News

Just got confirmation from the RD (how is that for fast service!), the Ridges Resort 5K swim is staying on the Greater Smokey Mountains Triathlon club schedule!

YAY!

I am signed up for IMFL in November and in another week I officially start my training cycle for the race. I just finished Gulf Coast, which was my second HIM. For both of my HIMs, I used the following strategy for nutrition. I had 300 calories of Accelerade plus shot blocks and a Cliff bar on the bike. Then I had a couple of gels on the run. I took the philosophy of "eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty". It worked very well in both races and I had no issues with nutrition. However, I was running on a major calorie deficit and I don't see that being a sustainable strategy for twice the distance.

Thinking about a SCT hammer ride on Saturday early AM...50 fast (21mph+)...who is interested?

So I'm looking for some feedback regarding my race season up to this point.  A little background for this year so far...my two "A" races (only races) have been the Publix Marathon and Gulf Coast.  My goals were to go sub 4hrs for the Publix and sub 5:30 for GC.  I felt like those were reasonable goals considering at last years Publix I did 4:10 with a fair bit of walking, and in my two other 70.3s, I've been sub 5:40.

This year at the Publix I went 4:30, and at Gulf Coast I did 5:40 (which includes a 2:26 "run" split).  I'm disappointed that i didn't hit my goals, but really disappointed that during the races, not only was i physically whipped, but I "checked out" mentally, as in stopped caring and just wanted to be done.  

I'm trying to figure out what is going on.  Am I burnt out?  I guess that would explain the mental "throwing in the towel" during these races.  Over-trained?  I keep thinking back to my peak week training for the Publix where I hit 43 miles.  First time going that high for a week, and I was beat down physically and mentally.  The whole training plan i was following may have been too ambitious.  I don't think I ever really recovered from that before the race.  I wonder if i'm still feeling residual fatigue b/c I haven't had any "snap" in my run in a long, long time.  It always feels like I'm running in sand.

However, I did make some improvements in my bike fitness and swim has stayed about the same, so maybe i'm not over-trained.  maybe its that i'm just burnt out on running.

I'm signed up for IMFL in November, and now I'm worried that I won't have the motivation to train properly for it.  I was also going to do Augusta as a fitness test for IMFL, but that just doesn't sound appealing to me at all right now.  So I need some interwebz wisdom.  What's going on with me?  Should I keep on keeping on, and let things work out?  Should I take time off?  Should I take some HTFU pills and wash it down with a glass of STFU? ;)

 

Biggsmooth out!

If anyone is interested in a free running clinic/shoe demo, in Lawrenceville, GA let me know. We are hosting an event sponsored by Abbadabbas (coolshoes.com) of Gwinnett County and Newton Running is putting on a clinic. Learn techniques that will help you run and walk stronger, more efficiently, and with reduced risk of injury. We will demo their collection of shoes and have a short group run. Check it out!!!

Who is going?  I am considering the aqua/bike.

I don't mind 'last year's color'.

http://www.rei.com/product/843324/zoot-ultra-ovwa-cross-training-shoes-mens-2011-closeout

??

We are coming into the warmer months of racing. This is the time when you have trouble finding anything more than an oly distance apart from Macon 70.3 in GA. What questions and answers do you have to help the board?

IM Announcement

Slow Twitch Reaction

Interesting changes afoot with IM Swim starts.   Looks like the deaths have had an impact.  Personally, I do not like mass starts and never have been in a mass start the size of an IM.   I would like to hear from those experienced IM'ers on the potential changes.   I think it is long over due.  

Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon May 18, as many of you are aware. I'm looking to carpool the 5+ hours from the ATL area with another triathlete, if possible. Anyone interested? Or know anyone who is heading down from the Atlanta area? My plan is to get down there Friday afternoon, but would entertain other ideas. Split gas, of course. 

Also looking to split hotel room, if you feel up to it. Thanks so much. 

-Ian

Athens:

Race is coming up in a couple weeks.  Who is doing this one?

I've heard there is one hill that is tougher.  Anybody know where on the course to expect this bigger hill?

I saw the thread on Tanner and was inspired to start a similar thread. My first tri is the sprint at Blalock Lakes. Anyone done it before? What should I expect? Tips?

 

Thanks.

Who else is doing this race? This will be my 1st Iron Girl and I'm excited to finally do one! Any tips?

This is the official place to introduce yourself to the Georgia BT community. We are a very active community. Look for Local to Georgia discussions, group work out announcements, and lots of other things discussed.

Copy the form and fill it in!

Who is doing this race this year? It's an annual race for me regardless of how crappy my fitness happens to be at the time.  My family loves the short beach vacation and all of the sea turtle fun.

On a side note, does anyone still need a hotel room Friday and Saturday night?  I reserved two in hopes that I could convince my parents to join us and serve as babysitters but was unsuccessful so I've got an extra one at the Hampton Inn and wanted to check before I change my reservation and drop the extra room.

Read an interesting article about caffeine.  It laid out the the information around it's use in tri. 

http://www.triradar.com/training-advice/the-truth-about-caffeine/

I thought it might be a good topic for the board.  Does anyone actually make the effort to use it strategically?  I have know if was "good" for you in training and racing, but never thought about incorporating into the nutrition strategy.   Based on the article,   I am leave time on the course and need to make more of an effort. 

Those that have actually thought about it...would love to hear how you handle it.

Got outbid for the tenth time in ten tries in buying a home. My family and I have been crammed in an apartment in Alpharetta since the beginning of the year. My corporate relocation runs out 7/2, Anyone know anyone looking to sell in south Forsyth county (5 bedroom)?

Looking for a hotel for Augusta 70.3.   Don't care about staying at the "official" hotels as long as we can easily drive to the start.  Need something clean, safe and hopefully under $100 per night.  Any suggestions?

Thinking of riding today, goal of 5:30P, starting at mile 0 on the SCT. Think I want to go about 40, kind of hard. If anyone wants to ride, let me know.