Asphalt Junkies CLOSED AND GETTING OUR FIX (Page 162)

This is so amazing on so many levels, and to get a full ride pushes it over the top.  I can't imagine how awesome this must be for you.

Happy Thanksgiving and may God Bless you all. I hope everyone has a very safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day with their friends and family. I know I have much to be thankful for and am thankful to part of such a wonderful group of people. As it's been said here already let's not forget to remember those who are less fortunate then we are and those who serve and protect us in many capacities to keep us free and safe.

I completed my race yesterday and seemed to fare well.  I placed 81/3248 OA and 1/124 AG but I was slower this year than last.  I didn't seem to have the mental drive or ability to push myself the whole race.  I wasn't substantially slower, only 18 seconds, but it is always a disappointment to run under what I think my abilities are.

Here is the race report

Did anyone get in on any Black Friday action? Me, I try and avoid that at all cost but I did purchase a new wetsuit last night and I think I got a good deal on it. I lost so much weight that my wetsuit doesn't fit. It fit when I got but I never imagined I would lose as much weight as did so it was lose on me all season so I needed to replace it.

I have DeSoto and I love it and since most places are clearing out there inventory I was able to get a new Desoto First Wave top and the Black Pearl Bibjohns in my size for 25% off and it was cheaper than what I paid for my suit last season. With the Bibjohn I essentially have a full sleeved and sleeveless wetsuit all in one. I am happy about getting it at a good price but it took some convincing to get my wife (CFO) to sign off and approve.

Jeff, I think you found one of my swim problems!!!  Indeed, I was coming towards the midline on the pull, and so today I tried to steer clear of it, and I didn't really feel my biceps when I tried for a strong pull! I was even thinking am I feeling my lats?!?!  (Okay, this may have been part mental. )  I even thought I may have felt my triceps!  I was literally cracking up as I was thinking all this to myself.  And then the fact that I am laughing as I am swimming made me laugh even more!   So I guess I was being inefficient by engaging my biceps?!

So now let me explain why I pretty much purposefully was pulling towards the midline, and hopefully someone can explain where the confusion came from!  So a couple years ago I went to this swim clinic.  And one of the things I remember was her talking about sculling and making the S-shape on the pull.  So therefore, I was making this S shape by my hand/arm towards the midline.  Now, I realize there are different ways to swim, and some people don't believe in making this S shape.  But for those who do make it, where/when is this shape made?  Clearly it's not the way I was doing it!

Also, I have attended one masters class in the past.  And the one drill I remember is the one where you drag your thumb along the side of your body.  And now this drill seems relevant to me, as that helps keep the arm from going in too far!  As I was doing it, it also seemed to force a high elbow too.

Edit: I went back and read over the past posts, and I missed Dirk's post!  So Dirk, you found my swim problem too!! 

I'm so disgusted by this whole situation!  Blarg!!!!  Here is a report for you on the hit-and-run.  I'm thankful that my friends are recovering.

In other news......the Turkey Trot 5K was fun!  I wasn't going to race so I didn't bother to warm up.  My friend (same age group) lined up next to me and said she was feeling pretty good.

Crap

She stayed (just barely) in front of me for 2.5 miles.  I pulled in front of her, just barely.  About 50 feet in front of the finish line, I glanced back and saw her making her move.  I kicked it up another notch and beat her.

Geezuz!  I should have warmed up!  That hurt!  The finishing photo is super funny.  I'm smiling and she has a terrible face.  We're all laughing!  I better watch my backside. 

Turkey Trot 5K update

3 of 75 in AG

99 of 735 total

Woo hoo!

Tracy congrats on a great effort and finishing strong and beating your friend at the Turkey Trot 5k. I got a good laugh reading your summary of the race.

I have a treadmill that doubles as a coat hanger most of the time.  I despise it so much and I would much rather run outside in just about any weather that I don't use unless I absolutely have to run inside.

And if Sara wants a treadmill, Sara gets a treadmill.  You know how this is going to go anyway.  I mean really, how long have you been married?  Seriously though, if she wants one and you have the ability to get one for her it might be a good idea.  My only caveat would be if Sara is Like Lis then you might have to question her a bit on it.  Lis has gotten various types of fitness equipment over the years and used it so rarely that had it not been for me using it, the money spent purchasing it might well have been flushed down the toilet.  Seriously!

As far as the gym, I am more likely to want to WO at a gym too because of the atmosphere.  However when a person is truly dedicated a treadmill can provide "short on time" alternatives that couldn't be afforded when you only have a little bit of time to WO.  It may benefit you as well to have something close occasionally so you can get a couple of miles in without having to go to the gym.

Something else to consider.  I am not sure how things work out in your house but here, it seems I get nearly everything I want.  It may take some time to get, but I get it nonetheless.  Lis on the other hand asks for little and gets little.  She is content to enjoy the thoughts that by allowing me and the girls to have what we desire that she is happy as well.  Now, I used to argue with her about some of the fitness equipment that she "needed" because I knew she wouldn't use it.  While I may have been right that she wouldn't use it, I feel I've cheated her out of something in the overall picture of our marriage.  After all I have received, so what that I have to spend $400-$500 on her every once in a great while.  She needs to feel like she can have some things too.  So, since you have asked, buy her a treadmill.

As far as what you are looking at.  I would make sure it has at least a 1.5 HP motor for running (a 2 HP might be better if you think you might use it much).  Speeds should be at least 10MPH and the incline should be motorized.  (I actually don't know if they make one that's not motorized anymore.)  I have a Pro-Form XP 680 that has worked well for me for around 7 years.  It seems to be a decent mid-level unit for home use.  It was purchased for about $500 at Sears but it's been long enough that I can't really recall.

I like the idea of the ifit that you described.  It seems that you could enter some marathon courses and get a couple of good long runs in.

 I read the article.  It seems to me that the PD wants to make sure they have all the evidence in line so they can really make sure they nail this guy to the wall.  I think they are making the right call by taking it slow.  They already have him in custody for another charge that won't be allowing him to get out anytime soon, so he's no concern to the safety of others now.  I know it has to be hard on you and the others who were there but it's probably the right thing to do to make sure he's put away for a long time.  But, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind seeing this be a death penalty case just because it appears to be a premeditated killing of the other lady and then a secondary, careless murder of the runner.  He doesn't seem to have any feeling or emotion.

Congrats on your Turkey trot!  A well run race despite the lack of a WU.

mambos - 2012-11-25 10:21 AM this describes just about every thought I had. All I can remember is the $400 I spent on some sort of elliptical thingy that was never used, but we just had to have. I think that thing is now sitting in her sisters basement not being used, so it was $400 for someone else to use as a coat hanger! . And after 12yrs I have learned one thing, what Sara wants, Sara gets! Much more peaceful that way, especially when she starts reminding me how much I pay out in race fees!

If mama's happy, everybody's happy!  My boys recite that one often.

I don't own a treadmill but my sister does and they've used it almost every day for a few years.  I don't know the model but after much research and asking around she said a TM is one thing you want to get at least a "pretty good" one, though I've not even dug into it enough to know what that means.  My wife runs outside all winter, but if she wanted a treadmill, I'd buy it before the sunset.  She's gained a lot of chits after approving my P2 purchase!

I'm going to make some assumptions about how many days you have to train.  You don't have to start at zero, but I would definitely play it conservatively.

Start by adding a few more days of running but keeping the time and intensity the same as you've been doing. Once you're at 5 or 6 days, then you can begin to add some time to one or two of the days.  Rinse and repeat.  Throughout the process pay close attention to your body.  Niggles and pains should be signs to stop adding and consolidate your current progress.  I would do almost all, if not all, your run/walking at a relaxed pace for a while.  After fighting it for my first two injury riddled running years, I am a HUGE believer in easy pace running.  Everyone is different, so be honest in your own body's ability to recover.

Another overlooked aspect of starting up again is that you've probably also lost some core strength and stamina, and the core is what keeps your form solid.  Overcompensating for a weak or tired core can cause a host of problems.  So doing some form of core work a few times a week can't be a bad thing if you can find the time.

Solid race Tracy.  No doubt having someone push you really brings out the best.  But warm up next time!

I am with Warren.  You won't need to start from scratch but find a happy place in the middle to pick things back up.  You should be able to feel your way through the first few days pretty easily.  Keep your logs up to date as you begin and review them as soon as you feel somethings a little different.  Make sure to provide enough detail that you can make sense of any issues that may come up.

Much of what you need to do will be based on your body and how it responds to any added work load.  Only you can really determine if you are ready to advance your WO's.  You may be able to make it back to a higher number of WO's per week than you might imagine.  If you split your time up wisely and work out wisely, I think you can get by with 5 days a week right away.  The length of the WO will be the important to maintaining a secure balance. 

You might try doing WO's something like this:

Mon. 20-30 minutes run/walk with some strength training for balance if you like.

Tues. 20-30 bike (moderate intensity) you may want to make sure you keep things light enough to ensure no soreness the next day.

Wed. 1500 in the pool with mostly drills to make sure you don't lose any good habits you had developed.

Thurs.  Rest day

Fri.  Monday schedule

Sat. Tuesday schedule

Sun. Wednesday schedule

Mon. Rest day

.......and so on.......

Over time you'll be able to begin to feel everything coming back and you can start base building again.

I think you said it before but give yourself some time before you commit to doing another long course race.  I may even base build for a couple of years before any long course.  My approach to nearly all of my events has been along those lines.  It took me 2 years to feel like I could begin to hit HIM level training.  Now I am planning a second year of HIM training leading into 2014 and a possible IM.  Lis ans I will have to have a long discussion before I sign up for one.  Lots of $$$ goes out for one of those as you might know.

 Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! I've been a little MIA in the group but trying to catch up.

Matt, we have had a treadmill for 6 years. It is a Nordictrack. My husband bought it when my son was a baby because I could put him (my son not my husband ) in the bouncy seat and still get my workout in. It has been used a lot, not a coat hanger, worth the money. Even when I'd rather be outside I'm still glad we have it.

Tracy and Dirk, congrats on ya'll races!!!!!  GREAT Jobs!!!!!

Jo, we are so glad you are back and feeling better and getting ready to start your training.

Samantha, glad your swim is going so well.

Matt, my 1st day of marriage, I learned 2 things, 1) "She is right, I'm wrong, I'm sorry" and 2) "What is hers is hers and what is mine is hers".  lol If she really if she is interested in running, encourage her.

I hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!!

Jo63 - 2012-11-26 7:11 AM Dina, good to hear from you! Warren and Dirk thanks for the info I will try the recommendation I was gonna hop right into a winter maintenance program but I will hold off and eases into it. Although I am still trying to get into Kona next year for my 50 birthday...i am almost finished with my video for the Become One contest Today is my husband and my 29th anniversary, it is hard to believe it seems like time has just flown by. When I think about that it reminds me to slow down and enjoy today. Iam hoping to get out of work early so I can get my short run in and then we are going out for dinner to celebrate! Happy Monday!

JoAnne Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. I hope you guys both have a great time celebrating it today.

Ha!  Looks like your 'S's were backwards.  IF you are doing an 'S' stroke, the left arm makes an S and the right arm makes a backwards S like a kindergardener would do! 

The scull starts at the front and sweeps to the OUTSIDE before coming back in to the side.  You were just starting the 'S' the wrong way.