Alicia: I used a plan from beginnertriathlete last year too....it was great (and free!)

Thanks for the healing vibes....foot is feeling TONS better today! Did ice last night and I have a night time brace that I can wear for about 5-6 hours before it drives me totally crazy..I think that really helped......swam today and will only swim, bike and do weights until it's 100%. Thankfully next week is recovery week, so it's not like I am going to miss a lot of peak workouts I am hoping by the following week it will be all better and I can jump back in!

Today 2500 in the pool...funny guy next to me, I wrote about it in the daily thread......

TGIF and mojo to weekend racers!

AAARRRGHHH!! I am so frustrated! I ordered some stuff from swimoutlet.com, and it came today. 3 out of 7 of my items were incorrect! WTH?? Of course, it was the 3 items that really mattered -- my pull buoy and my swimsuits! They sent a junior pull buoy, wrong size suit in one and wrong style in the other. Their website was down when I tried to double check it. I finally was able to get on, and I sent them an e-mail because they said they had an unusually high volume of e-mail and calls. I didn't want to sit on the phone. They probably have an unusually high volume because they keep getting orders wrong! They screwed up my last order too! Anyone else have problems with them?

I think today will be a rest day. It is supposed to be a swim day, but I swam yesterday instead of Wednesday, so I'll get my second swim in on the weekend (in my old suit that is too tight!)

Can anyone tell the difference between a gel chamois and a non-gel one? What do you prefer? I got me a new pair of bike shorts today, but DH got gel ones. I like these much better than my other ones, but I didn't know if the gel made a huge difference on medium distance rides. Should I swap them out?

Hobey and Julie- Hobey I know you have the Gymgirl skirt, and I think you have one Julie (maybe you just have the transition skirt)? I can get the Marathon Girl skirt (with just the spankies and not the shorts under) for $35. Should I do that or hold out for the Gymgirl? I just plan to run in it. I got a Champion skirt with the shorts, and I like it, but I can't run long distances in it. The shorts ride up some, then my thighs rub together. I guess this is something that happens with skirts?

Chris- BTW, I'm glad you are not trying to ride out of the saddle in aero! LOL

(I lost this post earlier, so hopefully this works)

Kelli

Julie- I think I'll go ahead and pick up a Marathongirl for $35 since it is such a good deal (it's the 2006 version at swimoutlet), then I'll ask for a Gymgirl for Christmas or something. My runs won't get too long until them, but then I'll probably be wearing my capris. Oh well. You know all I'll be asking for is running/biking stuff for Christmas! HA!! Maybe a Terry gift certificate (they have some cute stuff) I definitely won't run more than a 10K in it anyway. I'll have to try some Bodyglide for the leg rub. I'm glad your foot is feeling better. Just take it easy so it doesn't come back.

Oh, I went ahead and rode on my new bike shorts, and they were fine. They are better than my other ones. Some chamois are made of foam or something and some have gel in them. The gel is supposed to absorb more shock. I guess it would be good on a really long or bumpy ride. They were only $25 at Performance, so I didn't spend a ton on them. The gel ones are $30. These are the short shorts too, and I like them better -- much cooler! Plus, the chamois is perforated for great ventilation.

23 mile ride today with DH!! The google map was off by about 2 miles (I thought it was going to be 21 miles), but that's o.k. We did it in 1:30, which is about 15.5 mph. I've never done this entire route, but I've done half of it, and I've never ridden it that fast. My HR was low too. The other half was WAY cool -- we rode past waterfalls and creeks and stuff in the country. We saw the smallest little fawn on the side of the road. So cool! I almost felt like I was back in Maui during that part of the ride (except they don't have deer in Maui). This was my longest (distance) ride to date. Next week I'm supposed to do a 117 min. ride. I don't even know where to go for that! I'll ask some people who ride a lot.

Kelli

Julie- Stupid question, but what colors do you have in your skirts? I'm thinking of getting the Daquiri Ice. I'm definitely a blue girl! I know Hobey has Sangria.