Manatee Mentors 2016 - Part deux (Page 48)

Sterling is a beautiful area! It is only an hour or so from either Glasgow or Edinburgh. I can only imagine it would be a lovely course.

I found a bunch of the pics:

https://goo.gl/photos/HQdz43BBuxQHpV5a9

I NEVER ride in the rain or storms around here. I had to do the NYC tri in the pouring rain/ thunderstorms. Who knew that you could get blisters with bike shoes on? (need some that drain). The NYC roads have LOTS of potholes so don't trust puddles they can hide bigger holes than you think. Photochromatic glasses were a win. Pelting rain was not fun. However, it was cooler than expected and that really helped my subsequent run (using that term loosely).

Avoid greasy looking spots and road paint, and keep the rubber side down

yay! And G-man is in it, don't know how I missed him before!  Thanks, Chris. I enjoy seeing everyone's fur kids, but that picture of Staci's brood cracks me up every time!! 

Sorry for the dreary forecast!  I've ridden in rain a couple of times - though neither was a down pour. As others have said, proper sunglasses, avoid paint lines and greasy areas and I'll add watch your speed in the turns or anytime you have to slow down and make sure to dry your bike as soon as you can and oil/grease the parts that take oil/grease!

I have to commend Dave.  His Strava has been hilarious!

First off, they can hardly forecast the weather for tomorrow accurately.  Try not to stress about the weather on Sunday too much just yet.

Riding in the wet - Stay off the white lines.  Braking is different in the wet so watch that.

(FROM STEVE) 

I've thought a lot about this over the years.  More so recently as I've been forced to take time off and explore all those other things I never had time for.  The fact of the matter is that there are so many familiar routines that I so dearly love within bike/swim/run and I long for the days when I can get in 10-12 workouts in during the week.  More specifically, I love the trail routes that I run and even though I can only run a few miles at a time I go to my favorite trails and do an abbreviated version.

Last night I got in 30 minutes on my trainer which is setup in front of a big screen with surround sound and I road along the last miles of one of the stages of the Tour of California off of Youtube.  I can't wait to get into the small local lake I swim in.  My 10 year old son said he would be my lifeguard and kayak next to me.  And this is just the training.  I love the atmosphere of a race whether it is a local 5k or IM.  I fear I'm addicted for life. 

Welcome to the Pod, Bryce! 

A slightly wacky, but always wonderful, group, this. 

First, apple chips and hummus... notsomuch

Second, coach. The weekend came and went without the "proposal" which has me again wondering if I should do it myself. Yes, I could just ask him about it but if he is slow getting that to me how much more so once we have an agreement (and he's already getting paid)? I do remember a couple times when I was last working with him that I got the weeks workouts after the week had started.  Just has me second guessing again, I guess   Started looking at plans myself. Just nervous about the combination 50 miler and metric century only a few weeks apart. OTOH how tough can it be? Add some bike sessions on rest or short run days. Right?

Third, made a Jambalaya recipe from the Feed Zone Table over the weekend. So good! Was unsure about using frozen mussels but it was fine.

This post has been rattling around in my head the last few days, and I just wanted to say thanks.  It's one of the most inspiring things I've read, in its quietly powerful way.

I think I've gone back and read it a half dozen times already.  Just so great to feel the gratitude, enjoyment and love for what you're doing come through so clearly!  So important to enjoy the journey, not just the destination...

I too love me some racing, but I suspect this gets to the heart of why so many people stay with some form of sport through the years.

Again, just wanted to say thanks.

Matt

ETA from whom the quote came (I got overzealous with the delete button!)

Much that I find here is much more in depth than simple S/B/R. Thanks Steve and Matt.

Welcome Bryce!

I find myself in the midst of a family emergency again, this time with one of our daughters. It seems to be a never ending cycle. I may be dropping in a little less for the rest of the week. 

Chris, prayers for your fam and especially your daughter.

Hands, that quote freaked me out. I saw your post before I saw Chris' and it looked like you were having the daughter emergency. Which, of course, had me quite confused

It looks like I'm headed to Colorado this weekend to help step dad sort through Mom's stuff. Not a crisis, just not looking forward to it. (And pizzed because my stoopid siblings who are 7 hours closer aren't doing it)

Thinking of you!

I don't think that coaches (potential or actual or whatever) realize just how stressful this waiting is for us!

I've raced a couple times in the rain, notably last year (with one including hail - that was actually kinda fun).  Agree with above - wet paint is like ice, sometimes, and you have to be a bit more careful on corners (not just of yourself, but be more aware of what the other riders are doing so they don't take you down).  I also ride slightly lower pressure in my tires (maybe 10 pounds), but that might just be me...  As Janyne said, don't stress out yet - Sunday's a long way away!

Segue to this past weekend - and LOTS of rain!  Had the Autism Speaks 8k Saturday.  Wonderful event, ran with Kim and 2 of the kids, with our youngest volunteering on course - a blast!  Went only a little slower than last year, so I was VERY happy with that.

Yesterday was the CapTex-not-quite-Tri. We've had deadly flooding here of late (6 people died in the last week), so the "lake" (actually a dammed river) was a-flowing swiftly.  They canceled the swim on Sunday, as test swims by strong swimmers weren't able to make it upstream.  Same as last year, and I expected a Du event. 

Then there was CRAZY lightning and downpours yesterday morning.  They evacuated transition early and everyone sheltered in the Event Center garage (and actually had a lot of fun just hanging around together) waiting for it to stop.  It didn't...  They only had the streets blocked for so long, so they canceled the bike.

Viola! The CapTexUnathlon10k was born! 

Started in the rain, finished in the sun - day turned fair on the second lap.  Everyone that stayed and ran was good natured and having fun.  There were some grumblers who left earlier (I felt particularly bad for the folks that traveled to the race, especially the ones who took it with good grace, and don't get blaming LifeTime or HighFiveEvents - they worked their tails off to try to make this a good event).  Ran the "10k" (was a bit short, by my reckoning) close to last year's pace, too.

LifeTime/HighFive have gone the extra mile with this one.  Anyone who registered in '14, '15 and '16 (all disaster weather weekends) gets to register next year for $25 (instead of like $160).  15/16 for $50 and even if just this year can register for $75 next year.  Nice touch, and I hope it keeps this race alive and vital!

So, my return to "triathlon" racing ended up with ~18k of hard running, no bike and no swim, but it was an awesome weekend nonetheless.

Hope you all had a great one.

Matt

I find myself in the midst of a family emergency again, this time with one of our daughters. It seems to be a never ending cycle. I may be dropping in a little less for the rest of the week. 

I hope all the US podmates had a good long weekend.

Welcome Bryce!

TJ, sorry to hear about your coach not stepping up.  Hope all goes well with your stepdad.

Chris, sending good thoughts for you and yours.

Laura, be careful when cornering and avoid the paint!  

Have a great week all.