left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 6)

GREAT NEWS ABOUT YOUR FOOT, Bryan! Woohoo!!!

Congratulations, Marianne!!! OMG, I know exactly how you feel! The hardest thing I ever did was to stop smoking. Hubby takes me out to eat and buys me flowers on my 'no smoking aniversary.' WTG, girl! You did it!!!

And ouch! Too, too, TOO cold for running you guys! How do you do it?! I was going to log on and brag about how I ran yesterday morning in 50 degree weather! Compared to y'all, we have a heat wave! Geez. You're amazing!

Pete, you are really swimmin', man! Awesome.

Ok, Bryan. Thanks. I've been drinking more water and it seems to have helped. I also doubled my vit. C. I'm still tired, but I'm going to tri to work through this. And guess what guys?! Spur of the moment, I signed hubby and me up for our first 5K!! We're participating in the runwalk not the run, but it will be so good for both of us. It's the Battle of Mobile Bay 5K (sing-songy, eh? ) and it's tomorrow morning! I'm so excited! I can't believe my life has changed so much... thank God...

sTRIve on folks! You're the best!

Marianne - congrats on your NSA - non smoker anniversary. That is such a HUGE accomplishment so CELEBRATE !!

Went to the pool just now to swim having forgotten that the regional university swim championships are taking place today through Sunday so no workout for me

Found out details yesterday on a recreational "indoor triathlon" taking place here on campus in two weeks. 10 min swim, 15 min cycle and 15 min run. Think I will give it a go.

Have a great weekend everyone!

FBP and MSUDan,

There are 4 separate videos in the 1:20.  The first is at the beginning of the clinic. The last is at the end.  Notice the difference in balance and stroke count.

Flipper,

In spin class this morning they played "Sweet Home Alabama"  -- I was firing good karma your way.

Thank you Bryan! (I adore that song, obviously, hehe.) It worked! Your karma, I mean. OMG, how do I describe the feeling?!! We had a PERFECT - you're hearing me, right? - a PERFECT day for this race! The sky was so blue it was... well, I can't even describe it, lol. And the water... you have to see the bay and the gulf on a morning like this morning to believe it.

I've run faster on the treadmill, but I intentionally paced myself, and am thrilled with the finish time for my first race. I kept thinking about Bryan's advice, and I wanted to take in EVERY second, even the times I couldn't breath. When we got water cups at the water stations, I pictured races that I've seen clips of on TV, and I almost shouted: "Hey, it's ME getting water in a race!" I smiled and talked to everyone and so did my hubby (Bill). Everyone was great. And there were actually folks at the finish line that cheered us when finished? HOW COOL IS THAT?! 

My official time is 40.11 and I finished 6th in my division. Gee-willikers-wow, what an AWESOME feeling of accomplishment! I want to say more, but I'm honestly still dazed! I can't believe that we did it! Thank you guys, for all for your support! Thank you Marianne and Dan! And Bryan? YOU ARE THE BEST!

A wonderful husband is one who is willing to finish AFTER you so he can stop and document YOUR finish! Thank you Bill! I've posted more pictures on my website: http://www.etheridgehaus.com/5k.htm

(Hey Dan? I feel ya... ( I love that phrase, hehe) I've been following an 1800 calorie diet - counting EVERY calorie I put in my mouth except for Saturdays, my cheat day - and can't drop another pound. I eat the right stuff too. No sugar, no white flour, lots of fresh fruits and vegtables, lean meats. *sigh* And I post my weight so that everyone can see it going down, ROFL. It'll happen... right? )

(Oh, and Bryan? I'd like to see your swimming video clips too, please? My email is: [email protected] Thank you!)

sTRIve on folks! It's SO worth it!

I am going out of order tonight....

 FLIPPER -- YOU ROCK.....and so does Bill!  - Marianne sent you some good advice, here's a little more - keep both of race numbers...either put them in a scrap book or frame them...there will never be another first finish line.  I am so proud of you!!! 

Flipper and Dan, I promise the weight will go....I promise...just keep the faith.  I am going to opine you are both losing fat however you are increasing lean muscle mass at the same time.  That is a good equation but doesn't make the number on the scale fall fast.  Just keep going.  When I was really in weight loss mode, I would lose 2-3 pounds and then lose nothing for weeks.  It actually slows down as you get more fit and have less to lose - it's like the dadgum fat won't turn loose...

MAV -- 1/2 mile under 11....I am in your corner....go for it....work on technique so it is a close to perfect as possible...you know I want your heart rate managable when you get out of the water.  You also asked if I was ready for next Sunday...yeah, I am...I wish it was tomorrow!  I have a 5 mile run tomorrow and a pretty light week.  This week actually also coincides with week one of my Olympic distance training for a race in late May so it is sort of overlapped.  The run volume will drop substantially next week.

Dan -- Good to hear your wife is better.  Never heard of a Paczki...but I am sure I have eaten something that could have passed as one.  Why is it that all celebration foods are bad for you?  I don't know of too many celebration foods or meals that are healthy...go figure.  By the way, there will be no drowning...hear that....NO DROWNING...I would feel really really bad....so go swim and improve...actually just like Marianne said, keep working at it...I promise it will come.  That little styrofoam thingy between the legs...also known as a pull buoy...I do not recommend them except to feel what balance feels like....what they do is this...that little piece of styrofoam will float your legs...swim with it in different positions between your thighs until you feel level...then get someone to tell you if you are level...swim a few lengths with it....then learn to balance without it and you won't use it again...therefore, borrow one from the guy in the lane next to you...save the money to upgrade your goggles....smile.  They are also good to use if you are re-habbing a leg injury and can't kick.

Flipper - let the record show that you hold the sTRIve 5k record for 2/9/08.  Congratulations again on your first finish line...you will never forget it.

Bryan

WAY TO GO JUANITA !!! Yes, I'm shouting !! Loved the pictures that you posted both here and on the other site that you linked us to. Looked like it was a great event.

I hit the road yesterday afternoon and did a 7k run averaging 7 minutes per km. I think that translates to about 10.5 minute miles (?). I usually am closer to 6 minutes per km but with the horrible footing on the sidewalks, dodging big slush puddles, etc. and with me still coughing and hacking from a lingering cold I was pretty happy. Also super proud of my wife ("Mrs FBP" ) who met up with someone from her running class and did a 9k session yesterday including a monster hill.

Snowing like crazy here today but hope to get out for a 3k easy run this afternoon. Then tomorrow noon hour back to the pool.

 ... Monday update ...

Discretion was the better part of valour yesterday afternoon. We got a foot of snow so I decided not to do the short run. Watched some of the Pro Bowl instead plus some of the Detroit/Anaheim hockey game. I did fight my way through the snow to get to the pool at lunch. I did 2 x 250m sets each around 7 minutes - still got a ways to go until I can do 750m comfortably.

Jimminy! With encouragement like this, I could run to the moon! Well... I guess I'd need a good running surface and things like oxygen... Wow! What did I do before I found this group? Everything is so much more fun with you guys. (And I was already having a blast.) Bryan, you made my day with your kudos! Thanks, coach! And I'll JEALOUSLY guard my record for Feb 9! Bill got a kick out of your post, and says to tell you "thanks".

Thank you, Marianne! for your support and for the coolrunning.com site. I checked and they didn't have my event (it's a teeny tiny race) but I bookmarked the site for future races. Port City Pacers posted the results on their website, however. Yey!
http://www.pcpacers.org/results/07-08/battle.html

And thank you, too, Pete! I appreciate you looking at the pics! It WAS a great event.

I had my time written down wrong. It was actually 40.05 (yeah, like THAT'S a big difference, lol). Also, I said I came in 6th in my age division. From the results posted I saw that I was 6th out of 9 total in my age division. *chuckle* But hey! I'm still thrilled with the pace I set. It turns out I was beginning to get bronchitis, too. Can you believe it? I coughed a bit during the race, but I felt great so I didn't worry about it. By Sunday I felt lousy, and instead of my trip to the gym today, I had to make a trip to the doctor. *sigh* Oh well, I probably needed the rest, eh?

And Bryan? Thanks for the swim video! You look sharp, man. And I was encouraged, because the technique is exactly what I'm trying to achieve. I wish I could see myself. Hmm... I can't take underwater shots, but maybe Bill could come with me to the gym on a weekend and get some surface video. I'll ask him. I have to admit, I do breath every stroke. I panic big time when I don't breath, and my heart rate goes way up. But I hope, as conditioning improves and I get further away from my smoking years, I'll be able to hold my breath better.

Ok, I need to tell you about my bike shopping experience. I went to my area bike shop to get fitted. This particular shop was recommended to me. The owner is a triathlete and VERY knowledgeable. I had found a Trek 1000 with less then 100 miles on it on Craig's list for $400 (was following Marianne's experience all the way) and I couldn't believe my luck. But the owner of the shop talked me out of the Trek. He wanted to sell me a woman's road bike for $800 and while that is no doubt a great deal (because he told me that along with the bike comes free adjustments, all the instruction I needed, etc, etc), there is no way I can let my husband spend that much. (We are still paying college tuition for my son, and helping out my daughter who is in graduate school, and in debt up to our eyeballs.) We left the shop very excited with plans to go back Tues to order the bike, but I tossed and turned that night. The owner conceded that a 52 cm bike would probably fit me. I couldn't remember the size of the Trek, (had actually thought it was much bigger), but it turns out it is a 52, so I'm gonna go get the Trek and try to go it on my own learning how to use it. (I've never even sat on a street bike before.) The owner of the shop said that by the time I made upgrades to the Trek so that it fit me, it would end up costing me as much as the new bike and without the warranty. Is that true, Bryan? And if it is, can I live without the upgrades? I had actually considered riding my daughter's old Walmart Schwinn for my first tri. Maybe that's what I should do before I make any kind of investment. (A friend at the gym who "tri's" actually advised me to get an inexpensive mountain bike and put hybrid tires on it, but I'm really planning on doing this again, hehe.) Thanks in advance, for the help. Don't know what I'd do without you!

Thanks to this whole group! You guys ROCK. sTRIve on!

P.S.

Here's a link to the Trek:  http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/532327365.html

I made an offer of $400 (the cash is a Christmas gift from my mom) and he accepted it. I'm supposed to go see it on Sat.

FBP,

No issue with the 750 today...it will come...Marianne, please reinforce that the distance will come.  Start swimming 50s...just 50s...rest...10-15-20-30 seconds in between.  Take all the rest you want but swim 50s for about 45-60 minutes....that is going to be a lot of 50s...if you can't go 45 then go 30 minutes....too often early our form degrades as we try to swim long distances.  Technique is king in swimming...don't swim when your technique falters....stop....rest....then go at it again.  750 will come.  Another workout I would consider is a continuous swim workout....you said the 250 took about 7 minutes....push that to a 10 minute continuous swim...don't worry about the distance just swim 10 minutes and keep track of the distance just don't stress about it....so if you swim twice a week there are your two workouts...one 50s for form....perfect form....one continuous swim for 10 minutes after a warm up of a couple of 50s or a 100....then cool down with swimming or drilling a few 50s after the continuous swim.  Next week, push the continuous to 11 or 12 minutes (do you see where we are headed here).  One interesting thing about swimming is that while you feel you are dying in the pool, you actually recover very quickly.

 Flipper,

Bikes are a very difficult and personal decision, quite often balanced by what you want to spend/can afford/etc.  I like supporting the local bike shop and the guy is probably right if you upgraded the bike to equal the new one...however, you don't HAVE to upgrade right now.  I think you have two good options.  The bike rack is worth probably 75-100 used and the pump is another 20-25...The flat kit is probably another 20 so there you have about 150 dollars....I would take the bike out for a short ride.  Your excitement will make that ride great.  Also, I would ask to take the bike to a shop and pay a mechanic to take a quick look at the components - while this would cost you a little cash it would be worth it if the derailleur was shot or the brakes needed replacing or the cables were rusted, etc.  I also think you could probably sell the bike for close to what you paid for it if you later decided you needed a custom carbon tri bike to support your triathlon habit....don't laugh, it happens to us all....smile.  You didn't say what kind of bike the local guy was selling you but $800 does sound like it might be a good price considering the warranty and adjustments....as I said, it is a very personal decision, quite often dictated by price.  Call a couple of other bike shops and ask what they would charge you to adjust a bike you just got....I also try to buy a water bottle or tire tube or something when I visit a bike shop to support the local folks....most great shops are family owned and they appreciate the support....the payback is usually very worthwhile.  They can also give you ideas on rides or groups in the area.  I saw the guy is in FWB...if you all drive over there on Saturday go to the restaurant under the Brooks Bridge - it is called RICK"S CRAB TRAP - they have the greatest fried shrimp in the WORLD...we have vacationed down there forever and love RICK'S....by the way, it is not The Crab Trap...it is RICK'S CRAB TRAP.  Now is this a full service group or what?????  By the way, I breathe on either every stroke or every third arm to practice bilateral breathing (although I am really unbalanced at bilateral at this time).

sTRIve on Turtles, sTRIve on

B

Would you believe it's NOT bronchitis? I have a full blown flu virus. I wonder how far this is going to set me back. Honestly, as crummy as I feel right this minute, I can't picture running, biking or swimming ever again... talk about a complete change of attitude since last Saturday. Positive vibes are definitely needed here, hehe.

Thank you for the advice on the bike, Bryan and Marianne! I don't know the bike that Mark (LBS owner) pointed out to me for $800. I looked, but I couldn't see the name or logo on it immediately and was distracted by his and hubby's discussion, so I never went back to look at it. I do know that it was awful pretty. I know he had an Allez that was really nice looking, too. I found a used 54cm Allez in Pensacola (on Craig's list as well). The guy said he'd take $400 for that one, too.
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/552701189.html
But I really like the Trek and I think it might fit me better at 5ft8in. And honestly, it's not that I don't WANT to support my LBS. Mark was wonderful! He made me feel like I could do this, just like you guys here make me feel like I can do this. His passion for the sport had me so pumped that I would have bought the most expensive bike in the shop if I had made the decision to purchase one right then and there. Bottom line is we really DON'T have the funds to spare at this time. We are trying to get out of debt (darn creditors own us) and I'm going to proceed spending the least amount possible for now. If the Trek is in good shape, it sounds like a good deal.
Oh, and it sounds like Rick's Crab Trap is a must! Hubby said "sure thing". But you have to understand, we KNOW good shrimp. We live in Mobile, the seafood capital of the world. *sly grin*

How did the long run, go Marianne? You amaze me, girl! (Hubby is in Albany on business and says he's seen enough snow to last a life time, lol). I'm anxious to hear if you finished the 9 miles. I just know you did. Oh, and I have a question for you: I was looking into the nike+ for iPod and I was wondering if I HAVE to have the compatible nike shoes or if there is a way to slip the sensor in any kind of shoe? Thanks!

Pete? I'm gonna start calling you and Marianne running polar bears! WTG for not using weather as an excuse not to get outside.  Now me? I'd be running on my treadmill in front of the fireplace.

Leston! Sounds like you're doing great with the swimming! Lookin' good, man!

sTRIve on folks! And stay away from anyone who has the flu!

Thank you, Marianne

That's why I asked. It would take a lot to get me to give up my Asics. Thank you for getting back to me.

Awesome run. WTG. I can't imagine running that distance.

sTRIve on Turtles