HILDEBEAST'S Magnificently Motivational Mentor Group - CLOSED!!!! (Page 31)

Hilde,  Congrats on the upcoming grand-addition!  Also, I think you will be happy with the Speedplay pedals.  I love mine.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  DH and I are anxiously watching the weather as we have a reverse tri in 12 hours.  Hoping the weather holds up enough to keep the bike portion alive.  We both need it 

Hope the bike stuff goes well Hilde

 Andrea - have fun with the masters group

 Erin - Good luck with the Irt.

Me - I finally got some decent training in swim wise - decided to bascially see how far I could go (150m) to guage swim fitness - oh and my gym has started their sunday yoga again so I'm going to try getting there from now on along with a body balance or stretch and flex class (mostly yoga mixed with some pilates - the first also has a tai chi warm up) during the week.

Erin - good luck on the tri today, if the weather holds out!

Andrea - Yeah for the new masters class.  I wish they had one closer to me that worked with my schedule.  I'd like to be able to check one out just to see what it's like.

So I did my 4 mile race yesterday.  Didn't do as well as I wanted to (was trying to beat last year's time) but I'm happy with the results.  They changed the course a little this year which was good - last year was a lot less people and the course was crowded then.  It never would have held everyone this year.   I can really tell that I've done most of my runs on the TM.  Even though I use the incline, it doesn't really simulate hills well.  The only way to get used to running hills is to run hills I guess. 

Janet, Congrats on your race.  I like seeing slower results (than previous year) early in the year like this because it is less pressure, and seems to give you more time to work toward a peak.  Very true about the hills, though.  Treadmills just don't quite stack up to the real deal!

Andrea, Glad you found a Master's program.  We have been so happy with ours.  I love seeing so many swimmers of all different levels working together towards improvement.  And I always go home inspired after seeing some of the older swimmers who are just starting out in the triathlon world.

Suzie, Nice job with the yoga.  I wish I had the patience for it.  Makes such a big difference...

Hilde, Thanks for all those inspirations.  I always look forward to clicking on my new inspires and seeing encouraging advice and words of wisdom from you.  I think I speak for everyone when I say we appreciate it beyond words.

I am pretty happy after our triathlon this morning- finished 2nd overall F.  I did, however, have a very close encounter with a car going about 70mph.  As I took a turn, I drifted a few inches past the shoulder into the road, just as a car whizzed down the highway within a foot of me.  I am thanking God and guardian angels for my safety.  Thankfully, it is a lesson learned and one can not ever be too cautious, especially in areas without volunteers signaling to traffic.  Anyway, race report coming later today...

I've gotta say that we've had some REALLY impressive early season race results from the MMMers!!  All your hard work is paying off!!  It's really true that you get out of it what you put into it...  Keep up the good work everyone!!!

And keep THIS in mind!!

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the Hilde we know and love!

Congrats to all our recent racers on their AWESOME results-- you ROCK, gang!

Can I just say that running in actual sunshine makes all the difference in early-morning long runs before breakfast? So lovely to watch the sun creep over the tops of buildings and brighten everything!

Just found out that the meetings I was to have had tomorrow have been CANCELED!! WOO-HOO!! Don't have to go in to campus tomorrow: will stay home and get marking done here efficiently instead!

Have a great week, everyone!

Alex

Great job to our racers!

The masters practice was good.  My arms and upper back are worn out.  I arrived and everyone lined up in their "usual" lanes.  Then the coach (25ish year old female) looked at me.  I figured she'd size me up (obese 40+ female) and automatically put me in the beginner lane.  Instead I was pleasantly surprised when she asked how much I usually swim.  "1000 yards" I said.  It was then that she put me in the beginners lane, LOL! 

I let the others go first and then swam 5 yards before I caught up.  I turned and let the coach know that "I might be in the wrong lane."  Soon I was moved over a lane.  One older man (maybe 60) and two men around my age (30-50) made up the lane.  After warmup I was elected lane leader.  Probably a good thing as they were not comfortable with reading the clock for intervals. 

We did a total of 2300 yards in an hour.  The time interval for our 10 x 100 set was way too easy for 3 of us.  This did allow me to do them at a pretty quick pace for me (1:35).  I think the easier interval was probably good for me as I don't do a lot of yards due to swimming at lunch during the work week.  Overall I was pleased with the workout and my swimming.  I'll go back when I can.

For those who asked, the truffle shuffle that I ran did not have actual truffles but we did get chocolate finisher's "medals", hot chocolate (and a new mug to drink it with), and chocolate fondue.  I think word must have gotten out about this race - last year there were 645 finishers, this year there were 1345.  There were also bottles of wine for anyone who finished before Mr & Mrs Cupid (not me) and also for the age group winners.  Big River does a great job with their races and this one was no exception. 

Erin - congrats on your tri today! 2nd F overall is fantastic! 

Erin - I haven't done yoga for a while - I was just mentioning that my gym is starting their classes up again.  Congrats on the 2nd overall F finish

Hilde - I do believe I earned today's pat on the back but I don't think I'll earn the next one til Wednesday since I'm taking an RD tomorrow to finally get my education stuff sorted and travel to/from the place I'll be doing the course at. I'll still do the push ups though so maybe I can earn my pat with that.

 Alex - have fun with the marking - hope there's no F's to dish out

 Andrea - sounds like the masters class went great. Yay for getting put up a lane on your very first go.

 Janet - sounds like a great race. Like the "medal" idea. Next year suggest they give these out though:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/6503/chocolate+truffles

Me got my new workout plan from the gym today - minimal cardio (just enough to warm up/cool down and 2 things that are in there are a mix of strength and cardio) - and a good mix of upper body, legs and core.

Wow!

Lots of activity lately!

Congrats to Erin.  2nd F...wow...your are FOP!

Andrea - sounds like the masters swim classes are going well.

Janet - glad you had a great race.

My daughter is sitting here over my shoulder..."so you guys just write each other comments...that's cute!"  

Today was a day home DIY disaster.  We put in the wrong color (not the whole tile area) and let it dry -- hoping we would like it.  Well...we didn't.  Spent the whole day scraping it out.  Hands, arms, and shoulders are sore.

I have discovered homemade Larabars.  Here is the recipe.  They were very easy.  Way cheaper than the original.

MMMers -what nice  looking work!  Congrats all around!

Well, I joined a tri group last week.  It is run through my Y  and is for a Danskin tri (all women).  I almost joined last year when I was training for my first tri, but I was too scared.  This year, I thought it was time to just tryit out.  It has been a bit of a challenge to fit it in with my other training, since the group training bounces all around as to what the training is.  So right now I'm just treating my group training as "extra" and getting in my regular training around that. It has been really fun.  I've enjoyed training with other people and it has been nice to mix things us a bit.  In the next few months we'll also start adding on some group rides and most importantly - OWS (as soon as the lake warms up)!

Sorry, I feel like I've been a bad MMMer lately!  I have not posted anything in a few days or sent many inspires... 

I love your new bike, Tammy Tucker! She's so pretty!!

Janet, I think a lot of people find that they run faster on the TM, but I'm on the fence...  I tend to run faster outdoors b/c of the DOWNhills.  I think they make up for my lackluster performance on the UPhills.  ???

Erin, you are CRAZY!!!  I can NOT believe you came in 2nd place!  That is so incredibly awesome!!  Congrats!

Andrea, you ARE a fast swimmer!  Nice job on joining a masters group.  It kind of locks you into getting those swim workouts in, which is a good thing (for me, at least!).

Suzie, good luck with your new workout plan.  It's always fun to mix things up!

Good luck, Hilde and Tammy at your 1/2 marathon this weekend!!  I'll be ringing the cowbell from Massachusetts, hope you can hear it!! 

Melanie, your tile project re-do is exactly the reason we don't DIY in our household.  That and b/c neither my husband nor I are handy in the least bit!  Our marriage would be in serious jeopardy if my husband ever tried to put tile up in our house, I swear!!

Louise, that's cool that you joined a tri group.  I joined a tri team within the past year but haven't really taken advantage of their training sessions.  I need to be better about that this year.  I'm just so intimidated by it and feel like they're all so much more experienced and faster than I am!  That's nice that your team is all female!

I'm keeping up with my 1/2 marathon training...  Feeling much stronger going into this one than my 1/2 marathon last October.  It's less than one month away and I'm looking forward to it.  My kids are all off from school this week, so things are a little bit busier here than usual and I'm having to be a little more flexible with my workouts, but it's all good...  Hope everyone is having a good week!!

Looks like everyone is doing great.

I'm not sure what's going on with me - maybe all the "getting used to uni stuff" coupled with the stairs at same - but I'll get back in to the swing of things eventually - although today's bike ride didn't go so well

I'm looking forward to lunchtime.  I plan to run OUTSIDE!  It's close to 50 degrees, a bit breezy, but I really want to go out.  Running in the TM is "getting old".  I hope to get out on some other days as weather and work permits.

just had a nice run outdoors.  beautiful running weather - cloudy, high 40s!  i would not complain as much about living in new england if every winter was like this.  i don't think i got outside for a single run last winter...

does anyone else think that the race photographers have distorted lenses on their cameras?  i just saw some of the pictures they took of me last weekend at my 5K and they were such a buzz kill!  muffin top, red face, pained look on face...  WTF??  i thought i was looking pretty good out there until i saw those photos!!

Oh yeah, I rarely have a good race photo!!!  I turn into lobster face anytime I workout...

Finished my last run before the HM on Sunday, and glad to have a couple more days off!  Legs felt good today, hope they'll be feeling even better by then.  I gotta say to you cold weather wimps, I would rather go out in freezing cold weather (and I HAVE) then get on that dang treadmill!  Once you get going, it really gets pretty pleasant unless the wind is bad.  If you dress right, it's wonderful!  Honestly I prefer running in the 40's, that's PERFECT running weather!!  Today was high 50's and I ran in shorts and a tshirt and it was just fine.

Not sure if Tammy Tucker is tapering, knowing her she's out doing intervals at a 7:30 pace or something crazy!  She'll totally torture her legs and will STILL beat me!!  I'm sure we will have a fun weekend, we always do!

I have discovered homemade Larabars.  Here is the recipe.  They were very easy.  Way cheaper than the original.

Nice to know there are some other people who like how we work here. Sorry about the DIY disaster - count it as an ST workout though

Louise - Yay for joining a group. I'm toying with the idea of that (or at least finding a training buddy) for the OWS stuff myself when the current training plan is finished - I wouldn't mind the other stuff but the swimming is the main thing I need to prep for - I shouldn't have any issues endurance wise but environment wise is a different issue.

 K - great job keeping up with the HM training

Hilde & Tammy - good luck with the HM this weekend.

Me - I've decided to use my uni breaks effectively and get in my walks/runs and push ups during them then do the biking and swimming after school or on days I don't have school. Still keeping the same days as the training plan though cos they work for me - only doing school wed,thurs, fri and fri is a short day.

Hi ya'll!! I know I haven't posted here in a while and I have not forgotten about everyone. Life is pretty crazy around here lately! I read this article on www.active.com and wanted to share a part of it with all of you who struggle with running, or simply like to read info about running. Here is an excerpt:

"Every day will offer up a variety of training situations. Some days will be perfect: you wake up fresh and can't wait to run; your running clothes match (including your socks) and you feel like you can run forever. Other days, will feel like you wonder why you're even trying to run: your breath is labored during the walking warm-up; your iPod dies in the middle of your workout and every mile feels like 10. This is the life of a marathon runner.

You have a series of workouts that run the gamut from awesome to WTF. The key is to maximize every workout to push on the days you feel like a super hero and ease up on the throttle on those challenging days. When you adjust in the field, you allow your body to run at the right effort on the day and recover more rapidly -- setting yourself up for a stronger run down the road. Run by your effort, by your breath and how you feel rather than a pace on your watch. Pace is the outcome; effort is the focus.

Easy runs should be at an effort where you can't hear your breathing and you can recite the Pledge of Allegiance three times out loud easily. Moderate effort is one notch up; you can hear your breathing and you're taking notice but it's not so hard that you are looking for your watch to stop. And hard effort is just that. Your breathing is labored. You are well outside your comfort zone and can hold this effort for minutes rather than hours. Your pace will vary based on sleep, recovery, fuel, stress, fatigue, and more. Your effort will be your north star and guide you through a high-quality workout and efficient recovery."

Hey there everyone!  Took yesterday and today off work so decided to try to get caught up here.  I had a nice run yesterday - got to get outside!  Temps were around 60* and it was so nice.  I was trying for 4.8 miles (to celebrate my 48th birthday) but under-estimated the route and ended up with 4.5.  It was a good run although I walked more than I would have liked.  Just need to get used to being out on the roads again.  Bike ride planned for later today after I get home from the eye doctor. 

Hilde & Tammy Tucker - good luck this weekend!  Can't wait to hear about it!

Race photos - mine are always bad, lol!  Even in races where I'm feeling good, the photos always look like I'm struggling just to stay upright.  And my face is always puffy for some reason.  Red I expect, but not sure where the puffiness comes from. 

Have a great day and a good weekend!
Janet2