Have I lost my mind to consider a HIM? (Page 12)

I have also heard good things about Timberman.  Pull the trigger.  It definitely changes your training focus. 

The LA Tri is tomorrow.  I am better trained than I was last year, but certainly nowhere near properly trained.  Oh well.  I told my Crossfit trainer that I would be finding out whether one can do an olympic distance triathlon on mostly Crossfit and he told me that Crossfit would carry me for about two hours.  Since my fantasy time is 3-1/2 hours, I have to hope my s/b/r will carry me the rest of the way.  I have been over four hours the last two years, but I weigh a lot less now and I have worked hard on being overall physically fit and strong, if not enough s/b/r.  I haven't completely ignored s/b/r, but I haven't done enough, particularly the bike. 

Still, I am pretty stoked about doing the race.  Went to packet pickup and all today.  I have a pink cap, which is terrific.  It seemed like they gave me a grey/silver cap every year for about four years.  B-b-o-o-r-r-i-i-n-n-g-g !! 

The only "training" I am doing today is a walk tonight to get my peach and get some time for the Halloween Run Challenge. 

Losta - DO IT!!!  Both races look awesome.  I'm intrigued by the Rev3 races.  The cedar point race in Sandusky Ohio would be a lot of fun for families.  I'm so excited for you.  Putting down that kind of money is a serious motivator.  You will be ready.  You have been working so hard. 

Leah - Good luck tomorrow!  I can't wait to hear about your race.  I think carrying less weight is really going to help you.  I can only imagine how much faster I could get up those hills or run with about 30 poulds less on my body. I think every pound will make a difference for you.  I It will be interesting to see how much your new Cross Fit strength is going to help you.  I will be looking forward to your race recap.   

Ideal Muse and Kiri - What's up with the two of you?  You both have been quiet lately. 

Diane - Have you started training yet?

Joblin - How is your back feeling?

Here is my update.  I feeling better yesterday.  I thought I might be able to go for a little jog today and maybe a ride tomorrow, but I had a miserable night sleep.  I ended up sleeping most of the day again today.  We are debating whether or not I should go back to the doctor but we know there isn't anything they can do.  It is really frustrating.  This whole sick thing has really made me think about my health and well being.  I can't imagine feeling like this long term.  I am going to making some serious changes to my diet and start pumping for vitamins.  This is no fun.

Since I cancelled my race this weekend, I am looking at a tri in early November.  That race is 1000 meter ows, 33 mile bike and a 5 mile run.  I think that will be my last race until our HIM.  If I do that race I will have about a month to gear up again.  I have also signed up for 4 swim lessons (I need more confidence on my swim) and found a series of Splash and Dashes.  The Splash and Dashes are all held in the Lake that causes me grief and range in distance from 500 - 2000 meters followed by short runs.  I'm hoping all of these will get me over my OWS fear/panic. 

Another cool thing is that I now have 4 local friends doing the California 70.3.  One is my Bro-in-law, another is a family friend, and two are graduate students.  The female student is VERY good!  She finished 38th out 282 women at the last race we did.  Impressive.  I think having the local support here will keep me motivated.  Leah and I now have about 25 weeks until that big race! 

One more thing, I contacted the lady who started this thread and she didn't sign up for the race.  I was hoping she would sign up and join us. 

Hope you all are doing well.  Send me healthy vibes. 

Hey nutsos,

One day left of my first week of Half & Half of Half training, and all is going well. I'm glad I decided to stick with some easy bikes & swims while focusing on running. I feel really great - my legs not too sore yet I get severe SAD each fall when the daylight starts to wane, so running alone was not going to cut it. Upping the exercise levels to combat the blues (and other things) really struck home with me after reading an article in Nov. issue of Bicycling magazine about a collegiate bike racer who combats his ADHD with bicycling (instead of using drugs). Great article, that i'm going to be passing on to my younger nephew who has ADHD pretty badly.

Did my first swim in over a month on friday and it felt great, can't wait to get back in the pool on a regular basis. Only 9000 odd yards from 100,000!

This week has shown me that I have been wimping out on the running. Of course my goals were different when I started, so there was no push to go the distance other than to finish. I'm finally feeling that this (HIM) is totally doable now. Granted it is only the first week! I've been in the mindset that I have to run the whole distance, which is just foolish - walking is totally ok, and it doesn't slow me down too much at all - especially since i'm such a snail-like runner anyway! Instead of dreading the coming weeks of running I'm totally looking forward to it - and excited to see how far I can go. The run challege is proving to be a great movtivator as well - do not want to let the team down!

have fun out there
kiri

My race didn't go so well.  I did not finish the swim.  It was outrageous.  The waves were very high and fast/close together.  I actually could have dealt with that, but the current was so strong.  Lots of people did not do the swim.  Lots of people did, so the fact that lots didn't only carries me so far.  I am so depressed I can barely stand it.  I mean, I heard that even one of the pro men missed the buoy because of the current and bagged the swim, but by the time of our wave everyone knew about the current and was running a 100 or more yards to the north.  It was crazy. 

On my second attempt at the swim I went pretty far north and was doing OK with the waves (or so I thought) and I was just about to go under yet another tremendous wave when the lifeguard hollered at me to get out of the water, that I was in a very dangerous spot.  (It turned out lots of people got told this.)  I got out and saw that I was SOUTH of the Start Corral.  I guess to do the swim I needed to jog to Oxnard to get in the water. 

I just read what got posted on the LA Tri thread in the California forum.  I am not making this up. 

Otherwise, my bike and run weren't particularly good, much like my last several years.  I figured out that I had spent the last year getting physically fit, but not necessarily training for triathlons.  At my advanced age (53), just physically fit doesn't carry you as far as when you are younger.  So, when I get over my depression (actually, after reading the LA Tri thread, I do feel somewhat better), I will start actual triathlon training. 

Better you are here then lost out at sea. Those waves look tough, good for surfers, bad for triathletes.
Don't feel too bad, extremely difficult conditions from the photos I saw.

Sounds to me like you gave it all you could given the conditions - so job well done - and that you attempted it more than once, and still went on to do the bike and run! Waves are one thing, but bad current as well... bad news bears. I'm surprised they didn't cancel the swim for the non-pros. At least you learned something about your fitness for the bike and run and can use that knowledge to help you for the next race/s.

Leah - I'm sorry about the swim but there isn't much you can do when the environment doesn't want to cooperate. It can happen to any of us at any race no matter how well prepared we are. I'm glad you got to do the whole race though and didn't get hurt or anything in the swim. Sounds kinda scary.

AZ - Not up to much just running my every other day. Tomorrow is weigh in day for me and I think my weight is STILL not down which I'm trying to not get too annoyed at.

My training group for IM opened up sign ups, so I'm going to go down there tomorrow and talk to them and see what their training gym is like, because I think you can get a 20 percent discount on program as a gym member (They are running a "winter special" $180 for 3 months on membership right now) So I'd basically be getting 3 extra months out of it for "free".

Thing is I just don't know if I try and go down there a lot for the next 3 months if it's going to increase my burn-out too soon seeing I'm going to have to be downtown twice weekly for 7 months starting in Feb. If I don't do the 3 month membership I can get a 10 percent discount if I join my local tri-club again so I might do that, but I want to see their training place first. Its apparently the only mid-west Tri specific training center.

OH NO!  Leah, I'm so bummed to hear this.  I totally feel your pain.  You know that the swim was totally out of your control.  Normal conditions and you would have nailed it!  I can't even imagine trying to fight those waves.  I am so proud of you for continuing on and tackling the bike and run.  Don't let it get you down.  Sounds like you are in the right mind set and using it to motivate you in your training.  We have 25 weeks until CA 70.3.  You will be ready!  Keep your chin up!

PS - The next race I'm thinking about doing is on the California/Arizona border.  You could meet me and we can have our Redemption Race.     

Kate - Tell me again what the race is.  If it is the right weekend, I might be able to do it. 

Debb - I didn't know that there were ANY tri-specific training gyms, outside of maybe Colorado.  I would love to know what the facility is like and what their deal is.  I think anything that helps you get out there and train is valuable and I know that training with other people is a big motivator for me.  I'm sure you will weigh all the pros and cons and make the right decision. 

Thanks, Kiri.  A group of us pink-cap women were watching the waves before the race and had our fingers crossed that someone would cancel the swim portion, particularly watching the struggles of the earlier waves.  No such luck.  I read that some of the later waves were very sparse, but I don't know if that was just the way they were or because of bail-out.

Thank you everyone for the kind words.  I am better today.  Now I just have to go to work and face all the people who will ask how the race went and won't understand.  They all think I am nuts anyway.

I missed Crossfit this morning because a warning light came on in my car and I didn't have my reading glasses with me to figure out what was wrong, so I turned around and went home.  It turned out to be low tire pressure.  There is one tire that looks maybe a little low, but nothing that should have prevented me from driving.  Oh well.  I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious.

Happy training today.  Since I missed Crossfit, the only thing on my plate (so to speak) today is an hour run tonight.  My legs feel fine today so this shouldn't be a problem 

Leah,
I'm sorry to hear about your race- that's my biggest fear! I'm not a strong ow swimmer and I give you so much credit for even starting in those conditions. It'll make the next tri so much easier!!
The weekend went pretty well- it's getting cold here in northern Alberta, so I had to pull out the long pants, gloves and long sleeved shirts for the runs this weekend. That's a bit depressing. Oh well, at least it's not snowing YET.

Diane

Morning Ladies!

Well I did it... I'm signed up for the Ironman training group I've been talking about. Apparently they extended the 20 percent discount to CTC (Chicago-Tri-Club) members, so I decided to go that route and renew my membership.

I might still do Wellfits 3 month gym membership special deal they have going on right now, but at least I have a few days to think that over now without worrying about if my IMOO training group will fill up or not. I suspect it won't until after the new year, but you never know. I didn't want to risk it. If they were closer I'd jump on the gym membership in a heartbeat. I do want to go down there and check it out some day this week.

How's everyone doing? What's on the schedule for this week?

Leah - Here is the link for the race.  It is on November 8th.  I'm hoping to start my 20 week training program on a high note with this race.  1000m swim/33 mile bike/5 mile run 
http://www.mountainmanevents.com/bluewatertriathlon.htm  Glad you are feeling better about things. 

Hello all.  I'm finally getting out and about again.  My mom thinks it is too soon but I was going stir crazy in the house.  Yesterday I did a 12 mile bike and today I went on a 3 mile run.  I cough pretty badly when I am done with the exercise.  I don't want to wait until I am cough free.  Some times these cough can go on and on and on.  Hopefully I can kick it sooner rather than later. 

I feel totally ready to train.  I had such a bad September I am ready to work out my frustrations.   I am back in swim lessons on Wednesday and have lots of miles to run for our running challenge.  The goal looks pretty ambitious right now. 

Debb - Glad you signed up for your group.  I know you were worried about how it was all going to work out.  Anything that keeps you motivated is a plus and totally worth it.  I hope you share all of your trainer tips with us. 

Diane - I am enjoying the "cold" weather here in Phoenix.  It was only 80 today.  Kidding.  We are actually coming into our nice season.  I think that is part of my excitement to train.

Kiri - I'm glad your Half/Half training is going well.  Great timing on the run challenge!  You ARE a RUNNER!  You can do it!!

Losta - You are such a good little coach!  Thanks for the encouragement you are giving us.  Haven't had a chance to put your "prize" in the mail yet b/c of my flu.  I haven't forgot you! 

Joblin - Are you back in Iceland? 

Have a good training day tomorrow!  GO NUTSOs!!

Well just a quick check in this morning. I got a 199 on the scale, so I think that's -2 for me.

Hope the cough clears up enough for your swim K!

Good morning everyone.  Will get caught up on yesterday's posts later on today.  I got in my swim yesterday morning and after that was nowhere near a computer all day.  Had a "function" last night and didn't get home till 10pm.  Makes for a long day.  But I got in Crossfit this morning and will find out later this morning what all everyone has been up to. 

Hey gang!  I went back to the doctor today.  I now have the start of a sinus infection.  He put me on antibotics.  We'll see how it goes.  He said I can exercise but I really need to keep myself hydrated. 

Leah - Hope you had a fun function!  Looks like you are doing great on your training.

Weigh-in:  I92.4.  I'm up 1.6 pounds from last week.  Not happy with it but I know I can get it back down. 

Still 228 here +-0. Bah. No bad eating so don't know what is going on... stubborn fat!

I'm glad you went to the doctor.  That coughing didn't sound good and it also didn't sound like it went with swimming or running.  But if the doctor says you are OK to exercise as long as you stay hydrated, well, then I guess it's OK. 

My function was a bar association dinner (I am a lawyer) and it was more interesting than I expected it to be.  It was put on by a Latino bar group and the Armenian Bar Association, kind of an odd pairing.  I got to be an honorary Armenian.  Two of our Supreme Court justice gave short speeches (one is Armenian and the other Hispanic - no surprises there).  Anyway, the only negative was getting home so late and not getting in my planned evening run, which does put me behind for the Halloween Run Challenge.  So, I do have some catch-up running to do. 

I was 141.6 today on my home scale, but I didn't make it to Weight Watchers and I use that number as my official weight.  I went insane yesterday and ate about 4,000 calories worth of mixed nuts and grapes.  Now, both of those things are allowed on my Paleo diet, but somehow, I just don't think anyone would endorse the quantity I consumed.  And of course, the nuts are very salty and that adds to water weight gain.  Stupid. 

So, we have Debb who is down, Kate who is up, Kiri who is even and Leah who is probably up, but not really sure.  If I remember everything correctly.  Well, I think we have the gamut covered here. 

What does everyone have planned for their evening workout?  I think a run is in my future, to start the catch-up process. 

I will probably start my bike training tomorrow.  I did chat with my coach today and he is setting up my training plan on his website.  He flies to Florida tomorrow and will start his ride across the country on the 10th. 

Just a run for me... gonna shoot for long and slow.