Whizzzzz's Group -- Full! (Page 18)

My thoughts on the Mentor program are these:

I would like to start a new group... and use you all as a resource... in other words, get another group together, and have you guys chime in with what you learned, what you thought worked, what didn't etc etc...

Sort of like a BT forum on a smaller scale, a bit more intimate and comfortable... you know? Was also hoping to recruit Dumpster to answer some of the more technical IM type questions some of you might have. While I have a fair amount of triathlon experience, I don't have any IM specific experience, and he does! And I know there are going to be questions and issues that arise that are specific to Lori and Eric... and good answers would be appreciated, I'm sure!

So, in short, what I'm saying is that I'd love to keep us all together, AND add new people too... Sort of start over with them, but use you guys and your individual experiences from this past year... I'm thinking that you all probably won't have AS MANY questions as you had last year... but things do still come up, and I'd like you still to have a place to ask your questions and get quick answers.   

I think we had an awesome run, and I'm so very very proud of the work you guys did and the goals you accomplished. You should be proud of yourselves, too! I hope you are.

Here's to 2008! Onward and Upward!

My training since September had been pretty much non-existant due to school and overcommitment. BUT now I'm ready to get back at it.  I know I'm going tohave more questions this coming season as I'm seriously contemplating doing an OLY later in the summer (while McFuzz is gone).  I would love to help out but I'm not sure I would much info to give.  I can be inspiring and encouraging and talk about first-time stuff but that would be about all. 

I think what you want to do sounds great I just don't want to drag you guys down.  Let me know what you decide!

I'm going to be re-evaluating my goals for 2008 so watch for changes.

+1...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!

I'm sorry guys!!!

We can still be a group! If you want to do another year with me!

I think we will have LOTS to watch and learn as Lori and Eric embark on their IM adventure and  I try to tame the running beast!

Not to mention watching Loosey get back into it, Watching Nancy and Beth kick some A$$, watching Kat and her new boyfriend cycle around the US, watching Laura run her marathon...watching Mary get in line and get on board with her program, and watching Todd advance to running achievements he never even dreamed he'd reach! THIS IS THE YEAR! 

I'm more than happy to keep with my group... Was thinking about trying to start a new one and meld them into this one...but I'm not going to have the time this year...

So, long story short... YES! Let's keep 'er goin! All in favor of the Cool Kids Mentor Group for 2008... Say AYE!

(AYE!) 

I am still here.....   I go to Vancouver tomorrow

Spinning... a hot bed of controversy...

I'll tell you what... In my opinion, it depends on the "spin" bike... My HC used to have awesome spin bikes... fully adjustable with a weighted flywheel. Clip pedals. They were great. And every Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 AT LEAST, you'd find the whole triathlete contingent spinning. We have a pretty big triathlete group at my gym. Some of us did the class, but most of us just did our own thing with music in the background....

UNFORTUNATELY, these spin bikes were not well maintained. And they started falling apart and they were all replaced with these belt driven BODY BIKES. They suck. They are not adjustable, they don't hold tension settings well, and they really don't feel like a real bicycle. I don't know how or if they researched the purchase of these bikes...I tried them... they make my knees hurt...

So, I was forced to buy a trainer. Now I ride my own bike, in my basement, by myself. I think it's probably more beneficial to ride my own bike on my trainer, since it's my own specific set up... but I sure do miss the social aspects of that spin group. No one spins anymore. It's kind of sad. Can't wait for these bikes to fall apart. Maybe they will be replaced with something halfway decent.

It's my belief that spinning is a decent workout. Just have to be careful of all those weird jumps and max effort accelerations. Jumps are bad for the knees!

When they have you "pop" out of the saddle and climb for 10 seconds then sit down... then "pop" up again... and sit down... I've seen this done up to 100 reps in one of my spinning classes... YEOWCH. Bad for the poor old knees.  

Eric and I both say a big AYE to keeping the group going.

Yes, we have that little race in September coming up.  We don't start our official training plan with our coach until March 1st.  Between now and then we have to get settled into 9-10 hour training weeks.  We are both moving steadily in that direction.  We have to be very careful working with two different coaches that used to work together.   

I have been tinkering with the actual layout of my workouts and don't have a great routine down just yet.  Pool time needs to bump up quickly.  Biking has been the easiest thing to do because of my work schedule.  Getting home late and trying to eat and workout has been a challenge.

Whizzzzz is right, I skip a lot of the short pop ups in the Spinervals.  They are incredibly tough on your knees.  I really don't see the point to them.  Maybe someone can enlighten me.   

Here's to a great 2008 with the "Cool Kids" mentor group!  Cheers! 

I do all of my eating at work - it gives me more time to get workouts in around sleeping. My co-workers give me grief about walking in with food and always eating breakfast before I go home. It does seem like I eat all the time because I graze all night.

I've only been to a couple of spin classes, so I can't add much there. I don't like loud music with someone yelling at me while I'm working out. But the classes seem to be very popular, so I must be in the minority.

It's only 1.5 lbs. You could remedy that by taking a great big poop.

Please. Don't define yourself by a number on the scale. It's a number. On a mechanical device. Who cares how much your PHYSICAL body weighs... what can your body do? How much healthier is it? How much easier can you breathe?

Weight is the measure of a thing against gravity, really. Not important.

Don't weigh yourself daily. A person's weight can fluctuate because of water retention, foods eaten... etc etc... If you still feel you must put yourself on that scale, don't do it more than once a week. Maybe once every two weeks. And always use the same scale.

The key is to be consistent. It's a process. It's a lifestyle CHANGE. It's not a diet. It's not magic. It's a continuous ongoing process. Each year you will see yourself becoming fitter, healthier, and faster. But being consistent is the key... more than anything, I think. And have patience.

Be kind to yourself. Look at what you were able to accomplish last year. Would you have been able to do all of that while smoking a cig? Doubtful.

Head down, forge forward. You can do it. It takes time. You can do it!

I agree about the weight loss and post-menopausal thing.  I've been trying to lose weight for over a year now and it seems that just as soon as I start to make progress something happens and the weight goes right back on.  I have been stuck at 135ish for a few months now.  I'm trying to train more regularly (including abs and wieghts) now.  I would like to be down to 115 (this where I'm supposed to be according to insurance) before APril 4th but I"m hoping that setting this goal for Memorial Day is a more realistic goal.  I don't eat junk food anymore, I drink very little pop and only imbibe in alcohol occassionally. 

Just wanted you to know that it isn't just you---it's me too!