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EmJayZA

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Everything posted by EmJayZA

  1. Wow. Very nice to look at. But wouldn't want the pressure that comes with a bike like that.
  2. To be fair, the group sizes have come down since late last year. CL have dealt with this properly. In the bigger scheme of things, we need companies like CL to nurture the sport and new riders. I give them way to keep all of us safe. Maybe we should all just be a little more patient. But intentionally shoving or touching a person, or anyone's bike, while on a ride is inexcusable. I hope they find the people responsible and ban then from group rides. Stay safe out there guys and look after each other.
  3. This Saturday the Cradle was pretty busy. I think I counted 5 CL groups in the Cradle. All of them were courteous, and even greeted. I can imagine those large groups causing a lot of chaos turning around at Caves. It can get a little hairy when those big groups pass, as they don't give you room to move out of the path of an incoming sand patch, or branches. I just slowly inch my way closer into the group and hope they move over. That does not mean I am not holding my line, it just means I am not going to put myself in danger. I have heard MTBers screaming and arguing on the Cradle trails when I ride passed them. One incident was so bad, I could hear the guy throwing abuse for about 30m after I passed him...
  4. Just a word of advise. I used a cloth one, and it become tricky to zip it back up while riding. If you are confident riding a road bike with no hands on the bars, this won't be an issue. If not, rather get one of the rubber type ones that don't have a zip.
  5. Yeah, it was a long climb back. I stayed in Z2 all the way down, but then it become a tempo run back up, with very few flats and downhills to recover. Still was enjoyable though. My weekly hills session is paying off. They were handing out little peanut butter sachets, which I found odd. I am sure a lot of it went to waste. Well done to everyone else on a great weekend of racing. We have some really strong runners here.
  6. I decided to do the 15km for my long run last week. Was a very nice run, and think the event was organised really well. One of the mid water stations ran out of water, but all the others had more than enough. Besides that, it was a great way to do something new. I managed to do a shuffle up all the hills, so I am seeing some really good improvements in my running. Next year I will most likely do the 32km run in prep for IM.
  7. This is a very tragic death, no one is disputing that. Every time I see these reports it hits home, hard. I am sure it's the same for everyone here. I didn't know Nino, but from his Facebook profile, it looked like he loved his family very much. The driver was absolutely in the wrong. When I drive around in the morning, I drive slower, especially in badly lit areas. We all can do something to keep each other, and ourselves safer. That does not mean we shouldn't discuss what could have been done better to improve our safety. Maybe we can do it with more tact, but shutting down a discussion is actually counter productive. After reading this, I am making an effort to put lights on my bike. I have never needed to ride in the dark, but with winter approaching, it seems I will need them soon. I hope everyone else does the same. And my thoughts are with Nino's family and friends.
  8. If you guys have not seen this yet:
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. I'll greet all the runners while I am cycling. Maybe one will be you...
  12. 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.
  13. 23:16 is a cracker 5km time! Well done.
  14. What watch are you using, and how old is it? I have read somewhere that older batteries do start giving inaccurate readings. Maybe test with a strap. Better yet though, have a check up. You have full IM coming up in a few weeks, and may not be a bad idea before the race.
  15. Don't race into the water. You will spike your HR and potentially cause you to get out of breath at the start of the swim. I would recommend doing a practice swim beforehand.
  16. I am not sure about Xtrerra swims, but for Ironman events, wet suits are compulsory if water temps are below 16c. Please someone correct me if I am wrong. The padding in the trisuit is barely noticeable, even when wet. It won't be an issue. I would do the entire race in one set of clothing as it makes the race a lot easier, and faster.
  17. Breathing every 4 strokes is still a bit too long I think. Would keep it to every two, or start to learn how to breath bilaterally now (every three strokes). I can bash out a 2000m plus swim non-stop and get out feeling fresh, and cannot breath every 4 strokes. We don't train in a hypoxic state, so it does not make sense to swim in that manner. Happy training.
  18. You need to find a comfortable, sustainable pace. Start by slowing way down. You should not be out of breath at all. You will be able to work up to that distance fairly quickly. You will however need to be consistent. 3 or so sessions a week should be perfect. Take a look at this for an idea on how to structure your swim sets: http://www.nhstriathlon.co.uk/training/beginners-400m-swim/
  19. Oh, it is already bookmarked for when I decide I no longer need/want a coach. I have more planned already. Not letting this fitness fade - worked far too hard for it. Durban is next, and my A race for this year. EL is the first of a build up to IMSA next year. I am not sure if I'll carry on with the 140.6 mile distance events after that, but I think I will stick with triathlon for as long as it keeps my attention. Just not sure how I will react to such training, and if I can cope. It's already tough as is, so the next 15 months is going to be a journey in pushing my limits and understating myself more (and taking my training more seriously for a longer period).
  20. Looked at the 70.3 sample plan, and wow, looks like a very decent plan for something that is free.
  21. Well done. You did the event at Cradle Moon? It was crazy hot yesterday. I watched as all the athletes left. Many looked beat. I was there to do a 2km swim after the event. The water was lovely.
  22. Swimming is the most technical, and frustrating for me. Can't become fast with hard work. Have to break down that swim stroke and become more efficient in the water. Happy training.
  23. I swim at Saints a few times a week with Troisports - but we only start at 6pm, so the sessions can get a little late. Our coach watches us, and gives feedback on technique, etc. I found it very helpful. The 50m pool is pretty cold from what I have heard. If the weather is bad, you will also miss your swim session. The pools are busy as they have a lot of swim and water polo teams training there, so it seems there are set times in which we get to swim. I have a gym membership at Planet Fitness for R300 p/m. Once I get my smart trainer, my gym membership is going to get a little expensive as I'll maybe use it once a week. I also find the pool is super chlorinated, to the point where it dries out my skin very quickly, and I am not sensitive to chlorine at all.
  24. I run in my Oakley Holbrooks (polarized lenses), and cycle in Oakley Jawbreakers (Prizm lenses).
  25. Good luck. Sprints are a lot of fun, and the swim is short. Remember you will have a wetsuit on, so it's very difficult to not stay afloat. Keep breathing steady and try your best to stay calm. You will have a lot of fun, and will most likely surprise yourself.
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