[quote=kylie]I've never used it, but maybe check out www.wetsuitrentals.com if you can't find a local place? I believe I've heard good things about them on here. If you really want to rent near you, you could also try asking the All3Sports guys if there is a place nearby.[/quote]

I did ask. He said they get asked about rentals all the time, but had no idea where I could rent one. Could have been sales .. if I can't rent I'll buy, type thing .. or maybe just not a local option.

Thanks,

Steve

[quote=qb ant]Steve-

Check out Fleet Feet - there are two locations, Lawrenceville and Duluth. I was in the L'ville store about a month ago and they're looking to sell off the wetsuits they have that they have previously rented out - too much trouble for them.

Good luck,
Ant
[/quote]

Cool! .. I called and L'ville didn't have any that would fit me (6'1", 195) but he's checking Johns Creek and will call me back.

Thanks,
Steve

[quote=wmckean]Hey Steve,

Welcome to the party... I used Wetsuit Rental for my first tri in May of last year, and it worked out just fine. The tri was the first week of May, and I was very grateful I had a wetsuit. Lake Lanier was freezing!

Wes
http://www.codegeekstail.com[/quote]

Thanks Neighbor!

If I do get my own suit, where's a good place to try out open water swimming and get used to the suit? Anywhere close .. like Allatoona? any groups doing lake swims on weekends?

Also, the best bike trails .. traffic wise .. around here? I hate riding in our local traffic .. it's 'scary'! I've been training almost exclusivly on the Trainer so far but really want to get out for a ride. I'm pretty slow right now, just getting back into biking, so running 15 mph or so, too slow for most of the "group rides" in the area.

Thanks,

Steve

[quote=qb ant]Hey Steve-

Check out www.northatlantamultisport.org It's a great group - lots of group training and several members live out your way. There's a goup of us that may also be doing that race on 4/26, hopefully my wetsuit still fits :D

We were training at Mary Alice Park (part of Lake Lanier) last year, but with the drought, I don't know if that's still an option - here's some pix I posted from the fall http://trifuel.com/forum/10421/send-water

As far as bike trails, there's the Silver Comet out in Smyrna or Stone Mountain - both with little or no traffic. [/quote]

Thanks, I just signed up with NAMC. I need all the support and motivation I can get! :)

I haven't been by the lake in a while but can't believe it is much better than your pics .. which are unreal. Anything we get seems to go downstream these days.

I think Silver Comet is going to be my best bet .. time for a long Sat ride I think. Weather is looking good as well .. even warm!

Thanks,

Steve

[quote=Leroy Bonkers]+1 on the Silver Comet. Start at the Silver Comet Depot to avoid baby joggers and roller bladers (bladders?) in the early miles.
[/quote]

Thanks .. I will definately heed that advice. Think I'll check it out Sat if the weather holds out.

Steve

[quote=qb ant]Hey Steve-

We were training at Mary Alice Park (part of Lake Lanier) last year, but with the drought, I don't know if that's still an option - here's some pix I posted from the fall http://trifuel.com/forum/10421/send-water [/quote]

I read something on the web about Mary Alice Park being converted to a private park .. ?? I called Lake Allatoona about swimming and they said Galt Ferry is open to swimming and only a few feet low, the rain has done some good there. Ever swim out there? It's real close to me, I'll run by and check it out this weekend.

Steve

[quote=qb ant]Steve - Glad you signed up - I'm sure I'll be seeing you at a meeting or training. Keep checking the forum for updates - I'm sure they'll be an ows sometime soon. If there's a large group, we sometimes have a person in a kayak to keep an eye on things......

Ant
[/quote]

Sound cool .. and I'm ready now. Went ahead and bought a suit from All3Sports. I went with the QR Ultrafull, as it fit perfectly .. or so said the girl who helped me. :) It sure felt great, and I looked ... as Billy Crystal would say .. marvelous! I love gear!!! hehehe Plus the NAMC discount was nice!! :)

and after 4 coached swims I did 6 - 100's .... slow, and with 30 sec rest between each 100, but made it through. After not swimming since .. uh .. forever, I'm pretty happy with that! :) Especially after the first swim just a week or so ago where I went 12 yards before grabbing the pool and gasping for air .. hahah .. I love my coach!! Just needed guidence :)

Unfortunately after the April Tri I'll have to back off a bit to get ready for my Denali Prep climb in Alaska in June. I'll spend May hiking the local hills with 40+ lb pack to get ready. We'll be toting 50 lbs and pulling 35 on sleds and spending 10 days/nights on the Glacier .. should be exciting! :) We're only going to 12.5K, but it will prepare me for the full Denali climb, 20K, in '09 (if I can find the funds!).

It's hard to do it all .. but I try .. or is it TRI .. :)

Thanks,

Steve