: His porgram is shareware, only $8, which seems like a good deal

Response:

The beginning of my last post should have read: I found a training log on AOL in the hypercard stacks of the computing library, called "exerciseLog1.14". It was written by a Harvard grad student. If you don’t have an AOL account, try e-mailing the programmer at: His porgram is shareware, only $8, which seems like a good deal

You can find exerciselog1.14 on the umich annonymous ftp server or at its mirror sites. the URL for web users is: ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/mac/umich/hypercard/organization/exerciselog1… Umich is usually innacessable due to the traffic load, but this mirror can usually be reached. — |     Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Inc.   |        Phone  410-290-5006    | |     9810 Patuxent Woods Drive        |                               | |     Columbia, MD 21046               |                               |

Response:

Does anyone have a recommendation on training software for the Macintosh? I’ve tried several, and the best I’ve found is The Athlete’s Diary by Stevens Creek Software. There is a great demo version that is downloadable from AOL. It has full capabilities, but limits the number of records to 25, enough to give you a good feel for the program.  I recommend it highly.

their Windows version for over a year. Ken

Response:

    After several months of long days looking for work after being laid off from IBM and lots of illness, I’m finally back into training, but way far away from what I should weigh.  I’m wondering if anyone has usggestions about getting back to a decent weight quickly (besides of course doing Ironman distances which I never did in the first place)?  Also, can anyone explain to me why it’s so hard to re-lose weight I worked off before but so easy to add it back on?    As a side item, I was waiting and looking for the boradcast last Sunday of the Ironman.  Rats!  I missed it.  Does anyone out there have a VHS copy that I could borrow or is willing to make a copy of for me?  Since it’s not being sold, I don’t think that violates any copyright laws.  THanks. Ken

Response:

:    As a side item, I was waiting and looking for the boradcast last Sunday of : the Ironman.  Rats!  I missed it.  Does anyone out there have a VHS copy that I : could borrow or is willing to make a copy of for me?  Since it’s not being sold, : I don’t think that violates any copyright laws.  THanks. Still a copyright violation, even if NBC refuses to sell copies or rebroadcast the race (in its entirety hopefully!).  May even be a criminal violation if done for commercial advantage or financial gain.   With that said, who’s going to find out!??  

Response:

(BPSullivan) writes:

BP,  

Response:

(BPSullivan) writes:

I downloaded, TAD or The Athlete’s Diary from the Health and Fitness direcory of AOL.  It was a windows version, but I think there is a MAC version. FYI

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