Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 22)

I know that Rene and Jamie are racing this weekend. Anyone else?

Randy

Thanks everybody for their suggestions on my first OWS this weekend. I just got back from the gym; I swam 750 m with sighting and I felt great. I've taken the last two days off (except for having to stand for 12 hours at school ) and I can tell the difference. I could've done 750 again when I got done. I really focused on going slowly, which I think made a real difference. I also tried to develop a routine for sighting that felt natural, which did happen. I know I won't feel so comfortable Saturday, but I am SO GLAD that I got in a swim in the open water last weekend. I would've been in for a real shock otherwise! 

On a nutritional note, I finally caved in a bought a blender. I'm tired of having a car full of Naked smoothie bottles, so I'm making my own. Does anyone have any good suggestions? So far, I'm going with tried and true blueberry, strawberry, banana. I have a sensitive stomach in the mornings, so I'm thinking this will be a good light breakfast come race morning. Anyone else go the smoothie route?

Great OWS advice everyone.  Great!

Smoothies:  I do like them after long bikes and runs.  The main ingredient (for me) is frozen fruit.  Sometimes I buy a large bag of frozen fruit and sometimes I create my own.  (Buy or pick fruit; cut it up; freeze it.)   The basic recipe is:

* some amount of frozen fruit

* some amount of yoghurt

* some amount of juice

Blend until drinkable.

Last year I substituted coconut water for juice and I like it because the result isn't quite so sweet (and coconut water has a lot of electrolytes, which is probably good).  I could go on about how this 'formula' is good but the important points are:  (a) it is easy; (b) it tastes good; (c) it is healthy.

Rene-Pedialyte is a good idea to replace electrolytes.  If you want to get some protein (not a bad idea) I sometimes drink Ensure at breakfast before a race or when traveling.  If you don't think you can handle one of the stronger flavors I saw an ad for a clear/juice type of Ensure flavor that has around 10 grams of protein.  May be a bit milder.  I may be slow but what race is it that you plan to do later in the season...cant remember the intials ???BS???  What does it stand for?

Hope you get feeling better.

Tough training day ahead for me. 6 mile run at lunch with a longish interval in the middle and then 1.5 hour bike this evening with some BRO (big ring only)intervals.  Beautiful morning here...almost feels like Spring...probably the last cool morning until October.

Randy  

Rene -- Yes, soup is a great idea. Smoothies are often good for me too when my stomach is unhappy, but without the dairy.  Good luck in your race!

Jamie -- you're going to have a blast.  Good luck in your race!

Smoothies-I'm pretty much in line with Michael.  Frozen blueberries, strawberries, greek yogurt (for some protein), a lite/low sugar juice and a scoop of Super Green Food (its a powder with all kinds of vegetable, anti-oxidant and other vitamins/minerals).  I will usually do one for breakfast although the blender that early does not make everyone in my house happy!

Randy

Smoothies -- I make them almost every day. When you finish blending, rinse out the blender with hot water, then fill again 1/2 way with water and blend again.  Flip it upside down and let dry on the counter. I'll give it a proper washing every couple of days, but this gets it clean when I'm rushing to get out the door.

Method - Follow Michael's example. Toss in whatever's handy. About 1/4 to 1/2 cup of each ingredient.  

Ingredients - strawberry or vanilla yogurt, pineapple, peaches, orange juice, ice. If I'm feeling extravagant, or really having a hard time curbing my sweet tooth after dinner, I'll make one with 2 scoops of Haagen Dazs raspberry or strawberry sorbet. 

I also like to add a scoop of ground flaxseed, but I add this to my cup, since it tends to stick to the sides of the blender. 

Rene - maybe you could stomach a smoothie with protein powder? Try 1 cup mango, 1 cup of Gatorade, 1 frozen sliced banana, and 1/2 cup of frozen raspberries (Super Smoothies by Barber and Whiteford).

I think I may try the smoothies recipes.  I bought a blender last year but have only used it once so far. Since my divorce 2 years ago, I rarely cook and when I do it's usually the same stuff over and over again.  Dinner is usually getting in my car and driving till I find a restaurant that looks good.  Other nights it's cereal.  I know this is not the best nutritionally, and this habit of eating out gets quite expensive.  I'm definitely ready to try something new.  Thanks for sharing!

Had an older patient today who I was consulted upon and we got to talking and it turns out he is an ex-endurance athlete.  He had lost 100 pounds and his career of running included a 100 mile run completed in just over 24 hours.  Pretty amazing.  We had a very nice discussion on the importance of living life to the fullest and chasing your dreams now, rather than waiting for the "right time" as more often than not the "right time" is now.  Pretty cool.  It's times like this I have so much gratitude that I am able to do triathlons.  I appreciate how very fortunate I am to have the opportunity to participate in this sport.  I must never forget this! 

Have a great night!  Jim

Rene-good luck in the race. Travel safe.  You feeling any better?

Jamie-how you doing heading into your first tri? Hope everything goes well.

JimmyB-great story about the older runner. How's your taper coming?

Looks like a rainy weekend ahead here. Swim and easy bike on the calendar for today. Run tomorrow with a few short intervals and then bike/run on Sunday.

What's everyone got planned?

Randy  

I'm feeling good. I just got done going over my transitions and laying out my towel. I've taken it easy this week, just a couple SBR workouts, but nothing intense. I'm hoping to get a decent amount of sleep this morning, and then wake up and head out. One worrisome problem, my feet have started hurting just this week, so it seems like I might have a little plantar fasciitis, which I've never had a problem with before. I'm trying to stay off my feet and using the tennis ball massage method, hopefully it helps!

Jamie-good luck. Seems like there are always new aches and pains during a taper.  Don't forget to have fun out there.

Randy 

Try a lacrosse ball.  Works great.  Have a great race! Hopefully you're asleep now.

To all racers -- kill it out there!

Today was the last day of 'vacation' for me.  This week I've been working just a few hours each morning, then doing whatever.  Today I actually played a round of disc golf -- first in about 2 years.  I had a blast, but my shoulder will hurt tomorrow!  I was semi-pro (i.e., earned beer money, not real money) for a few years, a while back.  I rarely do it any more, but for some reason, today, the urge struck.  It was fun.  It's a bit like swimming, I suppose -- you lose something from not doing it for a while, but 90% of it comes back almost immediately.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!!

Randy:  So far so good with the taper.  Yesterday I had a full day of rest and my muscles this morning feel a bit achy and sore  (I wonder how much my mind is playing into this).  I got the email that my bike is now on it's way to Texas and the reality of the race is setting in.  I work all weekend and Monday (pay backs for taking time off) which is perfect as this will help keep me occupied.  I fly out on Tuesday.  This year I'm using a new lodging plan.  Rather than stay at the race site (which I usually try to do) I am staying in Houston at a 4 star hotel.  The rates are really good compared to hotels near the race site. It will be a 30 min or so drive to the race site but its all highway and should be no problem. Parking is really easy. 

     I'm feeling pretty well prepared for this race.  I'm both excited and nervous, which is par for the course.

                Jim

Jamie-that's great!  Don't be such a tease......we want details.  Fantastic....glad you had a good time!

Randy