Snytjie

Thanks. A good serving of food for thought. I'm pretty much sold on the idea of drinking only water with a small dose of glucose/dextrose during prolonged exercise. I'm however not sure about the recovery part. I'm pretty chuffed with the way the FiT supplement works for me, and I've never recovered better than when using it. It has a 3-1 carb-protein ratio, and works well. I have an event in February, and the next one is then only in September again. Inbetween the two I think I'll experiment with a few homemade concoctions to see if I can achieve the same results without the fructose and the price label... As for the adaptation of your body to burn more fat rather than carbs: +1 on that. I've been using Phil Maffetone's method of endurance training for the last 4 months. In short it is about building your aerobic capabilities which ensures that you burn more fat than carb during endurance exercise. Although I'm certainly not an elite athlete, I've seen some very good results during the past months which only bodes well for the next year. His diet suggestion is also low carb (although not ketonic) in agreement with Tim Noakes, and I've certainly encountered no reason to deter me from following it as principal.

+1 Topwine, I've also recently started looking more closely into the sugar content of recovery drinks. So far I've seen a number of proponents postulating that, yes, fructose in high levels (i.e. >50g p.d.) probably contributes to ill health, but, that when it comes to athletes consuming it the effects might be less harmful and even beneficial. The difference seems to be in the body state between someone who is just going about daily routine and that of an athlete immediately after a workout. This abstract, for example, summarizes it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20622544 I'm not trying to make an argument in favour of fructose. It's more a case of not wanting to go to great length to avoid something which might not be that harmful at all given that it is used correctly. I've tested a number of recovery drinks, and settled upon FiT Duratrain based on nutritional profile, price and how I myself recover when using it. It does however contain fructose (combined with dextrose to provide 12.14g of sugar per serving). If fructose is bad, period, it means that I should go through the entire process of getting another drink again. As you have obviously looked at this in detail, what do you think? No fructose and basta, or are there certain conditions under which it is not harmful?

I understand your argument here, but I for one cannot subscribe to it. Submission is exactly what these muggers prey on. The more we submit, the easier and therefore lucrative it becomes for them. Soon you will have to limit all your outdoor enjoyment to times when you can be in a group, or go to extreme lenghts to travel to far-off areas to relax (ala Gauteng style). Its not just about material things; its about quality of life. I lived in places where criminals are getting their way, and it is shyte to look over your shoulder all the time. Your quality of live plummets. Worst is, these are probably a few individuals or one small group holding 100s of people "hostage". I do not profess that people take risks and chances, or bluff themselves into thinking that you can just fight someone attacking you. It is always a very stressful and even paralyzing situation, and what you thought you were going to do seldom works out. Even so, I personally choose not to submit, and if I see an opportunity to defend the way of life that I work very hard for I will take it. I carry SWAT or a stungun, or sometimes both. I will carry a firearm if I at some stage feel it is needed. I practise with all of them to make sure I am familiar with their uses and quick to react. It is not for every one, but I choose it so.

For swimsuits I can only recommend Terry from Xterra wetsuits. His service is great, and they offer a trade-in option that no-one else has. I will soon trade in my first Xterra suit for an upgrade which will set me back about R900. If I didn't have that option it would've been R3000+... Here's a tread that will give you some reference on Xterra with Terry's details: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/119530-wetsuits-complicated-or-not/page__hl__wetsuits

MMmmmm... I had a look at their tribars there, but they seemed a bit pricey? Which one did you get and - if you want to - what was the price?

Here you go: http://1soms.co.za/

Hi Trinut, Where did you do it?

A few months ago I had a bronchi infection, and my doctor gave me an inhaler amongst other things. I asked him about my training in the light of recovery, and his last sentence was "...keep using the inhaler, it might even help you a bit". I laughed it off and said something to the effect that I didn't want to be seen winning a medal after only 6 months of doing triathlon. It's only now in the light of the doping conversations that I wonder about his remark. I've used that inhaler for a month when I started training again, but there's been absolutely no difference between before/during/after that I can see. My layman's take is that it is systematic and high intensity doping that will give a very fit athlete some unfair advantage. The rest of us mortals I seriously doubt will see any (unfair) advantage when using medication only... As for how much doping is around... unfortunately I also think that there is a lot amongst the elite/top end age groupers. The mechanics which started the doping in cycling is present in triathlon too, while amateurs alike seem to be much more plaqued with how many other people they beat rather than how often they beat themselves...

How was the event?

Lol.. thanks. Was interested in the Cape Town one, but I could maybe still go for some surfing afterwards?

For what its worth: I think it is a great idea. I live in Noordhoek and train around parts of your suggested course, and I don't think you'll get a more spectacular race. Unfortunately I'm still a beginner, and what you suggest here is a biggie. I suspect even experienced tri- athletes will find it quite challenging as your course is pretty demanding (according to my layman's view offcourse). I'll definitely keep an eye on it though, and would like to participate in the following one..

Thanks for the info...

Great stuff, thanks. So you would say it is ok - as far as one can be certain of these things - to bank on the race happening again next year, i.e. it is ok to fill it in on my training/racing calender?

Hi, Anyone know something substantial about these events that will apparently take place in our beloved country? Or about the organisers? http://www.11global.com/races.htm The Sun City one is not far away... do you think it would actually happen?

Hi, Met up with Terry from Xterra yesterday to test a suit, and decided to not even look any further. It fitted at least as well as the 2XU, but have thicker front panels. I swam 1200m with it, and although I had to change the height and grap of my stroke somewhat, I really didn't feel any more tired than usual. I also swam about 10% quicker. And I have to say that the guys above really understated his service levels. I'm not sure about other makes like Orca for example, but the offering by Terry really is exceptional. Firstly, he is very willing to come to you if it will suit you. I live in Noordhoek, and he offered to come to the Silvermine reservoir today for a fitting. I've always wanted to swim it and it would've been a great bonus. Unfortunately the weather did not play along, so we decided to do it yesterday at the Seapoint pool. Secondly, the availability of a range of demo suits at 70% of the new price is a great one for someone who is just starting out. You take the demo, and if you want to get a new one at any time you pay the difference (R600). You can thus test the suit for a prolonged time. Thirdly, and for me the great advantage, is Xterra's focus on trade-ins and the availability of demo/traded-in suits. This means that if I want to upgrade to a higher level suit in a year or two, they would very happily take my used one as trade-in. Terry reckons that if the suit is in good condition, you'd probably get 80% of the original price as trade-in amount. So, to upgrade to the Pro suit would only cost R1400 if I bought a new Vortex. And suit rental at R350 per week is also a great option if you only occasionally need one. I can really recommend Xterra and Terry to anyone who is interested in wetsuits.

Thank guys! Great response in such a short time! My questions are answered, and thank you all for the advice. I'll contact both Terry at Xterra and the Orca distributors, and see if I can arrange a fit at least. That would then give me an informed choice between three leading brands. @Wheelsuck: "Now reading your questions I realise didnt answer ur questions." Lol! Thanks for the after-thought which answered my question on whether it is worth to pay the premium. Also, there is a lot of motivation there for me: I'd love to one day race the IM and have the endurance and presence of mind to interrogate my fellow participants during the run! I'll report on my choice in the end, and I'm sure lots of newbees like myself will get much help from this thread...

Hi, I'm trying to buy my first wetsuit after starting training for triathlon 6 months ago. Trouble is, it's not so easy as one would've expected (well, in Cape Town at least). I was hoping that a post might bring in some experiences and suggestions, and I would be very thankful as would others be no doubt who are in the same situation. First problem is that I cannot find a store where I can fit different suits. Cycle Lab only stocks 2XU, and they have only the T3 in my size. Sportsmans Whorehouse has only a medium men's Orca S3, which is no good. Triangle Sports closed down the CT branch, or at least the shop claiming to be the Triangle branch in CT. That's what I could find up to now. This leaves me in a pickle, as I do not really want to buy the first thing I tried on nor something which I haven't tried on at all. As a novice, it leaves me with the following problems: 1. The T3 felt good and fitted well. I cannot however compare it with any others. How would it rate against its competitors, eg the Orca S3 or the Xterra (can't remember the model now)? Do you guys have any opinion as to which suit is best, or is it a matter of preferance/fit only? 2. What is really the difference between an entry-level suit like the T3, and the mid to top level ones? I for one cannot decipher all the tech/marketting talk in the descriptions, and am thoroughly sceptical of such things anyway. The Cycle Lab employee thinks that the difference between a T3 and the next level suit would translate to "20-40 seconds in swim time on 1000m". Is that it? Or is there also a consideration about effort expended, just as the impact of swimming in cold water with or without a suit and the effect it has on the biking and running to follow? 3. Would I as a beginner even notice? I do not wish to make worse the limitations I already have as a unexperienced and improving triathlete by trying to save R1300 on a suit. Penny wise, pound foolish... However, I do not want to spend R1300 more on a suit when the total gain would be barely noticable? I would greatly appreciate your views!

I don't know. I'm going to pick mine up this afternoon... I'll let you know.

Yes, it does (although I have not personally used one). Here's a thorough report: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/06/polar-rcx5-in-depth-review.html

Here's another example of the 910's inaccuracy in logging swim distance and/or course: http://www.cape-hike.co.za/garmin-forerunner-910xt/ Amazing feat to have finished this year's IM. You guys and girls are really Irons!

There seems to be a few problems with the Garmin 910xt: http://www.cape-hike.co.za/garmin-forerunner-910xt/ https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/115024-garmin-910xt-with-complementary-spirit-level/ Plus, you cannot use the Garmins for HRM when swimming as the ANT+ doesn't work under water...

Hi, The thread is a bit old... if you're around, did you sort out his problem? I see Polar suggests that you use the coded T31 transmitter when swimming in salt or chlorinated water. Maybe this was the problem. Anyone else been having the same problems (or any other major ones)? I'm about to buy a RCX5, and would really appreciate the heads up!