husband's lab results | Triathlon Results

Question:

As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts?

I use a small bungee cord, one that has both ends connected by a small ball (hard to describe…). It came in a package of lots of bungee cords that I already owned. Works great for me. David / FEY2K IMCAL2000 16:53 I hate junk email. I’m trying VERY hard to avoid it with my new ISP. So, to reach me, reply to wuth followed by ng, all as one word (ie nameng) at bellsouth dot net. Let’s see any bot figure out how to get my email from that!

Response:

Grab some large O-rings from the hardware store… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Newsgroups: rec.sport.triathlon As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

this happened enough on my first bottle that i gave up and used regular rubber bands, which worked just fine. i was given another aero bottle set-up and those bands seem to be sturdier, as they’ve lasted. when they do break, though, i’ll go back to the tan-colored ones we have on hand here. even if you don’t have ones of a suitable size, surely a friend does. stuff on rubber bands now over, i did have such a band go right before a race, so just taped the bottle in place with duct tape and all was fine. peggy

Response:

…rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink…<

At Office Depot, I bought a bag of 29 assorted rubber bands, sized from 12" to 17" for $2.99. The 12" bands work great. — Andrew A good friend will bail you out of jail, whereas a true friend will be sitting in the cell with you saying, "Dude, that was so f…ing awesome!"

Response:

replace the rubber bands with 3/8" bungee cord. it will stand heat, overstretching, a beating, a carbodrink soaking and, most importantly, it won’t break open during a race. mine has been on for the past four years. try a single loop. once you find the right tension, tie a good knot and forget about it. also buy adhesive velcro: one strip on the aerobottle, one strip on the aerobar at each contact point. if the aerobar touches the stem, stick velcro there too. roberto – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

Broccolli! Go to the market and the red rubberbands that hold them together work perfectly! Little tip from the old Steve’s Multisport guy! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

…rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink…< At Office Depot, I bought a bag of 29 assorted rubber bands, sized from 12" to 17" for $2.99. The 12" bands work great.

Thanks for the tip! — Andrew A good friend will bail you out of jail, whereas a true friend will be sitting in the cell with you saying, "Dude, that was so f…ing awesome!"

A good friend will help you move, whereas a true friend will help you move . . . a body. -Harold

Response:

A good friend will help you move, whereas a true friend will help you move

. . . a body. < That’s great; LOL!!!

Response:

Choppin’ broccoli!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Broccolli! Go to the market and the red rubberbands that hold them together work perfectly! Little tip from the old Steve’s Multisport guy! As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

Choppin’ broccoli!

"I know a lady, If I didn’t know her, she’d be a lady, I didn’t know" I’d thought about the broccoli bands, but they seem way too short. Someone told me to contact Profile, and they said they’d send out replacements right away. Good deal! -Harold

Response:

Hey, Yes profile or your LBS should be able to get you the bands, Profile sends them out free, So make sure your LBS returns the favor, in my neck of the woods, we hand them out free. The bike shop down the way charges for them. ???

Response:

try velcro

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

replace the rubber bands with 3/8" bungee cord. it will stand heat, overstretching, a beating, a carbodrink soaking and, most importantly, it won’t break open during a race. mine has been on for the past four years. try a single loop. once you find the right tension, tie a good knot and forget about it. also buy adhesive velcro: one strip on the aerobottle, one strip on the aerobar at each contact point. if the aerobar touches the stem, stick velcro there too. roberto

Excellent Idea!!!…Found some 3/8" bungee cords about 7" long with small metal hooks on the end. Worked like a charm…Rubber bands are dead…I kept one on the base to run the bungee cords through when I remove them to clean the bottle (Rubber bands are now used to hold the bungee cords. Good way to not loose your bungee cords.) Joe Moya – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I expected they would, the rubber bands broke on my Profile Aerodrink just about a year after I bought it. Anyone have any good ideas for securing it that DON’T involve paying $6.00 plus shipping for replacement parts? Thanks! -Harold

Response:

Question:

[[ This message was both posted and mailed: see the "To," "Cc," and "Newsgroups" headers for details. ]] David, Marvelous. Amazing what practice, commitment, and enduring does to one’s mind, body, and spirit. Congratulations, but the reward is in the doing. In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer – rec.running FAQ Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975 Mindful Running: http://www.mindfulness.com/mr.asp http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

Response:

Jarno – 33 years and 2 days of breathing

Happy Birthday! Dot

Response:

Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager.

David, Congratulations and keep up the good work! Dot

Response:

[snip] Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54

David, do you hear us cheering and clapping for you here in Finland? You are an inspiration! Jarno – 33 years and 2 days of breathing — The woods are lovely, dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep. - Robert Frost

Response:

Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge.

You know what David? Reading about your first try at running I realize that my first run 7 months ago with 4.5 k in 33 minutes (including 1 one minute walking break) with HRavr152 was one heck of a run – no wonder I felt like dying… Hmm…now I do it in 29 minutes with no walking breaks and a 130 HRavg so some advancement has been taking place but your pace is astronomical for me – and I think it will be forever so. ) Jarno — The woods are lovely, dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep. - Robert Frost

Response:

Jarno – 33 years and 2 days of breathing

a happy belated birthday, jarno. hope you had a blast. jobs

Response:

Very inspiring, David. Congrats. I quit smoking around the same time as you (Jan 15, 2000), but didn’t get serious about running until last spring. Your 1st 5K time is close to mine (20:29), so I hold out hope I can reach your amazing times some day. Mark

Response:

David, Congrats!!! Your interest, dedication and love for running is awesome. Your best times are still ahead of you. "Train hard win easy" — Bernard O /// / …./ GOTTA RUN! To reply by e-mail remove SPAM

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

Response:

Hi, David, Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge.

[snip] Man, that’s great! You’re natural talent is pretty evident but it doesn’t mean doddly-squat without your dedication and enjoyment of running. You’ve really put it all together. Anniversary celebration? <G Layne The rec.running report archives may be found at http://kinder.cis.unf.edu/rec.running

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Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog.

[greatly-appreciated post snipped] Thanks so much for posting this. What you’ve accomplished is wonderful. Like you, I came to this newsgroup not long after after quitting an ancient smoking habit and starting to run. I am a few years older than you and nowhere near as fast, but reading your posts has been a great motivation (and entertaining, too). Congratulations on all you’ve done, and please keep up the good work (and keep posting). Karen

Response:

Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. snip

That’s cool David. I remember your early posts, because I had quit smoking a few months earlier, and had started running that July. I joined the group about the same time as you, and followed your progress. Fellow Canadian, fellow ex-smoker trying to do something healthy. While my times are nothing to brag about, my decision to start running has been one of the BEST decisions that I have ever made. Isn’t it amazing how a seemingly random, insignificant decision, made one day, [gee, I wonder if I can run to that post...] can have such an impact on one’s life. Continued success to you, and to the new runners out there, we all started as beginners too. Karen

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happy anniversary, david. time to bring out that wine, eh? i must admit i’ve been using your PR’s for my milestones. jobs Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge.

….

Response:

Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. snip

congrats on the anniversary, David. I should haul out my first running log to check the date that I started running… it was in 1999, so it’ll be 3 years sometime this June. no need for cigarettes now, eh? ‘cos when you run, you’re *smoking* ! :) Cam

Response:

Congratulations on your life change. I had no idea. You have come a long way and learned a lot (based on what you have shared).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 David (in Hamilton, Ont)

That is *absolutely amazing*, David! What a poster guy you are for the benefits of exercise! I’ll never get close to your times and I never smoked, I guess my problem is starting too old! Wow! Teresa in AZ

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Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge.

David, you’re an inspiration – and one of the most supportive posters to the newbies too. Here’s to the next two years of running, posting and personal besting … Kay

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http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD

I like this bit best: "26 miles really seems like a long, long way to run."

Response:

Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. David, you’re an inspiration – and one of the most supportive posters to the newbies too. Here’s to the next two years of running, posting and personal besting … Kay

Aye..hear, hear

Response:

Congratulations David! That original post was an interesting read. I’m amazed at how you got so fast so quickly. (So quick so fast?, So quick so quickly?) Though, you were obviously fast to begin with. Anyway, I hope that I’ll be able to tell a similar, if slower, story in August 2003. Pete — "Your ass is a muscle which must be rested." - BudLight Institute

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

Response:

You are an inspiration, David and your progress remarkable. I started in Jan 2000 after not having run for exercise for almost 30 years. I was 60 lbs heavier than I am now and couldn’t run 100 yds without stopping. I found rec.running in the summer/fall of 2000 and like you found a group of people who accepted all types. I have qualified for Boston and have now set my sights on a 50K next December. My PB’s are nothing to shout about, but they are my PB’s and represent my ability and effort and training. I just wish they were better!! I also wish I had started running years ago so that I didn’t have to fight the age-induced lengthening of the healing process. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

– Regards, Dave

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Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge. The next day I decided on some stair-climbing instead. I was excited about becoming healthy again quickly. Running wasn’t my goal at the time. However, the lure af the bike path at the bottom of the stairs was there, and a few days later I went for a "cool-down jog" after doing the stairs. It wasn’t as nauseating this time. Plus, it seemed to help with the stress of nicotine withdrawal. I thought more and more about running. By mid-June I was already planning my weekly mileage and reading running-related stuff on the net, but it didn’t even cross my mind that there were races I could enter. I didn’t think that was possible. Then I discovered this newsgroup in late July. I had been running about 2 months, and I responded to a post by the infamous Carra (hehe). It was a sort of survey, and I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. It’s a cool post to look at in retrospect: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17C42FD Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time. This was a revelation to me. Withing a week of my first post on the group, I registered for my first race, which literally changed my life. Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 — David (in Hamilton, Ont) "I gotta go faster, keep up the pace, just to stay in the human race I could go supersonic, the problem’s chronic… Tell me does life exist beyond it?" bad religion http://www.angelfire.com/nc/swstudio/home.html –

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Rec.running was the best thing that happened to me, running-wise. I realized that normal, everyday people like myself entered races all the time.

You’re story is pretty cool, and you’re progress is pretty amazing. Thank’s for the inspiration.

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Two years and one day ago, I successfully quit a pack-a-day (at least) cigarette habit that had lasted since I was a very young teenager. The very next morning (May 15, 2000) I went out for a jog. I made it about a kilometre and then had to stop. I felt very nauseated, out-of-breath, and weak. This would be a challenge.

Congratulations! Your story should be an inspiration to everyone here on rec.running. Maybe I will try that triathlon this summer. I wonder if I can find someone to give me swimming lessons. I can swim, but my form is terrible and unless I’m wearing scuba fins, my legs are pretty useless. 2 km. swim is a lot more worrisome than a 40km bike ride or 10km run. Rob

Response:

you’re progress is pretty amazing.

Exactly, it is NOT typical, nor are the other storys like this in this thread. "Make no mistake about it! Without humor, freedom would drive you insane." Bill I am so cool, that sheep count ME before they go to sleep. http://hometown.aol.com/mrrobottow/

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I’ve NEVER smoked a cig in my life and I would kill for these times.:-) Congrats.

<SNIP A BUNCH – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyway, here’s how I’ve done so far: First Race: Aug. 20, 2000 – 5k (20:20) PR’s One Year After Starting: 5k – 18:38 10k – 39:38 21.1k – 1:27:42 PR’s Two Years After Starting (current): 5k – 17:09 10k – 36:17 (badly needs updating) 21.1k – 1:20:54 —

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Question:

Does anyone know if there is another triathlon this month at Camp Pendelton? STan

Response:

Does anyone know if there is another triathlon this month at Camp Pendelton?

STan, there are no more tris on Camp Pendleton this season but there is a great 1/2 Marathon on the 16th. E-mail me if you need details. Steve Fredericks Oceanside, CA

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Question:

And OJ’s still looking for Nicole’s killers. Kate — wish I had a really good tagline for this.

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Aaargh, I can’t believe I sent this out! I plead — internet intoxication. I have to quit reading this newsgroup. It’s addictive. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Or, just plain dissertation avoidance. Yeah, that’s it. Anyhow, ignore it please. Kate

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Dieter Baumann, the former Olympic champion suspected of doping, offered a reward Wednesday for information that would help police solve the mystery of how a banned steroid got into his toothpaste.

Dentists recommend Crest-Pumped! Now with Tartar Fighting Nandrolone. It’s frightening. Imagine your dentist, with needles and drills, *and ‘roid rage.* "Now Jenn. Scream real loud when this hurts." In the latest development of an unusual case, Baumann sent a statement to German media, offering a reward of $52,000 for any tips.

Jennifer – Here’s a tip: It wasn’t an Englishman that planted it. They don’t know what toothpaste is.

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Aaargh, I can’t believe I sent this out! I plead — internet intoxication. I have to quit reading this newsgroup. It’s addictive. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Or, just plain dissertation avoidance. Yeah, that’s it. Anyhow, ignore it please. Kate

PHEW!!! I thought I had done something wrong then;) Nicole;)

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Dieter Baumann, the former Olympic champion suspected of doping, offered a reward Wednesday for information that would help police solve the mystery of how a banned steroid got into his toothpaste. In the latest development of an unusual case, Baumann sent a statement to German media, offering a reward of $52,000 for any tips. More…from CNNSI at: http://www.cnnsi.com/athletics/news/2000/01/12/baumann_reward_ap/inde… Ken Ken Parker Runner’s Web A running & triathlon resource site. http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html

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Question:

Gary, what ever became of Guy Laroque? He was sponsoring and racing a few years ago but he seems to have dropped out of sight. He rode/rides a Litespeed. Did that have anything to do with your choice? Larry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gary McMurtrey Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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The Inland Inferno Triathlon Club is proud to announce that we have made a deal with Litespeed to be the official bike supplier to our club. I suspect that you will be seeing a lot more of these lightweight beauties in the transition area at Bonelli and other So. Cal races (of course all you will see on the race course is a blur of Titanium and Skin). You can drool over them at www.litespeed.com Gary McMurtrey Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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Question:

During my long rides this past I summer I perfected the over the shoulder nostril discharge. It seems that riding on the aero-bars really makes my nose run. Every so often I would have to tilt my head to one side, cover lower nostril, ensure upper nostril is aimed ABOVE shoulder, and exhale hard through upper nostril. Repeat for other nostril. Hope this wasn’t too much information. Craig.

Well, we have a thread on peeing and where that one is going, I don’t want to venture a guess. This one looks like it’ll go that same, very disturbed way. As wierd as it sounds, maybe I’ll try the nostril thing. Hmmm… "Iron" Pete Priolo IMC’96 – 10:36:37 IMC’97 – 10:42:53 1998 Schedule so far… Gulf Coast Tri – May 9 – unconfirmed IMC’98 – August 30 – CONFIRMED

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – During my long rides this past I summer I perfected the over the shoulder nostril discharge. It seems that riding on the aero-bars really makes my nose run. Every so often I would have to tilt my head to one side, cover lower nostril, ensure upper nostril is aimed ABOVE shoulder, and exhale hard through upper nostril. Repeat for other nostril. Hope this wasn’t too much information. Craig. Well, we have a thread on peeing and where that one is going, I don’t want to venture a guess. This one looks like it’ll go that same, very disturbed way. As wierd as it sounds, maybe I’ll try the nostril thing. Hmmm…

We called this technique "zooming" in college, and it is not limited to the bike. It is a very efficient method of clearing one’s nasal passages, and you can do it while walking, running, and even swimming (although I wouldn’t recommend it while under water). Should I add this term to the "triathlon jargon" thread? Swim-Bike-Run —– ZOOM! — Regards, Matt Pope NOTE: If using the "reply to" feature , remove "NOSPAM" from my e-mail address.

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All this talk of peeing while riding spawned an idea – the best way to stop some wheel-sucker would be to let go – relieve yourself and see how many people are left hanging on! I think this is a reasonable and fair way to deal with those nuisance drafters! Alison

I’ve found a slightly less disgusting way is to be just a little sloppy while drinking from my water bottle. I discovered this by accident when I was refilling my Jetstream and kept missing the top. I didn’t even know I had a guy on my shadow until I heard the "ech!" behind me. Apparently, sticky Cytomax flying at you at 21 mph doesn’t feel very pleasant, either. -Scott Middleton, WI http://www.midplains.net/~spev "Do. Or, do not. There is no ‘try’." -Yoda, Jedi Master

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – During my long rides this past I summer I perfected the over the shoulder nostril discharge. It seems that riding on the aero-bars really makes my nose run. Every so often I would have to tilt my head to one side, cover lower nostril, ensure upper nostril is aimed ABOVE shoulder, and exhale hard through upper nostril. Repeat for other nostril. Hope this wasn’t too much information. We called this technique "zooming" in college, and it is not limited to the bike. It is a very efficient method of clearing one’s nasal passages, and you can do it while walking, running, and even swimming (although I wouldn’t recommend it while under water). Should I add this term to the "triathlon jargon" thread? Swim-Bike-Run —– ZOOM!

Naw, it’s more commonly known as "launching a snot rocket". Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." *** Ironman Canada 1997 *** http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

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All this talk of peeing while riding spawned an idea – the best way to stop some wheel-sucker would be to let go – relieve yourself and see how many people are left hanging on! I think this is a reasonable and fair way to deal with those nuisance drafters! Alison

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All this talk of peeing while riding spawned an idea – the best way to stop some wheel-sucker would be to let go – relieve yourself and see how many people are left hanging on! I think this is a reasonable and fair way to deal with those nuisance drafters! Alison

During my long rides this past I summer I perfected the over the shoulder nostril discharge. It seems that riding on the aero-bars really makes my nose run. Every so often I would have to tilt my head to one side, cover lower nostril, ensure upper nostril is aimed ABOVE shoulder, and exhale hard through upper nostril. Repeat for other nostril. Hope this wasn’t too much information. Craig.

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Alison is right. Her method is extremly effective. I remember my first IMH and going down the hill from Hawi I was about 100 ft behind a female pro, well out of the draft shadow. It was a hot clear day and it took me some looking about to figure out where the rain was coming from. Yuk. Ken – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All this talk of peeing while riding spawned an idea – the best way to stop some wheel-sucker would be to let go – relieve yourself and see how many people are left hanging on! I think this is a reasonable and fair way to deal with those nuisance drafters! Alison

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – During my long rides this past I summer I perfected the over the shoulder nostril discharge. It seems that riding on the aero-bars really makes my nose run. Every so often I would have to tilt my head to one side, cover lower nostril, ensure upper nostril is aimed ABOVE shoulder, and exhale hard through upper nostril. Repeat for other nostril. Hope this wasn’t too much information. We called this technique "zooming" in college, and it is not limited to the bike. It is a very efficient method of clearing one’s nasal passages, and you can do it while walking, running, and even swimming (although I wouldn’t recommend it while under water). Should I add this term to the "triathlon jargon" thread? Swim-Bike-Run —– ZOOM! Naw, it’s more commonly known as "launching a snot rocket".

Growing up in the Midwest, we used to affectionately call it a "farmer blow" Greg Pressler

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We called this technique "zooming" in college, and it is not limited to the bike. It is a very efficient method of clearing one’s nasal passages, and you can do it while walking, running, and even swimming (although I wouldn’t recommend it while under water). Should I add this term to the "triathlon jargon" thread? Swim-Bike-Run —– ZOOM!

And for those of you who really needed to know, the Aussie term that is used for this most cultured of activities is "snot drop". Leaves little to the imagination. Then again, us Aussies are rarely known for our flowery speech. Steve in Sydney, Australia | Stephen "Trib" Collins | | Website Analyst/Programmer – Tech Pacific | | 55 Mentmore Avenue ROSEBERY NSW Australia | | Phone +61 2 93816618 Fax +61 2 99186699 | | TRIATHLON! o "The best view of one’s | | __o <| soul is from beyond the | | _ < _ _ edge, looking back." | | __^o_ (_)/ (_) / |

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Question:

Check out the Waterproof Coach for some hints on increasing stroke efficiency! Check out the web site at: www.sandglass.com/waterproofcoach Tom Denes

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When doing the 100’s (is that 1:50’s in a 25 yard pool or 50 meter pool?) Try to do a descending series…..getting faster with each 100. Concentrate on good form. Another good set: 400 straight and strong, concentrate on form and then follow it with 4×100 with a 5 sec increase in pace. Good rest. Do that 2 times.

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Your posting from a while back about going slower with more effort sounded like it came right from my training diary. I have had the exact same problem and was really getting frustrated. I started doing multisport less than two years ago with NO swimming background. While I’ve improved a hell of a lot in the water, I’m still pretty damn slow compared to the real swimmers. But, within the past few weeks, I’ve seen the greatest improvements since I started swim workouts. What I finally discovered is that FORM IS EVERYTHING. I know that you hear this all the time, but I’ve finally started to buy into it. I did a workout not too long ago where I swam a 1500 hard. I really made an effort to bust it hard to see where I was fitness-wise at this point in the pre-season. My splits all along the way were poor and when I finished, my time was awful–and I was spent. The time actually was worse than an easy 1500 that I swam a week earlier. Since then, I’ve made a total commitment to form. In both my long sessions (2000-2500 yds) and in my reps (25,50,100’s), I stay as smooth as possible, even to the point of exagerating good form. I may be losing a little on the conditioning side, because I don’t get near my AT swimming like this, but I’ve seen my swim times drop like a rock over the past two weeks. My advice is to maybe back off on the intervals for a little while and make a commitment to good form. It seems to be working for me. Good luck, Dave Springfield, VA

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Swim smarter, not harder. Drop so much intensity work and work on swimming form. Get a good book on swimming and drill, drill, drill. If your swimming 1:50 for a hundred you have alot of room for improvement. All your intervals are doing is reinforcing bad stroke technique, actually making it worse. Kind of like golf, if you have a bad swing your only going to lower your score so much, what you need is a new swing. On running I think there is considerable more debate on good form. But I believe some basics are: don’t overstride, don’t bounce up and down, look forward not down, keep your arms down and relaxed, don’t lean forward, stand upright. Take a look at Michael Johnson when he won the 200 and 400 in the Olympics. He was definitely motoring. Although, I believe some people don’t like his form. Steve

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To increase your speed you need to maintain that "feel" for the water. Try a few sets of these: 5 sets: 100 hard with tennis balls in your hands or making fists followed by 100 smooth and easy with your regular hand position that second hundred will make your hands feel as if you are pulling with paddles. I’ve swam up to 1000yds with tennis balls or fists and it’s the best for improving "feel" and arm turnover. my .02

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As far as the swimming question goes, somebody asked a question about keeping form while speeding up. The only way to learn how to do this is to practice, and thenm practice, and then practice some more. I WOULD ADVISE DOING SOME MIDDLE DISTANCE WORK, I.E. 200-300 YARD INTERVALS NOT AT SPRINT PACE, BUT CERTAINLY FASTER THAN YOUR pace that you hold for distance wprk. You should try to keep the same form as your distance work, but move your arms not necessarily faster, but STRONGER through the water. Feeling stronger, what I mean by this is being able to feel the water better, to pull harder but not out of control like when you "thrash" through the water on a sprint. Form comes from years of training, and having a cooach or somebody whgo knows look at your stroke and point out the areas you need to improve. I hope this helps. Tony — Anthony Edward Berwald Georgia Institute of Technology

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In article <tricia- OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if some style pointers might be of any help. I know, I know, I should read Galloway. But in the meantime, can someone take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide some basic answers?

I have a problem where my right foot doesn’t run straight. I will occasionally kick my left ankle with my right foot. if I do it just right, I catch it with the edge of my running shoe and actually cut my ankle and it bleeds for a good long time. needless to say, I would like to know what constitutes good running form because I don’t have it either. On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh*

I thought I was doing GREAT swimming 1:50’s. I think you complain too much. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace? Don’t mind me, just random musings flashing through my chlorinated head as I contemplate my aching shoulders at 3:30 pm…. Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

Do not look at the ground. Keep your head up. Looking down rotates the weight forward and dramatically shortens your stride. Dalton — | Life is too short | __o | _/_ | | to just watch!!! | _`<,_ o | _/\ //_ | |Dalton Cote | ___o_ _ | __ __< | |Calgary , Canada | ~~~~~~ / | || | |http://www.ucalgary.ca/~djcote | IRONMAN 97 |

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OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if some style pointers might be of any help. I know, I know, I should read Galloway. But in the meantime, can someone take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide some basic answers?

I read the following pointer somewhere. It helps me on long runs, when very tired, and form starts to sag. To help run more erect and actually feel a bit energized– imagine you are wearing a hat, but it is two inches above your head rather than on it. As you run, try to elevate yourself up into the hat. Sounds weird. But it seems to help. Good luck. Steve G.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh* Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace? I’m in the same boat. I just started w/ a Master’s group and the workouts are killin’ me but I don’t think I’m a better swimmer in terms of form. Most of our workouts are short intervals (50, 75, 100s) at a high rate. I’m doing the same thrashing which definitely helps me aerobically since I’m working way harder than I need to be but my stroke is not getting better–it’s probably getting worse since I’m concentrating on keeping up the pace ( and oh, yeah, breathing every once and a while!). I’ve changed my routine to swimming w/ the group once a week doing the short stuff at a high intensity and then swimming on my own the rest of the time doing longer intervals (500-750 yds) where I can concentrate solely on my form.

As a Master’s coach, I think this is a good idea. Unless your Master’s group is all triathletes! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A favorite is 250 yd. repeats which are done with alternating fast/slow yardages which allow me to concentrate again on form and then speed up for a short time to test out the technique at race pace and then slow back down to concentrate on form again. There are numerous combinations but here’s the one I’ve been doing lately: whatever you feel like x 250 yds 75 hard 50 recover 100 hard 25 recover I give myself about 15s rest inbetween Let me know is you come across any good info.

I’ve noted this before on RST, but think for triathletes who are beginning to intermediate swimmers, that you need to concentrate getting in the long aerobic yardage with good form. The shortest swim distance for triathlon is 825 yds, which is considered middle to long distance for dedicated competitive swimmers. Their workouts are strictly long set yardage (e.g. 4×1000, 8×800, long pyramids, etc.). Sprints will only "sharpen" you for finishes in the water and get you used to an AT level heart rate in the water, but under no circumstances are supposed to swimming a half mile or longer in balls-to-th-wall anaerobic mode when you’ve got to come out of the water & cycle & run to boot. So swim your long yardage sets, and work on your form in the water…IMHO, that’s what’ll maximize your swim portion at race time. One of the things you can do to break up the monotony of long yards is pyramid: 1 length hard (high aerobic, say 70-75% of max HR)-1 length easy, 2 lengths hard-1 length easy (e.g. 1-1,2-1,3-1,4-1,5-1,4-1,3-1,2-1, 1-1 which is 850 yards). 3 x 850 of these puppies will do you quite well as a major set of your workout.

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Scientific studies have shown that the very best (i.e. Olympic) swimmers are, at most, 9% efficient. For them, 90 calories of every 100 go toward overcoming resistance and creating turbulence. Less accomplished athletes (i.e. the rest of us) are usually in the 1% to 4% efficiency area — less that 1/20th of any additional energy expended shows up as forward motion. (Runner Triathlete News, Sept. ‘95) Obviously, then, the greatest opportunity for improvement is in reducing resistance (becoming a more efficient swimmer) rather than increasing energy output (becoming stronger). If you take more than 20 strokes per length in a 25 yard pool, you should be putting all of your time into efficiency training rather than conditioning. Lance Phegley Editor Runner Triathlete News – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hug) writes: OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? Not sure, but I think I’ve mastered it… Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace? Very common problem and probably the main reason I am not a sprinter! Moving your arms real fast & kicking real hard does not = fast swimming! One of the great drills that has been mentioned in the past goes by several names, like swimming golf and mini-maxi. It is a set of say 6 or 8 50 yard swims. Count your strokes and get your time on the first. Then try to decrease stroke count and go faster on each one. At some point you may find that your stroke count has continued to decrease but your time has gotten worse. Try to find the best count that gives you the fastest speed (want to maximize speed). This is a good drill because you learn to swim fast without thrashing – you concentrate on a long efficient stroke. Doing this set once a week should help. Another good one is to swim 100s or 150s where the first lap is your regular stroke count, the second one is one less pull, the third is -2, the 4th lap is -3, etc. while trying to maintain a constant steady pace. -hug

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OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form?

[SNIP] Good running form is that which you can maintain through weeks and months of workouts without injury. Of course, this may not be fast running form. On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh*

In a word, No. Even if it gets faster, it probably won’t get "easier". You get this scenario: "I’ve improved my stroke and efficiency, and now I’m doing 1:40 100s. Now, if I just put out a bit more effort, I can probably drop to 1:35." On the other hand, it hurts to know that you are probably expending about the same energy as the people cruising those 1:20 repeats. Life ain’t fair. On the other hand, you’re able to write much better than a lot of good runners and swimmers, so society as a whole retains a balance of talent…. [SNIP--other good stuff cut] Rick Teichler StorageTek Software Engineering (Louisville, Colorado)

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: OK, here it is: : Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? : Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? : As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if some style pointers : might be of any help. I know, I know, I should read Galloway. But in the : meantime, can someone take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide : some basic answers? Hi Tri-baby, Well, here’s my $0.02 worth on the subject of running form. When I started running seven years ago to try to get into shape, I could not get past running 10 miles a week without getting terrible shin splints. My PR for 10k was 59 minutes, set when I was 18, and I could not get close to it at the age of 27. After one 10k for the Hospital in my neighborhood, there was an injury checkover. They had me run up and down the hallway a few times and pronouced that I had bad form. When I ran back then, I would raise up my heel at the end of the stride, and then pull it forward. Also, I landed at the beginning of the stride with my leg straight,knee almost locked. They retrained me to run starting with my knee being bent at the beginning of the stride. This moved alot of the impact from skeletal to muscular structure. They also changed it so that at the end of the stride, I brought my foot forward and up, using the quads, as if I was steping over a log. That’s really a simplified version of what they did, along with a very specific strength/cardiovascular weight lifting routine. I have since droped my 10k pr to 49:40, 5k to 22:30, and have run 35 miles a week. If you want a review of your form, find a good coach, or a Sports Doctor to give you some help. — Tom Roehr "The Javanator"

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OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form?

Not sure, but I think I’ve mastered it… Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace?

Very common problem and probably the main reason I am not a sprinter! Moving your arms real fast & kicking real hard does not = fast swimming! One of the great drills that has been mentioned in the past goes by several names, like swimming golf and mini-maxi. It is a set of say 6 or 8 50 yard swims. Count your strokes and get your time on the first. Then try to decrease stroke count and go faster on each one. At some point you may find that your stroke count has continued to decrease but your time has gotten worse. Try to find the best count that gives you the fastest speed (want to maximize speed). This is a good drill because you learn to swim fast without thrashing – you concentrate on a long efficient stroke. Doing this set once a week should help. Another good one is to swim 100s or 150s where the first lap is your regular stroke count, the second one is one less pull, the third is -2, the 4th lap is -3, etc. while trying to maintain a constant steady pace. -hug

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OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if some style pointers might be of any help. I know, I know, I should read Galloway. But in the meantime, can someone take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide some basic answers? On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh* Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace? Don’t mind me, just random musings flashing through my chlorinated head as I contemplate my aching shoulders at 3:30 pm…. Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

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Conversely, what constitutes bad running form?

Body lean: there should be a slight forward lean. Straight up is *generally* not recommended. People vary as well. Mark Allen sticks his butt out a bit and leans forward. Running down hill is a good way to play with leaning. Lean on a hill and you will FLY down as gravity does its job. Foot strike: straight down -good overstriding – bad (landing on heel and taking too big of a step creates this; you are braking on each step if you overstride) Arm swing: knuckles brush hips, arms pull back evenly – good hands cross centerline – bad (creates side to side motion) Chin tucked slightly in – good (better breathing and weight distribution) Head slouched – bad (tired runner, restricts breathing, excess forward lean) Excess vertical bounce – bad (why run up and down when you want to go forward) Minimal bounce (1-2" at most) – energy pushes you forward, not up and down <swimming stuff deleted Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace?

You have already found your answer Tricia. Focus on the lower intensity technique BECAUSE you are going faster. Usually, when one tries to swim fast, this is the result. Your mind is telling those arms to go round and round because it thinks that is the way to more speed. In fact, we lose so much efficiency that we burn a lot more energy going slower. If you try to swim strongly and maintain smoothness, you’ll see the difference. That is, do a set of lower intensity 100s with a longer rest interval (e.g., give yourself 2:00 to do the 100 and a 30 second rest). Tell yourself that these are lower intensity intervals over and over so that you don’t thrash. Focus on pulling strongly through the water and don’t worry about having to blitz through the water. Feel the power of each stroke pushing you forward. Play around a little and see how different pulling motions affect your pace. 90% of what I do better than I did before has come about because of experimentation with technique, not training! I did this and swam a set of 100 yard repeats all UNDER 1:24, and the fastest was in the 1:16-1:18 range — a personal best for one who rarely breaks 1:30 in my own workouts! -Rolf — Call me IronMac … … I tri … … I prefer Macintosh! IMC ‘94 – 14:06:47 IMC ‘95 – 11:58:35 IMC ‘97 – 10:45:00

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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I am not a swim coach. I am not a particularly fast swimmer (11:30 800m). But I have been swimming a long time. Here’s my $0.02 worth: Holding form while raising tempo is difficult. Even more difficult is holding form while getting fatigued. For me, the most useful training aid to assist with these challenges is the hand paddle. You do not mention whether or not you are currently using hand paddles. If you are not using them, please consider giving them a try. In the final analysis, many feel the fastest swimmer is the one who holds the most streamlined body position. Not being of that caliber, I am unable to comment. If a thread gets started on the use of hand paddles I would enjoy commenting further on them. I, too, am working on my running legs. My coach running coach tells me that, unlike swimming, distance running form cannot be taught. Her opinion is that running style is individual and not to be messed with. Surprised? So was I! However, I respect her opinion. I will tell you one thing that my coach does not even know I do. When I am on the treadmill I face a mirror and watch to make sure my body, feet and hands are in good alignment. Other than that, I, too, am open to suggestions on running form! Karl "TriNewbie" Edmark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, here it is: Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running form? As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if some style pointers might be of any help. I know, I know, I should read Galloway. But in the meantime, can someone take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide some basic answers? On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh* Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace? Don’t mind me, just random musings flashing through my chlorinated head as I contemplate my aching shoulders at 3:30 pm…. Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html<head</head<BODY bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF"<p<font size=3D2 = color=3D"#000000" face=3D"Arial"I am not a swim coach.  I am not a = particularly fast swimmer (11:30 800m).  But I have been swimming a = long time.  Here’s my $0.02 worth:<br<brHolding form while = raising tempo is difficult.  Even more difficult is holding form = while getting fatigued.  For me, the most useful training aid to = assist with these challenges is the hand paddle.  You do not = mention whether or not you are currently using hand paddles.  If = you are not using them, please consider giving them a try.<br<brIn the = final analysis, many feel the fastest swimmer is the one who holds the = most streamlined body position.  Not being of that caliber, I am = unable to comment.  <br<brIf a thread gets started on the use of = hand paddles I would enjoy commenting further on them.<br<brI, too, am = working on my running legs.  My coach running coach tells me that, = unlike swimming, distance running form cannot be taught.  Her = opinion is that running style is individual and not to be messed with. =  Surprised?  So was I!  However, I respect her opinion. =  I will tell you one thing that my coach does not even know I do. =   When I am on the treadmill I face a mirror and watch to make = sure my body, feet and hands are in good alignment.  Other than = that, I, too, am open to suggestions on running form!  <br<brKarl = color=3D"#000000"> wrote in article <… OK, here it is: = Can someone please explain to me, concisely, what constitutes good = running form? Conversely, what constitutes bad running = form? As a really bad runner myself, I’d like to see if = some style pointers might be of any help.  I know, I know, = I should read Galloway.  But in the meantime, can someone = take pity on this helpless pseudo-runner and provide some basic = answers? On another note, just swam 2400 meters at = lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds = rest in between—OUCH!  Not only did the workout itself = hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good = either.  I averaged 1:50 per hundred.  Sheesh, doesn’t it ever = get any easier?  *sigh* Anyone else = experience this problem:  I actually seem to get slower when = I try to up my intensity in the pool.  I seem to waste a = lot of energy thrashing.  I’m actually faster at a lower = intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain = smoother.  So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form = goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace?   = Don’t mind me, just random musings flashing through my chlorinated head = as I contemplate my aching shoulders at 3:30 pm…. = Tri-Baby =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;_ =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;         - =    o      ’ =             -=  __o       - =    </_  `     ’ =         - =    < =         - __/ =    /o_         - = (()) (())        -  / = don’t draft." = </p </font</font</font</font</font</font</font</body</html

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On another note, just swam 2400 meters at lunch, including a set of 12 100’s at race pace with 10 seconds rest in between—OUCH! Not only did the workout itself hurt, but realizing just how slow I am didn’t feel so good either. I averaged 1:50 per hundred. Sheesh, doesn’t it ever get any easier? *sigh* Anyone else experience this problem: I actually seem to get slower when I try to up my intensity in the pool. I seem to waste a lot of energy thrashing. I’m actually faster at a lower intensity because I control my stroke more precisely and remain smoother. So how on earth can I ever go faster if my form goes all to hell when I start pushing the pace?

I’m in the same boat. I just started w/ a Master’s group and the workouts are killin’ me but I don’t think I’m a better swimmer in terms of form. Most of our workouts are short intervals (50, 75, 100s) at a high rate. I’m doing the same thrashing which definitely helps me aerobically since I’m working way harder than I need to be but my stroke is not getting better–it’s probably getting worse since I’m concentrating on keeping up the pace ( and oh, yeah, breathing every once and a while!). I’ve changed my routine to swimming w/ the group once a week doing the short stuff at a high intensity and then swimming on my own the rest of the time doing longer intervals (500-750 yds) where I can concentrate solely on my form. A favorite is 250 yd. repeats which are done with alternating fast/slow yardages which allow me to concentrate again on form and then speed up for a short time to test out the technique at race pace and then slow back down to concentrate on form again. There are numerous combinations but here’s the one I’ve been doing lately: whatever you feel like x 250 yds 75 hard 50 recover 100 hard 25 recover I give myself about 15s rest inbetween Let me know is you come across any good info. Scott Scott Herrick Control Centers Engineering Motorola, Inc. Schaumburg, IL

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Question:

I’m 43y and training for my 1st tri in AUG. I was told to work on the bike more than the run / have’nt run since 85′any sugg.? but do work out

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I’m 43y and training for my 1st tri in AUG. I was told to work on the bike more than the run / have’nt run since 85′any sugg.? but do work out

I’m far (very far) from a great runner and I’ll tell you this – practice the bike/run transistion! For me it is the hardest part of the race. I come from a cycling background and would recommend working on those events which are NOT your strength. Sure, you can gain/lose a lot of time on the bike leg since it’s the longest, but if you die on the run it’s all a moot point! Good luck!

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Hello Triguys, Would you like to know everything about Triathlon? Visit my homepage: — Mail sent by Jort Vlam Cybersite: http://www.flnet.nl/~0vlam01 — Please sign my gastbook, so I know who you’re and I can visit your cybersite!! If you would like more information about "Triathlon Vereniging Almere" you could send me an email! Bye, Jort Vlam

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Instead of swimming, biking or running on Sundays, couldn’t one swim, bike and run albeit for less time each, for training.

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There is a pretty good videotape that describes all the legs of a tri, how to set up your transition area, what to expect, some training tips, pre-race stuff, etc. There’s lots of books too. The tape is done by a famous triathlete, Dave somebody, that won several Ironmans. His last name is just not coming out of my brain today. Check your library under subject = triathlon. If you don’t see it, ask for them to look around for a interlibrary loan. Best of luck. — The opinions expressed here are my own and are worth what you paid for them. Opinions expressed herein are my own and may not represent those of my employer.

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famous triathlete, Dave somebody, that won several Ironmans.

Dave Scott, perchance? Heide New York City

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – have had terrible problems with it both on the bike and running. Among the problems I have are erroneous readings, zero readings, readings frozen up to a minute. Has anyone else had similar problems? I have had similar problems with the Polar Edge. I really only started using it again this fall for marathon season. some days it works like a charm. other days it leaps from 100 to 175 as I shift from walking to a slow shuffle. It only comes down again when I stand perfectly still. sometimes it freezes and only updates the hr every minute or so. I sometimes get zero readings. and some days it works fine. I can’t even begin to guess what the problem is. I tried it once on the bike and couldn’t get a reading. Boy, does this sound familiar! There seems to be absolutely no rhyme or reason for any of these problems, but I’ve experienced all of ‘em at different times (I have a ‘94 Accurex II). It’s enough to drive you up the wall! One frequent "bug" occurs when I’m in mid-workout and my HRM will suddenly drop to "51" —Yeah, right! I’m lucky if my resting HR ever gets that low. And that business of "freezing" at one reading for a minute at a time! Arrrrghghgh! It’s ridiculous, at a consistent pace it will appear that my HR is jumping 10 points at a time when the reading suddenly changes. Then again, as TC noted, some days it works like a charm. But it’s REALLY annoying when it decides to get flakey in the middle of a race. That’s what happened to me at Alcatraz in June—for large portions of the run the bloody thing insisted that my HR was "51" (it seems to love that number), so I finally gave up paying any attention to it whatsoever. Does anyone know if the newer models offer improved reliability? I can "deal" with the occasional flakiness, but it sure would be nice to have a consistently reliable HRM. Tri-Baby _ - o ‘ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft!" http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

AROUND THE AREA WE TRAIN IN THERE ARE SOME DAMS AND SOME SIGNIFICANT POWER LINES.ALL OF US HERE HAVE HAD THHE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR MONITORS.WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE LINES COUPLED WITH A BREEZE CAN SOMEHOW BLOCK OR ALTER THE SIGNALS BETWEEN THE TRANSMITTER AND THE RECEIVER OF THE HRM.

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I sometimes have the same problem with my Polar Protrainer. I think it may be to do with the skin contact as if it was the battery = it would not work at all, but mine does most of the time. Other strange things mine does is give an extremely high reading when I fi= rst get on the bike. It stays at around 230-240 for the first 10 minutes then goes to normal, I can guarantee that my heart rate is = not that high. (this only happens on the bike). Also when interval running my heart rate stays low until I finish the interval when = it soars up to 170. I start the next interval at 170 then going around the track it drops to 120 until I finish when it goes back up= to 170. It is as if it takes a minute to register the heart rate which is very frustrating on short intervals. Any one have this pr= oblem ?

Yes, I have had this problem of heart rates ’sticking’ for about a minute when doing running intervals. This has been on a Vantage NV but seems OK when using a Sports Tester. I wore both watches once and got a nice graph to illustrate this.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I had an Accurex II from 1993 to early this year and had very few problems. Earlier this year I invested in the new Vantage NV with the supposedly all singing and dancing coded transmission. What a loud of rubbish – I have had terrible problems with it both on the bike and running. Among the problems I have are erroneous readings, zero readings, readings frozen up to a minute. I returned several versions and now am on my 4th watch! The latest has supposedly a new chip in it but seems little better. I also have access to a Sports Tester (Vantage XL in US?) and when experimenting wore my Vantage on one hand and the Sports Tester on the other. Needless to say the Sports Tester was much better. Has anyone else had similar problems? The new Accurex has coded transmission – any reports on this? I hope Polar know what they are doing because if the new Accurex is as bad as the Vantage NV they are in for trouble…

My Vantage NV works great. No problems, the coded transmission works just fine. Also have an earlier model Accurex II that has worked just as well, the Vantage XL I just sold also worked really good. I wear mine on my wrist when on the bike with no problems, even in the aero position. Vantage NV, IMHO, is an awesome monitor. seeyatmk bradenton,florida http://www.netcom.com/~skee/tmk.html

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I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft Andrew: I sometimes have the same problem with my Polar Protrainer. I think it may be to do with the skin contact as if it was the battery =

it would not work at all, but mine does most of the time. Other strange things mine does is give an extremely high reading when I fi= rst get on the bike. It stays at around 230-240 for the first 10 minutes then goes to normal, I can guarantee that my heart rate is = not that high. (this only happens on the bike). Also when interval running my heart rate stays low until I finish the interval when = it soars up to 170. I start the next interval at 170 then going around the track it drops to 120 until I finish when it goes back up= to 170. It is as if it takes a minute to register the heart rate which is very frustrating on short intervals. Any one have this pr= oblem ?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft I had an Accurex II from 1993 to early this year and had very few problems. Earlier this year I invested in the new Vantage NV with the supposedly all singing and dancing coded transmission. What a loud of rubbish – I have had terrible problems with it both on the bike and running. Among the problems I have are erroneous readings, zero readings, readings frozen up to a minute. I returned several versions and now am on my 4th watch! The latest has supposedly a new chip in it but seems little better. I also have access to a Sports Tester (Vantage XL in US?) and when experimenting wore my Vantage on one hand and the Sports Tester on the other. Needless to say the Sports Tester was much better. Has anyone else had similar problems? The new Accurex has coded transmission – any reports on this? I hope Polar know what they are doing because if the new Accurex is as bad as the Vantage NV they are in for trouble…

I have had similar problems with the Polar Edge. I really only started using it again this fall for marathon season. some days it works like a charm. other days it leaps from 100 to 175 as I shift from walking to a slow shuffle. It only comes down again when I stand perfectly still. sometimes it freezes and only updates the hr every minute or so. I sometimes get zero readings. and some days it works fine. I can’t even begin to guess what the problem is. I tried it once on the bike and couldn’t get a reading. Marathon season is now over (qualified for Boston with a 3:09 in Philly)and am trying to work out the kinks with the hrm on the bike. so, no advice, just commiseration. tc

Response:

have had terrible problems with it both on the bike and running. Among the problems I have are erroneous readings, zero readings, readings frozen up to a minute. Has anyone else had similar problems? I have had similar problems with the Polar Edge. I really only started using it again this fall for marathon season. some days it works like a charm. other days it leaps from 100 to 175 as I shift from walking to a slow shuffle. It only comes down again when I stand perfectly still. sometimes it freezes and only updates the hr every minute or so. I sometimes get zero readings. and some days it works fine. I can’t even begin to guess what the problem is. I tried it once on the bike and couldn’t get a reading.

Boy, does this sound familiar! There seems to be absolutely no rhyme or reason for any of these problems, but I’ve experienced all of ‘em at different times (I have a ‘94 Accurex II). It’s enough to drive you up the wall! One frequent "bug" occurs when I’m in mid-workout and my HRM will suddenly drop to "51" —Yeah, right! I’m lucky if my resting HR ever gets that low. And that business of "freezing" at one reading for a minute at a time! Arrrrghghgh! It’s ridiculous, at a consistent pace it will appear that my HR is jumping 10 points at a time when the reading suddenly changes. Then again, as TC noted, some days it works like a charm. But it’s REALLY annoying when it decides to get flakey in the middle of a race. That’s what happened to me at Alcatraz in June—for large portions of the run the bloody thing insisted that my HR was "51" (it seems to love that number), so I finally gave up paying any attention to it whatsoever. Does anyone know if the newer models offer improved reliability? I can "deal" with the occasional flakiness, but it sure would be nice to have a consistently reliable HRM. Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft!" http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie

Response:

Andrew – I have a Polar Accurex II and have experienced the exact same problem, not to mention other quirks of my HRM. If the HRM works well at other times, I can think of two causes. First, the watch may be too far away from the electrode strap, though I doubt this is the case. More likely, the strap is shifting when you are in the ‘aero position and losing contact with your skin. Try adjusting and/or tightening it. If this doesn’t help, try to fix the length problem by mounting the watch on your handelbars. Good luck and let me know how it goes. George Flatau – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newgroups: rec.sport.triathlon I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

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I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks

Look in the voluminous owner’s manual and find out how to set the "distance", which means what area the transmitter will recieve from. I have the Vantage XL and I know there are two settings, 70% and 100% distance. When I use 100%, I have some difficulties receiving on the bike, but generally this is not a problem. I would also recommend you determine what the accurate range is for your monitor. The smartest thing I did when I got my monitor was to wear it around, in normal activity, not training, to see where I could and could not move my arm to keep reception. That knowledge of "the zone" has been invaluable.

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It could be that your receiver is too far away from your transmitter. You didn’t say where you have the receiver located but if you keep it on your wrist it should read fine. If not, try it on your handlebars. They only time I have trouble with mine is when it is on the bars and I sit stright up (no hands). Rob Mike and Rob’s Most Excellent Triathlon

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft Andrew: I have been using the Protrainer in training and racing, and on indoor trainers in the aero position for two years without problems. Could your chest transmitter battery be too low to transmit all the way to your wrist? I have been using the same transmitter belt for two years, for about a total of 800 hours and it still works fine (as of last night anyway) After saying this, it’ll probably crap out next time I use it. Dave Aggett

I’ve had the same problem with the Accurex, even outside at times.

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I usually train with my tv on, either watching a movie or something. I used it today and turned off the tv and voila it works. What am I supposed to do now? I guess I’ll have to listen to music or something. thanks for all those who replied andrew

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I also encountered difficulty with my HRM on the bike, but it turned out to be interference from by bicycle computer. The solution involved putting my HRM at the end of the bars and the computer on a mount between them. Good luck. Dr. Charlie

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I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

I just got a new Polar as well, and on my first use on the trainer in aero position, I had the same problem. I tightened the strap a bit, as I suspected the contact for the electrodes wasn’t good enough, and this did the trick. The extra tightness was a bit bothersome but I think I’m getting used to it. Tim

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Too bad, you need a new TV! I used to listen to the radio, but once i found the TV I haven;t gone back. — -rjh

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I usually train with my tv on, either watching a movie or something. I used it today and turned off the tv and voila it works. What am I supposed to do now? I guess I’ll have to listen to music or something. thanks for all those who replied andrew

You might try moving further away or off to the side of the screen. — Tod Meinke All comments and opinions expressed are those of my employer and not my own. Please sue them and leave me out of it.

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On Tue 3Dec 1996 08:36:02 -0500, George Flatau – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Andrew – I have a Polar Accurex II and have experienced the exact same problem, not to mention other quirks of my HRM. If the HRM works well at other times, I can think of two causes. First, the watch may be too far away from the electrode strap, though I doubt this is the case. More likely, the strap is shifting when you are in the ‘aero position and losing contact with your skin. Try adjusting and/or tightening it. If this doesn’t help, try to fix the length problem by mounting the watch on your handelbars. Good luck and let me know how it goes. George Flatau Newgroups: rec.sport.triathlon I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

Andrew, I have a polar accurex II monitor. I also had trouble getting a consistent reading in the aero position. Or during the first part of a run in the cold. I solved this problem two ways. First, I find that I get a better reading if the belt is a full inch below the pectoral line (lower than many users). Second, I use a small amount of water soluable gel on the contact points. I use ultrasound gel left over from a hospital stay. I’ve also used KY-Jelly. Both work well. Good Luck, Scott

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I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

I’ve got a Protrainer too, and I found the same problem, so I did a bit of experimentation. The signal given out by the transmitter is very weak (well, you want the batteries to last, don’t you?). This is one of the reasons that the receiver is so easily swamped by interference from exercise machines etc. The wrist unit only really works for me out to about 50-60cm. If the wrist unit is near to its limit, it will occasionally miss a beat or two, but the display remains up, and if it picks up a signal within a few more beats it will continue. However, moving it just a cm or two further away and it will quickly display zero. The limit is affected by orientation and external interference. On my bike, it works fine on the drops or sitting up, but originally it did not work when I went down on to my aerobars. Then this summer I messed about with my bike set up, lowering the bars. After a movement of just a couple of cm the HRM works fine all the time now. Experiment, perhaps strap the wrist unit to the handlebars. Joel — Royal Observatory Edinburgh Web : http://www.roe.ac.uk/jswww/ Edinburgh Phone: +44 (0)131 668 8100 EH9 3HJ Fax : +44 (0)131 668 1130 UK

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So you are going to be the first triathlete that needs to adjust his position on the bike to his HRM…?!!! Weird isn’t it… :-) Francois — *** Any opinion expressed above is strictly my own. *** Disclaimer: I said this. My company didn’t.

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I find that most problems I experience with my monitor outside of failing batteries are related to poor contact with the chest transmitter. I have always used the tried and true "spit" conducting fluid, but even this doesn’t always work too well in cold weather. Is there any type of commercial "EKG" contact enhancing product (low cost) that will increase the conductivity in this area? Thanks, Bill

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I find that most problems I experience with my monitor outside of failing batteries are related to poor contact with the chest transmitter. I have always used the tried and true "spit" conducting fluid, but even this doesn’t always work too well in cold weather. Is there any type of commercial "EKG" contact enhancing product (low cost) that will increase the conductivity in this area? Thanks, Bill

1) Stop training dehydrated 2) Train harder and sweat more 3) Shave that hairy torso!! ! Gregg ("Dr. T")

Response:

I used to have that problem. Then I realized I had the same problem when taking my pulse in the morning from my bed with my Polar HRM on my night table. I learned that my HRM will only work if it is angled the right way. On my bike, it will not work when it is on my arm, but works perfectly when I mount it on my handle bars.(there is an added bonous in that you can see your heart rate all the time when it is there) I have noticed a few other people with the same problem and the handle bar thing worked for them too. You may need to put something around your handle bars to make them as wide as your wrist. polar makes a product for this but I just use a sock. WARNING When your heart rate monitor is on your handle bars on a sunny day it is in direct sunlight. The first sunny ride I did with my HRM there cooked the cristal. I don’t know why bike computers don’t have a problem with sunlight, but HRM deteriorate drastically in one summer ride? I just had my cristal replaced(warrenty) but will use some sort of covering flap next summer. Let me know if that help or if you have any ideas to keep it in the shade. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

Response:

I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

I had an Accurex II from 1993 to early this year and had very few problems. Earlier this year I invested in the new Vantage NV with the supposedly all singing and dancing coded transmission. What a loud of rubbish – I have had terrible problems with it both on the bike and running. Among the problems I have are erroneous readings, zero readings, readings frozen up to a minute. I returned several versions and now am on my 4th watch! The latest has supposedly a new chip in it but seems little better. I also have access to a Sports Tester (Vantage XL in US?) and when experimenting wore my Vantage on one hand and the Sports Tester on the other. Needless to say the Sports Tester was much better. Has anyone else had similar problems? The new Accurex has coded transmission – any reports on this? I hope Polar know what they are doing because if the new Accurex is as bad as the Vantage NV they are in for trouble…

Response:

I find that most problems I experience with my monitor outside of failing batteries are related to poor contact with the chest transmitter. I have always used the tried and true "spit" conducting fluid, but even this doesn’t always work too well in cold weather. Is there any type of commercial "EKG" contact enhancing product (low cost) that will increase the conductivity in this area? Thanks, Bill

You can buy electrodes that stick to the chest from a medical supply store. I am not sure of the cost. However, beware, they stick real good and are often worse than any Band Aid to pull off.

Response:

I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

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I just got a new hrm Polar Protrainer. It works fine when I run but when I am on my trainer and down on the aerobars I cannot get a reading. Could it be that the watch part is too far away or what? thanks andrew taft

Andrew: I have been using the Protrainer in training and racing, and on indoor trainers in the aero position for two years without problems. Could your chest transmitter battery be too low to transmit all the way to your wrist? I have been using the same transmitter belt for two years, for about a total of 800 hours and it still works fine (as of last night anyway) After saying this, it’ll probably crap out next time I use it. Dave Aggett

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Good Question – JJ. We average about 20 athletes in our elite division for the series. That would mean we have had about 160 athletes compete in the draft-legal portion of the race. Of the 12 complaints – all have come from age-group athletes who have not entered the elite division!!!! Tom Ziebart – Exclusive Sports Marketing

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Good Question – JJ. We average about 20 athletes in our elite division for the series. That would mean we have had about 160 athletes compete in the draft-legal portion of the race. Of the 12 complaints – all have come from age-group athletes who have not entered the elite division!!!! Tom Ziebart – Exclusive Sports Marketing

Tom — I think others have already adequately pointed out that it is a mistake to imagine that your sample (i.e. athletes who have entered one of your draft-legal races) is representative of triathletes in general. Yes, I realize that it is only the elite division of your races that are allowed to draft but, on principle, I think many any-groupers would choose different races to do because they don’t want to in any way support or encourage a draft-legal policy (from what you say, a very small number choose instead to enter your race and then go to the trouble of lodging a complaint about your drafting policy). If you want to look at another sample population (which is also not "random," but is not self-selected by their feeling on drafting as is your sample), have you followed the postings on drafting by this group for the past year? A reading of these posts would suggest to me, were I a race director open to hearing sentiments both pro and con, that many age-groupers who are seriously involved in the sport think that allowing drafting, even if only in the pro divisions of races, is simply a bad idea, and that if any change should be made, it should be better *enforcement* of rules against drafting for all race participants. The sentiments about drafting have been better expressed by rst postings by a large number of folks than they could be by my attempt at a summary, but your answer to JJ’s question still has me curious: Doesn’t your series consist of approximately 8 races? [Apologies if I'm mistaken, but that's what I vaguely recall -- if there are 50+ races in the series, for example, the remainder of my posting is badly in error]. If there are 8 races in the series, and you average "about 20 athletes in our elite division" in each race, do you really then end up with "about 160 athletes" participating in the draft-legal portion? Do you mean to say that *no* elite athletes who do one of your draft-legal races comes back to do another one in the series? (in this case, it sounds like they are "voting with their feet.") I would have expected many of the same elite athletes to enter each of the races in the series…. not true? (in that case, there are fewer elite athletes tolerating this policy than you assert) I haven’t heard anyone claim that there aren’t *some* good athletes who will compete in a draft-legal race (or any other sort of event) if you pay them, and having decided to do so, it’s not surprising that they would not complain about the policy to which they’ve implicitly agreed. Whether you had 160 elite athletes, all of whom avoided subsequent events in your series after trying one, or far fewer athletes who each entered many events in the series in an effort to win as much prize money as possible, it’s not clear that your posting indicates much about the sentiments of the triathlon community towards drafting. Why *do* you want drafting to be allowed in ANY division, and why *do* you make your races draft-legal? I genuinely don’t understand, and I think you might have a better chance of convincing people of your viewpoint by expressing the reasons you think drafting *improves* our sport (I for one haven’t heard a single good argument for this yet) than by telling us that not that many people who chose to enter one of your races then complained to you about the policy. Although I realize I’m questioning your conclusion, I don’t intend this as a flame, and hope you will reply. -Rory Stuart

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Why *do* you want drafting to be allowed in ANY division, and why *do* you make your races draft-legal? I genuinely don’t understand, and I think you might have a better chance of convincing people of your viewpoint by expressing the reasons you think drafting *improves* our sport (I for one haven’t heard a single good argument for this yet) than by telling us that not that many people who chose to enter one of your races then complained to you about the policy. I wrote an article in the second issue of 220 this year explaining the reasons for oiur draft legal eltie division. The ITU is going to allow drafting in the Olympics in the year 2000. We feel that it is important for some races in the US to allow young triathletes the opportunity to experience draft legel races in that they will have to compete in them during international competition. If no draft legal races are held in the US, how can we expect our US athletes to compete against others in the world who are used to this type of race. If the ITU decides to drop the draft legal format for the Olympics, the Gatorade Triathlon Series will do the same. Z Tom Ziebart – Exclusive Sports Marketing

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I wrote an article in the second issue of 220 this year explaining the reasons for oiur draft legal eltie division. The ITU is going to allow drafting in the Olympics in the year 2000. We feel that it is important

WHOA!!! When was this decided???? When are they going to ask anybody?? What the heck is going on here? What can we do?? John (Too many questions, and starting to get pissed) K.

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[snip] reasons for oiur draft legal eltie division. The ITU is going to allow drafting in the Olympics in the year 2000. We feel that it is importan= t WHOA!!! When was this decided????

Who knows? But it’s been somewhat a foregone conclusion, hasn’t it? When are they going to ask anybody?? =20

Be serious. What the heck is going on here? Business as usual. What can we do?? Let’s figure *something* out, cause this sucks. European triathletes, are = you listening? What can you do to help affect the oucome of the ITU congre= ss elections? Maybe if each country’s pro contingent drafts (oops), I mean= takes a position opposing drafting, the weight might swing in that direct= ion. Maybe Rick Margiotta can comment on the current status of the US Pro = Statement. Kurian Davis

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: Good Question – JJ. We average about 20 athletes in our elite division : for the series. That would mean we have had about 160 athletes compete in : the draft-legal portion of the race. Of the 12 complaints – all have come : from age-group athletes who have not entered the elite division!!!! : Tom Ziebart – Exclusive Sports Marketing – I doubt the director for a series of draft legal races is going be be the

ultimate supplier of unbiased data when it comes to the issue of drafting. My gut feel is the input this individual provides will be somewhat skewed. I would really like to see some type of formal poll made available to the widest sample of traithletes possible, and get a real sense of what the triathlon community feels about this and possibly other debated issues of the sport. -richd

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I wrote an article in the second issue of 220 this year explaining the reasons for oiur draft legal eltie division. The ITU is going to allow drafting in the Olympics in the year 2000. We feel that it is important for some races in the US to allow young triathletes the opportunity to experience draft legel races in that they will have to compete in them

Is there something that they can learn here that they can’t learn by doing USCF criterium or road races? Except for drafting whilst on aerobars, of course. By doing USCF races (and even more from training with a racing club), these young triathletes will not only get excellent physical training, but they’ll also learn how to ride safely in packs, how to corner effectively, and all about team tactics. They’ll learn more than they will from triathletes in triathlons, for sure. Ken Lehner

Sport Triathlon Wiki

Rubber bands for AeroDrink

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