I’ve long since wondered what to do with all the random tidbits of things I collect each week – or the little thoughts that don’t quite make for a full post. But I finally came up with a solution: The Week in Review Post. This takes the place of my Weekly Mailbag – which is over on Slowtwitch. These are just quick snippets of things that I’ve found interesting. Nice and easy Saturday reading. Plus, a recap of my Weekly Mailbag post a well.
So with that, let’s get into the action!
Weekly Mailbag Over at Slowtwitch.com:
The weekly mailbag is back in action this week – and it went all girly! Yup, 2/3rds of the questions were related to female stuffs…and…The Girl even stepped in answered a bit of stuff! Check it out here!
1) Waterproof ‘Women’s’ watch options
2) Footpod on backwards
3) HR strap issues for ‘petite’ women
You can read all my past weekly mailbags at Slowtwitch here. Or the pre-Slowtwitch days here.
Posts this past week:
A pretty quiet week around DCRainmaker – but in case you missed anything from the past 7 days, here ya have it.
Saturday: Guest Post – Cold Turkey: Tour De Cleveland
Saturday: Week in Review – December 4th, 2010
Monday: A weekend in Seattle
Tuesday: How Sports Technology companies could learn from Southwest Airlines
Wednesday: Garmin Forerunner 210 In Depth Review
Thursday: Paratriathletes are real athletes too, and how you can help them before the weekend
Friday: The Elusive Wahoo Fitness iPhone ANT+ Bike Case Giveaway
Stuff that I found interesting around the interwebs:
As always, here’s a sampler platter of some of the interesting articles and posts I found around the Internet this week.
#1) From deathbed to Ironman – A great story about a semi-local athlete who came back from a a nearly deadly bike-car crash, to compete recently in IM Cozumel. Well worth the read.
#2) Impact of weight loss drugs on performance: This one is somewhat controversial, but I found it interesting to be able to see the impact of what are essentially normal doctor prescribes medications – but are banned substances, on a regular triathlete and his training/weight. No desire to do it myself, but I’m always interested in understanding what’s going on around me.
#3) Anatomy of the Leadout with Mark Renshaw: This is pretty cool, it’s basically Pro Cyclist Mark Renshaw talking through out breakouts and leadouts work, awesome breakdown (and little jabs at how other pro teams work). I just recently started subscribing to the Cycling Tips blog, and they have some really cool stuff.
#4) Crazy Super Sprint Triathlon Thingy: I was just recently told about this, but essentially it’s multiple triathlon’s directly back to back. i.e. – Swim/Bike/Run/Swim/Bike/Run. Except, pro’s are doing it – like real pro’s, current IM World Champ pro’s. I need to dig into this more on an upcoming post, but check out the whacky video as well.
#5) Training Peaks adds lots of junk in the trunk: Actually, they added a lot of cool under the cover features that will enable better integration with other folks – like Withings, Zeo, and others. They’ve also added a bunch of other improvements, so check out the full listing. Oh, and yes, I just wanted to say ‘junk in the trunk’.
Random Thoughts Section:
CompuTrainers on eBay-
Tis the season for indoor trainers – and despite being close to the time of New Year resolutions, there’s tons of people selling them off. And luckily for you – a fair number of them don’t have any idea the actual resell value of a CompuTrainer.
I have an eBay alert that gives me a daily report for all items listed with ‘CompuTrainer’, and so each day I get to see what people have listed various CT items for.
And in about 30% of the listings – folks heavily underprice items. In just the last 10-12 days I saw more than one CompuTrainer list a ‘Buy now’ price of $300-$400 – more than 75% lower than retail price.
A typical used CompuTrainer will normally sell for between $800 and $1100, depending on really no factors at all – since virtually all of them are identical. And CT’s in general hold value extremely well, since they’re built like a rock.
Anyway…food for thought if you’re looking for a CT. ;)
Wahoo Fitness ANT+ Bike Case for iPhone Giveaway-
You probably saw this yesterday, but just in case…(no pun intended)…the giveaway only runs till Monday. I’m giving away the Wahoo Bike case, which isn’t even available until sometime in January, except, you get it now. Like right now. Oh, and it’s Rubber Elephant friendly:
Have a great weekend all!
FOUND THIS POST USEFUL? SUPPORT THE SITE!
Hopefully, you found this post useful. The website is really a labor of love, so please consider becoming a DC RAINMAKER Supporter. This gets you an ad-free experience, and access to our (mostly) bi-monthly behind-the-scenes video series of “Shed Talkin’”.
Support DCRainMaker - Shop on Amazon
Otherwise, perhaps consider using the below link if shopping on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. It could simply be buying toilet paper, or this pizza oven we use and love.
I actually have a question for you about the whole drug thing in regards to triathlon… I just signed up for my first triathlon (Boulder Ironman 70.3 in August 2011). I don’t have any triathlong experience though I do bike 200+ miles on a bad week, and swim a good 10. I have narcolepsy, so I am on high doses of stimulants everyday (Adderall and Nuvigil) so that I can safely drive and for the most part function. I’m sure both of those are on the banned list. Should I try to talk to race people now about it, or do you know of anyone who’s gone through similar things? Going off the drugs aren’t really an option, as I’m little more than a zombie, and since I’m not a professional, or for that matter planning on more than simply trying to finish and using it to help my weight loss goals, I’d love any advice…
Thannks!
You wouldn’t be tested, so I honestly just wouldn’t worry about it – especially if you aren’t going for podium positions (Read: 70.3 Champ positions).
You can grab the all the details on which drugs are banned and depending on in vs out of competition, here:
link to dcrainmaker.com
That said, it can’t hurt talking with the Race Director and asking what your options are.
just found your blog today! (searching for ironman vs. non-ironman events and you were second hit. great write up. signed up for my first full (rev3 sandusky) as i am hoping for a baby and the transferring to following year with no penalty was appealing.
anyways, great blog!
Thanks Nicole!
Glad you found it useful. And, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Rev3 (even if a year later…) – I’m seeing some really good things there.
Good luck on both fronts!
Thank you. I found the links, according to the site unless your Level 2 or above, you don’t need to submit anything before the day of race really.
Thanks for running a great site.
so, just read your rev “got hit by a car” race…
wow.. happy you are ok and hope my report doesn’t include “got hit by a car” in the title!
If you are interested in another repeating sprint triathlon, here’s a link to a rather goofy looking one in northern Wisconsin: Burrito Union 10 Hour Triathlon. There are 5-hour and 10-hour options, and a couple different team options. It is apparently ok to stop and grill near transition between go-rounds… If I lived nearby, I’d have to check it out.
I am impressed with your reviews of equipment. I am always surprised on your ability to get the coolest and newest stuff. What a cool side job. Do you need any support. I will work for free.. Well maybe not free just get the same stuff you do. ha ha. Keep up the good work. Any possibility on you getting bikes or parts to review????
Your note on the computrainer had me excited, but I’ve been watching the bids since November (somehow missed that $600 one, it must have gone fast) and they seem to go consistently for around $1000-$1300 these days. My present plan is to hold out until March when I believe there will be fewer buyers to compete with. Also, I think the price may get suppressed a little when the Racermate One software is released, since any older unit will have a $190 software cost to update.
Meanwhile, it is me and the fluid trainer.