Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 28)

Oh, almost forgot... if you're looking for a good chuckle, check out Michael's response to this poll.  His response is on page 2, but it's worth reading the other responses as it sets his up nicely.

How long does it take...

Almost ruined my laptop this morning when I was drinking coffee and read it :-)

Stu

Yup....hilarious!!!

Randy

Jimmy - I can't believe that you actually fought through the issues you had. That is some crazy stuff and that is the mental toughness that I am trying to get used to. Congratulation on finishing and on the bike PR.

Blanda - Happy belated Birthday! 

Thanks for everyone's encouraging words. After the race yesterday I should have taken a long nap before doing anything. I am taking a different approach this time. CONSISTENCY! Yup, i think I finally got it. :-)

I am in the process of putting a training plan together between now and my next OLY and Rene it is the Disco Tri :-). It will be the exact course from yesterday and hopefully I can take that as a measurement to see improvement over the next two months.

Weight loss challenge? ME too! I need some accountability ...... when do we start?

For those interested in the weight loss challenge-

A couple of days ago I mentioned in my blog that I want to race IMAZ at 165.  Rene sent an inspire, and asked if I wanted to do a challenge, but mentioned that she needed to do it "smart" while training.  I told her I was in.  The most important part of this is that we want to do lose weight the right way while training for races.  We are not doing this simply to lose weight, but to race faster.  We also need to maintain a healthy training load while shedding a few pounds.  This will preclude "crash" dieting, or huge caloric deficits.  My target is negative 200-300 calories a day, and that includes replacing calories burned while training, not just basal metabolic rate caloric needs.  I am reading "Racing Weight" by Matt Fitzgerald, and using concepts from the book.  It isn't rocket science and not a magic cure all, but is a good reference.

Both of our Ironmans are in November, so the timing part is easy.  Weighins are on Mondays.  You wake up, use the bathroom, and then weigh yourself.  You post your weight, progress and goal weight.  If you do not want to post your weight, that is cool, just post your progress, and how close you are to your goal.  

Rene - This morning I was 180.8.  Goal weight is 165 by IMAZ.  (I knew I had to weigh in this am, and ate 3/4 of a pint of Cherry Garcia FROYO last night!)

I agree the crash diet doesn't work and is not healthy! I am going to approach it the same way i lost the last 50lbs ... calorie counting and maintaining a negative calorie count.

This morning 206.2lbs
Goal weight is 195lbs by July 15th (Disco Tri)

Eating healthy and staying away from the processed food and fast food.

What do you guys use to calculate your daily caloric needs?  Do you find you need to adjust your calorie allowance after a few weeks? How do you know you're using the right number?

I've avoided counting calories but I think I need to start.  I'm approaching five months of the most consistent exercise I've done in my adult life but I've lost no weight.  I know I've traded some fat for muscle but, I thought I'd have dropped a few pounds at least.

Looks like I'll be doing another tri as a clyde which is intensely disappointing.

Thanks Mark!  I dream of Kona some day and I don't really care how I get there!!!  Legacy or lottery!

Thanks Rene!  I feel great.  I got home and took my flecainide and converted back to sinus rhythm.  My legs feel good.  I was very well trained for this race.  I feel refreshed and ready to do some short runs, easy swims and maybe a bike this weekend.  Now that the race is over, more important than my time is the fact that I finished, and this is what I will carry forward with me.  I really enjoyed cheering the other athletes on the run.  One thing I gain from having to walk is meeting others, learning their stories, and enjoying watching people pursue their dreams.

I appreciate your support for this race!!

I'm going to meet with my Cardiologist next month and chat.

Next IM is Arizona!!  I'm already getting excited!!!  Jim

Jimmy: That word is one from an old TV show that I wish I could remember now! I loved it and the way that word was used. Glad you enjoyed it too!!

Rene: I have been focusing on eating healthy lately (since my birthday, haha!). I just bought a ton of mangoes and strawberries on sale. Cut them up and froze them in little baggies for smoothies. I added shredded carrots and spinach in them. My biggest problem is that if I don't prep to eat well, I'll look for what's quick and easy out on the road. I'm hoping I can develop better eating habits!

I'm game for a weight reduction challenge!

I love the guy that runs the bike store here. He doesn't let me make excuses for anything and scolds me when I slack on my training. Told him I'd be able to ride in the races in August when husband gets home and he gave me the biggest eyeroll, haha!

He's right. My biggest problem is asking for help with the kids. I cannot seem to bring myself to ask for it unless it's something huge, and even then, I make sure to space out the times I ask. I know family AND friends will watch the kids if they can, but I don't know why I feels so bad letting people help me!

Hey gang-fun evening here at the Chrissie Wellington book signing.  She spoke for about 20 minutes recounting her background and unlikely journey into triathlons.  She then took 5-6 questions and began signing books.  There was a big turnout at our small local bookstore.  I was about 10th in line and was able to get my book signed and have a picture taken with Chrissie.  She seems to genuinely enjoy meeting people and sharing her experiences. Looking forward to reading the book.  Will try to post the picture once I download from the camera.

Randy    

Jen -- great picture, and even better running!

I'm going to join the weight loss challenge, even though I have an unfair advantage (I don't feel like eating!).  I'd like to lose about 8lbs before IMWI in Sept.  I'll post progress on Mondays, as per the rules!

Randy -- very cool about the book signing.  She is one pro that I'd really like to meet.

Count me in on the weight loss challenge.  199.4 this morning.  Goal is 190 for Culpeper Olympic at the beginning of August.  Lots of potholes are lurking during that span, so it will be good to be accountable to the group.

Stu

been following the thread of comments here, but i haven't had much to say.  congrats in general to all that have been completing races. just hearing about all the races you all do is inspiring.  nice to hear personal viewpoints beyond the general descriptions of races. thanks for sharing.

me, i still am struggling to figure out good time management to get everything done each day that I want to.  i kept pushing off running days because other things came up and since i am still getting into liking running, it was easy to not do it.  I went running a couple of weeks ago with my sister while we were at a cousin's wedding at Half Moon Bay, California.  Gorgeous trail by the water.  But I realized that not getting any running in the last couple of months was a bad idea. i felt slow and easily out of breath 

it helps logging in a scheduled workout plan on the logs on here, makes me more inclined to do it. i am not a morning person, but i am thinking i should start working out in the morning.  you all seem to do morning and evening workouts anyway, is it better?

Time management is always an issue.  I often struggle getting up in the morning for early workout and am not always successful.  For me, I find myself with a day's goal eg. s/b/r but I often don't know when or sometimes where I will be doing this.  The key for me is to be prepared, keep a workout bag, swimsuit, etc. in my car so it's ready to go anytime an opportunity arises.  I shuffle my long workouts for days/wkends I know I have off.  If I miss a workout, I usually just move on and not try to make it up as it will effect me worse in the long run.

 i kept pushing off running days because other things came up and since i am still getting into liking running

I am finding that the more running I do, the more I enjoy it.  I have been logging 100+ miles a month since the beginning of the year, and I'm now finding running more enjoyable.  Look at Jason's logs, he has an impressive streak of 100+ mile months!  Sometimes those days I least want to run are the days where something suddenly clicks after the first mile or so and then it becomes one of my better runs.  I try to remember this on those days where it seems more a chore to get started.

Keep at it, it will become more likable, especially when you see steady improvements!!!

Jim

Hey everyone-had a bit of a PR in the pool today.  At the end of the workout I was to do a 100(scy) for time. Came in at 1:16-17.  Previously I had been stuck at 1:19.  I may never do any better but it was nice to see improvement even if just on a single 100.  Not sure how significant this is as it is unlikely that I could have continued the pace for another 5-10 yards.  However, over the last 25 yards when I was going all out I could feel a big difference in the way I was moving through the water.....may even go so far as to call it swimming   Now to break 1:15.....may take another year or so. 

Thanks to everyone for the tv and movie suggestions for trainer entertainment.  Have added the first season of The Wire to my Netflix queue.

Started reading the Chrissie Wellington book and am enjoying it.  After hearing her talk at the signing and reading the book it is clear to me that she wrote the book.  I know sometimes athletes and others will have people write/ghost write for them but her writing mimics the way she expressed herself in person. Very genuine. No doubt she is VERY intelligent and would likely have excelled at any challenge whether athletic or career oriented.   

Randy