2016 Clyde/Athena Tri-N-4-Weight Loss Mentor Group - Open (Page 22)

Originally posted by WebFootFreak I can sum up my event yesterday in 2 words: I survived. I've logged everything and filed a basic report, so I guess now is the time for the story Before I get started, I am fully aware that my lack of training as well as lack of overall fitness were the #1 reason yesterday ended up as bad as it did. There were a couple of extra wrenches thrown into the works, but only because I think that Mr Murphy gets off on stuff like that :p I got up with no issues, got everything together that I needed that morning, grabbed a bite to eat, water, etc and took off for Forrest City 35-40mins away. I got to T2 and dropped my shoes, number and Gu before it officially opened, but they were okay with that. Jumped back in the van and took off for T1. When I got there, I found out we were parking about 3/4mi away and had to hike in... uphill I might add. I got everything set up in an out of the way location (i stay out of the way of those actually competing) and that's when Mr Murphy's "Nothing New" rule kicked me in the gut. I've used Skratch before, but not the flavor I grabbed: Mango. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm pretty sure that if I had filled up in the port-o-let it would have tasted better. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have dumped it for some of of the plain water at T1, or even rode back down to the van and filled it from my water bottle there. I did a lot of pacing and worrying... and that just doesn't set a good tone for the day. Swim- 587yds, 17:18.48 (3:13/100 pace). This is a full :45/100 under my normal swim times. I dove in, and got water in my goggles... hard to fix that treading water. Then I took off for the first buoy. I can honestly say my tracking was spot-on for the duration. However, about 200yd in, my shoulder started screaming at me. I pushed through it by rotating a full 90 degrees when my right arm came out of the water so I wouldn't have to use the full range of motion. I also had breathing issues. This is something new. My chest got tight and any breath just didnt... work... for lack of a better word. I'd sidestroke for :10-:15 and get back to it. About halfway between the 2nd buoy and the exit, my cap popped off my head. I grabbed it right quick and stuffed it in my shorts. Didn't need a penalty for lost gear. I was definitely feeling it when I got out of the water and trudged uphill to T1. T1- 3:00.48. Slow. I noticed that I forgot a towel. Getting a shirt on a wet torso with one arm, and socks on wet feet is a ton of fun... and time consuming. Walked to the mount, missed clipping in twice and finally took off. Bike- 58:06.63 (13.42mph avg) I am upset at this number, but at the same time, I'm not. I knew I was going to be slow, and I knew the hills were going to kill me. I was just delusional as to how bad. Where I live, I have to travel at least 30mins before I find any sort of hills, but I figured that since I finally had my FDR sorted out, I'd be okayish... yeah-no. There were 4 big climbs (for me) on this route. The first was the worst (steepest and longest). it came right after a 90 degree turn. I was in my lowest gear "walking" the bike up the hill. I never got out of the pedals, but after every downward stroke, I'd stop for just a sec to get on top of the other pedal. I had to take my sunglasses off because I fogged them up. The 2nd and 3rd hills were right after downgrades where I could build some speed, but the last was after a flat and around a curve... didn't see it coming (ugh!!). I only took in about 25% of my water. I did down a Gu at Mile 1 and 10. I only passed 1 rider the entire time, and she ended up dropping. I got passed a lot. T2- 2:01.38. Slow. I sat... well, fell... on the curb to get my shoes on, and realized that they were still tied (d'oh!). I also had trouble getting my number belt on as I was starting to shake a bit. Grabbed a gatorade and water at the aid station on the way out. Run... well, Walk- 55:55.83 (18:38/mi). If I died on the bike, then this was just a whole new level of Hell. I could live with the bad swim and even the not so good bike, but this part just crushed my soul. My legs were so far gone and my heart was beating so hard... I just had to put my head down and push forward at a walk. There are points of this leg that I just honestly do not remember. I just remember concentrating on following the white line. Also, I must have eaten my last Gu somewhere in there because I had a empty packet in my hand at the aid station. I remember getting hit with cold water (thank you Forrest City resident that had their hose out) just before the aid station at mile 2. Apparently, there was also one at mile 1 that I just completely went by. I downed another gatorade and water and trudged on. The last little bit is going around the block where all the finishers were. I know they were only trying to encourage me, but I'm ashamed to admit that their encouragement only added to how bad the event was going. I actually hated hearing my name being announced when I crossed the line. Just another ******* fat guy taking up space... Don't get me wrong. After a night's sleep, I am feeling much better about the whole situation. I'm trying to figure out a way to train for hills on my trainer and next year is going to be a different story. If I have to find a silver(ish) lining in all this, it shouldn't be hard to PR this next year, lol!!

Originally posted by johndiaz00 Started a 100 mile challenge this month with a group of friends. We post nightly how many miles we walked/ran, and we get credit for any workouts or exercising we do during the month of August. This is to promote us getting out in the world during the hottest month of the year. So Far I have already logged 22 Miles logged and its only the 4th. Last year I did not log mile 100th mile till the last week. There are friendly competitions going on, but it is mostly just a kick in the pants to see how far you go. Like most of this endurance stuff, it is a race against yourself. I am super excited that I am officially below 225 in my weight, since March I have lost 15 pounds. My goal is still to get below 200. At 5'9" that is do able, but will take some extra effort on my part. With all of that said, I am planning a nice swim this afternoon, a run tomorrow, and a ride Saturday morning with my group. In ten day, I will be in Hawaii, and so needing and looking forward to this vacation. I can't wait to swim in the Ocean and it not be freezing cold. Have Fun All,

Originally posted by AussieTurtle Hi All Still hanging around but not much training at all despite best intentions. My new job is very taxing physically and sometimes it feels like I'm doing an 8 hour cross fit session. At least I'm keeping fit and the weight is stable. My roster is starting to stabilize so that I can now schedule some training sessions. Hope everybody is well and chasing / achieving their goals. 14 weeks to my first tri for the season, time to get serious.

Originally posted by MuscleMomma Hi all, See that the group says "open", if that is the case I'd like to jump in. I recognize some of you from being on BT for a few years now. Am a 57 yr old, overweight female. Married, one child just started college, one more going next year. My time is opening up. Spent years lifting weights and have been working on slimming down to a leaner, endurance body. I've done some sprints and an oly in 2015. Always pulling up the rear. Usually start training in spring and am barely ready in the summer. Notice that the triathletes in my local club never seem to be out of shape, they train most of the year. So many are IM's, it's intimidating. So I am committing to a HIM in June 2017. Started training this week. Doing a sprint plan to get in shape for the HIM plan. I've lost lots of weight with a low carb diet, but added back healthy carbs and found myself feeling out of control cravings and was back to eating chips/junk. I'm 5'1" and 25# overweight. I'm starting again with a low cal, lower carb diet and plan on adding the calories spent training (as per myfitnesspal app). Basically fruits and oatmeal before and after workouts. Hope it works. I find support all over BT, but would like to be in a group that is focused on weight and I noticed references to weekly challenges. Did a quick look, but didn't see if people report their weight loss or not here. Regards, Mitzi