Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 349)

Originally posted by JJ- Ok I think we've talked about this before but I've had a few pop tarts since then so..... Hydration Setup What does everyone use? I currently use a 40 ounce speedfill on my down tube and 2 bottles behind my saddle. The speed fill is getting to be a pain because of having to remove it a clean it and reassemble nearly every ride. I am considering an bottle / straw between the aero bars. So what does everyone else use?

Originally posted by JJ- Ok I think we've talked about this before but I've had a few pop tarts since then so..... Hydration Setup What does everyone use? I currently use a 40 ounce speedfill on my down tube and 2 bottles behind my saddle. The speed fill is getting to be a pain because of having to remove it a clean it and reassemble nearly every ride. I am considering an bottle / straw between the aero bars. So what does everyone else use?

Originally posted by JJ- Ok I think we've talked about this before but I've had a few pop tarts since then so..... Hydration Setup What does everyone use? I currently use a 40 ounce speedfill on my down tube and 2 bottles behind my saddle. The speed fill is getting to be a pain because of having to remove it a clean it and reassemble nearly every ride. I am considering an bottle / straw between the aero bars. So what does everyone else use?

Originally posted by rrrunner

Oh, forgot to tell you all about the email I got from Rock N Roll yesterday...

Apparently, if I go to a participating retailer and spend $100 on Brooks in the next month I will recieve a sticker for my bib (for the HM) that gives me access to the "Brooks VIP Porta Potty staffed by Brooks employees and volunteers from participating Denver-area retailers".

I'm tempted...

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Ah schnap just got confirmation I'll be racing my first XC meet on Saturday.

 

*Actually, I need to decide what shoes I should wear. I'm not going to buy XC spikes/flats for now. I assume I probably want to run in whatever I have that is both light and has the most aggressive tread?

Not sure if anyone knows much about this or not.

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

LOL!  A VIP port-a-potty???  Do they clean it after every use?  Red velvet ropes leading up to it?  The three-ply paper for your comfort?? 

Originally posted by rrrunner

Oh, forgot to tell you all about the email I got from Rock N Roll yesterday...

Apparently, if I go to a participating retailer and spend $100 on Brooks in the next month I will recieve a sticker for my bib (for the HM) that gives me access to the "Brooks VIP Porta Potty staffed by Brooks employees and volunteers from participating Denver-area retailers".

I'm tempted...

Originally posted by rrrunner

And staffed nonetheless

Originally posted by Muskrat37

WOW - MANATEE'S GONE WILD!  I step away for a few days - and there are 12 new pages!  Holy crap.  No way I can catch up.  

New job is going good.  I've been busy, but the work is much more rewarding than what I was doing, and most importantly - my boss is waaaaay cool.  

I am starting a new marathon training program today.

I wanted to share something a touch personal.  You all know I am not flush with cash (my way of saying broke).  I have not always been that way.  At one point - I carried enough plastic in my wallet to by a nice house (no exaggeration), but that's a story for another day.  Lately, I've struggled to pay the rent on time the last 2 months, and haven't been able to buy groceries like normal.  My fridge has been a barren wasteland of late.  When I changed jobs, there was a 3 week gap in paychecks, which really hurt.  The new company did not pay me my mileage yet, even though it was pre-approved.  I think when the lady approved it, she didn't realize that the drive was over 1100 miles, one way!  

So - I had to tap my anorexic 401K.  The check for $3,850 arrived yesterday.  I immediately ran to the bank and deposited it.  My account was overdrawn by $185.  That left $3,665.  

I went home and put all my outstanding bills into an excel spreadsheet and totaled it up. $3,.600!!!  LOL

I am happy to say (and this is the part I really wanted to share) - I am now debt free!  I brought every monthly bill current, and I paid every credit card (4) off!  Well - almost off.  I paid 1 completely off (Amazon Account) - and paid the other 3 to less than a $75 balance each.  I'm trying to build my credit back up, so I left a small balance that I can make monthly payment on.  

It feels good.  I am broke again - but I do not owe any company any money.  Woo Hoo!  The best part(s)?  

• I have already made sales at my new job, so my next check will include commissions
• The company has approved the mileage, so I'll receive an additional $1,000 ish in the next couple weeks
• I have an additional office allowance of $500 being paid out, and I don't need to buy anything for my home office!
• I just landed a new client (on my personal website business) - a $1,500 project that will be done by the end of the month
• My billable invoices (for my website business) are due in a couple weeks - so I'll get paid that money 
• My brother is going to pay me the $275 he owes me out of his next check
• I get paid Friday AND
• There is another payday before the end of the month.  

All my bills are paid - and I have all that income within the next 3 1/2 weeks.  I think I've finally pulled myself out of "The Hole" 

As a footnote - I've setup 10% of my paychecks to be direct deposited into a savings account that I don't have access too (rainy day fund) and I'm depositing money back into a 401K.  I've elected medical and dental coverage - as well as several other benefits, and I also setup a life insurance program. 

I feel good.  My hard work is paying off.  

As you were.  

Originally posted by MadMathemagician

Life has it's ups and downs.  Last Friday dad was told by the doctor that he has cancer.   Some form of skin cancer.  More test are ordered.    

Monday, someone dropped a cat off at the end of our street, where we live.    *I must live in a place where people feel comfortable dropping off their unwanted animals.  I digress.*

This cat has already captured my heart.  She is sweet natured with humans.  We sit together and purr and purr. 

I have named her Bagheera.  *Does anyone read Kipling anymore?*  She is jet black with nary a white blaze anywhere and has jade green eyes.

I love my conjure kitty.   

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

LOL!  A VIP port-a-potty???  Do they clean it after every use?  Red velvet ropes leading up to it?  The three-ply paper for your comfort?? 

Originally posted by kgore

Hey everyone, just a quick shout out--race went well, considering almost brutal heat...Anyway--I will get to a RR hopefully soon--the race was trumped by the Weeple-Q afterwords; I know some crazy folks. Yes there are a few pics. 

Parents are both doing well, my mom starts chemo this next week, I think, and is happy that they are putting in some little thingie in her neck so that they don't need to give her shots all the time. Even though it will probably in there for the next nine months. In other words, my mom is her usual self, and I am glad of it...she also got my sewing machine fixed too. Another plus! Dad is grumbly and whiny, so, basically a normal 74 year old man with health issues, but he is ok overall and still being silly. I'll take it.

I have read up the last few pages, good to see new faces, the faces that are not new, but back from absentee-ness; and  always good to see all of the musings from the stalkers and other fun people who are here. I am so very glad that you all are a part of my life. 

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Ah schnap just got confirmation I'll be racing my first XC meet on Saturday.

 

*Actually, I need to decide what shoes I should wear. I'm not going to buy XC spikes/flats for now. I assume I probably want to run in whatever I have that is both light and has the most aggressive tread?

Not sure if anyone knows much about this or not.

Originally posted by brigby1

Maybe, but what is the trail surface like?

Originally posted by QueenZipp Tust me, the VIP portapotties and bag check get you out of a lot of race day hassles.  Totally worth it and one pair of shoes can easily take care of that fee--or warmer clothing to prepare for winter....Wish I had done that for RnR VA Beach! 

Originally posted by rrrunner

I was thinking that too. Especially with my new found appreciation of my Brooks. Downside is DS2 is doing it too so I'd either have to tell him tough... or buy TWO pairs of shoes

Originally posted by Asalzwed

It's gonna mainly be a maintained gravel/dirt path:

and some grass at the start and chute. 

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

This thread was just started in Tri Talk... coincidence? 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=500504&posts=8&page=1

Originally posted by QueenZipp

I got a blister o the inner part of my big toe.  Daggone thing is the size of a grape.  I want to pop it and use a bandaid so it won't bother me so much.  Rubs on flip flops and feels crunched in real shoes.

With a 9 mile run on Friday and 13-14 on Saturday this thing just needs to FACHING GO

Originally posted by amd723 Just got back from the doctor. I am discharged from PT, but he wants me to get a sports massage on my hamstring 2x per week now until my race - which is 8 weeks away. $$$ kaching!