Jeff Y's Group - CLOSED (Page 61)

Dirk, that race sounds brutal man.  I looked at those pictures you posted...there was snow and waist deep water?  You are a tough mofo.  I will tell you that for free.

As for myself, I am in super fatigue land right now.  Not enough good sleep and sore body has got me hurtin.  I have also gained 6 pounds in the last week.  I have no idea how.  What are the chances that it's from doing those cross-fit workouts??  Am I retaining a lot of water or what?  I don't necessarily feel bloated or anything.  I haven't eaten much more than usual either.  What gives?

What is your guy's plan for the new mentor groups?  Is anyone planning on starting another?  I was thinking about it.

Dirk, that is a crazy race.  I'm with Jonathan, you redefine htfu. 

Cross fit is such a different animal that I'm sure you're a little trashed from that.  If you really push those workouts, they are brutal in a different way than SBR.

Good timing on the mentor question - we just got archived.  I plan to keep asking running stuff on here or in our email thread.  If we don't keep going on in here, I'll probably find another group.

This has been an awesome group.  I hate to see it end.

As far as plans for a new group I thought I would see what opened up.  But I have considered trying to be a mentor myself.  Honestly I don't think I am ready.  My cycling knowledge is utterly lacking.   I just can't wrap my mind around it for some reason.

When do the new groups start?

Jeff, what are your plans?

Thanks for the props on the race all.  It was an awesome experience to say the least, one which I would do all over again given the opportunity.  I am giving some consideration to doing the full distance next year but I am not sure I would be ready for that.  31.07 miles would be pretty brutal and I wouldn't be looking at having a serious placement.

Tonight I hit the hardest bike I may have had since starting this plan.  I was more brutalized than any other time on the trainer (other than the time I got off the bike and "sat down").  I didn't think I was going to be able to finish it.  My legs were absolute trash!  They were sore a little from the race yesterday and then I added to the pain.

Dirk, I hadn't thought about it really.  I sure is more fun to mentor each other in a group environment like this than to simply roll around in the main forum and randomly posting. 

On your end, I think you are ready to be a mentor for sure.  Keep in mind you aren't trying to be a pro-level coach.  Just know enough to mentor novices through the experience.  I was surprised by our group of folks...half of which seemed more like mentors than mentorees. 

I seems as though there is a lot more value in these groups than just mentoring.  It's a great venue for avid athletes to encourage and sharpen each other too.

Whatever happens in the formal mentor forums going forward I want to keep tabs on you most active fellas and continue to be encouraged by your successes.

Dirk....it's hard to be so trashed from your recent ADVENTURE! and still hammer yourself on your bike workout right away.  Overall it's good.  I don't see hard cycling ever being risky (unless you are about to run really hard again right away), but it's sure mentally hard.

And Jonathan, suddenly shocking yourself with cross fit and continuing to run/cycle with a super sore lower body takes guts. 

Dirk, there's no question you could mentor a group.  You can even tailor it to the type of group you want to run.  Some groups are simply for accountability which is a great thing, some are for true beginners, etc.

Let me ask about the run focus group.  We started an email version, but everyone seemed to gravitate back to this group because I think it's easier.  I really want to keep that running focus alive, your advice has been invaluable Jeff and I'm hoping there's more coming as I get past what I still consider my beginning runner stage.  Should we just stay on here with that one at least?

Yeah, the email group never seemed to capture people's attention.

We can do it here.  I assume we can keep posting here even through it's archived?

And/or we can join Dirk's group if he decides to put one together.

Interesting article in the latest Outside magazine.  "The 10 Biggest Fitness Myths".

Myth #6: Dehydration Hurts Performance.

http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/endurance-training/myth-6.html

Another one pertinent to us.

Relates to cramping.

http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/injury-prevention/Myth-4.html

Me too....I vote Dirk starts a group.

I'm in.

Alright you guys.  I couldn't take the pressure.  I did it!  I am now in the mentor "hanging" status  for the mentor groups as of a couple of minutes ago.  Now I am really nervous.  If I suck at this I will hunt each of you down like the dogs you are.  And I know where each of you live.

Oh, and I was  Navy Seal in a former life and I still carry those search and destroy capabilities with me today.

I will continue to post in this forum until my thread goes live.

Thanks guys for all the encouragement. I hope I can live up to the standards set forth in this group.  You guys are awesome.

I find this one most interesting and possibly the most unlikely to happen to me during a race.  Not that I would be absolutely opposed to trying it but that the thought of drinking pickle juice during a race certainly doesn't appeal to me.

LOL That's pretty funny!  You're first on the hit list.

I can't believe this.  Dirk, you're famous in my clan (the rest of you are too, so Dirk, don't get a big head).  I've told my wife about your escapades since she thinks I'm nuts and compared to you I'm a total wimp.  One of her comments was "this guy sounds like he must have been a Seal."  Awesome.

When I was young I somehow developed a taste for pickle juice.  I would wait until the pickles were all gone and have me a nice glass.

I played a very fun prank on my sister when I was in high school that still lives on vividly in our memories to this day.  She had half a bottle of mtn dew in the fridge which I finished for her....and refilled with pickle juice.  The shock she experienced when it first hit her taste buds must have been magnficent.

Years later I mentioned that all of the 'access panels' in my tighty whiteys had been sewn shut.  I had never really given it though.  Turns out it had been her revenge for the pickle juice.

Any way....if a Seal can run through freezing thigh-deep water for fun, kill a grizzly with a bowie knife, wash his clothes in the blood of his enemies...but not drink pickle juice...Come on Dirk.  Get with the program.

I'm going to sit this one out.  But perhaps Dirk will let me stay a part of the gang in his mentor group?

Matt....tell me about Wally.  What kind of parts?  What kind of bike?  specific model, so I can find info on the internet?

Matt, as they say it's mostly about the engine anyway, though I'm with you on wanting a honking cool, red, tri bike.  As Jeff said, let us know what he's made of.  I'm on my original road bike as well, cost $600 online. 

I'll hijack a little as I'd love some bike advice too.  I'm the stupidest (most stupid?) in terms of bike maintenance, upgrades, and such.  I still have the original chain, close to 6000 miles on it.  What should I replace this spring?  It's a Mercier Corvus AL, I got in from bikesdirect.com.  It has Shimano Ultegra RD6600GS Triple rear, Shimano 105 FD5603 Triple front. I'll try to attach stats from the same bike from last year.

(so the pics and stuff didn't make it with the upload, but the bike stats are in there).

Warren,  my first question would be to take a look at your most used chain ring also.  If your bike isn't having any shifting problems your chain and chain-rings/cassette could all be worn out together.  One way to tell is to take a look at the teeth.  The shaper they are, the more worn out they are.

I can almost guarantee you that the chain is way past the max. stretch.  You're a pretty powerful guy and 6000 has definitely smoked that chain.

If you really like the frame, you may find it easier and a nicer setup to go with a double up front.  It will be lighter, cleaner shifting and less complex.  You will lose those tiny granny gears, but can make up for it by buying a compact crankset.  If I'm breaking this down too much, just say so.  So your typical "standard" crankset has 53 teeth on the large ring and 36 on the small ring.  The "compact" double has 50 teeth and 34 teeth respectively.  The only issue with changing your triple up front is that you now have to buy a new front shifter and front deurailleur....possibly the rear if it's a "long cage", which I bet it is. 

In short, definitely the chain, the cables, possibly the chain ring(s).  New handle bar tape can make a bumpy ride much more tolerable as well.  This is standard stuff that I change almost every year.  If you are just thinking about upgrades, those wheels are entry level at best.  This time of year you can score an awesome set of all-around wheels for under $400.

LOL that's really funny!  Maybe I should have tried that as an alternate career. And you can correct her too.  Just tell her I am a lunatic.  That's what my family believes anyway and what's it going to hurt for a few more people to think I'm dealing a few (well more than a few) cards short of a full deck.

Oh, I can and actually still indulge in a little pickle juice occasionally, preferably from sweet gherkins, but after or during a race?  Not so much.  Maybe I'll man up and try this at a future race........someday..........in the distant future.  That or I'll  lie about it.

Also, i used to drink it as a kid too but I never tried to play any pranks using it.  At least none that I remember or will admit to.

I will be following closely to the discussion on the bike stuff too.  My chain is approaching 6000 miles too and I have had a light tune up done at the beginning of the "outdoor" season this year.  I am getting close to needing another one right now but I need to learn to do the tune ups myself. 

Adjusting the derailleurs seems to me like t would be the hardest thing to do.  I have messed with an old bike of my daughters but couldn't get it adjusted at all.  I finally broke the cable because the thing couldn't adjust.  I don't think the bike ever shifted right and it was a Wal Mart bike so I doubt there was a lot of quality there.

BTW, Here is a bike site that has a lot of info on bike makes and models.  It isn't exhaustive but it'll give retail value of the bike when it was new etc.