left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 69)

Diane, I don't know what to say. You are so incredibly driven. Whatever you decide, I'll be cheering for you. Strong and loud. So loud you can probably hear me over there in Vegas.

Wow, all you guys are doing so awesome!!! I'm immensely proud of all of you.

In some ways, I feel like I'm bringing up the rear in our little group. I'm just over here kinda doing my own thing at my own turtle pace. Content. Training but not pushing. Fortunately this group is also very easy going.

The biggest thing on my 2009 goal list (after learning how to be a wife ) is a two-day 60 mile charity ride and my first marathon. Both will be distance PRs and both of which I plan to take my own sweet time. After that, I'm looking to throttle back to half marathons and a few sprint tris here and there. 

Tonight I'll be going for my first Masters swim since the accident. I'm a little nervous because I've been out of the water for so long. Swimming off and on but not as consistent as I used to. But I've decided to swim my own pace. No distance or speed expectations. Just gonna see what happens. My shoulder is a lot better but I'm really not going to push it tonight. It'll just be nice to see everybody again. I belong to the nicest team. Very social. Very cool people. Hopefully my soon to be DH will join us tonight. He's a swimmer too.

Whatever our goals, no matter how different, we are all happy. And all pulling for each other. So whatever we're doing it's definitely working for us.

Go Turtles!!!

WAEF - can't wait to hear how the swim went.

Gary - since a female "Knight" in the system of British honours is referred to as "Dame" (the equivalent of "Sir" for a man) perhaps that could be a nickname for your ride?

Shark - man, that is a lot of race planning you are doing. Way to go!

FBP

I got my USAT card, and signed up for the Sprint Tri in St. George on May 9 - I want to be able to finish strong, instead of just going for a finish (which is what I'm doing on my first Oly)

After my Oly on April 18, I have 10 weeks to gear up for the Seattle RnR Half... in that 10 weeks, I'll be at least 1 (May 9) if not 2 (June 13) Sprint Tri's... Anyone have suggestions on what plan I can follow for this? I would LOVE to get a PR in the Half!!

Then I'll probably do the Sprint Sept 26, and end the season with an Oly Oct 17... and another Half Marathon Dec 6 (another Half PR?)

That's 7 planned finish lines (5 tri's, 2 Halfs) Is that enough Finish Lines for you Bryan?

Freddy - good point then would that be Lady Dame or Dame Lady?  I am quickly thinking Lady works for me.

Diane - Hopefully USAT has straightened out their registration it took almost 8 weeks to get my cards (then they sent me 2 which I didn't mind).

Okay for Gary's news:

a.  Got fitted today, raised the seat, replaced the stem with a longer one.  Felt better on their trainer but will ride in a little while to try out.

b.  Big news!  Gary is not doing the Pressman Rookie this weekend.  Sons soccer Tourney is Saturday Soooooooo, I am doing the T-Gator on Sunday (same location as the Dua) with at 525 meter OWS!  Run is 2 miles and ride is 10 miles, not much more than the pressman.  The good thing is the ride is one out and back.  The Pressman was two loops with lots of turns.  At least I will know the course!

Diane - do the Oly....it'll hurt...you'll be proud....you have the bike - you have the swim - both this week.....and I am sure you have run 6.2 miles.....so go for it...you are ready.....and DON'T worry about your time....have FUN....be careful not to overtrain during your taper....the hay is in the barn

DO NOT PEE IN YOUR WETSUIT.....hush your mouth mav....that is gross and it will stink...love your spouse, don't pee on your spouse, love your wetsuit, don't pee on your wetsuit....and don't you EVER tell Debbie that I put that in a post

How about Black Magic or Black Mamba???? 

mav....what a ride.....maybe Black Steed???? or...hehe....I can't say it

Gary - tri shoes vs bike shoes....no real issue

Shark - they can't all be A races.....some will have to be treated as workouts....I try to pick out 3 or 4 races a year as my big races....one early spring, early summer, late summer and fall....that way the training can oscillate and I can have fun....I would mix some sprints and olys.....a half mary would be good....maybe the later one.....when they quit being fun and you are thinking they are work then thin them out....I also wouldn't have a problem with RnR since you already paid....just thin out the tris....maybe one a month???

Gary - you are a swimmer! go for it

Waef - you will regain that swim really quickly....go girl go

Gary - what is your start time....I will be rooting for you....just like last year....I am getting all geeked up

Shark - they are your finish lines....they just accrue to the benefit of the mighty turtle....

You are all doing great.....I am sorry I haven't been here much for the last two weeks...Taylour has had two golf tournaments and it has been crazy in the market and if you have been following the legislation there are a lot of legal wranglings going on about our compensation and livelihoods.....thank God I have training to escape.....it is like on a long ride or run or swim I can just escape all the crap that is going on....when you have a quiet moments, if you can, send a good vibe my way.....I will definitely return the favor....Thanks for being there for me...even when you don't know you are....I've said before and will say again, I get a lot more from ya'll than ya'll get from me.....

sTRIve

LRR - 8am CST start time on Sunday.  I am jazzed.  Several months ago you folks said go for it, you can do it.  Well you were right!  Definitely will send vibes your way.

Well I guess the bikes name is Lady "Dame".  Lady for short.  Starting to look past my April 18th Tri.  Seems like there is only Sprints in LA and can't justify traveling very far for this "hobby" to do a Oly.  Will look to see if there are any in Houston as that isn't too far.

But the next mental issue will be OWS without a wetsuit.  My swimming is getting better so I think if I just do a practice OWS w/o a wetsuit I will be fine.  Supposedly the "Cajun Man" is the big end of the year Tri here so I will aim for that.

Gary - I had thought "Lady Knight" would be the long name and "Dame" the nickname although I LOVE the suggestion"BlackMambo"!!!! Think of the possibilities - "Bo", "Mama",  "Mammie", etc.

Work is very crazy LRR for me too. We have just been told that our budget is $6 million short for this year and about $30 million short over 3 years SO, there are some tough decisions to be made and as the head of HR, you can imagine what our role might well be. I HATE this part of the job ...

Had an email from my 19 year old daughter and she has been working herself up to be able to do her first 5k race in April or May when she gets home. I  am looking forward to doing the race with her !! She is already "talkin' some smack" too so we'll see if youth trumps experience!!

 Sticka

Must say my pre-Tri nerves are a little on end but if I keep myself busy I am fine.  Skipped swim today to have lunch with a friend.  It was going to be a lite 500 meter and figured I could afford to miss it.  Was going to ride and run tonight but with the rain it will just be a run.

Question: On the BT site there is a video on transitions.  One thing he shows is that you can tape gels to the top bar.  When you need one you can rip the gel off of the tape and it is open.  Cool but, what kind of tape?  I really don't want to junk up my new bike.  My other thought was to pre-open a gel, paper clip it close, and put it in my shirt pocket.  Simply reach back, pop off paperclip, suck gel.

Mav - on a hot Texas day, I wouldn't want to stand next to them either.  That is one kewl bike there girl....looks FAST!!!!  And don't you look like a triathlete with it all held aloft....LOL!!!

Gary - relax....don't overthink this....I tape gels to the top bar sometimes...it works well depending on the brand (works well for HammerGel as they don't have much of a top).  I use electrical tape.  Just be sure to take it off as soon as the race is over.  I would highly advise against paperclipping idea....sounds like a slowdown at best and a skin puncture at worst.....stick that gel in your mouth....rip it with your teeth and gulp her down.

Gary ---  REPEAT AFTER ME.....

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY

It's The Law.....

B 

Gary - remember Sunday you owe us a race report asap....

Greetings from the north country!! Today was a GORGEOUS spring day. Temp was around 10c so lots of snowbank meltin' goin' on. I went out for my first run of the season in shorts instead of long tights. It was liberating you might say!

Gary - have a great race and don't keep us in suspense with your race report!

Hockey update - the VReds defeated the No. 1 seed in Game 1 at the Nationals. They play tonight and if they win or tie they are on to final tomorrow night. Go Reds!! 

LOL! Yep, some where around the 30th bale I remember.  Unfortunately I may be keeping you folks in suspense as I am probably going to drop off the hay and head to New Orleans to watch my son play in the tournement (assuming they win their 9:30am game).   My cell phone does not have any of the fancy web stuff but I will do my best!!

Beautiful pics!!!

You look great. What a beautiful area. You will be SOOOO ready for your race

Thanks Mav... I liked your pics too, btw... I love the one of you holding up "Max"... I wish I could swim better in the OW... We were out there for 45 min, and coach said we only did about 750 meters... I have a mental block out there... gotta work on that.

The ride is on the actual race course... so that'll help

I tried floating on my back, and got VERY dizzy/queasy tummy... not gonna do that again! I'm hoping earplugs work, I'm gonna try them out in the pool first.

I'm not afraid of drowning as much as I'm not sure where I am out there... gotta keep sighting, don't know how much further, etc... in the pool, I know I have 30 more laps, and then 20 more, etc, and I can mentally prepare... but in the OW, I feel lost.

Looking good Shark! It took me several tries to get used to being in the OW and the lake I was in was considerably smaller than the one in your pics (which are beautiful BTW!). You might try just walking out a distance until the water is waist deep or so and simply try floating for a while with no intention of swimming anywhere. Once you feel more confident and get your heart rate down (from the combo of cold water and nerves mine shot up at first but after a few seconds and  some "cleansing breaths" it settled down) then try some floating - front and/or back.

WRT sighting -  had always done my pool swimming with 4 crawl to 1 breast stroke. That ended up being great on the day of the race because it was easier to sight in OW when doing the breast stroke.

... and now your daily hockey update ...

My beloved V-Reds won last night and so tonight they play for the national championship - third straight year they have made it to the finals. In 2007 they won it all, last year lost by a goal in OT so lets home for a repeat of 2007 this evening!

...and now I'm off to church (I play guitar and sing with the choir) so have a great day everyone  

FBP

In going over my nutrition plan, my coaches were not happy that I didn't have any electrolyte replacement in my plan... so It's in my plan now... but it could cause cramping if you're not replacing enough... Other than that, I have no clue why you would cramp - BUMMER... AND

CONGRATULATIONS GARY!!!