Have I lost my mind to consider a HIM? (Page 14)

Kiri - I love that you are thinking about the cross country ride.  That would be awesome.  I just started seriously biking in May and I love it.  I think it is my favorite things about tri training.  I heard there were cool biking vacations in Europe you could do.  I was thinking about adding a trip like that to my life list.  Can't wait to hear about.  Try to be strong. 

Leah - I actually have two hotels booked for race weekend.  I'm not sure what I want to do. 

Option 1:  Be close to the race start in an OK hotel. 
Option 2:  Be in a nice comfortable hotel but you have to drive to the start. 

I'm leaning towards Option 1 so my family can sleep in and not worry about parking.  Any thoughts? 

I'm getting pretty nervous/excited/scared/pumped/freaked out about the race.  I've got so much work to do!  I'm still looking at training plans trying to figure out what direction to go.  It is tough to figure out what would be the best fit.  Great news that your coach gave you a running plan too!  More bang for your buck!

Losta - I see you have an OLY selected.  Did you make any decisions about your HIM?  I'm curious what you are thinking. 

Yes, I'm obsessed with HIMs right now.  I'm trying to figure my schedule so I like hear what everyone else is doing. 

I went with being as close as possible and I know I am in an OK motel (it is probably a dump, but I am only spendng the night there, not my life).   Chuck mentioned something about going (I'll believe it when I see it as he doesn't like going to these things).  If he does, then we would stay in a better hotel, further away, and he would drive and drop me off and then go back to the hotel and he would probably come back right before I finish.  

I totally agree.  My new bike coach is on a bike ride starting in Florida to end up back home here in California.  I know the first day was harder than he expected (and he bikes for a living!!), but I think it was primarily the humidity that got to him.  Chuck and I talk about doing one of those European biking vacations and I would love to do it.  I also want to do the bike trip that goes from San Francisco to San Diego or the Mexican border.  These are probably all fantasies, but where would we be without fantasies?  All of this stuff we do now started out as a fantasy. 

I'd like to do a bike trip with my husband too but he won't even ride with me anymore because it hurts his man ego... Hes usually not that type of guy but for some reason the bike thing bothers him. Although he's been walking and losing weight this past month or so so maybe he'd be quicker these days. I'll have to get him out there with me sometime soon. If I ride my old dirt bike instead of the road bike maybe it will even up a bit...

Anyway don't really see the bike trip vacation being a reality for us, but it's nice to think about.

It is interesting to see how our partners respond to our training.  My husband has always been ok with it.  I secretly think it is b/c he wants me to be fit and skinny like I was when we met.  When I met him I was at my all time low adult weight of about 156.  I was able to squeeze into a size 10.  His friend used to call me the "willow" b/c I was so tall (5'11) and thin.  That was a LONG time and many pounds ago.  I was only that low for maybe a month or two!  Since the babies were born  I've been hoovering around 200 with highs around 208 wearing size 16/18.  I've been doing Half Mary's and other runs for about 5 years but I wouldn't lose much weight.  This is the best I've done in years.  I feel great.   

My husband really got more 'engaged' with my training when I asked him to bike with me in May.  I was really nervous about getting stranded on my long rides.  He doesn't like to run but he loves the bike.  Once we started biking it has been Awesome.  I think he understands how much work it is to do these races.  We love our long weekend rides and he gets almost giddy planning our bike routes.  He has also started losing weight.  He has dropped about 26 lbs!   

Today I was telling him how nervous I have been about reaching the 20 week mark.  He told me he thinks he can help me.  (What?!)  He said we should sit down and go over the 20 week plan together and he would help me train . . . "Rocky" style.  I about fell over.  Maybe it is b/c he is riding with 4 of us doing these tris?  I don't know what it is, but I dig his interest!  

He won't go to the local races.  He usually stays home with the kids.  At first it bothered me but now I'm comfortable enough that I don't really mind. He will travel to out of town races with me b/c he loves family road trips.  He probably would still rather skip the race though if he could.  Oceanside for the CA 70.3 was a for sure trip for him b/c we love Southern California and go a few times a year.

I'll keep you all posted on what "Rocky" syle training means.  I'm excited and a little nervous. 

I am leaning toward Timberman in N.H. 8/22/10. It's about a 5 hour drive from where I live. It's hilly but not tremendously so. I haven't signed up yet but plan to soon.

I think I gave the wrong impression about the husband he's extremely supportive comes to all my Tris likes to hear about training... etc etc... it's just the bike thing that he's got a hang up about which is out of character for him.

Weigh In Today: 196.

Still 228 here. Plateau land...

I will be *strong* in the face of delicious cocktails, slabs of thick juicy steak, and cake. Oh yes I will!

It is funny about the reaction of our fellas to our training.  Chuck loves how I look now and knows, really, he does know, what it took to get here and what there is left to lose, and what it will take to maintain it all, but he hates how much time I spend doing this stuff.  Since I have been doing the Zone or Paleo type of eating, he has been following that and has lost ten pounds, but at a much slower pace than he was expecting. 

We used to do bike rides together and that was at least a together activity, but for the last couple years he has had a cyst or something in a place that makes biking too uncomfortable.  Nagging about getting it taken care of doesn't work and this whole thing makes me slightly nuts.  I am actually looking forward to getting the trainer set up - and it is raining today so it looks like tonight will be my first time - because I can do the bike ride while watching a movie with him. 

He used to go to my races in the very beginning, but it is kind of boring for spectators and he finally quit going, although he has said something about going to California 70.3 in March.  Let's just say I am not canceling my reservation at the Days Inn just yet.

He would classify himself as supportive and I suppose he is.  Grudgingly.  I pretty much do all my training by myself and I really wish he could or would do some of it with me.  I think that is why I like my Crossfit classes so much - other people to talk to - and am looking forward to the group rides with my new bike coach. 

Anyway.  That's the way it is.

I got in Crossfit this morning and am planning to get in a shortish, but damp, run this afternoon and then my maiden voyage on my bike trainer.  The only thing about the bike trainer is that I will be able to log time, but I guess there is no way to log the mileage equivalent of my workout.  Too bad. 

I'm still the same weight as last week.... again

Losta - I just went to the Timberman webpage.  It looks pretty.  I wish they had an elevation chart for the bike portion.  I like to see those hills!!  Let us know when you bite the bullet.  As for the weight, at least you didn't gain!

You are SOOO lucky!!  I'm hoping my husband is turning the corner with his interest level now that he is part of the riding group.  If he actually attends a local race I will know that he has turned the corner.  I honestly think if he could come to California and not have to go down to the HIM race he would be thrilled.  My guy is supportive in the same way as Leah's Chuck. 

BTW - You are getting so fit!!  In just about a month and a half you've lost 11 pounds!  Way to GO!!

I'm a wino.  I would just drink my calories and skip dessert.  Hmmmm . . . maybe that is why I'm not losing weight. 

Have fun and go for a run or two.  It will balance out.  At least you didn't GAIN weight this week!

Leah, do you have a Garmin - you could get the cadence sensor. This will allow you to measure distance indoors.

kiri

WEIGH IN:  I'm up a couple ounces this week and up 3 pounds for the month.  I've got to make some changes.  OR maybe I should just RUN MORE and EAT LESS! 

SWIM:  So yesterday was my first day in the pool since my horrible OW swim.  It didn't feel good and I was anxious again.  Today I had a swim lesson with my Coach Johnny.  He is a former British National Champ and swam competitively for a Div I college.  I really like him and he is tough.  I told him about my swim and he made me feel so good.  He told me that I have no reason to panic in that water b/c I am a good swimmer.  He said I am a GOOD SWIMMER!  That helped my confidence so much.  I guess b/c I have no confidence in the water it felt good that someone had it for me!  The lesson went well and I'm fired up to concur that water.  We'll see how it goes.  

I'm thinking about paying him for a few private lessons after this month is over.  Right now there are 4 other people in my class.  My bro-in-law, someone training for IMAZ next month, and another lady.  I think if he could give me some 1-on-1 time each month til race time it will really help me.  It will be interesting to see what he charges for a private lesson.

BT MEMBERSHIP:  Now I have a quick question for you gals.  Should I upgrade my BT membership?  Do you think the access to the training plans is worth it?  I'd appreciate your input.      

Everyone is doing great with their training!  Keep it up ladies!  I don't think we look as NUTSO as might have originally! 

Hi Ladies!
I am sitting at my computer wearing a lovely golden ASU T-shirt that Kate sent me, thank AZ Sunshine!

I got a new bike today! Recently I had fallen for the Carbon Fiber Orbea Diva road bike, I was waiting to see what the 2010 version looked like but then I didn't like the changes. I found a new 2008 model at a really good price in the wonderful pink color I wanted at a bike shop in NYC and went there today. It was built with a SRAM gruppo and I prefer Shimano so for just a little more they are changing it to Ultegra for me, I'l pick it up early next week. I'll take some pics too.

I'm glad you got it and I'm glad you like it.  I thought the bright gold color would help you be seen when riding and running.    Remember you won it by losing all your weight!  Congrats. 

Show us your bike!!  I can't wait to see it.  I"m kind of jonesing for a new bike but I can't justify the expense right now.  At least I can enjoy your purchase with you!  I think it is Awesome you got a pink one!  

Congrats!  Give us an update on the knee.   

I didn't do the trainer last night.  I went for a run yesterday early evening and it wasn't a good one and so I skipped the trainer (I was going to do both), which I think was sensible because I could still feel the fatigue in my legs during swimming this morning - and that never happens - and still this afternoon when I went for an actual bike ride.  I am hoping to run to Crossfit tomorrow morning (about five miles), but will wait to see how my legs feel.

Kiri - I feel like a dork because I got the Garmin cadence sensor and can't figure out how to synch it with my 305.  I followed the instructions but the screen in the instructions doesn't match the screen on my 305.  I need to give Garmin a call and find out what gives.  It didn't cost that much, about $37 from Amazon, but I don't want to bail on it.  I want to be able to upload that data when I upload the other.  I just never remember to call Garmin during the day when I am at work. 

Lisa - congrats on the new bike.  We want pictures.  I think I am getting a tri bike (don't know what kind or anything) at the end of the year.  I want to feel like I have earned it which means I really have to work on my biking.  But if I get it at the end of the year, that will give me three full months with it before the 70.3. 

Kate - I think that's wonderful about your swim coach.  I really don't think private swim lessons will be that much more productive than being in a class of just 4 people as long as you get sufficient one-on-one time with the coach.  If the four of you come back to the wall at different times and he critiques you then, that is pretty much the same things as private lessons.

As for upgrading the membership, I went with a silver membership, not so much because I cared a great deal about the edxtra features that that level of membership had, but because I thought this was such a well-run site and I am so impressed with it that I wanted to support it.  Before I had my bike coach, who is apparently also my run coach, I did start BT's 20 week marathon training program.  Genuinely, I think you could get something comparable out of a book from the library.  But it did import itself into the training log and that was nice, but is that feature alone worth the money.  Only you can say.  But I hear nothing but good things about people's experiences with the training programs.

I think I am about the same in weight this week.  I haven't made it to WW this week (or last), but on my home scale it keeps bouncing between 139.2 - 141.2.  My WW weigh-in two weeks ago was 140.  I haven't done anything where I realistically would have gained weight ( as in gained fat), so I am calling myself more or less even.  I don't think I am going to make 135 by the end of the month, like I was hoping for the 6 in 4 Challenge.  And my goal for the end of the year is 130 and I have doubts about that as well.

And Kiri - have a few cocktails and the juicy steak, skip the cake, and have fruits and veggies with the steak and cocktail.  And call it Paleo and feel virtuous. 

Thanks for the input on the swim coach.  My big issue is that this is a Level 3 class and this is my third time taking the class.  I wonder how many times I could take it?  I do feel like I get better with each class though.  (hmmm, have to think about that.)  

Leah, one more question.  Are you going to try to do that Bull Dog bike race folks are talking about at Camp P?  I think a practice ride and a swim would help relieve some of my anxiety before the race but I don't know what the best way to do that is.  

   

Yes thanks again, not all my weight (LOL) much more to go. I haven't lost any more in 2 weeks though I feel l am gaining muscle and I already have huge quads and calves. My clothes keep getting bigger but I still have quite a way to go.

I was thinking about the Bulldog race and even compared the courses.  The problem is that where the courses overlap is not the hilliest part of the 70.3 race.  So, I am not sure that it would be worth the drive to come out and do that race.  I did forward it to my bike coach to ask him what he thought, but I also told him I was in no hurry for an answer.  But I sent it to him before I found out that the Bulldog is not very hilly so I am less interested in doing it.   However, if you end up doing it, I would be more inclined.  If the Bulldog course was the hilliest part of the 70.3, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The swim is a harbor swim and one harbor swim is a lot like another.  Not much in the wave and current department, but there could be some.

As for that race on November 8, I don't think I can do it.  I have several competing things to do for that day and I just don't see myself being able to get out of town.