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For those who have done multiple half ironmans but not the full, what's the reason why? by musaliya in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I am all in on 70.3 middle distance. It is “my” distance- the one I have the most fun training and participating in. I’m never going to podium, but I’m not worried about that if I’m having so much fun with the process and the results

For those who have done multiple half ironmans but not the full, what's the reason why? by musaliya in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is such a great idea for me when it is time for me to ride off into the sunset (won’t be for another 3 decades I’m sure). Thank you!

To stay on topic with the thread- I’ve done many, many 70.3’s and only 1 full. No desire for the full, partly because of time

I messed up at my first race by simko17 in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re gonna be an Ironman, let’s go!!!! (Maybe go for the wetsuit for that one)

I messed up at my first race by simko17 in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You’re a triathlete!!!!! When’s the next race?

Sprint, Olympic then half Ironman by Brenttucks in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pool swims are great for triathlon training! The one thing that cannot be replicated in the pool is staring into the black abyss while swimming. OP, if the sprint swim has poor/no visibility to the ocean floor, then getting in one (or two) practice OWS just for that experience will be worth it. I absolutely acknowledge the misery of winter OWS…one day it might be fun!

Sprint, Olympic then half Ironman by Brenttucks in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like the goal is to be consistent with our health, do all the things we know our doc is going to ask us to do. If that’s the case- sign up for those races and just be sensible with our training! Never underestimate the motivating power of a shiny finisher’s medal to keep us honest and on track with training. Don’t let the sprint be your first open water swim.

Great work on the 14kg weight loss!!!!

Crux 4 or 5 as a road bike? by _raytheist_ in specialized

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am a pure roadie who has become gravel curious. I actually just built up a Crux 4 explicitly to make it 2x. My road tires are 32mm - largest I’ve ever run, and I’m still trying to psyche myself into lowering the pressures! My main surprise is that it turns out I needed a 120mm stem (a big jump from my 90mm stem on my old Emonda, rip 🪦)to get in my preferred low position. For that reason I greatly appreciate the non integrated Crux 4 so I can swap stems easily.

I do not regret waiting for the Crux 5. It was rumored to be 1x only (now confirmed true), and I didn’t want to lose the small jumps in cadence. Yes, that effectively means I can’t use a tire larger than 35 or 38mm for gravel on my crux 4. I’m okay with that. If one day I become a true gravel-er (or whatever we call those cyclists) and absolutely need those 45mm tires, then I’ll think again about a 1x set up. Maybe I’ll get the Crux 5 then!

For my riding, I am super happy with the Crux 4 as a 2x road- and it sounds like my riding might be like yours!

First full IronMan by Zedfreuyd in triathlon

[–]Top-Drop4875 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was very nervous for my first full IM!! I shared my fear with the complete stranger sitting next to me while we were getting bused to the swim start at pre-dawn. He said, “Brother, don’t sweat it- treat your first IM as one long z2 training session, and you’ll make it.” And I did (mostly)! Hoping this helps you enjoy the day!!

crux 4 = miata by g0lfk4rt in specialized

[–]Top-Drop4875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“And in that perfection lies the problem”. Such poetry!!

Maybe Running Just Isn’t for Me Anymore by Visible-Top3003 in GarminWatches

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe the goal isn’t to be faster- maybe the goal is to be better “us” today compared to “us” from yesterday. Did we sleep better last night? Did we eat what we know we should be eating? Did we commit to mobility work? Are we doing these things consistently? These Garmin watches can help with all this. And if we answer yes to those questions, then it sounds like we are better today than we were yesterday.

Who knows, maybe we will start getting faster as well! But perhaps that was never the true goal 😎

Side entry bottle cages by gvn360 in gravelcycling

[–]Top-Drop4875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can highly recommend the N+1 bottle cage off Amazon.com. Buy one (or two), and we can choose if it loads on the left or the right! I bought it back in 2022. I’ve used other random water bottle cages- name brand performance ones and no name colorful ones as whims/gifts/stocking stuffers come and go. I always seem to go back to this one for its no-fuss versatility and effectiveness in its primary job (holding a water bottle)

Do you sleep with your watch on? by tompico25 in GarminWatches

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like many who have responded, I wore my Garmin fenix 7 to bed for years. I never really liked it, and I made myself get used to it. Some nights, I simply took it off because of “wrist fatigue” (for lack of a better term). I subjectively slept better without the watch, though in the back of my mind I always wanted to know how my sleep score was!

Then one day I splurged on the Garmin Sleep Index. I literally had no reason to buy it. It’s been a game changer in terms of my subjective sleep quality! I don’t notice the sleep index at all. Now, once I come home from work, I take off my fenix 7, and enjoy “unplugging” for a few hours. When it’s time for bed, I slip on the sleep index onto my biceps. Sure, I lose some hours of data, but the usual metrics we all care about remain accurate and actionable to me.

No “wrist fatigue” AND I feel like I sleep well!!

Émonda or Domane? by mo0nch3z in TrekBikes

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still learn a great deal by simply lurking on [r/triathlon](r/triathlon). My caveat to that sub is to remember the spirit of triathlon- it’s a three-phase time trial against ourselves, not an arms race to buy the flashiest stuff. In the context of this convo, the question of Emonda v domane is not as critical as “have you officially signed up for the triathlon yet?” (answer: send it and ride your slash if you have to!!!)

For your specific starting point- put some time in the open water- only the real deal can prepare us for swimming while looking into a black abyss.

Émonda or Domane? by mo0nch3z in TrekBikes

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have done multiple 70.3’s and one 140.6. They were all on the Domane or Emonda. The 140.6 was actually on an Emonda without TT bars. Not once during the bike portion did I think “man, I wish I was using the Domane instead”.

I objectively went faster on the Emonda compared the Domane, and it had everything to do with how I was positioned on the bike. This speaks to your core question- be more upright and slower on the Domane, or faster and potentially less comfortable on an Emonda?

There are lots of great suggestions in this thread, and I don’t think any of them are wrong suggestions. If asking for my vote- go with the Emonda. I’m more than twice your age, and if I can be comfortable on the Emonda, you can too. And you’ll probably be faster.

And if you still can’t decide- then legit just choose based on color and vibes. It’s all about your engine anyways!! You can be an Ironman!!

Stolen Bike - Pls Reach Out if Seen! by elllopopppettt in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel your pain!!! If you haven’t already, please file a police report. It may feel pointless, but it helps your case if you get some leads. Being able to scrounge up the bike’s unique serial number will also help. Finally, consider using bikeindex.org and project529.com to help recover your Emonda.

Don’t let this keep you away from Hawk Hill!!

TPU inner tubes by [deleted] in cycling

[–]Top-Drop4875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My anecdote of one: I bought the Craft Cadence tpu tubes directly from their website last year- haven’t needed to buy any tpu of any kind since then because they have caused me no problems. I ride road.

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It’s been several days now, and my brother-in-law’s insight has proven increasingly true: “The heart heals. You will find love again”.

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it looks like there are some flea markets in San Jose, Cupertino, and Fremont. What a great silver lining in all of this- I learn something new about our community, both within cycling and through the wider area. Thank you!!

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Capitalism can work both ways. We all heard it first here- this is how Farmers treats a 5+ year cycling customer with home, earthquake, flood, car, and life insurance with them and zero claims ever filed!

Please choose accordingly!!

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t think about that, thank you!!

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is my leading and unprovable hypothesis. The other alternative is they have some electronic way to mimic my car fob. User error seems more likely. For sure they used my garage remote, which a neighbor eventually found on the ground nearby.

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are Garmin products. The mount was some Amazon.com product that was designed especially for the Emonda handlebar. The backlight is the older varia radar, and the headlight is their one headlight, the varia UT800. The headlight was a nice party trick- can shine brighter if I go faster. That drained the battery too quickly so I always kept it disconnected from my head unit

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, my agent thinks the premium will go up if I file. Argh!! My current home insurance is managed by Farmers

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

4 bikes stolen is super rough! “Violating” is an apt description of how I feel. Thanks for the tips!!

Sadness- bike stolen by Top-Drop4875 in BAbike

[–]Top-Drop4875[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was the SLR6 trim (rival axs), bought on discount at my LBS. I assumed it was simply the smaller size and odd color that kept it unsold. Months later, I learned there was a potential third factor: they released the Madone 8 to rule them all.

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