Archive for June, 2009
Wetsuit adventures or Sheila vs. The Wetsuit
Posted by sheila in Tools and Gear on June 25, 2009
So as a result of one of my previous posts/questions here about whether to buy a wetsuit online or mailorder, I was urged by several people on Facebook and Twitter to NOT do that and to go to a local shop and try suits on. Someone else also suggested using wetsuitrental.com as a good alternative to try a suit and have the rental fee go towards the purchase of a used suit. Which sounds good.
So today I went to the San Dimas location of Incycle Bikes. I called first to ask if I could come in to try on wetsuits, and they said, “Sure.”
When I walked in I was asked if I needed help by the same guy I’d talked to on the phone. He sized me up visually and decided I should wear an xsmall. Which kind of surprised me, because Read the rest of this entry »
Triathlete Humor
Here’s a dang funny list of ways to check whether you might be a triathlete.
Should I Buy a Mail Order Tri Wetsuit?
Posted by sheila in Tips and Advice, Tools and Gear on June 20, 2009
So I am planning to buy a tri wetsuit at some point this summer. I’m always the cautious type, who generally buys from local vendors (rather than mail order), especially clothing, so that I can try it on and make sure it fits. But this is such a good deal on a wetsuit… regularly $400 for half price ($199). Seems like good quality. XTerra brand. On sale until late June. 30-day money back guarantee, and size switch options/guarantee. I’m usually between 115-117 pounds (trying to take it down a few) and 5’3”, so I just fit into the WS size, on the borderline really with WM.
Vortex 3 Fullsuit $199 (Reg. $400)
I’m so nervous about choosing the wrong size or something that doesn’t fit me right. I’ve never tried on ANY wetsuit before, nor obviously swum in one. What should I do? Buy this one? Or give it a miss and go to a local tri shop and get fitted for one there? Help? Advice?
Speed Intervals – 5 x 1K
OK, so I had a speed workout today. 5 repeats of 1K at a target of 4:08 each (which works out to about a 6:39min/mile pace). Wasn’t feeling positive I could do it. But my 5K race is only 3 weeks out, so I figured I’d better go try.
I want to thank the Twitter friends @CoolRunning and @turtlescanrun for their positive energy, because that really helped when I was doing the workout. I just thought about “I can do it” and kept trying.
So my actual times were 4:09, 4:08, 4:16 (got confused on this one and stopped early & then had to pick up and keep going), 4:21 (no idea what happened here), and 4:16 (again, got confused and stopped early). Not really my day, but satisfied overall, since after only 3 repeats I was feeling like stopping but I made myself do the last two. In fact, even though I thought I was running pretty hard during the workout, sitting here now at my desk only an hour later, I feel like I could have run harder. Heh. Dunno about that…
Guess I was tired from my fast 14-miler on Friday, plus bike & yoga yesterday. Beats me. I do know that the week before my race I will be resting up so I’ll feel much more peppy and ready to go on race day.
Triathlon Checklist
Posted by sheila in Race Events, Tools and Gear on June 12, 2009
So when I was preparing for my first triathlon last week, I made up a checklist of my gear. To make a list I searched Google on the phrase “triathlon checklist” and used these sites for my list:
racechecklist.com — Triathlon Race Day Checklist
Triathlon Packing Checklist | Triathlon
http://www.triathica.com/resources/triathlon_checklist.pdf (PDF)
So from the above, I came up with this list for my first Sprint Distance Tri:
Wear these things in the morning:
- tri suit (tri top/tri shorts)
- socks/shoes (running shoes for me)
- sunscreen
- body glide (I actually forgot to put this on but didn’t matter)
- Boston jacket (wear any jacket you like)
- watch (Garmin 305)
Bring these things in a bag
- hat/cap for the run
- sunglasses (for bike/run)
- sweatshirt (for after)
- crocs (after race shoes)
- flip flops (slip on sandals)
- sunscreen
- goggles
- extra pair goggles
- swim cap (they give you one but…)
- race belt
- water bottles, filled (one to drink from in transition, one to clean feet with)
- bike bottle, filled
- sweat pants (for after race)
- bicycle
- bike helmet
- toilet paper (we were told they run out sometimes)
So I went over that list above twice before we got in the car and drove away. And my hubby still had to remind me to bring the bike helmet at the last second!
My First Triathlon – Race Report
Posted by sheila in Race Events on June 9, 2009
So after just over 3 years of road racing (running), including 4 marathons, at least a dozen half-marathons, several 5Ks and 10Ks, I finally decided to do a triathlon. I got into this via cross-training for my marathons through the FIRST program, which requires cross-training on the non-running days. I didn’t like swimming at first, but the more I did it, the more I didn’t dislike it. Last spring I took a semester swim course at a local community college. It was a tough class and really got me in shape for swimming. Now I actually like swimming. Well, in the pool, anyhow. The bike part never much worried me.
These are other swimmers (faster ones) in my same swim wave.
Eventually I signed up for a small local tri that fit into my schedule. Sunday June 7, 2009. The L.A. Triathlon Series which is hosted in San Dimas, California at Frank G. Bonelli Park, only about a 15 minute drive from my house. This must be the closest race to my house that I’ve ever done. I was doing the Express course, which is Read the rest of this entry »
Wharf to Wharf Race – Santa Cruz
Posted by sheila in Race Events on June 2, 2009
Here’s an event that looks like it would be fun to do some time. It’s scheduled for late July and is already sold out for this year. Same weekend as the San Francisco Half Marathon & Marathon (which I am doing the half marathon this year). Anyhow, this race, called “Wharf to Wharf” is only 6 miles. But starts in Santa Cruz and runs down to Capitola. Beautiful area and I could totally see doing this race instead of SFM some time.
Wharf to Wharf – ‘It’s the Best Little Road Race in California’
This is a classic event. This year will be the 37th annual running.
A Couple Pictures from Boston
Posted by sheila in Race Events on June 2, 2009
OK, I still haven’t written up my race report from the Boston Marathon 2009. It’s coming…I feel it’s coming soon. But anyhow, I got a bug to just post a couple pictures today of some famous runners I got to meet during my time there.
My running club had given me a signed copy (signed by members of my club) of the book Duel in the Sun about the Dick Beardsley vs. Alberto Salazaar race in 1982 at the Boston Marathon. A riveting book, which I had only started reading when I got the opportunity to have Dick, himself, sign my book also at the Boston Expo.
Dick Beardsley signs my book
Dick is SOOOO nice. He posed for a shot with the hubby and me:
Sheila, Chris & Dick Beardsley
Then on the day after the race, Tuesday April 21, 2009, we happened to go to the Bill Rodgers Running Center, and the man himself was there. We bought a poster that he signed, and also he signed the book 26 Miles to Boston for us and then he posed for a picture with us. Also a very, very gracious man.
Chris & Sheila with Bill Rodgers
It turns out I probably crossed the finish line within seconds of Bill Rodgers, but I was so wrapped up in my own finish, I didn’t notice. Or maybe he got whisked away by his support crew.
I also got to meet Bart Yasso at the Boston Expo and got a signed copy of his book My Life on the Run, but didn’t get a picture on that one. I haven’t started to read that one yet, but daughter and hubby have both read part of it and really like it and have read passages aloud to me.
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