Ran a 10k - Official Thread (10 Viewers)

[FUBAR]

Tri-guys:

Looks like Raleigh HIM won't be wetsuit legal - which just means if I wore the wetsuit I wouldn't get an award or WC slot (not happening anyway) but would also start in the last wave, 40 minutes later than my AG start. Not really an issue, but then trying to pass many people on the bike (hopefully) and finishing after 1:30 pm, roughly 87 degrees / 151 Suck index.

In short, if not WS legal, I'm not sure it's worth it to wait and wear it.

Any opinions on whether wearing the wetsuit is worth the few degrees and being behind more people? The last few waves will, on average, be faster than the middle waves (they start with pro, then go old--> young) but there will still be more people I'd expect to pass.

Do former tri-guys count? Tough call. Without the wetsuit, you'll be a few minutes slower on the swim and put in more effort ..however, you'll have more race time in the earlier part of the day, though finishing at 12:30 or 1:30 won't be much different, I expect. With the wetsuit, you'll save some time and effort on the swim and potentially lose that time running in the midday heat. Then again, your race within the race could be to pass as many people as possible after the later start. I don't think passing people on the bike will be a problem. So tactically, it seems like a wash. I'd think it comes down to (a) your reliance on the wetsuit, and/or (b) whether the late start excites you (catch-and-pass) or makes you anxious.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm thinking. I suck in the heat. But, there will be plenty of nutrition, electorlytes, etc. and wet sponges the bike is somewhat shaded but the run is in the blasted sun without much shade at all except late in the day (it's in the city). My swim is my weakest portion so the suit would be helpful, but so would drafting off faster swimmers (who presumably will go in the "right" wave).

 

[MAC_32]

Did 4 miles on the treadmill last night - storms in the area the last couple days so I didn't want to chance being out. I'm able to do more sustained jogging (12 min/mile) and some running (10 min/mile) but my leg strength is still my big limiting factor.

Do you guys mix leg workouts in on off days or even run days? How often?

I go based on feel. I try to lift two-three times per week and run three-four times per week, while ensuring a rest day, so there are some two-a-days but I try to only do them when I feel fresh. I switch up my weight regimen every few weeks, but on two-a-days I've been doing 5 minutes of abs

Shoulders

Bis

Tris

Kettle bell swings

Lunges super set with push ups

Burpees

 

[BassNBrew]

Tri-guys:

Looks like Raleigh HIM won't be wetsuit legal - which just means if I wore the wetsuit I wouldn't get an award or WC slot (not happening anyway) but would also start in the last wave, 40 minutes later than my AG start. Not really an issue, but then trying to pass many people on the bike (hopefully) and finishing after 1:30 pm, roughly 87 degrees / 151 Suck index.

In short, if not WS legal, I'm not sure it's worth it to wait and wear it.

Any opinions on whether wearing the wetsuit is worth the few degrees and being behind more people? The last few waves will, on average, be faster than the middle waves (they start with pro, then go old--> young) but there will still be more people I'd expect to pass.

Do former tri-guys count? Tough call. Without the wetsuit, you'll be a few minutes slower on the swim and put in more effort ..however, you'll have more race time in the earlier part of the day, though finishing at 12:30 or 1:30 won't be much different, I expect. With the wetsuit, you'll save some time and effort on the swim and potentially lose that time running in the midday heat. Then again, your race within the race could be to pass as many people as possible after the later start. I don't think passing people on the bike will be a problem. So tactically, it seems like a wash. I'd think it comes down to (a) your reliance on the wetsuit, and/or (b) whether the late start excites you (catch-and-pass) or makes you anxious.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm thinking. I suck in the heat. But, there will be plenty of nutrition, electorlytes, etc. and wet sponges the bike is somewhat shaded but the run is in the blasted sun without much shade at all except late in the day (it's in the city). My swim is my weakest portion so the suit would be helpful, but so would drafting off faster swimmers (who presumably will go in the "right" wave).

Remember that you will get the benefit of a bike draft if you start later and have more to pass. You catch some draft sitting just outside the no draft zone. You also have time to complete a pass which means using the draft as a sling shot.

 

[FUBAR]

Tri-guys:

Looks like Raleigh HIM won't be wetsuit legal - which just means if I wore the wetsuit I wouldn't get an award or WC slot (not happening anyway) but would also start in the last wave, 40 minutes later than my AG start. Not really an issue, but then trying to pass many people on the bike (hopefully) and finishing after 1:30 pm, roughly 87 degrees / 151 Suck index.

In short, if not WS legal, I'm not sure it's worth it to wait and wear it.

Any opinions on whether wearing the wetsuit is worth the few degrees and being behind more people? The last few waves will, on average, be faster than the middle waves (they start with pro, then go old--> young) but there will still be more people I'd expect to pass.

Do former tri-guys count? Tough call. Without the wetsuit, you'll be a few minutes slower on the swim and put in more effort ..however, you'll have more race time in the earlier part of the day, though finishing at 12:30 or 1:30 won't be much different, I expect. With the wetsuit, you'll save some time and effort on the swim and potentially lose that time running in the midday heat. Then again, your race within the race could be to pass as many people as possible after the later start. I don't think passing people on the bike will be a problem. So tactically, it seems like a wash. I'd think it comes down to (a) your reliance on the wetsuit, and/or (b) whether the late start excites you (catch-and-pass) or makes you anxious.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm thinking. I suck in the heat. But, there will be plenty of nutrition, electorlytes, etc. and wet sponges the bike is somewhat shaded but the run is in the blasted sun without much shade at all except late in the day (it's in the city). My swim is my weakest portion so the suit would be helpful, but so would drafting off faster swimmers (who presumably will go in the "right" wave).

Remember that you will get the benefit of a bike draft if you start later and have more to pass. You catch some draft sitting just outside the no draft zone. You also have time to complete a pass which means using the draft as a sling shot.

True. My concern on the bike is the multiple person pass where you have one slow dude, passed by a faster guy, who is at the same time getting passed by another rider, etc. So you're 4 wide or stuck behind the pack. Plus there will be more people who don't stay to the right (my experience is the slower riders who lack experience forget this rule).

Otoh, I would prefer to wear calf compression sleeves which wouldn't during the swim without a wetsuit.

I'm overthinking this.

 

[Ned]

I don't know any of the swim/bike stuff, but I'd try to save as much time away from the peak heat as I possibly could.

:heatpansy:

 

[tri-man 47]

I'm overthinking this.

Speaking of which, I've been waiting for 2Young to chime in with his experience on multi-sport events ...he's the ultimate overthinker/overplanner.

 

[El Floppo]

Tri-guys:

Looks like Raleigh HIM won't be wetsuit legal - which just means if I wore the wetsuit I wouldn't get an award or WC slot (not happening anyway) but would also start in the last wave, 40 minutes later than my AG start. Not really an issue, but then trying to pass many people on the bike (hopefully) and finishing after 1:30 pm, roughly 87 degrees / 151 Suck index.

In short, if not WS legal, I'm not sure it's worth it to wait and wear it.

Any opinions on whether wearing the wetsuit is worth the few degrees and being behind more people? The last few waves will, on average, be faster than the middle waves (they start with pro, then go old--> young) but there will still be more people I'd expect to pass.

Do former tri-guys count? Tough call. Without the wetsuit, you'll be a few minutes slower on the swim and put in more effort ..however, you'll have more race time in the earlier part of the day, though finishing at 12:30 or 1:30 won't be much different, I expect. With the wetsuit, you'll save some time and effort on the swim and potentially lose that time running in the midday heat. Then again, your race within the race could be to pass as many people as possible after the later start. I don't think passing people on the bike will be a problem. So tactically, it seems like a wash. I'd think it comes down to (a) your reliance on the wetsuit, and/or (b) whether the late start excites you (catch-and-pass) or makes you anxious.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm thinking. I suck in the heat. But, there will be plenty of nutrition, electorlytes, etc. and wet sponges the bike is somewhat shaded but the run is in the blasted sun without much shade at all except late in the day (it's in the city). My swim is my weakest portion so the suit would be helpful, but so would drafting off faster swimmers (who presumably will go in the "right" wave).

Remember that you will get the benefit of a bike draft if you start later and have more to pass. You catch some draft sitting just outside the no draft zone. You also have time to complete a pass which means using the draft as a sling shot.

True. My concern on the bike is the multiple person pass where you have one slow dude, passed by a faster guy, who is at the same time getting passed by another rider, etc. So you're 4 wide or stuck behind the pack. Plus there will be more people who don't stay to the right (my experience is the slower riders who lack experience forget this rule).

Otoh, I would prefer to wear calf compression sleeves which wouldn't during the swim without a wetsuit.

I'm overthinking this.

you forgot the slow/inexperienced riders who speed up when you start passing them.

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

 

[FUBAR]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

 

[El Floppo]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

lol- just looked up that NYC tri where I set my 10k PR.

I was 170/185 AG for the swim , 37 bike, 14 run

 

[El Floppo]

As nice as it is passing people the rest of the time, it does really suck rolling into T1 and seeing nothing but empty bike racks.

 

[gruecd]

12-mile MLR on Wednesday (7:55/mile) and 5 recovery yesterday (8:07). Hoping for 7 this afternoon after work and 15 tomorrow morning, which will give me my first 50-mile week in a looooong time. Really hoping to keep that going for the next 5 weeks before we leave for our 3-week vacation to Poland.

Regarding the swimming talk, I actually "swam" a couple of laps in the hotel pool in Door County last weekend. There's still a really, really small part of me that wants to dabble in triathlon, but first I'd need to find a good swim coach.

 

[Ned]

12-mile MLR on Wednesday (7:55/mile) and 5 recovery yesterday (8:07). Hoping for 7 this afternoon after work and 15 tomorrow morning, which will give me my first 50-mile week in a looooong time. Really hoping to keep that going for the next 5 weeks before we leave for our 3-week vacation to Poland.

Regarding the swimming talk, I actually "swam" a couple of laps in the hotel pool in Door County last weekend. There's still a really, really small part of me that wants to dabble in triathlon, but first I'd need to find a good swim coach.

Funny you're doing 7 today and 15 tomorrow. Exactly what I'm doing and will put me at 55 for the week. Feels great to be back in the saddle, although this heat friggin sucks.

Last week was 45mi with a motivating 6mi Progression run on Friday followed by a blissful 13 @ 8:05/145 on Saturday.

This week has been a bit of a grind with the heat. Lots of early AM runs after blowing up hard on a failed 8/4 tempo (147SI + sun = ouch). The wheels fell completely off at mile 5 - I had to run/walk it home. :X

That should put me right on 170 for May. It's a start.....

 

[MAC_32]

I didn't set out to do a hard run today, and my brain held strong until about 75% of the way through, but suck index misery and instincts won and I finished stronger than I probably should have.

Suck index: 154 (88/66), thankfully less humid than Wednesday

4 miles - 29:56 (7:17/7:28/8:03/7:11)

Good to know I could do that in these conditions when I wasn't mentally dialed in though.

 

[2Young2BBald]

I'm overthinking this.

Speaking of which, I've been waiting for 2Young to chime in with his experience on multi-sport events ...he's the ultimate overthinker/overplanner.

I had the exact scenario for my 1st HIM, opted to wear the wetsuit and have regretted it since. For me wearing it was about confidence versus speed as it was my first HIM swim. I'd already done a couple of OLYs without one, so I am not sure what I was so worried about. Here are the reasons I wish I hadn't wore one:

-Those that did wear them were lumped into one big AG called WESUIT so my results and what is on Athlinks only list me in the WETSUIT category and not my AG. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was being my first.

-I was frigging hot. Thank God I went with my Farmer John and not the full with arms, but I was still uncomfortable in the water.

-It was a huge wave, with men and women and all kids of swim ability. Everyone wanted to get out front and it was a total sprint style mosh pit start; not what I wanted to start a HIM.

-Being at the back of the pack and with all different ages, etc, it was hard to gauge how I was doing against "my competition" unless I knew they were in the wetsuit wave and I could see their age on their body mark. Again, this doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was in race. A mostly empty T1 was also a drag and many racers from the early waves were long gone by the time I finished.

My advice, if comfortable with the distance, ditch the wetsuit and try to draft other swimmers instead for a speed/time advantage.

As for me, other than a Beer Mile (official one, according to international rules) I have not run in a few months. I over trained in late Feb and early March trying to get back into shape after some rather miserable surgery in January and like a dumb ### I screwed up my left knee. I, of course, thought it would heal, so I kept biking and swimming. An MRI confirmed a tear of the medial meniscus. Due to vacation and work travel I had to put off surgery until 6/23, so this summer and season is basically a wash. Trying to stay positive and can still swim and even bike a bit and am hoping the 4 to 6 week recovery time frame is at the shorter end.

This is my first post in the new thread. I was put on a work project back last September and between travel and responsibilities I've tried to keep up with the thread, but finding time to post has been very slim.

 

[gruecd]

Feels great to be back in the saddle, although this heat friggin sucks.

Tell me about it. It's supposed to cool off nicely for tomorrow (temps in the 50s), but right now it's 77/68. Gross.

 

[Hang 10]

So, I was looking for an everyday trainer to replace my brooks ghosts and may be going the way of the Hoka. Wanted to find some decent cushioning but I've never been a fan of the moon boot look. But I picked up a hoka clifton off the rack and I couldn't believe how light they were. A size 9 is on 7.6 oz! Normally I wear mostly minimalist shoes but if I can get cushioning in a light shoe, I think I may be sold. I tried them on and they felt great. Only reason I didn't buy them today was the sale they were advertising next week.

 

[El Floppo]

just googled Hoka... figured it was slang for some kind of trail whore.

again- caveat- I'm 10 years out of the game... but the shoeless shoes that everybody swore by a couple of years ago... pretty far from these giant things.

 

[Hang 10]

just googled Hoka... figured it was slang for some kind of trail whore.

again- caveat- I'm 10 years out of the game... but the shoeless shoes that everybody swore by a couple of years ago... pretty far from these giant things.

Oh yeah, these are maximalists.

 

[tri-man 47]

just googled Hoka... figured it was slang for some kind of trail whore.

You're just a little confused:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/14/02/ef/1402efe36fabdb37ee86254826098009.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/84/dd/19/84dd197b52fe07598bc30f90b04d8ee2.jpg

 

[El Floppo]

wait.... what just happened :blink:

 

[Ned]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/14/02/ef/1402efe36fabdb37ee86254826098009.jpg

I'll give her my maximalist.

 

[SFBayDuck]

So, I was looking for an everyday trainer to replace my brooks ghosts and may be going the way of the Hoka. Wanted to find some decent cushioning but I've never been a fan of the moon boot look. But I picked up a hoka clifton off the rack and I couldn't believe how light they were. A size 9 is on 7.6 oz! Normally I wear mostly minimalist shoes but if I can get cushioning in a light shoe, I think I may be sold. I tried them on and they felt great. Only reason I didn't buy them today was the sale they were advertising next week.

Welcome to the tribe!

 

[FUBAR]

As nice as it is passing people the rest of the time, it does really suck rolling into T1 and seeing nothing but empty bike racks.

I'm overthinking this.

Speaking of which, I've been waiting for 2Young to chime in with his experience on multi-sport events ...he's the ultimate overthinker/overplanner.

I had the exact scenario for my 1st HIM, opted to wear the wetsuit and have regretted it since. For me wearing it was about confidence versus speed as it was my first HIM swim. I'd already done a couple of OLYs without one, so I am not sure what I was so worried about. Here are the reasons I wish I hadn't wore one:

-Those that did wear them were lumped into one big AG called WESUIT so my results and what is on Athlinks only list me in the WETSUIT category and not my AG. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was being my first.

-I was frigging hot. Thank God I went with my Farmer John and not the full with arms, but I was still uncomfortable in the water.

-It was a huge wave, with men and women and all kids of swim ability. Everyone wanted to get out front and it was a total sprint style mosh pit start; not what I wanted to start a HIM.

-Being at the back of the pack and with all different ages, etc, it was hard to gauge how I was doing against "my competition" unless I knew they were in the wetsuit wave and I could see their age on their body mark. Again, this doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was in race. A mostly empty T1 was also a drag and many racers from the early waves were long gone by the time I finished.

My advice, if comfortable with the distance, ditch the wetsuit and try to draft other swimmers instead for a speed/time advantage.

As for me, other than a Beer Mile (official one, according to international rules) I have not run in a few months. I over trained in late Feb and early March trying to get back into shape after some rather miserable surgery in January and like a dumb ### I screwed up my left knee. I, of course, thought it would heal, so I kept biking and swimming. An MRI confirmed a tear of the medial meniscus. Due to vacation and work travel I had to put off surgery until 6/23, so this summer and season is basically a wash. Trying to stay positive and can still swim and even bike a bit and am hoping the 4 to 6 week recovery time frame is at the shorter end.

This is my first post in the new thread. I was put on a work project back last September and between travel and responsibilities I've tried to keep up with the thread, but finding time to post has been very slim.

 

[AAABatteries]

So, I was looking for an everyday trainer to replace my brooks ghosts and may be going the way of the Hoka. Wanted to find some decent cushioning but I've never been a fan of the moon boot look. But I picked up a hoka clifton off the rack and I couldn't believe how light they were. A size 9 is on 7.6 oz! Normally I wear mostly minimalist shoes but if I can get cushioning in a light shoe, I think I may be sold. I tried them on and they felt great. Only reason I didn't buy them today was the sale they were advertising next week.

Welcome to the tribe!

#teamhoka

 

[AAABatteries]

Met the family up at the pool during my lunch break and swam. I'm slow but faster swimming than biking and running still.

3 x 500 yd

1500 yard total

 

[Northern Voice]

Went for a quick run after work without my wife for first time in a while, decided to push to see if I could get my first sub-30 minute 5K...

Came in at 29:16, according to Strava.

I may follow this up with my first real "race" tomorrow, a 5k fun run in support of the local zoo. My wife thinks I should, then again it's mid afternoon and I'm already on my 2nd beer so we'll see.

 

[Sand]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

 

[tri-man 47]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

I'd love to come watch a FBG, 10K thread Ironman relay team.

 

[FUBAR]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

I'd love to come watch a FBG, 10K thread Ironman relay team.

 

[Sand]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

I'd love to come watch a FBG, 10K thread Ironman relay team.

Let's not be hasty here! That means I'd have to actually get in shape. Though that has been tossed around - Beach 2 Battleship allows that.

-----

On another note, you guys thought you got rid of me for a week? Ha! I have managed to get some good stuff in this week, despite being in a foreign country with wife and kids. Did a couple hikes - The Burren and Connemarra. Awesome trails - highly recommended.

While in Killarney I had the chance to do a couple bike rides. Sadly no time for a big ride (and no real infrastructure to refill bottles, etc.). But I did do the Gap of Dunloe twice, once each direction. Very different each way. CCW was pretty choppy with lots of short, steep climbs. The Gap itself was great as the wind was pretty well blocked. The CW ride was two big cat 3 climbs (very nice) and the wind was coming straight through the Gap - easily 30mph (against, of course). Still, load of fun.

CW ride.

CCW ride.

Gap 1

Gap 2

Gap 3

Gap 4

Gap 5

Gap 6

Sean's got some work to do to match those pics! Seriously, the Gap was one of the prettiest places that I've ever been. Right up there - kind of a natural Sistine Chapel.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Gap 1

Gap 2

Gap 3

Gap 4

Gap 5

Gap 6

Sean's got some work to do to match those pics! Seriously, the Gap was one of the prettiest places that I've ever been. Right up there - kind of a natural Sistine Chapel.

Those are great, I especially like Gap 3! Time to start carrying the iPhone on runs again. I could have taken a pic of the rattler I saw during today's run, my first one!

 

[gruecd]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

Bad swimmer, ok biker, good runner. This could work...

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

Went for a quick run after work without my wife for first time in a while, decided to push to see if I could get my first sub-30 minute 5K...

Came in at 29:16, according to Strava.

I may follow this up with my first real "race" tomorrow, a 5k fun run in support of the local zoo. My wife thinks I should, then again it's mid afternoon and I'm already on my 2nd beer so we'll see.

Do it.

 

[Hang 10]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

I'd love to come watch a FBG, 10K thread Ironman relay team.

Let's not be hasty here! That means I'd have to actually get in shape. Though that has been tossed around - Beach 2 Battleship allows that.

-----

On another note, you guys thought you got rid of me for a week? Ha! I have managed to get some good stuff in this week, despite being in a foreign country with wife and kids. Did a couple hikes - The Burren and Connemarra. Awesome trails - highly recommended.

While in Killarney I had the chance to do a couple bike rides. Sadly no time for a big ride (and no real infrastructure to refill bottles, etc.). But I did do the Gap of Dunloe twice, once each direction. Very different each way. CCW was pretty choppy with lots of short, steep climbs. The Gap itself was great as the wind was pretty well blocked. The CW ride was two big cat 3 climbs (very nice) and the wind was coming straight through the Gap - easily 30mph (against, of course). Still, load of fun.

CW ride.

CCW ride.

Gap 1

Gap 2

Gap 3

Gap 4

Gap 5

Gap 6

Sean's got some work to do to match those pics! Seriously, the Gap was one of the prettiest places that I've ever been. Right up there - kind of a natural Sistine Chapel.

When I clicked on the links I expected something different.

 

[SFBayDuck]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

I'd love to come watch a FBG, 10K thread Ironman relay team.

Let's not be hasty here! That means I'd have to actually get in shape. Though that has been tossed around - Beach 2 Battleship allows that.

-----

On another note, you guys thought you got rid of me for a week? Ha! I have managed to get some good stuff in this week, despite being in a foreign country with wife and kids. Did a couple hikes - The Burren and Connemarra. Awesome trails - highly recommended.

While in Killarney I had the chance to do a couple bike rides. Sadly no time for a big ride (and no real infrastructure to refill bottles, etc.). But I did do the Gap of Dunloe twice, once each direction. Very different each way. CCW was pretty choppy with lots of short, steep climbs. The Gap itself was great as the wind was pretty well blocked. The CW ride was two big cat 3 climbs (very nice) and the wind was coming straight through the Gap - easily 30mph (against, of course). Still, load of fun.

CW ride.

CCW ride.

Gap 1

Gap 2

Gap 3

Gap 4

Gap 5

Gap 6

Sean's got some work to do to match those pics! Seriously, the Gap was one of the prettiest places that I've ever been. Right up there - kind of a natural Sistine Chapel.

When I clicked on the links I expected something different.

This ain't the yoga pants thread. #trailporn

 

[AAABatteries]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

Bad swimmer, ok biker, good runner. This could work...

Bad swimmer, bad biker, bad runner. I'll take T1 or T2.

 

[tri-man 47]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

Bad swimmer, ok biker, good runner. This could work...

Bad swimmer, bad biker, bad runner. I'll take T1 or T2.

You'll be in charge of recharging the Garmins.

 

[FUBAR]

as a truly horrible swimmer, ok biker and decent runner, I love spending the rest of the race after T1 passing people. so yeah... probably overthinking this.

that's pretty much me. and yes, there's a mental boost with passing people.

Funny - I'm exactly the opposite. Good swimmer, ok biker, bad runner. The conga line starts passing me running like clockwork.

Bad swimmer, ok biker, good runner. This could work...

Bad swimmer, bad biker, bad runner. I'll take T1 or T2.

If I don't improve my bike I'll host T3

 

[Northern Voice]

Went for a quick run after work without my wife for first time in a while, decided to push to see if I could get my first sub-30 minute 5K...

Came in at 29:16, according to Strava.

I may follow this up with my first real "race" tomorrow, a 5k fun run in support of the local zoo. My wife thinks I should, then again it's mid afternoon and I'm already on my 2nd beer so we'll see.

Do it.

I switched to a nice brown ale for a couple this evening - lots of good nutrition before the race tomorrow. So, being my first one of these, headphones a no-no? I generally need music to run, but I think having people to chase/passing me can likely keep me going for the 30 mins or so.

In terms of pacing myself, I generally use Strava/my phone, will I look like a total noob if I pull it out every few minutes? (My wife does have a GPS watch, but it is very pink) I'd like to be under 30 minutes again, but haven't run enough to know that pace on my own. Thinking adrenaline will push me faster, while slight hangover? brings me slower, so I meet in the middle?

 

[Northern Voice]

Also, I bought this ugly thing for $8 today, so I guess I'm all-in for longer runs? My wife has a fuel belt that she paid $40+ and is surely much better, but for my beginning stages, the price seemed right.

 

[Hang 10]

Went for a quick run after work without my wife for first time in a while, decided to push to see if I could get my first sub-30 minute 5K...

Came in at 29:16, according to Strava.

I may follow this up with my first real "race" tomorrow, a 5k fun run in support of the local zoo. My wife thinks I should, then again it's mid afternoon and I'm already on my 2nd beer so we'll see.

Do it.

I switched to a nice brown ale for a couple this evening - lots of good nutrition before the race tomorrow. So, being my first one of these, headphones a no-no? I generally need music to run, but I think having people to chase/passing me can likely keep me going for the 30 mins or so.In terms of pacing myself, I generally use Strava/my phone, will I look like a total noob if I pull it out every few minutes? (My wife does have a GPS watch, but it is very pink) I'd like to be under 30 minutes again, but haven't run enough to know that pace on my own. Thinking adrenaline will push me faster, while slight hangover? brings me slower, so I meet in the middle?

Id go no headphones. A race is entertaining enough. As far as pacing goes, normally I'd just tell you to run as hard as you can til you puke but since it's your first race do whatever is most comfortable.

Good luck and have some fun out there!

 

[tri-man 47]

I agree ...skip the headphones and enjoy the event (in a 'dang, this is really hard' sort of way). They should have mile splits, so just run hard, check your first mile split, and go from there (but keep track of how long til you cross the start line).

 

[FUBAR]

I agree ...skip the headphones and enjoy the event (in a 'dang, this is really hard' sort of way). They should have mile splits, so just run hard, check your first mile split, and go from there (but keep track of how long til you cross the start line).

Agreed. HM or longer I'll bring headphones, maybe for 10k. For 5k just feed off the excitement and enjoy the event.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

Went for a quick run after work without my wife for first time in a while, decided to push to see if I could get my first sub-30 minute 5K...

Came in at 29:16, according to Strava.

I may follow this up with my first real "race" tomorrow, a 5k fun run in support of the local zoo. My wife thinks I should, then again it's mid afternoon and I'm already on my 2nd beer so we'll see.

Do it.

I switched to a nice brown ale for a couple this evening - lots of good nutrition before the race tomorrow. So, being my first one of these, headphones a no-no? I generally need music to run, but I think having people to chase/passing me can likely keep me going for the 30 mins or so.

In terms of pacing myself, I generally use Strava/my phone, will I look like a total noob if I pull it out every few minutes? (My wife does have a GPS watch, but it is very pink) I'd like to be under 30 minutes again, but haven't run enough to know that pace on my own. Thinking adrenaline will push me faster, while slight hangover? brings me slower, so I meet in the middle?

Neither the headphones nor pulling out your phone will look out of place. Personally, I always run with headphones. I can't stand the sound of hearing myself breathe. A lot of people do those things, probably more people than don't.

Adding beer the night before only adds a new level to the challenge! You'll be fine.

Good luck!

 

[Northern Voice]

So, if I was single, I would do a 5k race every weekend. 10 girls for every guy and every one fitter than the next. Is this the norm?

 

[Hang 10]

So, if I was single, I would do a 5k race every weekend. 10 girls for every guy and every one fitter than the next. Is this the norm?

You don't think we all run so often because it's fun, do you?

 

[Ned]

So, if I was single, I would do a 5k race every weekend. 10 girls for every guy and every one fitter than the next. Is this the norm?

You took a mental inventory of bib numbers and will post pics later. Right?

 

[FUBAR]

So, if I was single, I would do a 5k race every weekend. 10 girls for every guy and every one fitter than the next. Is this the norm?

Yep

longer races tend to be more testosteroney, but there's still plenty of nice scenery.

 

[Northern Voice]

Beat my earlier in the week fastest 5k by 4 seconds.... 29:12. Not bad considering the beer ####s before I started.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

Beat my earlier in the week fastest 5k by 4 seconds.... 29:12. Not bad considering the beer ####s before I started.

Awesome! Congrats!

And I agree with all of the previous posters.