Posts Tagged triathlon
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?
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 »
Triathlon Training Resource – Gym & Coaching
So come to hear there’s a new gym in Irvine, California with a focus on triathlete training. Special facility with equipment designed to assist in training for a triathlon, coaching staff with extensive experience and qualifications in triathlon, etc…
Irvine is a bit of a drive for me, so not sure I would get down that way too often. They have monthly membership, but they also have non-member rates as well. So it’s something to keep in mind. Their “Endless pool” seems interesting.
Swimming – Training with Drills
Posted by sheila in Tips and Advice, Training on May 28, 2009
So, as someone who is passably competent at swimming, I would still like to improve my swimming speed for triathlon events. Right now I’m just working up some basic yardage. Up to an easy 1500 in a workout right now. Will be dropping back these next few days as I approach my first triathlon on June 7th.
But after that is past, I will want to work up and improve my swimming and speed. I have seen recommended several times to do drills. Drills I’ve seen recommended for beginners are kick drills done on the side with no kickboard, shark fin drill, and also DPS (Distance Per Stroke).
So here is a nice site that has some explanations/suggestions for swim drills:Drills & Drill Tips | WSU Masters Swimming
They explain at the site above the side-kicking drill and the shark fin drill. The DPS is just the idea that you want to lower the number of strokes it takes you to get across the pool. By rotating your body in the pool from side to side while you stroke, having long strokes that pull, and you glide. Get fewer strokes to get across the pool.
So I guess after I finish up this tri coming up I will try to incorporate some drills into my swim training.
Triathlon Resource Links and Tips
Posted by sheila in Tips and Advice on May 18, 2009
So today we have a list of links on triathlon-related topics. I’ve been getting piles of these through Twitter and here are some that look worthwhile and I want to revisit again at some point in the future…
Beginner’s Triathlon Gear List: No Need to Break the Bank | Active.com
5 Open Water Swimming Tips : Tri Swim Coach Triathlon Swimming
Camping Friendly Races
Posted by sheila in Race Events on May 12, 2009
Here is an assortment of races, marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, bike races, ultras, and more, that are “camping friendly”.
As Active.com says about this list:
9 Camping-Friendly Races: Save money on your next race by trading the expensive hotel room for a cozy campsite. Here are nine races–under $100–that have camping close by. Your reward: Beautiful scenery and more stable bank accounts.
See the link above for more details and the list of locations.
More Triathlon Swim Training Tips
Posted by sheila in Tips and Advice, Training on May 7, 2009
Here’s another article from Active.com with some suggestions for training and preparing for the swimming portion of a triathlon:
Pacing Makes Perfect: 6 Ways to Train for a Triathlon Swim Start | Active.com
One of the main points of the article, is that just doing time trials doesn’t prepare you for the actual chaos and frenetic swimming of a triathlon. So they have some suggestions to help prepare a bit more for the reality of a triathlon swim.
I may try some of these ideas. I’m about 4 weeks out right now from my first triathlon. Finally getting some mediocre yardage in at the pool. Went swimming twice this week, which is my goal. Swam 2250 meters total this week. 1050 on Tuesday and 1200 today. Really tried a bit harder today and did a few faster sprints. Overall, my swimming is very mediocre and the focus for me in my first triathlon will just be finishing respectably.
Daily Mile Training
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