Asphalt Junkies Winter Edition - CLOSED (Page 31)

TERRY is spot on his recommendation, DIRK and he pretty much said what I started to write out last night before the reply disappeared from my computer and I gave up.    I'm so sorry you're still dealing with pain.  Ugh - I hurt for you, my friend.   As much as I hate to say it, though, I think you should look into the deferral program - to at least see what your options are and when the last day is for making a change.   I'm totally confident you can finish but I know that's not your goal - you want to COMPETE.  You want to CRUSH it and you would/will if you're completely healed.  You need to ask yourself if just crossing the finish line, no matter the time, will bring you satisfaction.  Make that decision on the last day possible. 

Thanks for the encouragement.  

I hope that I haven't sent the message that I'm ready to throw in the towel, I'm not there by any stretch.  I was certainly feeling pretty low because of the recent issues and maybe some of these pains are going to be the new norm and I've not had the time to figure that out yet.  But I'm not ready to throw up the white flag either and that's the key right now.  I just need to get some things under control and begin to find the right track.

But, as requested your thoughts, I did check into the IM deferral program and it's basically a steaming pile of rancid poo.  Okay, it's better than the old policy of here's $75 of your registration fee back and sorry about your luck but it's not much better than that.  

The way the deferral program works........

• The pilot program is limited to 140.6 events in North America (excluding Los Cabos & Cozumel)
• This program is limited to the year in which your original event is scheduled.
• There is a $50 transfer fee.
• You must pay any difference in entry fees, but do not get a refund for a negative difference.  
• The race you transfer into must have open slots.
• The race you transfer into must have had public registration open for 10 days.  
• It must be at least 45 days prior to the event you are transferring out of AND into.  
• You may only transfer an entry once.  

So, while it would seem at first glance that WTC is offering something they really aren't.  Here's how I see it.

1. Limiting transfer to fewer races makes transfers that much less likely to happen........Loss
2. My race is in September nearer the end of the season and most remaining races are sold out already......Loss
3. The transfer fee is, what I feel, well in line with something like an IM transfer fee.  I also think WTC could charge a much higher transfer fee if they chose to do so and I would likely be willing to pay more to make sure (in my case) that I am healthy enough to actually race.  Also, may other races, marathons and such) allow transfers for fees making this somewhat of a norm........Good
4. Paying the difference is acceptable to me and probably not a big deal for someone in a similar situation as I............Neutral
   
5. Again, not being refunded the price difference wouldn't be a big deal because I may be ensuring a much better race experience......Neutral
6. Most IM events sell out rather quickly leaving little real opportunity to actually transfer..........Loss
7. Having to wait 10 days until after standard registration closes is a good idea.  It would keep people from registering for a race they don't really desire to race in order to attempt to preserve a spot in a later race, although this would be ricky at best inmost cases..........Good
   
8. Having a 45 day deadline isn't bad either.  They need some time to get a few things switched around to be ready for a different athlete.  It just makes sense........Neutral
9. Allowing one transfer, again, keep people from transferring multiple times and locking down positions that others could use.  I don't have a problem with that.......Good

So, if you're looking for a lot of benefits to this program there aren't really any true advantages to this program.  After reviewing some of the other race platforms, such as Rev3 and Challenge, WTC appears to be trying to make themselves feel better rather than providing anything beneficial to injured people such as myself.  If things get worse for me, as in unable to walk as I get very close to race day, I would probably have to at least take my $75 refund.  BUT I think I am a long way from that.

I will in all likelihood be at Wisconsin, even if I am walking a lot more than I would like.  But the thought of walking much of a marathon is NOT appealing in any form.  I did receive a little more confirming encouragement from one of the local IM athletes here yesterday.  He told me to just focus on the swim and bike and let the run fall where it may, which I viewed as similar to you all have mentioned to me in the past couple of posts.  That's what the "confirming" part of my encouragement was.  

I have also taken another step toward trying to make sure I provide my body a little bit better opportunity to stay healthy.  I bought a pair of Hoka's yesterday.  I have mixed feelings about them because I'm not sure they're anything more than a fad but for now I'll take that chance I guess.  

The good news about the Hok's was during the trial at the store I was able to get on the treadmill and run without any problems.  Obviously I was only running for about 1 minute at a time but I didn't seem to have any real issue during the 4 runs for 4 different shoes.  I am also considering having someone, likely Lis, video me occasionally to check my form while running.  I may try to work my way toward a midfoot strike.  Right now I little idea just how much of a heel striker I am but I do know that is my strike point.  I tried to convert last year but I was unable to get too far because I wasn't able to stay healthy enough (my PF and then knee re-injury).

Anyway, things are going better, and have been since Friday, and I look forward to getting my mind right and my game on.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Junkie Mom's!

Matt,  You're making wax nostalgic a bit.  That was the site of my first triathlon ever and the same location as the Ironman Muncie 70.3 race.  I remember the run up to T1 from the 2 races I've done there and that certainly accounted for some of the increase in your swim time.  Other than that I'm not sure what would have been the cause of the additional times for your swim.  The course would have had to have been extremely long for you to have had so much time added above your target.

That run course was a real challenge for my first triathlon.  I remember thinking about some of those hills on the way out knowing I had to run right back up them, it seemed to knock a bit of wind out of me just thinking about them.  Ha!  I just remembered how horrible my sighting was at this race venue, for my first triathlon.  I had a lifeguard chasing me in a boat trying to get me back on course.  I was way off course when I looked up and saw them coming after me.

Congrats on getting your opening race done.  It has to feel good getting the first one of the year in and it would have to fuel your desire to keep them coming and get ready for the next one.

Matt, Congrats on getting it done in your first Tri of the season. I'm jealous of those Bike and Run paces you are putting up. Any chance they missed the placement on the buoys and you actually swam a HIM swim leg?

An opportunity to do an Olympic race has come up for me on June 1st so I'll be doing my first ever Olympic in about 3 weeks. It falls right in the middle of my HIM training so I'm going into it as a training event only. I wont be pushing my paces too much. I just want to see where I am and experience a longer race before Vineman 70.3 in July.

Meanwhile, my training has been progressing well. I'm 9 weeks out from the HIM and my run paces seem to be coming down a bit because of the volume I've put in. Bike paces are still very slow, but I'm okay with that for now. I know I will increase my pace as my bike strength improves.

Swim training is improving. I've been doing mostly 50 yards at a time just focusing on form for 30 minutes twice a week.

I thought the same thing about the swim leg in Matt's race Vero.  So this morning I took a look at his last HIM swim split and it seems that may have been a possibility.  His swim split at Rev3 last year was 48:46.  The times from last weekend could point to an obvious improvement over the same distance.  What do you think Matt?

I'm glad to hear you get the jump on another race.  The olympic will serve as a good primer.  

Since we're talking about your set up for a HIM, have you gotten any kind of fueling plan yet?  You should be using something to work on making sure you get the right calories and training is the place to figure it out.

A very, very brief update on me......

My knee is doing much better but I have not been doing nearly as much strength training.  Well, actually I have been to the gym in about 5 days I guess.  I have done PT exercises but that's all.  I feel like I am going to be able to run this Friday as planned.  From there it'll be a trial and error process and hopefully things will go well enough that I can get back to some semblance of training for a run.

I also have learned in the past week that I was volun-told that I would be on a special work team as part of a LEAN initiative at work.  It will involve 16 weeks of being away from home beginning in July and ending in November.  I am not at all thrilled by this but I am not sure I will be able to avoid being involved.  My manager told me it may present opportunities in the future in the form of advancement.  Ehh!  I'm not a ladder climber, nor do I have interest in separating myself from some of the best linemen in the business.  Anyway, the good news is that I may be able to stay with my mom for many of these nights out of town,  I guess it's a wait and see how it goes process, but I'm not really thrilled to have been volun-told.

Finally, some of you have seen my post on facebook.  A friend of mine father is dying and I was over last night for a while.  He's struggling, as is to be expected, but he's wrangling with some other issues surrounding whats going on.  They have chosen to have his father stay with them under hospice care and allow his death to come in a place familiar to him, their home.  So I would continue to ask for your prayers for Darrell and his family.  I will probably be making trips over for the next few days as this works through it's various stages.

I actually don't have any plan yet for nutrition for the HIM. I have no idea the number of calories I'll need to consume for the event. At this point I don't have a goal time but I'm guessing something between 6:15 to 6:45 finish time, just based on previous long rides and runs. I'm sure I'll zero it in more as the training progresses.

 I have always favored GU energy gels and I used those during training and my half marathon last year without any issues. I haven't been taking in anything but water on any of my training rides or runs yet. Max 26 miles bike and 8 miles run. But I know I'll need to work something out soon to start getting used to it (or modify it if it doesn't work)

Howdy everyone!

WARREN - The Bonefrog is this weekend, right?  How's your shoulder?   Are you going to be able to do it?

JEFF -  Thanks for the graphs and articles on cadence and pedal stroke.  It makes sense to me - it's just putting into practice consistently which is a fail for me.  I remember you telling us a couple years ago about producing power with our hips and I know I've gotten away from that so next ride I'll be concentrating on that and also on the push down.  Glad to know you're healing fast.  I expected nothing less from you. 

DIRK -  Interesting about the IM deferral plan.  Don't see it being much of a benefit at all and I figure you'll toe the line September, pain or not.  Hope you can run on Friday - just take it easy please.  I know that's not in your vocabulary but try.  Is "Volun-told" your made up name?  16 weeks away??  That sounds brutal for the employee and their family.  Ugh.   I'm in prayer over your friend and his father.

Well, that covers our 3 fearless leaders all of which are injured.  Hmmmm......   I think I'll stay a mere mortal.

DEREK -  Good luck in your HM!  I like your very specific goal of 1:42:xx.  Go get it!

MATT -  Way to get a PR on your Oly bike!    You can always add Maumee Bay to your race schedule.  It's just the week before Mohigan, though, so that's not ideal.

JOANNE -  Yay for Amanda and Maria completing their 1st marathon!  No doubt you had a great influence in them wanting to take on that distance.  I know you missed some days with travel.  Are you back on track?  How's it going?

TERRY -  You're the poster child for endurance sports!  I expect to see you signing up for a double IM one of these days.  Good job on the 130 miler.  Your HIM in Grand Rapids should be fun.  Why'd you pick that one?  A couple of my friends have done that one and they like it although they say it's hilly and has been hot.  Your goal time is awesome. 

VERO -  Glad you found an Oly before your HIM.  It's nice you've tried GU Energy shots and that they've worked for you in the past.  A friend of mine from here is still the men's record holder of the Vineman Full.  It's the 25th year anniversary and he's planning on being there.  I don't know if they have tracking like IM, but I hope we can cheer you on when you tackle it.

JENN -  You're out there taking it by storm!  5K PR!  Congrats!  And I see your weight loss pictures on FB.  You and your girls are cuties!  Keep up the great work!

TONY -  Took a peek in your logs and it looks like you're plugging along well. Hope your travel south didn't wear you out too much.

WILL -  Took a peek at your logs, too and at least you're getting in some bike and swim.  Did I miss something as to why you're not running?

I've been discouraged the last week as I took my bike outside for a few rides for the first time this spring and I saw my pace drop DRAMATICALLY from what I was doing inside on the trainer.   I expected a drop but not that far so I'm not in a good mental place.  I think a lot of it is my lack of confidence and comfortableness being outside - wind, traffic, POTHOLES (we have a lot of bad roads after the winter), stopping/starting, and being chased by dogs (twice now).  I've got to get over this and I guess the best way is to just get out more.     I'm doubting my ability to get through the hilly IMWI course and I want to get to the start line feeling strong and confident.   I WILL get there with God's help!  OK, I'm done being a Debbie Downer and am going to go find my joy somewhere.  Thanks for listening.

 Darrell's father passed away near midnight, a short time after I left the house.  The family is at peace with his death and now they can grieve their loss quietly.  Hugh was from the hills of southern Kentucky and will be transported there later.  I would kindly ask for your continued prayers for all of them as they grieve and travel over the next several days.