Question:

Say whut??  Millions watch hockey. Far more watch figure skating.  And hockey is a distant 4th to baseball, football, and basketball in the US market. Newsflash:  the rest of the world watches TV too.

And there they’d rather watch Futbol.   If we’re talking about NBC, I’m not sure why the rest of the world matters.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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… The point of my original post is that this very same thing (not competition fixing, but turmoil in general) is what got triathlon threatened by the IOC. Seems to me like Triathlon is/was getting a raw deal when other sports are given much more lenient treatment.

That’s because skating is a HUGE public favorite and has massive dollars (adverts, etc.) behind it. Tom

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I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble. I think it might be a stretch to call it a stumble.  …

Semantics.  IM winners are not allowed to draft. Tom

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I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble. I think it might be a stretch to call it a stumble.  Certainly no fall. I rewatched the final set on hdnet today and found myself puzzled.  The same announcers are used for the HD broadcast, but there are far fewer breaks, and absolutely no Bob Costas.  They seemed far less strident in insisting that the Canadians had just won, and later, that they were robbed.

I  also watched yesterday on MSNBC for the first time.  After watching both programs  I could not see where the Canadian’s program was grossly wronged or given such a raw deal.  The violin music the Russians used suited their program better and seemed to be more soothing than the piano based "Love Story" the Canadians played.  However, for the judging to be played out as if we were still in the cold war was disappointing.  Had the Russians won with  seemingly less biased scores from certain cold war loyalists the competition would have been in a much better situation to be considered fair and most everyone could have accepted the scores as simply the incidentals of subjective judging.  Could you imagine if the Ironman did not have a clock and was judged on technique, style and overall impression?  Points would be taken away for sweating too much and allowing your panty speedos to ride up too high.  Of course spitting or anything coming out of your nose or, god forbid, vomiting would be the major deductions. Rick (I’ll take the stop watch any day) Swanger Unfortunately, I had already deleted the nbc recording from – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – the night before, but it left me with the impression that they re-announced the stuff they were packaging for broadcast, with an attempt to make more of it than there actually was. — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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It’s all about TV ratings.  You want to guarantee triathlon a place, hire Jeff Gulooly to kneecap an ITU contender with a piece of iron pipe, then leak video of your wedding night to Blockbuster for rent.  It helps if all parties involved are attractive, and the victim says that being in a parade at Disney

It’s definitely about ratings. But not even a clubbing would bridge the difference in popularity between skating and triathlon.  Tri is a sport for participation, not viewing. Hockey even has a fight every game and it only attracts a small viewing population.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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Doesn’t matter.  Several of the judges gave the same technical score to both programs.  The Canadians clearly skated a cleaner program.

The argument here is the Russians program was harder so they have the room for the slight mistakes.  Don’t know enough about the sport to say if this is a good argument. Plus the brunette is much cuter than the blonde . Both statements above are true.  ;-)

No way, the blonde is way cuter.   But whether the Canadians or Russians *should* have won isn’t the point. The point is that there isn’t *agreement* even within the International Skating Union.  Instead we have finger pointing, accusations of competition fixing, and accusations of vote trading – in short, internal turmoil.  Even more damning is that all of this has surfaced before and the ISU has done nothing to fix it. The point of my original post is that this very same thing (not competition fixing, but turmoil in general) is what got triathlon threatened by the IOC. Seems to me like Triathlon is/was getting a raw deal when other sports are given much more lenient treatment.

The turmoil in "triathlon" is much worse, perhaps that is why the IOC is more "lenient" towards the skating.  Though I don’t really agree a disservice was done, for the sake of argument I will.  That said the "turmoil" created by a couple of judges with somewhat poor judgement perhaps persuaded by their national origans does not compare to the crap that has gone on in "triathlon". John

Tim buaidh no bas

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… Hockey even has a fight every game and it only attracts a small viewing population.  

Say whut??  Millions watch hockey. Tom

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… The argument here is the Russians program was harder so they have the room for the slight mistakes.  Don’t know enough about the sport to say if this is a good argument.

Come on – the Ruskies made one major and three minor flaws.  What you are suggesting is that a rider in IMH could win because they had  one leg longer than another and fatter tires?  Even if their time was slower?  The Canucks were FLAWLESS. … The turmoil in "triathlon" is much worse, perhaps that is why the IOC is more "lenient" towards the skating.  Though I don’t really agree a disservice was done, for the sake of argument I will.  That said the "turmoil" created by a couple of judges with somewhat poor judgement perhaps persuaded by their national origans does not compare to the crap that has gone on in "triathlon".

If triathlon could draw as many dollars as skating, Avery Brundidge would still be in charge. Tom

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Hockey even has a fight every game and it only attracts a small viewing population.   Say whut??  Millions watch hockey.

Far more watch figure skating.  And hockey is a distant 4th to baseball, football, and basketball in the US market. — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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Hockey even has a fight every game and it only attracts a small viewing population.   Say whut??  Millions watch hockey. Far more watch figure skating.  And hockey is a distant 4th to baseball, football, and basketball in the US market.

Newsflash:  the rest of the world watches TV too. Tom

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But not even a clubbing would bridge the difference in popularity between skating and triathlon.  Tri is a sport for participation, not viewing.

Just wait, if Les has his way… Hockey even has a fight every game and it only attracts a small viewing population.

It makes more money than figure skating.

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Far more watch figure skating.  

Than hockey?  Tell that to the beer advertisers.

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Far more watch figure skating.   Than hockey?  Tell that to the beer advertisers.

Outside of hdnet, have you seen any hockey on TV yet?  Skating is nearly every night.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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Isn’t it more than a little strange? The International Olympic Committee threatened to drop Triathlon from the games unless the International Triathlon Union "cleans up its act".  IOC member Craig Reedie of Britain was quoted in a 11/28/01 CNN article as follows: "The last thing the IOC wants is a divided international federation, Triathlon better get its act together. The pressure is on them." All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word. Anyone still think the Olympics aren’t about money? John

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All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word.

I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Anyone still think the Olympics aren’t about money?

Sure money is key, but it’s still fun to watch the worlds greatest athletes compete. Tim buaidh no bas

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All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word. I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one.

It was as cold as the siberian winter.   But the difference between the two programs was very slight.   Were the voting not on obvious political lines, I’d give it not a thought. — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word. I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one.

Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble. Tom

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Triathlon is under the axe.  In cycling, it is said: "They can’t race, but they can Tri".  I hope you put the next two years to good use. John Bickmore www.Feed-Zone.com/MyWebSites.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word. I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble. Tom

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I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble.

I think it might be a stretch to call it a stumble.  Certainly no fall. I rewatched the final set on hdnet today and found myself puzzled.  The same announcers are used for the HD broadcast, but there are far fewer breaks, and absolutely no Bob Costas.  They seemed far less strident in insisting that the Canadians had just won, and later, that they were robbed.  Unfortunately, I had already deleted the nbc recording from the night before, but it left me with the impression that they re-announced the stuff they were packaging for broadcast, with an attempt to make more of it than there actually was.   — Jason O’Rourke www.jor.com

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Triathlon is under the axe.  In cycling, it is said: "They can’t race, but they can Tri".

It is a little known fact that the cyclist who said that did it in bitterness after being helped back to the side of the pool by a triathlete. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hope you put the next two years to good use. John Bickmore www.Feed-Zone.com/MyWebSites.htm All the while the same body tolerates ridiculous judging, scandals, infighting, and other shenanigans within the figure skating community with hardly a word. I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one. Gold medalists are not allowed to fall or stumble. Tom

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I prefered the Russians program to the Canadian one.

Doesn’t matter.  Several of the judges gave the same technical score to both programs.  The Canadians clearly skated a cleaner program. Plus the brunette is much cuter than the blonde .

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Doesn’t matter.  Several of the judges gave the same technical score to both programs.  The Canadians clearly skated a cleaner program. Plus the brunette is much cuter than the blonde .

Both statements above are true.  ;-) But whether the Canadians or Russians *should* have won isn’t the point. The point is that there isn’t *agreement* even within the International Skating Union.  Instead we have finger pointing, accusations of competition fixing, and accusations of vote trading – in short, internal turmoil.  Even more damning is that all of this has surfaced before and the ISU has done nothing to fix it. The point of my original post is that this very same thing (not competition fixing, but turmoil in general) is what got triathlon threatened by the IOC. Seems to me like Triathlon is/was getting a raw deal when other sports are given much more lenient treatment. John

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and absolutely no Bob Costas.

How refreshing

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Plus the brunette is much cuter than the blonde .

Amen. and don’t forget to score the costume coverage (or lack thereof.) If it’s judged subjectively, it’s not a sport, it’s an art.

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The point of my original post is that this very same thing (not competition fixing, but turmoil in general) is what got triathlon threatened by the IOC. Seems to me like Triathlon is/was getting a raw deal when other sports are given much more lenient treatment.

It’s all about TV ratings.  You want to guarantee triathlon a place, hire Jeff Gulooly to kneecap an ITU contender with a piece of iron pipe, then leak video of your wedding night to Blockbuster for rent.  It helps if all parties involved are attractive, and the victim says that being in a parade at Disney World with Mickey Mouse got her hot, and make female triathletes wear sequins. That’s how skating got on the map. When our city was debating spending $15 million on a SECOND indoor Olympic ice rink, I researched figure skating participation with the US Sporting Goods Association.  It was steadily dropping for over a decade, but there was a heck of a spike right after Tonya Harding did her thing.  Synchronized swimmers the world over WISHED someone would kneecap one of them. Of course, all this assumes Olympic inclusion is a good thing. Both this latest and the past skating scandals surrounding the Olympics are just more evidence that it’s not.

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Question:

HELP I don’t want to enter a sprint event as I feel with a background as a distance runner the bike and run legs would not be enough of a challenge.

Have you ever entered a sprint event?  If you run out of ones you win handily, then yes, they aren’t enough challenge for you. Any distance is a challenge if you push yourself to maximum effort. Good luck and keep swimming.  It’ll come around in time.

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At least one sprint event is good to get you used to swimming in a pack.  It is much different than swimming by yourself even once you have no trouble with the distance.  My first tri was a sprint, then I switched to int’l distance…I was very glad that first swim was only a sprint. If you are practicing 3-4 times per week with good technique, I’m sure that by June you’ll have no problem.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HELP I am a good runner and cyclist, I decided a while ago to start training for triathlons. I targeted June 2001 as the date to enter my first event. There was one big problem, I couldn’t swim. I have been having lessons and can now swim but no real distance, I am putting in the hours and practising 3 – 4 times a week but feel I am getting nowhere. The Idea that by June I will be able to swim a mile in open water seems impossible. Can anyone offer any encouragement. I don’t want to enter a sprint event as I feel with a background as a distance runner the bike and run legs would not be enough of a challenge. Mark

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The Idea that by June I will be able to swim a mile in open water seems impossible. Can anyone offer any encouragement.

I sure can – I entered my first tri (an Oly distance; 1.5K swim, ~.9mi) hardly able to swim at all. Part of my decision to take on the challenge of tri was to force myself to learn to swim, which I’d never done as a kid, and in fact I had been afraid of water over my head all my life. When the day came for the race, I ’swam’, dogpaddled, floated on my back, sidestroked, thrashed and splashed my way around the course. I got out of the water dead last, but I made it – and I didn’t put in near as much time in the water as you’re describing. A wetsuit does make a *huge* difference, also. Hang in there – you’re gonna do fine. Before you buy.

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HELP I am a good runner and cyclist, I decided a while ago to start training for triathlons. I targeted June 2001 as the date to enter my first event. There was one big problem, I couldn’t swim. I have been having lessons and can now swim but no real distance, I am putting in the hours and practising 3 – 4 times a week but feel I am getting nowhere. The Idea that by June I will be able to swim a mile in open water seems impossible. Can anyone offer any encouragement. I don’t want to enter a sprint event as I feel with a background as a distance runner the bike and run legs would not be enough of a challenge. Mark

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Keep practicing.   Try and build up to be able to swim 350yards continuously.  Then start including intervals.  fast 50’s, 75’s 100’s. These are essential to gain the strength necessary to overcome obstacles (current, other people, waves, etc.) in open water.   Blackwater Eagleman in Chmbridge Maryland for example has lots of chop and some current to overcome. Don’t worry about swimming a continuous mile yet theres still plenty of time.  I assume you will wear a wetsuit.  They make a hugh difference.  This is an exaggeration but its almost like wearing an innertube or having a surfboard under you because of the flotation. Keep practicing and keep your face in the water. Mix up your strokes you should be able to do freestyle and breaststroke.

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Form (technique) is incredibly important in swimming;  without [good] form, progress will be frustratingly slow.  Learning good form is easy for kids;  a teacher just says "do what I do" and they imitate it without hesitation.  But adults . . . well, they are another matter entirely.  Ingrained habits, both physical and mental, block the pathways.  Teaching form to adult swimmers is a tough business. Your best bet is to sign up for one of Terry Laughlin’s clinics;  he is a master at teaching good form to beginning adult swimmers.  His company is called Total Immersion and they have weekend clinics scheduled all over the country.  Go to his website (www.totalimmersion.net) and get all the details. The clinic is somewhat expensive, but it may be the most profitable money you ever spend on the sport – both from a performance and a just plain enjoyment point of view. Lew Kidder – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HELP I am a good runner and cyclist, I decided a while ago to start training for triathlons. I targeted June 2001 as the date to enter my first event. There was one big problem, I couldn’t swim. I have been having lessons and can now swim but no real distance, I am putting in the hours and practising 3 – 4 times a week but feel I am getting nowhere. The Idea that by June I will be able to swim a mile in open water seems impossible. Can anyone offer any encouragement. I don’t want to enter a sprint event as I feel with a background as a distance runner the bike and run legs would not be enough of a challenge. Mark

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Mark, encouragement from another Mark in the UK… YES, keep going. I’m a poor runner OK cyclist and couldn’t swim more than a couple of lengths until mid-year 99, I switched to breaststroke and worked on stamina for 3-months until I could cover the 400m for my first triathlon in 9/99 which I completed in a slow but acceptable 1.29. I then took a month off, went back and started working on my front crawl, by the end of the year I could do the 400m front crawl, by March I’d done a half mile and entered in the Windsor Traithlon which is Olympic distance… 1 mile swim. What helped from then on in was open water swimming. Less crowds, less turns, more time to concentrate to style and stroke. I finished the swim at Windsor in 38-minutes, slow, but 2-months later finished the same distance in 34-minutes. My stroke was pretty much one sided, breathing only to the right. I’ve just taken a month off and started up again, this time working on breathing on both sides… seems to be working.. I’d strongly recommend joining a club, go along to their swim nights. Certainly the club swim nights I’ve been too all have people of very different abilities and working with other people who have the same objective has been a real help. Most of all, swimming is the hardest of the three to do, the hardest to do well, and the one that will effect your overall time least… check the Triathletes-uk homepage for details of UK clubs and events. http://www.triathletes-uk.org ++Mark.

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Question:

Mike,            Go out and run, bike, and swim a little…Come back and ask the group specific  questions. They will have the answers and advice…Check the FAQ on this newsgroup  you will find answers there also.  hope this helps you…  Jhansen882Aaol.com

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Good Boy John, Who said you can’t train a dumb dog new tricks? OOPS I mean who said you  can,t teach a 34 year old dumb dog….    Well you all know what I mean. He learned something. Now try this —- SIT…. GOOD JOHN!!!! Now try this —- LAY DOWN…. GOOD JOHN!!!!  Now try this ROLL OVER and PLAY DEAD…. GOOD JOHN!!!! OOPS, I said DEAD. Now I am in the same boat as Ruth;-(.  What am I going to do? I know I will ask John because he is GREAT at everything on or in the water. John, please help me because I am a poor underweight 14 year old triathlete. I’m SORRY I said DEAD. Please, Please forgive me and help me out of this boat, maybe on your surfboard or your sailboat or your windsurfer or heck because "you can smoke anyone in the swim to the bouy" just come rescue me. You are my hero. D.J.  "do I have to repeat my challenge"  (IRONKID) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mike,            Go out and run, bike, and swim a little…Come back and ask the group specific  questions. They will have the answers and advice…Check the FAQ on this newsgroup  you will find answers there also.  hope this helps you…  Jhansen882Aaol.com

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hey there…..i’m interested in taking up triathlons…anybody care to give regards thanx mike

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hey there…..i’m interested in taking up triathlons…anybody care to give

Sure Mike, there are many people here who would be glad to help you, but you need to have specific questions.                Steve Fredericks                Oceanside, CA

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hey there…..i’m interested in taking up triathlons…anybody care to give

The current issue of Triathlete magazine has a good article on getting ready for your first triathlon.  There are several good books that will give you an overview of the basics.  _Swim Bike Run_ by Town and Kearney was my favorite beginner reference, although Sally Edwards, Dave Scott and several others have also written excellent books.  I guess what I’m getting around to is that there’s a lot of info out there to absorb — a lot more than you can squeeze into a news group posting. Another good source of info is local triathletes.  If you want to post your general location, somebody on the newsgroup will probably be able to point you in the right direction, but in general masters swim groups and group bicycle training rides are good places to find tri-heads.  Make some enquiries at local pools and bike shops. I hope this helps.  Good luck with your training, Tellus Venture Associates "Certainly the game is rigged. Don’t let that stop you; if you don’t bet, you can’t win."  R.A.H.

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Question:

Apparently the race in Clermont had some problems beyond just the uncontrollable weather factor.  Pete Kain wrote an open letter to USAT offcials that was published in Triathlon Digest today that spelled out course problems and other thoughts on this race.  I would be interested in hearing some reaction from those involved or those who were on sight. Thanks, Mark

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Apparently the race in Clermont had some problems beyond just the uncontrollable weather factor.  Pete Kain wrote an open letter to USAT offcials that was published in Triathlon Digest today that spelled out course problems and other thoughts on this race.  I would be interested in hearing some reaction from those involved or those who were on sight. Thanks, Mark

Can you tell us the gist of Peter’s complaints, for those of us who don’t subscribe to Triathlon Digest. My only <grumble about the course was on the bike: everytime you came down a hill, there was a 90 degree turn at the bottom with an uphill around the turn… you lost all your momentum… but is that really something to complain about?  I don’t think so… everyone else had to deal with the same thing and if every course was the same, I’d get bored.  This made the course a little more mentally challenging.  I just wished I had been better prepared for the heat so I could have raced the course instead of trying just to survive it.

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I don’t want to misinterpet what I read, but the gist of it was a woeful lack of volunteers, mismarked (or confusing old marks) course, some penalty problems, etc. Lesley Cens-McDowell e-mailed me with similiar concerns. Since Katherine William’s digest  is now a subscriber service, and I want to respect that, I don’t want to copy the post but perhaps Pete could post his letter here on the newsgroup. Again, just interested in hearing feedback. Is having nationals in June (in Florida)a good idea in itself?  Too early?  Too distant? Too hot? How about some nice midwest race in  late July???:) Mark

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concerns. Since Katherine William’s digest  is now a subscriber service, and I want to respect that, I don’t want to copy the post but perhaps Pete could post his letter here on the newsgroup.

Thanks, Mark. I have to say – Pete Kain’s letter makes for very interesting reading indeed. But it’s not mine to repost, either. If Peter wants to post it on RST, he can. He did send it to me for use in the Digest. Katherine

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Mike Collins has posted the entire content of Pete’s letter today at 4:12 pm Anyone else get stuck behind the cycling tour?

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yes, indeed, i certainly got engulfed in the bike tour.  i slowed down & let them go ahead.  they were clearly anxious to show that they were superior cyclists and somewhat meanly so.  so i indulged them, while hoping i wouldn’t be seen by an official & be penalized for something waaaay beyond my control and wishes.  they meant to be intimidating and i was sorry to see such childish behaviour writ large, in an adult-aged group. peggy

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Question:

Now here’s a subject that I can be entirely subjective about… :- I currently ride on a 700c road Slingshot…not the 650c triathlon version, so I’ll spare you the argument about the ride differences. In short, the bike rides great, it is super smooth over road buzz type stuff.  Never having ridden carbon or titanium on a regular basis, I can’t speculate as to ride qualities as compared to those.  Compared to a regular steel road bike, the only difference is that for medium to larger bumps you actually want to stay seated versus standing up on a regular bike.  The spring doesn’t seem to absorb as much if you don’t "pre-load" it with your body weight, but than again, that’s a completely subjective statement.  Other than that, there’s nothing really different (except for the way it looks), although the sizing is kinda cool.  The bike gives a incredibly low stand-over height, although that’s not really a performance issue, it sure makes for a low handlebar position if you’re flexible enough to pursue that route. Later, Dave David Chen Department of Exercise Science Arizona State University Speed is Life…are you alive? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My current bike is a standard road geometry frame set up for triathlon (forward seat post, aerobars). I am  looking at purchasing a steeper seatpost tri bike and have considered a number of options. One of these is the Slingshot tri bike, but I have not read much about anyone using the slingshot for triathlons. Can anyone respond, good or bad comments or experiences with Slingshots? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thks.

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My current bike is a standard road geometry frame set up for triathlon (forward seat post, aerobars). I am  looking at purchasing a steeper seatpost tri bike and have considered a number of options. One of these is the Slingshot tri bike, but I have not read much about anyone using the slingshot for triathlons. Can anyone respond, good or bad comments or experiences with Slingshots? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thks.

        a couple (not just one) of people around me had slingshots. the key word is had. the frames cracked very badly while the people were riding them. scary! right around welds and at the bb ( a sign of shotty workmanship) . the owner of slingshot was a real knob about it. he said he had got some frames back with the exact problems as i mention but and that he could do something about it but he wasn’t going to because he just didn’t feel like it. too much profit out of his pocket. i’ve never talked to a owner of a business that didn’t put the reputation of his company above all other things. i guess he doesn’t care about his customers after they are out the door.         be careful that no rust starts to appear in your seattube. once it does these frames don’t last long.

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My current bike is a standard road geometry frame set up for triathlon (forward seat post, aerobars). I am  looking at purchasing a steeper seatpost tri bike and have considered a number of options. One of these is the Slingshot tri bike, but I have not read much about anyone using the slingshot for triathlons. Can anyone respond, good or bad comments or experiences with Slingshots? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thks.

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Question:

That was an awesome report Cathy. Bravo!!!! –Howard

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Cathy, Great descriptions.  Many thanks.  Your writing and physical exploits are  inspiring. Bob Williams

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‘Twas beauty making peace with the Beast. Timothy Carlson

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Cathy:      Just reading your report makes me ache all over. Congrats on your finish and great race report. "Iron Pete" Priolo IMC’96 – 10:36:37    IMC’97 – 10:42:53 ‘98 Gulf Coast Tri, IMC’98

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In article Wow. IMH ‘97 My sister Laura and my brother-in-law Dave were my support crew for IMH ‘97…. Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

Rick, you took the word right outta my mouth. Cathy, what a performance!  Congratulations, Ironwoman.  Do you still feel that you’ll never go back to race in Hawaii again? Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft." *** Ironman Canada 1997 – 13:04:09 *** http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie        

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Wow. IMH ‘97 My sister Laura and my brother-in-law Dave were my support crew for IMH ‘97….

Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

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Cathy, Great job, (both the race and the report.)  Truly inspiring. Augie Calabrese BTW, I saw a little plastic valve at a vendor’s showroom the other day.  I may pick one up and try to fit it into the bottom of my Jetstream.  I know what you mean about wanting to empty it during the ride, and refill with fresh/cold/different fluids.   I’ll let you know how it works.

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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit IMH ‘97

Cathy, Thanks for taking the time to post your story.  I am so happy you raced IMH again, congratulations and job well done!  I copied your report to handout to our tri-class, they and the coach are very moved by the experience, obstacles, and adversity that you ecountered. Wasn’t it you who got back on your trainer shortly afterwards? No pressure-just remembered that from the last IMH post! Regards, Lee Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Lee  Rudin Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin:          vcard fn:             Lee  Rudin n:              Rudin;Lee org:            San Francisco Bay Area Triathlon Training Sites title:          http://www.slip.net/~leeway/ x-mozilla-cpt:  ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE version:        2.1 end:            vcard

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Wow.

I’ll see that "Wow" and raise it one. "Wow." Great job, Cathy. Mike "TriBop" Tennent Remove "nospam." for email reply IMC ‘98 IronVirgins Website http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/imc_iv.htm WebRunner Running Page http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/running.htm My Model Railroad Layout http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/srr.htm

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Question:

I’m going to Toronto (Canada) this this summer for 5 weeks. (21. July – one day in August). In this time I want to go on one ore two competitions. My problem is that I don’t know if there is a competition near Toronto in this time. Could sombody help my ….?

Response:

I’m going to Toronto (Canada) this this summer for 5 weeks. (21. July – one day in August). In this time I want to go on one ore two competitions. My problem is that I don’t know if there is a competition near Toronto in this time. Could sombody help my ….?

There are many tri’s within driving distance of Toronto in the summer. The training especially the bike will be difficult there as it is a flat sprawling wasteland of traffic jams and used hypodermic needles waiting to pierce a bike tire. If you have car come to Ottawa(4 hrs drive) where there is a triathlon paradise in the Gatineau Park. Amazing training there; contact me if you want more details. Laszlo

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Question:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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Question:

Hello, I am an aspiring backcountry skier, a triathlete, and want to get more serious on backcountry.  Firstly, what kind of skies should I look at buying?  Are there any legal land restrictions or rules I should follow on a tour?  Where are some good beginning routes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario, Canada?  Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

There is a lot of backcountry in SE Manitoba/NW Ontario. This is Canadian Shield country… very sparsely populated wilderness. Getting around on skiis is not always easy: slushy lakes, thick bush, and cold make for interesting backcountry challenges. One thing you don’t have to worry about is avalanches!

Response:

Hello, I am an aspiring backcountry skier, a triathlete, and want to get more serious on backcountry.  Firstly, what kind of skies should I look at buying?  Are there any legal land restrictions or rules I should follow on a tour?  Where are some good beginning routes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario, Canada?  Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

As to skis to buy, check with triathletes.  I ski the old-fashioned way, on waxedand pine-tarred, wooden Norwegian (Bonna) skis with Rottefeller bindings. As to legal restrictions, I suspect one can ski anywhere on Crown land unless it’s restricted.  Also, my experience is the provincial parks people have lots of info on outdoors stuff such as canoe routes, trekking, snow machining, skiing, etc. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario are all pretty flat.  But it’s trackless country and very easy to get lost.  Be prepared, both in terms of how you prepare (get to know the area, leave word of your plans; talk to experienced locals; local snow machiner clubs can probably help) and the outdoor skills you have. Play it safe, give yourself broad margin of safety until you know what your abilities are. El estado normal de my vida es decadencia permanente. Adaptado de Jose Ortega y Gasset

Response:

Hello, I am an aspiring backcountry skier, a triathlete, and want to get more serious on backcountry.  Firstly, what kind of skies should I look at buying?  Are there any legal land restrictions or rules I should follow on a tour?  Where are some good beginning routes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario, Canada?  Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

There are books and there is this newsgroup but neither medium can substitute for talking with and skiing with experienced people.  The best places to meet the people are at a touring center or at places like MEC, REI, or the best specialty (backcountry, skiing, climbing, outdoor) shops you can find.  Also check some magazines for phone numbers; Couloir, Backcountry, and Outside in particular.  However even the big circulation ski mags. will have something interesting occasionally. Denis Bogan Annandale, VA

Response:

Hello, I am an aspiring backcountry skier, a triathlete, and want to get more serious on backcountry.  Firstly, what kind of skies should I look at buying?  Are there any legal land restrictions or rules I should follow on a tour?  Where are some good beginning routes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario, Canada?  Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

Response:

Question:

The Japenese guy who won this year did hawaii the week before Florida!

FYI Three of the top 4 male finishers overall had finished Hawaii TWO weeks before this race.  Third place, Brad Rex 35 years, (9:54)and Fourth Place, Joe Bonness, 40 years,(10:00). There were a number others that did both races including 9th place women’s overall wunner, Melissa Auker age 38 in 12:56. Sue B.

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very good course. little to no traffic. aid stations are sometimes a bit lacking in experience (left hand bottlehand offs). good medical staff. this year they had neuteral bike suport.  Fred Sommers does put on a good race and the Floridian is his best.

Response:

I didn’t do the race full Ironman, but did the half.  My training partner did the full Ironman.  Its a well run and organized race with good support. Typically moderate crowd of 250 to 400 racers. This year about 9:10 won it. The Japenese guy who won this year did hawaii the week before Florida!  I’d recommend the race.  They had a diverse crowd this year with many states and countries represented. Be warned: it is a tough course. It can be hot, the first half of the bike has undulating hills, it can be fairly windy.  The first 8 miles or so of the run are brutal, lots of hills.  It is not a flat easy course.

Response:

Did anyone do The Great Floridian Triathlon this year?  If so, would you recommend it for 96?  

Response: