stevebradley's Mentor Group FULL (Page 241)

LISA -

Thanks for the sentiments, and also "giving me back" the group here, now that you have posted #6000. Whew!

I have made a couple of dippy posts on your Fcbk page (wall?), and one on Ryan's. At least, i think I did; I'm never sure if I succeed at these things......

Speaking of succeeding, the map didn't transmit correctly. It is a mostly blank screen, but with some words jumbled together up in the top left. I will try again in a while.

One of my messages to you was about Liquid shot, which I ordered from Tri-Zone. I am REALLY excited to try this, but likely won't get down to my U.S. p.o. box to collect it until the middle of next week. I so dislike delayed gratification!

for the next little while it will be forays into EFS for me -- strong mix, weak mix, tweaking until I get it right or give up, gagging. The nutrition kerfuffle is a big reason to go for another half iron (or B2B) before the season is over. I would really like to feel that I can work this through and implement it, if I just put my mind to it. I don't want to deconstruct everything.....probably....but I ave to keep an open mind to available, and different, options.

More on race thoughts later; I won't burden you with that quite yet!

Finally, the new photo is the best one yet - heck, even better than the witch one! I don't know what strikes me the most -- how happy you look, or how unobvious it is from the photo just you just did 140.6 in 11:18 in mid-90s temperatures. Fresh as a daisy, and twice as content.

LISA again -

Where are you in the tattoo thinking after a few days? As an alternatibve to the corporate M-dot, you could make it race-specific and use the fleur des lis symbol that is on the IMLOO logo. I mean, there it is -- 3/4 of your given name right there in "fleur des lis"! Of course, some people might confuse you for a Parisian (or worse, a Quebecker, or Quebecois), in which case you might have to embellish it with 140.6 or something. Or not.

And speaking of Quebec, Jess is now in Montreal with one of her clerk friends, painting the town hopefully staying out of trouble. I told her that I live only 75 minutes from Montreal, so if she needs me to go her bail.........

Liquid Shot is on its way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from the ER...well, last night anyway.  Some type of stomach bug from the food.  Which is odd, because M ate the same dinner.  But either way, if didn't agree with me.  I was there for a bit extra to get a catscan to make sure it wasn't a burst appendix.  It was not, so I am grateful.  Just antibiotics, morphine, and whatever else is in that magic IV.

During all the commotion I missed a few phone calls and today I have a job interview...so I gotta find time during my regular work to get to it.


I am excited for the interview.

NEIL -

You sneaky guy! What job interview? Same company, or something new and entirely different?

And what type of food took you down? I know you like all sorts of ethnic stuff (if the stomach bug did what stomach bugs usually do, then you experienced a different form of "ethnic cleansing" ), but I guess a cruddified burger at McDonald's could do it, so..........

Best of luck at the interview!

It was the Sphgetti...the same stuff M ate so still unconfirmed.

The job interview was with Inuitive Surgical.  They sell robotics into hospitals for use in certain surgeries.  I felt ok during the interview, but a bit light headed.  I hope it didn't show too much as it is really a great opportunity for me.  Probably take a bout 2 weeks to hear back...after that I will just assume the worse that they gave it to someone else.

NEIL -

Well, THAT sounds like an interesting position! It should go without saying that I hope you shone and will be chosen. But seeing as how my mojo worked so poorly in an attempt to maneuver the airmasses for IMLOO, I won't make any promises to send any your way in the matter of the job. However, my good wishes are there in spades!

Have you dealt with robotics before? I don't remember the details, but I seem to think that what you work with is a line of medicines (?) that are very beneficial to women. So, it would seem that the desired position would represent a lateral arabesque, and nothing too radical at all.

Maybe the specific mound of spaghetti that was served to you had gone pasta its prime.

no medicines Steve...I'm a device guy.  We teach the surgeons how to use the instruments.

I currently sell in the breast cancer area...this would be another woman's health issue a little more south of the breasts.  Mainly, the Hysterectomy procedure.

Steve, you've been oddly missing today. Hope you're okay!

LISA -

I'm mostly okay! This morning I couldn't get on BT, and then we spent most of the day car-shopping for Lynn, which was following by dinner out, and this and that. And last night Lynn had the computer tied up for the whole evening, so I've been out of all the usual cyber-loops for quite a while.

I have yet to look at the LOO race reports, but will soon -- like, in about five minutes!

As for being "mostly" okay, i am still nursing a sore left hamstring, residual from those Half Vermont hills.....but it's getting better! I haven't run or ridden since 1/2VT, but will add those back in in the next few days.

From the annals of The Lord Works In Strange Ways Department, I have been wrestling with how much I wanted to do Burlington Tri next Sunday. It grew in being problematic as I have started to think about doing a race on the 25th or 26th, which is a week after Lake George, which is six days after Burlington. And then there was the problem of the hamstring. But then yesterday I got an email from the Burl RD saying that USAT sanctioning was being cancelled for the race ---- and there's my perfect reason for not doing it. Voila!

In another act of weirdness, I have been debating about Skipjack vs Make-a-Wish, with the distance of Skipjack having appeal, but the chance of you and Ryan being at MAW having more appeal. But I called up accoms in both places, and it seems that everything in Easton is booked, short of the smoking rooms. So, I have pretty much shelved Skipjack, and have booked a room in Georgetown -- where I will be sharing space with the NASCAR crowd! But it's less expensive there than right along the shore, so I've got a room reserved. I will continue to look for something sub-100 at the shore, but if not, it's me and the Jeff Gordon psychos!

I phoned MAW and was told that they aren't planning to sell out, and that registration will be open until the 20th. So, lots of time to decide.

And, you mentioned that you and Ryan were thinking of doing Acorn, and if you haven't checked recently the sprint is full but there is still space in the oly. Just so you know!

LISA again -

I have seen the photo of you after finishing LOO, in its bigger format, on your Fcbk page. That is such a glorious photo, I can't even come up with the right words for it. Whenever I have seen you you have looked happy, but the level to which you took that in that photo -- well, again, words can't convey it. I hope you are ordering that one, and in a large version. It is something that your children and grandchildren will love to see as the years pass by, so do your descendents a favor and order it --- LARGE!!

LISA once more -


YOWZERS!!!! Talking about your photo made me remember that I hadn't checked mine from 1/2VT since yesterday, so I just went, and.....

SUNFLOWER POWER!!! I was so disappointed after MightyMan last Oct when there wasn't a photo of me cycling past the lighthouse at Montauk Point, but now that is all gone, repalced by Vermont sunflowers!!!!!

Check out www.brentdoscher.com, then click on Half Vermont Journey (next to the cool photo of the guy swimming), then go to Bib 152. There are two pages, and see the last three photos on the second page. Are those nifty, or what? And I'm even all nicely color-coordianted for it! (Clicking on them expands them laterally, too.)

As for the other photos......
I was okay crossing the finish line, but the rest of the run ones show me suffering, with head down. All of the bike ones have me looking fresh....which I guess is why I look so crappy in the run ones. As for the sunflower one where I'm griining over at the photographer, I only vaguely remember it.

If you want to check out Jess, she was Bib 16. What she is wearing on the bike is the DeSoto CoolWings, which she thought worked great to protect her from the non-stop sun on the bike.

LOVE THOSE SUNFLOWERS!!!!!!!!!




Edited by stevebradley 2010-09-03 8:02 PM

MINDY!

Argh.

Not only did I miss your b-day last year until apprised of it by others in the group, but would've missed it this year had not Lisa been on the ball. I don't know which is worse -- failing to see it on the calendar last year, or neglecting to put all the important perennial events from one year's calendar onto the next year's calendar. Looking at the curent calendar -- empty for Sept 3. oops.

Lynn would say it's all kind of bad, and while she manages to make a little daily agenda book work well for her, I have never been able to do so myself. One of the common complaints about my teaching was that I was lousy at keeping my "day book"........current. Oh well.

ANYHOW, I hope you had a good b-day, being tucked away on a holiday weekend --- which is nice enough on its own for you, even without the extra joys of celebrations. Or do you allow these thins to just sort of quietly waft over you each year?

And where are you right now -- mountains or coast? You're fortunate, either way!

LISA -

Yeah. If you get an oversized copy of the finish photo, and keep that with your sterling race report, future generations will keep the full picture of you and LOO!

A few things from the RR struck me:
-- Egg drop soup and chicken lo mein as a pre-race meal is not conventional, but as for taste, and lightness, and last-minute sodium-augmenting, it probably can't be beat.
-- I too am surprised that you managed to be that far up in the swim line. Of course, If you'd been five minutes earlier or five minutes later, we would've been deprived of.....
-- That is a very funny comment you made to the guy who was clubbing you during the swim. In 99.999% of situations it would not be at all amusing, but then and there -- priceless!
-- Intersting observation -- it's better to have sore hands from shifting than sore legs from not shifting.
-- I remember it now, the comments people made that headwinds on the return into Louisville could make a potentially sweet part of the ride into something less pleasant.
-- Great psychology about the signs, telling yourself that you CAN do another 1.5 hours, and then those signs are YOURS!
-- Just persisting so long without walking -- you did really well in pussyfooting through that psychological minefield of "just a bit further....just another mile....just the next aid station". Wow!
-- So smart to keep your head together so as to be able to do the math that told you that sub-11 wasn't going to happen, and having the good sense to slow your pace!
-- The Irontears! I didn't allow them to hapen for me, although when Erik asked me at the finish line "Where are the irontears?", I told him they would come....and let a few dribble out...and then shut the rest inside. I think i missed a great opportunity there.
-- There was a big thread on Slowtwitch about the aid stations, but i was hoping it wasn't as bad as the original poster and others suggested. I guess you heard the same thing, however. That's one of the true benefits of having a pretty fast time, I guess.
-- You were so fortunate to have there: (1) Ryan, (2) Mom, (3) Coach, (4) Teammates. I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to have so many important people in one's life share such an event with them!


It's still not yet 5:30, so I'm back to bed. Maybe I'll look at one of those sunflower photos again first! Have a pleasant Saturday, first official day of the long weekend!

MINDY -

Spent the day with in-laws, including the ones who have the place at Kiawah and did the half last year. Jane has been dismayed at how difficult it has been to string together decent runs. If she can manage one in the heat, then she feels drained for a few days. It's all kind of "patchwork" training for her, and has been for a few months --- You Are Not Alone! (Does misery REALLY love company?)

Well I ended up going for a 75 miler Sunday that was pretty tough.  Big head wind for first 40 miles which kinda wiped me.  But I did get in 75 miles!  Will try another big weejend this upcoming.  Being sick last week and then seeing how that took it of me I decided to take a full 2 days rest, which ends today.

I will get back at it tomorrow.  My biking is getting there...but I am nervous for the run.  I still haven't gone over 7 so I really need to do at least a 10 just mentally.  Perhaps this Friday I will for a 10 at a slow pace...I will play it by feel

In the meantime Steve, not sure if you have been following the Potash of Saskatchewan bidding but it is heating up.  Looks like tomorrow news out of China may come in to try and outbid BHP.  Is Potash of Sas really a big deal up there or is it another one of those..."Oh, that's Canadian" companies.  It's been a very profitable position for me so I am of course hoping for a strong bid.  I'm sure it's tough though for the Canadian gov't to see one of its pride and joys go to possibly communist China.

NEIL -

Do you own stocks in Potash Sask? If so, how did you settle on THAT as a stock option?

We lived in Saskatoon in about '76 and '77, and although my memory is not clear on potash, i think it was just developing as a potentially powerhouse industry. The operations just west of Saskatoon were vast, but where it has expanded and how it has grown is something with which I am not familiar.

I would think, though, that it IS a big deal and not just something Canadian, ho-hum. Saskatchewan has a long history of being fiercely independent and leftist, and it was very important for it to develop a strong home-based economy beyond standard agriculture (wheat and canola, mostly).
One of the CEOs still says it might remain independent, but if these bids continue to surface it is hard to say how it will all shake down. I will have to start paying more attention to it now!

A source you might want to follow is The Globe and Mail -- Canada's national newspaper. A second source would be The National Post, which evolved from The Finanical Post a few years ago. A third source is the Star-Phoenix, Saskatoon's daily.....but that's pretty much a rag of a newspaper.

When we moved to Saskatoon in '76 or '77, most stores closed at noon on Wednedays -- some old by-law whose origin I can't quite remember. That was very odd, but was scrapped within a few months of our arrival. We loved Saskatoon; strange, but true!









Edited by stevebradley 2010-09-08 8:01 AM

LISA -

GOT IT!!

You're a genius, and brilliant, and thanks for persisting with the transmission. More on it later!

Many thanks!!!

Steve, those refs are great.  I think between Yahoo, Barrons, Google, and WSJ just about every story is out there on line.  I got into Potash around 07 the first time.  I kind of stumbled into it.  I said one day "How can I make money off fertilizer" actually I used a diff word but it led me to ticker symbol POT.  It's a commodity of course, so I followed it up and down.  BUt I like the mining commodities, because its always about Supply and Demand, so if the price comes down, they just cut production.  Anyway, it turns out POT is a fine little (big actually) company and a Canadian darling.  As a shareholder I love the idea of the higher buyout.  In fact that is the only reason I am in it...to make money, very simply.  But for Canada and specifically becasue the gov't recieves royalities currently...it seems wrought with politics and I wonder if the deal can even be done.  But for a price...I am sure it can.

Regarding that job interview...well I am sort of doing some self sabotoge this week.  I am supposed to follow up and see a case in the OR with a local rep.  But I am just not feeling it.  This is the second time I have interviewed with this company and they are growing fast, and I like that.  but so far...the people I have met in the interviews have been rather...cheesy.  Funny how people making so much money can be so cheesy, but I have met all of 4 people in sales there and it is consistent (Pay plan is around $250K).  They also want my sole for that job, so although it is a lot of money...it sounds like 60 hours a week just to make the bosses happy.  Not sure I want that.  Oh and its a cufflink job.  I have to keep my blue collar roots somewhere...no cufflinks for a work day please.  I dunno...just something about it I don't like right now.  I think is also has something to do with it being GYN specific...I'd just rather not see that all day in a diseased state.  Sorry if that got too graphic.

Edited by sax 2010-09-08 9:46 PM

In other news i Got a 7.5 mile run in today and it felt easy.  So I am on track for a 10 this weekend.

I also wanted to bring the idea of the "Over Distance" in IM trraining.  I saw member BryanCD's training log and he recently did an 8hr ride.

8h 00m

165.18 miles

20.65 Mi/hr

Min HR: 91
Avg HR: 133
Max HR: 142

I sent him a msg and this was his rationale:


Hey man, thanks for the kind words. These two 8 hour rides are a first for me in 4 IM build ups. My coach wanted to push me both aerobically and mentally. Training adaptation ended around the 5:30-6 hour mark. The remainder was survival and a challenge to my nutrition/hydration. It was amazing how much it did simulate racing an IM in that respect. Also, it's something new he wanted to throw at me and see how I would respond and recover the next day on my long run. He likes variability in my training.
I think in general an overdistance ride is a good thing. Not 8 hours but something in the 120-130 mile range once. Then you get all the aerobic benefit without the recovery needs of doing 112 + a long transition run, for example.

bryancd · 2010-09-08 4:36 PM


Edited by sax 2010-09-08 9:52 PM