MightyMojoMentorGroup -- (Full House!) (Page 4)

Steve,

Thanks for letting me join! And on the bikes being flatflatflat, that is how everything is around me. While on the cross country trip, We started off by cutting across Colorado and the rockies, I almost cried when I saw the foothills let alone the mountain passes we climbed. No one understood that for me to train on hill requires a parking garage. 

Jito, 

I went to the Houston game and what a fantastic one it was. I had a blast. I am def. going to look into that oly tri because I was trying to figure out a race inbetween the NOLA and Augusta. 

P.S. Really Excited about the group!

Steve - you stand correct.  The Alabama and LSU game was upsetting at first knowing our offence and Special Teams did not show up for the game, but after I chewed my arm off and poured salt over the wound, I knew that if they played hard for the rest of the season then they should have a good shot at a rematch, and now we have it.  I feel that Alabama will show up to this game and I feel sorry for the LSU defense, because they are going to have a real tough time stopping Trent Richardson, especially after coming in third for the Heisman.  He is going to go out there and show the country what a real RB is made of. ROLL TIDE ROLL.

Tyler - I bet that game was awesome to be at. I watched most of the game and Southern Miss really went out there an showed everyone what playing at +100% is all about.

Hokie Jeff - Yes Jan 9th will be a day for all the country to celebrate when LSU is taken off their high horse and the mad hatter can go home with no National Championship

Well it looks like we are really going to have a good group of folks in this group and I look forward to chating with everyone and learning more about the tri sport.

Thanks for the HR input Steve. I can use 'feel' some of the time fairly accurately.......I think. Next month, when things slow down a bit, I think I'm going to take the tests to see what my working HR should be on the bike and the run and then give it a try in my training. The Be Iron Fit book I've been reading has a protocol to follow so I'll do that. I'll commit to it for this season and see how it works out.

Johanne

stevebradley - 2011-12-20 11:37 AM ANNE! What a pleasant surprise! Not only hadn't I heard back from you via email, but I was sure you would continue to keep your own counsel, away from the wild and woolly world of the mentor groups. OF COURSE, I will have you back; need you really ask?? Enjoy Bikram, and regards to Ken!

Thanks, Steve!  Glad you'll have me.   I love learning from you and the rest of the group - doesn't matter how seasoned we get, seems like we can always learn something new - I especially like the support when the going gets tough!   I remember what DOES scare me about these groups - you have to be diligent about checking in to stay on top of things.   I opened up the computer this morning and there were 43 new posts!   

Until I get back home (Kitchener, Ontario, for the rest of the group) when I can do a proper bio,  I will keep reading and maybe do a couple of short posts.  

Ken is at the pool this morning and we are heading out for 13km of walk/run mid day.   Sunny and warm here in New West.    

Hello Everyone,

I have a few questions on my running.  Today I went out on a 2 mile run and completed in 23:58. The folks from our old group know that my running was the weakest of the sports.  Last year I had several injuries that would not allow me to run.  This morning I started off with around 5 min walk and when I started running my HR was 106.  What I planned to do was at each ½ mile check my HR, count my cadence and then walk 1mile.   At the .5mile I counted my cadence and it was 78 and HR was around 165. After I counted the cadence I walked for 1 minute.  After mile 1 my cadence was 75 and HR was 177, then I walked for 1min. At my 1.5 I did not count cadence but my HR was 178.  Just before my 2 my cadence was 78 and HR 179.

Ok 1^st questions what is a good cadence to work my way up to.  I read on Mark Allen’s website that 90 was good and I think Steve once said 90 was a good one.  2^nd question deals with the HR.  I know there are several different tools to determine your running and cycling HR.  Since cycling is my strong part, I have no problem doing the test, but for running the test I have seen that makes sense requires you to be running for about 30 minutes.  Well as you can see above, 30min running is not an option at this time, maybe in a month or so, but not now.  On Mark Allen’s website he says to take 180-age and then add a certain number depending on how often you train.  Well after I did the calculation it said my aerobic HR is 143.  I don’t see that be a good one for me since after just a casual 5min walk this morning, my HR was up to 106 so 143 will be like a nice fast walk.  Please give me your thoughts.

Hello Everyone,  

I have enjoyed reading the posts and getting to know a bit about each of you.  

In my initial post, I mentioned my priority is running this year.   Since I started doing triathlon, I have had mixed success with running.   First year of try-a-tri's was good; next year injured; following year good; next year injured; and so on.   In looking back, we think the big problem was that my cardio fitness (which was very good) didn't match my body fitness (muscles, tendons, ligaments).   I had always done lots of spin classes, elliptical, etc.   So when I learned to run - 2 things - I wanted to run fast and my cardio allowed it - but I didn't have ANY running base so kept getting injured (never the same ones). 

Last winter was having some success, but as is my tendency, overdid things again and come March had to stop again.   So last 2 years have been aqua/bikes (several half iron distance).   SO, I am back at it again, but this time I said to myself that I have to be able to walk at least 40km w/o injury before I get serious into running again.  

I am currently on a 24 week marathon walking program and registered for a 30km race on March 30th in Hamilton, Ontario called Around the Bay.   

The walking is going great and I must confess that I have been putting some running into the mix but only on my shorter distances during the week - after 40 minutes of walking I will run 2km.   My long walks are on the weekend and once I have walked that distance at least once, then I am putting a bit of running in there as well.   

So far, I have been very disciplined, but it IS getting harder not to run.   It is actually much easier than race walking.   

Until later, 

Anne

Folks,

A little  about me:

Name: Tsvi (pronounced: sve)

Story: I was a swimmer in High School and kind of active in my earlier years, some biking, running and hiking.  About 15 years ago I was diagnosed with non-Hogskins Lymphoma went through the standard CHOP treatment but relapsed after 3 years and had a second and third round of chemotherapy.  I now have been in remission and pretty much a couch potato for 10 years.  Last October I joined the local wellness center and started swimming.  By January I was doing 20 miles a month.  While I was looking for swim workouts a came across Beginner Triathlete.  Well swimming did not seem a problem, I once ran 5 and 10Ks , and I know how to ride a bike.   Why not?  So I checked with my Doctor and signed up for my first Triathlon.  Took out my 35 year old ten speed (a true 10 speed 5x2), bought a pair of running shoes and started to train using the 16 week Original Sprint program as a guide.  Ten weeks later I was in Smithfield for my first race and I finished, did more of a 5K walk than run but finished.  But I was hooked!   By the end of the season I had done two more sprints, an  aquathon a 5k and two 10K runs.  I am currently training for a Marathon with TNT but really can’t wait until two week later when I will repeat the Smithfield Triathlon.

 Family Status: Married, 2 Married Sons, 1 Daughter, 1 grand daughter and a grand dog

 Current Training: I have been training about 6-7 hours a week mostly running in preparation for the Shamrock in March,   I should peek at about 10 hours in late February.   I have a spin class once a week and am swimming 3000 to 4000M a week plus some short strength workouts when at the gym. 

2012 Races: Currently looking  at a 20012 schedule as follows:

• Shamrock Marathon (Mar)                                        
• Smithfield Sprint (Mar)                                            
• Riverwood Sprint NC (Apr)                                       
• Run for Dream ½ Marathon (May)
• Old Point Tri (Jun)
• Colonial Beach Sprint or Inter (Jul)
• Goochland Sprint (Aug)
• Patriot’s Sprint (or 1/2IM ?) or National Tri (Sep)
• Giant Acorn Sprint or Inter (Oct)

Weight Loss: I started at about 200 lbs.  I am currently 178 lbs.

Thought I would share. Today while on my run I got some UN-intentional interval training. On the first 3 miles of the 5 I was chased by 5 different dogs. 3 labs and 2 smaller breed. It forced me to randomly sprint for about 100 yds. I usually do a 2.5 out and back but I switched it up so I didnt have to go back that way. 

Hope everyones day is going well. 

If your having trouble staying motivated I really like reading this.....

"Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body." 

-Lynn Jennings

Hi Jito. 

I'm just a rank beginner for running myself.  My run this morning was 3.25 miles (I run 10 min and walk 2 min) and my 5K pace was 39:32.  Not fast but ok for now.  I don't usually worry about my cadence but I know from when I have counted that I am somewhere around 78-ish.  When I started running in March this year my HR leaped up to 178-ish pretty quick.  Today I averaged 146-152.  I think as I build my endurance my HR is slowly settling down.

I believe/hope that if I can run consistently (I don't - yet) then my HR will continue to settle down and as my speed increases my cadence will also increase (aiming for 90).  I think with HR it is not as important what it is when you start your run as it is how quickly it comes down when you slow to a walk.  I don't keep close track but I think my HR slows from 150-ish to 118 within 6 minutes of stopping a run (I usually keep walking at a brisk pace for the 6 minutes to cool down).

I hope this helps a bit.  George Z.

Hey Steve - Thanks for having me again! It will be fun being a part of a group consisting of people you've mentored before. I so look forward to learning more from you and those you've mentored.

So...onto my bio:

Name: Trina

Story - Played softball and volleyball from age 7-33. For the next 10 years I did the gym thing, but only saw weight loss results at the beginning. Gained a significant amount of weight. Three (?) years ago the hubs bought me a hybrid bike to ride around the lake we live next to. Loved it and then winter came. Decided to learn to swim laps at the local Y. Learned how and loved it. Then the idea to run and compete in triathlons came to me - I thought maybe I'd do one or two then call it quits. Boy was I wrong. Completed a few and am officially addicted. Looking to hopefully complete my first HIM late 2012 (maybe sooner?). 

Family - I'm 46. I am married 25 years to my adoring husband, Steve. We have one son, Bradley, 27, who works for one of our family businesses. I used to be a social worker but retired from that three years ago. I too work for one of our businesses. We also have three geriatric animals: Krissy and Gretchen (litter mates) are 13 year old Mini Schnauzers, and 'Ol Max is a 17 year old tom cat. 

Current training - Running is an issue for me. I'm slow. I trained for my first Half Mary in December, but the weather prohibited me from participating. So now I'm in a training holding pattern: Continued training for Half Mary in late February, with most of my other training focused on bike. Only swim once a week since it's my "strongest" tri sport. I'm also newly into Mountain biking and hiking, both of which get me outside and off the street. Since it's so hot here in Oklahoma during the summer, winter is a great time to mountain bike and hike.

2011 Races: An indoor mini tri at the YMCA, Gateway to the Bay Sprint Tri, Cap-Tex Tri Olympic, and Redman Half Aquabike. Also a few benefit bike rides and a couple of 5Ks and a 10K.  

2012 Races: So far I've only scheduled Cowtown Half Mary in late February. Will probably add a sprint shortly after that, then a couple of olys, sprinkle a few 5Ks into the mix, mostly just whatever tickles my fancy. Will not race June-August in Oklahoma due to extreme heat, then will pick up my tri season again in late September with a HIM at Redman. Unless I find another that sounds funner.

2012 Goals: Complete my first half mary. Complete my first HIM. Stay injury free. Break through my weight loss plateau. Stay injury free.

Weight Loss: Lost 40+ lbs in the past 1.5 years. I've been plateaued for 6 months. I'd really love to lose 20 -25lbs more so that I won't injure myself on the increased mileage for half marys and HIMs. Also would help with my bike times. This is challenging because I love to cook and eat!

Everything you ever wanted to know about Karen:

NAME: obviously, Karen!

STORY: I was always the lazy, fat girl, who pretended not to care.  I was in a car accident probably 7 years ago and started suffering headaches after that.  My doctor sent me to physical therapy, where I had the best therapist/trainer anyone could ask for.  Because of him, I realized that it was actually fun to work out and I started loosing some weight in the process.  After my PT was done, I continued on at the gym.  As I lost weight, I started running and walking around the track.  I decided to set my goal at a 5k, and when I met that I was so excited and surprised with myself that I was actually able to accomplish a physical goal.  I continued on for a couple years doing 5ks and feeling good about myself when I would beat my last race time.  Don't get me wrong, I am still slow, but I was out there doing something that I never imagined myself doing and actually liking!  The year I was to turn 40 (I am 44 now), I decided that 5ks were no longer a challenge - I knew that I could continue to work on getting faster, but I also knew that I would be able to finish the race and I wanted a new challenge.  I decided that triathlon was that new challenge.  My wonderful husband bought me a bike that Christmas and I have not looked back!

FAMILY:  I have been married to Tom for 10 years.  We don't have any children, but do have a crazy cat named Higgins and a retired greyhound named Magnum.

CURRENT TRAINING: Wow, not much right now!  My running will kick into full swing come the new year.  During race season, I usually do 2 training sessions a day.  I don't like to get up too early!!  I try to do 3 swims per week in the mornings and 4 runs and 4 bikes either in the morning or after work.  I do have a trainer/coach that I used for my HIM and she was wonderful.  It was nice to just look at a schedule and do what I was told - no thinking involved!  I usually train alone, but occasionally will swim or bike with a friend.  I don't know that I feel totally confident in my abilities yet to try any group training!  I have been slacking about logging my training, but with you all to check up on me, I will do it consistently!

2011 RACES: This past year was a year of many firsts for me.  In addition to 2 sprint tris, a couple of 5ks and a Bike MS ride, I also did my first 10k, my first half marathon, and my first half ironman.  I had an incredibly fun year and am so thankful that I was able to do all that I did!

 
2012 RACES: Hm, I am not really sure yet.  I am registered for the half marathon again with the goal of bettering my time.  The 2 sprints that I did last year I hope to do again.  And maybe another HIM in September.  I have my eye on one I am  thinking about!

2012 GOALS: Stay healthy, stay consistent with my training, don't crash on my bike again, and have fun!

WEIGHTLOSS: I lost around 130 pounds about 5 years ago.  I have for the most part kept it off, but I have recently realized after my HIM that some of my pants are getting a little tight!  Also, I have not been training like I do during race season.  I am not really worried about it, as I know that it will come off again.  I would really like to work on not slacking off so much at the end of my racing season!!

I look forward to getting to know you all!

Karen

Okay -Me; Jeff

This will be my second full season of multisport. I was an active cyclist, Cat 4 road racing and Ultramarathons from about 1990 to 2001 including innumerable criteriums, a few 24 hour races and some cross state rides-Austin to Dallas St Louis to KC, Texas to Ks, and across Louisianan maybe others that I have forgotten. I never did a transcontinental ride-I never had that kind of time or money However I did serve on a support crew for RAAM one year and at a Time Station another year. After '01 I started to get sort of serious about my career-made some moves etc, I also got my pilot's license, met my wife, bought a house (fixer upper) and got fat.

In the summer of 2010 after finally getting my home livable and sort of settling down I noticed I was getting winded and walking around with my pants unbuttoned because I kept out growing them ! In July I was watching The Tour remember what I used to do and felt intense disgust for myself-drug my old bicycle out and struggled through a 10 mile ride, the next week I bought running shoes and started shuffling around my neighborhood. I also started searching the web for some focus, I found this site, read up on Triathlons which had grown immensely since the '90s. I picked a duathlon to focus on for my birthday in October and my first sprint Tri in Nov 2010, pretty soon added swimming, started adding running events, had my first overuse injury ever, by Jan 1 2011 I had done a half marathon and started signing up for tri's and anything else I could find. 2011 I did my first half Ironman in Branson MO, an Olympic in KCMO, 5 sprints, 4 bicycle rallies and about 10 5/10k's 2 Half marathons and 1 full.

This sport got my old competitive energy back, got my waist back around 30-32" instead of 36-38 and improved my overall sense of well being because I no longer have to hear myself talk about "used to". From the previous mentor group I got valuable feedback and support on things like swimming which are new to me and injury management as well as "restraint" which has been a life long struggle for me. The group and the forum in general really helped me "catch up" with technology and the science of endurance sport which had left me behind back when hear rate monitors were THE state of art training tool and GPS was reserved for airline pilots and high end cars

For 2012 I am looking at a more limited but focused effort. There are some running events and one sprint Tri that I intend to finish very well in (for me) as in an AG win. And I intend to take a shot at an Iron distance race-perhaps Redman sense I may have missed the boat for Ironman in 2012. I have begun a small start up business that has filled my time and energies. I have an idea how to shape my training around this but I will probably not get the same kind of volume I did in 2011. If the business takes off I can leave my full time job and perhaps do lots of things, if not I am hooping it pays for itself and perhaps finances my racing.

Also I have 2 adult daughters from my previous marriage, my "current" wife, a pet pig, dog, some chickens and assorted cats. I let the rabbits go having lost too many in this years heat wave. If there is ever anytime left I still dabble with wood working and should probably renew my medical and shoot some touch n goes soon too. I currently work as a licensed substance abuse counselor and have begun a decorative concrete engraving and staining business.

FWIW I am ALWAYS planning, plotting and setting goals of one sort of another-in my head they are always intertwined and related but to outsiders they can seem sort of random a little psychotic.

Hi Steve and Fellow Former Mojoistas,

I would like to come back and join the group.  Steve promised that when he moved he would tell me where.   I have been doing all kinds of things that do not actually revolve around training for triathlon but I have the best of intentions.

This will be my 4th year of triathlons ( that seems like a lot since I have been spectacularly unsuccessful). Anyway I started because as I get older I knew I could not just run and  this forced me to get to the pool. I don't mind swimming once I get in the pool but getting there takes some major effort. 

Family:  I am married now for what will be 25 years next August. We have one son who is 19. He is a sophomore at Lehigh University.  He runs for them.  I like to think it is genetic but I guess it is one of those genes that skips a generation. 

Current Training:  I think I covered that.

2011 Races: I did the local races.  Columbia Triathlon, Eagleman (not too far) and the Nation's Tri.  I volunteered at others and generally enjoyed finishing. 

2012 Races:  Same 3, plus there is an Olympic at Fort Ritchie which is close to where I love in Frederick, MD.  My plan is to follow a training plan for Eagleman since that is a Half Iron and all else will fall into line.  We will see.

2012 Goals: Lose some weight and improve my run times.  Oh yes...I need to learn to swim straight. 

Weightloss:  Hope so.

Good Mentor?  Steve is an excellent mentor.  It may not be obvious but I learned a lot from him last year and hope to learn a lot more.  I also learned a lot from the other group members.  Overall it was a wonderful experience.  It is also really cool to have a merger of his groups since the more input you get the better off you are.  Just Take what you need and leave the rest.  I believe that is from the Band (long, long time ago)

Ellen

Just something to mention to people that have been in mentor groups before and especially those who haven't: following along can be overwhelming, especially at the beginning! Don't worry if you are not checking in for a few days. You can either scroll through what you've missed or just jump in when you can. 

This is my PSA for the day

I went on a easy 3 mile run this morning then went to the barn for the farrier to trim 2 horses. Their feet look better than mine. I'm feeding/cleaning/in charge of the barn while the owner is away visiting her Mom for Christmas. I'm glad this is a 'rest' week in my running program because working at the barn is very physical and last time I fed my long run was the pits.

Hope everyone is having a good day,

Johanne

Ditto! 

I love mentor groups!!!!  So much fun to meet new people and feed off of all of the energy.  Taking advantage of the end of year time off of work and got in a run and a swim today + an AM stretch session.  Will get another stretch session in this PM.

Tomorrow's a big day for me as I'm taking the series 65 exam which will qualify me to become a registered investment advisor.  Have the LLC set up and will start the business part time shortly after the first of the year.

Wow! The heterogeneity in this group is exciting! So many people from various athletic backgrounds, ages, fitness levels and tri experience...Can't wait to get to know you all more. And a lot of non-LSU fans Giggity!

Question: I don't know if this is related to tri training or not, but I have caught a head cold, the first one in almost 3 years, and I am STARVING! My belly growls all of the time - I want to eat an entire fried chicken by myself. Typically when I have a cold I have zero appetite. What up with this?? I trained pretty hard last month for my Half Mary, but would that make me hungry now? I obviously have a rudimentary understanding of how my body stores and burns calories...

I'm not on any meds such as steroids, etc that might increase my appetite. This is so strange. Anyone have input or ideas as to why I've got the appetite of a sumo wrestler?

I'm blaming all my starving tendencies on Christmas cookies.

Not sure why you would be so hungry when you're sick other then your body might be feeling the need to store up. Isn't the saying, feed a cold, starve a fever?

Feed a cold, starve a fever is exactly what I was saying to my husband last night as I finished-off an entire tin of peppermint bark!