Question:

Mike- I would recommend a wetsuit – at the very least, a shorty.  Colorado water never really gets to the point where you could call it "Warm".   For example, easily over 95 percent of the participants at Boulder Peak – which takes place in early August – wear a wetsuit. -Darrin www.racingunderground.com

Response:

There’s water here? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.sport.triathlon Mike- I would recommend a wetsuit – at the very least, a shorty.  Colorado water never really gets to the point where you could call it "Warm". For example, easily over 95 percent of the participants at Boulder Peak – which takes place in early August – wear a wetsuit. -Darrin www.racingunderground.com

Response:

Hey– Water temps here in CO can be hard to predict.  I’ve done lake swims with no wetsuit in late June.  A week can make a difference!  I’d suggest a wetsuit to be on the safe side.  Do you have some races picked out?   Sara

Response:

I agree with the others.  A wetsuit is critical in early season or high altitude swims.  Xterra-Keystone, for example, has required them for the past three years (with the water temp being around 53 deg each year). Michael

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi –   Just wondering if there are people out there that race in Colorado.  I am wondering about the water temps for most of the races.  Should I buy a wetsuit for later season races or would I be able to get away without one? Thanks for any info you can give. Mike

Response:

Hi –   Just wondering if there are people out there that race in Colorado.  I am wondering about the water temps for most of the races.  Should I buy a wetsuit for later season races or would I be able to get away without one? Thanks for any info you can give. Mike

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Question:

Someone posted an endorsement of a wetsuit to this group recently.  I looked at the site but have lost the URL and I cannot located the original message.  Sorry about this, but if anyone can remember the name I’d be grateful.  The brand of wetsuit sounded like Pielo or something – but the URL posted was for another site that was offering a discount on last seasons styles. Also – I’m a 30yr old newbie with no background in swimming, cycling or running but hoping to COMPLETE a local Triathlon in August and Marathon in October. Currently swimming 4-5 x 1500metres  and walking 3 x 12km per week to acclimatise knees/legs (pathetic -huh?) Planning to start replacing some of the swims with 20km bike rides in Feb and replacing the walks with short runs (3-5km) in March, gradually increasing the distance/pace – any tips? Cheers Rob

Response:

Found the wetsuit link (piel) any tips still appreciated though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Someone posted an endorsement of a wetsuit to this group recently.  I looked at the site but have lost the URL and I cannot located the original message.  Sorry about this, but if anyone can remember the name I’d be grateful.  The brand of wetsuit sounded like Pielo or something – but the URL posted was for another site that was offering a discount on last seasons styles. Also – I’m a 30yr old newbie with no background in swimming, cycling or running but hoping to COMPLETE a local Triathlon in August and Marathon in October. Currently swimming 4-5 x 1500metres  and walking 3 x 12km per week to acclimatise knees/legs (pathetic -huh?) Planning to start replacing some of the swims with 20km bike rides in Feb and replacing the walks with short runs (3-5km) in March, gradually increasing the distance/pace – any tips? Cheers Rob

Response:

As a triathlon specialty store, one suit has stood out among all the lines we have sold, the Ironman wetsuits. I have not worked with the Piel (? not sure about spelling) suits so I cannot advise there. I can tell you that the Ironman suits have fit well, held up well and the company has been great to work with whenever there are questions, etc. Purchasing a suit is an investment and with the Ironman wetsuts, that is the direction I would suggest that you also consider. Mark (husband and co-owner) recently participated in Ironman Florida. Having a choice of wetsuits to wear from our store, he chose to wear his Ironman. I feel that says a lot for the suit. If I can be of any help in choosing a style and fit, please let me know. Good luck with your decision. — Diane Tarver http://www.Tri-Specialties.com 337-625-4214 1-888-316-4214

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Someone posted an endorsement of a wetsuit to this group recently.  I looked at the site but have lost the URL and I cannot located the original message.  Sorry about this, but if anyone can remember the name I’d be grateful.  The brand of wetsuit sounded like Pielo or something – but the URL posted was for another site that was offering a discount on last seasons styles. Also – I’m a 30yr old newbie with no background in swimming, cycling or running but hoping to COMPLETE a local Triathlon in August and Marathon in October. Currently swimming 4-5 x 1500metres  and walking 3 x 12km per week to acclimatise knees/legs (pathetic -huh?) Planning to start replacing some of the swims with 20km bike rides in Feb and replacing the walks with short runs (3-5km) in March, gradually increasing the distance/pace – any tips? Cheers Rob

Response:

Question:

HI im writing this in Croatia could someone help, i wont to join track & field team in my town and im 16 , is it too late????? ive been training bball for 6 years THANKS please write on the news FOR FloJo THANKS:))))

Response:

It’s never too late. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 4:53 AM Message from the Deja.com forum:  rec.sport.triathlon  Your subscription is set to individual email delivery  Deja.com: Best way to buy a PC HI im writing this in Croatia could someone help, i wont to join track & field team in my town and im 16 , is it too late????? ive been training bball for 6 years THANKS please write on the news FOR FloJo THANKS:))))  Deja.com: Before you buy.  * To modify or remove your subscription, go to  * Read this thread at

 Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

I’m thinking of relocating to the state of Arizona (not sure what city yet)and would like to know if there are any triathlon clubs that I could contact. Thanks, Zach

Response:

I’m thinking of relocating to the state of Arizona (not sure what city yet)and would like to know if there are any triathlon clubs that I could contact. Thanks, Zach

Zach- I just joined the Phoenix Triathlon Club (Meets at a LBS called Landis Cyclery). The first meeting I went to had a Masters coach that gave us some good swim tips, and they had a couple of rides and group swims organized for the next few weeks. There were about 40 (out of ~150) members there, and they were really well organized. They had some raffles (free for members), and when you join, you get some merchandise discounts, and the membership card gets you discounts at John "Ad astra per aspera" "A rough road leads to the stars"

Response:

triathlon activities in Tucson;  sites.  Complete descriptions and links at http://www.multisporttrainingco.com, and at suggest other individuals. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 6:27 PM Message from the Deja.com forum:  rec.sport.triathlon  Your subscription is set to individual email delivery I’m thinking of relocating to the state of Arizona (not sure what city yet)and would like to know if there are any triathlon clubs that I could contact. Thanks, Zach  Deja.com: Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.  * To modify or remove your subscription, go to  * Read this thread at

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Response:

Posted incorrect address:  http:/www.multisporttraining.com is correct for Tucson tri activities. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 8:49 AM Message from the Deja.com forum:  rec.sport.triathlon  Your subscription is set to individual email delivery triathlon activities in Tucson;  sites.  Complete descriptions and links at http://www.multisporttrainingco.com, and at suggest other individuals. —– Original Message —– Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 6:27 PM Message from the Deja.com forum:  rec.sport.triathlon  Your subscription is set to individual email delivery I’m thinking of relocating to the state of Arizona (not sure what city yet)and would like to know if there are any triathlon clubs that I could contact. Thanks, Zach  Deja.com: Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.  * To modify or remove your subscription, go to  * Read this thread at  Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.  Deja.com: Before you buy.  * To modify or remove your subscription, go to  * Read this thread at

 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Question:

I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs.

You mean "age groups"?  The answer is "yes". — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "Real triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie *New to triathlon?  Check out Hulaman’s Simple TriTips:  http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/tritips.html    

Response:

My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Normally triathlons divide you into 5-year age groups, and then divide you by gender. So you have men/women under 20, 20-24, 25-29, etc. I’m not sure how high it goes… maybe 70+ is the highest? There is also an "elite" division for pros, and sometimes Athena/Clydesdale division for heavier athletes. Vanessa

Response:

YES, it certainly does. Age groupers are the heart and soul of triathlon. Triathletes are a very competitive bunch and it is within the age groups that they find their measure and their glory. No triathlon can exist without age groups and without age groupers. An offshoot of the running boom which also uses age groups, triathlons are a people race. Unlike any other sports, triathlons allow you to realize your potential within a realistic framework. Age groups allow for feedback of competitive desire and the thirst to move up. If the emphasis were just on the overall winners, than triathlon would lose a big part of its appeal.

Response:

Treemoss, you are destined to become the next president of the United States of America. I can add nothing to that comment except "Hail to the Chief" or, as we say in England "Long Live The King". Richard Corbett

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – YES, it certainly does. Age groupers are the heart and soul of triathlon. Triathletes are a very competitive bunch and it is within the age groups that they find their measure and their glory. No triathlon can exist without age groups and without age groupers. An offshoot of the running boom which also uses age groups, triathlons are a people race. Unlike any other sports, triathlons allow you to realize your potential within a realistic framework. Age groups allow for feedback of competitive desire and the thirst to move up. If the emphasis were just on the overall winners, than triathlon would lose a big part of its appeal.

Response:

Two finishers at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco on June 5th: Tyler Clayton age 12 Bill Bell age 76. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Response:

I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Response:

Question:

USAT OFFICIALS CLINIC Anyone interested in becoming an official for the USA Triathlon federation please note: June 20     Springfield Ironhorse   USAT Officials Clinic This clinic will be held on Saturday June 20, in the mid afternoon. The clinic lasts about 3 hours, then you will work the race the next day as the clinic practicum.  This will allow you to gain some experience immediately after learning techniques etc.  After the clinic and race day practicum, you will be considered a CAT 4 official and will be ready to work 2 volunteer events to be on your way to being a certified CAT 3. As a CAT 3 official, you will be assigned and receive compensation for your efforts. If you are interested in attending this clinic, please let me know. You will receive materials from USAT for the clinic, but your lodging and travel are on your own. We hope to hear from you soon… the next clinics scheduled will be in July and August. Joyce Payne Regional Coordinator USAT Officials Progam Mideast Region Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan,Ohio

Response:

It’s that time of year again.  I enjoy reading about the wildlife you have encountered while riding. Yesterday I saw a Great Blue Heron, two Little Green Herons, a Bluebird, several red-shouldered hawks, miscellaneous black flying objects, one Was-Raccoon and a few groundhogs. Plus the usual wall-to-wall Holsteins to be expected in central Pennsylvania. Pretty good for just 26 miles. Ruth Kazez

Response:

It’s that time of year again.  I enjoy reading about the wildlife you have encountered while riding. Yesterday I saw a Great Blue Heron, two Little Green Herons, a Bluebird, several red-shouldered hawks, miscellaneous black flying objects, one Was-Raccoon and a few groundhogs. Plus the usual wall-to-wall Holsteins to be expected in central Pennsylvania. Pretty good for just 26 miles. Ruth Kazez

Last week, there was a pretty good sized rattlesnake slithering slowly across the bike path.  I was very careful to quietly and quickly pass behind it:).  I also normally see quite a few foxes and prairie dogs along with the occasional coyote.  My most frightening encounter was when I startled a bunch of geese who were just out of site behind a slight rise.  I thought I was about to get hit by a helicopter when they took off en mass. Chuck Berghoefer

Response:

Thought I would pass on an experience I had the other morning.  I usually do all my running in the early am, like between 4:30 and 6:00 am so it is pitch black when I start out.  After running about 4 miles in the darkness, feeling great, feeling light, there was this loud snort from the woods on my left, which are only 10 or so yards away from the road.  I about jumped out of my skin at the sound.  The heart monitor started beeping from the increase in my pulse from being so startled. Flight or fight I guess.  Saw the tail of the white tail deer bounding back into the blackness. On my bike rides I see lots of turkeys, the occasional deer (depending on the time of day), a few snakes here and there, and once even saw a small black wild pig when I was biking on St. Simons Island (Georgia coast) last year. It was right up on the shoulder of the road.  And of course the ever present vultures picking at the remains of the current road kill.   gil gilliland

Response:

It was November and I was working in Vermont. Went out at 6am in the darkness for a five mile run. Now when I say dark, I mean Vermont dark, meaning no street lights and not even any moon light. I was huffing along in a catatonic early morning trance when I nearly stepped on a skunk. I was barely able to make out it’s white stripe in the darkness. By the time I saw it, it was already stamping its feet and making menacing noises and gestures. I screamed and bolted through the nearest yard to get out of the way. At the time I saw it, I am guessing I was less than eight feet away from having a bath of skunk perfume. Sure woke me up. Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -It’s that time of year again.  I enjoy reading about the wildlife you have encountered while riding. Yesterday I saw a Great Blue Heron, two Little Green Herons, a Bluebird, several red-shouldered hawks, miscellaneous black flying objects, one Was-Raccoon and a few groundhogs. Plus the usual wall-to-wall Holsteins to be expected in central Pennsylvania. Pretty good for just 26 miles. Ruth Kazez

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Question:

Most of great race report snipped To hell with planning, and discipline, and compulsive training regimens, and engineer-induced precision. Just run, dammit. By the finish, I was in a full sprint (at least for me), but euphoria carried me into the finish chute.

Rick- Sometimes the best things in life are the things that don’t go according to plan. Races in the rain (and snow) are great times to forget the plan and just enjoy the race. Sounds like you did! Great report — Thanks for sharing it. Stewart Cox

Response:

Dallas, Texas– Forecast: El Nino strikes Texas as an upper-level disturbance moves into the state from the northwest, drawing Pacific moisture across Northern Mexico. Considerable early morning cloudiness will yield precipitation beginning late morning. Temperature at dawn will be around 46, and will drop to around 40 during the day. Nope, not the ideal day for a marathon. But I had cut a deal with a guy at the bike shop. Dave is seriously considering the pursuit of triathlon in ‘98, and he and I are comparing notes as he starts to train more diligently. Last week found me on the road again, first in Boise, and then Tucson. My deal with Dave was that we would meet at the bike shop on Saturday after the weekly ride and decide if we wanted to enter The Rock as a relay team. The week of Thanksgiving had been a good running week for me: 37 miles, which, at my slow pace, is a lot. Travel imposed a pre-race taper, and I felt lucky to get 15 miles. Plus, of course, the Saturday morning bike ride. But neither one of us was willing to be the one to call it off, so 6:30 AM found us in a North Dallas parking lot to coordinate our attack. We drove to the race, with an interesting stop at the downtown Dallas McDonalds. (I like my Egg McMuffins, and my race would not start until about 10:00). We were there five minutes before opening, and waited on the cold, windy sidewalk with an odd mixture of street people and yuppie runners. They had piped Vivaldi at high levels to the sidewalk area, presumably to encourage those with non-classical tastes to move along. I ordered my breakfast and almost made it to the table before being panhandled by one of the customers. I didn’t feel generous. The plan was to leave my Jeep at the start, see my friend off for the first half, and then drive his car to the halfway point. He would pass the baton to me, and then have his car there to drive to work (ouch). He predicted 1:55, which is exactly what I predicted for myself, so I felt like we were matched for a relay. The course is relatively flat, with a two or three mile climb, followed by a similar descent in the first six or eight miles. The middle third circumnavigates White Rock Lake, and is flat. The final third consists of another long, shallow uphill, with the last 4 miles to the finish being all downhill. "Hill" is a strong term: the difference between the highest point on the course and the lowest is about 200 feet of elevation. The grades were rarely steeper than 2 or 3 percent. The rain seemed like it was going to wait, and I took the advice of the run-store guy and wore only shorts, a thin long-sleeved running shirt, and a ultralight vest to protect against the wind. While waiting for Dave, I was a little cold, but it was fine during the run, even after it started raining. Which, of course, it did. I felt the first mist just as Dave appeared in the steady stream of runners, looking most unhappy. Dave had blown up at Mile 11, and the last two miles had been a death march for him. I pointed him to his car, took the baton (a bright orange wrist strap) and took off. Relays are a bummer for two reasons: You can’t predict your start time, so you can’t have an effective warmup. The first mile or two, therefore, is your warmup and you must go slowly. The second reason is that you will feel like the proverbial poser starting out fresh amid all those suffering souls. I ran with the pack for a mile, and then started gently passing people. We traversed the eastern edge of the lake, and arrived at a small downhill descending to the dam. I decide to stretch it out a little, and see what was there. My pace dropped from the 9-minute mile range to the 8:30 range. The course began to ascend, and the raindrops started to fall. I can’t remember when I was first aware that it was actually raining, because it started gradually and got worse and worse. You can boil a frog alive without the frog knowing it if you raise the temperature slowly enough. I never realized how cold and wet I had become until after the race was over. Many walked up the hill, and I wondered if I would be one of them in that stage of a full marathon. But six miles into a half, I was smooth and strong. I maintained an 8:40 pace on the climb. The top was so subtle that it could not be predicted. I sped up in anticipation of cresting the hill, only to have the crest elude me for a mile. But that mile was 8:15. Then the land inclined downhill (very gently), and I bumped it up another notch. My remaining miles were all in the mid sevens, a full 90 seconds per mile faster than my race pace a month ago. By this time, we were running in a steady 40-degree downpour. Most were bitching. But a strange thing happened to me: I found that I was enjoying myself. Happiness took me utterly by surprise. I was pushing my pace, and my limits, and flying past people (for which I felt a little embarassed–I was the poser after all). The more I pushed, the more I found. I could have run conservative full marathon this day without doubt. Others were miserable (even those who had Relay tags, as I did, identifying us as pretenders). I couldn’t see a damn thing through rain-drop-encrusted glasses. My feet sloshed with each thunderous footfall. My sleeves were filling with water and had to be drained from time to time. I’m sure I looked like the completely inept runner that I am, but I _felt_ fast. My mood seemed inversely proportional to the conditions. No tunes interrupted my consciousness. No emotional swings broke through. No thoughts of the philosophy of what we do; no remembrances of lost friends. I’m not aware of the sound of my own feet on the ground. I’m only vaguely aware of the puddles, and my futile attempts to avoid them. The stretch of my legs as I run at 5K race pace in this 13-miler provide the only sensation. As the end nears, the stretch grew of its own accord. I did not manage this race: My body managed it for me, and carried me along. To hell with planning, and discipline, and compulsive training regimens, and engineer-induced precision. Just run, dammit. By the finish, I was in a full sprint (at least for me), but euphoria carried me into the finish chute. I shunned the plastic rain blanket that was pushed in my direction. Hell, I was already wet, and loving it! One official ripped my tag, and another pressed two relay finisher’s medals in my hand. It didn’t last. By the time I reached the Jeep, I was cold and wet again. But the joy is still with me. I stopped for lunch on the way home. A guy and his date, obviously fresh from church, stood in line in front of me. They were short of cash, and she was trying to write a check. In a Jack-in-the-Box? Get real. The guy’s face fell, and he said "Nevermind our order." I shoved a bill across the counter and said "I’ll catch it." They all looked at me dumbfounded. I was soaked, dirty, and ridiculously underdressed. I’m sure I made the same impression as the street bum who had unsuccessfully panhandled me that morning. The guy said, "How can I pay you back?" and tried to shove his only two available bucks into my hands. I told him to keep his money, and pass the favor along to someone else when the opportunity came. Dave said, "You mean you finished?" "Sure. Why not? It was just a little rain." Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

Response:

Question:

If you tell them of your frustration with the plastic piece breaking and  irritating your skin for the rest of your workout, they will just send you one. I went through two, and within a few days, they sent me two, free. Regards, Lee Rudin SF Bay Area Triathlon Training Sites http://www.slip.net~leeway/

Response:

I had the same misfortunes as you all. My strap buckle  broke last year so got out the neddle and thread and really  put a good stich on it and has worked well every since.  Just make sure you do not lose alot of weight which  will make you have to redo the stich. Mark

Response:

To make things easier on yourself just call 800-227-1314 and get a new strap, the cost is about $6.00 plus ship&handling.  Someone also said that Creative Health Products at 800-742-4478 carry stuff for Polar HRMs.  Good luck!! Carol Kinney .

s.walltech.com!news.his.com!news.akorn.net!imci5!pull-feed.internetmci. om!n

Question:

:               Mar. 22, 23, 24 :   :     3 Full Days of Off Road.. Rock ‘n Roll! :    Y’all probably don’t want a piece of this! :       :     If you don’t do it, don’t talk about it, : Shut – UP Sitdown, bend-over and kiss it all GoodBy!!!! :             THIS IS REAL 4Wheelin !!! :     :    Coverage By America’s 4X4 4U Video Magazine :        ….Live UpLink to the WebSite…. Wish I was going to be able to get there.  Oh well, there’s plenty-o-off roading on the left coast.  Will check out the UpLink though!

Response:

              Mar. 22, 23, 24     3 Full Days of Off Road.. Rock ‘n Roll!    Y’all probably don’t want a piece of this!     If you don’t do it, don’t talk about it, Shut – UP Sitdown, bend-over and kiss it all GoodBy!!!!             THIS IS REAL 4Wheelin !!!    Coverage By America’s 4X4 4U Video Magazine        ….Live UpLink to the WebSite…. For More info: Bob Hazel or

Response:

Question:

    As a once a year marathoner, I run small distances 6-10 miles and then push myself to the limit 15-20 miles as the date approaches. I am proud of my efforts and the mental and physical determination it takes to finish such a race.  I hear from a friend that he knows a guy who, without running around the block to train, just up and ran a marathon. Is this possible? Is all this training unnecessary?  Could an expert cyclist just by a pair of runners and finish the 26 miles? Kris

Response:

Here’s info. on one of the best running camps available. It’s unmatched for instruction, climate and environment! Humboldt State Distance Running Camp Arcata, Calif. – Aug. 6-11, 1995 Camp Features