BigSkiesMentorGroup - COMPLETE! (Page 18)

JOE, good luck on your century, and congrats on your 25th anniversary (will be celebrating mine in January), and your son's graduation.

DENISE, good luck in your sprint. During your race, you can visualize doing Ironman Texas this weekend ... the water was 80 degrees a few days ago and temps are supposed to be 70s in the AM warming to 90.

LISA

Thought I'd post another swim workout for those interested (total 1900).  I really enjoyed the "speed set" in this one.

WU 400

Kick set 50 x 4

Speed set   Four 50s x 4 on 1:20 (total 800; 50 moderate, 12.5 fast/37.5 slow, 25 fast/25 slow, 50 fast).

Pull set 100 x 4 on 2:30 (alternating breathing every 3 for 25/every 5 for 25)

CD 100

LISA

STEVE, how is the physio coming? My right hip pain has been progressively feeling better, and is just about pain free at this point (we'll see how that goes after my next run).  I am so right sided dominant that I felt like things were really tightening on my right side, especially with the increased swimming.  I've been making a conscious effort to pul harder on my left, change my standing position, how I cross my legs at work, stepping off on the left to begin with, etc. and am feeling more "balanced" ... if you understand what I'm saying. 

LISA

Joe,

I only stretch about 10 minutes after my runs.  I go through about 4-5 stretches (achillies, quad, hamstring, back or 2d hamstring, shins).  When I had pain in my calf (discussed in a prior post) I chalked it up to a deep cramp.  What helped was having my wife massage it real deep (almost to the point where the massage hurt), taking a few days rest, some Advil, and better hydration.  (On the hydration front, I've become a big fan of Accelerade/Endurox R4 and think it really helps.)  I would add that on the few occasions when I did a bike-run brick, the muscles/feelings of the run felt much different (i.e. I could feel it in different places and in different ways) than when I just ran.  I'm hoping/assuming that will go away as I continue working out.

Best of luck,

Canon

Joe,

I'm probably the last person you should take advise from regarding calf issues (seeing that I'm currently in a similar calf injury situation).  Steve offered some good treatment advise earlier in the thread so you might want to check those posts.  Personally I had chronic issues with both my calves when I 1st started my run training.  The advise I got was to start incorporating calf raises to strengthen the muscles.  I did them religiously and the problems went away.  With my increased load in SBR training I stopped doing them and guess what happened?  Calf issue 8 days prior to my 1st race of the season.  Check out the following video, details when you should do then and actually how to do them:

http://www.youtube.com/user/EnduranceCorner#p/u/1/ECUUMTaoLHs

Good luck getting your calves fixed and with your century ride this weekend.

Jeff / Canon

Thanks for your insights.....hadn't really gave  nutriention much consideration during my runs nor lifting. Typically, I only lift during the Nov-Jan timeframe. I am starting to think hydration and stretching may be at the root cause since this started in the  the morning with only a cup of coffee in me.  I did get a massage and yes it was painful.  Interesting that she noted that my right calf was more knotted than my left which is the calf I am having a problem with.  She also noted that most of my "knots" were more on the outside of my gastrocnemius (sp) in the belly area of the muscle and not in the "traditional" areas (not sure if that is good or bad).  It was also recommended a longer cool down prior to stretching. So it looks like I have a bit more trial and error to undertake till I find out what works. Hopefully I will get it figured out prior to June 5th (first tri this year -olympic distance)

JK

Hey gang -

I get so disgusted and discouraged at times. I had to get in a 2 hr bike ride today, so I decided to go on a beautiful rural route through some farm land...pretty remote and nothing around but cows, barns and wheat. I've never gone this route without my husband, but I thought "Hey...it's deserted out there. I'm sure I'll be fine."

Well, things didn't turn out so great. I mean....I'm OK, it's just that I had the heck scared out of me. I was about 1.5hrs into my ride, heading home and an SUV full of young men passed by me going very slow with their windows rolled down. One of them threw a beer bottle out of the window and onto some grass on the side of the road. He then hung half his body out the window and said something like "What you doing out here?" His eyes were glassy and he had a blank, almost menacing look on his face. I suddenly felt like prey. I didn't answer, but just concentrated on pedaling hard to get to civilization quicker. The vehicle passed me and went to the four-way stop ahead. I was praying that they would turn and go on with their day, but they just sat there at the intersection. There were no other vehicles around as far as I could see.

I thought about turning around, but that would look like I was obviously intimidated and they might find it amusing to step-up their intimidation efforts as a result. I eased the pepper spray out of my bento box and slipped it into my bike shorts as I approached the intersection. To make matters worse there was a large pothole between the edge of the road and their vehicle, which would necessitate me passing by them even closer than I initially thought I'd have to. I made my mind up that I wouldn't even look at them and just push past them as fast as I could.

When I approached their vehicle the guy in the right backseat started to open his door (which would have cut me off), so I quickly switched tacks and passed them on the left as there was no traffic. This must have surprised them because the others started screaming at me out the window "Hey where you going! You too good to talk to us? B*%ch!!!" I turned right with only a half mile to go until I was in a housing subdivision...I just prayed that I could make it there in time. Sure enough they pulled up beside me and started the harassment again. Name calling, crude talking....threatening. I just kept my head forward and said nothing. Then at the last minute I hit the breaks and turned-into the housing addition. I pulled into the first driveway that had an adult in it and explained what was happening. They let me stay there until the vehicle disappeared.

I'm just disgusted. I am out trying to have fun and take care of my health, minding my own business, and these thugs have to mess with me. What is in people's heads that would make them do something so stupid? 

Wow Trina, that is so scary.  I had a hard time reading it. Living it must have been worse.  I think you handled it in an incredibly smart way.  Did you have your cell phone with you?  That might have helped to report it.  Other than that, I can't think of anything to have done differently.  I'm glad that they didn't harm you physically.  I hadn't thought about it before, but I will pray for each member of our group that training goes well - no hurt harm or danger whether from other people, cars, dogs or whatever. 

My wife and I wish you the best in your training and that you will continue to have God's protection.  Don't give up training, they win if you do.  Continue to train smart.

Canon

Trina, I am so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I hate the fact that we all need to be concerned about people like that. I live in a nice subdivision but as noted above, am still leary of running by myself, especially early in the morning or after dark.  And I do carry pepper spray with me as well. I had someone follow me home one morning when I was running about 8 am on a weekend. We close to a culdesac and I was almost home when I realized this van that I'd seen turn around past my street was right behind me. Rather than go into my house, I carefully ran the rest of the way around the culdesac until they turned around and ended up leaving. My husband and sons were upset that I hadn't just run in the house but I didn't want them to see which house was mine, for fear they might come back later. For Christmas, my husband gave me a personal alarm that is very loud and at least makes me FEEL safer! If your husband is anything like mine, that will be your last solo bike ride for awhile.

LISA

Youth, immaturity, testosterone and alcohol just don't mix well together.  Sorry that happened to you Trina.  There are 2 things I won't leave home without when I ride:  My RoadID and cell phone.  Cell phone for calls to wife to pick me up, 9-1-1 or taking pictures (hopefully only of mother nature).

Thanks for the prayers and support, folks. I did have my cell phone on me, but for some reason it seemed like it would have been a futile effort to call the cops. I mean...it all happened so quickly and with them beside me on the road I didn't want to take the chance of enraging them by whipping out my phone. Not to mention I sometimes swerve a bit when one of my hands are off the handlebars for any amount of time. I think I did the right thing by keeping my cool and making sure my pepper spray was handy.

Lisa - My husband and son have both grounded me from lengthy solo rides. In my husband's case because he rides with me, I accepted, but in my son's....I told him that he'd just have to take up cycling and go with me if he wanted me to remain safe  I think he's actually considering it! Happy about that!

I think I became so discouraged yesterday because cycling is already a moderately dangerous activity due to traffic hazards. But to have someone go out of their way to mess with you while riding your bike is just so uncalled for. I just wanted to yell at them "Would you want someone speaking to your mother or sister or daughter this way?!" 

Anyway, I'm over it. Time to move on to positive things. I'm getting excited (and pretty nervous) about my first Oly in 9 days! I started my packing list last night. It's going to be a whirlwind couple of weeks for my husband and I since we are first driving to Austin and staying 4 days for my Oly, then driving back to OKC for one night to unload bikes and load the RV generator, then heading to Ft. Smith Arkansas to camp at a live music festival in the beautiful Ozarks for 5 days. I love it when spring arrives! 

Anyone racing this weekend?

Trina,

What an awful experience.  I would never image something like that happening.  Thanks for sharing since I will now think twice about not going out with my wife on her rides.  I always equated mace with dogs but I am sure it would of worked on teenagers just as well.  Smart thinking.  You are right, best to put it behind you. Enjoy your race and vacation. 

JK

Thought I would share this with the group.  For some reason writing out my thoughts helps me think better.  Not really a race report... more of a race reflection.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those mornings when we don't want to get up and train - a little motivation (from a Jordan/Nike commercial)

Maybe it’s my fault.

Maybe I led you to believe it was easy, when it wasn’t.

Maybe I made you think my highlights started at the free throw line, and not in the gym.

Maybe I made you think that every shot I took was a game winner.

That my game was built on flash and not fire.

Maybe it’s my fault that you didn’t see that failure gave me strength.

That my pain was my motivation.

Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a god-given gift and not something I worked for – every single day of my life.

Maybe I destroyed the game.

Or, maybe you are just making excuses.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-EyRUgp9Mk

Veronica,

Thanks for the "Good luck" message.  I couldn't reply on your page - I think because I'm not a "friend".

Anyway, thanks - I just want the wind to not be too bad.

Denise

Sorry about your yucky experience biking but great that you've got so much fun stuff ahead.  Great that you have the music festival after the Oly, so you can relax and enjoy it.  Have a lot of fun!  Will you be in touch with us or will we have to wait 'til you get back to hear all about the Oly and your trip?

Denise

Jeff,

Nice report.  Whenever I have a bad race, I figure I'm due a good one.  Onward!

Denise

First metric century down!!!! Yea.  Ave. 17.4 not what I had hoped (18) but I did lose focus on nutrition and bonked mainly because of my inexperience riding in close quarters and drafting which caused me not to take in to much mainly for fear of taking out other riders if I swerved.  Overall it was fun and drafting sure does help, averaging + 19 the first thirty.  Of course then came the rolling hills which I have minimal (none) training with since elevation changes of more than 5 feet do not exist out here. But there is always our token bridge.

JK

Hi there everyone, Steve invited me to join the group and I am super excited to be part.  Here is a little introduction.

PS - Steve Bradley is the BEST MENTOR EVER.  Just had to get that out there.

NAME: Mandy Farrar/manfarr1974

STORY: I am heading into my 3rd year of triathlon.  I started triathlon after 3 years of running marathons (I have done 5 to date).  I was kind of burned out on running and decided to try a sprint triathlon.  I didn't train at all, I almost drowned on the swim, but I loved it.  That year I did a few more sprints (that I trained for) and ended the year with an Oly distance.  Last year I did my first Half Ironman, along with a marathon and a bunch of sprint distance and one Oly distance Tri.

This year I am doing my first Ironman - Ironman Lake Placid - on July 24th.  I have a HIM (Quassy) in a few weeks.  I haven't really planned anything post IM, but have my eye on Pumpkinman HIM in Sept and maybe a fall marathon.  

I really like longer distance events, but I am not speedy. I call myself a back of middle of packer for the most part.  Sometimes I am in the middle of the middle pack, and on a good day when the fast people don't show up, I am in the front of the middle of the pack. 

FAMILY: I live in a small town in Maine called Caratunk (population 60).  I love where I live, in the summer, it is the epicenter of whitewater rafting in Maine, in the winter, it is very quiet and snowy.  I live there with my man John & some transient raft guide friends who pass through town. We very much miss our 10 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Bailey, who we had to say goodbye to this week.  I mention this because he is & always will be part of our family.   We miss him so much.

CURRENT TRAINING: Ironman Lake Placid BABY!! That is my A+++ race this year.  I am going to scout it out in June.  On June 6 I am doing Rev3 Quassy Half, it should be a good test of where my fitness is.  I live 75 minutes from the closest pool and have made the drive weekly all winter to try to improve.  In the summer, I have a lot of lakes I can swim in, but right now the water is 47 degrees.  BRR  SO I make the drive. Hopefully the sun will come out and I will get into the open water before my first triathlon. 

WEIGHTLOSS: This winter I have dropped about 15lbs. I would like to get down about 5 more to really be at ideal race weight, but am not as committed to it as I probably should be. I like ice cream, pizza, and beer. 

SO that is me in a nutshell.  Um, I am short and spunky too.

Mandy