Skip wrote:I haven't been swimming in open water for years. We swam in a lake that was muddy and I couldn't see a thing in the water. It was like swimming with your eyes closed until you lifted you head out of the water to sight on some object (a buoy). It was very uncomfortable swimming like that and I didn't enjoy it at all.
That's why I suggested you spend some time swimming in open water. It is very different than a pool. Even in the relatively clear water of Lake Tahoe, you have to lift your head regularly to sight. The rocks and logs on the bottom don't work as a map.
The bike was fun but with me on a hybrid bike vs the fancy tri-bikes and road bikes that most had, I really got passed a lot.
If you're racing against other people, then yes, equipment makes some difference. But if you're racing against yourself, it's irrelevant.
My legs were like rubber after I got off the bike and started to run, so I wasn't setting any speed records there either.
That's why I suggested some brick workouts. It's definitely a unique feeling. It doesn't really bother me, but I think that is because I have short legs, and a quick running cadence that is close to my pedaling cadence. But running on dead legs takes some mental power.
I don't think I will enter any more races. I enjoy working out but don't see the need to race. I can challenge myself without having to race others.....
Racing isn't for everyone, but kudos for giving it a go. I love it. I push harder in races than I do in training, and I'm excited, motivated, and inspired being around a bunch of others all trying to do their best. I like the sense of accomplishment of surviving some crazy off-road course. I don't get wrapped up in numbers, because off-road, they don't count for much.
