Question:

Jean-Paul, I may be able to back up your thesis in reverse. For over 15 years I trained moderatly to hard on a regaular basis year round. For a 10 year stretch an Ironman race a year was my usual season long goal. Training weeks varied from 5 hours to 20 hours throughout the year. I would get sick from time to time. Usually in the winter during the typical cold & flu season. Normally just a head cold that would run it’s course in 5 – 7 days. During the hardest training of the year(Late spring – early summer) I don’t recall ever being sick. Then along came 1999. I year of downshifting for me on a number of fronts. Traning and racing was to be tuned down. No goals. Just take each week as it comes with a main goal of maintaining fitness and strength. What a year. In a year that saw me train probably the least I have ever trained in over 15 years, I have never been sicker. I was sick with a head cold at least 6 – 7 times last year and recently just came out of a three week bout of pneumonia. In a word it has been, brutal Now all I need to do is convince my employer, my wife, my son and perhaps even my self that training hard all the time is indeed good for my health!! Given the above evidence, maybe that is indeed the case. Steve Fleck   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nearly three years ago, I was an average joe (overweight couch potato). I decided to do something about it. I started jogging a half mile with my goal being to be able to lose weight and participate in a 10k race. Well I succeded with those goals and eventually soon found triathlon. Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

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No doubt about it. Most of us stay much healthier with an extremely active lifestyle. My theory is that no bugs can live in our bodies since we elevate our temperatures to fever pitch for 20 hours per week. We fry the bastards! Death to all germs and viruses! bobby – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nearly three years ago, I was an average joe (overweight couch potato). I decided to do something about it. I started jogging a half mile with my goal being to be able to lose weight and participate in a 10k race. Well I succeded with those goals and eventually soon found triathlon. Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

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thanks much – I’m not a Medline junkie, but remember the tidbit as a soundbite at some time or another. As usual, the reporter missed the details, and in so doing missed the whole point. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? My guess is that you’re a fluke. To my knowledge, studies have shown that regular exercise slightly depresses the immune system, so one becomes slightly more susceptible to minor ailments like the common cold. The other health benefits far outweigh this tiny factoid, though. DISCLAIMER: This info is years old and may have since been contradicted; heck, if the scientists have been doing their jobs then it’s been contradicted and proven correct 3x over by now . . . I don’t think that it is so much that the data have been contradicted, but more that you are mis-remembering the details. Acute exercise (i.e., a single bout), especially if very prolonged and/or strenuous, does result in a temporary (less than a day) reduction in your immune response. However, chronic exercise, i.e., regularly performed training, at least up to some level, actually increases immune function. A PubMed search on "David C. Neiman" will turn up numerous articles, including some good reviews… — Andrew Coggan Before you buy.

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The downside of such good health is that it makes me very casual about medical care, which is to say that I simply don’t bother with any kind of tests or check-ups.  I feel more endangered by my driving (a teeny bit too fast) than any germs. Is it too late to make a couple resolutions?

How ’bout this one; ‘If it ain’t broke . . . ‘

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nearly three years ago, I was an average joe (overweight couch potato). I decided to do something about it. I started jogging a half mile with my goal being to be able to lose weight and participate in a 10k race. Well I succeded with those goals and eventually soon found triathlon. Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

Sounds like my experience as well.  Until this flu season, I hadn’t had a cold for almost three years (about the time I got into serious training). However, this Y2K flu bug really knocked me for a loop for almost two weeks.  Maybe we’re just two flukes! Marty

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Well, I can only speak for myself, but I know that normally — I very rarely (if ever) get sick during the year. However… after every IM I’ve done, I’ve gotten sick as a dog and been laid up for weeks. Last time was IMC — I figure I picked it up on the return flight (back to Oz). My guess was that IM beats my body & immune system to a pulp, and at that point I’m basically a walking target for a virus — however, that conclusion is based on an experiment using a sample of one… — MB.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nearly three years ago, I was an average joe (overweight couch potato). I decided to do something about it. I started jogging a half mile with my goal being to be able to lose weight and participate in a 10k race. Well I succeded with those goals and eventually soon found triathlon. Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

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. I’ve been going around swatting flies with hammers lately for some reason . . .

I’ve created a monster!

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But I do have an occasional allergy, just to give me a human touch. Right now I’m allergic to something in my fish tanks, but it’s nothing like a cold. Ruth Kazez

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so you see nothing wrong with spreading the thing around in your work environment, which happens to be a place where people may be less able to fend off such minor illnesses?

Hey Ron, do you stay at home quarantined when you have a cold? Should I perhaps call in sick for something as simple as a cold? We are chronically shortstaffed in the ER and if we all said we couldn’t come in for the sake of a cold, we would have some real problems taking care of anyone at all. Would sure like to have that luxury, and maybe society would too, to have the medical staff stay home whenever they are sick in the slighttest way. I do my best not to spread anything around. And who I was referring to earlier are the 22 year olds who have had congestion since last night and then come in the ER like we have some magic thing for them. Nope, sorry, rest and fluids, just like I try to do. No magic there. Ken

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… (speaking of which, where has our resident tuba player been lately?)  … He was last spotted floating over the DC metro area on cloud 9.

But the ballooning wedding budget has caused a recent loss of altitude. Rick "I chose the right place to be snowed in, though" Denney

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First off, let me apologize for my overly strident tone in my last post . . . I’ve been going around swatting flies with hammers lately for some reason . . . Hey Ron, do you stay at home quarantined when you have a cold? Should I perhaps call in sick for something as simple as a cold?

IMO, yes and yes. Some people may be legitimately sick more than the standard 5 working days in a year, but it seems like most people that I know save their ’sick’ days to take as ‘mental health’ days, which is irresponsible and disrespectful to the people they work with and infect. We are chronically shortstaffed in the ER and if we all said we couldn’t come in for the sake of a cold, we would have some real problems taking care of anyone at all. Would sure like to have that luxury, and maybe society would too, to have the medical staff stay home whenever they are sick in the slighttest way. I do my best not to spread anything around. And who I was referring to earlier are the 22 year olds who have had congestion since last night and then come in the ER like we have some magic thing for them. Nope, sorry, rest and fluids, just like I try to do. No magic there. Ken

Hey – I agree that a minor cold is no reason to go to the ER. I just saw a slight disconnect between the way you said you refused to let something lay you low and then in the next paragraph complained about the patients infecting you. But, as I said, I brayed too loudly. Mea culpa. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux You’ve been pretty lucky. We’re all fit people here, but that will not stop a nasty little virus to infiltrate your immune system and do a little sabotage on your body. I do believe however, that being more fit will help you get rid of that bug a little quicker than the average person. So there *is* an advantage of being helathy after all.

Sick days… How I wish I could take sick days. Unfortunately, I never get sick. People in my office get days off at a time and I have to work because I can’t get sick (never mind that I don’t get to use the "my car wouldn’t start" excuse because I bike to work every day). When I get the "cold" that is going around, I merely feel a little sluggish. In fact, my cure is to go to a nice, heated gym and play hoops. My main theory on this subject is that I can take more abuse from a cold from the couch jockeys I work with. What’s the flu compared to a hard 40 mile bike/8 mile run brick workout? TTFN, Ryan

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Triathletes don’t allow themselves to be sick, even when they might be. Thye refuse the dastardly bugs any satisfaction in laying us low. This is unlike the regular type of person who sees a cold as a way to avoid work or exercise. "I’ve got a cold, I’m sick" they say it with pride, as a badge of honor almost. I say this from working in an ER and seeing these weenies come in with the same symtoms I might have, moaning and lamenting thier conditon (all of one or two days) while I went out riding or running and now am at work with similiar symptoms. So, that is where I encounter the damn colds and flu, from the cougher who don’t cover their mouths when I am trying to get them fixed up. Ken (tell me how you really feel,,,,,,,  :)

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Yes, it does appear that working out year round does minimize the number of colds. Doing IM and/or ultramarathons each year I seem to get one winter cold each year. I have "it" now and it sucks. Rock. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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The downside of such good health is that it makes me very casual about medical care, which is to say that I simply don’t bother with any kind of tests or check-ups.  I feel more endangered by my driving (a teeny bit too fast) than any germs. Is it too late to make a couple resolutions?

Why worry then – you’ve been genetically blessed with a better than average immune system.

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I’ve mentioned this before, but it seems appropriate to repeat under this thread.  I’ve never ever in my whole life had a cold. It’s just a weird fluke. Ruth Kazez

Couldn’t possibly have anything to do with your awesome diet and healthy lifestyle.  Nah, it’s just a fluke. Still, NEVER having a cold in nearly 70 years is pretty incredible even for the healthiest of souls. -hug Before you buy.

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I say this from working in an ER and seeing these weenies come in with the same symtoms I might have, moaning and lamenting thier conditon (all of one or two days) while I went out riding or running and now am at work with similiar symptoms. So, that is where I encounter the damn colds and flu, from the cougher who don’t cover their mouths when I am trying to get them fixed up.

Oh – so you see nothing wrong with spreading the thing around in your work environment, which happens to be a place where people may be less able to fend off such minor illnesses? Oh yeah, you’re a stud alright. Ken (tell me how you really feel,,,,,,,  :)

Just did.

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I’ve mentioned this before, but it seems appropriate to repeat under this thread.  I’ve never ever in my whole life had a cold.  It’s just a weird fluke.  No flu either.  Before a big race, when others might naturally feel a bit hypochondriacal about themselves, I tend to worry about my bike’s developing some incapacitating syndrome.  Days before IMH I bought expensive new wheels because I thought mine might succumb to the onslaught of wind.  I knew I wasn’t going to get anything, but that doesn’t exempt me from a little free-floating anxiety about health, just not my own. The downside of such good health is that it makes me very casual about medical care, which is to say that I simply don’t bother with any kind of tests or check-ups.  I feel more endangered by my driving (a teeny bit too fast) than any germs. Is it too late to make a couple resolutions?   Ruth Kazez

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Or maybe it is the fact that training year round you are paying closer attention to your diet and staying well hydrated with "good" fluids (OK, maybe a beer once in awhile).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? My guess is that you’re a fluke. To my knowledge, studies have shown that regular exercise slightly depresses the immune system, so one becomes slightly more susceptible to minor ailments like the common cold. The other health benefits far outweigh this tiny factoid, though. DISCLAIMER: This info is years old and may have since been contradicted; heck, if the scientists have been doing their jobs then it’s been contradicted and proven correct 3x over by now . . . I don’t think that it is so much that the data have been contradicted, but more that you are mis-remembering the details. Acute exercise (i.e., a single bout), especially if very prolonged and/or strenuous, does result in a temporary (less than a day) reduction in your immune response. However, chronic exercise, i.e., regularly performed training, at least up to some level, actually increases immune function. A PubMed search on "David C. Neiman" will turn up numerous articles, including some good reviews… — Andrew Coggan Before you buy.

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… (speaking of which, where has our resident tuba player been lately?)  …

He was last spotted floating over the DC metro area on cloud 9. — Stacy Hills Reston, VA

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Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke?

My guess is that you’re a fluke. To my knowledge, studies have shown that regular exercise slightly depresses the immune system, so one becomes slightly more susceptible to minor ailments like the common cold. The other health benefits far outweigh this tiny factoid, though. DISCLAIMER: This info is years old and may have since been contradicted; heck, if the scientists have been doing their jobs then it’s been contradicted and proven correct 3x over by now . . .

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? My guess is that you’re a fluke. To my knowledge, studies have shown that regular exercise slightly depresses the immune system, so one becomes slightly more susceptible to minor ailments like the common cold. The other health benefits far outweigh this tiny factoid, though.

More likely is the fact that a triathlete spends less time around sick people, since, while they may go to the mall, etc., sick people generally to be found on group 50 mile rides, swiming laps, or running several miles.  When a fellow triathlete does get sick, you don’t see much of them (speaking of which, where has our resident tuba player been lately?)  It’s all a matter of exposure.

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I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

You’ve been pretty lucky. We’re all fit people here, but that will not stop a nasty little virus to infiltrate your immune system and do a little sabotage on your body. I do believe however, that being more fit will help you get rid of that bug a little quicker than the average person. So there *is* an advantage of being helathy after all.                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMCAL, IMC Y2K IMC’99: 10:45:03          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? My guess is that you’re a fluke. To my knowledge, studies have shown that regular exercise slightly depresses the immune system, so one becomes slightly more susceptible to minor ailments like the common cold. The other health benefits far outweigh this tiny factoid, though. DISCLAIMER: This info is years old and may have since been contradicted; heck, if the scientists have been doing their jobs then it’s been contradicted and proven correct 3x over by now . . .

I don’t think that it is so much that the data have been contradicted, but more that you are mis-remembering the details. Acute exercise (i.e., a single bout), especially if very prolonged and/or strenuous, does result in a temporary (less than a day) reduction in your immune response. However, chronic exercise, i.e., regularly performed training, at least up to some level, actually increases immune function. A PubMed search on "David C. Neiman" will turn up numerous articles, including some good reviews… — Andrew Coggan Before you buy.

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Nearly three years ago, I was an average joe (overweight couch potato). I decided to do something about it. I started jogging a half mile with my goal being to be able to lose weight and participate in a 10k race. Well I succeded with those goals and eventually soon found triathlon. Now, since I have been training year round for over two years, I have yet to get a cold. And I know sooner or later I will catch one. However, I used to catch a really bad cold year in and year out. I am amazed that I have not had a cold in nearly three years with this relativly "new" lifestyle that I have acquired. I was wondering if anybody else has had similar experiances, or am I a fluke? Jean-Paul Lanaux

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Question:

I am sort of new "again" to triathlon.  I raced for two years in college many moons ago…ahhhhh those were the days!  My training was pretty sloppy so I would invite any advice on how to make the most of a limited schedule. I have built up a decent base over the past several months, but still need more.  My job will allow me to get maybe five to ten hours/week on average as I travel a bunch.  I have a mag trainer and access to a treadmill and do most of my workouts at night.  So,  I am going to foucs on duathlons for now until my job allows me to get to a pool when it’s open.  How much time would you suggest that I spend on the bike and how much on the run by percentage. 50/50?  My long run is currently one hour and my long ride is two.  If any of you would be willing to shed some light on this for me I would greatly appreciate it.  I know there are probably a ton of you out there who have even less time than myself so maybe I could learn a thing or two from you. Thanks in advance. Dan

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Question:

Wobbet: I think the main thing to consider in training for the longer distance events is to know that you are able to do those distances.  In other words, you should be able to do any section of those longer races during training.  The only way to do that is really just to spend the time to do so.  In my first year of doing tris, I’ve been able to initially do a sprint triathlon to olympic distance and even a 1/2 ironman without much trouble.  I personally just increased my distance from the sprint early in the season to the 1/2 IM and did a lot of olympic distance races before and after.  One thing you touched upon is wanting to know what it takes to finish (and not perform).  I think for the longer races, especially the 1/2 IM, that it is part psychological.  You need to believe that you can do the distance and you need to train your mind/body to do so.  Everybody has their own formula for getting ready, and there are some plans available that you can get.  It might take some experimentation, but you are probably the best judge of how you feel. As for a tri specific bike, I did fine this whole year (sprint to 1/2 IM) on a road bike (Trek 5200) with no problems.  My legs did feel kind of funky after the biking portion, but that wore off after a little bit in the run.  If you have the money, plan to stay doing tris for a while, want a new toy, etc., then by all means, consider buying a tri-specific bike. Hope that helps. That’s my two cents.  If you need any other info, let me know. Kendall – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i have been doing one sprint tri a year for the past four years and have finally decided to upgrade my efforts. my goals for the next few years are as follows: 1999 – 2-4 olympic distance + my annual sprint 2000 – 2-4 olympic, 1 1/2 IM, + sprint after i finish the 1/2 IM my wife i will decide whether or not i have the time and the motivation to train for a full IM in 2001. my first questions about gearing up for this are: 1) how much time is needed to train in order to finish the olympic distance and still feel good physically. i am not going for a top finish, probably about 3-3.5 hours. 2) same question for the 1/2 IM. desired finish time in the 6-6.5 hour range. i am a decent swimmer (can swim 2:00/100m for a decent period of time), not spectacular rider (18-20 mph during tri on flat course), not spectacular runner (8:30/mile on a dedicated 10k). i am planning on improving my times, but want an idea of what it takes to finish, not to perform. my second question is – i will be doing a majority of my riding with some non-tri friends and i am planning on sticking with my road bike and aero bars for riding the tris for a good while. but, i have thought about buying a tri bike for the future. at what threshold (number of races, number of races at what distance, coolness of buying a new toy, etc.) should i start to seriously consider a tri specific bike? thanks, wobbet

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i have been doing one sprint tri a year for the past four years and have finally decided to upgrade my efforts. my goals for the next few years are as follows: 1999 – 2-4 olympic distance + my annual sprint 2000 – 2-4 olympic, 1 1/2 IM, + sprint after i finish the 1/2 IM my wife i will decide whether or not i have the time and the motivation to train for a full IM in 2001. my first questions about gearing up for this are: 1) how much time is needed to train in order to finish the olympic distance and still feel good physically. i am not going for a top finish, probably about 3-3.5 hours. 2) same question for the 1/2 IM. desired finish time in the 6-6.5 hour range. i am a decent swimmer (can swim 2:00/100m for a decent period of time), not spectacular rider (18-20 mph during tri on flat course), not spectacular runner (8:30/mile on a dedicated 10k). i am planning on improving my times, but want an idea of what it takes to finish, not to perform. my second question is – i will be doing a majority of my riding with some non-tri friends and i am planning on sticking with my road bike and aero bars for riding the tris for a good while. but, i have thought about buying a tri bike for the future. at what threshold (number of races, number of races at what distance, coolness of buying a new toy, etc.) should i start to seriously consider a tri specific bike? thanks, wobbet

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Question:

To whom it may concern: I am very interested in buying someone’s used computrainer. . . if they are interested in selling. . . . Please contact by phone or e-mail. . . Thanks in Advance! Mike Flynn

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USA Triathlon has a number of CompuTrainers for sale. If interested, contact Steve Locke USA Triathlon

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Question:

Hi Friends, I just came in from Thailand where I did this great Tria. Its one of the most beautiful I did ( and I did a lot, including IMH). Beautiful Race course , best infrastructure provided by the hotelcomplex, super swimmingpool 40m in a tropical garden, most friendly people and enthusiastic triathlon fans. Here some race points I remember ( they promissed me to put the actual results in the WEB the next days under http://www.lagunaphuket.com/sports/triathlon.htm     ) 400 where racing, 170 where Thais , 70 Japaneese, lots of Aussis and others. Greg Welch has won the thing , Peter Reid was 2nd , Juergen Zaeck only 6th. 1st Female was Jacky Gallagher, Sian Welch was 2nd. I placed 4th in M40-45 (55th overal) and did not quallify for IMH because there where only 2 slots in my Group. So I will keep on trying. — Friedhelm Birk SiliconGraphics FRANKFURT Tel: 49-6103-9382-35, Fax: 49-6103-9382-22 Internet: http://reality.sgi.com/friedhelm                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <          - __/    /o_         – (()) (())         –  / just Tri it !

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how did lori bowden do?????

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Lori Bowden was fourth in a time of 2:56:43.

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Question:

My good friend and loyal training partner just got a job offer in Chattanooga, TN and being the stud triathlete that he is, he is wondering about the tri scene there.  Any information on training groups or tri clubs would be great.  For that matter any general info about living and training there would be greatly appreciated. Please post or email me and I will be sure that he gets the info. Thanks in advance, Todd Gerlach — Todd Gerlach ISSC Austin AIX Support Team                   __o       o    

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My good friend and loyal training partner just got a job offer in Chattanooga, TN and being the stud triathlete that he is, he is wondering about the tri scene there.  Any information on training groups or tri clubs would be great.  For that matter any general info about living and training there would be greatly appreciated.

I’m over in Music city so I don’t know any particulars except they do have several pretty good races over there.  I hope that your tribuddy likes the hills because the only flat spotts in Chat town are on the Cumberland river on a calm day!!! No kidding. Good Luck, Russ Arnold

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Question:

     Runner’s World once published something by some elite coach that went something like this…if race day is Sunday, emphasize protein and heme iron on Thursday (i.e. good quality iron from animal sources), emphasize carbs on Friday, and try and eat balanced on Saturday.  I have tried this with a fair amount of success, both with myself, and with the advice that I give to my athletes.                                       cheers, Bill Webber

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Pop-Tarts, Banana and some orange juice.  Pre race meal of champions. Peace, Harris

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If I’m awake 2 to 3 hours prior to the race start I like to eat a peanut butter sandwich.  If it is less than 2 hours to the race start I’ll eat something quickly digestable like a bagel and/or banana. Lucy

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Cereal and banana or pear 2 or more hours before race time, Ultrafuel till race time. Ironbut

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Oh, and probably one of my wife’s PR BARS for the fat. Ironbut

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Pop-Tarts, Banana and some orange juice.  Pre race meal of champions. Peace, Harris

Oatmeal, banana and diluted apple cider. The breakfast of chumps. RP

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I don’t vary from my normal breakfast and have a couple cups of coffee and cereal with a banana. Maybe a bagel also if it’s a couple hours to the start. — chris Take your best pony and ride into your worst fear http://www.sfo.com/~hulaman

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Just wondering what people out there are eating the morning of a race, and how far in advance of the starting gun. Does your meal vary from 10Ks to short tris, to long tris?

For any race..  1 powerbar, 1 bagel, 1 banana, and 16 -32 oz of Cytomax. This is the same thing I have before my morning swim workouts minus the banana and 1/2 the cytomax.  I have this about 1 hour before the workout.  For a race, I try to have the food about 2 hours before the race and end up finihing the Cyto about 15 min. before the start. I’ve tried a few other things,  Endura Opti (worked ok), Ultra Fuel (too much sugar, gave me stomach problems), Oatmeal (works great but too much work in the am). John (I’m hungry now) K.

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I too hydrate like crazy the week before the race.  It makes for frequent visits to the restroom all week long, but at least that means I’m getting the blood flowing instead of sitting at my desk allday.  Checking to make sure your urine is clear is a good way to ensure that you’re getting enough fluids. I eat carbos on race day — bagel with cream cheese and a glass of orange juice or Gatorade and a banana.  Sometimes a Powerbar.  And I carboload the two nights before.  The following info may also help: Excuse typos from scan. Tucker THE  PRE*COMPETlTlON MEAL When it comes to pre-competlton eating, each person has individual food preferencss or aversions  Hence, no one single food or magic meal will ensure top performance. Whereas some athletes (runners or those In sports involvlng running and jumping) may prefer to eat nothinq. before competition, others cyclists, skiers) may perform better after having eaten a light snack (50 200 calories) or small meal (300-500 calories). The following guide lines offer points to consider regarding your own personal pre-exercise eating progran. Because each person i5 unique, you should experiment to learn which foods (Tf any), and how much of thern, work best for your body.

Question:

Josh, Whether one agrees with your thoughts or not, your detailed and sincere assesment of drafting in triathlons is a positive contribution to the on-going dialogue.  Keep up the good work. Cory H.

Response:

Josh Allen Writes: Attacks on integrity always prompt me to write. I apologize to anyone who may have not understood the intent of my previous post. I was making a perhaps too subtle attempt to make apparent the future attitude of some traithletes.

                        snip….snip Josh, Your objectivity was not lost to all of us.  I enjoyed your posts and appreciate your position.  Of all the bafflegab surrounding drafting that I’ve read in recent months, these were the only ones that said anything new and substantive. Bruce Ackman Shields up Mr.Sulu…..

Response:

Attacks on integrity always prompt me to write. I apologize to anyone who may have not understood the intent of my previous post. I was making a perhaps too subtle attempt to make apparent the future attitude of some traithletes. With the exponential increase in the poularity of triathlon thanks to drafting, we will see more money being infused into the sport and thus the age-groupers will be racing for money. Cutthroat tactics and parasitic atheltes intent on only making a few bucks will be prevalent in the age group ranks much like in USCF racing. The days of race T-shirt pride will be gone along with the willingness to help out a fellow athlete just because they were in the race with you. Now everyone will be competition. I will continue to race Tom’s races. The reason why is not money. I probably won’t win again. The reason is that Tom is a nice person who looks to promote the growth of our sport through his Family Fitness weekends. He creates cosecutive nights of fun for an entire family, culminating in a fun and organized triathlon which can be enjoyed by everyone. His races have been there for me since I started doing triathlons, and I will be there for him until he decides that he won’t put on another race. Concerning integrity and support of beliefs: I do not support drafting. i will not support drafting–unless my lack of support   hurts what our sport was founded upon (local races like Tom’s). Mr. Zagarino questions my integrity, but I can guarantee that he will not see me at an ITU race ever again. Any organization that bans athletes because of semantics and the demands an apology from them for making a living and supporting a friend doesn’t have the interest of the sport at heart. It shows that there are a bunch of businessmen posing as athletes who are behaving in a dictatorial manner. The ITU’s "experiments" with drafting have done nothing for the sport except allow it to gain considerable control by creating dissention among athletes and race directors. Out of the bedlam comes a new, more powerful ITU, ready to crush your sport into oblivion so that Coca-Cola and MTV will give it money. The ITU came close to getting Triathlon into the Olympics, but I think some other group needs to finish the job. If you threw a party and nobody came, would it still be the wrold’s best party just because the banner said so? An athlete boycott of Worlds may be disatrous for the sport, but I think that true triathletes and the multisport spirit will easily survive. Not going to worlds will probably hurt my career and I know the ITU doesn’t give a damn about my meager age-group presence, but they will not see me there Sincerely, Mr. Out Of Control, Josh Allen

Response:

This sounds like fun.  I’m going to register for Tom Ziebart’s next race as an elite so I can draft legally.  Of course I’ll give up my chances at an age group award, but since I rarely get one anyway, why not? My swim isn’t fast enough to catch the elite pack, but it doesn’t matter since I’ll be in the first wave and I can suck wheel off the top age groupers in the waves behind me as they pass.  I should be able to average 23-24 MPH instead of the usual 20-21.  Only problem is that drafting is illegal for them so I won’t be able to draft off any big packs or pace lines. Maybe the idea will catch on and the entire field will register for the elite wave.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  Can you just see a pack of 500 cyclists entering the transition area all at once? #include "disclaimer.h"                |____|

Response:

One week has now passed since I raced in Boca Raton. The race was the Gatorade Triathlon Series race #2 (?). The Boca Sprintman. Drafting was legal in the elite waves, in which anyone with the desire can enter. Age-groupers followed standard Tri-Fed rules. Race distance was 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile run. The race was held at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton, FL on June 12th. In the past, I have spouted off about how I don’t like drafting legalization. However, I hadn’t raced in a draft legal race so I couldn’t really make an educated judgement. Now, I have. I am presenting my experiences so that those of you without the ability to race in draft legal fashion can start to form more well informed opinions. My opinions will be given as a reply to this post if you care to read them. Race morning was cool (for florida) but as soon as the sun rose the heat began (and the humidity). The swim was in the Atlantic, and was a three sided rectangle. Out ~50 meters, north ~700 meters, in ~50 meters. The water temp was 81 degrees, and it was perfectly clear (the water-you could see the bottom adn the stingrays) and glass calm. The race began with a beach start.       With about ten seconds to go the announcer counted down. With about four seconds to go, a few people started. With about 3.5 seconds left, everyone started. I hit the first buoy in third place, but was quickly followed by a large pack which included several talented swimmers. After the turn, I jumped on second place’s feet, and tried to hang on. Didn’t happen. First and second took off like they were swimming 100 repeats and I was left to lead the chase pack with a swimmer from FAU. We exited the water about 45 seconds back from the leaders and headed for the transistion area. The transition involved running about 400 meters through a tunnel, twisty cancrete paths, and chipped wood. The elite wave’s bikes were racked in the south end, and the exit was in the north end of the transition. The bike course exited the park quickly and headed south on A1A (completely flat) for 5 miles. Out and back. Flat and fast. No wind.      I just got a set of "Pedal Power" platforms from Wil Compton in the hopes that this race would be close enough that I would need them. At this point it wasn’t. By looking at the bikes, I could tell that Chip Martoccia (a DeGeorge team member) and Bob Belzer (of TYR age-group Excellence fame) were the studly swimmers. I fumbled with my pedals and quickly set about chasing these boys down. In the transistion the FAU swimmer had gotten ahead of me and as soon as I hit A1A, I caught him. Now the differences of a draft legal race came out.      I passed FAU boy and he instantly jumped on my wheel. I pulled a bit, and when I tried to pull off, he wouldn’t come through (to the front, for draft lingo challenged). I then tried to get rid of him by weaving side to side and surging. He eventually pulled through, and asked if I knew the race was draft legal. Yes, but I didn’t want to give him a free ride! I saw that we weren’t going any faster with just the two of us (he didn’t pull), so I sat up (literally) drank a bit and waited for a follwing pack of three to catch us. After about 15 seconds of 15 mph riding, we became a pack of five. Abilities ranged in this group immensly. It included a couple of weaker cyclists (~1:00-1:02 40K ability) a couple of ~59:00-1:02 cyclists, and myself (Triathlon 40K split PR: 57:02). Everyone worked to help the pack go faster by pulling through. Some would spend longer at the front than others. Everyone in the pack probably worked the same amount by the end of the ride.We worked together to catch Chip, but by the transition area, we hadn’t cought him at all. Chip is very strong on the bike. (for a less objective account, you have to check out my comments). He entered the transition area still about 1:00 up on us. The run exited the transition area midway through it and went through a mulch covered path for about 200 meters before hitting pavement. It wound through the park for about 1/2 mile before going out and back along A1A. Flat, fast, with the park being pretty twisty.      I exited the transition about :35 behind Chip (thanks to "Pedal Power"!!!) by means of an instant transition, and because the run started on the trail, I couldn’t see him. I ran hard in the hopes that something had happened to make him walk the run, but I pretty much thought it was over. I caught a glimpse of him through the trees, so I knew that I had to give it my all. By checking how long it took for me to pass a landmark he had passed, I figured out that I was gaining on him at the rate of about :12 per mile. That meant I would catch him about 100 meters AFTER the finish. I gutted it out and cut his lead to half by the turnaround. Through the park again I made up time by running FAST through the turns (mostly tight 90 degree turns) while hoping he would slack up a bit. With 200 meters to go, I was on his shoulder. I surged to see if he would stay with me. He did, so it came down to a sprint. 100 meters to go and I threw down the hammer and tried to get away. THis time I shook him and powered to a slim 2 second victory and the $500 first place check. Post race amenities were great, and everyone seemed happy. The sea lice didn’t seem to be too bad (I got away without them). I had to head back home for work, so I missed the awards ceremony. Can’t fill you in on that. Tom Ziebart put on a classy race and I will definitely be racing future ones. The race will be televised on Tuesday, 20 June on PRIME network. For you southeast folks, that’s the sunshine channel. My opinions in the followup post

Response:

The next race in the Gatorade Triathlon Series will be this weekend in Key Biscyane – elite drafting will be allowed.  Also – No sea lice expected. Tom Ziebart – Exclusive Sports Marketing

Response:

Josh You could possibly sit out a few draft legal events and make a few bucks selling your race coverage to a big magazine.   As far as wetsuit use by elites racing for $$$s in 81 degree water for 1/2 mile – stupid move.  Using rubber leggings is more ridiculous.  I am not a good swimmer, and look forward to races which have water temps below 78 degrees.  But I guess I’ve lost that competive neurosis which would let me justify using the suit in hot water because I didn’t want to give up those precious seconds. If the athletes themselves would enforce sportsmanship, we might not see so much of the borderline cheating/stretching the rules. Good story, Josh.  Go Gators Rick Margiotta, TriFedPrez

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<<Snip race report I will race more of Tom Ziebart’s draft fests simply because I have the chance of winning money. When it comes to paying rent, college kids will do anything. If it comes down to supporting drafting and getting cash for rent or not supporting drafting and sleeping in a tent, you know where i will go. I do not support drafting. I will not support drafting legalization.

Josh: That is what I admire about the youth of today. Their willingness to take a stand and fight for what they belive in. Makes me nostalgic for the sixties. Let me see if I have this straight. You think drafting is immoral, you don’t like it and you continually post how it will ruin the sport. BUT, if you can make money at it, you’ll do it and then slam it on Monday morning. Ah,the idealism of youth. I must be in a flame kind of mood this morning, but this one really set me off. Go ‘noles. ZAG

Response:

Sorry about the multiple posts. It is 1:30 a.m. and I’m a little spacy. I went to the bathroom and forgot that I had posted it. Anyway, here’s what I thought of the whole race. Swim-same, except the water was 81 degrees and there were elite athletes wearing wetsuits! 81 degrees. Tom allowed rubber jockeys to compete for prizes anyway, which I think was a nose snubbing to TRI-Fed and common sense. NOBODY needs a wetsuit for a 1/2 mile swim in 81 degree water. The elites who wore them are taking advantage of the rules. I didn’t wear one and I swear that I will never wear one in water over 74 degrees again. Elite athletes who do are cheaters. To me, that’s worse than drafting in a non-drafting race. If you’re a horrible swimmer and MUST have a wetsuit, then you probably won’t be in contention for prizes anyway. One of the elites was wearing a pair of wesuit PANTS. No top to get hot, just a 5mm layer of neoprene aroung his legs to provide floatation. I feel a quote coming on….something like: Any populsion device…or flotation device shall be illegal. Tri-fed prez or Mr. Platt, what do you think? Bike-The pack of five consisted of cyclists who I am never near. I have competed with all of the members of the pack and I have always outsplit them. In a standard race I could have ridden away from them with ease, but in this race I couldn’t drop them. Their pulling did nothing to lower my bike split (time wise) but they did lessen my energy expenditure. I came off the bike with about the sam split I could have had, but my legs would have been trashed. Now, they were tired, but I still had snap in them. Even with drafting, you still had to work hard, but the intermittent rest let’s you get off the bike a bit fresher. We didn’t put any time on Chip, but I didn’t work as hard as him.      Alternate possibilities- 1) If I had been with two other cyclists of high level, The three of us could have probably caught Chip and all have been fresh. 2) If I had had a good swim, I would have been near Chip so that he and I could have worked together. We would have put massive time on the rest of the field but it would have come down to who was a better runner. 3) The pack has a few excellent runners. We keep the same interval on Chip, but the runners do no work and hop off and run 15:00 for the 3 miles. They win, and all they did was swim fast enough to get in the pack. Run-My fresher legs allowed me to run Chip down, though by the end (final sprint) I think our legs were on even ground. I was a miler in high school, so I have a bit of kick and that allowed me to win. Bottom line-    The race was very exciting (for me and for spectators). They got to see someone from this pack of five (which looked good and worked well together) chase down the front runner. The TV show should be great. This is one example of drafting making race more exciting, though I can think of other situations where it would be a ho-hummer. I do think that this race would be pretty typical of a drafting race.    If I hadn’t drafted, I would not have caught Chip. period. I would have had to work harder on the bike and there is no way I would have averaged 5:30 per mile if I had.    The strongest runner of the draft pack won. True, but the strongest runner of the race got second because he killed himself on the bike. If Chip had been brave (or stupid) enough, he would have lollygagged the bike, gotten in with us, and let the race be a 3 mile run between me and him. Winner–?? it would have been up for grabs then.    Chip almost won. If I hadn’t had the platform pedals, My transition would have been longer and I would have lost. If I had not hesitated and helped some guy unzip his wetsuit, I may have won by 4 seconds. If I had not run excessively hard in the first 800 meters when I couldn’t tell how far ahead Chip was, I would have lost. With all of the small things that can change a race like that, the drafting becomes less important. Even though he didn’t get the draft, Chip almost won the race. I had to shave off a bunch of seconds other places to win. Drafting alone didn’t do it.    I will probably race a draft legal race again. This is one thing that has changed. Draft legal races are still triathlons. It takes proficiency at three sports to be successful. Drafting changes the strategy of the race drastically. Watch a cycling race and change channels to a 10K run as soon as the sprint is over. That is how Professional Draft-legal races will eventually evolve. The swim will be negated (against popular belief) unless the person is an incredible swimmer and cyclist and can keep that gap for the run (a la Benjamin Sanson crossed with Mike Pigg–which doesn’t exist). There will be tactical racing on the bike (18 mph sunday rides) unless a group of non-runners tries to break away from the runners. The run will either be slow (if the non-runners get a big enough break) or will become a 10K road race with time approaching that of straight road races. It’s still a triathlon in that pros will have to be at least good enough to assure that you get in the lead pack, but you can bet that they will be spending more time on the track than on the bike. Personally- Still don’t like it. Won’t like it. Won $500 bucks because of it and have no guilt about taking it. It takes away the individual nature of the sport and does create team-oriented tactics. I will race more of Tom Ziebart’s draft fests simply because I have the chance of winning money. When it comes to paying rent, college kids will do anything. If it comes down to supporting drafting and getting cash for rent or not supporting drafting and sleeping in a tent, you know where i will go. I do not support drafting. I will not support drafting legalization. I don’t think that drafting will last. Josh Allen

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Question:

: …. When I arrived : home and checked the tape not a second of iron coverage. So now I have : two hours of football on tape. …. If you had set your VCR correctly, you would have had 2 hours of interviews, personality profiles and commercials.  Not much racing.  :-(   Still, it was better than nothing. Dave LaPorte U. of Minn.

Response:

Those of us lucky enough (here in Baltimore) to no longer have a football team got the full NBC coverage, almost , as they were showing jeff Devlins great bike ride the local affilate mistakenly started to run coommercials.

Response:

How can they do this.  Not only did NBC have their ironman coverage today, but TSN also decided to air their coverage of the Toronto triathlon at 5:00pm. OK.  I guess the TORONTO SPORTS NETWORK have the right to cover the Toronto triathlon, but almost four months later and during the second hour of the Ironman.  What is a guy with only one VCR to do?  Ironman comes first and the Tor tri will have to wait for the rerun that in this time of hockey strikes will obviously come.  Bad choice!  When I arrived home and checked the tape not a second of iron coverage. So now I have two hours of football on tape.  Did I read somewhere that Ironman will be on again on Dec.24?

Yup you got screwed. NBC from Buffalo showed HI at 1:00 instead of at the listed time of 4:00. I would have missed it too if my mother (went to TO for the weekend to see the broadcast) hadn’t been channel surfing at 1:00. She past a channel and heard someone say "Hawaii", she stopped and realized that the race was on. She screams to me and I race to get the VCR going. I missed about the first 5 minutes… which seemed to involve a boring speil by Mark Allen, and none of the race itself thankfully. NBC will probably complain about the lack of ratings for HI this year. If they do everyone should send a letter to their local affiliate and the parent to complain that it got low ratings because they fucked around with the broadcast. The rights should be taken away from NBC, they treated this race as filler not as a serious event. Why did they even bother to send a crew to film it if they couldn’t care less? Cheers. Dave.

Response:

How can they do this.  Not only did NBC have their ironman coverage today, but TSN also decided to air their coverage of the Toronto triathlon at 5:00pm. OK.  I guess the TORONTO SPORTS NETWORK have the right to cover the Toronto triathlon, but almost four months later and during the second hour of the Ironman.  What is a guy with only one VCR to do?  Ironman comes first and the Tor tri will have to wait for the rerun that in this time of hockey strikes will obviously come.  Bad choice!  When I arrived home and checked the tape not a second of iron coverage. So now I have two hours of football on tape.  Did I read somewhere that Ironman will be on again on Dec.24? Chris

Response:

Question:

: Hi, : I will be doing my first half-Ironman distance race on April 30th (it’s : getting awfully close!); it will be Wildflower Long Course.  I have done : olympic distance before, but need some advice on Long Course events. : (1) What do you wear in a Long Course Tri?  Should I do it in padded :     swim trunks (which is what I wear in Olympic Course), or lightly :     padded cycling shorts (like the InSport model)?  Or should I :     change after the swim and/or the bike? :     I always used to wear bike shorts with a light padding for all three stages (except for Fountain Mountain where wetsuits were forbidden), but then I also used unpadded bike shorts for shorter distances and even just for running. : (2) In short races, I bike and run sockless. :     What should I do in Long Course? I rarely used socks for half-ironman, just put vaseline on any seams in your shoes and use LOTS of talcum powder. : Kostya Vasilyev                                               run like a cheetah : SYMANTEC Corp. Development Tools                      eat like a pig : (408) 446-7165                                                party like hell Good luck, — James Tappin,           School of Physics & Space Research                         University of Birmingham                         "If all else fails–read the instructions!"                          O__                           —  /`

Response:

| Hi, | | I will be doing my first half-Ironman distance race on April 30th (it’s | getting awfully close!); it will be Wildflower Long Course.   Whatever you do, don’t repeat my mistake.  I did the race with a 13-21 and even though I *like* hills, the 21 wasn’t nearly wimpy enough for some of the really steep hills.  Anyone done a tougher 1/2 Ironman course than Wildflower?  I would guess that Semi-Tough is more difficult, but no others come to mind…

Wildflower has some pretty steep hills on the course.  There are a few at the beginning, but most come at the end.  I measured 2550 feet of climbing when I last did the race in 1992. Regarding Semi-Tough: It isn’t a 1/2 ironman, it is an international distance race.  I guess that Charlie Lincoln realized that anyone who would want to do a fiendishly hilly 1/2 ironman would probably already be signed up for World’s Toughest.  Not having done Semi-Tough, you’ll have to take my comments with a grain of salt.  I imagine the bike course would follow the same roads as Toughest, in which case it really wouldn’t be very hilly.  Keeping the distance around 40K would put you on top of Luther Pass before it is time to turn around. The ride to the base of Luther is relatively flat.  I’m not sure what they do on the run.  There could be some some pretty primitive trails if they follow a course similar to Toughest, but again the real hills from the Toughest course are beyond the range of a 10K.  I tend to think that Donner Lake Tri has a tougher bike course (2350 feet of climbing in <25 miles), but the last descent is a blast! I really wish I could find more hilly races!                                         — John — John Walker                Jackson & Tull Chartered Engineers

Response:

| Hi, | | I will be doing my first half-Ironman distance race on April 30th (it’s | getting awfully close!); it will be Wildflower Long Course.   Whatever you do, don’t repeat my mistake.  I did the race with a 13-21 and even though I *like* hills, the 21 wasn’t nearly wimpy enough for some of the really steep hills.  Anyone done a tougher 1/2 Ironman course than Wildflower?  I would guess that Semi-Tough is more difficult, but no others come to mind… | I have done | olympic distance before, but need some advice on Long Course events. | | (1) What do you wear in a Long Course Tri?  Should I do it in padded |     swim trunks (which is what I wear in Olympic Course), or lightly |     padded cycling shorts (like the InSport model)?  Or should I |     change after the swim and/or the bike? I wear padded swim trunks and a singlet.  Since it is likely to be 90+ at Wildflower, I stongly recommend a singlet on the bike to prevent burning. | (2) In short races, I bike and run sockless. |     What should I do in Long Course? Definitely wear socks.   — Mike Gilson "For those who think, life is a comedy; for those who feel, life is a tragedy."

Response:

Hi! I’ve done my first half Ironman two years ago. It’s a great distance (not too short, not too long). For the swim, I only had my swimsuit under my wetsuit and I put dry cycling shorts and triathlon singlet after the swim. In fact it depends on what you expect from this race: if you’re racing for a great place in your age group (or overall), you may want to shave some seconds on the total time. I lost maybe 20 seconds at the transition and this is not much on a 4h47 race! For the running I put socks (20 seconds also) and I feel great for the whole race. A friend who did the whole race with race with a swimsuit was 15 minutes after me at the end (and we’re usually at the same level). This may not be due to his clothes but how know? For such long race, I prefer to have some confort than shaving only 40 seconds and suffering the last 2 hours! Enjoy your race! Frederic

Response:

Hi, I will be doing my first half-Ironman distance race on April 30th (it’s getting awfully close!); it will be Wildflower Long Course.  I have done olympic distance before, but need some advice on Long Course events. (1) What do you wear in a Long Course Tri?  Should I do it in padded     swim trunks (which is what I wear in Olympic Course), or lightly     padded cycling shorts (like the InSport model)?  Or should I     change after the swim and/or the bike? (2) In short races, I bike and run sockless.     What should I do in Long Course? Kostya Vasilyev                                         run like a cheetah SYMANTEC Corp. Development Tools                        eat like a pig (408) 446-7165                                          party like hell

Response: