It's sounds like the perfect title for a sequel to Samuel L. Jackson's campy and badly titled movie, "Snakes on the Plane." But its acutally, what our IronGirl, Katie, experienced, so to speak, in her latest pool training session.So there I was, swimming away, when "serpent man" decides to get in the lane next to me. He is wearing a skin tight, neon blue speedo and traveling at warp speed. I casually roll my eyes in my goggles and continue on. He did about....4 laps, and then was gone. Goodbye serpent man.
I guess I shouldn't talk about other's swimsuits when mine is holding in by a thread. I really need to get a new suit. Anyone with recommendations? I like the 2 piece combo for training purposes.
I had a practice run at changing my bike tire yesterday.....it only took me 4 hours. I have some work to do (no really, it took 4 hours).
Boston Marathon is next weekend. Please don't expect great things from this race. I look forward to experiencing the party and enjoying the "ride"...not all about the destination. My confidence isn't that great right now as I did a run this morning and my stomach was terrible. Oh well.
Sue: Did you get that email I sent you from the Boston Marathon. It will be giving you web updates on where I'm at in the run...if you are around to check it. Just thought you would be interested.
If mother nature would get her act together, I could ride outside. Something about 15 degree wind chill isn't screaming 3 hour bike ride. Maybe it's just me.
Update Over,
Katie
The Purveyor of Useless Info
If Oude Granny were to have a byline, a super hero moniker, or a epitaph, it would be the above. Thankfully, some of my useless knowledge actually comes in handy every so often.
So let's start out with suits? Oh, jes! Pleese do a-bue-lit-a. (Not that there's anything wrong with that).
I can't speak to the specifics, or the value of a one piece versus a two piece, as that's often a personal preference, much like choosing say whether to go with compact cranks or a triple (alright I'll have to admit it, Granny actually uses FSA's compact cranks and not a triple). But, what I can do is drop some of my personal knowledge about some brands that make triathlon apparel.
If our IronGal is simply looking for training swimwear, then she can't go wrong with TYR's aptly named Luau Dimaxback Workout Bikini. TYR (pronounced tier) has been in existence since 1985 and is named after the norse god of warriors. The company was founded by an Olympic swimmer, and as such has catered specifically to swimmer's needs for much of its existence. But with the advent of multisport, it has also diversified its product lines.
However, given that the Ironman Coeur d'Alene is a little over 2 months away, it might be beneficial for Katie to look at some triathlon specific clothing (not that she hasn't already), or some two piece suits that might fit under her wetsuit and double as her running and cycling apparel. Two companies that make some excellent triathlon gear are Zoot Sports and Orca (the latter also makes some of the best wetsuits around, but has often been a tough brand for some women's psyche to handle; its a harsh judgemental world out there).
From TYR to Tire
Honestly, 4 hours?? No worries, we've got your back. In the next couple of days, we'll be creating and uploading an instructional video on the seemingly ubiquitous YouTube for Katie. But in the interim, below are some abbreviated instuctions.
1. For side pull brakes, find the lever and release your brakes (on center pull or cantilever brakes, you may have to loosen the anchor bolt to release your brakes, but you can often loosen the brake enough by simply turning the adjusting barrel).
2. Unlock your quick release skewer. Loosen the skewer by turning the skewer's nut, not the skewer's quick release lever, as is popular with most people.
3. Take out your tire lever to help remove the wheel. If you don't have a tire lever, removal of the tire can be accomplished by completely deflating the it (if it isn't already) and using both thumbs to press laterally and vertically to get the beaded side of the tire up and over the rim. Use the lever, or insert your fingers under the tire, and work it or them around the wheel's circumference completely taking one side of the tire off the rim.
4. Given that you are in a race, its easiest not to take the tire off the rim completely. Having just one side of the tire off is sufficient. Reach inside and pull the deflated tube out and insert your spare. Remember to insert the valve through the rim's valve hole first. Once again, use your fingers to work (tuck) the tube in and around the tire.
5. Now its just a matter of replacing the one side of the tire back onto the rim. Most of this step can be done with your hands. Make sure that no part of the tube is caught between the rim and the outer part of the tire, or you'll get what is known as a "pinch flat" when you go to inflate the tire.
6. Replace the wheel, tighten the quick release skewer, lock the skewer, inflate the tire, and then close the brake's release lever.
Done!
Estimated elapsed time: Just a little under 4 hours! Just kidding!
A Classic
Since I'm a huge Red Sox fan, it doesn't take a twist of my arm to wax poetic about Beantown, the Boston Marathon, or Patriot's Day. If you haven't been to Boston on this day of days, its well worth the spectacle.For me, its usually gone a little something like this:
See marathon start - check
Jump on T, go to Fenway - check
Game ends, see the marathon finish - check
For those of you new to the Triple Crankset, Katie has been contributing to the site as she prepares for the upcoming Ironman Coeur d'Alene. For those of you who have been following Katie, especially those of you who can't make it to Boston and root her on, you can track her progress on the internet on Monday April 16th, her Boston Marathon bib number is 7844.
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