EmJayZA

731TSS 10h33 0.79IF Was a test and lower volume week. Doesn't feel like it though.

Stop guys. Have really bad FOMO... ICM, have you been to the doctor? You have a great base to work from, so you can use the last few weeks as consolidation. Just don't go out too hard. We are watching!

I started cycling 10 months ago, and only really sorted my numb hands issues now. My left hand would get so numb that shifting was almost impossible. What I did: - Double taped my handlebars. - Got a proper fit. My saddle was raised, put in a shorter stem, lowered it and moved my hoods up a bit. - Worked on relaxing and making an effort to move my hands more. I wear gloves, but that's more for protection in case of a fall. My left hand still gets numb, as I think there is a nerve right running where I make contact with the handlebars, so I have to move it around quite a bit. 15 minutes sounds extreme. My longest ride to date has been 4.5 hours and I don't have any major discomfort.

If you guys have not seen this yet:

Ok - so this excludes that option from a first aid kit. Scary. I guess being aware is also just as vital. I have a Salbutamol inhaler which I think I will carry with me. Plus - I can use all the marginal gains I can get

A friend had a small accident the other day while out riding, and he got quite a nasty cut on his leg. Was bleeding badly, and we were stuck (close to our cars - but not his) with no way to patch him up. Decided there and then to put together a first aid kit for my car as we spend a lot of time outdoors. Does an epipen require a prescription to buy? Not a bad idea to include one in my kit, with some other suggestions from this thread.

As far as I know, there will be no road closures in the area. I did 4.5 hours this weekend. A loop from Bidon to caves and then back up to Bidon is exactly 45km. I did two loops and then a few KMs up and down the caves road. Around 1000m of ascent. You are welcome to follow me on Strava for access to my ride info. I will be riding on Saturday too (4 hours), and welcome to meet me and I will guide you for as long as you want to stick with me as I am most likely slower than you. My ride is also a Z2 ride, so not pushing it either. Drop me a PM if you interested.

I suspect I had anxiety attacks in my first two open water swims. Would get into the water, couldn't catch my breath or hold proper front crawl form. I did a few open water swims with my tri group (in a dam), and due to that my first half IM swim went really well. Came in 3 minutes under my expected time, and didn't have any shortness of breath. I think the trick was visualization, staying calm at the start (by chatting to a friend) and slowly building up to my desired pace at the start. I scuba dive a lot (well, used to before triathlons), dived in some really questionable and rough conditions (sea and dams), and still got hit with anxiety in those swims. I thought I wouldn't have an issue when I started with triathlon training as I have dived in really stressful conditions. I was so very wrong. Another trick is to also try learn to catch your breath while swimming. So maybe try that in the pool as part of your training. Do 50m super fast and then carry on swimming, but slower to catch your breath.

Thanks. Yeah. I changed my long ride to Sunday, as I accidentally (hehe) drank a bottle of red wine on Friday evening. Got a late start, so only finished up at around 12:30. Had a puncture and a dropped chain too. Feeling more comfortable dealing with mechanicals on my own. Felt like there were only two types of athletes out on the road yesterday: the die hard triathletes, and the more casual easy Sunday riders. All the smart people went home or for breakfast early in the morning.

Heal up ICM and Shaper. You guys still did a good week though. I just cannot understand how to get through a ride like that. Did my first 100km, alone in the wind and heat this weekend, and 3 hours in I was ready to call it a day. I think mentally those long rides are harder than anything else. Still think a full IM is crazy distances, and it's easy to forget that at times.

I'll greet all the runners while I am cycling. Maybe one will be you...

Anyone willing to share their Strava activity for the 15km Hot Legs run? Have the route for the 32km run, but nothing for the 15km.

Problem is there is no consistency in how the riders are being treated. This is imo a failing of WADA and the pro cycling community in general. There has to be a fair way to deal with how riders approach these findings. This is actually doing more disservice to Froome.

I see Takealot has the Women's Hoka One One for R1650.00 in my size. Very, very tempted. Anyone transition to Hokas? How was it?

My New Balance Fresh Foam are on 810km. Feeling a little nostalgic as they are my first pair of proper running shoes. Considering giving the Maxed shoe a try as I don't need anything fancy. My New Balance shoes were amazing though. Out of the 810km, I have only ever had 1 blister, which was tiny and after my first half IM.

I ride with the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt on my bike and Fenix 3 on my wrist. It's a bit of overkill, but I really prefer having the info in front of me while I am riding (mainly HR and for power when I get my power meter). The distance between the two is usually spot on. Elevation gain is usually a little off however - roughly by 10% I think. Love my Wahoo. I think it's a value for money purchase, and caters for all my requirements.

Is your TT position very aggressive? And, how is your comfort on your TT compared to your road bike? I am expecting a few weeks to adjust to the new position. I am however flexible enough to sustain the TT position, I am just expecting some pains in my neck, back and shoulders until I adapt - and then hoping that the comfort will be roughly the same. We talk a lot about gains, but many people don't seem to comment on comfort.

Who said IM is the toughest one day multisport event? I don't think anyone here is under that illusion. However, each race will have it's own very difficult portions. We should expect top level athletes to be able to race without a sports watch. They train so much that they should be able to know their exact pace without even glancing at their watch. I can now run by feel. Cycling by feel is another questions all together however. But as amateurs, should we really be questioning technology that helps athletes, especially new ones? I just find it odd that people will question technology that makes our lives easier.

I am looking at a TT bike for quite a number of different reasons: https://gearwestbike.com/articles/tri-bike-or-road-bike-pg54.htm

Excellent app this. You can import all your data and get a good idea on the level of your fitness. I found the fatigue and form function on TP to be pretty accurate for me. PM me if you want some codes for free Premium.

I already ride a ISM Adamo saddle on my Roadie - so lucky there at least.

It's human nature to compare ourselves to each other - which is perfectly natural (social comparison theory). Strava helps us understand our own level of ability, and how we fit in with the rest. Competition (as long as it stays healthy and reasonable) is never a bad thing. I am by no means great at any of my sports, but I do enjoy seeing my club mate's activities and seeing their progress. It's also quite motivational to have your mates check out a ride or run and point out how well you are doing or progressing. Yes - I have a ton of better tools at my disposal (which I do use, and I am sure other do too), but they don't really connect me to any community as well as Strava does. If you are super competitive, and need an online app to validate your activities, then maybe you are in your chosen sport for the wrong reasons? Yes, people do take it too far and base their own identities around their performance, but there are a lot of positives too.

Need some advise please. I am looking at buying a TT bike soon. I have two choices so far. The Liv is great value for money, but I hate the pastel colours. So need to find a colour sceme I can live with. Anyone here or has a G/F or wife that rides a Liv TT? I am interested in things such as comfort and ability to customize a fit. Anyone can comment on the comfort and customization of their Canyon? Any other opinions? https://www.canyon.com/en-za/triathlon/speedmax/speedmax-wmn-cf-7-0.html https://www.liv-cycling.com/za/bikes-avow-advanced-2018 Also - I have never ridden a TT bike. Is it worth putting TT bars on my bike (I will get a fit) to start getting accustomed to the position while I wait for my TT?

23:16 is a cracker 5km time! Well done.

I am a very green cyclist. I only ride on the road, and participate in triathlons. I watch the MTBers in the Cradle, and they have some pretty decent skills. I am sure being on trails will up handling and technical skills way faster. I am considering picking up a MTB to learn to ride my bike better, and maybe look at the Xterra type triathlon races.