Asphalt Junkies CLOSED AND GETTING OUR FIX (Page 46)

Similar but I don't really feel like it is an esophageal thing going on.  Mine is more like a chest expansion thing.  It’s like I can’t get enough air into my lungs and I am incapable of actually taking a deep breath.  Maybe a bronchial constriction of some sort?  I doubt it is an asthmatic condition too.  I have asked my wife (nurse) and she thinks I need to have it checked out and believes there is a possibility that I have sports induced asthma, as you stated.  The trouble is I would blow some of the asthma testing procedure off the charts and then they would want to test me for allergies and blah, blah, blah……………….

I also usually only experience this when racing triathlon too.  I don’t seem to have problems when it is a running race of any distance.  After running 5k’s through marathons at hard to very hard paces, I don’t recall experiencing these symptoms for anything other than triathlon.  I actually think it has more to do with an intense effort on the bike and then transition into running.  I have noticed similar phenomena with longer, harder bikes when I don’t run afterward.   I actually probably should have some type of medical evaluation done but……….well I don’t want to.

I'm doing the Island Lake OLY that weekend.  I'll buy you a gatorade.  

Karl good luck with the new swim instructor tonight. Swimming has been the must fustrating thing that I have ever done but I have made a lot of progress in short amount of time. I still have a long way to go but the lessons I took were a huge help, enough so that I think I will be ready to do the Tri's that I have lined up to do this season. I don't think you need to grow gills just be persistent and it will get better.

Sorry..didn't realize anyone posted over on my RR.  Thanks!

To answer your questions, no I didn't eat anything during the race.  I had probably one or two sips of water/infinit on the bike, that's it.  I had one gel with caffeine about 30 mins before the start like usual.

The cramps were literally like I had been doing sit-ups for an hour and a half.  Both sides of my actual ab muscles eventually cramped from the top to the bottom.  I think this is what limited me from taking a deep breath.  I couldn't relax at all.  And I would tend to agree...sort like I had a belt around my chest and I couldn't expand it.  I knew something was wrong because I had no issues with my legs at all.  I knew I wasn't pushing the pace because when I do that during my training runs, my legs start to feel at least a small amount of fatigue after a while.  There was none of that at all.

I'm wondering how much of a head case I actually am during a race.  How much emotion is taking control?  I was swimming and had to breath every other stroke at 1:33, but in practice I can keep 1:25 and breathe hard?  Doesn't make sense.

This is very usual for me, but I can't eat anything for a couple hours after a race.  I never can eat any of the post-race barbeque or anything.  Totally sucks.  My stomach KILLS if I do that.  I tried to have a couple gummy bears and that was enough to about double me over.

NICE!  New swim coach is great.  You'll definitely learn a lot.  Remember to ask a lot of questions.

Ah, I forgot that. I did actually do some exercises to start strengthening the vastus medialis as you suggested last week. Standing with both legs straight and to contracting the quads and holding for 10 seconds then relaxing and repeating. Also some leg extensions without weights, but I admit I only did those a couple of days early last week. I've been trying to spend a little more time on the bike these past couple of days too.

I'll be at the YMCA in a little over an hour for my swim. I'll hit the leg extension machine for some quad work too.

I think it would be great if you 2 could meet and spend a little time together as members of this group.  I have enjoyed meeting other members of the group at different times over the past couple of years at races and I find it pretty motivating.

Of course!  

Funny story about BT and that Island Lake tri from a couple years ago actually... I had finished up the sprint and was cheering on the Olympic distance folks who were running.  Then suddenly, a guy I don't know runs past me (he's in the race) and is like, "Are you Samantha?!" I was so taken aback!  It turns out to be someone from BT who I hadn't met before, but he recognized me from my profile pic!  I was VERY impressed with him because he actually recognized me from my photo WHILE I'm sure he must have been very tired- he was just starting the second lap of his run!!  And, he mustered up the energy to yell at me.  It was awesome.  A similar thing happened at another tri too.  I was on the run course, and I hear my name being called out as I'm coming down the homestretch, didn't know who it was.  I later found out it was a BTer who I hadn't met- I found out it was her after mentioning it in my race report and she told me it was her. 

Okay I know my recent posts have been a bit of a downer so here is one that is more upbeat.

After doing several sets of leg extensions, leg presses, and some leg curls I headed out to the pool for a swim. After my usual easy 2x50 warmup I did 2x100 at what has become my "normal" 100 interval pace of about 1:48/100. I then did a 200, just trying to breathe easy and focus on form a bit. My time was 3:38 for the 200. That is only 1 second slower than my all out effort 200 back in January! Plus I still had plenty of energy in me to go another 650 yards to finish my workout.

I'm slowly going from being a BOP swimmer towards being a MOP swimmer and I like it!

Samantha, I have met a couple of people from BT at races and it has been a really good experience each time. One of them may even be in this group (Brenda).  I have met several people that I track in races and through their training logs.  It has become really fun to try to meet up with these people and race with them.

Matt, We usually allow all of our raw sewage to drain into the lakes and ponds but you kind of get used to it.  Actually the run course s kind of hilly for the Muncie races.  My first triathlon was at Muncie and it was my first Oly too, so no complaining about how hard your first Oly is.  You've already had a few races under your belt.

Vero, Sounds like a great swim.  You should be happy with your swimming.  Making a solid gain in such a short period of time is pretty good.  Keep a slow focus on form and watch those time fall more.  Once you feel you've gotten a solid form then you can start to pound out some speed sets.

Tracy, Take your time catching up on things.  There's no need to keep us up on every detail of your training if you don't have time.  The group is here to make things better for you, not create another stressor for you to cram into everyday.  Don't feel you have to post a comment to everyone either as that may feel like more stress for you too. Take your time and enjoy the group and before to long you're going to have to be giving me running advice.  Anyone who places themselves in the 5 of any race record books is worth listening to.

I have my last day teaching preschool today. I am quitting this position and will focus on staying home with my daughter next year. I'm feeling a little sentimental. The children will sing some songs and have a short play for their parents this morning. I have to be the teacher and the mom as my daughter is in my class. Hope I don't start getting all weepy in front of the whole room!

I was considering racing on Mother's day. Another wait and see type of race for me. It is a very small local sprint. I've not been feeling good all week though so I'm just not sure this would be a very positive experience. My stomach troubles are better but I am waking up with headaches every day, not sleeping and just feel generally exhausted. It is all I can do to just keep up the motivation to get through my workouts.  If I don't race I will volunteer and possibly meet up with a fellow BTr for a long ride after the race!

Have fun and pace yourself. You'll do great!

Great news on the swim improvement!

Mambos, good luck this weekend..scuba gear..lol  You'll do GREAT!  remember to post a report.

Well I started with another swim instructor, a senior in highschool.  He was just matter of fact, told me I wasn't rotating enough and was having to twist my head and lift it to get my breath...I have noticed my neck being sore but thought I just had to get used to it.  He also said I was kicking w/ knees instead of hips and it was causing my legs to drop and drag. Anyway, i have PLENTY to work on in my spare time...lol

Today was just interval running and stationary bike ride. 

Matt - have a great race this weekend, your typical training load will have you ready.  Funny on the scuba gear - at my last sprint last summer I saw someone with a snorkel-type thing.  I asked him about it and he explained that he checked into it and it's USAT legal.  He wasn't a very good swimmer and it gave him more confidence.  I'm not proposing anyone do this, but I found it interesting.

Dina - the stages of life do come with sadness but also happiness as it's a natural progression.  Time spend with your daughter at the expense of other stuff will never be a regret.  Good luck as well if you decide to race this weekend.  Give it to yourself as a mother's day gift!

Jonny - Awesome news on the swimming.  That's a great 200 and with much less effort than before.  I'd say you're already close if not MOP.

Tracy - Absolutely x10 on Dirk's comments.  This group is for support, not another job!  Read the posts or don't, but just use it as you can and as it helps you.  It's sometimes just encouraging and uplifting to read everyone else's stories and race reports.

JoAnne - Good job on those sessions.  What is it with this group and dogs????

Karl - Sounds like you have a few things to work on in the water.  I think that's perfect since sometimes we try to change too many things at once.  Get the breathing down and legs streamlined, and I guarantee you'll see some big improvements.

Matt good luck at the Oly this weekend, I think you will do just fine in that race.

Vero, hope the knee improves and soon, sounds like you are making very good progress with you swimming.

Kurt sounds like you got some good tips from your new swim instructor. That's good you have something you can focus in on to help you improve your swimming.

JoAnne sorry to hear about your encounter with the dog yesterday but I am glad to hear that you are ok and that it turned out to be more of an inconvenience than something more serious.

Warren and Dirk will get a kick out of this.  We've been chatting on facebook about the Monster Triathlon that I've just registered for.  You guys are welcome to join me...

I had this email waiting this morning from the race director.  It's kind of fun when a small local hometown race is 'small' in the good sense...that the RD develops a relationship with the athletes that come.

Hi Jeff,

We really do appreciatiate the physical freaks such as yourself
that enter the Monster. 100% gross goes directly to www.deannaglossupfoundation.org
kids. I will send maps of the bike course that is gonna kick some candy . If
you have any questions please contact me. I look forward to seeing you kick some
candy on race day!

Sincerely,

Scott

That's awesome Jeff, and yes, you are a freak.  Love small local events.  We have a great one up north here I love (Eastman), I think Jonathan is doing it, that I'm heartbroken because I have a commitment this year and can't do it.

If I hadn't already signed up for a race the weekend before the Monster, I'd seriously consider figuring out a way to get down there.  Looks like a great cause.  I try to limit myself to one tri per month, both from a $$$ standpoint and a family time standpoint.  I'm breaking the rules this year with back to back 70.3 weekends (first one only as a bike leg of a relay), so I'm already pushing it this year.

Samantha, the 910 is the overly geeky Garmin GPS triathlon watch.