crea0029/etknowles's group - CLOSED for now (Page 13)

Cheri, I missed getting on this morning and seeing your inspiration.  Hope you have a great ski trip!

What does everyone else have lined up for the weekend? I've got a 4 mile run planned one morning, some pool time and trainer time (although if it's nice, maybe I'll get outside and really try out my new shoes). Best of all, it's a 3 day weekend for me (although I may get into my office tomorrow and do some catch up).

Hope everyone has survived the week and has a great weekend!

-Lisa

I have a 90 min run planned for tomorrow morning- planning on running outside - but right now it is -14 deg C ( or -1 deg F)- anyway you look at it -it is crazy cold- apparently breaking records. Will drag the balaclava out ( not a good look on me- heh but whatever works- ha ha). As well have a 90 min spin on bike planned Sun. Today's a day off ( well... houework!)

-Helen

Amy,

Sorry to hear this but I think you telling us about what is going on might be good for all of us.  Take care of yourself! We are all there for you during this!

One of the most important things about being a successful athlete is taking the time to listen to our bodies and doing what they tell us.  Every little ache and pain is telling us something.  Elevated heart rates and having trouble sleeping are all signs.  As we start kicking our training back up again it is very important we do what we have to and listen to our bodies.  Get that extra rest, eat well, stretch if it helps you, take a day off if you need it.  These are just some of the things we can do to keep us up to our best possible shape.

Well I have a double workout today and another tomorrow.  It is snowing pretty good and I wanted to get to the pool but I am not sure it is going to happen so I might be on the dreadmill again and on the trainer.  I also plan on taking a little Pam time this weekend after another very busy week.  Nice to not have to work this weekend!

Take care everyone! 

amy mutz - 2009-01-19 9:04 AM I'm making shirts for my other group and would like to make a design for this group, I will only give them to the regular posters, there are only a few of us that have taken an interest in each other so I want to acknowlege them It will be a motivationl shirt that has our group name and members on it...I will try to work something up for you to proof soon. I hope we all have a wonderful week!!!! Happy training... I will check in on everyone tonight after my day is coming to an end... Love from Indiana, Amy Mutz

count me in amy. i was in a seminar all weekend (15 hr days) back in routine today. 40 m swim and 40 m run / strength training is my monday. oh and oodles of housework that didn't get done on the week end.instead of feeling over whelmed and resentful about it i said a prayer and asked my self " what can I do for my family today?" answer .... take care of my body and my home.

Well I am happy to see that two of our group members are alive and well.  Sometimes life gets very challenging especially when we start training for longer races on deciding what is important.  It is hard to decide if I am going to do that workout that I really need to do in order to get ready for that hard race or spend the time with my family, friends, or even on myself.  The choice has to be made, but no one ever said it would be easy.  I am learning that the hard way as I am making very important decisions about training for the biggest race of my life.  I decided last September to take on the challenge and if I want to get to the finish line I had better be ready to make some sacrifices.  Training like this really give us an idea how important our family is when it comes to being supportive during training and the recovery we go through every day. 

Take care everyone.  My word of the week is love... love for the sport, love for the way it makes me feel, love for those who stand beside me when I go after my dreams.  Lots of love to everyone this week!!

Sorry to be incommunicado. I was off work esterday and ran around ALL day long. My anniversary was Saturday and my husband's 50th birthday was yesterday, so I've just been busy with life, but still getting most of my training in as well. I haven't checked anyone's logs today but will do so. No worries, Cath, we're there for you!

Lisa

Hello everyone, thanks for all the inspires and support at this time.  I am supposed to be a mentor and Citi's melt down has taken up a lot of my emotional energy.  I dropped the HIM in April, no way I can be ready and that took a lot of pressure off.  I will look for some other race to do to celebrate my five years cancer free.

The bottom line is that my job is not at risk.  My income, although reduced quite a bit, should cover overhead.  My retirement is pretty much wiped out but at 52 I can earn it back.  So, I need to get over this disaster and move on... So, tomorrow I move on with a new plan... The Chinese character of crises or destruction is the same as opportunity.  Since I will need to sell my condo in Cincinnati, it makes this home... a new opportunity to be settled and a simpler, less expensive life.

My 88 year old mom has been visiting in the middle of all this so I have been driving her and Peg around quite a bit to do things.  She flies home on Thursday and I have a medical procedure on Friday morning and then life returns to normal.

I expect to have some time tomorrow and I look forward to reading everyone's reports and being as supportive to each of you as you have been to me.  You have no idea how nice it is to see your kind inspires at the end of a challenging day.

Your friend, Emerson

I think everyone's just being pulled in a lot of different directions right now, and understandably so. Sometimes LIFE just gets in the way! But, I'm definitely IN! And, Amy, I love the new avatar, it reminds us that we need to keep things in perspective and chill out sometimes.

At this point, I'm trying to decide if I want to add the Little Rock half marathon to my calendar in March. I've been following one of the maintenance plans on BT except for the running, in which I'm following a half marathon plan from Runner's World Smart Coach, in case I add the LR half. Since running is my biggest weakness, that is the first thing that I try to get done above all else.  If I do the half, it will probably push my first tri to May, rather than the first week April, since the marathon is March 15th. I still need to post my planned races, and will get that done, maybe tonight if I don't go to baseball practice. We just got another computer this weekend, so my computer time is now more open.

Maybe we need to start posting some more pointed questions for discussion? (ie: how to you get yourself motivated on the hard days, favorite snacks, how many meals/snacks per day, recipes, how do you unwind after training/a bad day).  Just a suggestion!  Hope all is well with everyone!

P.S. I've bought some quinoa but haven't tried it yet!

Thanks Amy for trying to focus this group, despite all the things you have going on.  I feel like a deadbeat.  I made a deal with myself that I'd keep up with the group this week while I'm on vacation, but would spend time writing again after I get to San Diego next week.  However, as Amy points out, we don't want this group to languish.  The first year I decided to do a triathlon I joined a mentoring group, and it made all the difference to me.  I'd like to see this group do the same for others (me included!).

So to catch up with my training -- there hasn't been any triathlon-specific work this week.  However, at least I've been active.

I feel a little guilty that I'm out here having such a good time while everyone is having such difficulties.  I do promise, though, to try to get back to tri training next week (even though I'll be traveling for business).  And as soon as I get back home, it's back to serious training!

Cheri

P.S.  I would like to see this group survive!

Thanks Amy for the posting re the group. I as well lwould like to see this group continue- I think we have a lot of wonderful dynamic people- lets learn and build from from each other strengths!!

Lisa (lufferly)- I like the idea of specific questions/focus- and thought all the questions tou suggested were excellent and quick discussion areas- I know everyone is pressed with time. 

 And gang- I appreciate everyones posts and encouragement- thanks!

-Helen 

Hi Everyone,

I feel like I owe everyone an apology.   I have not been as good of a mentor as I probably could be and for that I feel like I am failing the group.  Amy is right; I have been very busy between a job that is not traditional hours and now training for the biggest race of my life.  I would love any help I could get with starting discussions, asking questions, and keeping the conversation going.

I realize that right now just as our nation is going through, a lot of us are going through big changes of our own.   I know that better than I ever have before.

Thank you for being patient with me and not giving up on the group.

I would love to regroup and take a look at where everyone is it.  What are the challenges and good things that everyone is going through right now?  Who is feeling overwhelmed?

I am feeling overwhelmed myself especially with the work schedule.  But the good thing right now is I am getting in these important bases building workouts I need to do.  I have my race schedule pretty much figured out, but now I just need to make sure I am working with my schedule and making sure I still have some kind of a life.  I keep going in circles with relationships with my friends and just recently got dumped which didn't make anything difficult.  I know that many people have family and other commitments to get through.  Please forgive me for not being a good mentor this session.  I will try my best to pick it up but I would love any help I can get. 

Some local plants...

Be back later... EK

Thanks Lisa and Amy...

Lisa, I liked your suggestions. 

As far as training for me.  I will probably scrap my plans to do the UBC triathlon.  With my mom's illness, I have missed too many weeks of training.  That doesn't mean that my plans for completing an Olympic this year are over.  Will have to review the race calendar and find one that fits my schedule and budget (local vs hotel expenses etc.).  My first race of the season will probably be a Sprint in April.  Did this one as my first triathlon last year and really enjoyed it.

Pam, please do not feel guilty.  My brother has completed several ironman races and I know how much time and dedication it takes to train for such an event... Never mind trying to work full time.  I hope you know that you have our full support.

I will have a better idea what happens with my job next week.  Once I know, I will post a new version of my upcoming races.

Hugs to all...

Karen 

I'm sorry, Emerson, but your picture made me laugh out loud after reading Pam's heart felt post. But, that's a beautiful picture.  And things are supposed to be bigger in Texas!

Pam, we all know how hectic life can be, especially juggling a new job and your training. I know Helen and I both have first hand knowledge of how hectic shift work in the hospital can be. Hopefully, things will begin to settle down and fall into place. Foremost, just be sure you're taking care of yourself and keeping yourself healthy.

 I'll throw out a question. What is your hardest time of day in terms of nutrition? I know some have said it's eating late at night. For some it might be emotional eating. For me, it's when I first walk in the door after getting home from work (Is that emotional eating? I don't know). I put my stuff down and head straight for the kitchen. If we have Doritos or Tostidos in the house, I can consume the entire bag (so I never buy them myself). If I take the time to go and change my clothes, I'm much better off. I try to make healthy choices such as a bowl of cereal, nuts (which help my crunchy salty craving), cheese, or a half peanut butter honey sandwich. I try to keep cut up carrots in the fridge (I don't like those prepackaged baby carrots) but am not very good about it. Guess I'll add that to my list of stuff to do this weekend.

Lisa