stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL (Page 218)

2010-03-24 7:17 PM

in reply to: #2742222

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

PATTY -

Two of my nieces were talking about that Wii program, and they said it can be really demanding. So, working on the strengthening exercises and walking sounds like a very prudent approach.

I'm glad to hear you mention jogging and cycling -- not for any higher purpose, but just with the thoughts in mind that you expressed in your first post to the group, waaaaay back about Jan. 9 or 10 of last year. At the time it was about you taking care of yourself and diversifying your exercising, and I suspect that is still a very laudable and valuable goal. So for diversifying, there will be:
strengthening
walking
Your Shape
jogging
cycling

swimming?

That sounds like a good range of activities to me!

As for falling.....was I aware that you had ever fallen?

Patty, DEFINITELY keep us posted!!!

2010-03-24 7:29 PM

in reply to: #2746478

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

Duathlons! BRILLIANT!!

You've clearly grown to love running best of all, and at some point back of that is cycling......and then what is that blip I see on the horizon? Could it be swimming?

Is that about accurate?

I hope you can find some decents dus near you. Only a couple of years ago duathlon seemed to be on death's doorstep, but it has undergone a serious resurrection. I think it is stoill kind of spotty as to where and how many, but my impression is that they are more popular in the southeast than anywhere else.

Aun-of-the-mill sprint du will be soemthing like 2km/20km/5km, or maybe two equal runs -- 3km/20km/3km. You would have absolutely no problems with those distances, even with a wee ride sandwiched between them.

I like dus because they play to nmy strengths, but also because eliminating the swim eliminates a lot of gear; it all becomes so much simpler!

It's funny about duathlons for me, though. When I do a "regular" du, I really shine -- even against the field-at-large. But the times I have done "championship" dus, such as provincial or - definitely - national championships, I don't do nearlynearlynearly as well. This is because there is a whole underworld of people who do nothing other than runbikebikerunrunrunbikerunbike.....and they save it all for the big events......and they come steamrolling onto the scene......and ARE THEY EVER TALENTED!!! Yowzers!!

Quite humbling, actually, and enough to make me probably never enter another championship-calibre duathlon!

mindymcc

2010-03-24 9:05 PM

in reply to: #2746500

Veteran

481

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

The Tri the Park series I did last year has a duathlon at almost every event they do. They typically start and end with a 5K run and the bike course is the same as the triathlon. I need to check out their dates and maybe do some that Leanna has signed up for the triathlon. Again, still in the thinking about stage, but it feels right.

redheadtri

2010-03-25 8:24 AM

in reply to: #2746478

Extreme Veteran

447

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

I did fall lots of times on my bike trying to get my feet out of the pedals. I did get used to it by the time I did the June tri, but there were still times when I had my head in the clouds and forgot to take my feet out of the clips before I stopped. D'oh!

There is a huge difference in where my head is this year, and it isn't good. I'm not sure if I've gained weight, or how much, but I actually feel obese and less able to move around. The exercising on the Wii has helped because I get myself moving around, and the more I do that the better I feel. I walked for 20 min yesterday in the park and did my Your Shape this AM for 15 minutes. It's not much but it is 100% more than what I was doing at the beginning of March! I'm happy the weather is nice out so that I want to go out and walk.

Mike has already got his bike out for running the dog. I thought he was done with that after last season when she pulled him over and he punctured his underarm with the handle bar.

Mindy, I think I want to live where you do. Mountains, ocean, softball...sounds so diverse and nice.

I don't know if Grace will play softball this year. It is always a struggle to get her to decide. If Ruth would coach her again this year it would be great, and she would be more inclined to do it. However, Ruth doesn't have much control over which team she has.

More later,
Patty

2010-03-25 6:06 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Back in Cali. Just got back from chiro as well and he got my neck loosened up real good. Feeling much better. So good in fact I think I will go for a ride. That is ride as in bike ride!

2010-03-25 9:28 PM

in reply to: #2749224

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

Oh, yeah.....the bike. I'l be damned!

And with the only physical mention being that of your neck, does that mean that you emerged from LAM with no other sorenesses? Or even, at most, just minor ones? IMPRESSIVE!

2010-03-25 9:32 PM

in reply to: #2746690

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

Good! Your neck of the woods is not a duathlon dead-zone! Thank god for small mercies, eh?

How are you feeling, post half-marathon? And Ivan? (And will he ever again wear that lovely red-paired Xmas gift?)

Do the du!

2010-03-25 9:38 PM

in reply to: #2747281

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

PATTY -

Maybe make your focus weather-based. That is, now that spring has sprung it's time to get out there as much as possible. I mean, that's probably what's behind the fact that you're now doing 100% more than you were at the beginning of the month, so if you can (and I KNOW you can!) use that as an impetus to get active as much as possible. You know, you made enormous strides last yar and you were ultra-determined, and I'm sure that if you did it once you can do it again (and it will probably seem easier the second-time-around, once you allow yourself to get into it).

Do you mean to say that Ruth can't even be guaranteed to have Grace on her team?? I think each of the coaches should be able to name a "franchise" plyer, much like the NFL does!

Planning to make it to any Twins games in new Target Field? Photos I've seen of it make it look gorgeous!

2010-03-25 10:28 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

I had some tight calves for about 48hrs...but that was it. Somehow I have a bruise on my leg...I think it was from the fence I had to jump from the freeway on race day.

Oh yeah that was a dozy...I was sitting practically parked on the freeway as they decided only one exit would be open (for 26,000 racers!) I actually only live a few miles from the start but we were directed to the freeway. Once there I realized it was a bad idea. I contemplated running up the enbankment from the freeway and hoping the fence as I knew the start was just about 1-2 miles away. Sure enough we rol another few minutes and I see numerous people doing it...so I joined the crowd. It was great, everyone was honking and a few yelled "kick some a$$". Once I was up and over it was about 20 minutes of walking and I was there. So yeah, I guess I did it hopping the gate.

Other than that, no issues, and tonight's bike ride went great.

Considering doing the "avenue of the Giants" marathon on May 2.

2010-03-26 8:00 AM

in reply to: #2749749

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

Do it! Do it, do it, do it! (That's the one in redwood country, right? Hence "the giants"? Are there still spots open for it?)

Speaking of "spots open", I read in the NYTimes yesterday that the NYC triathlon will be going to the lottery system in the future. The race for this year opened on Nov 1 at midnight and sold out in 6 minutes. (Jane signed me up for last year's race, and was on the computer at 11:59, rarin' to go. That one sold in in 12 minutes, I think it was.) Registartion for the lottery will open on Nov. 1, but people will have about 48-60 hours to do so, and then notification of acceptance will come on the 4th. It's a brave new world out there!

That's a good story about hopping the fence, made all the better by the numbers of you who resorted to it, and all the honking and encouragement. It's not exactly the most stress-free way to head off to a major athletic endeavor......but it makes for a great tale!

Congrats on the bike ride! (See? That wasn't so hard, was it?

)

redheadtri

2010-03-26 11:10 AM

in reply to: #2749678

Extreme Veteran

447

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Twins?? Bahh. I root for the Milwaukee Brewers or the Chicago Cubs!

2010-03-26 7:24 PM

in reply to: #2750780

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Oh.

BUT!!! You need a team in the American League, you silly thing! I know the Brewers used to be there, but they're in the N.L. - and the same division as the Cubbies! You must diversify, Patty -- life does not begin or end in the N.L. Central!

I've like the Cubs for quite a number of years now, but the Brewers have never grabbed me; maybe it's the name, i don't know. I used to love the Braves, but that's because they had moved from Boston, where they were my dad's preferred team growing up. Granted that they moved to Milw before I knew much about baseball (it was March '53 when they moved), but once I was old enough to know soemthing, i loved them. Beating the hated Yankess in the '57 World Series was a big highlight in my at-that-time rather young life. (I was 8.5 then -- not so young.)

2010-03-28 11:46 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

never made it out the house yesterday for a run. Hoping to get in a long one today. I had lots of pressure under a few toenails and it turns out it was blisters under the toenail causing all the pressure. Now that was gross, never had that one before. sorry so graphic.

About the house...almost done...just a few more weeks in escrow. Still no official closing date though. This is going to be a fun week. I get to watch Milagros defend her dissertation on Friday. That is her final final thing to do. After that...I have been informed I have to call her "Doctor".

2010-03-29 12:59 AM

in reply to: #2753411

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

I never had a blister under a toenail, but I have had many, many black toenails. They are sore for a day or two, and then unobtrusively go about the process of falling off. It may take upwards of 6-8 weeks, but it eventually happens.

My toes are godawful messes, all ten of them - none of them look normal. Lisa got the dubious distinction of seeing them after the Reston Triathlon, and she drily observed that I ought ot keep my shoes on. I think that was preceded by something halfway between a gasp and a gag.

A girlfriend of mine from way-back-when (like, 1968) was a photographer of sorts and once said I had very photogenic feet. Well, that was then and this is now, and she sure wouldn't be saying that if she could lay eyes on my present-day feet!

Dr. Milagros, meet Dr. Lynn. Yup, my Lynn is also one of THOSE typres of doctors, and she too went through a brief spell of winkingly ordering me to call her that. But I managed to successfully abuse that privilege, and she has never asked again. Actually, she was always mostly very humble about it, never quite sure that it actually came to pass. Anyhow, congrats to Milagros!

I'm sick. Head cold. First one in about 15 months. Bah. And we are supposed to be spending a few days looking at houses, but in my current shape I find it exhausting. Double bah!

2010-03-29 9:31 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Steve, after 12 yrs together I am still getting in trouble for using the phrase "my girlfriend"...as in "back in 11th grade my girlfriend and I were..." or "when I first joined the Navy my girlfriend used to..."

I have since learned any talk of old girlfriends must be preceded by the letter X, and presented as "my x-girlfriend". It's like a grammar rule or something. Anyhow, I always mess it up so perhaps I will be saying it still it another 25 years just like you!

Regarding the toes...well, both big ones are still bloody from IMAZ and have not fallen off. one of those is the culprit this time for the "extra liquid".

But I did get 12 miles in yesterday!

2010-03-29 9:42 AM

in reply to: #2754841

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

Twelve miles yesterday -- you're obviously feeling no pain! Toenails notwithstanding, you're becoming more and more bionic by the month/week/day, it seems!

Any decision yet on Avenue of the Giants?

I'm going to drag my cold (which may be receding) out into the chilly drizzle in a while. My good running week last week was supposed to be completed with a longish run yesterday, but I felt too crummy for that. So, new week, new start -- starting today! (?)

hooslisa

2010-03-30 6:01 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

I would LOVE to do the avenue of the giants. it's one i've always had my eye on....that and the great wall marathon. i love the idea of racing in unusual places.

steve, i hope you are feeling better.

i hope everyone is well.

nothing new to report here. just training. training. training some more. i have a bike power test at my coaches house this friday. i'm nervous/excited. ...hoping for big improvements. my last one was at the end of january. at that time i average 162 watts over the 10mile test (i weighed 119lbs at the time).

first race is coming up quick....after that it's almost constant through the end of june. getting nervous.

mindymcc

2010-03-30 7:56 AM

in reply to: #2757066

Veteran

481

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Lisa, I've decided a little nerves before a race are good. They keep you motivated (not that I think you have a problem with that - but I certainly do!)

I've been easing back slowing into training since my half. My lower back is still tight, but I ran three yesterday without much pain, so that is good. I'll try for 5 tomorrow. Then it's off to the beach in Florida for a long Easter weekend.

Softball tournament was fun. I think they came in 12th out of 41 teams. Not bad. I think for Janie the best part was staying in a crappy motel!

Steve, hope you're feeling better soon!

2010-03-30 9:07 AM

in reply to: #2757066

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

I still know that I still owe you a big response, and that will come soon. Promise!

162 over 10 miles is pretty good, yes? And if you were 119 at the time, um, er, ah....what are you now?

On the matters of weight, i am very pleased that I have stayed in the 175-177 range since the new year. I got down to 171-172 for the marathon training, then it crept up but I've been able to keep it donw to a decent weight. Last year I was still at about 180 in late July, and I'm sure that affected several of my races; I feel strongly that I race best at anything under 175. In fact, NYC was not a great race for me, and for that I was at 179 or 180. By the time I got to Reston and Lake ageiorge and Mighty Man, I was 172-175, depending. So, I'm hopeful that this season I will enter my early races at about 175, and cut pounds off from there --- finishing the season at 170, maybe?

Training, training, training, you say? Overall, is it sitting well with you? And Ryan, too?

2010-03-30 9:13 AM

in reply to: #2757236

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

MINDY -

Good on the back not getting in the way of those runs! Are you getting any treatment for it? Chiro? Physio? You know what Neil would say -- take Arnica orally, and also use tincture of Arnica applied over the tight areas! I think Arnica might be what keeps him ticking so well and recovering so quickly, truth told........

The beach --- is this in Florida, near your mom? (This is a memory test for me!)

Congrats to Janie on the softball tournament, and you're right about kids and tournaments -- they don't notice the crappiness of hotels at all. We styaed in some hellholes for Jane's hockey tournaments, but as long as the other girls were staying there, too, nothing else mattered to her.

Regards to Ivan!

Edited by stevebradley 2010-03-30 8:06 PM

2010-03-30 8:57 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Just when I thought it was going to be a boring week...

Had a mandatory conference call at 5am this morning. Long story short is we were bought out and now I no longer work for my current employer. I am now in a start up company. Yet to see my offer, but it better be good...I have been top 10 last two years in sales. Word on the street is it will be good...more to follow.

Still a bit nervous as I am in escrow! Not exactly great timing for my nerves.

2010-03-31 8:42 PM

in reply to: #2759190

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

Oh, my!

Did you say a 5am conference call? Which mega-sadist decided that that was the best time for such a piece of information?

My experience tells me that about 97% of the time the word on the street has it nailed, and I sure hope that's the case here. In any event, you don't sound too alarmed, so I guess you see good reason for optimism.

I'd send you mojo for this, but I'm needing too much energy to extend abundant bad vibes and hurtful karma towards the orchestrators of this little debacle. Grr!!

Hang in there, Sax!

2010-03-31 9:54 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

5am was because we are an east coast company, so 8am for most of the folks. Well, I used to work for Johnson and Johnson...and now we are a start up. That's a twist I did not see coming. Good news is they really want us all to stay. Hell, the company that aquired is only 5 people! The good news in things like this is usually start ups imply stock options, or some other sort of equity...so I will be waiting for that.

With such a huge change, I would be shocked if there was not a compensation increase for the sales force...so for that I am optimistic. However, until I get that offer in writing, I am sort of a mess...although somewhat "unflappable" to quote my recent performance appraisal. We'll see.

I'll take all mojo you have for the next 2-3 weeks while this gets sorted out.