Originally posted by Asalzwed

Lots of tough stuff going on with the Manatees! Hang in there everyone!

 

Some pretty cool news, our guy won the ITU Para World Championships! 

 

 

 

Ya better look out Yanti! As my coach said, "He had a very effective race plan. Win the swim. Win the bike and win the run."  Of course, I may have shared too many secrets at this point

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

Waiting around for my dentist appointment this afternoon. Besides wisdom teeth out when I was 14, I've never had anything done to my teeth. Little nervous.

In other crash related news, watching the color progression of my bruises has been entertaining. They're in the greenish yellow phase right now...except for inside my mouth. That one is still dark purple.

Mak and I were doing animal flash cards last night, and I came across a most unflattering picture of us.  What were they thinking?

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

Awesome! I think you will love it. We are excited to run that one...someday.

Originally posted by laffinrock

I agree.  There's been more than enough difficulties going around.

I feel a little guilty about this, but I'd like to acknowledge a couple of anniversaries that show the resilience of the human spirit.  Yesterday was the anniversary of 8 months since I was so seriously thinking of killing myself that I asked DH to lock up all the meds in the house.  You all can see where I am today - far far far from that. Thanks, Manatees.  You've been a big part of my coming back to life.

Also, Monday was the anniversary of my brother's nervous breakdown that resulted in 3 days of catatonia, 3 weeks in a psych ward, and me being named his temporary legal guardian because his wife wasn't able to handle the responsibility.  He's now happily living with her and has a full-time job, an apartment and a beautiful 4-1/2 mo. old daughter. 

It all just makes me think, "This too shall pass", even if it doesn't seem like it ever will when you're in the midst of the muck.  Hang in there, mucked-mired Manatees!!!  (smudge, smudge)

Originally posted by laffinrock

I agree.  There's been more than enough difficulties going around.

I feel a little guilty about this, but I'd like to acknowledge a couple of anniversaries that show the resilience of the human spirit.  Yesterday was the anniversary of 8 months since I was so seriously thinking of killing myself that I asked DH to lock up all the meds in the house.  You all can see where I am today - far far far from that. Thanks, Manatees.  You've been a big part of my coming back to life.

Also, Monday was the anniversary of my brother's nervous breakdown that resulted in 3 days of catatonia, 3 weeks in a psych ward, and me being named his temporary legal guardian because his wife wasn't able to handle the responsibility.  He's now happily living with her and has a full-time job, an apartment and a beautiful 4-1/2 mo. old daughter. 

It all just makes me think, "This too shall pass", even if it doesn't seem like it ever will when you're in the midst of the muck.  Hang in there, mucked-mired Manatees!!!  (smudge, smudge)

Originally posted by laffinrock

I agree.  There's been more than enough difficulties going around.

I feel a little guilty about this, but I'd like to acknowledge a couple of anniversaries that show the resilience of the human spirit.  Yesterday was the anniversary of 8 months since I was so seriously thinking of killing myself that I asked DH to lock up all the meds in the house.  You all can see where I am today - far far far from that. Thanks, Manatees.  You've been a big part of my coming back to life.

Also, Monday was the anniversary of my brother's nervous breakdown that resulted in 3 days of catatonia, 3 weeks in a psych ward, and me being named his temporary legal guardian because his wife wasn't able to handle the responsibility.  He's now happily living with her and has a full-time job, an apartment and a beautiful 4-1/2 mo. old daughter. 

It all just makes me think, "This too shall pass", even if it doesn't seem like it ever will when you're in the midst of the muck.  Hang in there, mucked-mired Manatees!!!  (smudge, smudge)

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

And to celebrate Monica's return

http://finance.yahoo.com/video/glass-orange-wine-173702432.html;_ylt=AwrTWVXlwBBUT0wAKk2TmYlQ

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

Orange wine??  Interesting... it will fit in quite nicely with this... http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/07/nutrition/booze-rules-endurance-athletes-guide-to-drinking-alcohol_60052

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

For our Pop-Tart Queen

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pop-tarts-keep-hanging-on-151523276.html

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

Orange wine??  Interesting... it will fit in quite nicely with this... http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/07/nutrition/booze-rules-endurance-athletes-guide-to-drinking-alcohol_60052

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

Can you tell I'm trying to keep busy before my appointment? Ugh....I dislike doc visits of any kind, and especially ones where I know needles will be involved

I posted on my RR, but will mention it in here as well. Thank you all so much for the sweet and amusing messages. I both chuckled and choked up.

Originally posted by amd723

You'll be fine.  Root canals are fun 

Originally posted by 4agoodlife Holy cow. Was in dentist chair twice as long as my first sprint. Lol. Can't even tell you how many times I was needled. I'm swollen and sore and have two temporary fake teeth. Success! Doc was awesome AND a mtn biker himself. After hearing the whole story and seeing full damage, he deemed me "one tough cookie" and gave me name of trail area he rides. Cool!

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

I'm here!!  

Kind of...  I've barely had time to do ANYTHING over the last 2 weeks or so... can I please come back and play with the Manatees??  Pretty pleaaaassseeeee??

And in looking at some of the recent posts, what the HECK is up with all the injuries?  

 

Originally posted by cdban66

TJ, I'm bringing in the conversation I started on Strava. Since you are at the end of the coach group, would you care to share what you've learned? Would you do it again? Would you get a more dedicated coach in the future? What types of benefits did the coached group provide?

I was surprised that the 10 weeks is over, it went by really quickly.

Originally posted by rrrunner

Those, my friend, are questions that have been rattling around in my head for a couple weeks now. A loaded question as it were.

I'm glad I tried it out. I've enjoyed the group atmosphere and working with a "team". I've enjoyed the sessions at the cycling studio, which is something I likely would not have tried on my own. I've started using the Garmin and enjoyed the feedback that I get from that, and being able to identify my "zones" and the effectiveness of my workouts.

I didn't like the one size fits all feel of the assigned sessions, both group and solo. I felt like the coach gave everyone the same sessions, regardless of background and ability, and the sessions didn't vary or increase over the course of the 10 weeks. I mentioned to coach at least a couple times that RnR was my focus but my training didn't reflect that (although he did get me to back off my running which probably helped the ITBS finally heal).

I don't know to what extent these "issues" are just the nature of being in a coached group. It's cheaper, ya get what ya pay for. There was never much feedback "hey try this" or "fix that" other than some mention of my lousy kick in swimming (already knew that) and he did get me to extend my pull to my thigh.  This is not a personality conflict issue, I really like Coach. I don't know that I felt like he was the "authority" though.   

OTOH, I don't know that I'm willing to pay $100 - $200 per month for a dedicated coach considering the fact that I think I will always be a MOP-er. I don't know that I've "learned" anything over the last few weeks that I hadn't read/heard elsewhere, so I'll probably go back to self-coached. At least for now.

Originally posted by cdban66

OK, fair enough. I had been mulling getting a coach for a while and I KNOW it would be money wasted due to my waning interest, and my goals. I *think* you would benefit from a 1 on 1, hands on approach, but again, it is an investment that may not be worthwhile for you.

So now the question (again) to the group is "For those that are coached, what are the greatest and ancillary benefits that you have seen?" I am asking about both tangibles and intangibles as well as big and small.

Originally posted by jmkizer

My coach falls a bit between what TJ experienced and what Chris describes. I do not have coached sessions or group workouts with Maija, however I do have a customized 100% not cookie-cutter training plan. Working with Maija has helped me stretch myself,organize my training, improved my cycling and running performance,got me into the pool and yoga studio, got me in touch with the right professionals from shoe fitting to bike fitting to medical assistance. In short, Maija is my "other mom."

The customized training plans are helpful with "stacking" events, helping me to select races and getting me to peak at the right times.