left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 59)

WAEF - so sorry to hear about your accident. As I was reading the post my son and a couple of friends (all aged 17-18) were up in the kitchen joking about girls they know who are terrible drivers (how like boys to do that!), esp. when talking or texting. I used your story as a "teachable moment" and told them what had just happened to you.

Had a decent weekend training wise - spent 30 minutes or so on my trainer yesterday afternoon and then today I did a 5 k run in pretty miserable weater - cold, wind AND snow.

Friday evening and Saturday I was out car shopping. If there is something I like LESS in life, I'm not sure what it is. I would rather go to the dentist anytime!!! I think the root of the problem is that what I like I can't afford and what I can afford, I don't like   . Primarily looking for a good used car but LOVED the new 09 Nissan Versa that I drove yesterday. I guess that I just have to keep reminding myself that whatever we get will be better than the van we've junked which had no heat (imagine that in a Canadian winter!!), no A/C, doors that wouldn't lock, headlights that were useless, leaking all known fluids, etc. etc.

Currently watching Eagles-Giants. Go Eagles !!!

WAEF - Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad everybody's OK and happy the car did what it was designed to do. Sounds like Mazda got it right - I'll have to remember that next time I need wheels.

Did my first brick ever today guys. Bike was OK but I pushed a bit harder than I should and the first 10 minutes of the run I felt like I had concrete legs. But it was a good experience.

Definitely need to do this more... 

GTK - your legs will always feel that way for the first few minutes.  The theory of a brick is to get you used to that feeling and make sure you realize that it will pass eventually.  Some days are better than others.

WAEF - glad everyone is safe.  In our neighborhood Friday night a high school senior and junior were killed.  A result of speed and losing control of the car.  It does not appear alcohol was involved but the result is still tragic.

On a training note, I had my last real run today....6 miles....next run over 30 minutes will be 26.2 miles.....next Sunday folks....pray for me....as you all know it is my first.....

Bryan

LRR - enjoy this week !!

Marathon advice - really watch your pace for the first few miles. Don't let the adrenaline and/or the other runners push you to run faster than your target pace. My coach had an expression, "There is no such thing as running a fast first half in a marathon."

Here's the link to my blog wherein is contained my 4 part "Epic Race Report" from the '06 YC marathon:

http://petermcdrunning.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

FBP

Pete - what a great race report....I can only dream of running 4:45....you are just tooooooo fast dude.  I can only hope to have as great an experience as you did in NY.

Thanks for sharing that with me...

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.

Update: Well, tried a three mile limp/walk. Now my hip hurts. Not sure what, if anything, I'll do tomorrow. The good news is my hand is better. Yay!!!!

Also fundraising for MS ride is really coming along. I'm halfway to goal and the ride isn't until September! I've been thinking of ways to raise money. A friend's sister has MS and I'm going to do the ride in her honor and donate the money in her name. Having a face behind the disease is really motivating. I'm using my downtime to come up with fundraising ideas that involve more than simply asking people for money. (Diane, maybe you could use some of this to help with TNT)

First, I'm going to try a bake sale and a raffle.

A bunch of friends are coming over to bake their favorite treats. I want to keep the price really low so lots and lots of people will donate. I'm working with my team to come up with more ideas where we can get the word out around town. Some thoughts so far include raffles at bike shops and gyms. The gym offers gift certificates for personal training and kettleball classes, etc. So I could buy one and then raffle it off for $1 ticket.

The bike shops also offer gift certificates. This is going to be fun. 

I'd like to organize a team fund raising event that involves all of us who will be doing the ride together -- something like a team yard sale might be another idea. We could divide the proceeds among the group and apply it to our individual fund raising goals.

If we raise enough money, we might even win a prize. 

All this downtime is giving me time to brainstorm some ideas....hmmm Krispy Kreme donut sale. Candy sale. Spare change jars in gas stations. The options are endless.

Hope this helps Diane. 

Weird an entire post is gone.  Anyways, found a local bike club which I may ride with eventually.  They are a bit too fast for me.  They do have a couple of century rides so I may go for the one in Oct.  Turns out Baton Rouge as a Velodrome and Weds they have free classes.  Bad news is they are closing it in April for 8 months of renovations on the park.  Going to check it out on Weds.

WAEF - glad you are starting to feel better!

Off to bed, catch ya all later!

WAEF - thanks for the fundraising ideas! I'm doing better than the rest of the team so far... I'm amazed! And, I still haven't sent out snail-mail letters, so there's still hope

Bryan - You can SOOOOO do the Marathon! If I could do it, ANYONE can! Here's my Race Report from my Marathon in May: http://cardholic.blogspot.com/2008/11/ogden-marathon-race-report.html I ran most of the race alone at the back of the pack.

You may want to read this one too... http://cardholic.blogspot.com/2008/11/after-marathon.html Not saying this will happen to you (I hope NOT) but it explains why I'm here

Another bike question... sorry you get 3 of my posts at once :rolleyes:

I know you said that my hybrid is probably okay for now... but what if... just what if, I had the opportunity to buy a $6,000 bike with 2000 miles on it for $750? Should I persue it? http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=144190&posts=1&start=1 Let me know what you think... THANKS! I'll take my measurements, and make sure the bike would "fit" me, then I'd go to L.A. and ride it before buying it...

Shark - re: fundraising.

When I did my Team Diabetes fundraising (I was doing my first ever running race of any kind and I chose for it to be a marathon!) I did it all through a "direct mail" campaign. In 6 weeks I raised over $10,000. Here's how:

1. I prepared a brochure explaining what I was doing that I printed landscape double-sided on 8 1/2 x 11 so that it folded into 6 panels (Word has a template for this I believe).
2. I bought 500 business size envelopes.
3. Made up return address labels and stuck them on half the envelopes
4. I did up cover letters that I then "personalized" to some extent asking for a donation. The size of the ask was dependent upon what I thought the person might be able to give. They usually said something like, "I hope you would consider a donation of $50 or $25 or even $10" while others said "$100 or $50 or $25", etc.
5. I put a cover letter with a brochure and a return envelope together.

I mailed it to everyone I could possibly think of - friends, neighbors, relatives, business colleagues, etc. etc. My standard was "If I could picky ou out of a police line up, I'm going to ask you for a donation." Sent out 250+ requests.

The result was a HUGE show of support - both financial and moral. I believe I had > 80% response rate with donations from $5 to $550. The letters of support that I got were amazing. People really connected with the diabetes cause, with the fact that I was doing this because my son had been dx with the disease and commiting to train for and run a marathon resonated with them.

Another fundraising tip - third party events. Get people you know - colleagues, relatives, whoever - to host an event with their connections and proceeds go to you. Could be a dinner party, games night, car wash, golf tournament, whatever. You go, say a few words and acceptthe donation.

Final fundraising tip - ask, ask, ask.

FBP

Diane - let us know if you get the bike.  That sounds like a great deal and if the bike fits, ride it! 

Got a couple of miles in tonight but trying to juggle the schedule to ride the Velodrome tomorrow (not definite as Kids school event may pre-empt) but it may cause an unscheduled rest day today.  I need to get 3 swims a week in and I need to run but don't want to run back to back nights yet.  I didn't get my SRD on Saturday so tonight may replace.

Interesting note is that I ran last night and then did my version of an ice bath (complete with shivering and uncontrolled shakes for a few minutes).  All of my leg muscles feel better now than they have in a couple of weeks.  May be I need to do the icicle treatment more often!  May be instead of NoWhereToGo you can call me Frosty!

Hi all. Pity party alert.

My hip hurts. Not getting better. Hurts as badly as it did before I started taking the meds. Ugh! As long as my hip hurts I can't really do anything. Can't run or bike. Can't even get on the floor for core work. No pilates. No elliptical either. My options seem so limited it is frustrating.

I might be able to swim with a pull bouy but only once the cuts and burns heal. Looks like a full week of yellow squares for me. It's making me a little nuts. I want to go for a walk now but I'm in pain, so can't do that either. Ugh!

I know, I know. It could have been worse. The accident could have seriously injured or even killed us.  I shouldn't complain like this. I feel guilty now. Sorry. I take it back. My hip still hurts but I'll go ice it and stop whining. Pity party over. 

Diane - probably a very good decision

WAEF - Don't worry vent, pity party, etc.  That is what we are here for.  Needless to say I have done my fair share pity for my knee.  Keep up the hope, you will be back to full strength soon!

In the "learn to practice what you preach" category......

At my work we have converted several people into runners (two recently left the company) and will field at least one running team for next Corporate cup (we took 2nd place in our division last year!).  One convert is a young guy who thinks 8 minute miles are for warm ups (but in his defense he will run a 13 m/m with anyone if it helps them).  Well he has been fighting an injury and I lectured him on not skipping rest days which he has.  Well later I am talking with someone else and mentioned that I ended up running on my SRD to make up for a run that I missed . 

I am taking my SRD tonight and eating a little crow also.

Remember....we grow when we are resting....NOT WHEN WE ARE WORKING OUT.

If in doubt, pass on the bike....good choice.

I am looking forward to Sunday....I will hurt....it will be fun....I am going for the medal and the beer....LOL!!!

Have a great week,

Bryan

WAEF, so sorry you are in pain.  Give yourself time to  heal.  You don't want to push it and then have the pain last even longer.

LRR - Good luck this weekend!  Can't wait to read the rr.

I was going to start my 1/2 training this week, but the weather does not want to cooperate.  Bitter cold and 2 - 6 inches of snow today.  Yesterday was suppose to be my LR and I didn't make it outside.  I'm going to try to stick with the rest of the plan this week and do my shorter runs on the treadmill.  Hopefully this weekend I can switch my schedule around and it might be ok to do my long run on Sunday.  If not, it will just have to wait until next week.  (WHy oh Why can't I live in the South!)

Scuba, this summer when it's 95 degrees and 95% humidity at 8pm down here I will be wondering why I left Wisconsin!  You have to live down here for the winter/spring but move back up for summer/fall.

Hey folks, had my swim practice and hit a short term goal.  Swam an entire lap (50+yards)!!! Wooohoo!!! 

One question, my breathing is getting much easier (on one side at least), coach said I looked relaxed (yeah!).  But sometimes when I am breathing correctly it doesn't seem that I am getting enough air?  I breath out completely underwater, turn and inhale easily but when I put my head down I sometimes feel like I need to breath again.  Doesnt happen always.  Is it I just need to get in better shape, swimming wise, or am I doing something wrong?

Gin - just get the work in when you can...there are a lot of workouts out there waiting for you...

Gary - since you have not drowned you are obviously getting enough air....okay that sounded harsh....sorry....your mind is just playing that  "Oh sh(*&^%$ I am dying" card...I tell people often that they are trying to take TOO BIG a breath....just take a bite of air and get that head back down with the nose at the bottom of the pool...Mav may have some other thoughts but I am thinking this may be more mental than anything...especially when your coach says you look relaxed.

sTRIve....keep up the good work,

Bryan

LRR - nope not too harsh. I appreciate the help.  I do believe you are onto something.  I had one lap that the breathing was natural but was thinking about all sorts of things besides breathing.  When I got to the end I was not out of breath.  I think relaxing, smaller breaths, more often will help.  With your help I am getting there.  A complete lap! unthinkable a few weeks ago!

Ran tonight and the first post-op run where I spent more time enjoying the run and less time worrying about my knees.  HRM on the Garmin is not working so I guess its time for a new battery (would love to upgrade my 301 but $'s in the budget for that).

Normally I embrace the cold but holy crap, there is a windchill warning right now. Temp is -25c with windchill of -35c. Yikes. I think we should start a LRR commune with summers/fall spent up here in the northeast (New Brunswick and Mass.) and winters in the south, say LA or TX. We could occasionally travel to UT to ski ...

Gary - keep at that swimming. I can already envisage the day when you do > 1000m and you look back in the posts and read about the day when you accomplished 50m. Last year at this time I was right where you are in fact.

Big day in our household - son Chris turns 18. No longer a child in the eyes of the law perhaps but still one to us  

Still on the hunt for a car. Wife/son went to see a Mazda 3 last evening (while I shovelled the driveway) and came home very enthused. More expensive of course than going with a used (2-3 year old) Civic or Corolla as had been my intention but great finance rate available (1.4%) and price is attractive.