Manatee Mentors 2014--CLOSED (begging & bribes MAY work) (Page 16)

You're welcome.  I don't really either know what it is, kinda stumbled on it by my usual method of fixin' things--click on stuff until you find something you have never seen before and try it out...I had no problems cutting and pasting last year too, so suspect it is something to do with the new BT.

Had a cold start to our relay this morning...37 or so. Because we couldn't get a second sitter, we planned for me to do three laps in a row and then head home for a few hours before heading back for one or two more. With kids at the moment and getting phone updates from J.

I made J take the starting lap with all the crazy crowding in the predawn light, plus it was a run to bike start.. It was the right call based on what he said happened to riders around him...guess one guy flipped off a downhill section and barely missed a boulder  Since we didn't get to do pre-ride on Wednesday, my first lap was just figuring out the course; second lap was maneuvering around people; third lap hurt. I'm feeling those 21mi, but also hoping the guys don't go too slowly so I can ride again.  lol 

Aside from one guy who slammed into me as he ran his bike past me in a tunnel, people were very polite and encouraging...even when stuck behind me on single track sections. I tried to move right for one guy but there was no room. I said Sorry! (hahaha, Kirsten). He laughed and said Don't worry about it. We're almost to the finish. You can pull me in.

Happy Weekend!

Hope your all having a good weekend, we're in mid-Summer here so it's HOT!

Went out with the tri club for a bike ride today, I rarely do this because I like to stick to my own pace, HR etc but thought maybe I should be more sociable. Anyway all went well for the first 60km and then I just lost all the strength going up a hill and just couldn't get it back. After 10 agonizing km's I told them to go on and I stopped at a cafe for a rest. Luckily I met some friends there so I ate and got a coffee then rode the last 12 km home with them. I think it was a combination of the heat (31 c), no sports drink and lack of recent rides over 60km. Not much fun....

NAME: Mark Loken

STORY: I am a 46 year old male who has been doing triathlons six years. Everyone thinks this is my mid-life crisis and they are probably right. Triathlon fits my personality very well, especially long and iron course. I tend to operate alone and the long solo hours on the bike and running are perfect for me. It also gives me a great outlet to ride in groups and socialize. It is the perfect sport for me! Historically, I have been a runner but in my 30s, I stopped running consistently. Kids, career, etc. Typical excuses. ?

FAMILY STATUS: I have been married for twenty years and have two daughters ages 12 and 15.   No pets as we have a lot of allergies.

CURRENT TRAINING: I have been focusing on running and my nutrition. For the last three months. I have been biking occasionally and need to get into the pool. My weekly running mileage is good and really want to focus on some speed work. I am slow and want to fix that. I figured that having a good running base through year-end would pay dividends when my heavy Ironman training begins.

THIS YEAR'S RACES/EVENTS: I am signed up for IM Racine 70.3, IMWI, and IMAZ. I have focused on an Ironman every other year and completed IMWI in 2010, and IMAZ in 2012. That was my plan this year until I somehow managed to register for IMAZ online. Wasn’t planning that but lucked out and my wife gave me the “thumbs up.” So excited to race in the desert again!

2013 RACES/EVENTS: Largely didn’t race. I did two running races and one team triathlon. 2013 was rough year professionally.

BODY COMPOSITION: I am on my fourth month of switching up nutrition plans. I have been reading Ben Greenfield and Maria Emmerich. I have managed to greatly reduce my carb intake, and very little sugar. I have been focusing on healthy fats and protein. Feeling very good although the last two weeks have not been the best eating choices. I need to get back to tracking my food intake. My start weight was 235 and yesterday it was 210. I would like to get down to the 185 range by June. Also working with a Nutritionist and getting some really good eating tips.  

All in all, that is me. I am looking to contribute where I can and support everyone in the group. I am also looking for some of you to kick my if I slip on training and or with my nutrition. Feel free to look at my blogs and thanks for letting me in your group.

Thanks Ashley, its great to be here!

Originally posted by Richardsdrr Welcome Mark and please, pass on those tips to us lot too Hi to everyone else also. Logged my 5th run today on Jantastic giving me 100 % for the week. Well done to everyone else who managed to get out there, can't be easy in the weather you've been getting. Don't forget to log your runs before 8am Tuesday GMT. This year you also have two jokers to play if needed, basically a buy that let's you skip a week if your not going to be able to complete all your runs. It's meant to be if you get injured or have something pop up (races/holidays/work) etc. Any new manatees who want to join in can. Go to www.jantastic.me and sign up. When it gets to the point where you select a team, search for mad manatees.

DOOO EEET!!!

Jen, I think that you are overthinking this. Maybe just rotate the two for now?

That's understandable.

Can you squeeze in a yoga class for the next little bit?  It might help you in two ways: (1) structured time for stretching, (2) learning a few moves that you can do on your own to add to your regular routing.  For example, I learned "thread the needle" in yin yoga and I found it to be a great upper back stretch for me.

Have you tried to roller your calf muscles? I use a big foam plus the "marathon stick" when I get tight. Ice bath? Do you think they would tighten up if you speed walk on the treadmill? 

I'm trying.  I have a few sessions of yoga already paid for, but they changed the times, so it's a bit tricky to get to the one I need.  I need to work on getting up earlier.  I was doing better when I went more regularly.

Blasted touchpad double posting.

Welcome Mark!

Got my 5/5 for Jantastic done this morning.  Pouring rain, but at least the wind has stopped.

Jen, I hear you on overthinking when coming back from injury.  I was doing the same thing at the beginning of last year after my Achilles issue.  For me, I just had to tell myself that I am cleared to run, so just run.  I built very slowly, and just listened to my body.  I knew I would have some discomfort, but any sharp pain, and I pulled back again.  Hang in there!

Janyne, is the list of Manatee Birthdays listed somewhere (I mean besides your amazing weekly lists )?

No but I'll put in the the a Google doc and share it.

Thank you!