Beth and Yanti's Manatees Mentor Group--FULL! (Page 39)

As for me, I am completely depleted in every way--physically, mentally, spiritually, financially--after my trip to Indonesia and following it quickly with the Vineman trip. I'm taking a week (or two if I need it) to rest as much as possible, eat well, focus on work and loose ends so they're not a noose around my neck of long-past-due crapp, etc.

I'll then start training for Carpinteria Oly (Sept 28). I'll actually be doing the Oly to Half Iron Bridge plan, because this is the lead-in to starting Ironman training--I plan to do Ironman Langkawi in late February.

IM Langkawi may seem like a hideous idea--even the hardcore IM folks call it "brutal" because of the hilly bike course but most of all the heat. Temps will for sure be well into the '90s with near-total humidity, and possibly up to 110F.

As I discussed with Erin, why Langkawi? For one thing, it's logistically possible. It's really easy to get in (unlike the U.S. Ironmans), entry fee is really low (with no whopping "processing" fees), I'd be paying for a trip over that way anyway to go home, and my sister can get us free accommodation and she and her husband (and other friends there) will come to sherpa/cheer for me.

The other thing is that it's somewhat beyond possible, as well. I really don't know if I can get ready for an Ironman, much less THIS Ironman, in that time, especially as I'll be training through winter (well, at least it's California winter) here. I will need to lose a significant amount of weight--on that course, in that weather, every extra pound is a nightmare--train for heat, and hit the hills hard on the bike.

But I like it that way. I like the challenge. I like attempting the impossible. It's about the journey--it has to be, since 99% of it is the training--and even if it ends in a stellar flub, I won't be out for the kind of money I would be if I tried to do it here.

I do have two friends who have done it and who know my background and particulars, and both of them have encouraged me to do it (even as my first IM), while giving me a blisteringly honest picture of what it will take.

Anyhow, long story, but that's me making up for the five-week (more like ten-week) hiatus.

I cannot thank all of you enough for your love, support, inspires, prayers, and kind words. It's been, I think, one of the most difficult but also most rewarding few weeks of my life.

Great to see you back on here, Yanti, and everyone else, too!  Summer is going by so fast...I remember I was in shock the first week of summer when I was home all day with both kids...but now I am seeing that once September arrives, my time with my boys will be very limited.  I am trying to balance quality time with them, quality time with myself, and quality time getting stuff done that needs to be done (those nooses of loose ends, ugh!  I hear you on that, Yanti!).  I have 3 weeks with no races so I can hopefully reconnect with my husband a bit, as well.  He just got his first bike last week, and I want to start riding to work with him until he's used to it. 

As soon as I get a few free minutes I will be reading up on everyone's logs...even if I don't inspire, I do read them!!  I am currently debating as to what my workout will be today--LUNA Chix swim/bike brick or meet a friend and ride the course of my next triathlon.  Or none, as I have been up since 4 going full speed ahead and my brain feels a bit melty.  It will be what it is.

Hope y'all are having a great Wednesday.  I am trying to appreciate every day for what it brings, as we never know what tomorrow will present us with.   Too many of those lessons on BT lately.  Big hugs to everyone!

Thanks Erin!

Happy Friday to everyone. What's new and exciting? Really? Really? Really! Good. Alright then.

I was just looking at my volume for the month, which isn't to exciting except for the fact that my swimming is at the second highest distance ever. If I swim next Monday and Wednesday it will be my largest month ever. Pretty sweet. I guess now I need to work on the running and biking part....yeah that.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a good weekend!

What's new and exciting? Why, YOU, of course!!!!! Gearing up for your biggest swim month ever, hey, I'm excited.

Will be cheering folks on at the Naples Island swim, and then doing a backbreaker Spinning(R) session later in the evening with one of our master instructors. That's it for the weekend. Still trying to recuperate.

Hi Manatees!

It's good to hear from folks!

I'm back in NE - going to do a little sprint this weekend -

I'm looking forward to it - it's my 3 time doing this event - it was my first and so I will always have fond memories!

You are truly a strong and amazing woman.

Congratulations, thanks for the inspiration, and the help.

P.S. I have a good friend dropping by in a little bit, so I'm good!

Hi everyone, just a quick check in. I am heading out for a super long bike ride with a friend (who happens to be training for 2009 IM Canada.....yikes!)....she kicks my butt so I will be working hard.

Great job Melissa, with the PR.  Wish we had sun in the eyes issues here today, it's in the 50s and drizzly.  Gotta love the northwest summers.  Sigh.

Let's see some more RRs!

Hi Manatees!

Melissa - Great race!

Leslie - hope you had a great ride

Yanti - hope you had a great visit with your friend!

Hi everyone else!

I had a great race - cut time off from last year

RR is up!

Helloooo... no, I did not fall off the face of the earth... life has just gotten in the way of BT over the past 6 weeks.

Looks like everyone is having great seasons thus far. I'm trying to settle into a routine again now that work is finally settling down. 

I am so sorry I have been a missing Manatee of late!  I have no good excuses either.

I have to say when I saw the orangutan I laughed out loud.  Is that a real photo? Leave it to yanti to make another interesting friend.

Erin, guess who is coming to Sacramento to do CIM?  I hope you are still planning to do it because I will definitely be there. 

Looks like everyone had a busy, but fun weekend.  Here is to a long lasting summer!

I had a great race this weekend.  I have to say while I liked my first year of Sprint tris I really love running the most.  of course that could have a lot to do with my inexperience.  I guess that will come with time.

GAH! I am so jealous. I would love to do it with y'all (it would be your first mary, Erin, and your first time on that course, Suzy?), but I'd be in the thick of Ironman training and can't afford the recovery time on a full mary. It's beautiful and such a runner-friendly race.

I start Ironman training in earnest today. I'm actually doing a high-volume (for base) Olympic plan that will extend just past Carpinteria Oly (Sep. 28), then starting in on a 20-week Ironman plan. I thought about doing a 30-week Iron plan (found on another site), but this actually sets a better base period for me.

I am really excited! I think a big part of my going crazy recently (other than things BEING crazy and high-stress and big travel) is that I have not been able to train.

Hey, no excuses needed for missing Manatees, life and/or training are in session! Sometimes it'll be busy in here, sometimes not. And most of you know I have NO problem talking to myself in threads

Nice to see you again, Mila!

Congratulations to Bethie Love on Cornhusker--go read her race report! It's so encouraging!

BTW--yes, that is a real orangutan in my picture. My mom's best friend runs an orangutan rescue and this little girl was showing me around.

I had a most wonderful first day of Ironman training. May many more follow! I just have to keep remembering that each day is doable, and if I just do what's on for each day, I will be an Ironman

I do admit with starting from scratch, and on what is such a daunting journey, I feel like a newbie again.

hi Manatees!

I'm headed out on vacation!  Woo Hoo!

4 days at my parents cabin in Minnesota - the fam is already there

I'll see you all when I get back

Ok, if you are a newbie then the rest of us are newbies waiting to be born!

I need to get my swimming mojo back. Now that I have no more tris this season, I have been slacking.  I keep thinking I have plenty of time to get ready for next year. Someone spank some sense into me. PLEASE!

Enjoy your weekend all.  We have a group of five teams doing a sprint tri relay. I am doing a 17m bike on the hilliest course I have ever been on.  I sure hope I don't tip over.

Terri: Hi! So wonderful to see you again! Yeah, Melissa said you were crazy busy. For one thing, I'm glad you like your "new" job. But for another, I know you also like the new life and new health and participation with your smokin' hot DH that tri training brings!

Will: is starting to look better and better naked. (Ha! You don't think I stalk you guys in other threads, too? Mwah ha ha ha ha)

Suzy: I hope you have a wonderful ride! And ditto to Erin ... (boy, she and I just follow each other around agreeing with each other, but that is because she is such a SMART girl!) ... mojo comes with grooooove. Maybe you can find a swim group or partner or something where you are expected to be ... then show up regularly ...

Erin: sorry the job is nuts, but SO happy it's more commensurate with your abilities ... and has exciting stuff going on ... enjoy the running. I think it is the purest and most profound of the sports ... or maybe it's because I still find swimming weird and biking confusing.

Ironman Training is going great. (See if I say that after the 2hr and 1.5hr rides, respectively, this weekend ...) And yes Suzy, I do feel like a newbie ... you remember going from half-marathon to marathon distance? It's a BIG DEAL ... and totally different ... so it's kind of like I'm trying to do that, but x3 ... it's just such a different ball game. But then again, it's not; like everybody else training for something, I just gotta do whatever is on the plate for the day.

Good morning! It's Friday and I like that!

I've pretty much got three solid months of training under my belt, so I'm feeling good. In fact I signed up for a sprint a week from tomorrow so that should be fun to get back in the thick of things.

I'm only in for a half day today as I'm headed to the pool to watch my daughter race. Here's a few pictures from yesterday:

http://trala.net/joswim/

Have a good weekend everybody!

Hello, Manateees!  I have been absent in here of late.  I am busy with my business and now taking care of the grandson.  He's a handful and it makes getting anything done almost impossible. 

Monday begins my Oly training for a fall tri in Galveson, the HiFi try.  It will be my first tri at that distance.  I am hoping to hold to the training plan as tight as I can despite traveling which will increase a bit before the end of the month.  We shall see how it goes!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  I hope to keep up better over the next month.

Hi Manatees!

I'm back from a fabulous vacation!  It really couldn't have been any better!

I'll catch up later - lots to catch up on at work today