kenj's group closed, training hard and having fun!! (Page 54)

Like my purse I don't unpack my tri bag completely ever. There are things that are always in there but they are in zipper compartments so they don't get in the way of the necessities.

For race day: Helmet, cycling shoes, running shoes, race belt, 2 towels one goes on the ground in transition and one goes on my helmet to dry my hands/face out of the water, swim cap, goggles, hydration, wetsuit (only if wetsuit legal) hat or visor, socks - even if you don't plan to wear socks you should have a pair on hand just in case. Chamois butter, vaseline, body glide hair elastics, gu or chomps (something to eat), black marker, Rescue Remedy, kinesio tape, extra pair of goggles, change of clothes, deodorant, shampoo. I know this seems like a lot but I have a big TYR tri bag that I LOVE! I bolded the stuff that I think everyone should always have in their bag.

I have a color coded list one color is the stuff I can pack the night before, the next color is the stuff I am wearing or goes in the bag the morning of and the third color are things that are nice to have but not necessity.

I think this is totally normal. I am a very social person so I try to make eye contact/recognition of anyone I am running or biking near. Some folks give a smile, wave, atta girl but some act like they don't even see you. I try to give folks a lot of grace though because maybe this is a tough workout for them and their only goal at the moment is to NOT vomit (been there). The ohter thing I will add here is that women especially have to be more cautious. We have all heard stories of women joggers getting mugged, attached, raped while running so some women may not want to make nice because they don't want to send the wrong message.

Hey everyone! I've been MIA for awhile as the family took a trip to the 1000 Islands in Canada. I was able to get in some swimming and running. Have my 2nd tri of the summer this weekend.

Great job to those who have raced over the last few weeks! I'll be catching up on your race reports today.

Sounds like a great time!

July was better than June but with an Oly in September and HIM distance in November it's time to put in more training time.

Works are getting intense with the addition of heat index advisories over 105 to 110.   Rode 113 miles on a very r0ough course for charity Saturday.  Averaged 18.  Rode an intense workout for 2 hours yesterday with 3 time trials for 15 mins each.  Then Ran 1:40.  Kept running but for three water stops.  But so humid it felt like I was breathing water.  Totally sucked.  But taught me some good mental toughness.  Napping like crazy because I seem to be very tired a lot.  Bike is repaired and working very well. Headed to Madison for a brick on Saturday again.  I'm constantly wondering - is it enough?  Won't know until that day.  Long runs are limited to 2:30 for good reason - longer than that gives little fitness plus but raises injury possibilities and recovery time.  What is recovery any way  

Thanks man I need to hear that.  I'm spending too many hours alone in my head.  In AA we tell folks your brain is a bad neighborhood, never go there alone.   But I haven't a choice. Also, I know I'm tired so that plays a part in the weirdness, I am certain.

July totals step up with going into my Olympic to HIM bridge plan..Yesterday's long bike ride then trying to do a 15 minute brick run after that was very tough. I hope I get better at that over the next few weeks..

Here is a copy of my race report from this past weekend..

kenj - 2011-08-02 9:15 AM

KeriKadi - 2011-08-02 10:06 AM Ready for some Tuesday morning bike porn? I think most of you have met Dori but she got some new 'bling' yesterday! Check out her new stickers! I posted in Tri Talk asking about stickers and got the name of a great guy, he was easy to work with, knew what I wanted, sent a mock up almost immediately. The stickers got here yesterday and I put them on the wheel covers, my husband put the covers on the wheel and my bike this morning while I was still sleeping, it was like Christmas. The star is near and dear to my heart for my 5 kids

Very nice Keri!

Is the disc cover white or is that all part of the decal?

Very cool.

kenj - 2011-08-02 9:15 AM

KeriKadi - 2011-08-02 10:06 AM Ready for some Tuesday morning bike porn? I think most of you have met Dori but she got some new 'bling' yesterday! Check out her new stickers! I posted in Tri Talk asking about stickers and got the name of a great guy, he was easy to work with, knew what I wanted, sent a mock up almost immediately. The stickers got here yesterday and I put them on the wheel covers, my husband put the covers on the wheel and my bike this morning while I was still sleeping, it was like Christmas. The star is near and dear to my heart for my 5 kids

Very nice Keri!

Is the disc cover white or is that all part of the decal?

Both actually. I was worried if the sticker was just a star it would be more likely to peel and I like that the whole thing will be easier to clean now. My husband Ken got the white cover for himself, he has a felt and it had all white accents. Then he got a new cover when he bought a used PT and it is black so he switched his accents over to black - handle bar tape, seat etc. So he gave me the white cover and it looked like a plate to me, so generic. I would definitely recommend the guy that made this, he did a GREAT job!

Jon, just read your RR.

Well done!!!

Can't imagine the run/walk was much fun but you finished.

Congratulations on living the dream!!!!

Now for the question: going to do another or was this a (perfectly valid) bucket list item?

Well actually I set my plan for the next two years.  Next year I plan on racing a couple olympics and 4 HIM races next year to figure out how to combat the cramps and nail electrolytes.  My plan is to return to Lake Placid in 2013 for a sub 13 hour race and then do New Zeland in 2014.

KeriKadi - 2011-08-02 8:06 AM Ready for some Tuesday morning bike porn? I think most of you have met Dori but she got some new 'bling' yesterday! Check out her new stickers! I posted in Tri Talk asking about stickers and got the name of a great guy, he was easy to work with, knew what I wanted, sent a mock up almost immediately. The stickers got here yesterday and I put them on the wheel covers, my husband put the covers on the wheel and my bike this morning while I was still sleeping, it was like Christmas. The star is near and dear to my heart for my 5 kids

Nice bike and wheels!  I would like to do something like that to my bike but I have no idea what I would do. I also don't have a disc wheel so that might be a problem as well

So the Boulder 70.3 is this Sunday. Life has been crazier then usual as I purchased a home a few weeks ago (yes, we did lose one home but I ended up finding another one I liked better that I could qualify for on my own) and we are having renovations done. So with work, the house and training, I haven't had to much time to obsess about the race. That is a good thing for me.  While I would certainly like to cut some of my time off from last year (that would require that I actually "run" more then I walk), my biggest accomplishment would be to somehow go into the race very hydrated and then be able to minimize the dehydration during the day. Dehydration and over heating is one of my biggest problems and a huge limiter for me when on the run.  It is supposed to be in the 90's on Sunday and there is no shade on the run.   What do you all do to prepare for a very hot race?  Do any of you take salt stick capsules (or something like that) a day or two before the race? The whole dehydration and heat thing has caused some really bad experiences for me in the past so any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated. 

Kathleen - Have you been using endurolytes or salt tabs/sticks in your training? If not be careful, there is a balance too much can be just as, if not more disasterous than too little. If you plan on drinking Gatorade or another sports drink with electrolytes that may be enough. What are you planning for nutrition? Eating on the bike? What has worked in training you know will take you from the bike to the run without tummy troubles? Now is not the time to try something new so stick with what works.

Don't be fooled by the pretty star - it is not a disk but a wheel cover - $100 from wheel builders and the custom sticker was even less. You could get something related to your college, home town, favorite team or something that inspires you. Honestly even the wheel cover is not something I would have bought but I inherited the white one when my husband got a black one when he bought his second hand power tap.

Who else is racing this weekend?

I have a sprint but it is one of my two A races this year. This will be my third year doing this sprint and I am really hoping for some good numbers. Last year I took a minute off the swim, 5 minutes off the bike and 3 minutes off the run. If I could do that again I would be VERY happy! My goal is to take 2:30 off the swim, 3:30 off the bike and :50 off my run pace (run is longer this year so time will be different).

Good luck Julie, Kathleen, and Keri,

I'll be thinking of you as I practice my 17.5 mi. bike ride this weekend.

Keri, those are impressive goals - I hope you get close to them.

Kathleen and Keri, I hope the weather holds up for you.

Vivian

Good luck this weekend ladies!!!
Looking forward to the successful race reports.