Baowolf's Mentor Group- Closed (Page 28)

Ah! Another member of the Cervelo club. Welcome aboard .

Did 2900 yds in the pool this AM, and ran out of time, so I didn't finish the full workout. Was aiming to get in 3300. Probably OK to fall a bit short wtih a race only 6 days away. My mantra of "every day in July" is still alive, which is good.

Hope everyone else is having a great July!

I guess I should go on VC more often....TWO new bikes in the group!

Steve, you still got it! Nice racing for you! Congrats on the AG win!

Samantha, good job on getting your resume out there on the job search. Bet it's nice to have some time to focus on that. And I'm with Pam -- hope you will just do some active things for a while...just because you want to. Kayaking, roller skating, sailing, kickboxing....whatever floats your boat .

Mike, I like your mantra "do something every day".

Back from vacation to the brutal heat and humidity. Sprint tri coming up this weekend will be HOT, HOT, and more HOT. The only thing I feel any desire to do is the swim leg. So my mental strategy for the bike and run is to promise myself I can jump back in the lake after I finish.

Still a bit behind on posts and need to get to work, so my apologies for not shouting out to everyone.

Mike- Great Swim workout Today!!!!

Carol- I hope you had a great vacation!

I did a 1850 yard swim today. I worked on some endurance today. Trying to build up my swim some more.

What does everyone's race calendar look like? I see lots of mentions of this & that, but curious about when the folks here are hitting the START line? I have just 3 left -- NYC Tri on 7/14, Timberman 70.3 on 8/18, then the Boston Shark Swim (1 mi OWS across Boston Harbor) on 9/21.

Short but encouraging run this AM. 2.09 miles, but ran it non-stop, felt good, and no leg/hammy issues at all. Did a bit of stretching before I went, ran slow to start then found a good pace. Finished @ 9:05 pace which I'm happy with. And the new shoes felt good. Feet feel energized after I finished.

Congrats to the new bike daddies!

Lots of catching up to do.
Samantha - good mental focus on moving forward, but enjoy the break. Love running up hills? You are a champ.

Mike, I really related to your post-race post. Think Steve nailed it with we need the mental toughness in training.

Carol - great job getting in your runs. Very excited about your upcoming sprint. Have you done them before?

Pam - there is so much joy when you describe your runs. Yes, it's pretty natural to avoid what you're not good at, but you have such a good fitness base with all that running. I like to think of myself as tough, but I'm a wuss when it comes to running in the rain, or even a drizzle.

Steve - Congrats! I really appreciate all your great advice you give to everyone hear. I read it all.

Jared - times are relative. But looking at the big picture your times are pretty good - what was your placing? Don't get too into neg. self talk. If you know you can do better, stay positive and do it!

Elena - 90 is hot!! Excited about you race coming up. Looking forward to the race report.

It was hard, but I'm caught up on posts here. Spent a week taking it very easy at family retreat. Didn't even get up for the morning meditations as I have chronic allergies which cause me to sneeze and blow my nose for a good 30-60 mins each morning and won't subject others in the room to that. That's on daily allergy pills. Starting to add a different OTC as Claritan does not last 24 hrs. Napped a lot, babied my knee - sat in chairs, no cross legged sitting for me. Haven't had any twinges of pain.
Thought I feel good, but feel lousy - groggy and weak. Need to just do something to get moving. Also looking for an allergist.

Great news - after my awful times at my sprint I contacted those putting on the oly I registered for in Aug and they are letting me switch to the sprint race. Glad as I wouldn't have done the oly. Now I have a reasonable goal: cut significant time on my sprint.

Mitzi

Mike- I am kind going back and forth on my next race. I havnt scheduled one just yet. Shame on me. I have one coming up on July 27 and its a 1/2 mile swim, 27 mile bike, and 7 mile run. I am kind of concerned about the run portion. I have a shorter tri with a run in August. So just have to decide.

Jared, why not both?

Mitzi, welcome back! Glad you had a good retreat. Ugh, allergies...can sure make you miserable. Hope you find some relief. I like your call on changing from OLY to sprint and working on quality. As far as tris, I've done 7 sprints, and 3 OLY's previously.

Upcoming Races: Disco Sprint 7/14 (500yd/17.6 bike/3.1 run)

That's all that's on my race calendar. Wish I could say I was excited about it, but at the moment, I'm really not. Not well trained, no biking or swimming last week, and it's HOT, HOT, HOT here. However, I am looking forward to being in the race atmosphere and to seeing friends. Mid summer here is not a good time for me. When low temps overnight are 80s, highs are 100s, and I have to load up on mosquito spray every time I go out due to the West Nile virus, it just doesn't do much for my motivation. Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but that's just the truth.

double post



Edited by squirt 2013-07-09 9:48 AM

HIM this Sunday. Not sure how I feel about it at the moment. I have a goal and am determined to reach it, but feeling kinda blah right now. Thinking its part of that self-sabotage thing..like feeling "blah" gives me permission to not reach my goal. Temps went down from 106 degrees to 91 for race day says TTom at the Vineman Tread. Still too hot. Been worrying about what I'm wearing for the run. I practiced wearing my tri-shorts many times on runs and just didn't like the feeling. I've tried to will myself to like wearing them during runs and have tried to convince myself that they are comfortable, but its still a no. I've never liked tight "spandex-like" shorts. So I've decided to swim in my comfortable bra-top and tri shorts, throw on a tank at T1 for the ride, and once at T2, change into run shorts. Not concerned with dropping my drawers and changing in the wide open space of T2 (but maybe I should be!), mostly because I've done enough races to know that no other racer is watching what you're doing at transitions. Plus I don't want to waste time at a changing room either and have a terrible transition time. Its just that wearing run shorts seems so "half marathon" not "HIM"! Oh well, I want comfort.

Steve, you've raced Vineman.- Since T1 & T2 are two different locations, are we allowed to set bikes at T1 Saturday? I'm thinking not. How about T2? I will need to lay out my shorts/shoes for that run. I cant imagine having to do all that in 2 different locations on the morning of the race! Tell me what you know and I will read the details about set-up. I will probably head over Friday, staying Fri & Sat night. I'm 2 hours south of the race.

Taking my bike for a quick tune up today after a trainer ride. Need to grab a few Gu's and another O2..

I will have a very hot run today (when its at its hottest!- 99 degrees) while kids are in a 3-hr cooking/swimming class- (I know, cook/swim are totally unrelated but the teacher makes it work!)

I have done the full at Vineman twice. I set up my shoes and such at T2 transition the night before by the high school and then set up T1 Race morning with my bike and such. For the Full it was 96 F ish both races, but the bike was reasonably not hot with a morning fog layer. So for a HIM you might luck out and not be in too much heat depending on how long you are out there. It seemed to get warmer around 2-3pm ish. I am not sure where your turnarounds are on the run. Do you do 3 loops or just 2? The full hits the mean hill 3x, not sure of the HIM course. The bike has the mean hill once. One thing to be really careful of is that first turn on the bike about mile 5 maybe where you turn right go down hill and around a sharp turn under the bridge. Go slow there, someone crashes every year. Also do not cross the double yellow lines between miles 8 and 20 or whatever, there is a gap in the pavement between the two yellow lines that some folks got their tires wedged into and over the handlebars. A fellow BTer busted a collarbone there I think and was done for the day at mile 15 on the bike.

I have run open marathons in my tri outfit before, very little chaffing. At most triathlons there is a rule about public nudity/exposure, so it might be a good call to hit the changing tent if you are going to change out of your tri shorts. For me it really isn't worth the time. The swim course for vineman is nice in that it is in a river so you cant swim too far off course or you hit shore. The bike is rolling hills that will wear you down, don't go out too fast. The run is rolling hills that also wear you down. I think the HIM misses the big hill in back, but it is not flat by any means. So just pace yourself conservatively for the whole way.

For swim to bike transition most folks walk their bike to the top of the very steep hill in the first 70 yards. There tends to be a lot of people in a narrow area and a steep hill where you are clipping in on the hill just isn't worth it for most folks.

Elana - I did the Full Vineman and it was an amazing course! You're going to have a blast.

Ok, Folks. Just read over the recent posts and trying not to lose my focus but I probably will because 1) I have a theory that we all create major ADD in ourselves because of multi-tasking and 2) I'm into my 2nd glass of wine {Whoops, finished it. Gulp.}

First, best of luck to Mike and Elena in their races this weekend!!!!! Hope you have a blast. Anybody else?

Mike, your innocent question about who has races on the books sent me off into 2+ hours of internet exploring today to set my races. It's a work in progress. Looks like I will have have mutiple 8K in August, maybe some other runs in Sept, 1 to 2 HM in Oct, maybe a baby sprint in Nov (maybe?), possibly an ultra in Dec, and then mary or HM in Jan and Feb. Gotta set up training plan, merge with life, and then see what works and what doesn't. Can you tell I'm a systems analyst? Paralysis by analysis.

Elena, ROTFLMAO about changing in T2. Go Girl. I used to be the MOST modest person on the planet but either racing or old age has changed that now. Life is too short to worry about what others think. Be comfortable my friend.

Mitzi, so glad that you had a good vaca and a nice retreat. Good plan on the race.

New shoes, new shoes, new shoes! No, I'm not stuttering. Found a deal on Running Warehouse so I ordered 3 pair of shoes and they just came in. Love the PINK Saucony (2 pairs. Just like my purple and orange Saucony but half the price since they were clearance). Stil went with my Brooks for the long days. So I'm about to retire one pair of Brooks and bring the new Brooks into the rotation. Will hold off on one of the Saucony for a few weeks and then fit into the rotation. The 2nd pair of pink Saucony will have to wait a few months before they come out of the closet. But man, they are pretty - pink without being so hawt that I have to be fast to wear them. Listen to me...I sound like one of those women who die for shoes. I am so not-a-Carrie-Bradshaw. Shoes do not excite me - unless they are for running.

So I got my new Xtara wetsuit today, sleeveless and love the fit. So I swam 1800 yards in it and wow, it takes soo much less effort to swim when you float so much. And the sleeveless option kept my arms from getting tired from the resistance of the rubber. Which unfortunately tells me that my leggs are too low when not in a wetsuit. Oh well information.

I usually get my shoes from running warehouse or roadrunner and I usually buy 5 pair for the year at once around Thanksgiving for sales.

The reason I brought up the modesty clause as you can get DQd over showing too much in transition. Hrm do I have the energy to look up the penalty in USAT? Anyway ya run however you feel comfortable, if that 1-2 minutes isn't going to make a difference between podium or not or cuttoff times then take 5 minutes and enjoy the day.

Ha, ha, spandex in and of itself is a modesty issue . Anyway, seems like a quick change could be accomplished without any real exposure. Pull on a skirt or wrap a towel around. Then pull off tri shorts and put on running shorts. Remove skirt/towel and you're ready to go .

Short 1250 yard swim today, just enough to minimize the chances of drowning in my tri this weekend. Working a second job this week. My former boss is unable to work....macular degeneration in both eyes at the same time. So she asked me to help out with the client I vowed I was done with (twice). I feel like I'm living in that movie, Groundhog Day. Just keep waking up and doing it all over again. Lesson for the week: never say never.

Carol - Hope you get some relief from the high temps soon. I lived in AZ for a while and I didn't like the heat without the humidity. I think pre-hydration for your tri this weekend will be a key component. oh, and a, drowning during your tri - NOT AN OPTION...sheesh! Praying the third time with the client is the charm.

Jared - Good job on 1850yards! Echoing Carol, why not do both?

Mike - I have no races scheduled. Thinking about a few. You are a racing king this year!

Mitzi - I am so unbelievably proud of you. When I read that you called the race director to see about switching from Oly to Sprint I couldn't help but remember a time not so very long ago when you were going to throw in your towel on a sprint tri. But now you are looking ahead and asking yourself what is achievable and searching ways to make it possible. What a beautiful switch to witness! You are gonna have an entirely different race this time around.

Elena - The good news is how you feel about it doesn't matter so much now because it is simply "Go time". You are gonna be fine as long as you stay hydrated and caloried. I would definitely find out about the modesty rules; I know for fact nudity was not allowed at IMCDA outside of the change tents. I would hate for you to get in trouble. Carol's idea was a gooder. And where what you know you've run in and is comfortable. For my IM I changed sports bras in T2 because I knew one was better than the other for running and I wanted it to be dry. Go get'um girl!

Steve - yay for a new wetsuit that is making a noticeable difference for you!

Pam - your post made me laugh. And the reality is, you don't have to be a shoe person to be excited about shoes. But there is something super sweet about new running shoes.

Jay - where ya been buddy?

Jim?

Joe?

What happened to our other Pam and so many others?

I'm super excited about a few things this week. First, I have an interview for the hospital job tomorrow. The beautiful part is my ex-boss works in the department I'm applying for and they have already talked to her about me. She and I have always had a good relationship - work and friends. So that's a huge plus. The job would mean a $2+/hr raise plus full benefits that I don't have to pay a dime for; not to mention, the numerous other discounts and perks offered. I am really hoping I get it. The second thing, I am volunteering at a sprint tri on saturday as a swim buddy. I will either be assigned to a specific swimmer or be a sweep. If I'm assigned to an individual I will swim with them as an encourager....I AM REALLY STOKED ABOUT THIS! The last thing, I get to go watch a good friend run a marathon on Sunday. It is super nice to have time to be a part of all these things going on and have time to look for a new job. next I want to find a nice place to rent or buy so I can get out of the roommate scene.

Later All!

Hi all. I'm still alive and well but work has been kicking my butt. I figured you all would be sick of hearing about my complaining about work...unfortunately, that's my reality right now. I've got 2 weeks left on this hectic schedule...just finished working 70+ hours since July 3rd. I wanted to get some training in today but I was so tired that I was a grumpy vegetable

Mike asked about races earlier and that's going to open up Pandora's box for me I'm still on course for the Spartan race in August (unfortunately not with my wife...she's having surgery a few days prior to the race), a sprint in late August, an OLY in early September, and marathon in October. Having said all that...I need to kick up my diet and training big time....the plan is to start up with more intensity after I get back from family vacation. On the racing front, my wife asked again if I thought she could finish a sprint triathlon next year. I told her of course she could...she just needed to start training again. She has been derailed by a bone spur in her RT ankle but its getting better now. I left it very open with my wife...she doesn't like to be pressured...I told her to let me know when she's ready and I'll do any race with her. I've been doing a little research on Ironman races and have found some interesting things. The closest IM sanctioned race to Mike and I is IMLP. I've mentioned before about looking into the HITS series since they're in NY twice a year...well I checked out the results and they average 20-40 IM finishers. I don't need much motivation but I don't think having that few racers is ideal for my first IM race. Another friend mentioned Chesapeake (sp) IM in September...that looks pretty cool and was named best race by Triathlon magazine a few years back....and there's also the B2B in NC.

I'm keeping up with posts even though I'm not posting much right now. It seems like most of the group is getting focused on their goals and its awesome to read. Mike and Elena, good luck this weekend! Steve, congrats on the AG victory and 4th overall! Mitch, sorry to hear about your ribs. I think its more R+R to get over the ribs....I bruised mine years ago playing football and there's not much you can do. Nice new bike too...purty Pam, 3 new sneakers, really lol...2 pink isn't a shock though...I'm looking forward to a pic to see how pink they are! Samantha, I hope you get the new job. You've been searching for awhile and deserve a breakthrough on this front!

Last but not least...this comes from the lack of bike knowledge department. I purchased a flat repair kit from my local tri shop the other day....I thought it would include a bag for it...but I was wrong. Anyway, it includes a few CO2 cartridges and 2 bike levers......I know I need to get a bike bag for it but what else do I need? I figured I'd need a bike tube and/or something to patch my old tube. (if necessary) Am I overthinking this and/or missing somthing with my train of thought?

Good night everyone! Hoping I can post about a good workout tomorrow!

My saddle bag includes a new tube, 2 CO2 cartridges, patch kit, CO2 valve/crackpipe, 2 tire levers. Longer races I stick another tube under my seat. This is for riding clincher tires. If you are riding tubies, you'll need a tire or two in place of the tubes, and some adhesive.

Missed my workout this AM as I didn't set my alarm last night. Slept in an extra 1:40 which felt really nice . Packing tonight for the trip, so maybe A quick bike to keep the "do something every day" streak going. Heading to see family in NJ tomorrow and will likely do Bike/swim, Fri AM a short run, then off to NYC.

Oh my, last night I forgot to wish my long lost sister Carol well for her tri this weekend! Hope you have a great, great race. Good luck with the loco client too.

Samantha, will be praying for you tomorrow. Best of luck! Also, have an awesome time this weekend. That is cool to be a swim buddy or a sweeper.

Jay, so sorry that work is so bad right now. Hopefully it will change soon. And BTW, I think that you are playing it perfectly with your wife on the racing. When I first started doing this, I kept telling hubby and son to back away and let me find out my goals, desires, etc. I wanted their love and their encouragement but my motivation had to come from within.

Steve, yay on the new suit!!! My stud swimmer friend recommended that I buy a sleeveless wetsuit vs a full suit and I took her advice. Love mine.

Did intervals this morn and it sure wasn't like last week. Could have been the weather being hotter and more humid; could have been me. .5 miles 5x. Shortened the rest tho to 2 min. 8:47, 8:08, 8:02, 7:58, 8:08. I would have been thrilled with those numbers last week but now I'm disappointed. Oh well.

My son is coming home today!!! The little guy (ok, he's almost 6 feet now but he's still my little guy.) has been with in-laws at Cooperstown NY and then Atlanta. He has had a blast and, to be honest, we have too. But I still miss him and am excited about him coming home. So I may be sporadic with my posting for a few days while I spend some time with him.

Pam, enjoy your son! Your intervals are looking great, and will look even better in the fall when things cool off a bit. I have to know....what color socks with the pink shoes? Pink shoes AND pink socks??

Mike, good luck this weekend!

Jay, so sorry that work is all consuming. I'm more and more convinced that balance is not a daily thing, but an overall thing for most of us.

Steve, I have the Xterra sleeveless too....really like it.

Samantha, great progress on the job front. Praying your interview goes well if this is the one that will allow you to move forward in life!

Carol- I know I should do both Triathlons! I am just concerned about the 7 mile run at the end after the cramps from my last tri.

Jay- Keep encouraging your self and hopefully the heavy work load will slow down a fraction so you can get some rest and training in!

Pam- Rock out those shoes!!!! you going to be Bling! Bling! all the way down the street!

Samantha- Praying for you today! I know that the interview will workout! Thats awesome about you volunteering at the triathlon.

Steve- Awesome on the wet suit. What temperature would you decide on a full or sleveless wetsuit.

Mike- you go get them this weekend!!!! You Got This!

Elena- Good luck on the race this weekend!!!! You can do it!

I got to ride with a group yesterday around 30 miles. I had some great hard pulls! However, I was new to the route and got a little lost when I had to check something on my bike and did not see the group turn. After a lot of riding around, I finally found them! HA HA. Great ride though.

Ok Steve, good info re course and I did read up on course and requirements of the race. I remember most of what you mentioned on bike course from Aquabike not to mention the rough roads in that beginning section. T2: You said you set up T2 the night before. Was planning to go to pick up bib and attend the required rule meeting during the day on Saturday. Do you think that setting up T2 mid day is too early? Should I return later in the eve to do that? Run: the run is a single loop. Hilly. Little shade. There's a steep but short hill at mile 4. All other miles, rolling-to-hilly. Its going to be tough. Its going to be mental. Its going to be hot. Nudity Exposure: seriously?! Crap! Read there is a men's and woman's changing tent so in it I will go! Ok, I'm excited. :D

Steve, New gear! So fun.

Squirt & Mike: Good luck with your races too!

Squirt, This tri is you "down-time". Work, but work that ya love!

Jared, Both! Yes you can.

Samantha, Hoping for a smooth interview for you! Benefits would be awesome! I think its great that you volunteer at local races. Giving back. Its something that I should do too.

Jay, those are long hrs. Hope the light at the end of the tunnel will appear soon. Keep me updated on that Spartan run. There's one in mid Aug just south of me. My brother in law asked me to be in his group. Really wanted to be will be coming back from vacation and running 12ish miles and a boatload of obstacles after that would be very BAD!

Pam, Yay for your son returning! I have a son & daughter and there's just something about that boy!!!




Edited by EV3110 2013-07-10 10:26 AM

BTW, I'm bib #470! whoooohoooo!! :D

Carol, as for the socks with the pink shoes, it will be what it will be. I used to run exclusively in Expedia pink socks but then oddly, the padding ended exactly at a critical place for me and I got big ole bruises. So I moved to pink Ironman socks that were a little thick but ok; then my local store stopped carrying them. I had some other pink socks but then they started slipping down. So now, I buy what I can find, when I can find, and don't worry about the color. Most of my socks are white and then hopefully have some pink on them but many have gray, blue, and yellow. So when I dress for runs, I don't worry about matching and it can produce some strange combos. One race I had on my pink sports bra, bright yellow shirt, and Running Funky blue, green, and yellow skort. It actually worked fine because the sports bra was mostly hidden. Then I put on my pink socks and purple and orange shoes. Top with my white hat that has Boston ribbons of blue and yellow. Yea, you can normally see me coming.

Whew, I took the day off today and was gonna run and then scrapbook. But then I ran out of laundry detergent which is cause for alarm in my house. And I needed to to buy things for VBS. And son asked for cubed steak which meant a trip to the grocery store. And hubby asked me to mail back the Newton's that didn't work for him. And I ran out of my meds. So 6 hours and $200 later, I'm home and have about two hours before I need to start cooking for son. Still got to put the laundry on. Shoot, don't know if I'll make the scrapbooking because a nap sounds really good.

Later all.

Elena, just setup T2 when you go to your manditory meeting. Use a plastic bag for your stuff in case you get some rain overnight. Get a good place early so you can find it on race day. Last IM at Vineman I got an end of the row slot and was stoked, spot was just there on the end, no real scavenger hunt.

My repeats for today 800 repeats, 6:56, 6:56, 6:59, 6:57, 7:06, 7:06 kicked my butt and took a 2 hour nap afterwards before my 25 mile bike ride. 3100 yard swim later tonight.

Jim, yups not ideal. I had 21 weeks to get ready for Tahoe from slightly worse fitness than you are at now, but with a thicker reserve from 5 years of training. So you can build to complete an IM in December with reasonable fitness. Able to run the entire race, but at a slower pace than if you had 6-8 months to train before taper. You can build to your key distances, but with less buffer for illness and such.

Thanks for the Bib number, now we can stalk you.... 8).

Heat will impact your repeat times, it just will.

I will go with the sleeveless down to about 56-60F I think and full below 55 ish F. For most folks I might recommend full at 60F or below. I will have to see how that goes after I actually swim it below 60F.

If I missed anything ask again and I'll try to cover it.

Edited by Baowolf 2013-07-10 9:43 PM