left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 113)

I agree that these competitions can cause people to increase their mileage too quickly or skip scheduled rest days.  Hopefully everyone would keep to their schedule. 

What if we take the average of the first seven weeks of the year and use that as our starting point.  For example, Gary has biked 436 miles in 7 weeks.  That averages out to 62 miles a week.  I am sure that he has had some weeks over that and under that.  Mav has biked 182 miles for the year for an average of 26 miles a week.  Her handicapp would be 36 miles for the week.  If the competition is for 2 weeks, she has 72 miles already compared to Gary's 0 miles. 

My goal was to keep people motivated through the winter months.  Feb and March is where a lot of people lose focus and before you know it, race season is here.  I also think that I can do more in the swim but I am not a strong swimmer so I tend to concentrate on running more.  I was hoping to challenge Mav alittle in the swim and this was the only way I could put us on the same playing field.  It would make me rethink skipping a swim for a run. 

If we take the average from 7 weeks, your leaders would be:

Mav in the swim
Gary in the bike
John in the run. 

Is this better?

Gary - sorry about your loss.  You, your wife and family are in my prayers.  And you will be SO ready for your HIM you will be fine.  Your finish line has been added.

John - some great ideas but I am afraid it would take a computer programmer to track the results.  I am also concerned about our SLIGHTLY competitive group trying to best each other....that's why the team concept seemed to work and you guys did a great job picking teams....Let me chew on this a little more and we will come up with something.

Met a new guy at the tri shop today - we may have him lurking here soon....just getting started....buying a bike today....

Everyone did a great job on the challenge....we just have to be very careful not to move distances and duration too quickly....

sTRIve

Oh yeah....Gary....the difference between Gatorade and Endurance Formula Gatorade is...

What is Gatorade Endurance Formula and how does it differ from Gatorade Thirst Quencher?

Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink with a unique blend of five electrolytes – including twice the amount of sodium and three times the potassium as Gatorade Thirst Quencher – designed to meet the fluid and electrolyte needs of elite and endurance athletes.

Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains the electrolytes sodium, chloride and potassium – the key electrolytes lost through sweat. Because elite and endurance athletes can lose a greater amount of these electrolytes during training and competition – particularly sodium, a key component of fluid balance and the hydration process – Gatorade Endurance Formula contains twice the sodium (200 mg) as a similar size serving of Gatorade Thirst Quencher. Gatorade Endurance Formula also contains three times the potassium (90 mg) as well as chloride, magnesium and calcium to more fully replace electrolytes lost during longer, more intense workouts, or multiple training sessions in one day.

Both Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Gatorade Endurance Formula contain a 6% carbohydrate solution (14 g of carbohydrate per 8oz. serving) that helps speed fluid absorption and fuel working muscles.

Thanks Bryan.  The added potassium sounds great for me but may be not the sodium.  Will pick up some (my LRR has it) soon and start getting used to it.

Okay RR is up: http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/training/triathlons/mardi-gras-mambo-10k-pr

Nancy, I am still amazed your phone will even post here....mine hates this site...I've tried everything that I know and what you said....go figure...

Billy - prayers for the kindness of others.....pay it forward brother....great story.  I have a twenty in both of my bikes saddle bag....of course my lovely wife knows this so sometimes they are missing....I also have a 20 in my belt that carries the water I run with just for that reason....I got stuck once and I don't want it to happen again....I ran an extra 4 miles one day just to get to the water store and back on track.....I was in the country.

I had a great experience this morning.  I ran a 10k trail race.  I had never done that before.  I highly recommend a trail run for each of you.  It is very very different from running on the road.  It was hard....there were several big climbs but it was fun....you really didn't have a sense of how far you had run...just a great fun time.....

I have a few comments on balance that I have been intending to post.  First and foremost, you must discuss must discuss your plans with your spouse, or significant others.  You cannot begin to go longer without their buyin.  It takes a village....I know the sacrifices Debbie made on the way to Ironman.  For example, she went to Dallas (5 hour drive) for the American Cancer Sociey Gala - her brother in law and sister were honorary chairs...I couldn't go cause I had a long ride.  She understood....she got it.  She has been there every step of the way.  Almost every race....a great Sherpa....Sherpa Deb.  I have also supported her dreams of events and built her training plan for her half marathon....we ran it together...every step of the way....we had a great day.  I think it is about sharing dreams....that is what these things are....they are dreams come true.  I don't know of anyone who loves me who would not want me to have a dream come true....we just have to build a plan to get there in one piece and with our relationship in tact.  Sacrifices on both parts....sometimes it is that I get up early and get it done...sometimes it's after work....Saturdays it is up and out the door.  See you can get a 5 hour ride in by noon if you start early enough.  I put my long run on Thursday nights.  I rode again on Sunday mornings....we went to church on Sat night and then went out to dinner.....Yeah some Saturdays I was tired but I wanted Deb to be happy too.  We are fortunate to be empty nesters now so it is easier but I think you can balance if you both understand what is going on.  It is not about being away from your spouse -- it is about making a dream come true.  My answer has been to keep Deb as an integral part of that dream.  I think this is one of the toughest things to accomplish.

sTRIve

Seem to be having trouble posting messages - the last two attempts have failed for some reason.

I have been trying to do my part for the Feb competition. My first week consisted of 3 swims (800m ea.), 2 rides (40 min ea) and 2 runs (5k ea). Week 2 was 2 swims (900m) 1 ride (45 min) and 2 runs (5k ea.)

I'm all caught up in Olympic fever, even though the Games are 6000 kilometers away Big win for the USA hockey team over Canada in the round robin last night Our road to a gold medal is now a much longer one as we will play Germany on Tuesday and if we win that one the Russians afterwards in the quarter finals.

Pete

GaryRM - 2 x 900m