The Ghoulie Mentor Group - Full (Page 34)

Hello everybody! I'v been here, just lurking. Let's see if I can cover almost everything in one post...

I was a competitive swimmer from age 7-13, and again 14-17, then a springboard diver age 17-18. Loved it, my dad couldn't stand to watch me dive--such a nervous nelly! In high school and college, I danced a little. Then by my junior year of college I was gettng married and having a baby...and not very active aside from walking across campus to all of my classes. Now in my mid-30's, my body shape is changing at an alarming rate. i can't eat everything/anything I want anymore. I had a good friend challenge me to try a tri with her, and here I am two and a half years later.

I always wanted to be "a runner", but never could/did...until now (!). I'm still trying to build a happy relationship with my bike... and open water scares the **** out of me. I love the run more than the others...it's too bad I'm usually so tired bythe time I get to the run... but if the bike was last, I probably would never tri again. I get so frustrated with myself on the bike leg. Not sure why.  

I haven't ever done a race with an OWS. I love to swim, but I don't like being in OW. My goal is to do one this year with an OWS. We'll see if I chicken out again. I love the tri lifestyle, but I dislike that I have yet to keep myself "on the wagon", so to speak, with that lifestyle (as I sit here typing htis, I am sipping at the soda I got with my breakfast at McDonald's this morning...). I struggle with consistency, even now. I keep motivated by people such as my fellow Gouhlies, both mentors and mentees. Mwah!!! I don't know what I would do without this site and you people! 

Let's see...what else... 

Oh yeah--on tap for today--more R&R (haven't been feeling great this week), watching the snow fall on my tulips   The usual household chores, then after the kids get home from school, I head to work for the night. I was hoping to go for a walk or something, but I don't think they'll want me in the gym, and I'm not venturing out in this weather today. Some days it's worth it, but today isn't one of them. 

X2. The freebies do look pretty cool. Love that medal idea. 

I do a sprint tri here in May where they hand you chocolate and a necklace at the fnishline.

 

I am on the committee of a new marathon/half marathon/5k being held here in September, and I could use some input. What makes a race/event a good one? Aside from how you feel you performed athletically? What makes a race something you want to do again? Is it the medals? The flavor of gatorade at the aid station? What would make you NOT want to do that race again the next year, and do another event instead? 

The woman who coaches our running group said that the OWS is what totally freaked her out in her first tri and why she no longer does them - I'm saying that not to freak you out too, lol, but bc she said that she'd never done an OWS until her first tri, and wished she'd practiced. That sure seems like good advice to me. I've never minded OW recreationally myself, but am going to be able to do a couple of OWS practices (tho not in the race venue), and then an OWS clinic & a race before my first tri, so that I'm as prepared as I know how to be. I found my OWS clinic/race on the USMS website - perhaps they'll have something in your area, too, to help you prep?

That's true. there is a core group of us who do one or two destination races each year.  It has dwindled down to just three of us so far, but maybe with this race being new, we can generate some interest.

Chocolate and a necklace at the finish line is a neat idea. I love when races have something a little different. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive.

GREAT idea. Definitely need to pass that one on to my husband....

Could you pass that note to my husband, too?

Freebies are good. A good t-shirt, and other goodies.

Atmosphere is important, too. At the RNR half there were bands every mile, and cheerleader groups. I think Pittsburgh will have them, too. 13.1 or 26.2 miles is a long way to go if the course is boring. So things along the way to liven the race course up are GOOD!

Post race food and activities, too. Music at the finish line. Good food, and plenty of it.

Define post-race activities and good food. (I already know that =no veggies for Ann)  

I'm 5'6" with a 30.5 inseam and my bikes are 52 cm.

I am all about food.  I don't know about activities, but if budget permits, it's cool when a race offers a food that is unique. Our club puts on 8-10 races a year, and the directors hit up local eateries for donations or reduced prices. There is a local sandwich shop that makes really good wraps, and they provided a variety (ham, chicken, turkey, etc.). 

A race held here in the fall provides hot soup afterwards. Illinois in late October can be really cold, so it hits the spot.

The Canal Connection 10K in Utica serves pizza from a local spot, everyone loves it and it keeps people busy until the awards ceremony.

A 5k in Decatur provides, oddly enough, chili mac after a race! It sounds gross but it is part of the tradition and really hits the spot.

The local half marathon serves biscuits and gravy, perfect fare for the typical rainy cold weather at this race.

My favorite half marathon in Tampa, Florida (Gasparilla Fest) serves paella, red beans and rice and salad catered by Columbos (I think).

A local triathlon serves a pasta lunch. The swim is in the high school and they use the cafeteria. High school kids serve the food and get volunteer points.

Bagels
Bananas
Beer
Oranges
Pizza
Subs
Baked Potato and the fixins
BBQ or pulled pork
Cookies
Chocolate Milk
If you have some sort of local favorite dish

THIS

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Toppage = Bill's need for chocolate milk

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Plenty of porta-potties at the start, plenty of water/gatorade at the end.    If possible, make the different types of food/drink known and available.  At my last half, we were funneled by tent after tent with different food and I grabbed one of everything because I didn't know what they had.  They limited everyone to one of everything.  I would have preferred two waters, one banana, and none of the other 5 things I picked up as I was funneled by.  The funneling of people was probably a good idea because it made for a natural organized line.

 

My 13 year old son too.  The car looks great!

Only problem with swim workouts til 10:00 at night is that I'm still wired for sound while everyone else is falling asleep.....do love a good swim in cool water though.....

When I got home from work I biked for 9 miles before going swimming for an hour and 40 minutes last night. I was burnt out when I got home. Tonight I am wired.

maybe your body missed the swim!

Hmmm. Too bad we are in Utah. Land of the State-run liquor store. We're lucky we can still buy plain ol' 3.2% budweiser at the grocery store. Sure can't buy any bartles and james or boone's at the grocery store anymore. That makes this sweet-toothed drinker sad.