Manatee Mentors 2014 CLOSED Thread 2 (Page 26)

I have two happy successes to report Manatees.  First, I FINALLY got my tri bike outside for the first time.  No issues, my quads were fatigued, but that may be due to my long run yesterday.  The only issue I had was with shoes/pedals.  I am used to unclipping and putting my shoes on top of the pedals when I get ready to stop.  I can't do that with these--they are too slippery on the soles.  So I end up stopping and kind of 'jumping' off my saddle and since the shoes are slippery, I slip on the pavement...any help?  The other, more successful thing: I adjusted my own derailleurs.  Woot!  The back one was not too bad, some minor adjustment.  But the front derailleur would not allow me to shift into the big chainring.  There was a lot of back and forth between front and back to get it all sussed, but I DID IT!  I am excited if you couldn't tell.  Now I can change tires AND adjust derailleurs

Yanti, I can only hope and pray that you find peace in all that you are challenged with right now. And I'm glad to know you are in on the long marriage challenge. TJ is right, the comfort adds to the love.

2.4 mile OWS no wetsuit in 65 degree water?  DAYUMMMM that would leave me cold for days!

EEEYAHOOO you wrencha, you!

That's a lot warmer than we have now as even the air temp isn't quite getting there yet, but that is still well within wetsuit temps!

Kate - Phooey about not being able to do do the races.  It's so frustrating when not enough $$ = not able to do the fun stuff.    Any job possibilities in the works?

Kirsten - Yay!!  Feels so great to be able to fix one's own gear, doesn't it?  I'm going to the monthly clinics at my LBS to learn some basic maintenance.  I used to repair musical instruments so I'm not afraid to get in and muck around with things but having a little training goes a long way.  Last week, I discovered that the one time I fixed a flat, I made nearly every mistake possible.  Hopefully it won't take me 2.5 hours next time now that I know all the stuff NOT to do!

Jonathan in TX - Yeesh.  a 65* 2.4 mi. OWS swim without a wetsuit sounds utterly wretched.  Great job sticking it out.  Between your physical conditioning and mental steeliness, you've got this race in the bag.  I'm so excited for you.  Good luck staying sane this week while you taper!!

Yanti - Hoping your sweet Raider-kitty is recuperating.  No matter what happens, you've done your part to give him love and a peaceful place to either heal or go.

Hugs and good weekend wishes to everybody!!

For right now, nothing new on the job front--the next two months will really have a point for my decisions--if they move my former co-lead back into his old position alongside me, then I will happily look dang-near ANYWHERE for another position. If they keep it with me as the only lead (or hire another keeper who is into herps) in reptiles, then I am satisfied to stay put for the foreseeable future (unless there is an awesome opportunity at a state-of-the-art reptile facility that pays great...). I have been chatting with the zoo's director, and she has already given the green light to one of my new grandiose plans--bringing in Galopagos Tortoises! Now if I get her to agree to my reptile house renovation ideas, and bringing in Dwarf Crocs and a Rock or Reticulated Python (we need a gigantic snake at this zoo)-- then I will definitely have to see things through....if I can't get an awesome zoo to hire me, I guess I'll just have to make my current zoo awesome instead! 

And on another note, I am now officially registered to do Bay to Breakers in San Francisco on the 18th....it should be fun...and silly...very silly. At least that's what I've heard...

I've been thinking a lot about Salty's Boston run this year and how she ran her day--not her expectation--in order to still have a great race.

I want to start training the truth, not "the plan" ... it's a much happier and fruitful place.

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Originally posted by StaceyK Built a new sandpit for the puppies today. I think it's safe to say that it's a hit It looks small in the photo but it is over 6' long.

PUPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!!

Second in my AG today at the super sprint.  No splits, my husband was too busy taking pictures.  Had about a 6 minute improvement on the course from last year!

Going to try & load up a pic  Well heck, it loaded sideways.  I think that's how my husband took it!

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Yay, Judi!!  Super job!!

Yanti, love that graphic.  Also really like the idea of training to the day not to the plan.  Sometimes the plan becomes an arbitrary goal that the body just isn't up to.  I catch myself saying I'm just going to do "this much" (especially in the garden) and have to admit that it's time to stop at 2/3 of the way to "this much".  Instead of thinking I'm a failure for not doing what I "should" do, I have to stop and give myself credit for what I did do.  So hard sometimes but so necessary for both mental and physical health!

Kate, good luck with your neat herpetic dreams.  You've got some awesome ideas and if your zoo doesn't think you're a rock star, they're totally missing out.  Cool that you're going to do Bay to Breakers; I've heard lots of fun things about that race.

Stacey, how big are those puppies?!  That sand pit looks tiny with all, what, 6 of them in there?  Love the sand on their tails and sweet mugs.  They're obviously enjoying the heck out it!  It's such a bittersweet time, seeing them grow and get more independent, giving you more time to yourself, but knowing they'll be leaving soon.  Sad and a relief, all at the same time.

Nice going Kirsten! Sure feels good when you can fix and adjust some things on the bike.

And for coming to a stop, do you have much confidence in your ability to unclip? That's something that has come up with people who stop like you do. They want their feet out as they're nervous about falling over still stuck in. They'll also feel a bit wobbly at lower speeds. When I come in, I'll have my right foot down low and put more weight on it. And when just about stopped I'll unclip the left foot and step out that way. When the slicker road shoes you have to be right at stopped or you'll slip out, as you've noticed. I used to catch myself a bit with mtb shoes, but had to stop doing that too with road shoes. And do note about putting weight onto the right foot. The amount of weight (or force) applied to the entire bike is still the same, but by transferring more of it to such a low point the bike becomes much more stable. With that you can control it more easily. Particularly helpful at the lower speeds.
Having the left foot down low and unclipping the right is just fine too. I just wrote the way I do it for simplicity.

Love the graphic Yanti!
 
 PUPPIES!
 
 Congratulations Judi!
 
 Welcome Sydney!

Four days without checking in on the manatees and we have aced tests, new puppies, growing puppies with a sandbox, cold, long open-water swims, zoo news, podiums, great advice and a Yanti who needs much love and hugs.  Congrats to those who did great things and hang in there to those who are struggling with health, life, or other hurdles life throws our way.