left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 30)

Leston, excellent job.....great race report - my thoughts and prayers are with our fellow competitor and his family.  One can believe he was doing exactly what he wanted to be doing.

The show is TOMORROW at 3 central.  I read the guide wrong, sorry.

Flipper - the shrimp would be worth it...

Leston - did you have the chip under your wetsuit?

Sighting - mav and flipper should weigh in hear too - I roll to air, then pivot around to grab and quick sight, and then get my face/head back down.  I seem to suck water if I try to sight and then breathe.

Happy finish line Leston....

sTRIve

I would try to get the chip under if possible.  Let me know if the sighting after breathing helps.  I think it will.  It's just roll to air, pivot neck forward, eyes just over water - just high enough to see landmark. 

By the way, DON"T look for buoys unless you have to, try to line up landmarks ahead of time - big things are easier to see than buoys.

sTRIve

By the way - you smoked the run dude....did you relay with sticka? or just take lessons from him?

sTRIve

B

Wow, Marianne! I'm with you! Can't wait to get "The REST of the Story!" Wtg, Dan! Hurry back!

And Leston honey?! You ROCK THE HOUSE! Incredible first tri.. wow, just wow. I'm so impressed and so proud of you I could just pop! And an oly on deck as well? Geez. I have no doubt that you will cruise throught that one too.

(I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing in this group, ROFL. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!)

sTRIving on!

Apparently Dan thinks he's frickin Paul Harvey or something with the "rest of the story" stuff......so far so good with the exception that the keeper of "the LAW" is thinking that was a lot of purchasing yesterday....he made me feel better by going for a swim but methinks there may have been new items on that course today.....hmmmmm!!!!

Sleep the night before....no one does....it is actually the night before the night before that matters....in other words, Friday night for a Sunday tri or Thursday night for a Saturday tri...

I will also share that my wife and I got up at 4:30 yesterday morning to drive an hour and a half to watch our daughter do her second sprint.  We surprised her and it was really funny walking up the walkway and seeing her face when she realized it was us.  She did this one for extra credit for a college course she is taking.  She said she saw us coming down the drive and thought "that guy looks like dad"....and that woman....it is dad....we got a big hug and parent of the day I think....I don't know about ya'll but there aren't many days when you really surprise your adult kid and they let you know how pleased they are.....yesterday was one of those days....I have had a smile on my face all weekend...

sTRIve

Hey y'all,

 I am at an airport internet kiosk in Ottawa awaiting my flight home to Freddy Beach. I have only a minute but wanted to send congrats to all the racers. Will write more later. Two weeks today until my first Sprint Tri. I am already starting to get nervous. Had a CRAPPY run today which of course worries me but I know it is just one run so not to worry. Tried out my YANX today and am still fiddling with tehm to get them comfy. I have always been a bit particular about my shoe lacing and getting them "just right".

Crazy busy week ahead but will try to get in at least a couple swims and a couple of rides.

Sticka

Our humble little group is 2 weeks away from being unanimous triathletes.....FBP - you are never allowed to talk about a "bad run" you probably ran 4:10 miles vs 4:08s...LOL.  Your bad run would be a great run for me...and every one else except maybe the speedy Leston who has been hiding his running ability......

Carry on great group, carry on.

I'm up really early to get a jump on the pile of work that no doubt awaits at my office but had to read our BT forum before I headed out.

Dan - fantastic race report and congrats on meeting your 2 goals - finishing and not puking

I really enjoy reading all the details of people's races because it is helping me visualize what is to come on July 6th. I want to be ready for anything - panic, mechanical problems, etc.

Have a great day everyone. No training for me today but I do get a nice 20 minute bike ride to/from work so I'm not a total "slug".

FBP 

Received my borrowed wetsuit this afternoon so went to the lake this evening to give it a try. Man, there is actually a 4th event in Triathlon - getting INTO the wetsuit. I was exhausted by the time I finally zipped up. Lake was chilly but I took my time and got acclimatised. It took a long while before I felt like I could get my face down into the water and start swimming. I practised  a bit f crawl and a bit of breastroke. Tried to do some sighting off landmarks. Going in one direction it was hard because nothing but trees but heading in the other direction there was a house that served as a great reference point.

 My plan is to get to the lake again this week and once next week. Should be very comfortable by then although it sure looks like a LONG distance that I'm going to have to swim!

My daughter Stephanie came and took some pics so I'll try to add them tomorrow.

 Also some good news on the home front. Mrs FBP (or is it Mrs Sticka?) received word today that she will be sponsored throug a government program to do her Masters in Adult Education this fall on a F/T basis. Also, Sticka Junior (Chris) got offered a summer job today - starts next week.

 Like Dan, we are off to the family cottage this weekend for Canada Day (July 1st). Kids are excited because there is a 3-day series of rock concerts  that they have bought passes for. I hope to get in a ride or two plus a couple of OWS.

OK tonight these go for everyone but first things first....

At the Tip Top Cafe I think I was wearing a pink shirt so I think that will help Also, what hair I have is gray....distinguished...yeah...yeah...that's it....  I also think I was the fittest looking person there...LOL....it is really a "comfort" food place....lots of carbs...and great banana cream pie.  I have gone there since I was a little boy. 

Disappointment in time/outcome/anything....two words....SHUT UP....I want each of you to think of that day not all that long ago, when something...whatever it was...happened and you thought "hmmm I wonder if....no not me....I can't....people will laugh....my family will think I am nuts....I couldn't in a million years....well one day I drove 15 miles....there is no way I can swim that far....well I have always liked the water....maybe, maybe maybe...I think I will try if my family doesn't laugh....and then they didn't laugh....and then you were committed.  You see, someone got me started in this - his name was Jim and he was a stranger when he did it but today we get to race together from time to time.  More than likely someone got you started too.  In other words, no one doubted you, don't doubt yourself.  You owe yourself more than that.  And if you don't think you deserve it, I know that person who got you started deserves better, remember, they changed your life.  By the way, now it is your turn, if you haven't yet, to find that next person who needs to do this.

There was another comment about "the bond" - it's sort of like "the law" - we support one another.  Even in competition, we support.  I find it very interesting that competitors willingly give up their race to help someone with a flat.  That podium finishers return to the finish chute to cheer on others.  That the loudest cheers at most events are for the final finishers, not the first ones.  And unlike any other sport I have done, even running races, people cheer for each other and root each other on.  It is amazing.  It is also like, we all just know what the other has gone through once you join the family.

Our family is almost complete...it won't be long Sticka...you are ready....we will be with you every step of the way....check that....we will be behind you every step of the way you fleet footed FBP....

I also have to say, I am humbled that you all left-right-repeat.....that cracks me up.  It really speaks to me...when the going gets tough...it's just, left right repeat.

As far as walking in a tri....you knew this was coming....in an Ironman last year a pro had problems on the bike...he blew out his legs....could NOT run....so he walked (most pros drop out if they run into problems for reasons of ego, sponsors, bad finish times, whatever) but this guy walked...NBC kept showing him on TV...walking amongst the commoners (age groupers) - They asked him why he was walking and not quitting...his answer was something like, I promised myself years ago I would NOT quit.  I owed it to all the other people out here.  I respect them too much just to pull out. 

I have thought many times that was just cool.  I gained a lot of respect for that pro that day.  I need to go get his name.  He walked 26.2 miles.  By the way, he is still an Ironman.  And even if you walk, you are a TRIATHLETE.  And if you don't believe me, I have a question for you, "if you coast at any time on the bike, are you less of a triathlete...I mean really, you didn't pedal the whole way."

OK, hang on a second, I am going to put away my soap box.

You guys all rock,

sTRIve