JohnnyKay and Fred Doucette's HIM/IM focused Mentor group-CLOSED (Page 21)

I spent all of 2010 dealing with foot pain.  It started in Oct 2009 after a half marathon.  Xrays confirmed there was no fracture.  It would seem resolved if I didn't run for a while but whenever I tried to resume the running it would come back.  Had more xrays in the spring and was referred to a sports med dr.  He sent me for custom orthotics which seem to be working, although one day last week I had some pain on one of my runs, but none on the next run.  As I get older I find that I get more little aches and pains, and general fatigue. 

Yep, it's in the athlete guide which was just released today. The schedule has been posted for a long time, but it's not clear on that schedule to a rookie like me that you absolutely have to be there before Friday. I assumed when I saw something on friday about bike/gear check, that athletes could check themselves in along with their gear...bad assumption. It just would have been so easy to call attention to this, but they didn't.

Whatever - yes, I'm bitter because it's a huge pain to deal with now and it'll end up costing $$. Had I known from day one it wouldn't have been an issue. This is not their first rodeo and I can't imagine I'm the only sucker who didn't know the drill.

Anywho - I had a good training day. 75 minute spin this am, and 65 minute solid swim after work.

Good morning!  It's an exciting day for me as my new ride is in the LBS and almost complete.  I've already had my fitting and measurements and will be going back in to get things tweaked and verified.  I thought about buying the bike on line or on ebay, but since I am not mechanically inclined I believe it's best for me to buy new and use the services of this shop.  Even if it costs a bit more.  They have only been around for about 6 years, but they are quick in their service, offer free tune ups and fittings to bike purchasers, and treat customers well. 

Cervelo P3, Ultegra with 6700 crank, Devox carbon/alloy handlebars.  Did not go with the standard wheels and for now will use my Hed 3's which I've had for years and love.  Still need to name her.  I will post pics as soon as I can.  I enjoy the "show us your ride" posts.  So would love to see everyone elses' ride if you get a chance.

Can't wait to see the pics, P3's are very sweet.  Not going to post my "ride" - entry level road bike with clip on's, but it gets the job done.

Lunch time run + 3min power test on tap for tonight, after I did my 20min test on Tuesday.  Hadn't done a 20min test since Feb and had almost (but not quite) forgotten what the last 5-7min feels like.

Post a pic anyway!  Any bike pjorn is good bike pjorn.    I finally understand why my husband has to look at every single woman that walks by...I now am the same way with bikes.  Haha.

People checked in on Saturday last year at IMOO so you should email or call the RD and find out if you can check in on Friday. It would be terrible if a change cannot be made on their behalf but I am willing to believe they will allow it.

Dave's totally right about the confusing schedule.  At first, I thought the same thing he did when I looked at it after his initial post.  It's not very user friendly.  So, Dave, good luck on getting it changed, and thank you for sharing this info...you may have saved some of us from the same mistake in the future.  As always, administrative issues do matter.  Keep us up to date on how it works out.

Funny.  I ran 12 this morning, but it was not a great run.  Felt tired throughout even when I really backed off the pace.  It was not really bad running conditions this morning, but both warmer and more humid than I've had to deal with for awhile, so maybe that had an influence.  I did lose over 5lbs despite drinking 32oz & eating a gel.  Next 2 days should be on the easier side training-wise before I do my last long workout before Am-Zof.

Thanks Quincy. Sorry to everyone for the rant yesterday - I was steaming...I think it was just hard to deal with because I've put in so much work and made sacrifices to get to where I am. Bryan- you're right, it's my fault for not checking and being more thorough before making my plans. I still think the published schedule wasn't clear enough but the responsibility to figure it out is on me.

Soooo, after sending a nastygram to WTC, I was informed that "emergency check-in" is possible the day before the race (9-11am, after that they throw out any left over packets), but it's not advertised. I had a conference call last night with my 3 training buddies who are also doing IMTX and also didn't understand the check-in policy. After discussing the options and sleeping on it, I'm changing my flight to Wednesday night. I'm changing my fiance's flight from Thursday to Friday so she can fly in with my dad and her sister. I'll pay more for the fare increase, an extra hotel night, and an extra day of car rental but that's life.

Having Thursday to check out the course, attend the dinner and pre race briefing is probably smart - less stuff to take care of Friday and if I only end up doing one full IM, I want to get the full experience.

Sooo, I'm done whining! Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

@ Ben - SOLID swim dude! Way to go.

@ Jimmy - let's see some bike porn!

@ Fred - nice to know you're human too - some of you tribots never seem to slow down!

I have a question for the shavers out there - someone mentioned that shaving my arms/legs might help keep me a little cooler on race day. Can anyone confirm this?

I was NOT planning on shaving. I'm not interested in "looking cool" but if there's a practical reason then I'd consider it!

-Dave

@Dave....the important thing is it sounds like you got all the logistics taken care of and you are right that the extra day will really help you immerse yourself into the total experience.  It should be a great one and someday I hope to do an IM as well.

As far as the shaving, I like Bryan's Wookie comment & unless you are indeed a Wookie with thick, shaggy fur I wouldn't worry about the hair generating too much heat.  In addition, I hear some people have skin irritations their first time shaving so maybe not something you want to experiment with too close to race day.  Personally, I wouldn't worry bout it.

Today I got in my little 4 miler run and later tonight another swim.  This swim focus week is something new to me and I am definitely not used to swimming this much and virtually every day.  I'm already starting to feel waterlogged & I suspect I might start growing fins by Sunday (which I suppose isn't a bad thing).

Happy Thursday to all!

I have never tried them and have heard they can help when it is hot & sunny, but NOT humid.  Humidity is the enemy of cooling evaporation and anything that retains (even a small amount) of water will likely make things worse.  Most of the time when I race in the heat, it is also humid.  So I haven't bothered to try to test out their efficacy on my own.

Not if it's humid!  (I don't think.)

That makes me think maybe they aren't all that effective, then.  As I understand it, the benefit should come from the fact that they, 1) reflect the sun's rays and 2) 'wick' moisture from the skin and allow the air to dry it away faster.  That's what helps cool you naturally as you sweat.  I can see how constantly re-wetting them beyond sweat might be helpful as long as that drying cycle still takes place.

Anyway, I'll bow out now since I don't have any actual experience with them to share.  Maybe others do?

I had a nasty achilles issue last year -- I decided that running in an air cast with a sprained left ankle was a good idea and developed an achilles issue on the right side.

I went the Graston / ART route for the achilles issue and it really helped.  After about 4 sessions I was able to run without pain.  Graston hurt like hell, but it definately allowed me to run again.