Ryan Vaart

I can’t speak for everyone, but will be departing Gtown at 0830, for a loop out to poolesville.

I’m voting for 0830.

Anyone riding the weekly route on Saturday, 16 Apr?

Coach — As you put it, this HAS been an “unusual” season…  I’m headed into some brief doldrums, as I should be packing my bags for IM Switzerland right now — looks like that will have to wait until next year 🙁

That said, I’ve been contemplating an impromptu and informal training camp — pandemic/travel conditions pending — up to Lake…[Read more]

Congrats Julia and Romain!  Not only for buckling down and tackling a practice race, but for starting a great discussion.  This is one of the better threads we’ve had in a while, and I hope everyone will read and contribute.

I’ve always had a hard time with nutrition on the bike in the heat – I tend not to “feel” hungry when it’s 90+ degrees o…[Read more]

I’m also interested in hearing options — the Arlington, VA high school pools are closed for the next month, which are my go-tos.  I guess Sandy Point, Annapolis will eventually be an option, but temps there are in the 40s still, which might be a bit chilly for my blood.

Great suggestions so far.  I’m also a fan of adjusting the training schedule so I’ve had big training weeks leading up to a rest week that matches my vacation.  Then vacation can be vacation, and I don’t feel like I have to train much or at all.  If I am on a family vacation, another  trick is to take advantage of time zone changes — an early wak…[Read more]

One last reminder on trainer tires — they are generally NOT intended to be ridden on outside (and most have a warning that they aren’t safe to use outdoors).  If y0u go the trainer tire route, please pay heed and keep them on the trainer!!!

I’ve never really paid attention to the wear-dots on my tires, truthfully.  As much debris and glass we h…[Read more]

I think my favorite part of the cyclingtips.com article is probably the last paragraph that notes that pedal stroke/style is a forever-debated and studied thing, and there isn’t much consensus on what is best/right/most efficient (nor if people can effectively change their pedal stroke or if it’s more of a function of your anatomy and genes to…[Read more]

Collin – This is a tough one to diagnose without seeing you on your bike upright and in aero.  If you’re not as trained and comfortable in the aero position as you are upright, I would not be surprised if you were less efficient and powerful in aero, which might then limit your expected HR increase.  This may change as you adapt to your aero p…[Read more]

Katie — I know some people worry about rapidly wearing out their rear tires on the trainer, but that has never been my experience.  I’ve used the same rear wheel for ~5 years that I use for training all winter and summer (but I do have a different set of wheels/tires to race on).

I do keep an eye on my rear tire and change it out when it starts…[Read more]

Even as someone who swam through high school, I often find that kick sets/drills give me the chance to isolate what I’m paying attention to (feeling my kick, when it feels good, and what I’m getting out of it).

For new swimmers, especially, it often feels like you’re trying to do 10 different drills and form improvements on every stroke.  “High…[Read more]

In addition to cost, waiting = a longer trip from finish line to your bed!!!! (or to your shower and then back to the finish line to see the final finishers from the day…. something you shouldn’t miss)

It was great to meet a bunch of program participants last night – I’m really looking forward to working with everyone through this journey!

Ryan

Let’s hear some more reports/stories!  I’m overdue for my Ironman Ireland report (maybe this weekend), but I also want to hear about experiences at IMMD.  It was a hot/humid day, so really interested in hearing how folks dealt with the extra challenge.  Where did folks stay for this one (and would you stay there again? further away?  clo…[Read more]

Great race reports from both Joe and Nicole!  I love to hear about overcoming all of the obstacles along the way to an Ironman finish, and am super-impressed by both Nicole beating the “I’m not going to finish” demon and Joe managing a long run despite a season-long nagging injury.  Well done to you both!

As for clothes, I’ve changed into r…[Read more]

I just got around to reading Katie’s report, and am looking forward to seeing some more from others who are finishing up their 70.3s…

For what it’s worth, Katie, I’ve done about 8 or 10 half iron distance races and can honestly say I’ve probably only really paced things at a close-to-ideal way across the three sports once… <span…[Read more]

Great comments from coach — I’d also note that it’s not JUST heat that matters, it’s humidity/dew point.  Several mornings last week had relatively bearable temps (75-78 degrees), but added dew points above 70 (note that dew point is different from humidity measurements and is a better tool for adjusting exercise; both are available on many…[Read more]

As a long time road bike racer, it took me a few years of almost entirely dedicated time in aero position to get used to the different position found on my TT  bike.  When I’m not in aero position, almost everything is different — the angles in my hips and knees feel different; I can’t engage the lower back in the same way; and I believe some o…[Read more]