Writebrained/JHouse4's 2009 - Newbies Unite Group FULL (Page 11)

Okay...BT'ers.  You all got me thru today's workout.  Wasn't feel'n it but it is done! 

32:30 on the dreadmill with warm-up and cool-down.  Also some streaching.   Still feel'n my ski crash a little.  Gonna learn to use my skis to stop from now on....and not my helmet. 

The only bike that I can't get on and ride right now is the Specialized.  They would have to order it for me since they don't have one anywhere near my size.  I did ask about the pedals and they said no to throwing them in, but the bottle cages are a pretty sure thing. I really like the 2.3 and it does seem to fit me, but then I am pretty much out of money for the pedals and shoes for a while.  Doesn't do me a whole lot of good to have a bike I can't jump on and ride right away.

I'm not usually able to do more than one thing in the same day, i.e. run & bike or swim & run.  Mostly because of scheduling and time.  But today I had the opportunity so I took advantage of it.

 First I did an outside run, 4 miles of my normal slow jog with occasional walking.  It was cool (27F) with a slight breeze.  I wore the wrong shirt so my arms were cold most of the time.  The first 15' I kept saying to myself "why am I doing this? I should have gone to the Y."  But I survived and felt pretty good during the second half.

 Then I scarfed down a little food and headed to the pool.  My plan called for some speed work so I decided to give it a try.  I've been just doing slow & steady trying to get in longer distances.  I adjusted what was described for today just a bit to what I thought I could do.  I did 50/100/50/150 yard sprints with 2' rest between, repeated.  

 Wow, I guess you could call it fun.  I was impressed with how I did & how I felt afterward.  I added an extra 50 yd sprint at the end and it was a couple seconds faster than the first.  So I know that I didn't over do it.

 I did however have to have a chicken, black bean & guacamole burrito after all this... And it was delicious.  Now I just want more water.

thats too bad...my new bike is a 2008 Trek 2.3 and so far I really like it.  Are you required to buy the specialized if they order it?  If yes then I would say no deal...the fit of the bike is really important.  For example the guy who was trying to fit me kept insisting that I needed a 56 frame.  I had been on several bikes and knew that I would probably be better off with a 54 frame as I am not very flexible.  But I was a good sport and got on the 56 and it felt awful and the guy said "get off that bike"  almost as quickly as I go on it.  Even then it took some adjustments and switching out parts to get the rise and length on the handlebars comfortable.  I would hate for them to order the bike and for you to be stuck with something that does not fit you well. 

You should go down and see Tom @ Bikesport. You are lucky enough to have one of the best fitters, all around most knowledgeable and respected person in triathlon within 70 miles of you. He is in Dearborn.

Also have you looked at the Barn in Saginaw?  I have been there a couple of times they seem to have some pretty good pricing.  

Hey Scott, good luck on the bike thing.  I was sooo excited when I finally got mine for Christmas.  I ended up getting a Trek 1.2 ~ it is a 2008 so it was already discounted, plus they gave me a military discount on both the bike and accessories ~ and I just love it.  I think I bought more into the guy who sold and fitted me to the bike than the actual bike.  Ok, maybe not, but he was soooo knowledgable and instead of just trying to sell me a bike, he actually took the time to explain things and watched me test ride to see how I looked.  Then he took his time during my fit and let me "play" on the trainer for as long as I wanted to get used to the pedals and just trying to get comfortable.

Now, that I've told you my one time bike buying life experience ....I didn't go to the gym today because I decided to spend it with my hubby and baby girl.  However, I did do push ups, lunges, abs, and lots of stretching here at the house.

Many others here in MI have told me to go down to Bikesport and talk to Tom.  I just haven't made myself get in the car and go. I may do it today.  I don't have the kids, and while I had intended to spend a good deal of time at the gym, I think this bike issue is more important to get it off my mind.  I bought my trainer from them, but was able to get that online and didn't actually make the drive.

Never heard of the Barn before, but if things don't work out @ Bikesport, I'll check them out as well.  Thanks for the input.

Regular heatwave here!  Almost 30 degrees outside...

Got a run in - outside. 

Mmmm, Cake.

 Today has gotten away from me.  I had all intentions of a short ride this afternoon but I've run out of time.  It's one of those busy Saturdays.  I'll do a run tomorrow morning.

 Then we're headed east for some Idaho skiing.  Fun, fun, fun.  Since we haven't had anything new since the big meltdown we have to drive a little farther.

Skiing trumps training for me!   Enjoy! 

jhouse4 - 2009-01-17 7:40 PM I just ate a horse shoe and had three uh, waters at D'arcy's with ABake. Talked races and other general riff raff. Weighed myself and I am still 7 lbs over race weight need to drop those before Tampa!

For those non-Springfieldians - Horeshoe=Hamburger, fries, cover with melted cheese ALL on toast.  (Very healthy )

Hey John, I'm glad you answered my question before I had to even ask...I'm sure I had a completely puzzled look on my face when reading Joe ate a horse shoe!

Scott, I'm coming over ~ That sounds yuuuuuuuummy!!

Completely unrelated question to all...who are you rooting for tomorrow?  Eagles and Ravens here!!

Now, as for my training, I did a 6 mile run today and will do either a 3 mile run tomorrow, a swim, or both.

The cubs! I am not a big football fan.

 Eagles & Steelers although we won't get to watch the first game since we'll be driving to Spokane.  

So the plan for today was to get up early head to church and then to the gym for a good long workout.  Run, Swim bike and then second run for the day.  Well, Mother Nature put her whammy on those plans.  Woke up this morning to more 3ft. snow drifts in the drive again (I had to clear them out last night because my Mother-in-law came over to see the kids and got stuck trying to leave) and because the weather has been so cold, my tractor (yes, I own a tractor) is frozen and won't start so I had to shovel it all by hand.  Now I'm exhausted and thinking more about a nap than going to the gym.  Maybe later. 

On the bright side it's a balmy 25 degrees so the salt they are putting on the roads will actually work again.  =)

 Winter can really suck sometimes.  

I just got back from a short run (2 miles).  My goal was to do as little walking as possible.  Made quite a difference.  My average pace came down to 13.06 min/mile.  Down from about 15. 

 The only problem was the air.  I have asthma and sometimes the air quality affects me.  For about the last week we've had a weather inversion going (cold stagnant air down low, warmer air above).  We've had bad air warnings every day.  Since a lot of people around here still heat with wood the air can get yucky.   Anyway, I could feel it today.  It'll be nice to get out of this for a couple of days.

 Hope everyone has a fun weekend.  Enjoy the football while is lasts.

Way to get R dun! 

Made it just N. of town and turned around this AM.  Ice!  2 crashes, 1 in the ditch!  (Yes, I did my duty and stopped)

Get well!   Go AZ and Pittsburgh!