stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL (Page 225)

2010-05-25 9:10 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

race report is up. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=209624

thanks guys for your kind words!!!

mindy, i agree, i think i could have been 2-3 minutes faster if the swim had gone "as planned", but i guess every race isn't going to go swimmingly . in retrospect, i think i might have gotten more out of this experience because the swim didn't go well. i now know that i have a stong enough bike and run to make up for minor debacles in the swim even in a competitive field. in the future if the contact thing happens to me again, I think i will be less likely to get so dejected. my mental "funk" after the swim, I believe, cost me time the whole way throughout the race. because i didn't believe i was contending for anything anymore, i kind of let my "killer instinct" down a little. i wasn't attacking like i would have if i had gotten out of the water in 25 minutes. this is just a lesson that there is always hope when you have a strong bike and run. i'm grateful for having learned that lesson.

....actually, i'm going back now to paste the above paragraph into my race report so i don't forget it!

2010-05-25 9:17 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

jess, i hope you are getting (and enjoying) your day off today!!!! your weekend sounded way more exhausting than racing!!

ThatGirl

2010-05-25 10:48 AM

in reply to: #2880326

Expert

745

Bethesda, MD/Northern NJ

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Thanks Lisa! I am enjoying it so far

Slept until 10. Hanging out outside with the dogs

Have some errands to run later, and will be going for a group ride with MAFW this evening. An absolutely perfect day (85 and sunny!)

Getting my bikefit done tomorrow!! The courthouse law librarian is a mildmannered librarian by day - intense endurance athlete/sponsored CAT 2 racer by night/weekend! He hooked me up with his coach who does fittings

Here was a recent email from Ken, the coach, to me:

Hi. Yes, I do lots of bike fits. I am borderline manic about getting every millimeter of the bike dialed in for the athlete… Do you do most of the riding with the aero bars on? Do you plan on doing road races? Do you do group rides with friends? I’m just wondering… If you plan to use the bike for full tri purposes, then we can really set up the bike for that… If not, if you’re using it for multi-purposes, then we’ll have to be less severe with the fit… You won’t be as fast in the triathlons but you’ll be more comfy and powerful for longer, more hilly rides…

I told him that I'll be using it for multi-purposes, so we're going to go for a less aggressive fit that will maximize the power I have. I am excited. We also had a long email exchange about when would be an optimum time for me to get my own, specific tri bike. We've decided that the purpose of this fitting will be to tide me over for this season, and that over the off season I'll start looking for a tri bike. He's going to help me figure out what sizes/brands of tri bike might work for me so I can make an intelligent purchase when the time comes

I am excited about that too! I really enjoy this sport and see myself sticking with it long term, and I think next year will be a good time for me to upgrade my bike.

http://picasaweb.google.com/hooslisa/2010ColumbiaTri?feat=directlink

2010-05-25 11:57 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

hey all. here is a link to my columbia photos. in general, i find that i am a little oblivious as to how short i am. there is one where i am standing next to steve and i barely make it up to his shoulder. funny.

2010-05-25 12:00 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

....and steve, there is one pic in there of me storming the awards podium

2010-05-25 10:17 PM

in reply to: #2880843

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA!

Please head back to the other site for my response to your vicious attack. And what does "hijack off" mean? It sounds almost hurtful!

2010-05-25 10:19 PM

in reply to: #2882293

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA again -

And if I'm lucky, perhaps the last thing I will hear in my mind as I depart this mortal coil will be your voice, saying:

"WHAT ABOUT THE ALBRECHTS?!?!?"

It was great being there and all....but that was the BEST!

sax

2010-05-25 11:22 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Pain unfortunetly still increasing. have moved on from the ibuprofin to the serious stuff. GOt a removable boot today for the foot. Walking with a cane as well.

I have an MRI scheduled for Friday so I will know what ups then. But the doc thinks its a "classic stress fracture". I am surprised at how painful it has gotten.

Bad news is I will be off the feet for several weeks if its a stress fracture. Doc feels good about me returning to biking and swimming though...so there's that hope!

Regarding docs, I did my homework and got me a good one. He is the OrthoPod for the LA Lakers and the Dodgers...so if they trust him with those million $ athletes, I trust he knows his stuff!

2010-05-26 7:09 PM

in reply to: #2882352

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

NEIL -

That doesn't sound all that positive, but as you say, you are in good hands. Does this mean that you are going to become more like Kobe, or more like Manny? Scary thoughts, both!

Is there a timeline to your return to swimming and biking? And, can you get any measure of pleasure from working out in the gym?

Finally, I am sure you arre "eligible" for water running. I have had two (or three?) stints of having to do that, and while it's tough mentally, I think it has some physical benefits. If you choose to do this, however, check out info (and, hopefully, videos on line) that give instruction of the right way to do it. It is not necessarily as easy as it might sound!

Keep us in the loop, please!

2010-05-26 7:23 PM

in reply to: #2884680

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

Hey! You were cheated in the photo department! No fairsies!

I like mine quite well, but key in bib 71 and look at the two of the more-than-worthy David Adams approaching the finish line......with me in hot-but-not-hot-enough pursuit.

Those two actually mean a lot to me -- maybe for future incentive, maybe to show that there is a reward in working hard, if not actually "winning"; pleasure in an honest effort?

The one of you in the front of the other cyclists is very fine; nice position! I also like the one of you running well out of the water. But, you deserved many, many more. (Maybe some were taken away as a penalty for storming the podium!)

The ones Bill took were terrific, but my silly old dial-up froze when I tried to enlarge them. i will try that again later. Ryan looks VERY fetching in the pink changing tent. Hubba-hubba!

I wish I had talked more with Bill, as he seemed like a very nice guy.

Went to physio today for the shoulder, and she thought it was just a very tight rotator cuff and environs. I think I'll live!

2010-05-26 7:28 PM

in reply to: #2880614

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

JESS -

VERY good about getting a precise fitting! I think that makes a huge difference, and even down to what Coach Ken said -- every millimeter. (Having said that, i am long overdue for a re-dialing myself.....and I keep putting it off.

).

When I had my ultimate fitting done at Ft Werx (VT) in '03, I was surprised to learn that not all bikes are created equal for any given individual, that there are certain companies and models that work best for a person's dimensions. We all know that shoes work that way, so why not bikes? Still, it surprised me when I was told it.

Getting excited about Eagleman, and still riding on the crest of Devil and Bass? You should be, methinks!

2010-05-26 7:36 PM

in reply to: #2884709

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

GANG!

I gave some thought to writing a separate race report for you guys, but don't see making that effort. (Besides, the story might change between the other one and a new one!

)

So, if anybody is interested, my Columbia report is over at the other group, page 206.

Race photos are at www.asiorders.com. Lisa is 1381, Ryan is 370, I am 83. Lisa got cheated with hers, as there only about six of them. Bah!

There are also two of me that have race IDs of 59923-313-025 and 59923-304-036. In both, I'm the guy in the back, a few seconds behind David Adams. Obviously, my finishing kick was not quiiiiite all there. (So he won Grand Masters.)

sax

2010-05-26 9:24 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1547

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Steve...

There is a "Race Report" fuction on this site where you capture thatinfo and easily find it later. You could just say "just finished my RR" and everyone will click around and read it.

Example: My IMAZ Race Report

Regarding the foot. Well we are waiting for the MRI first to see what is wrong (changed to Tuesday now) and once we know that I will learn my options. Def way too painful right now to even get near a pool, but with luck this will pass in the next week or two and I can get wet.

2010-05-27 7:37 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

hey neil,

i'm really sorry to hear about that foot of yours. injuries are so frusturating. this one sounds even worse because it is impacting your day to day life as well. i hope you at least have a cool cane.

i'm keeping my fingers crossed for the best case scenario (although i don't know what that would be right now).

as far as swimming, maybe you could used a pull buoy until the foot feels better?

i hope you feel better soon!!!!

lisa

2010-05-27 7:39 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

steve, that is great news about the shoulder. i would be wonderful if tightness is all it is. do you stretch on a regular basis?

2010-05-27 7:44 AM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

i love that picture of you and your competitor at the finish. that is motivation for sure!!!

ryan also says that you would not have been a schmuck for passing him at the finish. apparently that is okay when you are fighting for a spot on the podium. not okay when you are just fighting for 20th in AG. i'm not used to this being an issue i guess. i felt bad about passing a girl in my age group on the long flat stretch along the lake with .25 miles to go. i guess i need to get over this, eh?

2010-05-28 5:00 PM

in reply to: #2885311

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

Does every third month of every other year count as regular stretching? I do so try to adhere to that religiously!

It is looking to be a harmonica injury. Seriously. Allow me to explain.

This started about 6-8 weeks agao, and in hindsight that was when I staged a return to playing the harp more. (I've been playing blues harmonica since I was about 16.) This didn't click in until Saturday, and then yesterday, with the connection being that when I left home Sturday morning, the arm felt great. I was in a line at customs, and to while away the time I was riffing along on the harp with a CD that was playing. Along about 10 minutes into this, the upper arm starting hurting, and stayed that way all day and into the evening, when I iced it for about 4 hours straight back at the motel. I had Tina work on it two days ago, and it was good until yesterday, when it began to feel lousy after ...... playing the harp for about five minutes. What the??

Anyhow, how is THAT for a weird sort of overuse injury?? I have no way to explain how this works and why after all these years it is getting into mmy deltoid and extending around to my scapula, but there you have it. Now, it might not actually be that, but that is how the evidence is pointing. Needless to say, my harmonica-playing days are over until the off-season begins! (Well, I can still play it holding in as usual in my right hand, but just want bother with hand effects with the left hand.)

Here's another thing. It can hurt quite a bit, but if I do a run it clears up about 98%. For true! I'm working on some theory that the compression on the arm that comes from bending it up and in causes the problem, and that the extension of the arm during running elleviates the problem. Maybe.

Anyhow, that's that. On to the next one to you!

2010-05-28 5:24 PM

in reply to: #2885311

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA again -

The quick and easy answer is that yes, you need to get over this -- with the "this" being the guilty feelings about passing someone in your a.g. in the late stages of a race. When we were talking about this last Sunday, I could immediately mostly agree with you about my own situation, but definitely felt that your pass along the flat stretch was perfectly valid and acceptable. It can be argued that your pass still allowed her about a third of a mile to stage her own assault on you....whereas how mine was unfolding was nothing short of a stealth attack. Now, I didn't want it to be that way, and had I my druthers I would've passed him about mile 4 and then hoped/tried to hold on for dear life!

In actual fact, people win races and places ALL the time through last-second, gut-busting sprints. It doesn't mean they are being pricky, it's just how they manage to summon and deploy their energies. I really think that was all was hoping to do, especially when mile 3 became 4 became 5 became 6......and all I had managed to do was grab second or two every few hundred feet.

BUT, by nature I am not a cutthroat guy, and there are reasons why I went through most of my life being a Type K personality ("K", just becasue that's far away from "A"). Triathlon brought out some sleeping, latent creature within, and I appriach it as seriously and aggressively as anything I have ever doen in my life. But my way is more geared towards working to make other people feel good, and were I to "ruin" someone's race by sprinting apst them at the finish, I would likely feel more bad than good. When I passed Ian Dargin at about mile 5 of MightyMan last October, I saw a dejected look on his face that really and truly bothered me --- not enough to let him pass me, of course (and I actually did pick up the pace to put a nail in his psychological coffin

), but still, it was there.

It is never there when I pass someone early (or earlier) on, and then I pull out all the stops, but the stuff about doing it at the end....that's not so clear!

Got time for a funny story?
I heard this from Tim Higgins, from MA, who I have never beaten in a race, about five or six of them head-to-head. (Unfortuantley, for whatever reasons Tim seems to have vanished from competition.)
Another guy in our a.g., also from MA, is Audie Bridges, and several years ago Tim and Audie were doing a tri that had an out-and-back run. Audie was ahead of Tim by a hundred or two yards, but Tim has a great run and in his day could come on very strong towards the end, expecially when there was incentive. So Audie had just hit the turnaround and was heading back, when he saw up ahead Tim coming his way, but with his head down. Audie quickly ducked off the road and hid behind a tree until Tim had apssed him, and then ran for all he was worth to saty ahead of Tim, which he managed to do. Tim never realized where Audie was, as it was a race whre people could rack anywhere, so he didn't know if Audie was in front of him or behind him. had he seen Audie, however, he would've picked up his pace and likely would've caught Audie before the finish. Audie knew this, and what was his response? To hide behind a tree!

I think that harkens back to days when things were simpler. Both those guys have always been competitive, but neither was above a little tomfoolery and the appreication of it thereof. I'm not sure I could take that as well as Tim did, but in the grand scheme of things that's a helluva better story than whatever would've come out of an age group victory is an otherwise meaningless race in massachusetts. You think?

2010-05-28 8:28 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

that is an awesome story about the harmonica injury. i'm glad to hear that is all it (hopefully) is. i had no idea you were a blues guy. we could have thrown together an impromptu jazz session. i LOVE to sing. love it. i sing constantly. i'm fairly decent in that my voice doesn't make people run away. i am also pretty decent at off the cuff rhyming. i like throwing together an impromptu blues song about things that ryan or i might be whining about. songs such as "i ain't got no milk for my coffee." they would have been pretty awesome with harmonica accompaniment. alas, since you might have to retire, it wasn't meant to be.

that is an even funnier story about that guy hiding behind the tree. i will have to store that away in the old vault for use at a later race. might come in handy.

on a completely separate note, i've been really run down and dealing with some kind of annoying sinus infection/head cold since columbia. i'm feeling a little better today. it seems to be common for me to get a case of the "lake funk" after open water swimming. maybe i'm allergic to algae? i've read others complain about this problem before too. some use nose plugs during ows's to try to help. i'm considering it this weekend. on sunday we have a 2 mile lake swim here in reston. it is technically a race, but I will be using it as survival practice. scott (coach) has us using it as a full dress rehearsal for Eman. we're supposed to follow it up with a 56 mile ride and a 40 min run. ugh. fun day. that is on the heels of tomorrows 2.5 hour ride. it's supposed to be HOT this weekend too.

what's next on your agenda?

i hope everyone is well!

lisa

2010-05-28 10:39 PM

in reply to: #2889642

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

LISA -

I've heard of lake funk and its ilk, and fortuantely I seem petty much immune to all those beasties. Even when e-coli warnings go up......I seem to swim with impunity. And yesterday, swimming in the Rideau River, there were gazillions of litle black bugs or larvae or something right near the shoreline. if they continued out as far as I went, and were with me for the full 34 minutes of my swim, I may have consumed enough protein to last me through September, anyhow. It gave me some appreciation as to how a baleen whale might approach eating!

I sure hope what ails you goes away soon, like by the morning. That is another killer weekend coming up for you, and it will be tough to face if operating at ess than about 80%. Mojo heading for your sinuses!!

How did Scott like Triple-T.......and, how likely is it that you will be there next year? Keep me in the loop of your thinking on that, okay?

As for harmonica, man, I'd hate to think I'm done for good. I'm actually hoping this is like any other injury, and that if I rest it for a while it will heal. And in this case, I have to keep it firmly in mind to avoid the harp until the end of the race season.

More talk on that later, too, but you asked what is next and here it is:
June 12 -- Escape The Cape, MA (0.3/10/3.1)
June 13 -- Pirate Triathlon, ME (0.3/14.5/3.1)
June 26 -- Tupper Lake short, NY (0.5/18/6.2)
July 10 -- Mini-Mussel, NY (0.5/16/3.1)

There may be a couple others there such as either Mooseman, NH (0.9/44/6.2) on June 5 or Woodstock, ON (1000m/30km/8km) on June 6, and possibly Tri in the Buff, NY (1500m/40km/10km) on July 3. After July 10, my dance card is mostly open, although the August 15 date is taken by West Point Tri, which is a sprint. On Sept. 12 and Sept. 18 I am doing olys in Burlington VT and Lake George NY. And right now I am leaning towards Half Vermont, a half-iron, on Aug. 29. And likely something on the Aug 7/8 weekend, either an oly AND sprint on the 7th, or just an oly on the 8th.

(Aren't you sorry you asked?)

Heal quickly, m'am!

2010-05-31 12:02 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Master

1524

Reston, VA

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

yesterday is done and over with. good riddance!!

i actually did pretty well on the 2 mile lake swim. finished in an hour. i'm happy with it because i looked at the end of the first lap (2 lap course) and i was at 30 minutes. i didn't die. in fact, aerobically and breathing wise, i felt fine. my arms were (and are) smoked. they are not used to that distance at all.

this was followed up by a 59 mile ride, where i got my first flat changed it all by myself though!! ryan had taken off so i didn't really have a lot of other options.

the 40 min run was brutal. it was HOT yesterday and the run endd up being around 2:30pm. the good news with that is that it was good race prep incase Eman is hot. we happily have today off.

it looks like another beauty of a day so a trip to the pool to frolic is in order.

oh, on the lake funk front....like clock work yesterday I got a sore throat and other typical symptoms of the "funk". i went to cvs last night and bought a netti pot and today woke up with only a subtle sore throat and am completely fine now. i might have found the silver bullet to counter the funk. yay!

i hope everyone is enjoying their memorial day!

ThatGirl

2010-05-31 12:45 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Expert

745

Bethesda, MD/Northern NJ

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

Lisa -

Netti pots are awesome. I used one to successfully ward off illness before the 2008 Chicago Marathon. Hope it completely rids you of the funk!!

Great job on the swim/and brick workouts. I also had an intense weekend, and I specifically pushed it on my run yesterday because it was so hot and so sunny. I kept going longer than I initially intended just because I wanted to replicate what it might be like in two weeks...

So I had an intense week (for me!) Good training all around, just two missed days, and over 9 hours logged (I think thats my most ever). Monday I had an easy run, trying to recover from the crazy weekend (Vermont for my brothers graduation, back to NJ for a friends wedding).

Tuesday, I took the day off work because it was so beautiful. I was fully planning on attending a MAFW ride, but while driving there I was a 'victim' of an insane driver with road rage. She actually stopped in the middle of the road, got out of her car and started pounding on my drivers side window (and screaming). It was so scary. So I had to call 911 and I made a police report, and I missed the ride (I was too shaken to go out on my own).

Wednesday was my incredible bike fit!! Coach Ken is amazing. He is such a pro, but he was truly interested in helping me (a complete beginner) and making sure I got the right fit - even though I'm only riding at 17 mph (compared to his 30 or whatever he does in time trials). He took over 2 hours making sure everything was just right. Turns out that my saddle height and distance was just right - the part of my bike that was completely overhauled was my handlebars. He dropped them a lot, flipped the stem, changed where the brakes/shifters are, took a huge mallet to my aerobars, etc. Here's his website: he really knows what he's doing: http://www.eliteendurance.com/About.aspx

He took before and after pictures - once he sends them to me, I'll share them here. Needless to say, it was essentially a complete overhaul of my bike. So exciting.

I was eager to get out and ride on Thursday, but there were pretty intense thunderstorms, so I was stuck on the trainer. Missed a workout on Friday because I went to the GLEE concert.

This weekend was my most intense weekend of training ever

I did a 3 hour ride and 30 minute brick run on Saturday, and a 1:36 ride and 40 minute run yesterday. I am exhausted today but feeling good

I'm glad I got out for a long ride, because it will definitely take a little time to get used to the new set up. I definitely feel a lot faster, especially when in the aerobars. Things are very 'tight' if that makes sense. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly how fast I was going because I lost my Garmin! Can't find it

Will probably be getting a new one... Anyway, I think I got close to 50 miles in during the 3 hour ride, which is good.

ThatGirl

2010-05-31 12:55 PM

in reply to: #1896958

Expert

745

Bethesda, MD/Northern NJ

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

My thoughts about passing someone right at the end: I did it at Devilman, and I felt ok about it... I had been following this girl for the whole run, I could see that she was fading a bit towards the end.

I passed her as we headed back into the school complex where the finish line was located. Maybe about .3 miles from the finish? Our finish times were 4:27:48 (me) and 4:28:13 (her).

I don't know - I didn't even think twice about doing it, even though I knew neither of us was competitive for the AG or anything. I really didn't even know she was in my AG at the time because the body marking was all runny, I just knew I wanted to catch her... Haha.

2010-06-01 6:46 AM

in reply to: #2892144

Champion

10618

Subject: RE: stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL

JESS -

Ah, our Ms. Palmer --- as usual, never a dull moment!

And has it been a fairly recent development that you sleep with your eyes open, or has it been that way since birth?

It sounds like you training is peaking beautifully for Eagleman; that was a great week you had! A 9-hour week is very decent for HIM training, and that you did some hot stuff is likely very useful for E-man. Fine bricks, too, and even more so back-to-back. "....exhausted today but feeling good...." is just about how one would want to emerge from efforts like those!

So, let's see.....that's this week to fine-tune things, and then a taper week, of sorts? Any thoughts on how deep you're going to go into that week with your training?

And a bike makeover! (Do you think that theme would make for a popular niche show on some satellite TV station??) How great is that -- even better than a personal spa session (I'm just guessing on that one, having never done it myself!) "Tight" is a perfect description, I think, and even when I toy with the idea of re-doing my quite-good fit, I think in terms of "tightening" it up. I think that term and usage would be universal language for just about any serious cyclist.

I would love to see those before/after photos when you get them. I am not mechanical enough to be a bike geek, and never go to the "bike porn" posts when they appear (all the time....) at www.slowtwitch.com, but for someone I know, I'm interested in how it looks and what the results from it are likely to be. But that just you even FELT faster is a very good sign, and that you came out of those rides without any twinges or wonks in your back (which includes here shoulders to "sits" bones) is even better. Well done, and let's raise a toast of electrolyte drink to Coach Ken!

Keep the updates coming, Jess! It is very exciting that you and Lisa and Ryan (and Nathan.....???) are all doing Eagleman, and even though I am racing both days that weekend, my thoughts will be more on your folks than on myself. Cool beans!