as i was mentioning in my last post, last year was a casual year in terms of how i approached the races i did. a lot of that was due to inexperience but also i wanted to make it a good experience so that i would want to continue doing tri's. i didn't stress myself over how i set up my transition area or how fast i transitioned after the swim and bike. this year, not so casual. i feel like i've made huge leaps and bounds all the way around and now i'm ready to nit pick!!
one of the things i've been experimenting with is going sockless and wearing matching underwear. really? who wears underwear when they are training or racing? the last time i tried going sockless, it was totally unplanned and i paid for it with bloody blisters after only 3 measly miles. however, this time around, i prepared by putting a nice coat of vaseline all over the back of my running shoes and tri shoes. i ran 28 miles without socks this past week and not one blister or even a little rub at all and i biked 235 miles sockless and again, no problem. i figure going sockless will at least buy me a free 30 seconds in T1 and i am taking it. speaking of transition times, my buddy Chloe did a great blog post today about transitions tips and you can find it HERE.
for me, this year is about refining every part of the tri. from not forgetting my transition bag at home (LOL!) to faster T times, and really focusing on the weakest link, the swim, which i have been doing and will update on that some other time. in the end, as in November 5th, 2011, the hard work should be very evident. i've always been a super focused person when it comes to training for a specific event but this year it is 10 fold and i can't wait to see how things pan out. my next race is may 14th and i am chomping at the bit to race.
********************
Congrats to Jeff, Jon, Shannon, and Misty who all did IM 70.3 in Texas today as well as Annie (Jeff's other half) who did her first sprint tri yesterday. you all represented! way to go!
i'm off to swim now, have a great week ya'll - much love and peace out for now!
I had never heard of using vasoline until last year when I was getting ready for my first marathon. I always just wear under armour compression shorts so my inter thighs don't get chaffed. I seen a friend at the marathon and asked her how she got by with out chaffing and she said she vasoline everywhere on her body. Sounds good to me and it's a cheap way to not chaf.
ReplyDeleteSounds the right way to race... And train! I ditched socks last year....but learned the hard way like you with the blisters. Good idea....vaseline!
ReplyDeleteOooo haven't gone sockless yet! I've heard of the vaseline trick, but hadn't heart anyone say it definitely works. You've inspired me to try... (still scared though!)
ReplyDeleteWho wears underwear? ;) I haven't done the "no sock" thing in training, and only twice on sprint tris. Good call on the vaseline. I suck on the swimming too, so you'll be my inspiration to get better!
ReplyDeleteBack in highschool XC, we rewrote the lyrics to Tom Petty's Free Falling' to Free Ballin'. Wish I could remember all the lyrics, but I've been "free" ever since.
ReplyDeleteI've gone sockless a few times. Had a few issues in my last HIM, but it is my own fault because I never trained sockless.
"free 30 seconds in T1" - don't forget about the time savings with less laundry to do! :)
Woohoo for running 28 miles sockless! That's awesome! I don't wear socks when I wear my Vibrams and since I have the new PI isotransition shoes, I'm going to be experimenting going sockless too! But, we'll see!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! But the only two races I've ever worn socks are for IMFL and Florida 70.3 (because most of the run was in a field!)
ReplyDeleteSo - what do you have going on in November? :) Just kidding! We need to start plotting possible weekends for our IMFL training camps!
No socks needed. You might want to try also baby oil (not sure if I used the right vocabulary).
ReplyDeleteVaseline contains petrolatum, which can ruin some fabrics and stuff (Esspecially a Neo). Baby oil offers a similar benefit with no drawbacks.
Of course one needs to find the "right one", which suits your needs.
Sockless all the way to go :)
I only wear socks on the bike when it is cold, I have no trouble going sock less there, but on the run, it just hasn't worked for me in anything longer than a sprint. I am going to keep trying to figure it out though.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I never wear underware when I am training. :)
Thats such a great idea! I'm not sure if I'm ready to go sockless, but maybe next year if I get more serious like you!
ReplyDeleteFunny sign. :)
ReplyDeleteI go without underwear whenever possible.
If I do start doing tris this summer (and boy, talk about low-pressure expectations for myself if I do!...I'm on the do many things OK plan), I'm going to look back and see all the things you've learned. Maybe it'll save me some trouble. :)
Oh that does sound messy! It's all worth it, though.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the flies up here that would investigate your shoes and get stuck in them! Yuck!
Congrats for working on your swim! That is on my list...
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude for the year, good luck in your next race!
Wow
ReplyDeleteI would have ground chuck for feet. Good luck with that. Hey, you could save another 10 seconds on the run if you pulled a Kip Keino and went barefoot :)
sockless scares me...
ReplyDeletecurious about the underwear tho-
guess we are opposites.
I wear matching socks and NO underwear!! LOL
I went sockless last season, anything race 40k and under. I am not sure how I feel about this for HIM or IM distances, a little more comfort will be needed
ReplyDeleteI know you are going to rock all your races with socks or without.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week of training!
Definitely continue the sockless in your races at the 70.3 distance and shorter. On the Marathon it's your call but in the Ironman I still use socks and tape on my feet.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is I trained sockless all year and then for the race wasted those 30 seconds putting socks on. WTF goes in the opposite direction? Me that's who. I was worried about blisters b/c I hadn't run or biked that far in consecutive manner even though my feet are nicely calloused all over.
ReplyDeleteBars going in mail today. Peace Out and Much Love. Yeah I do things backwards.
I can't go sockless running yet, but I can't bike WITH socks on. How funny is that?
ReplyDeleteI usually don't wear socks on the bike but have to on the shoes as I blister.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the love, Annie and I had a great time this weekend!
honestly, who here wears underwear anyways? We will be putting hanes and victorias secret out of business in no time ;) LOL.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought about that too this year, why not give it a try haha. We will see. I'm pretty good at throwing the socks on my wet feet.
Hope this is the trick though :) You are gonna be an ALL STAR!
Hey there! I should be getting a shipment of Aquaphor in- in the next few weeks. I'll send you a few and would love to see how you like it compared to Vaseline?!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stalking me on Sunday! I thought about you, Jason, Allison and Colleen watching the screen for updates and tried not to take too long to get from timing mat to timing mat! :)
You at 10fold training for a specific event = wicked fast. Watch out pro's! I call first dibs on being your sherpa for Kona!!
hmmm it's funny because i was debating what to do this weekend... i've gone sockless for 70.3 and less but am reconsidering this weekend. I haven't trained sockless though... i'll let you know what i decide. and yes IM FL training camp! Even though I'm not racing i see a training camp with Chloe in the near future :)
ReplyDeleteHey KC!
ReplyDeleteBiked without socks yesterday. No blisters but the sweaty foot in shoe thing feels...ick...
I put up a video of me singing the anthem for ya on my blog :)
30 seconds is a lot, I know I'd be obsessed if I lost that in a race. Glad you're experimenting and finding faster solutions for your race - yay!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, really great blog post… I've enjoyed reading through your blog because of the great style and energy you put into each post. I actually run AceHealth.org, a blog of my personal research and experiences. If you're interested, I would love to have you on as a guest blogger. Please send me an e-mail: bob.mauer65(at)gmail(dot)com, and I can give you more information. Looking forward to hearing from you.
ReplyDeleteThat button made me laugh out loud. Good luck with the sockless training!
ReplyDelete