Experior's Group - CLOSED (Page 6)

juneapple - 2009-12-20 12:33 PM
Yeah, it's great, isn't it!  They did a nice job with balancing the pros with the age-grouper/human interest.  About an hour in, I always feel like it is two different shows... "the race" and "the story"... and then the pros start struggling in the run, former champions searching for shade under a telephone pole, leaders limping and cramping, and then it hits you... they've all got stories.  1800 stories all hurdling toward a goal that started years earlier, not at dawn the day of the race.  Rudy and the woman who came back from a stroke were the two that did me in this year.  And then there are the passing interviews that hit you later, like the 79 year old guy who was working on #20... and then later that night, wham! like a ton of bricks... 79!!!!  20 straight iron man finishes... are you kidding me????  I was also struck by the intensity of the look on Alexander's face at the finish and how it contrasted with Wellington's ever-present smile.  Alexander looked so relaxed on the run... but at the end... woah, what an Ironman look in the eyes.  Both ran amazing races.  Incredible.  Just incredible.  But my favorite part every year are the pictures of the age group finishers... hands raises in victory, smiles on their faces, relief and joy in a triumph of a lifetime.

If you haven't yet done so, take a few hours and read some of the race reports on BT from this year's race.  And somewhere in these mentor groups are several future Kona finishers.  Someone who was overweight and out of shape and decided on a different path... and finds himself/herself hurdling towards Kona.

slow turtle - 2009-12-20 7:50 PM Hey guys!
Sorry I've been MIA. The pictures of the snow are incredible! Amazingly, here in upstate NY, we have none.
I'm finally feeling better, and managed to get some time in on the bike today. Unfortunately, I now have a sick 7 year old, and a heart broken 19 year old- she just heard that a friend from HS died in a car accident last night. No details, but alcohol is suspected. So, I've been spending extra time with both of my girls, wishing I could make life  better for each of them today.
Michael-The interval training info was great. Thanks. Whenever I try them, I always feel lazy when I slow way down during rests. It's good to know I'm supposed to slow down that much.

TriGuyBri - 2009-12-20 8:04 PM

I was thinking the same thing about the 1 hr. 10K goal.  I'll see where I am at prior to race time and set a goal that will test and push me some.  I want to stay with Asics as well.  I like them alot.  Unfortunately Spts Auth. didn't ahve much in stock so I am going to the Local Running Store Downtown and use my 10% off for being a Tri Club member and see what they have.  It may mean buying a more expensive shoe, but at least I'll being buying local, supporting local and buying from a sponser of our Tri Club.

slow turtle - 2009-12-20 8:50 PM Hey guys!
Sorry I've been MIA. The pictures of the snow are incredible! Amazingly, here in upstate NY, we have none.
I'm finally feeling better, and managed to get some time in on the bike today. Unfortunately, I now have a sick 7 year old, and a heart broken 19 year old- she just heard that a friend from HS died in a car accident last night. No details, but alcohol is suspected. So, I've been spending extra time with both of my girls, wishing I could make life  better for each of them today.
Michael-The interval training info was great. Thanks. Whenever I try them, I always feel lazy when I slow way down during rests. It's good to know I'm supposed to slow down that much.

StlPhil - 2009-12-20 9:11 PM

I watched Kona again tonight. My family thinks I'm nuts! : ) But, I am just so inspired. If you look at my life a year ago, my biggest dream was to be off vicadin and to be able to walk without the severe limp which I had for 15+ years.  Now I'm running, cycling, swimming and dreaming of being an Ironman someday.  I can't wait to look at the RR's from Kona here in BT.
I am so thankful I found BT and really appreciate everyones willingness to share their experiences.

Phil

Experior - 2009-12-21 3:31 AM Welcome to Christmas week, everyone.  Here's hoping it will be a good one.  What's on tap?

For me:  The pool closes on the 23rd until Jan 4, so I'm going to try to get 2 really solid swims in before I can't swim again for 10 days.  Other than that, I'll continue with the Jorge bike/torture program, and continue building my run miles.  I'll get to see my new (and only) nephew in a few days.  Other than that, Christmas is going to be low-key around here this year.

Have a great day, everyone.

scout21 - 2009-12-21 1:18 PM

Ain't snow great?  It forced me to do a mental workout as well as a physical one today.  I wouldn't feel safe running in the road right now, mostly because there's no place to bail out if a moron comes by in a car and isn't paying attention.  I also LOATHE treadmills.  But I did get my run in that was postponed yesterday.  I went to the Y and ran on the indoor track.  The track is 1/16 of a mile.  I ran 9 miles.  Fun fun fun!

Hope everyone that had to shovel isn't having any snow related aches and pains...

Scout

OneFastMule - 2009-12-21 11:51 AM

So we bought our kids a Wii and the Wii Fit this year.  I've used it off and on - it's more 'fun' than 'exercise', but we all enjoy it.  Last week, my daughter challenged me to a Super Hula Hoop contest (the user stands on the balance board and spins their hips to keep a virtual Hula Hoop spinning around on the screen - 90 seconds in one direction, then 90 seconds in the other).  Being a slightly competitive person, I was aiming for the top spot in the standings.

Well, the good news is that I won: 777 Hula Hoop revolutions in 3 minutes and a top, 4-star rating.

The bad news is that my left knee has bothered me every day since. 

I tried running the day after my Hula Hoop championship, but my knee hurt even more (note: I have never had any pain in my knees as I ramped up my running from 0 to 12 miles / week in the past 3 months).  In the grand scheme, it's probably not a big issue; it is a very, very mild constant ache during the day; I can definitely live with it.  However, I am trying to be as conservative as possible right now as I only began running frequently for the first time in my life 3 months ago and I have 139 days before my first Sprint.

Besides not running for a couple of weeks (which, given the holidays isn't out of the question), do any of you have any advice on how to best recover?

Thanks!
- Mark

scout21 - 2009-12-21 2:18 PM

Ain't snow great?  It forced me to do a mental workout as well as a physical one today.  I wouldn't feel safe running in the road right now, mostly because there's no place to bail out if a moron comes by in a car and isn't paying attention.  I also LOATHE treadmills.  But I did get my run in that was postponed yesterday.  I went to the Y and ran on the indoor track.  The track is 1/16 of a mile.  I ran 9 miles.  Fun fun fun!

Hope everyone that had to shovel isn't having any snow related aches and pains...

Scout

scout21 - 2009-12-21 2:18 PM

Ain't snow great?  It forced me to do a mental workout as well as a physical one today.  I wouldn't feel safe running in the road right now, mostly because there's no place to bail out if a moron comes by in a car and isn't paying attention.  I also LOATHE treadmills.  But I did get my run in that was postponed yesterday.  I went to the Y and ran on the indoor track.  The track is 1/16 of a mile.  I ran 9 miles.  Fun fun fun!

Hope everyone that had to shovel isn't having any snow related aches and pains...

Scout

slow turtle - 2009-12-21 7:09 PM
How the heck did you manage to keep count of your laps?

TriGuyBri - 2009-12-21 11:57 PM I had a heck of a time finding Running Shoes.  I ended up ordering a pair of Asics 2150's and spent a little more than I expected; with the 10% discount for Local Tri Club Members it will bring it down a little.  The local Running Shop didn't carry 4eee width in the 2140's.  Tried on a pair of the 1140's in 4eeee width just to get a sense of how they 2150's might feel and they seem to be OK, enough room.  Didn't want to go with the 1140's.  I hope they work out OK.

slow turtle - 2009-12-22 6:42 AM

Good luck with the new shoes. Finding the right pair can be a real PITA. They are worth spending the money on.

scout21 - 2009-12-22 9:44 AM

Big +1 on that.  The saucony's that I have now are okay, but I'll definitely be going back to my Aasics for my next pair.

Scout