Momo's Group - (CLOSED) (Page 12)

Thanks for the Valentine's Day wishes, Mo! I am eating chocolate as I write this...mmmmm.

Unfortunately, February has been a bit of a bust for me so far. This is mainly because I haven't been in the pool for almost 3 weeks, however, I was back yesterday afternoon and it felt great. I can't believe how missing my swim workouts really effected my overall numbers.

I think that I will do okay now that I am back swimming but not as well as I might have hoped for the whole month. I am positive that the second half of the month will be a lot more productive.

Thanks for keeping us motivated, Mo!

Thanks for the valentine's Day wishes. I went bikeing and had fun.

Febuary swim looks like it may be off due to no swimming last week at all but I hope I can catch up.

Mo you are so sweet!!  Thank you for the special Valentine wishes!

Note to you other fellas:  ahem.

I really appreciate the Feb Challenge.  I'm pretty much on track.  Had some unexpected minor surgery last week which is keeping me out of the pool, but I hope to be back shortly.  Concentrating on bike this month as it's my real weakness.  I'm slowly building distance on the run and swim.  As suggested, interval training is helping me with endurance.

Team Mo question:

 How are your friends/family reacting to your tri training?

My mom finally stoped looking at me like I was crazy and started being kinda suportive. Brother and dad think I am going to drown during my tri. My close friends are all healthy and constantly building me up...offering to help me train or walk/jogg outside.  As far as the times I work out I live with house mates and we are ships passing in the night. So I can train at whatever weird times I would like to. It is great.

On a side note how warm should the water be to swim outdoors?

Mo I hope you can appreciate how special it is that you remained focused on becoming a better you.  Not only that, you made the decision and extended the effort to help others by mentoring our team. 

 Go Mo!

I've told my family and a few close friends.  The only comment I've received is "You know that involves swimming, right?".  Other than that, silence.  Even after I tell someone about a new achievement (swam 1,000 yards for the first time today!), nothing in reply.  No one has asked how I'm doing with training.  No questions at all.  Nothing.

Most of my friends & family are pretty athletic, but none have attempted a tri. I'm not sure why I'm getting this type of reaction (or lack thereof).  I do know I'm having fun and surprising myself at what I've been able to accomplish.

Hey I feel you on the lack of response and the ones you get are more negative. Hey but look at it this way...You will be a triathlete. You are doing great. Congrats on the swimming acheivements! (did you not like swimming?)

Thanks!  

Well you can do it. You will do great in your races and just poo the skeptics.  "Shun the non believers Shun" (sorry random quote)

Keep up the great training!

Mo, Thanks for sharing your info. Not all of us have the same level of support and while in the military I often noticed some of the best hearted people were the ones who had the least amount of support at home and for the sacrifices we all have to make. It shows your inner strength!

 As for those skeptics - well I love them. Just think about their faces when they learn what you have all accomplished! My skeptics (in addition to a supportive family) have been big motivators for me all my life. Something about the challenge of proving to myself (not them) how wrong and judgemental people can be sometimes. After many years of challenging myself most people just look and say "that's crazy" - why would anyone do that to themselves. My response - because I have been blessed enough to try, and failure is only meaningful to those who fail to try! Keep up the great work!!!!!

I have to say that I have been really blessed with a supportive family, friends and even a few coworkers, who really seem to share my enthusiasm for triathlon. One of my older sisters is a veteran triathlete, so she already did the hard work of making my family comfortable with the notion of constantly working out Plus, I come from a very active family, my dad and both of my sisters love running and playing soccer too. I think, there is always a concern from family members for our well-being but then there are the people who are just downright negative. I believe that they usually have their own reasons whether it is jealously or an unconscious sabotage of others’ good intentions. Although they are welcome to their opinions, I like to ignore any negativity. I am not going to the gym or pool for anyone but myself and as far as I am concerned, this mean the only opinion that matters is my own.

Mo, I am sorry to hear of your situation and I actually went through something similar a while ago. If it means anything, you will probably come out the other side with more knowledge, power and a better sense of yourself. At the low points, it can be hard to see the positives but for me, it was the kick in the pants I needed and I never looked back.

I'm fortunate to live in an area rich with running experts (olympic participants, 50 mile marathon champions, drill instructors, college coaches, etc.) who are very gracious (when asked) in offering advice and suggestions.  I'll post a summary of their ideas, but here's one thought pertaining to your question.

Foot position.  Go outside to a grassy area.  Take off your socks & sneakers.  Now run about 25 yards as if you were chasing after a child or dog that was about to go into the street.  Really think about getting to that dog or child. 

Do it again, but this time just notice the sensation on your feet - their contact w the grass.  Try it again.  Notice the sensation.  Initial contact is likely about mid-foot, but it differs for everyone.  That is your foot's natural running position.  Go back & forth a few times (remember you're running w a purpose). Have fun with this. 

Now put on your socks & sneaks.  Go out on a track or just do an easy run for about 1/4 mile.  Think about the grass sensation.  Your mind & body will adjust to the right position for you.

 What's been your biggest training surprises since joining Team Mo?