Need your help - product advice!

I "sucked it up" and worked out again yesterday - holy cow! 3 days in a row! :) It was definitely worth it!

I went for a 35-minute run in the evening, and the weather was perfect - high 40's, calm wind. It was so refreshing! We (my "running buddy" and I") did an out and back - the way out felt great- my stride was still opened up from my run on Saturday- meaning I felt like I was running and not shuffling! The way back felt BETTER- like I was running downhill the entire time (I wasn't, I checked the elevation later haha!) It took me 19 minutes to go "out", and 17 minutes to go "back" (yes, that's 36 mins but I like to put round numbers in the training log haha). I hstill have some monster knots that have worked their way into my calves - maybe if I work out seven days in a row (that would be through this Thursday) I'll treat myself to a massage @ Aches Away...Don is the best!! If you are in Bloomington, you must go!

I followed this with a 35-min bike on the trainer- I wasn't wearing tri shorts, and oooh my bum felt it (from the saddle) - This isn't a bad thing, it will go away in about 2 weeks of consistent riding- just means I need to get in the saddle more!!

BTW, I've been riding an ISM Adamo saddle for the last 2-3 years, and I LOVE it (after 2 weeks of riding lol), I am confident I will still be able to have children- unlike saddles with traditional "noses" that press into my baby-making parts! I used to cry on rides over 3 hours haha! However, I wish they made one a TAD bit narrower - nothing unbearable, but the rubbage I sometimes experience on the inguinal crease could be avoided :) But 90% of the time it is perfect, and you should definitely try it out if you are not happy with your current saddle!

I am sooo glad it is spring break for school this week - it will give a chance to knock out all the items on my work/home/personal to-do list, get back into a consistent triathlon training schedule, and maybe even get ahead for teaching and planning ! (maybe, but not likely :) )

Now I need your help!

1. I am ordering a KESTREL bicycle - YAY!! I am debating on which one I will order - The Airfoil Pro (w/ Ultegra) or the 4000TT (w/ Ultegra) - What are your thoughts on these bicycles? If you have one or shopped around for one, please share your opinion - if you haven't ridden or shopped for them...check out the links and let me know what your review is!!
2. My doggie Winston is a GREAT running partner - he gives me so much motivation and he always likes to run just a LITTLE FASTER than me, which pushes me a tad...but the pulling is driving me nuts. I can keep it under control with commands/treats, but I'm wondering - is a better leash out there for jogging than a regular choke chain? He doesn't respond to the "pop" of the collar when I pull it. I'm not sure if I'm ready to go to the hands-free leash since he still pulls, but I've heard good reviews of head collars, and I've seen dogs with Martingale collars...help! Any ideas, reviews, or input?
3. With winter weather, I've been able to stick my iphone in a pocket fairly easily - but with warmer weather on the way, I will be losing my pockets! What kind of cases/armbands do you use that work well??

Thanks everyone! Have a great day!!

PS REV3 REGISTRATION CODE IS UP: On the left side of my blog, all the way at the top: Trakkers117 - $10 off any REV3 race!!

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Makes it worthwhile

yesterday I went to Spin City Cycles in Decatur for their Open House - it wasn't just a big "sale" (although I did walk out with a pearl izumi back jacket and a pair of tri-shorts for less than $100!) - they had FOOD, group rides with demo powertaps, rides and talks with the ZIPP guys, Demo bikes from Scott, pedals from Speedplay, and Nutrition product from 1st Endurance. Shimano is brought a Di2 electric bike. Mavic brought some wheels. Felt is brought cool stuff. Pro mountain biker Eric Pirtle signed autographs.

A really cool highlight was a "Triathlon Mythbusters" presentation by Chris Sweet: He presented us some questions such as "Does lack of electrolytes cause cramping? Will your tires blow up on a hot day? Is sex before a race really detrimental?"...and then told us if these myths were busted or not based on published research! REALLY COOL, check out this guy's blog- he should be doing a clumn for triathlete magazine :) He's also the same guy who's holding the "Don't Suck" sign in my profile picture on my blog! :)

All this cool stuff gave me extra motivation for a workout - yesterday I ran 1:25 minutes followed by a 45 minute bike! Winston was SO excited to run with me - especially since the temperature was above fifty degrees! That means that I won't dress him up like this:

and I won't make him wear THESE to go running in!!

haha! It was such a great run though! I figured out how to manage the cords from iphone + Winston's leash + treats ( you know how awkward it is to try to juggle all that...) and the treats totally works - Winston wasn't pulling as much...and there were was section of the run where I was on a trail and there was a field all around us, so I could let go of the leash and Winston could let off some steam! Then on the way back something amazing happened - I got my legs back! My hips let me open up my stride, the sunset was so soft and pretty, I had my running buddy with me, I had some great music playing (see my previous post)... I didn't want this run to end! I was originally going to end the run at 1:20, but we got back early and did an extra lap around the lake...

but I still had to end it early- my poor joints and muscles are not trained for this kind of distance pounding yet :)

It was this kind of run, when everything falls into place, that makes all the "bad" training days worthwhile :)

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