Question:

I know it’s too early to know for sure, but the October 10 forecast for Scranton PA (Steamtown Marathon) is "Clouds, cold and rainy, Low 38

Question:

Yes, in my opinion of course. I am one of the very few people in my area who uses bar-end shifters. Out of maybe 300 local triathletes there are maybe 2-3 with bar-end shifters. Lloyd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Very few people outside Nth America actually use Bar-end shifters on Triathlon bikes. For hilly courses and short print events they are more a pain in the butt than anything else. In your humble opinion, of course. Personally, I prefer the bar ends on the hilly sprint races I do. But, unlike some, I stay on my aerobars for almost the entire race — hills or not. David / FEY2K IMCAL2000 – 16:53 reply to wuth – family – atlanta (remove spaces) at att dot net

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I am one of the very few people in my area who uses bar-end shifters. Out of maybe 300 local triathletes there are maybe 2-3 with bar-end shifters.

Interesting statistic. Where do you live? At the races I attend in the Southeast USA, bar-end shifters appear to be more common, although I don’t have any accurate numbers. David / FEY2K IMCAL2000 – 16:53 (remove spaces) at att dot net

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Why do only some of the men’s and women’s bikes have aerobars and none have bar end shifters? Before you buy.

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Too dangerous in pack riding. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why do only some of the men’s and women’s bikes have aerobars and none have bar end shifters? Before you buy.

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The rules clearly state that there are NO forward facing shifters allowed. The aero bars are not allowed to project beyond the brake hoods. Very few people outside Nth America actually use Bar-end shifters on Triathlon bikes. For hilly courses and short print events they are more a pain in the butt than anything else. Lloyd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why do only some of the men’s and women’s bikes have aerobars and none have bar end shifters? Before you buy.

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Thanks for your reply. Anthony Before you buy.

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Why do only some of the men’s and women’s bikes have aerobars and none have bar end shifters?

Who needs aero bars when you can suck wheel?… …I believe ITU rules only allow for aero bars to extend a certain distance and they don’t allow bar end shifters due to safety while riding in PACKS. Drafting still sucks(unless your a roadie)! B.Oliver

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Very few people outside Nth America actually use Bar-end shifters on Triathlon bikes. For hilly courses and short print events they are more a pain in the butt than anything else.

In your humble opinion, of course. Personally, I prefer the bar ends on the hilly sprint races I do. But, unlike some, I stay on my aerobars for almost the entire race — hills or not. David / FEY2K IMCAL2000 – 16:53 reply to wuth – family – atlanta (remove spaces) at att dot net

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Cairns Australia! a long way from civilization. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am one of the very few people in my area who uses bar-end shifters. Out of maybe 300 local triathletes there are maybe 2-3 with bar-end shifters. Interesting statistic. Where do you live? At the races I attend in the Southeast USA, bar-end shifters appear to be more common, although I don’t have any accurate numbers. David / FEY2K IMCAL2000 – 16:53 (remove spaces) at att dot net

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Question:

Our club, Emory University Cycling,Triathlon Club is thinking about putting on an indoor triathlon next February, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia.  The race would be something like 400 meter pool swim (we have a 50 meter pool), 10 mile "lifecycle bike", and a 2.5 mile run on an outdoor track or maybe?? on our indoor track which is 8 laps to the mile. The race wouldn’t be exactly consecutive, but "time trial" formats for each segment, and your overall time would be the summation of each segment. What do you think of the concept, distances, etc? Would you do a race like this to test your early season fitness, assume the race was close close to you, even if you aren’t from the Atlanta area? How much would you pay, assuming you got the typical t-shirt, goody bag, post race food, etc? Would you want to have a relay division? Thanks for any and all input? Mark Tri-Man Linenberg                                                                            o                       __o            </_                       <           __/    /o_           (()) (())           /

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I like the concept.  I have thought about tring organize a "virtural triathlon" for Computrainer users.  The logistics would be tricky, but it sounds like fun. Our club, Emory University Cycling,Triathlon Club is thinking about putting on an indoor triathlon next February, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia.  The race would be something like 400 meter pool swim (we have a 50 meter pool), 10 mile "lifecycle bike", and a 2.5 mile run on an outdoor track or maybe?? on our indoor track which is 8 laps to the mile. The race wouldn’t be exactly consecutive, but "time trial" formats for each segment, and your overall time would be the summation of each segment.

Gary McMurtrey Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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The idea for an indoor triathlon is great. With the transitions eliminated and space created for E-Z chairs- There would be plenty of time for beer and pizza between legs of the race.     Great idea.

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I’ve run a couple of indoor tri’s and their lots of fun.  We used a Concept II rowing ergometer in lieu of the swim and had a set time for each segment, meaning that the athlete who covered the most distance won. We allowed a one minute transition between legs.   Also, be careful with Lifecycles, since their "distance"  doesn’t really mean much.  If a Computrainer isn’t available, you may want to consider another bike such as the Spinnaker (made by Stairmaster – it’s a one speed freewheel and has a fairly realistic feel) or "the Bike" by Cybex, both of which will give you a little more precision. Have fun. Jonathan Cane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our club, Emory University Cycling,Triathlon Club is thinking about putting on an indoor triathlon next February, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia.  The race would be something like 400 meter pool swim (we have a 50 meter pool), 10 mile "lifecycle bike", and a 2.5 mile run on an outdoor track or maybe?? on our indoor track which is 8 laps to the mile. The race wouldn’t be exactly consecutive, but "time trial" formats for each segment, and your overall time would be the summation of each segment. What do you think of the concept, distances, etc? Would you do a race like this to test your early season fitness, assume the race was close close to you, even if you aren’t from the Atlanta area? How much would you pay, assuming you got the typical t-shirt, goody bag, post race food, etc? Would you want to have a relay division? Thanks for any and all input? Mark Tri-Man Linenberg                                       o                      __o            </_                      <           __/   /o_           (()) (())           /

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Question:

who’s going to this?  i’ll bring goodies. peggy

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the entire UCSB tri team will be there!!! but dont worry about goodies for us, starving college students might break you. see ya sunday scott

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who’s going to this?  i’ll bring goodies. peggy

I’ll be there (if it’s not rainy and cold). Ron Urman

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I’ll be there as usual with the rest of my teamates. It’s nice having a race series in your back yard. Mark Rinaldi Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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I am going to see how the weather is Sunday morning. If the weather is nice – not raining- I will be there. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – who’s going to this?  i’ll bring goodies. peggy I’ll be there (if it’s not rainy and cold). Ron Urman

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Question:

Hi all Has any one heard of running the marathon on as little as 3 miles a day. Someone gave me a training schedule that includes running, AT THE MOST, 21 miles a week, not including the long run.  However, you work up to 26 miles for your long run, which is three weeks prior to Marathon. This program is supposed to help cut down on injuries and prevent you from hitting the "WALL". I like it, on paper at least, because it allows me to fit in Cycling and swimming for my triathlon training, just wondering what you all thought. SCOTT R. — To EMAIL me, please Remove the *** at the end of my address.

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<HTML As I have noted before, I ran a 3:50 marathon on about 2 miles a day, including my long run..&nbsp; (This was my first marathon, and I am a 47 year-old male.)&nbsp; Everyone seems to agree that the key to finishing the marathon is getting in long runs, and I made it up to 20 miles before my marathon.&nbsp; This means that I essentially did all quality runs, and I ran about 1.5 times per week.&nbsp; I also cross-trained, doing about 1.5 hours swimming every other week. <PSo, I think that the program will do exactly as it says.&nbsp; Your crosstraining should help too. <PBob Frick. <BR&nbsp;

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEHi all <PHas any one heard of running the marathon on as little as 3 miles a day. <BRSomeone gave me a training schedule that includes running, AT THE MOST, <BR21 miles a week, not including the long run.&nbsp; However, you work up to 26 <BRmiles for your long run, which is three weeks prior to Marathon. <PThis program is supposed to help cut down on injuries and prevent you <BRfrom hitting the "WALL". <PI like it, on paper at least, because it allows me to fit in Cycling and <BRswimming for my triathlon training, just wondering what you all thought. <PSCOTT R. <BR– <BRTo EMAIL me, please Remove the *** at the end of my address.</BLOCKQUOTE &nbsp;&nbsp;</HTML

Response:

Question:

Is anyone using the Echo J12 computer? It appears to have quite a few features I’m looking for. Like cadence(current,avg.,max.), which are great when using a roller trainer. Would anyone out there recommend it to a fellow RSTer or their worst enemy.:) TriFiend

Response:

I’ve been using one for three months, and it seems to work great. The features are much better than the Vetta C20, which I used for 4 years until the contacts corroded beyond repair.  The max and average cadence are very interesting to view after a long ride, and it’s interesting to see how they change for a long solo ride compared to a long paceline type ride.  Also, having the speed and cadence always displayed, with a third line of you choice, plus a +/- indicator with regard to your average speed, gives you about all the info you can handle at one time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone using the Echo J12 computer? It appears to have quite a few features I’m looking for. Like cadence(current,avg.,max.), which are great when using a roller trainer. Would anyone out there recommend it to a fellow RSTer or their worst enemy.:) TriFiend

Response:

 Is anyone using the Echo J12 computer? It appears to have quite a few  features I’m looking for. Like cadence(current,avg.,max.), which are  great when using a roller trainer.  Would anyone out there recommend it to a fellow RSTer or their worst  enemy.:)  TriFiend

I find the wires pretty flimsy.  Make sure to have it installed properly.  I did it mysekf the first time, and ended up having to buy a new wire kit.  It was a great deal up until then.  Also, the cadence just gave out on my second one, after 2 seasons.  This, I think, is again due to the wires. Dave

Response:

Is anyone using the Echo J12 computer? It appears to have quite a few features I’m looking for. Like cadence(current,avg.,max.), which are great when using a roller trainer. Would anyone out there recommend it to a fellow RSTer or their worst enemy.:) TriFiend

I have used the Echo J12 computer for over a year on my MTB. I ride both on- and off-road and I have had no problems with it. Nice product. See You at Kalastajatorppa race in Helsinki, Finland next year! Ola — Olli Laine University of Technology, Helsinki

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See You at Kalastajatorppa Wow, that’s a mouth full! race in Helsinki, Finland next year!What type of event is this?

G’day,eh! TriFiend – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ola

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See You at Kalastajatorppa Wow, that’s a mouth full! race in Helsinki, Finland next year!What type of event is this? G’day,eh! TriFiend Ola

It is Triathlon race in Helsinki, short distances, main event 1500m swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run. Ola — Olli Laine University of Technology, Helsinki

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Question:

I raced the Spud Triathlon too, and had a great time.  As you said, Tucker, it was a well organized race.  A friend I raced with who has talked with Brad Jaeger tells me that "Spud" is the name of his family’s dearly departed cat.  It seems the cat died at around the time the first annual race was being planned, and the race was christened as a feline memorial. I was one of the ones you (and many others) passed on the bike course.  I definitely need to put some RST marking on my back, for you guys to read as you pass on by. — Computer Scientist                                   Voice mail: 804-249-7347 CEBAF

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: As far as I can tell SPUD is the name of the mascot for this race.  SPUD : appears to be a cross between Wiley E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo.  A large – Nope, SPUD is the race director (Brad Jaeger’s) dead cat.  My understanding is that the cat died a while back and the race is in his memory or some such thing.  :) : Unconvential highlights of the SPUD race include: : Bring your own swim cap Or none.  I didn’t actually realize I didn’t have one until I opened the bag on race morning.  At that point, it was too late to go back and get one from home.  Oh well, if I sink… : Hamburgers, hot dogs and shortbread cookies for post race grub. Fudge-covered shortbread cookies at that!  I made the mistake of eating one after going all-out at a short biathlon a couple months ago and lost it shortly after.  One thing’s for sure, Tri-MD has the most unusual post race food.  Those Mystic drinks rule though… : The swim consists of a 1/2 mile swim out and 1/2 mile swim back in : Mattawoman Creek, an infeeder to the Potomac.  This morning the water was : warmer than the air and a slight mist was drifting off the brown, murky : water.  The field was split into two groups — odd numbers on the left and It was pretty ominous looking water.  Smelled less pleasant too.  However, since I live on the Potomac anything is pretty darn nice by comparison. : even on the right.  Each group was to follow one of two lines of parallel : buoys out into the creek keeping the buoys to their inside shoulder.  Upon : reaching the last buoy, both groups would turn inside and converge for the : swim down the middle and back to the start.  This turned out to be quite : manageable, but wild at the start.  RSTer Jason Mayfield told me after the : race he got his goggles knocked off and lost a contact at the start.  I : faired much better and managed a fairly uneventful swim finishing at I always thought that was one of those things that happened to other people.  In the frenzy of a 400 person mass start, I decided to start near the front and test my new-found swimming speed, hoping for a 25:00 mile or so.  However, after losing the contact less than 200yds in, I was zigging and zagging all over the place.  I came out of the water nearly blind in about 34:00.  The only times i knew I was even vaguely on-course was when I managed to swim over someone.  ;-) : just like mine, I could not distinguish one from the other.  Oh no. : Someone took my bike I thought.  I quickly dispelled this notion and There are advantages to riding overly-artsy Italian steel frames with more artwork than titanium.  ;-)  Never had a problem finding my bike yet… : her amusement at my transistion tango.  Zipout I headed on the bike : ready to stalk down my competitors.   2:16 ugggh a terrible transition. Oh yeah?  Well beat 7:07 for the world’s slowest transition.  ;-)  On top of it, I had to listen to RD Brad Jaeger taunting me the whole time while I tried (with trembling fingers) to get a contact in.  I know one transition item I’ll keep bringing to races! : stop this year.  A QR here, a Felt there.  Around MM 17 a cyclist passed : me and I looked behind me only to behold an ugly monster — yes a peloton : of about 8 riders.  In this peloton were a few of the riders I had passed I talked to some people that were spectating out on Route 224, and they said it seemed most riders came through in packs.  I didn’t see any, so I guess there are advantages to being 10 minutes behind where you planned. : it broke up some.  They eventually gobbled up my buddy Ed.  Just before : cycling into T2 at Lackey High School I saw RSTer Troy Jacobson alone 1.5 : miles into the run way out in front of the field.  Keep on truckin’ Troy. I was more than a little impressed.  I kept expecting to see someone chasing him, but that someone was almost a mile behind already! : year.  I handed my bike to a volunteer and was directed to my run bag. : There a volunteer helped me rip open my bag and put on my racing flats.  I : thanked her with what breath I had and stood up to start my run. A : cramping stomach muscle pulled me back down to earth.  Woahhh!  I slowly : stood up standing still, stretched out the muscle even more slowly and : gratefully pushed off down the hill without any additional pain. T2 : transition 58.55 not bad.   What wonderful service I thought — hand off : the bike and then have my hat, race belt and shoes handed to me! I was really impressed with the transition area!  One volunteer to take the bike, and another to hand me my stuff.  I had a 38 second transition, which I was majorly happy with.  You might mail sometime rst-er David Kemp : be a bit slower this year.   Finally at the top of the final hill I was : directed onto a dirt road for the final 1 mile push through the woods to : the finish.  This is a very nice feature of the course because this final : mile is all downhill.  I mentally poured it on even though my legs were I was really happy with this run course.  The soft dirt trail was very nice, albeit a bit humid in between all the flora and fauna.  ;-)  The only disadvantage was that it was so winding that you had no idea where the finish was! Overall, I finished about 15 minutes behind where I’d hoped to, just over 2:50.  However, there are just some days where the course wins.  :)  I’ll be out there again tomorrow, doing a long ride for IMC which takes in the totality of two local race courses…SPUD and the LaPlata Biathlon.  The ride should be about 105mi, with a 6mi run on the LaPlata Biathlon course afterwards.  Goal is to improve my time on both courses.  ;-) Jason — Jason Mayfield Arlington, VA http://dufus.westga.edu/~zooropa Sick & Twisted Site of the Day: http://dufus.westga.edu/~zooropa/sick.html 52 Days Until Ironman Canada

Response:

SPUD – As far as I can tell SPUD is the name of the mascot for this race.  SPUD appears to be a cross between Wiley E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo.  A large – human like dog that hangs around with a mischievious look in his eye.  He seems to be appropriate for a Tri-Maryland race — casual yet alert and definitely unconventional.  There certainly weren’t any couch potatoes around to pin the SPUD name on. Unconvential highlights of the SPUD race include: One massive wave start of ~450 participants Bring your own swim cap No race marshalls Proceeds go to purchasing2  mtn. bikes for the race site park Hamburgers, hot dogs and shortbread cookies for post race grub. Great organization And as always, unassociated with USAT PRERACE The weather prediction for this race was 90 degrees and high humidity. Morning eerie light brought rain and cool weather evoking the need for sweatshirts.  What a treat!  I arranged with my training buddy, Ed  to pick up my and another friend Page’s race packets the day before.  We decided to carpool from Falls Church, VA Sunday am after a race packet handoff.  After waiting 15 mins. for Ed to show up, we decided to give him a jingle on the car phone.  The jingle ended up being a jolting wake-up call on the other end of the line.  Ed got his adrenaline rush at 5:45 am instead of the scheduled 7:30 am race start.  We quickly revised our plans and ended  up meeting Ed at General Smallwood State Park in Indian Head, MD where SPUD begins. I was pleased to see that the portapotties weren’t in the transition area this year, but this would also prove to be a misfortune…  I was surprised to see how large the field had grown in this the second year of the race. From 210 the year before to about 450 this year.  I caught a glimpse of RSTers Andy Wilkerson and Troy Jacobson in prerace warmups and thought I might run into a few more.  This year would prove, I was sure, to be much more competitive and I was certain not to maintain my 1st place finish in my age group which I serendipidously claimed the year before. SWIM – 1 Mile The swim consists of a 1/2 mile swim out and 1/2 mile swim back in Mattawoman Creek, an infeeder to the Potomac.  This morning the water was warmer than the air and a slight mist was drifting off the brown, murky water.  The field was split into two groups — odd numbers on the left and even on the right.  Each group was to follow one of two lines of parallel buoys out into the creek keeping the buoys to their inside shoulder.  Upon reaching the last buoy, both groups would turn inside and converge for the swim down the middle and back to the start.  This turned out to be quite manageable, but wild at the start.  RSTer Jason Mayfield told me after the race he got his goggles knocked off and lost a contact at the start.  I faired much better and managed a fairly uneventful swim finishing at 25:41, a minute and some slower than last year.  My only excitement was avoiding a fellow competitor’s zig-zag swim pattern return to the finish — perhaps he was avoiding an overzealous eel.  Coming out of the water I quickly ripped off my goggles and pulled down my wetsuit halfway and ran up the hill to T1 where my bike was waiting in the 7th rack turning at the Ryder truck (this was part of my prerace ritual T1 rehearsal).  The year before I cleverly placed my bike in front of a portapotty so as to easily find it, but no luck this year.  I counted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and turned — my bike was not there.  All the bikes appeared to be black with gray aerobars just like mine, I could not distinguish one from the other.  Oh no. Someone took my bike I thought.  I quickly dispelled this notion and scanned the sea of 400+ bikes.  Competitors seemed to be streaming in AND out of T1 around me.  Finally in the next row I discovered my bike and heard my wife cheering, "Go Tuck!" I think I detected a slight snicker in her amusement at my transistion tango.  Zipout I headed on the bike ready to stalk down my competitors.   2:16 ugggh a terrible transition. BIKE –  27 miles One, two, three, six, seven, eight. I was slowly but surely biking down the field on the virtually deserted (of cars) roads.  Volunteers at every intersection pointed the way on.  I knew my buddy Ed was out there after finishing first out of the water the year before and I had caught him on the bike.  I was trying to catch him again. I knew I’d have my work cut out for me since he had made a stop at that portapotty after finishing his swim, so he’d have a good headstart if he didn’t have to make the same stop this year.  A QR here, a Felt there.  Around MM 17 a cyclist passed me and I looked behind me only to behold an ugly monster — yes a peloton of about 8 riders.  In this peloton were a few of the riders I had passed earlier.  I was swallowed up.  I tried riding to the side, I tried surging ahead 4-5 times — and got gobbled up each time.  I talked to guys in the group about drafting and how it sucked.  I got smiles and some commiseration. Some guys tried to surge away too and ride to the side, but we were riding 4 abreast sometimes on a two-way highway.  Some of the guys (all men) just sat on wheels and blatantly drafted.  It was very frustrating and guilt-inducing.  I "benefitted" from this draft until about MM 22 when I gave up trying to break away and let the group get away from me on a hill.  I saw the group swell to 18 riders at one point before it broke up some.  They eventually gobbled up my buddy Ed.  Just before cycling into T2 at Lackey High School I saw RSTer Troy Jacobson alone 1.5 miles into the run way out in front of the field.  Keep on truckin’ Troy. He would go on to devastate the rest of the field by about 6 mins.  T2 is 4 miles down the road from T1 and the finish line, so now it would be a dash to the start.  I entered T2 in 1:09.12 , 2 mins faster than last year.  I handed my bike to a volunteer and was directed to my run bag. There a volunteer helped me rip open my bag and put on my racing flats.  I thanked her with what breath I had and stood up to start my run. A cramping stomach muscle pulled me back down to earth.  Woahhh!  I slowly stood up standing still, stretched out the muscle even more slowly and gratefully pushed off down the hill without any additional pain. T2 transition 58.55 not bad.   What wonderful service I thought — hand off the bike and then have my hat, race belt and shoes handed to me! RUN – 6.5 miles Down the hill I ran and some guy without a shirt came charging back up the hill on his feet — hmmm – I noticed he wasn’t  wearing a race number and could  only assume he’d forgotten it. Bummer!  My running legs returned at the bottom of the hill as I head out on the highway.  Crossing the highway at the turnaround was a huge Maryland State Police Trooper.  I said "Thank you sir!" as I rounded the corner and headed toward the finish.  Feeling strong, well hydrated and GUed up, I stoide on.  At Mile 2 the guy without the number cruised by this time with number around his waist.  I’m sure he’s been kicking himself all week for this oversight.  But I bet he didn’t lose his bike in T1   I click off the miles:  6:49, 7:10, 6:49, 7:13, 6:40, Hmm a pattern seems to be developing that indicates either these miles are pretty uneven, my pace is or the few rolling hills thrown in are actually influencing my pace.  As usual the runners started passing me here and there including last year’s winner Dave Predzin who seemed to be a bit slower this year.   Finally at the top of the final hill I was directed onto a dirt road for the final 1 mile push through the woods to the finish.  This is a very nice feature of the course because this final mile is all downhill.  I mentally poured it on even though my legs were probably going at the same speed.  Breaking into the clear, I hit the finish in 2:22.08, 3 seconds faster than last year.   What an improvement!  My wife Carine and 17 month old son Nicholas were there to cheer me on and give me the news on those who’d finished in front of me.  My poor buddy Ed who got swallowed up by the peloton and finished in 2:19 got aced out of his 25-29 age group awards. SPUD is a well-run race with plenty of excellent volunteer support, good venue, great food and atmosphere.  Contact Race Director Brad Jaeger at 410-882-6103 for a race application. Confessional on my drafting experience For about 5 miles I on and off drafted within the illegal limits.  I was conscious of this experience the entire time and feel damn guilty about it.  I tried to get out of it without too much success.  About 1/2 the group tried to break up the pack and I can count myself in this group. The other 1/2 sat in and enjoyed the ride.  I can attribute this problem to a few forces:  1. About 450 people starting at the same time   2. No draft marshalls   3. Lack of widespread condemnation within the triathlon community of drafting.   4. Win at all cost competitors.  The I group I drafted with consisted of the age group winners and therefore probably more competitive and less willing to concede an opportunity of a prize.   This experience has led me to support wave starts more strongly, applaud strong marshalling and stiff penalties, resolve to not let this happen to me again and share my displeasure of the experience.  Either you are or aren’t drafting. It’s black and white.  Situations do arise that challenge your commitment to draft-free racing.  It’s best to determine your stance in detail before you toe the starting line. Happy draft-free racing. Tucker Newberry

Response:

Question:

   I am interested in buying a Polar heart rate monitor and would like to know where I can get the best price.  I remember seeing some ads in Triathlon Today magazine awhile ago from a place that had extremely good prices.  Unfortunately I don’t have the issue anymore.  Thanks.    Andy Ross

Response:

  I am interested in buying a Polar heart rate monitor and would like to know where I can get the best price.  I remember seeing some ads in Triathlon Today magazine awhile ago from a place that had extremely good prices.  Unfortunately I don’t have the issue anymore.  Thanks.   Andy Ross

i’ve seen some pretty good deals at steve’s multisport.  they even have a web page so you can check out the prices and shop around.  hope this helps. http://www.netaxes.com/~steves/ joel falk Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.   USA

Response:

:   I am interested in buying a Polar heart rate monitor and would like : to : know where I can get the best price.  I remember seeing some ads in : Triathlon Today magazine awhile ago from a place that had extremely : good : prices.  Unfortunately I don’t have the issue anymore.  Thanks. : :   Andy Ross : i’ve seen some pretty good deals at steve’s multisport.  they even have : a web page so you can check out the prices and shop around.  hope this : helps. : http://www.netaxes.com/~steves/ I couldn’t get the page at this address, but I found it at: http://www.source.net/steves/index.html : joel falk : Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.   USA —

Response:

they have a 90 day price guarantee Bruce Platt

Response:

   I am interested in buying a Polar heart rate monitor and would like to know where I can get the best price.  I remember seeing some ads in Triathlon Today magazine awhile ago from a place that had extremely good prices.  Unfortunately I don’t have the issue anymore.  Thanks.    Andy Ross

I have one Accurex II Night Vision for $190 plus $3 for ship. Allyn Cutts "Be the best you can be every minute of your life"

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It seems as though Polar is one of those companies whose prices do not differ that much from store to store unless they are factory refurbished. I would recommend sticking with your LBS which will make warranty issues much easier to deal with. —     Ryun Pavlicek                                 Dept of Sociology     University of Virginia                      

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i’ve seen some pretty good deals at steve’s multisport.  they even have a web page so you can check out the prices and shop around.  hope this helps. http://www.netaxes.com/~steves/

Should be: http://www.netaxs.com/~steves/                           ^^ no ‘e’ — Sylvan Smyth Victoria, B.C. Canada

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Question:

        Hi, I am just getting started in triathlons, and I am wondering if anybody has a listing of races around Minnesota and western Wisconsin? Thanks Brian Walsh http://www.stolaf.edu/people/walsh/

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        Hi, I am just getting started in triathlons, and I am wondering if anybody has a listing of races around Minnesota and western Wisconsin? Thanks Brian Walsh http://www.stolaf.edu/people/walsh/

Try picking up a copy of Inside Triathlon.  They have a pretty decent schedule by region. -Jacob

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:         Hi, I am just getting started in triathlons, and I am : wondering if anybody has a listing of races around Minnesota and : western Wisconsin? Thanks : : Brian Walsh : http://www.stolaf.edu/people/walsh/ The full schedule for the region was published in the April issue of Minnesota Sports.  Try giving Skyway Publications a call at 612/375-9045.  They may be willing to fax or mail you a copy.  If they won’t, e mail me. Dave LaPorte U. of Minn.

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Question:

Try the timex triathlon indiglo, or a hrm by polar, possibly the Favor or Accurex: )

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I have had the Timex 100 lap Indiglo for six months and love it. Got it on sale at Kmart for around $40 (retail $54). Has taken the best of all the Indiglo features and put them in one watch. Too many features to list here. Bruce Schroeder "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

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I’m seeking advice on the purchace of a running watch, obviously for recording times and preferably distances and possibly pulse rate. Any suggestions?  Thanks. Come on, someone out there must have a running watch they love. I don’t want to purchase the wrong kind.  If you could share with me your favorite, it would be most appreciated.    Thanks again.

I am on my second Casio pacer watch (my first one lasted for about 7 years!).  My current one is the Casio Work Out.  The thing I like about the Casio pacer watches is the ability to program in your desired pace (in steps per minute) and your average stride length, and let the watch calculate how far you have run.  This latest model also can optionally calculate how many calories you have burned (based on your age and weight, which you also program in) or how many steps you have taken (useful when initially determining your average stride length for a particular pace). As long as you take a step every beep, the calculated distance is surprisingly accurate.  This is quite handy when running new courses in which you don’t know the mileage. I have also found the pacer to be handy during training, in forcing me to run at ever-increasing paces. Hope this helps. Johnny Hinshaw

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IW Well the seemingly most prevalent watch on the face of the earth (the IWTimex Ironman) is my personal favorite.  It not only times laps, comes in a IWvariety of colors, and has an Indiglo night light, but works fine when IWswimming or showering.  Have I included everything?  Probably not I agree.  I have a Timex Triathlon with Indiglo lighting.  It does all I need it to…it keeps the date and time, has the stopwatch with 8-lap capability, and an alarm.  It has 3 countdown modes (which I will probably never, ever use, but hey).  The whole thing cost me a whopping $24 and some change at Walmart.  Can’t beat that! Sid — * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  PC-Library TeleComm Systems (612) 895-8775 – 75,000 files – Shopping Mall  * *  Internet E-Mail & Newsgroups FREE for members – Online interactive Games   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Bob Russin writes: Come on, someone out there must have a running watch they love. I don’t want to purchase the wrong kind.  If you could share with me your favorite, it would be most appreciated.    Thanks again.

Well, I figured someone would beat me to it.  I have never used a casio so let’s not get into any watch wars.  I LOVE my Timex Ironman Triathlon 100 Lap watch.  It has a nice BIG button for start and laps.  The stop button is on the side which is great for me cuz I used to always press the stop button by accident when I wanted the lap button.  You can save your times with the date in segments.  For example, I’ve got my last 3 races stored with each mile split and associated date.  There are a bunch of other features like different timers, 9 alarms, 3 pages of memos.  Also, I’ve got the Indiglo which is very easy to see when I run at night.  There are other features I haven’t tried yet like the reps with intervals I think (need to read the instructions again). I bought my watch at K-Mart for $38.  Most places sell it for about $45. —

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My advice to you is to decide what you are going to use the watch for.  For instance if you are going to only run 5-9 miles at a time, then I would get the ironman.  However, if you are going to be doing any track workouts, like 1/2 mile splits, say 10-12 of them, then you are going to want a higher lap count than just 8.  Personally, for the last 5-6 years the ironman has been my best watch,  but you have to replace it every few years. — Christopher D. Combs Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 uucp:     …!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!cc86

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writes: I’m seeking advice on the purchace of a running watch, obviously for recording times and preferably distances and possibly pulse rate.

I’ve used four different watches for running and find this one the best by far: Casio, 30 lap model, water 100m resist It can store races (until the 30 lap is exhausted) and their dates. I have my 10K PR race permanently stored until I break it! (in 1995 ?!) (until I break my PR that is…) — Ken Papai, Marin County  <* "The truth is that the Runner is not made for

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If people are taking an unofficial poll about watches, then my vote goes to Timex Ironman or Triatholons.. I have had six in a row, and only so many because I have lost them.. I have never had a problem..                Nick Rattray                         –     0       /    * Running is the elixir of life *      -      /

I am using an Ironman also. I just wish the buttons were easier to push. I also have a Accusplit 930. It is pretty good also. J. Carl

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Come on, someone out there must have a running watch they love. I don’t want to   purchase the wrong kind.  If you could share with me your favorite, it would be   most appreciated.   Thanks again.

 Well the seemingly most prevalent watch on the face of the earth (the Timex Ironman) is my personal favorite.  It not only times laps, comes in a variety of colors, and has an Indiglo night light, but works fine when swimming or showering.  Have I included everything?  Probably not

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I have had a Casio 503 SDB-300W for about 5 years now.  It records splits and will also record the times for 30 runs.  It claims to be water resistant to 50 Meters, but I’ve never put it to the water test.  I haven’t even had to change the battery yet.  However I had to replace the rubber watchband last year.  It was about $3.  I bought the watch for $25 or $30 from a mail order place advertised in Runner’s World.  Sorry I don’t remember the exact details.  I’ve been real satisfied with it. Hope this helps,

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I have had a Casio 503 SDB-300W for about 5 years now.  It records splits and will also record the times for 30 runs.  It claims to be water resistant to 50 Meters, but I’ve never put it to the water test.  I haven’t even had to change the battery yet.  However I had to replace the rubber watchband last year.  It was about $3.  I bought the watch for $25 or $30 from a mail order place advertised in Runner’s World.  Sorry I don’t remember the exact details.  I’ve been real satisfied with it. Hope this helps,

I had the 300W and now the 500W. The typical discussion is the Casiso vs the Timex and like religion and politics, you’ll find lovers of both. Since you care about recording times please note one feature as you shop, some record many times but only for a single day. The Casio will record 30 times across 30 days). I think with the Timex you have to step up to Indiglo 100 model before it lets you span days.   The Timex pads in the past, were a weak point.  I don’t know if they have improved that area. Some don’t like the Casio pads on top claiming the elastic sleves of jackets at times shuts off the watch. Just some food for thought. — Doug Freese  All opinions are mine. IBM Tele: 8-292-7752

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bob Russin writes: Come on, someone out there must have a running watch they love. I don’t want to purchase the wrong kind.  If you could share with me your favorite, it would be most appreciated.    Thanks again. Well, I figured someone would beat me to it.  I have never used a casio so let’s not get into any watch wars.  I LOVE my Timex Ironman Triathlon 100 Lap watch.  It has a nice BIG button for start and laps.  The stop button is on the side which is great for me cuz I used to always press the stop button by accident when I wanted the lap button.  You can save your times with the date in segments.  For example, I’ve got my last 3 races stored with each mile split and associated date.  There are a bunch of other features like different timers, 9 alarms, 3 pages of memos.  Also, I’ve got the Indiglo which is very easy to see when I run at night.  There are other features I haven’t tried yet like the reps with intervals I think (need to read the instructions again). I bought my watch at K-Mart for $38.  Most places sell it for about $45. —

I can’t comment on Timex watches but I have used Casio Watches for 15 years. They are flawless and CHEAP. The only problem I experience is the band wears out before the watch does. The battery lasts at least five years. –jeff rubin

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I’m seeking advice on the purchace of a running watch, obviously for recording times and preferably distances and possibly pulse rate. Any suggestions?  Thanks.

Response:

I’m seeking advice on the purchace of a running watch, obviously for recording times and preferably distances and possibly pulse rate. Any suggestions?  Thanks.

Come on, someone out there must have a running watch they love. I don’t want to purchase the wrong kind.  If you could share with me your favorite, it would be most appreciated.    Thanks again.

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