Have I lost my mind to consider a HIM? (Page 27)

Good Going Kiri! I still haven't replaced my scale, it's on the X-Mas list. But people keep saying I look like I lost more weight and I keep needing smaller clothes so I'm still in the right direction. I'm actually going clothes shopping tonight.

Great Job Lisa!  I'm sure you are losing weight and toning up!  You are down, Kiri is down, and we all know that Debb is probably down.  We are getting down right skinny here. 

With all this weight loss going on we will have to rename our group Team Thin or Team Waif.  (Team skinny is already taken.)  Maybe Team Super Model?  That might be most fitting since we are all so skinny now PLUS we have Scott's Good Looks and Leah's "hotness".  Everyone will want to join our group with a name like that. 

Test:  I'm trying to add a signature to my post.

I'm so impressed by the amount of weight loss represented by our little group here.  And sure, there is more that needs to drop off, but it IS dropping off.  And, as we have all heard before, weight is just a number.  I have always said I wouldn't care if I was 500 pounds as long as I fit into size 4 jeans.  Ha ha ha. 

I am bringing two desserts tomorrow.  Kind of a funny assignment for someone who doesn't eat processed food.  So, I made an Apple Brown Betty and cut back on the amount of brown sugar.  Not truly Paleo or Zone, but pretty close.  I am also making a flourless lemon cake.  This should be interesting.  Instead of wheat flour it uses almond flour.  It does have some sugar in it, but not a whole lot.  So again, not truly Paleo or Zone, but as close as I could figure out how to make it without people hating me.  I could have brought a fresh fruit platter and that would have been Paleo and Zone, but I usually have fruit for dessert and so that wouldn't be special or different. 

What is everyone else making or bringing to their Thanksgiving feast that demonstrates their commitment to making good food choices?

I was perusing one of the Iron Talk forums and KathyG shared her list of what to put in the various IM bags.  It was so good that I am copying it below.  Now the trick is to find it when we need it next year. 

*******************************************************************
This is from IM Canada I did in August, I updated after race so I can remember next time what I used. In Canada you don't get either sn bag back.

T1 Bike
In large 2 gallon ziplock-everything I will for sure use
Directions what to remember on index card
bike shoes
socks?-no socks
bike helmet
bike gloves
sun glasses
small towel
race belt with Graves
Garmin
pockets in quart ziplock in larger bag
Right
chamois butter packs
wipes
Left
Sealant-2 so don't lose at bike sn
arm warmers-throw away?, brought and left


Ziplock maybe items
leg warms
vest
rain coat


T2 Run
2 gallon ziplock of what I will for sure use
Directions on index card: what to do  body glide feet, shoes
hat
shoes put one sock in each shoe with body glide so don't forget
socks
small towel
more wipes and chamois butt'r
race number w/Kathy

Fuel belt in separate ziplock:
4 malt bottles, 1 nuuns, 1 nuuns w/o water
attach watch for run/walk intervals to fuel belt
in/FB pocket
inhaler
chapstick
gum

Separate ziplock:
full change of clothes, sports bra, shorts and top just in case


Bike SN
CO2-2
sealant
back up tubular
back up jet fuel bottle

Run SN
in ziplock
4 more jet fuel bottles & light for hat in smaller ziplock

in separate ziplock:
Black LS tech shirt
pink throw away vest
body glide
change of socks
small towel
Gum
tube w/8 hour tylenol, lava salts, immodium

Bento Box
chap stick
pacing guidelines
gum
chocolate covered pretzels
twix?-no

Bike Bag
spare tubular
tire irons find good
razor blade
CO2 pump
2 CO2s
hand pump?-no
pit stop if fits yes 1 fits
multi tool

Hey Leah - I agree that it is cool to see everyone losing weight.  I think there is something to this working out and eating less idea! 

I'm responsible for the turkey and stuffing.  I should be slicing and chopping but I haven't started yet.  The only thing I am doing healthy is having a veggie tray before dinner.  We have cut out all the other grazing snacks like cheese trays, crackers and dips.  That should help a little.  I plan to do a run while my turkey is cooking too. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm about to get the turkey in the oven then off to the gym for a run and swim while it get's started.

My weight loss goal is to look like a normal person in terms of weight. I don't really care what the size is just to look healthy and like someone who does take the time to work on my fitness.

I copied Kathy G's list a few months ago when I saw it after her IM Canada. She is a great resource. She should be a coach.

I am going to start swim training with a local tri club next week. I figure I could use a bit more speed there (well everywhere actually but probably easiest to attain in the pool).

That ws the biggest change my whole family has made in the last year or so - to not start family parties/barbecues (we have a lot in the summer) with chips and snacky things, except veggie trays.  Makes a big difference and I also think it is important for the example set to the younger children. 

Yes.  And to you and your family as well.

GOBBLE GOBBLE!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hope you are having a great day with friends and family!

Got in a 5k treadmill turkey trot, now we are making t-day dinner, watching a movie, and then getting some quality time...

I'm ready for some pumpkin pie!

k

When I went to the Y this morning they were about to start a circuit training class so I joined in, it was really fun! I got a strength workout, then I ran on the treadmill and when I was home I did a trainer ride in between basting the turkey. So I worked the guilt out of my big meal. It was the first time the Y had this class and I can't wait for them to start it regularly.

The inlaws even made a nice comment about me losing so much weight and they never notice anything and hardly hand out compliments. Funny thing, they said it must be so hard and agonizing to lose weight and I said no, it's so much fun, I am having a fantastic time working out and eating better.

I had my first (what I am interpreting as) IM-anxiety dream.  I dreamt that I was about to take part in this new kind of triathlon, one done completely in the water.  (This dream was probably helped by the fact that we are in Avila Beach and could hear the ocean all night.)  Now, in the dream, the notion of swimming, biking and running all in the water did not seem odd.  And in fact, how you got to the starting point was by swimming, holding on to your bike.  Think walking your bike, now think swimming your bike.  I have an image of lots of people all setting out from like the mainland to a small island or something, all swimming their bikes to get to the starting point.  None of this was thought strange by anyone. 

Here is the IM-anxiety part.  I had a backpack and I didn't know what to do with it.  No one else seemed to have "stuff" that needed dealing with.  I kept thinking I would get it figured out, but I wasn't.  Finally, a few minutes before the start time, I got around to asking someone what I should do with my big, stuffed jam-packed (with what, I don't know) backpack.  I was told that there were these lockers or something that I was supposed to rent for $2 per day.  They were a distance away and it was clear that I wasn't going to be able to stash my backpack and start the race. 

So, I am guessing that I have anxiety about not knowing what to do and messing it up and missing the race.  I know that I am a little confused about all the different bags - T1 bags, special needs bags, etc., but that's the least of anyone's worries a year out from an IM.  But apparently my subconscious doesn't agree. 

Is anyone up for a triathlon done completely in water?

Quiet in here lately. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break and that everyone is ready to go for a great December. I am talking with a possible coach for next year tonight and have first swim with a local tri group tomorrow evening.

I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving. 

Hi Everyone,
   My name is Elke and I have been reading your posts quite a ways back... can I play too?  I am signed up for the Oceanside 70.3 and terrified as it is my first HIM...  Also would love to lose some extra pounds... since I've read all of your weights, I figure it's only fair to share...  I'm 5'1 158lbs.  (I weighed 209 a year and a half ago and lost all of the weight training for a sprint tri.)  I've since ran 1 marathon, 1 half marathon (I figured I'd focus on my worst subject last year) and signed up for the HIM out of excitement and love of the sport.... but we'll see how this goes.  Anyhow, happy thanksgiving everyone!

Welcome Elke! Congrats on your accomplishments!

Welcome Elke!  How exciting that you will be going Leah and I for the HIM!  It is my first HIM too.  I'm scared.  We always like to new members.  Give us more info about yourself.


Hey everyone!  Sorry for being MIA.  I've had the Holiday crazies.  I was responsible for Thanksgiving dinner and with two little ones we had to get all the fun Christmas stuff going ASAP.  We did the tree, shopping, present wrapping, and house decorating.  I'm wore out. 

Work outs:  Unfortunately all the Christmas fun has cut into my workout time.  I've missed 3 days or work outs.  (1) I skipped the day after my long ride to rest.  (2)  I took Sunday off b/c it was my girlfriends 40th birthday.  We had lunch, drinks and went to a movie.  (3)  I went to swim this evening with my new YMCA membership and the pool closed 5 minutes before I got there.  Of course I was wearing my suit and flip flops so I couldnt' switch gears. UGH! 

I must apologize to all my "stuffed turkey" challenge buddies.  I failed miserably this month.  That is the worst part of it all!   

I decided not to beat myself up about too badly.  I needed to do everything I did for the family.  I also feel pretty well rested.  Tomorrow is another day.  

Tri Training Plan:  I have been off on my tri training plan.  After the first 3 weeks of the plan I have been off by 3 hours, 2.5 hours, and 1.75 hours.  Not the best.  To help get my hours up I have signed up for a YMCA membership.  It is brand new and only 2.5 miles from my house.  My goal is to go over there after my kids go to sleep at 8:00.  They also offer a 6:00 a.m. spin class.  If I can get a few more hours in a week I will get myself on schedule.  Now I think I have close the perfect set up.  I top notch work our facilty at work, one close to my house for when I can't go during work hours, and great weather in case I miss both. 

Bike ride:  My 60 mile ride went really well.  The ride was 58.5 miles and we finished in about 4:09:00.  We were happy with that b/c that time included all of our stops.  Our Tucson ride took us 5:03:00.  Tucson was 66 miles so we did take some time of the ride.  I started to have my ride break down around mile 53 this time.  Ron thinks we should build on these rides - distance and speed.  I'm up for that if I can get comfortable.  We have also mapped out some great hills too.  Hopefully I'll be ready for that HIM ride!

My lady parts were super sore again.  We acted immediately this time.  Ron bought me a new cut out bike seat so I'll give it a test spin soon.  I also got some new Pearl I bike shorts.  There is an outlet near us so we went and got some stuff.  I got a jersy for about $45!!  (Marked down from $89)  The shorts were $90 marked down to about $54.  If I was a smaller size I could have scored some cute ladies jerseys for about $15. 

Eating:  I over ate.  Pecan Pie is SOOO good! 

I'm looking forward to hearing everyone else's updates.  Hope your work outs went better than mine. 

Hey Lisa!!  How did the meeting with the coach go?

Sounds like a total nightmare!!  I triathlon completely in the water would be the end of me!  I'm feeling anxious too leah.  There is so much to think about and figure out.  I've been reading a ton of these treads and my head is about ready to burst with information. 

I'm hoping you will figure it all out and tell me what to do. 

Come on now!  You have been a great little member so far!  Entertaining post . . . Encouraging . . . Friendly banter.  You are setting the standard pretty high. 

Elke, we are glad to have you, particularly since you are doing the same 70.3 as Kate and me.  Now, if we could just persuade the others to come to California in March for that race, that would be absolutely terrific.

Today is a swimming day for me.  My plan is to increase my distance by 200 meters every month until I hit 4,000 meters, which will be in September.  And hopefully that doesn't mean that I will be in the pool until noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It is supposed to mean that I get faster.  I read here on BT that volume increases speed and I hope that applies to swimming as well as biking and running.  So, today was my first day at 2,200 meters and it was fine, primarily because I wore fins for 3/4 of it, for a variety of reasons. 

Debb - I wore my new Splish Christmas swimsuit this morning and got LOTS of comments and compliments on it.  It was fun.  For the newcomers, Debb turned us on to Splish.com where they have really cute and different swimsuits.  I got two, one of which was made from Christmas fabric.  I am going to wear my Christmas suit all of December and then move on to my other new suit.

Tonight I have a swim clinic put on by Aquatic Edge.  They do the underwater taping and all of that and hopefully can give me some help in getting faster.  I diligently go to my Masters swim session two times a week and I get told that my form looks good, but I am the slowest person in the slow lane.  My fantasy is to do the IMAZ swim in 1:30, which will require a lot more speed than I have now. 

And Lisa and Kate (and Elke) - How about zipping over to Palm Springs or Palm Desert for the Desert International Triathlon which is the same weekend as your Trifest?  An oly three weeks before the 70.3 seems like it might be a good calibration for the big one (or semi-big one as the really big one will be in November). 

Well, my beloved had a fierce cold all last week and guess who has it now.  Sharing is OK and all, but I can't say that I am grateful for this one.  Stay healthy everyone and have a good day.  Let us know what you are doing today.