David Gillen's Group - FULL (Page 30)

I have seen "The Terminal" with Tom Hanks and that is exactly what is was like. I felt like him all day. A janitor in the bathroom even started complaining to me about how rude it was when people on the floor!

I'm really glad and encouraged by the fact that your legs and aerobic system did great. This means that you're fit! The arm and neck pain will go away with more time in the aerobars. And you should probably always expect some level of discomfort after 75 MILES! If it were easy and felt great, everyone would be doing it right!

My neck bothers me sometimes too, and I've found that looking side to side and up and down as often as I can really helps. Try not to just get in a rut and always stare straight ahead with your head/neck in the same position. That's asking for trouble.

Pene, you should be proud of this ride. It was a major jump in outdoor miles for you and your aerobic system handled it well. This points to major progress for you! Good job!

That is a really good sign that you "still like your bike". I've had many long rides where I hate my bike and feel like throwing it into the lake! So, you did great!

Good to hear from you again, Kevin.  If you're serious about using Gillenade, then I can share with you a spreadsheet I've made that will help you with the formulas and measurements of the various powders.

The best wetsuit advice I can give you is to somehow find a way to try a swim or 2 with it before you buy it.  Ken is right I have an Xterra Vortex and actually the arms and shoulders are pretty tight on mine and do restrict my movement somewhat.  I get used to it if I swim in more often, but it so warm down here that I haven't used it since Alcatraz on June 3rd!   If I had to do it over again, I'd probably get a sleeveless, but I did want a full for the cold Alcatraz waters.  Oh well.

If you're going to Timberman, we should definitely hook up.  That's be great! 

Hey, that's a great tip.  Thanks Johnny.  I might not have been pulling my sleeves up my arms all the way.  I'll have to try that for Timberman!

Nice Seattle Pics, BTW.  In case you haven't heard, it finally got hot here with heat indexes around 105!  Plus, the wind is back too!  So enjoy the cool weather while you can.  I'm jealous! 

Sound like you're having fun overall and that's what is important, Matt.  Be sure to get in a good taper and don't blow yourself up complete these last few big weeks.  You're probably heard that it's better to be 10% under-trained than 1% over-trained on race day.  A good taper, a little carbo-loading, and race day adrenaline can easily make up for 10% under-training, but if you go into race day worn down with tired legs, you could be in real trouble in a full IM.

I think you'll do great.  You've got the spirit and mental energy that is so important in long course.  

BTW, because of your speed and youth, I think you have good chance at landing some decent sponsorships next year.  Go for it! 

OK Team, I need some honest feedback/advice.  Here is the background info:

I am registered for the Cologne Classic 70.3 on the 2nd of Septemeber; however it's not an official "Ironman" series race.  The swim is 2.5 km but the rest of the distances are the standard length.  After watching the Ironman Championship from 2006, I really want to do an Ironman sponsored event and as luck would have it, it may be an option.  Ironman 70.3 Germany is taking place on the 19th of August and may still have a few slots left open (alreay sent an email to check).  So the question is:

Is it possible to do 2 70.3 events within 2 weeks of each other?  I know it's crazy and not the "best" idea but who here is completely sane?

That is what I'm looking for here!  I guess if I die I'll have to have my wife spread the word; although, you could just look me up in the race results and see "RIP" instead of "DNF".

Actually, it might not be as crazy as you think.   Many people try to fit in a couple of A races within their 2-3 week peak period.   It is tough to maintain your peak fitness for more than 3-4 weeks, but I bet you could do both of your 70.3 races just fine assuming you can recovery fully from the first.   

Like the others, I say go for it!  

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my wife or being married for the world, I just meant that it was a hell of a lot easier to take off last minute and spend $500 on a weekend when I was single.  Now I have to think about the baby due next month, my kids college fund, and grown-up bills and responsibilities.  I guess sometimes I just want to be 18 again, of course I don't think I had $500 when I was 18 and so it would be a bust anyway!  I still haven't heard back from the Ironman folks and so I guess my Superman dreams are over.

FWIW, I do read all of your posts. I might not comment on them, but I read'em. We're your friends here, and we get you b/c we're tri geeks too! At least I am!

2 days without a call doesn't sound all that long to me. Were y'all talking everyday? Don't make too much of it just yet. I'm definitely not a dating expert, but I would be afraid to drop him an email or call him.

You're not fat, Pene, and remember food is energy, and we, as triathletes, need a lot of it.

I feel for you and your running struggles. First the hamstring and now a cold! Man, I'm sorry. You can't catch a break. I'm not sure what to say other than hang in there. "This, too, shall pass"

It's so awesome that you're getting Noah into triathlon. Don't worry about his swimming. Just enjoy this time with him and that he is into your passion!

Since I'm still not logging (Sorry!), I thought I'd rant tell you about my workout today. In short, it sucked. Normally, I am quite pumped and mentally ready to get in my toughest workout of the week early on Saturday mornings. Despite normally getting up around 6am, I have no problem waking up at 4am so I can have time to digest my breakfast, get all my gear ready, make my Gillenade, etc etc.

I woke up fine this morning, but I just wasn't into it, and after breakfast and the daily dog walk I fell back asleep on the couch for a good 30 minutes. I couldn't believe it! Normally, I am rearing to go, but not today! I pissed around some more, then Sarah woke up and I talked to her for a while. So instead of getting started around 6:30 or 7am like I had hoped. I didn't get out of the house until 8:15!

I swam for about 25 minutes at our local pool, jogged back home, and hopped on my bike for a brisk 1:45 ride with the last 10 minutes in zone 4 in order to simulate race fatigue. The I tried to run, more like stumble, for about 25 minutes. The bike was tough, and I couldn't really get "into it". I had a tough time pushing myself into upper zone 2 and 3. The 10 min in z4 was really tough and really took it out of me for the run. It was my worst brick of the year. It was really humid and hot this AM, but still. I'm a week away from an A race. I really hoped I'd feel better.

Rant over!