Left.Right.Repeat - CLoSED for the season - will reopen Jan 2013 (Page 32)

Great pic Lena!!  You guys are such babies. (Young, that is)

Pam, I too am in the mid season slump.  Little ambition.  I am working alot of hours and just don't want to get out and train.  I'm  giving myself one more week to get it together.  I am doing a Farm Bike ride this week end in MA so hopegully that will jump start me back in. 

Bryan, glad the pain is easing.  Just don't get a different injury by compensating.  I know you are smart and will do the right thing.  Ironman is tough under the best physical conditions.  I can't imagine attempting it in a compromised condition.

So excited for all of you doing IM KY!!  Taper week is almost here.  Don't give up now!!

Billy, how is the foot?  Everyone is talking about it but you. 

Happy Day everyone!!

(....let's see if he'll bite...)

Lena, 

I easily could have added, baking.  Now we are really good friends.  Good thing we don't live close.  I also really like training.  I forced myself to do a run after work and I can't believe how much betterr I feel.  Even tho I could barely breathe because of the humidity and my times were pathetic I still love it in a sick kind of way.  Then I ate leftover homemade ice cream cake from my daughter's birthday.  (Sugar cookie base, cookie dough ice cream, layer of crushed oreos, coffee ice cream topped with home made chocolate syrup.) Yummy!!  No pics, I'm not a decorator of your calliber.

Are you and the hub still juicing??

Looking forward to my last race of the season, an Oly,Sept 9.  It is a flat course so I am psyched.  All of the hill work I have been doing, should pay off.  I am really hoping to focus and train well.  I hope to see some improvement.

OK, y'all asked for it.

Long ride Saturday on the Louisville course.  6:53 total time.  I was very disappointed in my total time and my average pace of 15.91.  I had a goal of 18 mph.  Not looking good for the race plan!  But wait, theres more.  I then took into consideration several factors.  The roads were not closed.  I had to stop at every red light, and i mean every red light was actually red when I got there and had to stop!  I had to stop at every stop sign.  The town of LaGrange was hosting a festival on Saturday and they had road closings and detours everywhere.  Actually had to get off the bike and walk a couple of times, had to wait on the police to allow us to go a couple of times, had to follow behind a float of La Grange Beauties, (not complaining about that one) for a while at barely able to hold the bike up pace, had a flat at mile 49 that took about 10 minutes to fix, got caught in a construction zone that they held us at for about 5 minutes before we could go.  So if I take all of that into consideration and I take my buddies computer data of actual moving time into consideration, moving time of 6:10, my speed is actually 17.87 mph!!!! I can live with that.

My nutrition plan sucked.  I planned to take one gu every 20 minutes for the ride and drink NUUN's for hydration.  After 75 miles, didn't want any more gu and NUUN's made me sick to think about it.  Will rethink this plan for my OLY this weekend.

Ran today.  8 miles using the run walk method, which I plan to use in the race.  8 minute rune followed by 1 minute walk.  This gives me a pace of about 9:40 per mile.  Will probably have to modify this a little based on  my heart rate during todays run.  That data is in my training log.

I have an OLY this weekend.  Heart of Dixie.  One of the oldest triathlon in the country still held at its original location.  Plan to use it to set my heart rate zones for the ironman.  Will swim normal, followed by a 27 mile bike at wide open speed, followed by a horrible run/wlk since I will be shot from the bike.  Again this is a race to set my HR's on the bike for Louisville so the run doesn't really matter.

Foot feels great.  Shot must have worked.  Its still not perfect, but I can run with out feeling like I was going to die.

Now shut up and train!

One other thing, I burned over 6500 calories on Saturday ride.

Hi All

I have been MIA for a while. Lots going on. Moved both of my adult children ( yay...no kids...no pets) and then my internet went down...

Billy nice job training...you will be great on race day!!!

Bryan hows the training? Have you been able to run?

Fit ...where are you?

I am in need of all your help!  I am borrowing this idea from someone who completed IMKY back in 2009 and you are more then welcome to borrow it also, except for Billy but Billy must participate. (just kidding)

You have all been with me as I work towards my goal and have heard me talk about my successes and my disappointments.  With that I am asking if you can send a mantra that will help pull me to the finish.  During the run I am planning on wearing rubber bands with the mantra's on them and for each mile I will think of that person who wrote the mantra and repeat the mantra till the next mile.  Each of you will be with me during the run and each of you will help me reach my goal.  

You can either post the mantra's here or you can email me at [email protected].  Thanks so much!!!!

Hey Everyone!  I know, I know...I've been missing for a while.  You all may not even remember me or just think I'm someone invading the group!!  LOL  Anyway I have been talking to Lena and I promised I would get back on here.  Looks like everyone has lots going on!  

Kathy,  That is a great idea!  I have to think of a good one for you! I did Louisville 2010 and 2011.  I'll be in Louisville with my brother so I hope to see you!  I'm just cheering and not racing as I am doing Wisconsin this year.  My brother is doing Louisville then Wisconsin.  He's just a little crazy. LOL  Oh Billy I will see you again as well!!!  WOO HOO!!!

Lena is talking about volunteering for Wisconsin so I will get to meet her!!!  YAY!!  Think she will bring me a cake?   HA!  I'm so excited that she is doing Steelhead!!  GO LENA GO!

Billy...hope that foot is feeling good.

LRR hope you are healing and will get to race Canada.

I do have another finish line to add. I completed IM Muncie 70.3 but they shortened it due to the heat that day.  So I completed my first 37.2.  HA HA!!!  All I have to say is it was HOT!!  HOTTER than the hot IMKY I completed in 2010.  The swim was in 88 degree water.  Felt like swimming in a bath tub.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Amy

@Kathy - Left.Right.Repeat

of course....it's takes into consideration pacing, staying within yourself, running your race, living in the moment and keep moving.....I also like Relentless Forward Motion.....many more to come...pick your favorites

It is with a heavy heart I write this....

After much thought, prayer, consideration and medical consultation, I have withdrawn from Ironman Canada.

It was one of the harder decisions of my life and I did not make it lightly.  I wanted to talk about it here in case you are ever faced with a tough call on a race, or something even more important (although I really don't know what could be more important).

As you know, I was racing in honor of 4 of my co-workers who are prostate cancer survivors racing for Team Newton and I was very honored to be invited to be part of the team by the Newton folks.  One of the difficult factors was that I was racing to honor others, another factor was that I had been invited to be part of the team.

Then, came the physical part.  My hip is still swollen 35 days after my crash.  My hip/leg is still numb.  My ribs are not fully healed.  I was looking at 3 more training weeks and then race weekend.  While my base was in, to be able to get in two big rides with runs at a minimum would have been difficult.  BUT still I was in.  

There is a BIG mental side to this game.  BIG.  It is about race execution, being smart, staying inside yourself, working your plan, execution.  Many of you know that I write the word EXECUTE on one arm in permanent marker and BELIEVE on the other.  It settles me when I find myself headed to an unavoidable dark spot.  My mental side could not fathom that a relatively low speed bike wreck could ruin my Canadian quest.  It wasn't a fast wreck.  There wasn't much road rash at all.  No infection.  Just cracked ribs and a bruised hip with some nerve damage.  A bruise.  That's it.  Nothing broken.  Nothing fractured.  Just bruised.  

So, this past week, I had to make a decision.  In or Out.  No one else's decision.  Just mine.  I did consult with medical professionals, fellow Ironman finishers, lay people, work associates, family and other friends but in the end I made the call.  It was a very emotional day, I knew the decision, I didn't want to admit it.  I knew what was right.  I knew permanent damage could be the result.  I also knew the high that I would not get this year.  I knew the personal satisfaction fix would not occur in 2012.  I knew I wouldn't hear the words - you know what they are.  But I made the call.  

I am still bummed - I know, I know, I know - I did the right thing.  So?  Why still bummed.  That's how good it is.  That's how good it feels.  That's what it means.  It IS that big.

I do want to add the positive side.  Newton has assured me I will be included if they do a team next year.  Those people are awesome.  

Also, I am looking at maybe doing TWO next year.  Canada and Arizona - how about a double fix?  I wonder what that will be like.  I will be at IMAZ this year to volunteer and sign up - how about joining me?  Come on - what's stopping you?

See you at the finish line,

Bryan

Then....great things happen.....

On Facebook this week, I get a PM from Steve Nicoll who was reading the book...yeah that one....and found me online....he told me about himself and I invited him here....he will be showing up in the next couple days so play nice with each other and when he posts...say something nice....

Here's his bio:

I am Steve Nicoll, 38 years old from Albany, NY. I am married to Aileen , 15 years yesterday! And we have two boys, Ryan age 14 and Aidan age 11. I started running a few years ago then progressed to competing in a duathlon. I immediately loved the multisport aspect. Then last year my sister in law signed me up for the NYC Triathlon and told me we were doing it pretty much. She had already completed a few this would be my first.I agreed to do it but the swim part worried me, a mile in the Hudson river. I trained and finished the race and have been hooked ever since. Since then
I have completed two olympics and three sprints. My wife joined me and completed the NYC tri with me this year.

I was first introduced to ironman a few years ago in lake placid where my wife volunteered as a massage therapist. Then I was in awe of the athletes but never did I think it could be me one day. Now I feel I can achieve my dream of completing an ironman.

Bryan, I'm so sorry you had to do what you had to do.  I can't imagine how hard of a decision it was... my prayers for comfort are with you. 

I remember last year and my broken toe 3 weeks before Chicago marathon and I couldn't imagine having to NOT run.. I was healed enough to try, so I did, and I was able to finish.  And I remember my famous first half-ironman at Racine and feeling all the emotions that went through my head when I went down at 24 miles.. and how heartbreaking the thought of possibly not being able to finish was if I couldn't find a new tire...  And those weren't Ironman.  So I feel for you.. but you know you made the right call.  You have next year (and many more years!), and Canada and IMAZ in the same year sound great!  You will look back on this from the finish line next year and be thankful you stopped to take care of yourself.

HUGS!

I'm SO excited to come spend a day cheering you on! Working out details with a girlfriend (another tri freak) who will most likely come with, and Kathy is thinking about it, but even if it's just me, I'M THERE!  As soon as we finalize the volunteer shift, I will let you know the particulars, but I plan on being there with you in am before the swim and all the way to the finish, girl!  We need to exchange emails, easier to communicate than Inspires.  Mine is [email protected].  Email me smth so I have yours?

thanks for the Steelhead cheer I'm excited and *think* I'm ready to rock it!  Although, just not even 4 min ago, I managed to step on Lukas' Thomas the train pieces and the bottom of my foot (close to my broken toe!) is completely swollen and feels pretty stiff.. I don't think it's broken, oy.  I think i need to put myself in a full-body cast for the next 3 weeks...

Cake? I'd totally bring you a cake or some baked goodies, but will I see your family to give it to them? Otherwise, you know, might not look too hot after sitting in transition all day lol

Bryan, So sorry you had to withdraw. I was the RIGHT decision....actually the ONLY decision. To race with the injuries you have could have led to a longer period of No racing. I dont need to tell you that. I am sure coming to the conclusion hurt more than your hip and ribs! Getting to the startingline is tougher than the race itself!!! I am psyched to see you in AZ!!!Hoping we can both race together in 2013.

Bryan, next year!  Get well.

No Arizona for me, Louisville is my final.

Finish line for the group.  Heart of Dixie Triathlon, olympic distance.  Finished in 2:38:47.  I was hammering on the bike so my coach could set my HR zones for Louisville.  Made for a difficult run.

Bryan, Tough call but you made the right one!  Take care of yourself!!  You will rock it out next year! 

I'm already signed up for Lake Placid 2013.  So maybe I can come cheer you all on then!  I told myself I wouldn't do 2 in one year again.  Hmmmm.

Bryan, tough call, but the right one.  

Kathy - on my road ID, I have "Let us run with endurance the race set before us" from Hebrews 12:1.  On my cycling road ID, I have "embrace the suck" from Macca.  

For those of you who will be in Arizona this year (either racing or volunteering/spectating) we should plan to get together at some point.