Caius's Group - CLOSED (Page 18)

You all have been busy posting since I last was on...I have to play catch up now lol.

Montana was great, nice day trip hiking in the mountains exploring an abandon mining/ghost town called Coolidge, MT. I would love to go to Glacier someday but its a ways from the part of MT that we are close to so someday I suppose I will get the chance. Tracy ...chase off all the bears for me ok

Terry, great job on the race it was so cool you went for it again, it really encourages me to stick with my training even when doubts set in.

Well my next race is this weekend so I guess I have to taper off a little bit , I am going to do a OWS this week in the same lake the race is in, just to check it out if nothing else. Oh yeah and the hill is an 11% grade for one mile. If I cant bike it than I will push, pull  or drag my bike up it ,whatever it takes to get to the top.

Here's a picture of us in Montana this weekend, the cool thing is that my husband can now put his arms around me and less than a year ago that wasn't possible

(july4 08.jpg)

Gloria - I feel the same way about your part of Idaho:  would love to visit but right now, given the gas prices, it seems WAY too far away!

Good luck with your OWS.  Today, if all goes well, I will be heading to the lake where my tri will be held for a practice OWS.  I'm a little nervous!

What a great pic of you and your hubby.  Congrats on the weight loss!

Gloria, is that true?! That is so amazing. Congratulations!!!

Terry, what can I say other than what everyone else has already mentioned? Don't get so down on yourself. I have no idea why you're experiencing so much cramping. It's weird. I mean the only thing I could possible suggest is to try again but to really slow your pace right down. At this point, finishing might be more important to your mental state then finishing high up in the rankings.

As for the swim, I don't know what to say. I really don't understand why there has to be so much contact. I mean, I've swam in crowds before during tri events and I am always super careful about who's around me so that I don't hit them. I've shortened my stroke, changed my hand position, whatever just so I won't hit the person beside/in front of me. Others just don't care who's around them and just keep going. I guess that's our problem...we're too considerate/nice. I absolutely don't get the swimming right on top of you part. Clearly the person saw/felt you but just didn't give a crap and just kept going. It's all about them after all - I just don't understand that type of thinking at all.

Chin up mate. Get back up on that horse. You may be completley down and ticked right now but you know down deep inside you can't let this get to you. Who's the boss? You or the event?

Thanks for the encouragement from the group.  I think Neil hit it on the head when he said the sprint tris may be my calling.  I certainly didn't cramp on Memorial Day and have signed up for 3 more between now and October.  The one in Sept has a 400 yard OWS that should get my confidence back.  The one at the end of this month is a pool swim.

I started racing mtn bike about 2 1/2 years ago and last year in May I moved to Sport class which is about 1.5 hours racing time vs 45 minutes for Beginner class.  Thats when I started the cramping issues.  I've tried everything under the sun and I actually don't look forward to mtn bike races anymore.  Tris are so much more conveneint to train for; I either walk out my front door to run or road bike or drive 5 miles to the indoor pool.  I don't have to drive (gas $$$) 45 minutes to an hour and a half to practice.

The issue for mtn bike racing for me is I have to go/stay anaerobic to be competitive.  If I'm not borderline anaerobic, I'm darn near DFL.  If I stay near anaerobic, I cramp.

I think me and XTERRA is the proverbial forcing a round peg into a square hole.  Some things just don't work out and I can live with that.  I feel better now and I look forward to my upcoming sprints.  Thanks so much again, group!

Hi all,

I didn't fall of the face of the earth.  I tried, but I landed in Vegas.  Training has been a bit off since the start of summer vacation, and I have not been logging my time diligently, but I am still at it.  I have a X2 tri next weekend.  The legs are short but going through the mill twice should be intresting.  I'll get caught up on the back posts over the next day or so.  Cheers!

Indeed it's been quiet. I think it's a combination of people being either busy or on vacation. I've been completely swamped at work as I am trying to wipe everything off my plate as I'm off next week...going to Lake Placid!

OMG, can you tell you all how excited I am? I mean, I am busting at the seams!!!!!! Yes, I can't stop putting exclamation marks everywhere!!!!

Last night our Tri club had a send off meeting for everyone going to IMLP and the nervous energy was palbable. It was awesome!!!!!

Okay...breathe...breathe...

When I noticed you were leaving for Lake Placid soon, that was my exact reaction:  "OMG!!!"  Best of luck! 

I'm 'racing' this weekend.  I have a question which I hope isn't too stupid.  I don't think I can do up my wetsuit myself.  (Unzipping isn't a problem)  Is this normal.  And is it okay to find someone to zip me up?  My family may not be there to assist.

Thanks for the input!!

Not a stupid question at all. I often have problems doing my wetsuit. Rare is the time I'm able to do it up myself. Don't worry about it. Everyone is in the same boat and most everyone asks someone for help. If you ask a guy I'm sure they'll be more than happy to assist

I'm 'racing' this weekend.  I have a question which I hope isn't too stupid.  I don't think I can do up my wetsuit myself.  (Unzipping isn't a problem)  Is this normal.  And is it okay to find someone to zip me up?  My family may not be there to assist.

Thanks for the input!!

I was held captive by a hotel room for 3 days this week on business.  Not bad since it was a recovery week.  No competitions this weekend, so for a change it'll be a quiet one.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

I can't wait to complete my race report, because it will mean that I've completed my 375 m (probably 300 m of swimming) lake swim!  I can hardly wait!

Good luck Kristina and Gloria!

Wahoo!! I made it to the finish line, I am now a triathlete!!

It was tough, the hill was a beast I almost thought of giving up but I am so happy I didn't!!

Here's one picture, I will post a race report over the weekend sometime. Good luck to Kristina and Tracy on their races this weekend !!

(blacktail triathlon 046a1.jpg)