Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 15)

Here is my introduction/re-introduction/refresher:

NAME: KansasMom/Felicia 

STORY: I grew up in Eugene in the shadow of Pre. I started running when I was in the 7th grade, and continued, off and on through college. Took a break for a few years. Started back up again in grad school, and then when I got pregnant with my first (who is now 17!), I stopped. I started running again 2 1/2 years ago after gall bladder surgery. At my first 5k (April 2011), I received a flyer for a sprint triathlon that June. I had seen triathlon on television as a kid and thought it was amazing. I thought there was only Ironman, so I was thrilled that there was a distance that I might be able to do.

But I didn't know how to swim. Just enough to keep from drowning. I muddled through that first triathlon with a competent side stroke/combat stroke and then the next day, threw all that out and started to learn to swim. I took lessons and everything.

I had biked a lot as a kid with my dad, doing a 76 mile ride in 1976 and a 100 mile ride in 1977, but I hadn't biked in decades. No worry. lol

I am entering my 3rd season of triathlon and when my 6 year old saw me on "Beginner Triathlete" he said, "That's not for you. You are not a beginner. You are experienced." Hardly. He's full of good ones. This afternoon he asked me why I still ride my trainer when "you are already well-trained." What a joker.

This is my season for the Olympic distance. I am both scared and excited. More excited.

FAMILY STATUS: Married (second time) with three boys: 17, 12 (from the first marriage) and 6 (ours). During the past semester, I have admitted to my students that I have celebrity crushes on George Clooney and Denzel Washington and a literary crush on John Grady Cole, a character in Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses and Cities of the Plains. (Why is this in family status??? Because if Denzel and I are ever available at the same time and in the same place, I am going for it.)

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm coming off a running focused off-season. I think I've built up a pretty good base. I am trying to strike a better balance with the three sports from now through September, aiming for a minimum of five runs a week, with a max distance long run of 8-10 miles; 4 swims a week; 4 rides a week, building up to a 50 mile long ride (I am a long way from this distance right now.) Striking the balance has been difficult because my impulse is to go run. I must change this running only mindset. Soon.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: I did a few sprints and then some running only races, my longest being 25k. I love, love, love the half marathon.

2013 RACES: Various Olympics and probably just one sprint (a local race, in which I got 4thAG last year and am targeting my AG podium this year). My first race is on May 19th, and I'm considering Branson Rev3 at the end of September. I am interested in doing a swim only race, but I am undecided about which one. There doesn't appear to be anything very local to me. Once fall hits, I will do as many trail races as I can, from 10k to 20 miles, I hope.

BODY COMPOSITION: I always want to lose 20 pounds, but never enough to actually do it. I want arms like Adrienne. I want to get rid of my c-section abdominal flap without resorting to plastic surgery. I want to come to terms with my graying hair. I am working around my grotesque bunions. 

I love this pod!!!!

Ok, a few questions for discussion...

1) I missed my run yesterday and my bike today because I have a pain in my left calf. It's not soreness, it feels sharp and almost like a thin line down the center of my calf. Not constant but I feel it when I walk. thoughts?

2) Still contemplating the bike purchase... We went to one of the larger LBS yesterday to get my race-fee refund and pick up DH's bike from getting the cables tightened up. While there we looked at some tri bikes. I asked about being fit for a specific brand/model and the salesman said they pick the bike then the fit is included after purchase. He said I could get pretty close by standing over the bike and having only an inch or so between me and the bike. So I tried that with a couple bikes but didn't have him put the pedals on any of them to try out, mostly because the one's I liked were too small or too pricey (DH was looking at the $5,000 bike with electric shifters ) DH even offered part of his truck budget to get me a better bike

My current bike fits me about how the guy described so I'm now even more torn about getting a new one! Of course a new bike would be awesome! I've never had a new bike (or new car for that matter). My bike is a 2003 Giant TCR Aero 2 which retailed for $1,750 new. Am I really going to be upgrading if I spend $2,000 - $2,500 now? I told DH we'd go to one of the smaller LBS stores, where they know me better, and look at what they have but I'm torn. Besides, my Giant still has my O'side stickers on it . But a shiny new bike... *sigh*

NOOOOOO! RUUUUUUUN!

If you're going to blow a couple 2-3 grand on a new bike, GET A PRO FITTING. Can't stress this enough. Having to tweak a bike in ways not optimal for either it or you is a terrible thing (generally, but especially if you've put that much money into it).

^^^ THIS  ^^^  X like a hundred.  You find a bike that fits your specific geometry, of which standover height is only a very small factor.  It's definitely worth the investment.

Ok, a few questions for discussion...

1) I missed my run yesterday and my bike today because I have a pain in my left calf. It's not soreness, it feels sharp and almost like a thin line down the center of my calf. Not constant but I feel it when I walk. thoughts?

2) Still contemplating the bike purchase... We went to one of the larger LBS yesterday to get my race-fee refund and pick up DH's bike from getting the cables tightened up. While there we looked at some tri bikes. I asked about being fit for a specific brand/model and the salesman said they pick the bike then the fit is included after purchase. He said I could get pretty close by standing over the bike and having only an inch or so between me and the bike. So I tried that with a couple bikes but didn't have him put the pedals on any of them to try out, mostly because the one's I liked were too small or too pricey (DH was looking at the $5,000 bike with electric shifters ) DH even offered part of his truck budget to get me a better bike

My current bike fits me about how the guy described so I'm now even more torn about getting a new one! Of course a new bike would be awesome! I've never had a new bike (or new car for that matter). My bike is a 2003 Giant TCR Aero 2 which retailed for $1,750 new. Am I really going to be upgrading if I spend $2,000 - $2,500 now? I told DH we'd go to one of the smaller LBS stores, where they know me better, and look at what they have but I'm torn. Besides, my Giant still has my O'side stickers on it . But a shiny new bike... *sigh*