BigSkiesMentorGroup - COMPLETE! (Page 29)

stevebradley - 2011-06-12 10:41 AM Does this mean you are eyeing a few tris, and just haven't shared with us yet?

There is a tri this month that I have done for the past 3 years but I'll be on vacation during that time.  This year, I decided that I would try doing maintenance training throughout the summer, start ramping up my training in the fall and winter so hopefully I'll be ready for early races in the spring.  It's just that my "maintenance" period has been a bit longer since I'm refocusing my schedule ... if that makes sense. 

It's funny ... I decided to start training for a tri a few years ago to give myself a goal so I'd get out and exercise/train.  In a way, it made the exercise/training a bit of a "chore".  Now, I can get out and "enjoy" the exercising/training because I'm just able to do it for it's own merit.  I'm going to start training with a RRCA certified running coach in September (or possibly a bit earlier).  The plans for now are 10 for Texas (10 miler) in October (the one I got so frustrated with myself last year), St Jude's half in December, Houston half in January (if we get in by lottery), Woodlands half (full?, we'll see how things are going at that time) in March.  There is a sprint tri that I've done before in October, and I'm eyeing a couple of new tris in the fall as well.  Then hopefully an olympic race or two in the spring.  My masters swim team is trying to get me to participate in a meet this summer, so that might be a possibility as well.  I'm so happy that I took the "plunge" (ha) with this group.  It's so much more fun than going to swim laps at the gym pool or in my fishbowl at home.

And nice pics from your race this weekend!

LISA

DENISE, you don't need a 50 meter pool to swim in or treadmill with TV.  You have beautiful lakes to swim in and good roads to run (and bike) on with nice scenery.  I'm not jealous (or bitter) at all !

LISA

I believe I had mentioned in my earlier posts that I am doing some mountain running. With all the mention of Age Group placement, I have to share a story from this past weekend. A group of us went to Seward to practice hiking/running Mt. Marathon, it is a 3,022' vertical ascent and descent (Check out this detailed map).

In the group, we had youngest 23 and oldest 82. It was awesome. The 82yr old has completed this mountain race, I believe he said 12 times. They had to create a new age group category in this race when he turned 80! During our training run, he was not the slowest and showed as much strength as the rest of us. We finished up and down in 1 hour 50 min. Though when going at race pace it is faster and we stopped and regrouped a few times along the route, I was totally impressed with this 82 yr old hiking the mountain. He is amazing.

And his wife had completed a 5 mile race placing 3rd in her age group that morning. It was the Alaska Run for Women, with 7,200 women  participating, she actually thought she might place higher but was surprised to find there were 4 people in her 80-98 age group! She was the youngest in the age group at 80 and the oldest was 83. (She does not run the mountain.)

This couple not only did these events that day but also did the driving to and from Seward, a 2 hr drive. Many times I feel that would be too much for me! I was honored to be with them.

These people are an inspiration!

I second the recommendation on the Mack earplugs. I actually use the childrens size, tho they are that bright orange color.

I dont usually get dizzy but have experienced a feeling of a slight loss of equilibrium a few of times so tried the earplugs and was surprised on how much they helped. So I wear them in all my open water swims now.

Steve,

Looked at your pics.  Great muscle definition in the run pics.  I've never seen such big numbers and never on the front of the arm - mine have always been on the shoulder and/or back of leg.

Denise

Hello everyone!!

What a busy week!  Sounds like everyone has been busy with work, life, and training!

I am going to the Fireman Ironman Camp in Lake Placid this weekend.  Should be a hoot. I am leaving tomorrow AM and will try to get to LP in time to swim 1 loop of the course.  Will swim 2 loops of the course Friday.  Then Saturday I am biking 2 loops of the course, practicing nutrition and pacing - following that up with a run off the bike (~4miles).  

Then on Sun AM I will be running 20 miles on the race course - then driving home.  This should guarantee that I will not be able to walk by the time I get home from that 7-8hr drive.  I am deviating from the camp a little in that they have a 2 loop swim mass start on Sunday at 8:30 followed by a long run - but I hope to be on the road by that day and home in time to give dad a hug for Father's Day.

AND in other news.....

I signed up for Ironman Mont Tremblant 2012!!!  

Mandy

Thanks for sharing the story, that kind of inspiration is exactly what I needed today

For the last 15 days that I've been unemployed I increased all my physical activities and as result of that I'm constantly tired. Tired to the point that I'm falling asleep 10 minutes after I sit on the couch. And that happens at any time of the day. Even a few hours after waking up I'm already tired.

Now instead of being 10+ hours a day sitting in front of a computer, I'm training 2-3 hours a day plus I painted my kitchen, today I started sanding the exterior window frames and converting an old sewing machine into a table. All those activities require a lot of bending, stretching, ups and downs which I'm not used to do.

Today, I went to a strength training session first and when I got to the pool I was already too tired. I did swim 20 laps though but with a lot of effort. Maybe I will get to the next race very tired, and maybe all this is not for me, but then I read your story, and of course I can do it. My body just needs some adjustments that's all! I admire people who has not only the physical but also mental strength to keep going no matter the age.

Hey, Congratulations! I did not now about that race, but then I just googled it and it looks like it will be the first one. That means that we are going to have two ironman events in Canada now.

yeah, you are right. I'm not competitive at all but I like numbers a lot And probably because of my inexperience I feel I'll be the dead last one to complete the race. Which wouldn't bother me at all, my goal is to cross the finish line and to know my times so later next year I should have a better time... as you said: relative to myself

Actually, now that I'm rethinking what I wrote, maybe I wouldn't want to be the absolutely last one. However, that is better than not finishing, and not finishing is always better than not even trying. So I guess on those lines even being the last one is still an accomplishment...

And I shouldn't forget that this all started to lose weight, have a healtier life and get into the 80s as the couple of Veronica's story below 

junthank - 2011-06-09 10:33 PM

Sandra,

One of the most valuable lessons I have been taught is "there will always be somebody faster, we can't win that game.  If you remain consistent and positive you will improve relative to yourself - there’s value in seeing the return from our own efforts. So it’s best to evaluate how you do relative to yourself”.

I'm a competitive guy so that comment help me a out a lot.  Now I don't worry about how fast I'm going relative to other people.  I focus on looking at my improvements over time.

 

 

sanl - 2011-06-09 6:55 PM

Hey! Make a quick trip to Ottawa between now and then! I have a couple of great OWS spots I can take you to!

 Yesterday I swam 1km in 31:52 I know it is slow but what I don't know is how slow I am.

 Thinking out loud I just answered my own question: I'm slower than the average, which I already knew

 

 

How bout them Bruins!!

Interesting comment about being last.  Sometimes I have difficulty dealing with "being left behind".  Often when I get in a group setting (training or racing it doesn't matter) I have this urge to keep up.  Happens mostly in the pool and on my bike.  Somebody passes me and the urge to jump on their wheel or feet overwhelms me.  Don't know why this happens but it does.

Anyway, in my ramp up to my 1st Tri I had this terrible fear of being the last out of the water (and having a crowd see me coming out of the water last).   My 1st mentor gave me this advise that helped out a lot.  I'm paraphasing a bit but:

"Do your best, have fun and let the results take care of themselves -- the people who truly care about us don't really care who we beat or whether or not we come in last, they just want us to be happy."

Powerful statement.

sanl - 2011-06-15 10:56 PM

Actually, now that I'm rethinking what I wrote, maybe I wouldn't want to be the absolutely last one. However, that is better than not finishing, and not finishing is always better than not even trying. So I guess on those lines even being the last one is still an accomplishment...

And I shouldn't forget that this all started to lose weight, have a healtier life and get into the 80s as the couple of Veronica's story below 

junthank - 2011-06-09 10:33 PM

Sandra,

One of the most valuable lessons I have been taught is "there will always be somebody faster, we can't win that game.  If you remain consistent and positive you will improve relative to yourself - there’s value in seeing the return from our own efforts. So it’s best to evaluate how you do relative to yourself”.

I'm a competitive guy so that comment help me a out a lot.  Now I don't worry about how fast I'm going relative to other people.  I focus on looking at my improvements over time.

 

 

sanl - 2011-06-09 6:55 PM

Hey! Make a quick trip to Ottawa between now and then! I have a couple of great OWS spots I can take you to!

 Yesterday I swam 1km in 31:52 I know it is slow but what I don't know is how slow I am.

 Thinking out loud I just answered my own question: I'm slower than the average, which I already knew

 

 

Mandy,

I've never done a Tri training camp but I've read a lot about them.  Sounds like a neat idea.  Be careful with your drive home (sounds like a long day)!!!

Veronica,

I get a smile on my face if I see 70-80 year-olds exercising or older couples publicly showing affection to one another by holding hands.  They certainly are an inspiration.

sanl - 2011-06-14 10:56 PM

yeah, you are right. I'm not competitive at all but I like numbers a lot And probably because of my inexperience I feel I'll be the dead last one to complete the race. Which wouldn't bother me at all, my goal is to cross the finish line and to know my times so later next year I should have a better time... as you said: relative to myself

Actually, now that I'm rethinking what I wrote, maybe I wouldn't want to be the absolutely last one. However, that is better than not finishing, and not finishing is always better than not even trying. So I guess on those lines even being the last one is still an accomplishment...

And I shouldn't forget that this all started to lose weight, have a healtier life and get into the 80s as the couple of Veronica's story below 

junthank - 2011-06-09 10:33 PM

Sandra,

One of the most valuable lessons I have been taught is "there will always be somebody faster, we can't win that game.  If you remain consistent and positive you will improve relative to yourself - there’s value in seeing the return from our own efforts. So it’s best to evaluate how you do relative to yourself”.

I'm a competitive guy so that comment help me a out a lot.  Now I don't worry about how fast I'm going relative to other people.  I focus on looking at my improvements over time.

 

 

sanl - 2011-06-09 6:55 PM

Hey! Make a quick trip to Ottawa between now and then! I have a couple of great OWS spots I can take you to!

 Yesterday I swam 1km in 31:52 I know it is slow but what I don't know is how slow I am.

 Thinking out loud I just answered my own question: I'm slower than the average, which I already knew

 

 

Sandra - I have the same fears. I'm super slow on the run and I have come to terms with the possibility of being DFL in a race, especially in races where I'm just running. I think I came in 6th to last at my first 10K last month. 

Someone once told me that it takes a lot more courage to cross the finish last than it does to cross the finish line first. 

Jeff - You'd probably change your tune if you had to train next to the 70+ y/o man who keeps breaking all my state's swim records (in his age group). This "geezer" puts me to shame in the pool 2-3 times a week. He's also very critical of my swim form and breathing, but that's another story altogether.

With the population aging, I wonder if we are seeing the beginning of the median age of all athletes, not just triathletes, becoming older? People competing well into their 80s? 90s? Has anyone over 100 ever competed in an Iron Man? Interesting stuff.  

Congrats, Mandy! Go get 'em, tiger!