QuincyF and Oriolepwr's Magical Mys-tri Tour for Newbies Has Begun (CLOSED) (Page 33)

I  "think"  I know who the expert will be! (of course even if I'm wrong, I might say I guessed right!  reverse of this..."hello Vegas?  $50 on red, DOH!  I'll send you a check...)

This is what I posted when we discussed previously.

I'll share my own swim issue that I would like some help with .

I have done many tri's  mass start,  high waves, deep water.  I have gotten kicked, punched, had my goggles kicked off my face.     None of that bothers me at all.  

In the pool however and this may be the key.    I cannot do fast swim drills.   If I go all out effort in the pool,   I will get to a panic attack situation.  Or anxiety.   It has something to do with a scenario of being in the water, and being in oxygen debt.  There is lots of humidity which helps create that oxygen debt,   BUT  when I get that feeling, I literally feel like I have to climb out of the pool.   Weird huh    I'm guessing maybe asthma??  (my doc does not think so)

Now if I go to say 80% level efforts  no problem.   it has to be a scenario in a pool where I'm really moving.       SO my issue on getting faster is that I feel like I cannot do fast swim drills, that will help me get faster.

Q, I can completely relate to your experience, especially w/regards to the bureaucracy involved in getting assistance for your son.

My girls were born premature back in 2001 at 33 weeks. One weighed 2 lbs 14 oz, the  other was on a respirator and needed surgery to have a PICC line inserted in the first week of her life. As they got older, they always seemed so delayed even when considering their "adjusted" age. Physically, they reached the milestones on pace for their age but communication was no where close  to where other kids were.

When they reached 18 months, my daughters had basically no verbal communication skills so we reached out to our local early intervention resource. After evaluation, we were told that there didn't seem to be a problem but they would re-evaluate at 2 years if we still thought there was an issue. The next six months were enormously frustrating for both parents and kids. The lack of ability for my kids to communicate in any way was soooooo frustrating for them and us(especially my wife who was home w/them). Six very difficult months later, we reached back out to have them evaluated again. In addition to the speech issues, they were extremely shy; to the point that we were becoming pretty concerned about that as well. This time, after evaluation, we were told that not only did they have substantial speech delays(like a 5 word vocabulary) but they also may have social disorders and possibly may be autistic. In addition to this, one of my girls was diagnosed w/asthma(the one on the respirator as an infant).

We got in home services from the most wonderful, patient and kind speech therapist for the next 2 years. Progress was slow but steady and I have no doubt that this incredible woman laid down the foundation for any future academic success my kids may have. Unfortunately after 2 years, our speech therapist moved on to help other children and we were left to find someone else to fill her shoes. We tried a couple of new at home therapists that really didn't work out so we decided they were old enough to bring them to a local center and provide them with individual therapists.

The next year they needed to attend a kindergarten "readiness" meeting that we felt would probably end up with us being told that they were not ready. That didn't happen despite their speech and social challenges. At the first Parent Teacher conference, we were fully expecting to be told that they were struggling w/kindergarten. This didn't happen either. They did, however, attend speech in k-2nd grade and needed reading assistance in 1st grade but they were well adjusted from the beginning despite being very quiet.

My daughters are now in 5th grade and are really good well adjusted students. They have overcome their speech delays and it turns out they really are just kinda shy, that's it. Last year they took the NYS standardized tests and both scored in the 95+ percentile and one had a perfect score in math. They're both good athletes and we're hopeful that my girl w/asthma has outgrown it(fingers crossed). They are the epitome of active normal 10 yo girls. Girls scouts, soccer, track, swimming, basketball and sleepovers with their friends nearly every weekend.

Your concern struck a nerve with me as I feel like I was there 7 years ago and I remember how hard it is when your concerned about your childs development. I wanted to share my positive outcome, hope this rambling helps, good luck.

Hey everyone! I just have to write something here. I think some of this is for me to just get it off my chest. So I have pretty much had a wheat free diet over the past few months. Of course sometimes cheat meals may consist of a burger or something and that is the only time I let myself have bread. Well, this past weekend I went to Pittsburgh for my daughter  heer competition. I didn't eat the best, but it was not the worst either. Of course tuesday was Valentines so I had dessert with our dinner. Over the last week or so though I am just CRAVING THE CRAP OUT OF SWEETS. I try not to really do any sweets due to my diabetes but once in a while I definetly have something. It is just getting really bad lately. I do not know why either. This morning I definetly had to go to the grocery store for some fruit and of course I found myself walking in the bakery department. I am dying to have something with a thick layer of frosting on it. I wish I would be locked in a cake shop and had to eat myself out of there. I just do not know what is giving me this. I am just so frustrated. I am weighing in at 230, that is a total of 74 lbs off and I do want more off, but I do not know if it is my thinking or what it is that is causing this. Maybe it is why I just think of myself as the fat guy still. I cannot remember a time being this healthy with my diet, exercise and everything else.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent.

Peter

Pete Vent away!!!!

I think there will always be time periods where this will be the case!

Happens with me as well, Sugar is an amazingly quick addictor.   Break through the addiction to it as you have done, and its always lurking around the corner.   Indulge and it quickly grabs hold of you.  

You have done so well. I guess one thing i can remind you of that may help.  If you partake, and indulge more.  You will gain weight.   You know this.   Weight comes back very quick.   Once you gain 5 -10 pounds it seems to be much harder to lose than it was the first time. Cause its more depressing. "I was just at 235!!" Now im at 240!!!  Its of course even more difficult at that point, to be disciplined.    

    It's Just like training. Of course you need a rest day, but then on the next day crap happens at work, or whatever and then bam!   Now its 2 rest days.   Drama gets in the way for day 3 And All of a sudden its like, "what...im not a runner/triathlete anymore?!"         

Then depression over it and then its tough to get off the couch. Keep in mind that i have just ended my run streak at 43 days and now the scenario i just gave has played out.   So i hear you!    

All of a sudden I feel less motivation to train tomorrow (also facing another tough work day) All i can think about is "medicate with food or beer" But i know its compounding the issue, So I ate really well the past few days knowing that I did not burn it off.

When me and you add the type 2 to the equation well We have to do it more than just for vanity sake. So slay the gluco-monster!

Adjustments:

Life does get in the way of training.   Or at least it can.     It can be an easy excuse, or much more than that.  We did say in the beginning of this group that things will happen.     For me lately,  work has been tough, kids sick, house projects gone awry. 

And then... my DW came home from work on Monday and struggled to get out of the car.    "diverticulitis"  was discovered after many tests, spent a night at the hospital.  they wanted to admit her for 2-3 days so she could have IV-antibiotics administered and to verify there was no perforation in her colon.    After much deliberation, it was reluctantly agreed between us and her doctor(s)  that she be allowed to leave, relax and take her antibiotics at home.    Lucky for us her condition was caught before there was any perforation or she would have had to have surgery right away.  

She is doing much better right now, but still is mostly bed ridden.   I get to take care of 100% of the kid shuffling, take care of her, and then off to work.  

  All the while, I 'could'  train, but my training lately has lost quality.      This running every day was somehow making it impossible for my body to recover.   I did not expect that.     Gee Dave   Stress-Recover-Stress recover    why did you not understand the very concept that you are a proponent of?     Well I was used to 600-800 minutes of weekly training.   I had decided that in the streak that  an 18 minute  2 mile run as a  "Rest day"  should be super duper easy.      And at first it was.    Then it was not easy, and I would be gassed during my harder workouts.    then it evolved into a daily total fatigue that went on and on.    WHY???  seriously because of a 2 mile run???     I can run 26!!     I can do Ironman!    WTF!!!   

  I did decide to end my run streak as it became counter productive to quality training.  I was not getting to the pool,  spin has been the only cycling that I have been doing, and as each day passes  I get closer to Race season.     Had to take stock of situation and "adjust"    

  So its been a tough week in the Lev household. 

  When people are following a training "plan"  its important to realize that it all looks good on paper.  It looks totally doable.   Then "life gets in the way"    so how do you handle it?     Have to make adjustments.   Try and build in your training plan some flexibility points.      Also try and remember that though you are following a plan, and it helps your brain to stay focused, but your body has no idea what its supposed to do on paper and may not cooperate at times.    

  stuff happens people!   we just gotta keep on rolling with it!

Sorry to hear about your wife, my aunt has that an it can be a challenge to deal with.  Great attitude, just roll with it and do the best you can with what life throws at you.  I think you'll be feeling much better too now that you are back to work, rest, repeat! 

Happy Saturday! I have clients coming in this weekend so training will be a challenge, going to try and get a 3 mile run in this morning and then I'll be lucky if I can get anything else accomplished this weekend.

Hope everyone else has more fun activities planned thant I do!

After 5 days of working out, I finally ran my first 10k outdoors (515ft of elevation gain). For some reason it was a psychological barrier, I needed to accomplish, as I have been struggling to visualize the 21k (13 miles) distance of the Half IM, it seemed such a long distance, now I can see that it is attainable.

Saturday was quite, I had intentions of swimming and drove to the pool, only to find out that there was a swim meet, so 35k (20 miles) of back and forth for nothing.

Today light run probably 6k, my mind is going go 15k, go 15k... but I know better than to listen to it. Haven't swam for at least 2 week, so will swim later today.

Scheduling the swimming will be an issue until the ski patrol duties are done. And from the look of the snow fall so far this season, it could be a short season…

You all have a great weekend !

The girls had their last swim meet yesterday!  So I lane timed once again.   They had a lot of fun, but best placings were 4th out of 12 so proud of those two!  They have not had a lot of practice lately so they were quite nervous coming into the meet.   They wanted to compete anyhow.        Next week is the junior swim conference!   Finally they will get to pick which events they want to be in. 

After 5 "rest" days in a row,  I'm running 5 or 6  today, and working on the basement project.   Was thinking of running longer but didn't sleep too well.   Maybe tomorrow.      My DW is feeling much better!!!

Hi everyone!  Sorry I've fallen off the face of the earth.  Things got hectic at work and at home and I lost a little focus.  My training has fallen off a bit, but I have kept up with my running.  I find that running keeps me sane and centered, so I usually keep up with it even when life gets in my way.  Swimming and biking...well that's another story!  I hope to hit it hard again this week and get back to some serious training!

I've read the last page of posts and it seems that life is throwing obstacles at many of us, as it often does.  Sigh...just gotta keep moving forward.  I'm reading a book called "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly.  I read something that I really liked and it seems appropriate to share.  "Have courage, smile, keep your chin up, laugh often, be kind to yourself, stay focused, be gracious and appreciative, think happy thoughts, and carry on regardless." 

I hope you are all well and I look forward to being active with the group!

Jacki

Hi gang, just checking in. So no one thinks I CHECKED OUT, hehehe.  Sinus/allergies kicked in real bad last week from this warm winter in the north east.  Which went to a full blown cold by mid week.  I'm still suffering from sinus headaches but hope to run tomorrow once I've been on allegra for a few days.  It's supposed to hit 60F by wednesday.  I'm still in this thing, heck I bought new sneakers, whoops, I mean running shoes!!  My main goal  is to do the local sprint tri a few miles from my house in July.

Congrats to the girls on their race.

I'LL BE BACK!,

Tom

See, he is human! 

Back to training today!      that was 6  "rest days" in a row for me.   You are so right about being smart versus  digging heals in and being stubborn about a goal that was getting in the way of other goals.    "Don't sweat the small stuff"       My DW is doing MUCH better.  She is happy, and even went to work today for a bit.     

   Took the lil Dolphins to the pool for some fun swimming.   They spent the whole time trying to teach me to swim better.  Gotta love that.     They were off school  for Presidents day.     I have nto been to the pool for a while, and DAMN!  Swimming is effing hard!!!   wow.    I am NOT one of those people that can pick right up where they left off in the pool.   Unless I am swimming like 3-4 days a week,  I get slower and lose swim fitness  big time.   

    After 6 days off from running,  I felt great on the run.   Its amazing how when running daily or close to daily, how many little nagging aches/pains you sort of "deal" with.   When 90% of those go away and you can just run,  its a great great feeling. 

Its ok Tom   looks like we have all taken a lil breather.    Hope the headaches go away and you can get back to training!    Our events are all getting closer and closer!    mine is like 5 weeks away.   getting excited!   I need to up my speed work/intensity.  need a little more giddy-up.  

Jacki       Was just chatting about this kind of thing with my DW   going to tell her about the book you are reading.  Those words of wisdom seem so simple, yet hard to really achieve.       Running always does seem to help with things.      

Maybe this will make your DW smile.  That quote makes me think of the movie "Hook" with Robin Williams. Remember that re-imagining of Peter Pan from the 90s, I think? At one point some of The Lost Boys are trying to teach someone to fly and one of them, so cute, is holding up a sign that says "Tink Happy Tawts".  Makes me smile every time I think of it. 

Hi guys, my turn to return from falling off the face of the earth...I have felt like absolute crud for three whole days! WTH?!? Ice pick in the sinuses + no ibuprofen because my surgeon says so (sadist) + fever + no training = unhappy Q. But these breaks happen and it appears a lot of us are having the wrong week to stop sniffing glue, so let's just get over it, drop it, and move forward, shall we?

I know there are some specific aero bar fit questions (Todd) and other information floating around plus our upcoming swim QA, so let's get back to it tomorrow, refreshed from our long weekend...

But for now I'm going to bed...see you in the morning!

Q

OK so my absolutely wonderful GF is Catholic. I am not, more Protestant than anything. Well, tonight I broke a little bit and had cupcakes. Of course afterwards I felt so crappy. I hated the way I felt so much. Well, anyways on wednesday is lent for people that practice catholism you would give up something to show your sacrifice, or something like that. Well, I always support her so I decided to do 2 things. First, I am giving up anything that will or could have some type of frosting on it, that is a HUGE weakness for me. The second thing I decided to give up is HUGE for me. Almost as big as breathing. I AM GIVING UP DIET SODA. I will be free of soda for 40 whole days! To be honest, I am not sure why I even said it to her. I am friggin nuts! Seriously not sure how I am going to do but I definetly need to publicly proclaim it here.

Peter

Good for you Peter!    Support your GF!

Diet Soda- (Diet pop-'round these parts)  I was 8-10 can a day guy.   I kept reading about  artificial sugar, and what it may or may not do to people.    in October of 2010 I went cold turkey and gave it up, all that artificial chemical stuff just can't be good.   Have not had one since.   So went a step further and eliminated artificial sugar from my diet   period!        Now since that time,  I have gained weight, not lost it.   I do end up drinking beer more often.     I also switched to drinking coffee black.   no sugar regular or of course artificial sugar.  

What have I noticed???   my skin is much softer/smoother,   weight gain.  And um black coffee/tea is good!     Once in a while i get some seltzer water as a treat.    Not club soda which is sweetened.     Just the water with the bubbles.   

Now that I have invested like a year and a half without it.  I wont go back to it.   But if someone were to ask me if I would do that all over again,  I'd probably say  I would stick with the diet coke.