Destination MoP is FULL (of motivation!) (Page 4)

NAME: Melanie
 
STORY:  Just turned 50 this month.  Started running in 2002.  Signed up for my first marathon in 2004 because I WAS NOT going to go up a size in my jeans.  I've completed seven marathons since then.  I like trail running and have completed a 50-miler and two 50Ks.  In 2009 I started commuting to work by bicycle.  Signing up for a triathlon seemed a no-brainer.  Last summer I completed my first Olympic distance.  I'm hooked.  I like the variety, the challenge, being outdoors, and all the health benefits the training brings.  This year I've signed up for two Olympics, one sprint, and an assortment of running races.  

FAMILY STATUS:  Married, 2 daughters (20 and 15)

TRI EXPERIENCE (if any): One Olympic triathlon

CURRENT TRAINING: Pretty much every day I get something related to triathlon in.  Commuting 5 days/week by bicycle, swim twice a week,  and run 3 times a week.  Really trying to incorporate more stretching and yoga into routine.

PLANNED RACES FOR 2011: 2 Olympic and 1 Sprint, 1 marathon, 1 10K, and a few trail 5 or 10 milers.  Already completed a 50K trail race this year (really hard race for me this time).

WEIGHT LOSS GOALS (if any): Maybe lose 2-3 pounds.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE MENTOR GROUP WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU and WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE GROUP:  I hope the group can provide some motivation when I'm struggling with keeping things going.  I'm hoping there are some other 'mature' athletes who can provide advice.  I can provide some advice on becoming a better runner.  I've actually become faster over the past two years and am setting PRs.  Maybe I can motivate someone too!

Thanks,

Melanie

Have you considered wearing your sports bra under your swimsuit?  I might try that.  I bought a more supportive suit (shock absorber swimsuit).  I suspect I'll have problems with this as well.  I need to try out my suit.

I did that once when I was going from swimming to running & it just wasn't comfortable for me - and I think I'll still have the issues with getting some sort of bottoms on since there's no way to bike or run at this weight without some sort of barrier between my thighs!  My plan is to find some tri shorts (difficult at this weight/size, but doable if I search hard enough) & wear those with a top/bra combo I already have (not a tri top, but similar & comfortable - at least, I think/hope it will be) - and just throw on a shirt after the swim.  So once I find the shorts, I'll try it out & see if I can make that work for me.  I only have 8 weeks til my 1st tri, so I need to get (s)hopping!

Have you considered a tri suit?  I know they're not attractive or something anyone's really comfortable in, but they're very practical for everything we do.  I have one with a built-in sports bra, so it covers all the bases.  I threw a T-shirt on after the swim for the tri this week because it was a little cool, but also it covers the unsightly bulges ;-)

Today is a rest day for me.  We had to drive home from our holiday, but unfortunately my husband's grandfather died yesterday, so we stopped off to see his family on the way, which filled the day.  He was quite ill, but it was all quite quick in the end, so everyone's still a little shocked by it...

I have a feeling I'm going to be resting this weekend as well.  My heel pain seems to be resolving nicely, but the wakeboarding has left me with rather fatigued lat's, so tomorrow's planned swim has gone out the window.  I'm also back at work early tomorrow morning, so I think a couple of easy days won't hurt.  The holiday was great, but I probably did a little more than I should have!  Hopefully everything will be back on track for running on Monday.

Good luck to anyone who is competing this weekend, and welcome to all our new (and old) members.  It's great to see so many friendly faces.

Name: Jessica

My Story: I am 45 years old and will be doing my first sprint tri on June 6th!  So close. Last year both my kids trained and participated in a kids tri and I was just starting a fitness kick so I trained with them and in the process lost 40lbs!  They were so inspirational to me that I became determined to give it a shot next year and guess what? Its next year!  I've had a weight issue all my life and I can truly say that I am, deep down, an athlete. I LOVE training.  I was never active in sports in school and have had moments of slimness but I  think I'll always be in the Athena group.

Family: 13 yr old boy, 9 yr old girl. Husband bikes but that's all!  We both work full time. My father lives with us and is a great help with the kids.

Current training:  Do whatever I can whenever I can!  I had a training plan but with kids there really is no plan just a passion for getting it done. I swim once a week - I know not nearly enough - bike on the weekends when its not 40 or blowing a gale (I live in CO), I run 3x a week, I have a treadmill so running is easy to get done. I'm slow and my goal is do a sub 40 minute 5K by summer's end.

2011 Races:  Longmont Sprint Tri - June 6th.  Venus de Miles bike ride Aug 28th. I hope to do an open water tri sometime this summer if I can get to the pool more often

Weightloss: well like I said 40 lbs last year. I have another 30 I'd like to lose but have maintained since last August.

I hope by participating in this program I will be able to stick to my training more easily

Wow! I'm so excited to see so many new faces, and so many posts! I just scanned things now. After my kids are in bed, I've done my time on the trainer, and hubby is off to his gig, I'll start writing replies.

For now, I want to say a general welcome to  every one!

Still no definitive answer as to whether my daughters wrist is broken. She has the splint off now, (per Dr. orders), to see how she's feeling in a couple of hours. 

It looks like we have some great people who have joined us- I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

-Heidi

Wow! I'm so excited to see so many new faces, and so many posts! I just scanned things now. After my kids are in bed, I've done my time on the trainer, and hubby is off to his gig, I'll start writing replies.

For now, I want to say a general welcome to  every one!

Still no definitive answer as to whether my daughters wrist is broken. She has the splint off now, (per Dr. orders), to see how she's feeling in a couple of hours. 

It looks like we have some great people who have joined us- I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

-Heidi

Cynthia!  Welcome to Act 2 of MoP!  Glad to have you re-up :-)

Good luck in Napa this weekend - remember to drink the wine *after* the race. Can't wait to read your race report!

And congrats on surviving pre-cal.  That's a terrific accomplishment and one that I know was a serious challenge for you... enjoy a well deserved break!

-Stu

Welcome to MoP, Melanie and congrats on hitting the big 5-0!  (new age group, yay!)  Isn't it great to make personal bests at our "mature" age :-) 

Count on me to start bugging you with questions when I start trying to figure out the whole marathon thing.  I have a friend who has done some of those ultras... she claims that it isn't as hard on you as a marathon.  Hmmmm... they both sound pretty impressive to me.

Good for you on the bike commuting.  I did some of that last year, but I just moved offices and now am about 35 miles from work and I wish the roads were a bit more bike friendly here. 

-Stu

I've got the years, not sure about the personality ;-)

Hi Jessica and welcome to MoP!

Sounds like you have a super active family... fantastic!  and 5 weeks to go until your first tri - that's really exciting!  Smart to start with a pool tri as the OWS (open water swim) definitely adds a few new dimensions and it sounds like you might be a little light on the swimming for now (which, so long as you avoid drowning is probably the one to let slide).

So welcome aboard and we're all looking forward to helping you achieve your goals!

-Stu

I think we've done got us a group!  Here's a quick list of everyone (I hope - If I missed you or made a mistake it's b/c I'm doing this while watching PBS, not because I'm old and senile).  We might have a straggler or two from January's group join in (I promised them all they'd always have a spot with the new group).

It looks like a great group that can truly help each other.  We have lots of ages and many different experiences.  So ask questions, answer questions, cheer on your fellow MoPers and let's get rolling!

-Stu

So it's pretty early (6:20am).  I'm waiting for the paper to arrive.

I had to make sure my highschooler got off to her regatta today.  We were both up at 5:00am.  There's been a complete change in the race schedule since they posted it at noon yesterday.  I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make her race.  Race location is not optimal for changes in plans.  She's a coxswain.  

I plan on getting in a 30 mile training ride today.  In fact one of my goals is to actually do training rides.  My only training for my race last year was commuting to work.  My round-trip commute is either 15 or 18 miles depending on whether I get dropped off at the trailhead.  This year needs to be different.  So weekend rides are a must.

This week I also started my weekday runs in my new Merrell Pace Glove shoes.  They are minimalist barefoot type.  So far so good.  No calf or other soreness.  I've had PF issues in the past and one knee is starting to bother me so strengthening my feet and other supporting muscles is important I think.  I will stick with my regular shoes for my longer weekend runs.

Hi Kelty,

Yep, we charged for the January program, but this summer one is totally free ;-)  Anyway, I think we can probably squeeze another person in ...[rearranging bikes on the rack a bit]... yep, you're all set.  Just watch out for Tom's Wheaties. 

To join, you'll see the 2nd post on page one a format that you can use to introduce yourself to the rest of the group (and you can read through everyone else's which are scattered over the first 5 pages of this thread).

Welcome aboard! 

-Stu

Oh My! I've got some catching up to do...dishes will have to wait

I apologize in advance- I'm going to flood this group with responses now. It works best for me when I quote what you wrote- so sorry, it's going to take up some room.

Hello Thomas- It sounds like you have a busy week. I didn't see any bike time in your week plan. Do you have any scheduled?

Welcome Erin. I've been really interested in the P90X. Did you get bored with it at all? 

Welcome to MOP Matt! When is the Bear Lake Sprint?

I think it's great that your kids are motivating you to try running and tri's. I love how families feed off of each other. Once the positive energy gets started by one family member, it becomes contagious for others.

-Heidi

Welcome back Joanne! How is your achilles doing?

-Way to go, on completing and surviving your first week of HIM training!

-Heidi

Hello Grisel,

what distance is the  June 12 tri?