Question:

Hello RST’ers,   I had my worst fears confirmed today.  Bone scan revealed stress fracture of my right tibia.  Aqua running will be on my training calendar for the next 6 wks.  I know nothing about how to run in the water.  I do know that our local pool has a float for this purpose.  Any tips on how to get started would be helpful.

This is where the beauty of triathlon comes through bolt. The responses mcshane posted are pretty accurate about pool running, but with the stress fracture you should be able to swim and bike without pain, right? So, along with pool running you can gradually increase your time on the other two disciplines to keep in good cardiovascular shape. When you gradually ween yourself from pool running and onto the road again after the 6 week layoff you should be able to get back into your former running shape a lot faster. I’ve done this with my stress fracture prior to the NYC marathon in 1995 and and wound up with a decent time.                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMNZ, IMC ‘99 IMC’97: 10:42:53          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

Response:

Hello all, If you’re living in the NYC area, Doug Stern (a frequent writter for Triathlon  Magazine and Swinning/Tri coach) runs a deep water running class on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you don’t line in NY, you can email him at training tips and weekly waterrunning workouts. I found Doug whil preparing for the NYC Marathon and diagnosed PF two months before race day.  I was forced to finish all of my road work including long runs (4 hour water runs with GU and water by the side of the pool) in the water. I finished the race and even PR’ed. Worth a visit. Ken Edwards

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello RST’ers,    I had my worst fears confirmed today.  Bone scan revealed stress fracture of my right tibia.  Aqua running will be on my training calendar for the next 6 wks.  I know nothing about how to run in the water.  I do know that our local pool has a float for this purpose.  Any tips on how to get started would be helpful.

Response:

 Hello RST’ers,    I had my worst fears confirmed today.  Bone scan revealed stress fracture of my right tibia.  Aqua running will be on my training calendar for the next 6 wks.  I know nothing about how to run in the water.  I do know that our local pool has a float for this purpose.  Any tips on how to get started would be helpful.

Response:

Bolt :  I posed a similar question to this group about 2 weeks ago and received some great advice. I still had the responses in my mail and I thought I would pass it on for your info. They are as follows : Stephen I have a fair amount of experience water running, unfortunately. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The good news is that it really works for keeping you fit while healing an injury.  The bad news is that it is boring as hell. You mention that you have a shallow pool.  Can you find one that has a deep end?  The best form of water running is done in a deep pool where your knee is suffering no impact.  For this you need a WetVest of a Running Belt (Most pools have them available).  The second piece of equipment that I think is critical is a set of waterproof headphones to keep you sane. To do deep water running you simply run with the same form that you do running on the road.  In the water, the tendancy will be to lean forward, which is incorrect.  So you need to concentrate on your form. I usually do some sort of workout that includes: Warmup Intervals (ie. 1minute hard/1minute easy) Cooldown If you’re a distance guy, you might want to do longer intervals (ie. 3-5 minutes) or long sustained tempo runs (ie 20 minutes) I try to keep the sessions to around 40-45 minutes.  If you’re going to be at this for awhile, you may want to include longer sessions (ie 1 hour). Be creative with your workouts, changing them everyday.  That will keep them from getting too boring.  If you can, do them in an outdoor pool but be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses.  In an outdoor pool, with headphones, you have a slight chance of not going freakin’ crazy!!! If you must run in a shallow pool, wear shoes or the pool bottom will eat your feet up.  Run with good form, using the water as resistance.  This will put more impact on your knee, so the healing will be done faster if you stay in deep water. Take heart….I once did a very fast marathon with nearly all my training being in a pool.  Like I said, it does work. Good luck. Cherie Gruenfeld Stephen, I have used water running expensively over the years.  I have no real hard data to tell you it works, only that I have not lost my fitness level doing it. Here are my suggestions: -Unless you like torture…don’t go ever 1 hour. _Wear a heart rate montior; you’ll be guessing if you don’t. -Try placing your arms behind you and clasp your hands. It’ll make you legs work more. – if you run in the shallow, use the lane line as a "track" to simulate a treadmill.  Now follow me here….as you step on the lane line your foot  will "slip" and propel you forward a bit.  You have to control this motion at first.  Otherwise, run in the deep and churn those legs! Good Luck, Jimmy

Response:

Question:

Hello, This question is, do bar end shifters count as caped or pluged? Or do we have to install one of those bridges and move the shifters? Thanks Jay

Response:

Jay: Bar end shifters are "USAT" legal. Keith — Ironman Triathlon Wetsuits Website: www.ironmanwetsuits.com toll free order line: 800-897-6464 international calls: 804-288-6000

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, This question is, do bar end shifters count as caped or pluged? Or do we have to install one of those bridges and move the shifters? Thanks Jay

Response:

Hello, This question is, do bar end shifters count as caped or pluged?

Yes, bar end shifters are legal in USAT events.

Response:

Question:

Yes I am the original complainer…I decided due to rain that I would not show up for the 1998 Danskin Triathlon in Seattle.  There are over 2,000 participants.  The waves are elites first, then teams, then age groups, and age groups are divided by alphabet.  I just turned 40 and am a "W".  The way they had wave starts, the race started at 7:30am and I was scheduled to depart at 9:20.  I finish in the top 1/3 of the participants however the elites will have finished almost an hour before my start. The second triathlon is put on by envirosports which is coed buy purely alphabetical.  I complained also to them, they said if I reminded them the day before, they would let the last of the alphabet go first. My favorite triathlon this year was men starting 10 minutes before women.  I didn’t have to swim over any men and I enjoyed passing men on the bike. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I believe that the original poster was lamenting the fact that he/she  had a last name that started with a letter in the latter half of the At the two Ironman races I am most familier with – IMH and IMC – the numbering after the first 100 – 200(for the pros and VIP’s) is alphabetical and they alternate years, from  A to Z one year and from Z to A the next year. Consequently if your last name begins with W, you may have your bike racked in the back of the transition zone one year, but the next year you may be at the front. As for the wave starts based on last names, in 15 years of triathlon racing this is the first I have ever heard of this. When waves are required, they are usually by age-group(s). Steve Fleck

Response:

The organisers of the ‘Super Sprint’ series (about 6 races over the season in Melbourne) say (and I seem to recall, remembering we’re in the winter over here) that they vary the starting order.  Pros always go first, and teams and novices are always at the back of the field, but we age groupers can expect early and later wave starts over the whole series. It doesn’t make much difference for on-off entries, but at least it shows the organisers have thought about the issue. Liz

Response:

Charlie, Thank you for the clarification. I did not see the original post. Again, in 15 years of triathlon competition, in Canada and some U.S. States, I have never heard of wave starts based on anything other than age-groups. As for the time trial-starts, this is a race format that I have only encounterd once in my 15 years of triathlon racing. I have vague recollections of using a TT/individual start in my first triathlon ever in 1982. It’s not surprising that this format was used as it was a cross-country ski club who put the race on, as I recall. As you know individual starts are standard fare in competitive xc-skiing. However, since that time every race that I have done has been mass start or wave start. It is interesting to hear that "most" races in the South East are conducted in the TT/individual start format. Why is that? Steve Fleck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : As for the wave starts based on last names, in 15 years of triathlon : racing this is the first I have ever heard of this. When waves are required, : they are usually by age-group(s). Steve, Sal was referring to Heart O’ Dixie and Sunfish which, like most of our races in the Southeast US, use time trial starts.  In the case of heart o Dixie and Sunfish, the athletes are sent off in order of age with a sub order of estimated swim times.  So at 17, Sal was fourth in the water at heart o’Dixie.  That’s nice, but he got passed by lots of folks, which was the subject of his lament.  I heard the same lament from my daughter who was 2nd into the water in the water (but first female out!). -Charlie

Response:

I participated in the Danskin Seattle event, and I did not notice that we were started by last name within our age-groups although there were 3 or 4 waves of each age-group.  I am glad they separated us out a little more because I would have hated to hit the water with 424 other women(which is how many finished in my age-group) for a 1/2 mile swim. I really enjoyed the Danskin event and plan to do it again next year. Kim

Response:

You don’t khnow how lucky you are!!! I’m 17… one of the very few young ‘uns in every race…  Both races that I have done put waves in order of AGE!!!  I really don’t like being the fourth one into the water…  Its bad enough that there is noone to follow for the swim and I get lost.  The worst part is that the entire race I get passed up by EVERYBODY (lots of people) that will eventually finnish ahead of me, instead of them being infront of me to begin with.  It really messes with your mind when somone passes you and their number is like 250…  I think, "Gee, that guy is about 20 minutes ahead of me." –Salvador Santolucito III – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to register my complaint over the use of alphabetical order in triathlon wave starts. Both envirosports and danskin are using alphabet for wave starts.  I can’t help it that my last name starts with "W" I decided not to participate in the Danskin in Seattle yesterday because Danskin starts waves based on age group and then alphabet.  I would have started 1 hours and 50 minutes after the starters.  Since it was raining and I was supposed to get there between 6:00 and 7:00am to get marked and get a good space, I couldn’t see waiting up to 3 hours and 20 minutes to start. It is bad enough that we had to sit in the back of the room through school, can’t we get some relief as adults. Just needed to vent

Response:

I want to register my complaint over the use of alphabetical order in triathlon wave starts.  Both envirosports and danskin are using alphabet for wave starts.  I can’t help it that my last name starts with "W" I decided not to participate in the Danskin in Seattle yesterday because Danskin starts waves based on age group and then alphabet.  I would have started 1 hours and 50 minutes after the starters.  Since it was raining and I was supposed to get there between 6:00 and 7:00am to get marked and get a good space, I couldn’t see waiting up to 3 hours and 20 minutes to start. It is bad enough that we had to sit in the back of the room through school, can’t we get some relief as adults. Just needed to vent

Response:

I believe that the original poster was lamenting the fact that he/she  had a last name that started with a letter in the latter half of the At the two Ironman races I am most familier with – IMH and IMC – the numbering after the first 100 – 200(for the pros and VIP’s) is alphabetical and they alternate years, from  A to Z one year and from Z to A the next year. Consequently if your last name begins with W, you may have your bike racked in the back of the transition zone one year, but the next year you may be at the front. As for the wave starts based on last names, in 15 years of triathlon racing this is the first I have ever heard of this. When waves are required, they are usually by age-group(s). Steve Fleck

Response:

: As for the wave starts based on last names, in 15 years of triathlon : racing this is the first I have ever heard of this. When waves are required, : they are usually by age-group(s). Steve, Sal was referring to Heart O’ Dixie and Sunfish which, like most of our races in the Southeast US, use time trial starts.  In the case of heart o Dixie and Sunfish, the athletes are sent off in order of age with a sub order of estimated swim times.  So at 17, Sal was fourth in the water at heart o’Dixie.  That’s nice, but he got passed by lots of folks, which was the subject of his lament.  I heard the same lament from my daughter who was 2nd into the water in the water (but first female out!). -Charlie

Response:

Let’s talk gender.

OK Last coed triathlon I was in had the men 50-54 leaving before the women 30-34. Not to denigrate all the buff older guys out there, but this was ridiculous. This was a fairly competitive int’l distance race with large waves of women 30-34 and 35-39.

First, let me say that I agree with the problem you presented. For some reason I don’t see the same problems in running, open water swimming, or cycling events.

Well… I have seen a _similar_ problem. However, comparing a triathlon to those events is not valid. In most running events, a fast runner can end up caught in the "mob". I see this in many events. OTOH, wave starts in some races (ie Peachtree 10K; 45,000 participants) provide the correct advantage for *all* faster runners — men and women. However, the comparison is still not valid as the triathlon includes three sports in which participants are not equally strong. In cycling, there is no comparison. Everyone rides in the pack unless on a breakaway (or a TT). There is no overtaking slower waves. I have no idea about open water swimming. Time trial starts for triathlons only partially address the problem. Triathlets who are fast runners or bikers, but slow swimmers, will find themselves facing the same problem you described. At first I thought of the following possible solution for wave starts: like a TT start, have participants estimate their finish times. Create waves based on these times (wave 1 under 1:30:00, wave 2 1:30:00 – 1:45:00, etc.).  Note that the waves should have equal numbers of athletes to prevent overcrowding and drafting. Pros and age groupers would be seeded together. However, that may not be the answer. Because our sport has three parts, there still is the possibility that stong cyclists/weak swimmers will face a lot of traffic during the bike. Hmmmmm…. I can see no clear answer. However, I believe that coed waves are one step in the right direction. David W. / maybe I’m at the bottom of the results because of my name reply to wuth – family – atlanta (remove spaces) at att dot net

Response:

David, I work in marketing, where there’s a general rule that anything that someone fills out in a survey is not the truth. I’ve been in races that use your suggestion of asking people for their starting time, and the result is just as messy as a "normal" wave start. I like the idea in concept, but I don’t think it normally works in practice. As you point out, there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer. Some of the better races that I’ve been in were seemingly random for placement. Lots of times, day-of registrants get dumped in one wave. This seems to work as well as, if not better than, most other methods. Stephan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … At first I thought of the following possible solution for wave starts: like a TT start, have participants estimate their finish times. Create waves based on these times (wave 1 under 1:30:00, wave 2 1:30:00 – 1:45:00, etc.).  Note that the waves should have equal numbers of athletes to prevent overcrowding and drafting. Pros and age groupers would be seeded together. Hmmmmm…. I can see no clear answer. However, I believe that coed waves are one step in the right direction. …

Response:

Let’s talk gender. Last coed triathlon I was in had the men 50-54 leaving before the women 30-34. Not to denigrate all the buff older guys out there, but this was ridiculous. This was a fairly competitve int’l distance race with large waves of women 30-34 and 35-39.  One reason I stopped doing much coed tri stuff is the nuisance value of things like this.  My wave is so far in the back that I feel like a second class citizen….OK, pay your $75 or whatever, but we don’t really care about you…just the faster folks up front.  I still really like Danskin and other events.  For some reason I don’t see the same problems in running, open water swimming, or cycling events. S You really lost me there…what is it exactly that you are upset about? 1) The AGE of the competitors in earlier waves? 2) The GENDER of the competitors in earlier waves? 3) The Race Director somehow NOT CARING about you…because you were in a later wave? 4 The SPEED of the competitors in earlier waves? 5) All of the above? 6) None of the above? 7) OTHER? I dont think there is one universal…most fair method of seeding/starting a triathlon.  There are too many variables which can include: Course variables,  weather variables, wide ranges in competitor ages and abilities, etc. Why not just realize that on that particular day….for that particular race…you were in THAT wave..whatever it was.  Then go out and enjoy your day…work hard…or take it easy…any way you please.   As sports go, it seems that triathlons are relatively <fair due to the age grouping and "individual effort" nature of the sport (swift kick to Les McD’s seated, weight-bearing anatomical portion). Based on your brief introduction, and references to the Danskin series later in your post….I am inclined to assume it is the GENDER of the competitors ahead of you that was the nuisance.  If it had been the 50-54 women in that wave…would you have felt differently?  Please enlighten… Respectfully baffled, gregnelson (who feels like a third class citizen because he not only starts in a later wave…but finishes there as well)

Response:

Alright, I had to put my $.02 in on this one, cuz it bugs me too. All of the coed races I have done have started the women’s waves after ALL of the men’s waves.  I always thought it would work better if they did men’s 20-24, then women’s 20-24, then men’s 25-29, etc.         But maybe I’m a bit partial here, cuz I’m in the women’s 20-24, and I’m a pretty strong swimmer, and I would like to be able to really get out and swim, instead of crawling over all of the guys in front of me.  So to me it is a gender issue, but I wouldn’t like it if the put all the women if front either, cuz then it would not be fair to the guys who are stong swimmers.         My thoughts,         =) Sara Gilliland

Let’s talk gender. Last coed triathlon I was in had the men 50-54 leaving before the women 30-34. Not to denigrate all the buff older guys out there, but this was ridiculous. This was a fairly competitve int’l distance race with large waves of women 30-34 and 35-39.  One reason I stopped doing much coed tri stuff is the nuisance value of things like this.  My wave is so far in the back that I feel like a second class citizen….OK, pay your $75 or whatever, but we don’t really care about you…just the faster folks up front.  I still really like Danskin and other events.  For some reason I don’t see the same problems in running, open water swimming, or cycling events. S You really lost me there…what is it exactly that you are upset about? 1) The AGE of the competitors in earlier waves? 2) The GENDER of the competitors in earlier waves?

Response:

Some ones got to be in the last wave!!! (lol)               B.Oliver

Response:

Let’s talk gender. Last coed triathlon I was in had the men 50-54 leaving before the women 30-34. Not to denigrate all the buff older guys out there, but this was ridiculous. This was a fairly competitive int’l distance race with large waves of women 30-34 and 35-39.  One reason I stopped doing much coed tri stuff is the nuisance value of things like this.  My wave is so far in the back that I feel like a second class citizen…OK, pay your $75 or whatever, but we don’t really care about you….just the faster folks up front.  I still really like Danskin and other events.  For some reason I don’t see the same problems in running, open water swimming, or cycling events. S – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to register my complaint over the use of alphabetical order in triathlon wave starts.  Both envirosports and danskin are using alphabet for wave starts.  I can’t help it that my last name starts with "W" I decided not to participate in the Danskin in Seattle yesterday because Danskin starts waves based on age group and then alphabet.  I would have started 1 hours and 50 minutes after the starters.  Since it was raining and I was supposed to get there between 6:00 and 7:00am to get marked and get a good space, I couldn’t see waiting up to 3 hours and 20 minutes to start. It is bad enough that we had to sit in the back of the room through school, can’t we get some relief as adults. Just needed to vent

Response:

Question:

 Where can results be found?  Home Page: http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~twm/TTH.html

Response:

says…  Where can results be found?

Pro, and top 3 in each age group can be found at the MET-Rx site, (www.met-rx.com).  But they are claiming that full results will take another week. — Rob Blomquist aka TriDog Seattle, WA http://www2.jps.net/~robbo

Response:

dejanews.com says… Dear MET-Rx Triathlon Competitor:

I was there.  I just got home last night, so please forgive me for taking so long to post this. The Met-Rx 1/2 was my first 1/2 Ironman.  I raced it merely to survive, and did, finishing the full distance in 7:53, not a spectacular time, but I did finish, something many cannot say. The course was quite tough, head winds for about half of the bike course, with some good climbs, and plenty of heat, especially as the day wore on. In my case, I think the responsibility lies with many of the athletes for the high DNF rate, which I hear approached 60% of the field. Many seemed to act like they were racing an Olympic distance on a calm day. Even at the end of the first lap, I saw racers dazed and confused in the sun, walking along the road at mile 20.  One cannot blame race management for going out too hard on a tough course. Secondly, no wonder that the water stop ran out of bottles, many of the racers were pitching them anywhere along the course, causing for a lower rate of recycling, and a large amount of course junk. I wonder if the county will let us back next year with that kind of mess.  And if it really made a difference? I bet a water bottle weighs all of 30g empty, I don’t have the velocity equations, but believe me, my pace was not significantly altered by leaving all my bottles within 10 meters of the water stop. I did feel though that a nutritional company like MET-Rx should have seen that we might need a bit more water, or at least a contingency plan to get it to the aid stations as they ran short. Another short problem was the lack of aid stations that had cooling possibilities. I took 15 minutes in T2, partially trying to cool off.  I found the hose near transition, and borrowed it to cool off with. That should have been provided to all racers as they left.  It should have been sprayed on all! And each water stop near a spigot should have had a shower set up, both on the bike and on the run. I drank close to 2.5 gallons of liquid on that day, but I had heat problems none the less. I also would have thought that aid stations would have had a little sunscreen, mine wore off, and I got a pretty nasty burn during the race, even though I reapplied in T2. And the post race food? A slice of ham or turkey on 2 slices of bread?  I have seen much better with this, my race previous to MET-Rx had grilled chicken, pasta, salad, cookies and juice for all after the race. Enough negativity.  I believe the responsibility is shared by the athletes for being foolish, and for the course director for missing the ball.  But I doubt either will make the same mistakes twice. I was told that by finishing this race as my first race, I was well dosed with the abilities to do Wildflower or Kona, all I need to do is train harder. Rob — Rob Blomquist aka TriDog Seattle, WA http://www2.jps.net/~robbo

Response:

An honorable letter, Rick. Next year I will shift focus from peaking for IM to 2-3 peaks in the 1/2 IM distance. I will give careful consideration to your race and share your post with several in my Masters group that did attend this years. With respect for your accepting responsibility for some of the issues discussed, and your commitment to address them, I wish you A Most Successful 1999 Event, Joe Joseph C. Foster "People can’t understand why a man runs. They don’t see any sport in it, argue that it lacks the sight-thrill of body contact, the color of rough conflict. Yet the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. In (Triathlon) it is man against himself, the cruelest of all opponents. The other (racers) are not the real enemies. His adversary lies deep within him, in his ability, with brain and heart, to control and master himself and his emotions." – Glenn Cunningham

Response:

Rick, Wasn’t there this year.  Your letter motivates me to put this race on my schedule for next year;  I suspect it will be one of the season’s finest. — Mark

Dear MET-Rx Triathlon Competitor: I would personally like to apologize to you, the athlete and MET-Rx USA

<snip next MET-Rx Triathlon. I can assure you that we will have ample amounts of – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MET-Rx products, water, ice and other supplies at all the aid stations to assist you in completing the toughest Ironman Qualifier. Sincerely, Rick Kozlowski

Response:

Rick, thank you for your honest and open letter.  I was one of the first and most vocal critics of the problems at Met-Rx.  I was very discouraged at the race and I let my feelings be known.  I would like nothing more than to see this race become the world class event it could be.  I will make this pledge to you now, if I am not racing at the Met-Rx next year I will be there to volunteer.  I want to be part of making this the premier event in So. Cal. Thank You again for addressing the concearns of the triathletes who were at the race. Best wishes for a bright future, Gary McMurtrey Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

Response:

Dear MET-Rx Triathlon Competitor: I would personally like to apologize to you, the athlete and MET-Rx USA, for the lack of fluids on the MET-Rx Triathlon race course.  Let me state this emphatically, I take sole responsibility for the fact that there was insufficient water, water bottles, MET-Rx products and other aid.  As a first time sponsor, MET-Rx

Question:

I’m a former 2:30 marathoner with one season of tri’s under my belt. In my first season I had several top 10 finishes mostly as a result of my running strength. I am looking to be very competitive this coming season. How much emphasis should I be placing on my training for each respective phase of the triathlon?  I will be racing 3-4 International distance and 1 half-ironman this season and gearing up for an ironman length race for 1999. I typically average 12 workouts per week which consist of 35 mi/wk running, 100 mi./wk cycling (mostly on bike trainer this winter), and 8-10,000 yds/wk. swimming. Thanks

Response:

I’m a former 2:30 marathoner with one season of tri’s under my belt. In my first season I had several top 10 finishes mostly as a result of my running strength. I am looking to be very competitive this coming season. How much emphasis should I be placing on my training for each respective phase of the triathlon?  I will be racing 3-4 International distance and 1 half-ironman this season and gearing up for an ironman length race for 1999. I typically average 12 workouts per week which consist of 35 mi/wk running, 100 mi./wk cycling (mostly on bike trainer this winter), and 8-10,000 yds/wk. swimming. Thanks

Look at the site www.supercoach.com

Response:

Question:

This summer i would like to do a 7 mile swim and i would like to use my QR fullsuit.  Is it likely that any damage would be inflicted to the wetsuit?  Would it get too warm? — Logan Heinrich

Response:

Logan: What temperature do you expect the water will be during your swim? Your fullsuit should work great during this distance depending on water temperature. Good Luck — Keith Simmons Ironman Triathlon Wetsuits (800) 897-6464 (804) 288-6000 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This summer i would like to do a 7 mile swim and i would like to use my QR fullsuit.  Is it likely that any damage would be inflicted to the wetsuit?  Would it get too warm? — Logan Heinrich

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Question:

[By way of introduction, I've been a regular lurker on RST for 1-1/2 years now.  At various points in my life, I've been involved in (not very competitive) swimming, biking, & running, but only in the past two years have I put them together and participated in triathlons.] Last year, I read Tricia Richter’s (Tribaby’s) race reports on the Alcatraz triathlon, and I thought "Wow, I’d like to do that some day." Well, it looks like that some day will be this June!  I’ve managed to arrange my business travel so that I need to be in Las Vegas the week before, and in San Jose the week after.  If I have to spend a weekend away from the wife & kids, what better way than by plunging into the cool waters of San Francisco Bay?  Short of making the trip to Kona, I can’t imagine a triathlon with a more unique and special character. Now I’m shopping around for a wetsuit (a QR fullsuit, of course—hanging out on r.s.t. has made me develop real brand loyalty), and I’m trying to figure out the best way to get my bike there.  I’m also having to push hard on the training—the swim seems mighty long right now, and the thought of running 10 miles with all of the obstacles Tricia describes seems pretty grueling.  Don’t have any sand ladders around here to practice on, but I’ve managed to put some steep uphills into my training runs.  I’m fairly confident that I can make it, as long as I pace myself. It’s a tribute to r.s.t. that I’m entering this event.  How else would us yokels from the backwoods of triathlon-dom keep up with news on races, equipment, and training?  From time to time, I pick up one of the tri mags, and I’m inevitably disappointed by the lack of information that is really useful to me as a participant.  By contrast, RST is full of great stuff.  Recent posts even motivated me to buy a can of PAM on a recent trip to the grocery store, anticipating the need to speed up my exit from my (as yet unbought) wet suit!  I’ve also appreciated the race reports, especially from those, who like me, partake in tris as a challenge to achieve higher personal standards, rather than with serious thoughts of winning. Onward to the Rock! | Randy Bryant                  | | Computer Science Dept.        | | Carnegie Mellon University    | | Pittsburgh, PA 15213          | | (412) 268-8821                | | http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~bryant |

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*snip* (enthusiastic and inspiring anticipation of Escaping from Alcatraz on June 9!) Onward to the Rock! | Randy Bryant                  |

Randy– All right!  You will never regret it.  As you say, Alcatraz is definitely a race with a "unique and special character".  Don’t be too terribly intimidated by my description of the run course; there are few runners as bad as yours truly, so consequently, my description is probably more harrowing than the reality for most average runners. I completely agree with your commentary on the value of RST, it is a *tremendous* resource.  I’ve learned more about training, equipment, race strategies, and (unfortunately) tri politics than I ever imagined possible through the bboard.  Even better, I’ve hooked up with some really cool people.  I’m really looking forward to Wildflower, where I hope to meet many more RSTers in person. Good luck in training, and I’ll see you on June 9th at Aquatic Park! Cheers– Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie        

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. ccsi.com!news.sccsi.com!academ!news.sesqui.net!oitnews.harvard.edu!das-news 2

Question:

Has anyone got an e-mail or snail mail address for the British Triathlon Association ? Thanks Robert Cox Wellington Tri Club

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Has anyone got an e-mail or snail mail address for the British Triathlon Association ? Thanks Robert Cox Wellington Tri Club

Here’s the snail mail address: BTA Headquaters PO Box 26 Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicester LE65 2ZR I’m pretty sure they’re not net aware yet…give them time. Dave Cambridge Tri Club

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The BTA can be foumnd at British Triathlon Association Ltd. BTA Headquarters, Dover Leisure Centre, Townwall Street, Dover, Kent. CT16 1LN Tel : 01304 202565 Fax : 01304 214840 Pulled from the Southampton University Web Page http://www.soton.ac.uk/~triweb/bta.html Joel

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The BTA can be foumnd at British Triathlon Association Ltd. BTA Headquarters, Dover Leisure Centre, Townwall Street, Dover, Kent. CT16 1LN Tel : 01304 202565 Fax : 01304 214840 Pulled from the Southampton University Web Page http://www.soton.ac.uk/~triweb/bta.html Joel

The BTA has moved to: BTA Headquarters PO Box 26 Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicestershire LE65 2ZR Tel: 01530 414234 Fax: 01530 560279 Stuart Bailey Crystal Palace Triathletes

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Question:

I believe that if the differential increases, that is supposed to be a better sign of over training than just the resting HR.  Someone else may have more info. I won a training log at a triathlon last weekend (Yea a useable door prize!). In the log there is a location to record your resting AM heart rate – laying down, your resting AM heart rate standing, and your differential heart rate (standing-laying). No where in the log does it explain how to use this information. I have heard of monitoring your resting AM heart rate to check for signs of overtraining, but I do not understand the importance/use of the standing HR or differential HR.

– Ray Charbonneau    | MIT Library Systems| Everyone is entitled to my opinion.  *Disclaimer? Why?*|

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I won a training log at a triathlon last weekend (Yea a useable door prize!). In the log there is a location to record your resting AM heart rate – laying down, your resting AM heart rate standing, and your differential heart rate (standing-laying). No where in the log does it explain how to use this information. I have heard of monitoring your resting AM heart rate to check for signs of overtraining, but I do not understand the importance/use of the standing HR or differential HR. Does anyone have any info on how to use this information. Thanks in advance. Lucy

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Question:

As for your olympic question. Why should us middle of the pack age groupers care, we are not going ( well I might try to go as an ITU ref, but thats another story) and  I am assuming that the pros of the sport will go and more of trifeds small budget will go to sending the pros to the olympics . thus taking away money  from the grass roots tri effort that the most of us would benifit from. Bruce Platt

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-I keep getting the same flames for the popular US tri mags and a call for -change or better coverage of the sport. So, I’m looking for a few good -answers. – -1. If the tri mags are all that weak, do you feel that a well-written -publication primarily centered around US age-group triathlon news, plus -the latest training, technical, bike reviews etc., written by experienced -triathlon-oriented writers (as opposed to recycled roadies) and triathlon -industry people would have an audience? Yes,  I think this type of publication would eventually dominate the (mag) market. – -2. Do you feel that the tri publications, including Tri-Fed’s newsletter, -are a voice of the sport? – It is definitely a voice, but IMHO just too small (a good voice for a few pros, Steve Locke).  TriFed should look into using the net to get bi-directional feedback.  Personally, I would be more than happy to help out TriFed in various committees, but it just isn’t made clear on 1) what they need and 2) how someone 300 mi from the office can help? Maybe I’m just another American deluged by news magazine TV shows, but I like to hear the behind the scences stories.  How did TriFed arrive at this particular decision?  Who were the principle parties involved?  What was there *real* motivation? -3. How come there was hardly any chatter about our Olympic inclusion? I -would have thought that would have been the Thread of the Week? – Again, everyone can call me a purist, but I’ve always like the idea of the Olympics being for amatuers (I know it is vogue to have "Dream Team 29" etc…) but I think cycling has the right idea.  Keep the Olympics as the de facto world championships for amatuers.  Having pros in the Olympics just is another high-profile race for the pros.  Since there won’t be substantial prize money, maybe some pros won’t even bother.  I also think the drafting issue has really tainted the Olympics.  Many people I’ve talked to think (to paraphrase) "the ITU has sold the soul of triathlon for mere Olympic exposure…"  In any case, it has generated a lot of apathy (hey is this almost an oxymoron ).    W.Patrick Brug, Ph.D.  _-           -_    Los Alamos National Lab -__       __-                                       /    cis:      72410,3372        /  

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| I keep getting the same flames for the popular US tri mags and a call for | change or better coverage of the sport. So, I’m looking for a few good | answers. | | 1. If the tri mags are all that weak, do you feel that a well-written | publication primarily centered around US age-group triathlon news, plus | the latest training, technical, bike reviews etc., written by experienced | triathlon-oriented writers (as opposed to recycled roadies) and triathlon | industry people would have an audience? |  IF such a magazine existed, I would cancel my present subscriptions to Triathlete and Inside Triathlon (the one published by the Velo-News folks.) I’ve been wanting to write a letter to these publishers staiting that it’s nice knowing what Dave Scott, Mark Allen, etc, etc do in THEIR races. But I’d really like to know what people who work 8 hours a day at something other than triathlon do in races, how they train, what their perspectives on the sport are; etc, etc. | 2. Do you feel that the tri publications, including Tri-Fed’s newsletter, | are a voice of the sport? i’m not a Tri-fed member (I compete in mostly non-Tri-Fed duathlon’s) so I can’t comment on their newsletter. However, my opionion of the tri magazines iss that is that they primarily a voice of the advertiser. | | 3. How come there was hardly any chatter about our Olympic inclusion? I | would have thought that would have been the Thread of the Week? My personal opinion (again) is, who needs the Olympic’s? Seems to me the sport (and I’ll include duathlon) was doing fine long before there was talk of inclusion in the Olympic’s. Being 45, I nkow I’ll never compete in ANY event in the Olympic’s, I’ll continue to compete in duathlon’s (and hopefully tri’s one of these day’s) whether or not triathlon or duathlon is ever included in the Olympic’s; but then I don’t have a very high opinion of the Olympics anymore either. I wonder why this question is of so great an issue for people? Is it only important to ITU and professionals? My guess most age groupers couldn’t care less. | | I’m very interested in hearing positive or negative comments from | age-group athletes. |  E-mail or post. | | (Please no ITU clones or incognito Tri-Fed/USA officers….) | | | Jeffrey Justice

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What do you think of the regional newsletter idea? TUCKER NEWBERRY The TriFed/USA Mideast Region is putting together a publication for its region.  The tentative schedule is to put the first issue out in January or February and to send it to all members in the region.  As of now, the Mideast Region is defined as IL, MI, IN, TN, KY (and a few others I might have missed).  I’m a co-chair of the publication committee, so if you have any questions, contact me.  Otherwise, look for something in the mail.

 Correction: Tennessee was relocated to the Southeast Regional  Federation by action of the Tri-Fed Board in July.  -Charlie Crawford – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Todd Jensen                                   o AT&T Bell Labs              ___^o_    __o    <| Naperville, IL                      _ <_    _

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I get the feeling after reading Tri mags for 2 years that a few people are doing all of the writing and that more diversity is needed.  I think there is probably an audience for age group – oriented info on a newsletter basis, especially regional newsletters.  Regional newsletters can focus on regional races and regional geographic differences.  Known names and faces written about will increase demand.  Race, social event, and bike exchange bulletin boards are more useful on a regional basis.  General training and tech updates could be shared on a national basis. What do you think of the regional newsletter idea? TUCKER NEWBERRY

The TriFed/USA Mideast Region is putting together a publication for its region.  The tentative schedule is to put the first issue out in January or February and to send it to all members in the region.  As of now, the Mideast Region is defined as IL, MI, IN, TN, KY (and a few others I might have missed).  I’m a co-chair of the publication committee, so if you have any questions, contact me.  Otherwise, look for something in the mail. Todd Jensen                                   o AT&T Bell Labs              ___^o_    __o    <| Naperville, IL                      _ <_    _

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Brug) writes:

I would subscribe to age-group tri mag. I do not subscribe to others – they are amusing but don’t really tell me much about my 37-year old struggles to run 7 minute miles at the end of a swim and bike. Profiles of fellow working stiffs who work hard and work out would be great. We spend all the money in the sport, anyway, so advertisers should want to cater to this audience. Bicycling magazine from Rodale is a good model. They do good work with high-end tech stuff, but keep pro racing news to the side and focus on what serious recreational and amateur competitive riders want to know. Re regional newsletters that others have mentioned, it is a good idea but only as a labor of love. I am in the newsletter publishing business and I can tell you that it is much harder to make a buck than it would appear on the surface. You need a national magazine that would have wide distribution and advertiser support. Rodale, why don’t you give it a try? Or tri (to use a bad pun)?

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I get the feeling after reading Tri mags for 2 years that a few people are doing all of the writing and that more diversity is needed.  I think there is probably an audience for age group – oriented info on a newsletter basis, especially regional newsletters.  Regional newsletters can focus on regional races and regional geographic differences.  Known names and faces written about will increase demand.  Race, social event, and bike exchange bulletin boards are more useful on a regional basis.  General training and tech updates could be shared on a national basis. Triathlon in 2000 Olympics is hottest news for Triathlon this year! Tri-mags aren’t that weak at least the articles that do "Justice" to the sport.   What do you think of the regional newsletter idea? TUCKER NEWBERRY

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(TUCKERNEW) writes: What do you think of the regional newsletter idea?<<

I think that type of publication could have value, and certain regions in the US already have these, such as Running and Triathlon News in Texas. There is a months-old international  masters women’s newsletter in Florida that already has 1000 readers and even several sponsors. I think another one from the N.W. US posted a notice some time ago, too. The bottom line: It is a very difficult and all-consuming business to maintain and grow.

Response:

I keep getting the same flames for the popular US tri mags and a call for change or better coverage of the sport. So, I’m looking for a few good answers. 1. If the tri mags are all that weak, do you feel that a well-written publication primarily centered around US age-group triathlon news, plus the latest training, technical, bike reviews etc., written by experienced triathlon-oriented writers (as opposed to recycled roadies) and triathlon industry people would have an audience? 2. Do you feel that the tri publications, including Tri-Fed’s newsletter, are a voice of the sport? 3. How come there was hardly any chatter about our Olympic inclusion? I would have thought that would have been the Thread of the Week? I’m very interested in hearing positive or negative comments from age-group athletes.  E-mail or post. (Please no ITU clones or incognito Tri-Fed/USA officers….) Jeffrey Justice

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