HILDEBEAST'S Magnificently Motivational Mentor Group - CLOSED!!!! (Page 19)

Okay so I don't confess or deny tears, but what an awesome story!!!  Thanks for the friendly reminder of what pure compassion and love can look like!!  

Got in an early trainer ride before dentist this morning.  Finally figured out a good setup to watch something.

(IMG_1059 small.jpg)

(IMG_1060 small.jpg)

Melanie, there's my bike!  Glad you ditched the white tires!!  Oh and those aero pads suck!  I went ahead and bought some Ceegees, kinda expensive, but oh so worth it!  Here's a link for ya in case you're interested:  (Scroll down, there are a pair specifically for the B16)

https://www.ceegees.com/products/?category_id=14

Ooh, I think the price has actually gone up!

Nice set up BTW!  Can you leave your bike set up?  I HATE that I have to drag everything out and set it up and then tear it down, what a pain. 

I like your bike, Melanie (and Hilde!)!  That is smart to use your computer (or is it an iPad?) to watch shows/DVDs while you train.  I don't have a trainer yet, but am trying to figure out where I'd even put one if I did purchase one.  There are few places in our house that our kids don't have access to and I'm super paranoid of them getting into trouble with the bike/trainer, especially after reading a recently posted forum where people were sharing horror stories about their children getting fingers stuck and amputated on the chain ring.  So scary!  Anyway, I'd either have to set it up in our garage but there's no tv there or I could set it up in our guest room, which has a computer in it, and I could watch DVDs there.  Thanks for the idea, Melanie!  I'd still have to break down the set up each time, just to be safe with the kiddos.  Ok, enough of my rambling.  These are just all thoughts I've had recently, so it's great to see your setup to get some ideas!

My trainer folds down and sits in the corner in our living room.  When I use it, I set it up so that it's in front of my computer so I can watch DVD's.  It used to be upstairs in the spare room, but it's a pain to carry the bike up and down the stairs all the time, plus we are in the process of renovating up there, so there's just no room.  When I do set it up, I have to do some minor furniture rearranging in order to get it to fit.  But, it works, and since we have a tiny tiny townhouse, I'm not going to quibble.  

My bike is hard to match, color-wise.  Pale jade green?  But the accents are black and white, so I'm going with that.  Especially cause most of what I own is already black.  Though the new shoes are white!  I totally scored on the shoes.  Tri shoes that are normally $150 or so, on sale for $60!  Sometimes it's good to have small feet.  

I've been trying to get to some of the training logs for everyone, and you are all putting me to SHAME!!  I feel like such a slacker.  I'm also a slacker for not posting on a more regular basis. 

Given that the winter is upon us in NY, I was thinking of getting a new treadmill (or as I refer to it, the "Dreadmill") so that I could at least run intervals after coming home from work, since I am not so motivated to run outside once I get home.  Does anyone have any recommendations on a good brand, or features to look out for.  I'm thinking along the lines of a moderately priced unit ($1,200 or less) since I have a new bathroom to pay for, which is currently in progress.

Thanks,

Kelly

Wish I could help you with this one Kelly, but I've been pretty vocal about DETESTING the treadmill, I mean I freakin' HATE IT!  I'd rather go run in a monsoon, a mudslide, a tsunami, an avalanche... we actually have one at home, no idea what brand it is, my husband bought it, looks real spiffy in our gym room, oops, HIS gym room.  You might check out the Gear Reviews on one of the tabs up on top... the one next to the forums tab I believe.

Training is a good way to work off some frustration and not biting people's heads off is even better

Melanie - nice set up

 K - how old are your kids? If they're riding bikes themselves you could maybe search for mini-trainers so that you can set up the bikes side by side so that they'll go ride their bike rather than intefere with yours.

Swim lessons have done great. I can do 2 laps of breaststroke (25 each)  - still need to stop if I swallow water or something and can do tumble turns and start swimming again - albeit backstroke.  So the things I'll be working on along with my swimming are:

tumble turns while swimming and endurance in all strokes - at least backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke - butterfly I'll just throw in there for fun and variety.

I have a 5 year old, 3 year old and 2 year old.  It's the 2 year old who would be a total nightmare with the trainer....  typical boy who gets into EVERYTHING!  I'll figure something out...  still have time since I don't even OWN a trainer.  It's great to hear what others do to give me some options!

Suzie, I'm assuming "tumble turns" are what we refer to as "flip turns" here?  That's great that you are able to do those!  I don't use flip turns regularly b/c I'm terrified of them...  They are on my 2012 list of "things to do" for tri training.  A few people have taught me how to do them, but I need to PRACTICE so I can use them confidently and consistently.  That's cool that you do them!!

Kristen- The Hoyts are my heroes of racing.  I remember the first time I watched their "Can" video and felt more inspired than I ever had in my life.  I then started following them online and recently read Dick Hoyt's book.  He must have had superhuman strength to accomplish everything he has done so far.  It must have been incredible to see them.  I was hoping to see them when I ran Boston this past April but never spotted them.  I did, however, see a man in a wheelchair racing backwards while pushing himself with his feet.  It gave me instantaneous goosebumps!

wrkinprogress - 2012-01-12 5:19 PM Nice-looking bike trainer setup! Looks a bit like mine-- I have mine on the side of my dining room, with an old laptop as my media player of choice. I've put my big year-long wall calendar next to the bike so I can always remind myself of what I'm training for, and have just added a few cork squares so I can pin up inspirational photos, stories, quotations, etc. It's clearly the 'triathlon section' of the room-- what any dinner guests I'll have over in the next little while will think of it is anyone's guess!

Pretty cool that you have a triathlon section with lots of visual motivations around you.  I have stuff hung up @ work.  So when I look beyond my computer, I see pictures of my bike, logos of upcoming races, and positive words.

Melanie-

I love your bike trainer station.  Looks like a hot tub next to it?  That would be awesome!  Especially as I'm looking out the window at gray, snow and ice.  Love your bike, too.

I think you should add a very hours of training every day.  Add a custom code in sports called "Running Around After Kids".  Will really boost your training totals!  

haha, TOTALLY!!  i've often wondered if i could log minutes of carrying my 3 year old and 2 year old in my arms, going up stairs, as strength training...  it HAS to count for something, right?!? 

Absolutely-- I'd call that cardio, strength, AND mental training, all at once!

It's Friday and I just submitted my annual report forms for work, hurray! Hope everyone enjoys their weekends!

Alex

Young kids there - you've definitely got your hands full. I don't have a trainer either but I remembered one of the trikes for disabled kids (more upper body support and some level of assistance with the pedalling) had a trainer option for practice and/or rainy day fun. Plus there was a story about a woman training for the London marathon on the news not long ago where it showed her on one of the stationary bikes and her daughter (probably 3-5) was on a mini version next to her. I'm sure you'll figure something out.  And yes the tumble turns are flip turns. Good luck with practicing.

What my teacher had me do was practice in the deep end, start with somersaults and then get progressively closer to the wall - also you use the wall as your guide - watching it as you go down. Haven't even tried them in the shallow end yet - although when I was practicing them before the lessons I was doing them on the black line to in the shallow end and kept ending up with a handstand,lol.

 Melanie - can I add the "running after kids" for the days I work?

The 3 and 2 year old carrying up the stairs is definitely ST.

Happy Friday, friends!!  I'm glad the weekend is finally here!

Ok, full disclosure -- I just joined another mentor group (Mav's Massachusetts Mentor Group) based on a recommendation of another Massachusetts BTer.  I've been trying to hook up with others in my area for group rides and training and she thought this might be a good group for me to connect with and meet.   

You will always be my FIRST mentor group and I still plan to be a very active MMMer member!   Just wanted to mention it in case you see "kpringle" posting up on another mentor group forum.  I promise to keep our group's discussions/posts within our group!!