RFP GROUP - CLOSED (Page 36)

After IM Mont-Tremblant come visit me down under KC for IM Melbourne. I'm thinking bout volunteering next year so I can sign up for 2014. It sold out in 30 mins this year so I figure this is the only way I'll get a spot and I'd LOVE to do my first IM in my home state!

Congrats to the new IronMen.  You rock!  

I loved volunteering there at the finish line.  Stayed and signed up for 2013.  

I have a HIM a week from today in Branson.  Feeling good.  Bed in a $250 a night hotel in Madison tweaked my back but It's getting better.  Had my second cramp of the year in the pool during a lesson tonight.  But all good.  Tapering begins in earnest now so I'll be all healed and ready by Sunday.  I plan to take a ride on the course in the truck and stop to ride a couple of the hills to get a feel...take a light run...and a swim (short) on Friday....then get the bike turned in on Saturday, set up transition Sunday morning and go have fun. 

The bike - I had a Red rear derailleur put on because I got such a good deal on the Shiv to begin wit'h I thought I'd spend some money to upgrade.  Ridden twice over the weekend and the crispness in shifting is noticeable.  Did't put on the front one because apparently SRAM made it only to work with their upgraded crank and I already have a Red compact on the bike.  No need for a new crank now.  I love that bike.  Really fun to ride.

Still figuring out next step on the tri coaching.  I have agreed to take on one guy and maybe will another for free to get experience to get them through their first sprints and olys.   Talking to a really good tri coach here who approached me asking if I would be interested in going in with him.  I said I would LOVE it.  He is strill sorting out what he wants to do.  

Have a great week. 

Hi Team,

hope everyone is well

Ice - good luck for Sunday's HIM, I have no doubt you're going to do awesome and have a ball!

Well finally after a 3 month wait I get in to see the "head" specialist on Thursday, here's hoping things get sorted out and settle down before my first race for the season which is in 8 weeks. Although I've had an anxious couple of days this week, training has been going well and I'm hoping my times have improved on the course since last year. As with last year, the bike will be the test.

Anyway I hope everyone has a great week doing what you love!

Good Morning Team.

Scott - have a great race -which one are you doing?

Simone - awesome that you are going to get to see someone regarding your health. Good luck and let us know what is up.

Have a great day everyone.

KC

Good Morning everyone!  Hope all is well.  I am kind of getting back into the swing of things this week and started a "maintenance" program for the next month until I decide what I want to do race wise.  It felt good to get into the pool this morning and I also started lifting again.  

KC - That sucks about IMNYC.  It must have been a logistical nightmare for them to pull that race off and for them to officially cancel it.  Save those shirts and medals as they will most likely become collectibles!  I also saw that you IM race has officially sold out all general entry!  In a way I think you are crazy for doing another but on the other hand I also wish i had one for next year too! It is just too much stress on the family.  I have given myself a plan of doing one when I turn 40 (2015) and then one every 5 years just to keep myself honest-haha.  I assume once the kids get older it will be easier because that was the biggest challenge and most stressful training with small kids.

Scott - Good luck this weekend.  Branson is awesome.  The neighborhood support on the run is awesome and The Landing area is great for spectators too.  You are gonna have a great race.

Simone - I got my DVD's yesterday!  Thank you so much for that.  Did you ever get your bottle situation resolved.  I use the Profile Design AeroDrink and really like it.  I have also had a two bottle rear seat holder for the past 3 years and it broke the night before my IM so I went with the bottle holder ziptied under the seat and it worked great.  A lot of Pro's are going with the same thing on their aero bars.  Supposedly it is much more aero dynamic?  It also simple and cheap.  Glad to see you were able to get into your doc and that your training is coming along!

I need to figure out my tattoo situation this week.  Not sure what to do? I have always wanted to get a guitar tattoo so I though about combining it with the M-Dot guy holding a guitar? Thoughts?  But then again i do liek just the simple M-dot.

Hi guys! I'm getting antsy since I don't have any races scheduled so I'm trying to find a 70.3 for next year. I'm thinking Racine 70.3. Anyone have any thoughts about it?

Tim - I saw your race report on it...looks like a nice race. 65-67 water temp is about perfect. I don't mind a hilly bike and I'll take it easy on the run since it sounds so hot.

Any comments or suggestions would be helpful.

You don't have to worry about any hills on the bike - it is very flat.  The only thing you have to deal with is the bumps in the road spaced about 15' apart for a good portion of the course.  I still have nightmares of "dah dah, dah dah, dah dah, dah dah -haha.

I have done the race the past 2 years now and have really enjoyed it.  North Beach is beautiful and the volunteers are awesome.  I would highly recommend this race and if you do do it stay at the Radisson right next to the beach (walking distance to start).  

Hi Everyone!

Coach, good luck in Branson

Simone, thank you for the DVDs, got them today.

Tim, have you decided where to get the tattoo?  I still need to get mine but have so many other things I have to get done first, plus I can't decide where to get it.  Shoulder, Calf or Ankle.

It has almost been a month since my IM and the recovery has been harder for me then what I thought.  I feel fine but when I work out it doesn't take much for my heart rate to spike, and my running pace is not what it was before.  I have a half marathon scheduled for the first of November and was hoping to PR but now I just hoping to be able to run it.

Tim - thanks for the info! I did a sprint one time where it was basically sidewalks/bike path that we rode on and the whole time you felt every crack. It got quite annoying after a while. If that's the worst of it then I can deal with it. If you do the race in 2013 maybe I'll see ya up there. I'm probably signing up for it today! Yay!

Kathy - sorry to hear that your recovery is feeling rough. I'm sure you just need to take it easy and let your body get used to not going a hundred miles and hour Good luck in the marathon in Nov and remember it is still a HUGE accomplishment just to finish a marathon. I've only done half marathons so I would be thrilled to finish 26.2.

So I have had this sheet on my board at work since October of last year staring at it every day.  I guess maybe it worked -haha

GOAL SWIM - 1:20  ACTUAL SWIM - 1:18

GOAL BIKE - 6:40  ACTUAL BIKE - 6:49

GOAL RUN - 5:30  ACTUAL RUN 5:27

And I did all that without even really thinking about these numbers while racing - really weird  Also you'll notice my Overall time doesn't included transitions - duh!

I am going to go calf.  Just have to determine size but I want it fairly large.

Take your recovery easy.  Everyone is different so just listen to your own body and do what you can.  It will come back eventually.  You will be fine by November just don't push too hard and get hurt!

Tim, I really think there is something about posting a picture or quote somewhere where you will see it each day.  I had on our refrigeration a sheet with"You are an Ironman" with several different pictures of people crossing the Lousiville finish line.   Then when we were in Louisville I brought that same picture and a quote saying "You are prepared, You are strong" and put that on the mirror.  My husband thought I had lost it and put up his own note of "I am funny".

Hey Team.

I hope everyone is doing well. Tim that is cool.

I have been incredibly busy with school so I have not been able to check in as much as I would like.

OK - half marathon this Sunday and I am nursing an injury right now. I have been to physio 3 days in a row - I was doing my long run on Sunday and the outside of my left knee started to kill just like it did about 15 miles into the marathon in NYC . IT band issues but I am working my way through them. I am just glad it is not a major knee injury.

I have question for the group to ponder going forward:

I am wondering what everyone plans on doing this coming December when the new groups start to form. I know this has been a great ride and I know that all of you know how incredibly grateful I am for getting to know each and every one of you. I also know that some of you have reached your goals and I understand that this forum will probably no longer be a significant part of your weekly routines as it has in the past. I guess I am just getting a feel for where or what everyone is planning on doing? No pressure - just curious - and be honest - it is ok no matter what.

I also was wondering if any of you unbelievable people/athletes have suffered a letdown at all since your races? I am having a tough time not having a plan and some days I feel a bit lost to be honest with you. I guess it probably has something to do with being so regimented for so long and now I can rest and I am having a tough time with that concept lol. Anyway, just curious how everyone else is dealing with a post race let down - if at all?

Ok team, I will keep you posted on the Half Marathon and how the knee responds to treatment before the weekend.

Take care everyone.

KC

Hey Team,

hope everyone is doing well and training (or resting) hard!

Tim - make sure you post a pic of the ink when you get it done! Oh and I haven't had a chance to get my aero bottle yet, but I think I'm gunna go with the Profile Design AeroDrink to start with, I am shocking on the bike and forget to drink often, so I figure if there is a straw trying to poke my eye out I'll remember!

WTB - you can always visit Oz next year and do IM Shepparton 70.3 with me in Nov!

Well the big appointment went well, exceptionally well actually, my new pdoc is a lovely person and has already got me started on a treatment plan. The medication she is putting me on will not only stabilize my moods but also help the anxiety, so I'm looking forward to that. For the first time in a very long time I feel hopeful that I can get my career and life back on track. I'm starting volunteering at my gym next month for a couple of days a week to get back into the groove of having a job to do and there is a strong possibility that will lead to part-time work once I've learned the ropes. I've also decided to do a Cert IV in fitness to become a personal trainer next year and now I have the "official word" I should be able to get funding so it wont cost a fortune.

So yeah I feel like a mega weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now I can get down to the business of getting well and getting Iron strong and Iron fit! I'm looking at doing my first Oly Tri on 10th Feb, so that will give me something to focus on for the rest of this year as well as the local tri club sprints.

Anyway hope everyone else is doing well, as far as the new group starting in Dec goes KC, I'm in with bells on, I haven't even scratched the surface of my tri journey yet!

Good luck to those with races coming up soon!

P.s. glad the DVDs arrived safe Tim and KTC!

Tim - That's pretty amazing that you got so close to your goal times! You must know yourself pretty well!

Kathy - I like your husband's sign! Funny.

Simone -That's a little far to travel but thanks for the suggestion!

KC - I would love to stay with the group if it all works out that way. I still have lots of tri training ahead of me and I always want tri-minded people around me, including social media. It motivates me to see others reaching their goals and hearing about their training trials and triumphs! I know I can find that in other groups as well but I have become particularly fond of the people in this group. If we all go our separate ways then so be it but know that I really had a great journey with everyone here.

I am still in to keep the group going.  I am just kinda taking a break both physically and mentally for these past two weeks but I am getting ready to get going again.  And YES KC - I am also struggling without having a plan.  I have found it very easy to set up a workout plan for the week and then talk myself out of EVERY workout and stayed in  bed this past week haha.  I figure that I deserve a little break but I don't want to lose all my fitness that I have worked so hard to build up.  I have a couple races I am gonna sign up for soon (Chicago Hot Chocolate 15K, Turkey Trot, Illinois Marathon in April) and hopefully that will get my butt in gear.  Its funny I actually took all  my tri stuff and set it up with my new Ironman Bag and have it sitting in my room like I have a race tomorrow morning.  I think I want the "race rush" but not "5am drag my butt to the gym rush" haha

Don't worry KC - we will get you through another IM!

Jen - I saw you signed up for Racine - awesome! you will really like that race.  I am leaning towards it also and will have to talk with Josi about what she wants to do.  

Hi Team.

I hope everyone is doing well. Scott - hope you had a great half today.

I did my half marathon today in Amherstburg Ontario - where I live - 2 hours 2 minutes and 38 seconds I think. Still waiting for times to be posted. Anway- not real disapointed with it - better than last years and on a bad leg this year. My IT band at my left knee has been acting up since I started training for this. I spent all week doing physio so he did a great job getting me in shape to run but somewhere around mile 8 it flared up. I just tried to pay attention to form and not think about it but it is killing me right now - ice pack is on it LOL.

Anyway, I was hoping to finish in under 2 hours but could not get it done the last couple miles - oh well - it is better and I was hobled so I guess I am happy with it.

Time for me to rest the body a bit though even though I am going to hate it. I will do some swimming though just for the fun of it.

Take care team and chat soon.

FYI - completely on board for next group - no matter what - DEB the Cheeky Monkey - I can't wait to help you with your IM.

FYI 2 - I am not sure I share this with our group but I am considering signing up for IM Lake Placid as a volunteer for next year so I can do it in 2014. Sign up starts Feb 1.

KC

KC - I am looking at doing my next IM in 2014 also.  I might look at Lake PLacid but was thinking about more of  late season race like Arizona or Cozumel and use it as a vacation as well.

I got out for a run for the first time since IMWI last night and felt great.  I am gonna sign up for a 15K in 6 weeks so I wanted to see where my fitness was after two weeks of too many beers, bad food and a permanent butt indentation in my couch - I was able to do 4 miles at 8:22 pace and feel really good.  Gonna focus on some speed work once a week with cardio to keep my fitness and I should have a good race.

It was weird yesterday since every run for the past year I envisioned myself in the IM finishing chute but yesterday I had 30 minutes to just reflect on the race and was really sad it was over.  I was able to refelct on some really cool things that happened that day that I will share or write down later.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Is something like this too big?