Dream Chaser's 'Set a Goal and Capture it!' Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 17)

I like the plan as the intervals make the hour fly and give me purpose.  I don't train with a HRM or power.  I've tried using a HRM but if I paid attention to my readings - I'd be dead.  Seriously - I remember once on a treadmill it was high just walking.  I try to use the RPE but it's easy to cheat that way.  I really have to pay attention to my body and be disciplined.  This morning I was supposed to do 4 ten minute intervals varying between a strong working effort and a hard effort.  I pretty much did them all at a strong working effort (trying to increase the intensity with each one) as I'm just not there yet endurance-wise to go really hard for a full 10 minutes.  Sad but true.  But I do feel stronger and I enjoy it so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for not forgetting me Bobby!  Races really motivate me as well.  Towards the end of last season, I finally turned a corner from “training to survive” to “training to enjoy the race and get better.”  With two exceptions, I tried to bunch the races up a little bit this year so I could just aim my fitness for a single race while enjoying the other one.  I’ll admit that my race schedule looks insane when you look at my training schedule to date but, now that I know I can do it from past experience, I will put in the time and push myself to improve.

Looking back at my goals:

#1 – My training was (some might say is...) a complete disaster to date.  When I wasn’t legitimately doing the new job boogie, I was doing the couch potato truffle shuffle.  I’m going to give myself a half-mulligan on this one because of the new job search and for getting the new position. 

The new job has a bit longer and harder commute so I am already at work figuring out how I am going to deal with it.  There are a couple of options, including gyms sort of in the area in the city and a triathlon team not terribly far away.  In terms of the team, I want to get myself at a minimum level of fitness before I get too crazy and consider joining one though.

I’m hoping that a better working environment will have me reorienting towards looking forward to things rather than waiting for the next outburst of irrationality or the axe to fall.

#2 – Weight loss started off well - I was counting calories and losing weight, not to mention starting to feel better.  I’m still trying to figure out what caused me to completely fall off the wagon with these new habits.  I then went on such a tear eating out that the good eating habits wagon stopped, backed up over me, hit me again and then proceeded to repeat the process a few more times.  The only saving grace is that I somehow managed to not exceed my original starting weight.

I am keeping the June 1st goal.  It is a HUGE longshot to actually hit it but I really want to get in the area of 240 before race season begins.

#3 – The Olympic distance dream is still alive, just a little tougher since I am under 22 weeks and counting until the first race.  Ironically, this goal has increased in a way since I signed up for two more Olympic distance races.

I signed up for a race before the NYC tri so I could get a better feeling for the distance before I embarrass myself in front of thousands of city-goers.  I know it will probably mess with my taper but, let’s be  honest, I’m not going to podium so I would much rather have the race knowledge and not be at my “freshest” than go in blind.  I signed up for the race in October is so that my parents can actually see me do a race.

I have also decided to add two more goals to my list:

#4 – I want to participate in this mentor group more frequently.  I know I have been dragged along by this group but I really have enjoyed it and learned a bunch.  I think I have been in a total of 5 mentor groups to date and none of them have been as motivating or as tightly focused on goals as this one.  It really has been a testament to our leader’s leadership and everyone’s participation in the thread and hard work out of it.  As someone who has never been able to stay focused on long-term goals consistently, my thanks to all of your for teaching me some valuable new skills.  I am just now beginning to understand how you do what you do so consistently…

#5 – Get in shape to the point where I can join the cool kids who do weekend training at Cedar Beach.  Someone else said this a while back and, as much as I’d like to believe that this is a solitary sport, working with others is really motivating.  I had some triathlon classes last year that I eventually had to quit because of the price but the accountability to others, in addition to myself, really pushed me in ways that I did not expect.  It also gave me a huge confidence boost.  I imagine that getting schooled by the Cedar Beach crew could serve the same purpose.  I just have to get myself fast enough to be a caboose on their train and not an anchor on the bike or swim.  I am quite sure that running will remain my own private hell until I can gain much more speed and distance but I am completely okay with that.  These other two will definitely sustain me. 

Sorry for the novel…I wrote this once and lost it (even my computer at work is plotting against me!).  I think the rewrite added a bit more text but took out some of the more colorful descriptions of me…

I feel exactly the same way, Shawn.  I am on what feels like my second reset of this year and I am trying to get more consistent.  That's the only way I am ever going to improve.  I will be out of town this weekend, but can't wait to hit the ground running (literally) when I get back now that the time change is here.

I am having mixed emotions on this weeks training. On one hand, I missed a scheduled Sun & Tues workout due to work drama. Sometimes it can't be helped and since work makes it possible for all else....well, it has to take prioirity.

On the other hand, workouts continue to feel stronger - not easier - just stronger. I feel I am accomplishing more than just going thru the motions. So that is a good - positive thing.

Guess its up to me to choose which hand I want to dwell on.....NO BRAINER!!

I am also excited about a trip to Vegas this weekend. It will be my first though it is work related and I won't be able to spend the amount of time I'd like to experience Vegas, I am more pumped up about getting to mtn bike BootLeg Canyon than seeing Sin City....can't believe I just said that - hahaha!! I also am hoping to catch a CrossFit workout while there with the local gym....not sure that will happen but it would be nice.

Anyone have any input on this ride? http://vimeo.com/4481286

Ok 

*****Dork Alert****

I've been to Vegas many times and as cool as the city is, my favorite things to see there are Red Rock Canyon and The Hoover Dam. Neither one is right in the city and take a bit of time to get to but they are both awesome! Doesn't sound like you have a lot of time but if something frees up, these are very cool to see.

Enjoy bootleg canyon!!

Ok 

*****Dork Alert****

I felt compelled to write this after reading John's blog today which included the tribute to Amanda Miller. I'm gonna post it in COJ as well as a reminder to everyone, including myself.

My wife was diagnosed with Melanoma, JUST IN TIME, a few years ago.

I happened to notice a dark mole on her back one day while she was getting dressed and suggested we schedule an appointment with the dermatologist, just to be safe, thinking it was nothing. Foolishly, we kept postponing the initial appointment certain it wasn’t serious, just a strange dark mole on her back, that by the way, she couldn't see. When we finally went to the doctor, after multiple cancelled appointments, cancerous cells were no longer growing outward on the surface of the skin but were now working their way through the subcutaneous layers towards the blood stream where the cancer would metastasize through the lymph nodes if not diagnosed, fortunately it was. The Doctor said we were very lucky they caught it when they did. Initially, they suspected the worst as it appeared to have been fairly advanced. It wasn't yet, we were VERY lucky.

Two years ago, my 7 yo daughter had a suspicious mole removed and biopsied because of the family history. Thank God the biopsy came back negative but unfortunately, my children will always be at risk. I am now soooo vigilant with protecting my kids against the sun as I believe we all need to be.

My story has a happy ending but after a seriously sucky winter, when everyone can’t wait to shed all the layers  in the heat of summer, please stay safe in the sun and pay special attention to the safety of your children.

I’ll step off my soap box now.

We almost went to Vegas to celebrate my mother-in-law's 60th and my wife's whole family thought I was nuts for wanting to do so many things outside of the city.  Yeah, I sort of don't fit in with the rest of them.   

Here's hoping you have a safe and fantastic trip!

It's a great reminder!  My father was in a similar situation, except it was the doctor who told him it was probably nothing.  The giant scar under his armpit and into his back would testify to fact that it wasn't nothing (as would his newfound lack of a lymph node in that area...).

So glad your Dad's ok. That's the problem with this though, it's not taken seriously enough(even by many doctors). People think you just have it removed, which is true if it's caught early enough. If not, it is one of the most aggressive cancers.

And yeah, it leaves a nasty scar, we call my wife's the "shark bite".

Sounds exactly like what we went through with my wife last year.  She is only 38 and had 3 cancerous moles removed.  She is  also very light skinned so we are extra vigilent with the sun protection, especially so with our kids. 

Great reminder!  Thanks for sharing your story!

Personally this topic freaks me out.  My hubby says I'm a poster child for skin cancer - fair and I burn easily.  I have oodles of freckles and a number of moles but with *SO* many that how could I ever keep track of them all to know?  My doctor always says "these freckles are skin damage" but I wear sunscreen and still burn at times!!  Two summers ago I tried a spray sport screen before my triathlon and liberally put it everywhere - I think it was a defective can because I was a lobster by the end of my triathlon - brutal!  My doctor examines my back every year but I don't know that she'd be able to tell on an annual basis which ones have changed.  I can't even see half of mine as they are on my back!  I am tempted to get hubby to start taking pictures...  I'm glad everything worked out in the end.  What a scary experience it must have been for all of you!

On a lighter note - what's everyone got planned for the weekend?  I'm pleased with my training this week.  I'm hoping to get a run in tomorrow and my long bike on Sunday.

Thanks for sharing that story. I have to admit I have always been negligent in this area. I wouldn't say I am a sun worshipper but growing up on the lake the sun & the occasional sun burn where just a part of life. Of course back then there wasn't the amount of awareness there is now but some old habits are hard to break I guess. I have become more conscious the last couple of years and try to use the sunscreen. Doesn't make it easy when everyone around you is slathering on "Burn Me Good" oil....

Leaving for Vegas this afternoon - not sure I'll have time to check in the next couple of days but will be back by middle of next week. Hope to share some great shots of biking!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sorry if I brought the tone of the group down the last coupla days but I'm really happy to hear that those of you with similar experiences had positive outcomes and that we all seem to be more conscious of it. 

I'm planning on a run and hopefully.....wait for it....and a bike ride OUTSIDE this weekend!! Probably also go to our local ST. Pats parade tomorrow.

Have a great trip John, sounds likes its gonna be an AWESOME experience! Enjoy!

Bobby, Are you handling your training any differently this week for the KP 15k or is it just another training day for IMLP?

No need to apologize!!  It's great to bring awareness to issues that people may not be aware of and good to see everyone on top of it.  The note forces change amongst those of us that aren't as diligent in skin care.

Sunday morning - just made breaky for the troops - thought it was 9am but doh! 10am.  So much for my early morning trainer ride!!  I'm REALLY procrastinating this morning and am tempted to push it to this afternoon but fearful I'll bail completely so ya.... will Marcia get her ride in today?  Only time will tell!!   At this point I'd rather work on my taxes!!!

Dream Chaser - 2011-03-14 12:34 AM

I'm so stoked to race, as I've only raced twice since last June. RACE WEEK!!!!  

ANYONE ELSE RACING SOON??

WahooOOOOO!!  You will ROCK it DC!!...you had to bottle up all race enthusiasam and energy long enough!!

Time to UNLEASH!!!

I laughed Rene's "unleash" as I watch Secretariat with my child! UNLEASH THE POWER!!

My first race isn't until August but I will likely do a couple of sprints before then...Not til July though.