Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Group version 3-CLOSED (Page 10)

Jason-fantastic accomplishments by your son. Scores like those with good grades will lead to many great opportunities. The next couple of years will be exciting, nerve racking and rewarding. Been down this road recently with my son and know way more about the process than I ever wanted to. 

Jason--you have quite an impressive son.  WOW.  I think he can write his ticket to any school.  Hopefully he'll find one that fits his long term career goals while still allowing for some good socialization.  That was my goal!  WIth Madison in my backyard, it was a really easy choice.  Of course, I didn't have a near perfect SAT or the  money to go to some really BIG school.

Nancy and Jason (and Renee)--I don't restrict carbs in my daily life or during training, but try to be at least somewhat conscious about what I am shoving in the pie hole post workouts.  I've read Seebohar's books and done some testing with him to find my MET point.  As a strict runner, I ate very little CHOs during training, but failed when trying to do that during marathons.  It wasn't until I fixed the mix so to speak that I had the energy I needed to BQ.  Not that it was the only reason for the BQ.  So for me, I'll stick with what i know works, concentrated Infinit on the bike, etc.   The thought of choking down something that isn't palatable during an IM seems like a recipe for disaster (for me).  I'm always interested in what others are doing.

Surgery is scheduled for Paul tomorrow morning.  The surgeon is going to try to do the reconstruction of the wrist with just pins and if that doesn't work they will open up the area and insert a metal plate.  Amazing what they can do these days. 

Do you have room for one more?  You guys look great for me and the others who've been in seem like they'd be good matches.  One guy is planning to do the Calgary 70.3...I am registered for that race too!  My story, if you'll squeeze me in...:

I was a college gymnast, did marathons for a while in my 30's, was told "no more running" by a nasty doc...something about arthritis and bone on bone...so I stopped (see "weight" section), then in the fall of 2012, I found out that you only have to run twice a week for tris, so I signed up for a sprint with 4 weeks to prepare and survived it.  The season here was over, so I did the natural thing...signed up for the Lake Stevens 70.3 the next year.  I dropped 50 lbs and did two sprints, two Olympics, and the half last summer.  I did all that with the help of an awesome coach with Training Peaks, who I can no longer afford, but who I still love (she was really great...).  Now, it is on to the Calgary 70.3 and a few races in between...but I'm all alone this time and well, that is scary.  Just need accountability, a few laughs, and the knowledge that someone is out there who knows more than I do and can answer questions!

Family: Married to a wonderful man who thinks the only thing worse than being a spectator for a marathon is being a spectator for a triathlon, but fully supports me being a participant.  Have 3 kids, two still at home, and a menagerie of animals...which need not be listed individually - no one has that kind of time.)

Training: Was up to 10 hours or so last July, prior to my becoming a sloth again.  (Husband had some health issues...stress + work + busy kids + commute all crashed together for the perfect mash up of excuses for me to get out of shape and yucky.)  Starting back in now...about 4-5 hours/week.

2014 races: I'm planning a sprint in March, an Olympic in May, a half marathon in June, Calgary in July...then maybe an Olympic in August and Black Diamond in the fall?

Weight: Depends on the day....Lost 50 lbs going into last season's races....  Now am up again, about 30..but, committed to head back down.  Sigh.  Turning 50 the end of January.  I want to not feel frumpy at 50...at least not the entire year.

What makes me a good mentee? I don't expect or need to podium in this sport, I keep my sense of humor, I am GRATEFUL, I will love to absorb any and all counsel, I'll try anything, I'm competitive - with myself, I will persevere through crappy occurrences...I don't give up, I live near IM CDA, so will happily offer lodging or tips for where to go before or after the race, ummmmmm....I'm a nice person?

If you can't fit me in, I'll totally understand.  Maybe you could just hang onto this and if someone drops out, consider me at that point?

Thanks so much!

Erika

Hey Erika. Since you have gone to the trouble of giving us all the good background info I think we can squeeze you in.

Jason-good job on the sub 1:15....next up 1:00!

Suzy-hope all goes well with the surgery.

QUESTION! With the end of the year only a day away its time to reflect a bit. What triathlon related accomplishment are you most proud of in 2013? It can be losing weight, a new run PR etc. but needs to be related, in some way, to triathlons or training. Does not have to be some huge thing. It may be the first time you were able to run a mile without walking, completing your first triathlon, or whatever. Nothing to big or small. For instance...for Jason it may be getting his running shoe collection into double figures (I suspect I'm underestimating there )

I'll hold off on my response until I give it a bit more thought. Have a good night all. I'm up early to swim as the pool closes at noon tomorrow and thats the only time I can get there.....the dreaded early morning swim.  

Steve

Nutrition-I have used a variety of products. For a long time I used Accelerade and Accel Gels. Worked fine and Accelerade has a 1 to 3 protein to carb ratio I believe. Company literature said that is ideal for endurance training. I liked it fine and never had any problem with it. Not a huge fan of Heed but I've won a few cans of it and used it in training. Seems to work fine but not a fan of the taste. Right now I am using FLUID brand sports drinks and Gu Gels. Have used FLUID off and on and have been using it consistently over the past year....mostly because I get a good deal on it. I don't mix it full strength unless I am trying to maximize calories per bottle in a race. I like the taste and its pretty mild.

On race day I pretty much stick to fluids and gels. If I have a long training ride I might take a Honey Stinger Waffle or two for a little solid food. Easy to carry and seem to digest easily as well. Regular old store bought peanut butter crackers work for me as well. Its my go to easy snack food and I guess my stomach is just accustom to them.

WOOHOO! Positive-last swim of the year for 2013 done! Negative-2014 will include lots more swimming. 2013 swimming total: 473,584 yards....a little over 269 miles.....microscopic improvement in swim speed   Time well spent? Debatable.

#1:  getting healthy and back into racing, completing my first triathlon in three years

#2:  training with a purpose, improving my running consistency and setting post high school PRs in the 5K, 5M, and 10K this fall

I'm finding this nutrition discussion interesting.  As I step up to the Oly distance this year and plan to be competitive, I'm going to need to figure this out at some point.  I know with the Oly we're only talking 2:20 - 2:40, so it's not quite as important as the HIM and certainly the IM, but I know I'm going to need a nutrition plan better than "take a couple sips of Gatorade on the bike".   

Carry on. 

poor performance/great taste-this one is easy....cold beer(s) post race!!!! I'm a big proponent of post race carbo loading. I try to focus mostly on liquids for those sessions