Kenj - triathletes in training CLOSED (Page 69)

Sorry to hear about your son Robin.  My daughter had the same issue about a month ago.  Luckily my wife is a RN and my sister a CRNA so they were able to fix things without going to the ER.  Nothing worse than seeing your child hurt like that and feeling helpless.  Glad he's doing better.

Glad to hear you're back in the pool Ken.  I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know but just take it easy.  I had my shoulder reconstructed over 20 years ago and it still aches a little from time to time. 

It's almost the big day for me.  One week from today, I'll be in Florida.  I' feel like I've got a good plan but I keep having stupid dreams about leaving stuff at home.  One dream its my bike, another it's my shoes; just stupid things.  I've got my check list together.  I guess it's all just nerves.  Any last miute advice?

Wesley- best of luck in this stressful time. If i had any tips for getting through it, I'd definitely be using them. If I could put up a mental block and forget I registered for an IM until the day before the race, i certainly would....

I had a pretty good training day. Best indoor bike in a while, though I'm still kind of achy and tired from the weekend. Go figure. Got a brick to do tomorrow.

Yesterday, a 20-something y/o guy i work with tells me he is doing a 50k trail run in NJ in February, and I should check it out. 15 minutes later, I'm registered for it. Hopefully, no one I know decides to jump off of the Brooklyn Bridge, or I'll be diving right in...It's 3 loops on a 10 mile course. 3 is the limit in terms of loops I will do. The description says it is mixed terrain. I checked the times from last year. The fastest time was 8:00/mile, so guess it cant be too bad, or too easy, for that matter.

Happy training to all! I'm super excited for Kathleen and Wesley. Are either of you wearing one of those tracking devices?

I can absolutely relate to the part about someone just randoming talking about something and the next thing you know, I'm in.  That's my thing.  Just jump in with both feet.  No need to test the waters.  That theory has gotten me in pretty deep a few times. (IMFL next weekend)  I'm going to be wearing the track my athlete live.  It's real time, not like ironmanlive.  I followed Carla in her last IM using the same thing.  It was good to have real time and know exactly where she was on the course and not waiting for her to pass certain check points.  My wife thought I was crazy for getting so bent out of shape over something on the computer with someone I've never meet in person.  I'll post the link before the race.

I was watching Carla on the computer as well. I was even almost yelling at it a few times telling it/her that she had to go faster to make the finish in time. It was a stressful day!   I will have a tracking device as well.  I had one last year but it fell out in T1. People were wondering what happened to me as I never moved. Fortunately I had people on the ground who could relay the message that I did infact make it on the bike

Wesley, it would be great to meet you and at least say hello. I know that might not be possible but tell me your number so I can at least look for you. 

Bill, are you getting a gps?  It is getting close for you as well

I just woke up from a dream (nightmare) where I couldn't find my T1 stuff and when I did, there were tags and those little plastic tag holders on my socks. My bike and bag have been delivered to the bike transport guy and now I just have to figure out all the rest of the packing.

So glad to read that you are back in the pool Ken! 

Robin, sorry to hear about your son but glad he is on the mend.

Hey Bill, I saw on FB that you went to NYU.  I went there as well. I am originally an East Coaster. Still am. People here used to always comment how fast I talked. At the same time I went nuts waiting for them to finish a sentence.  I don't notice that anymore but it was real change coming to CO from the East Coast.

Wesley12:  Well I am touched, moved and inspired that you were out there following me at Ironman Coeur d'Alene!!!  Every time I wanted to stop or slow down I know that my pace was being broadcasted and someone out there was YELLING AT THE ICON TO MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for tracking me!  I'll be in Panama City Beach for Ironman Florida!  I'll make sure I have your number but will be tracking you in person!  All the best!  Trust your training and see you next week!

~Carla

Sounds like a fun time Bill!

IM dreams are part of the package!  Relax, stay focused and trust the plan.  I do find using lists are good, but don't get too uptight that you have lists of your lists! 

That is funny about fast talking, when I lived in Florida I was always told the same thing.  The other funny thing, I live over 300 miles from NYC, but when I said I was from NY, everyone assumed the city. 

I sure wish I was heading to PCB with you guys!  Next year!

To register for 2013?

If that thing works out, I'm considering buying a Garmin GTU 10. Its the same technology, but not made specifically with athetes in mind (i think sharing your info publicly is a problem). Its $150 on sale and they charge $50/year after the first year for service. If i only used it for races i doubt it would be worth it since i dont tend to draw an entourage unless its for 140 mile :-). But next year I'll be doing a lot of trail running and figure it can be like a "if im not home by noon, check to see if the dot on the screen is moving" thing. If you have kids who are driving age, you can also use it to learn all sorts of things about their behavior...

When I did Florida in 2010 someone offered a free tracker program they were working on and looking to test.  You just entered your bib number and when ever you crossed a timing mat it was supposed to send a text message and an email to as many different address that I entered.  So I set it up to a couple of cell phones that my wife and family had and my laptop via e-mail. 

They spent the late afternoon time frame when I would be coming in from the bike and heading out for the 2 loops of the run at a sports bar on the beach near the course.  Unfortunately the service seemed to suffer from enough of a delay that they missed me by about 5 minutes the entire time including the finish!!  Haven't heard much about that program since then, and I don't believe it was the program, but the delay from IM to update the website, which was where they were grabbing the data.

Trackmyathlete seems to work very well from what I have been told by people that use it.  I will definitely try that route next time.

Is it crazy that I am getting super excited for all you getting ready for your IM's? It makes me want to do something crazy (like sign up for one)! Good luck with preparations - I will be cheering you on from Alaska!

BTW Carla - I followed you as well - it was really cool!

Yes Wesley.  Have the absolute best time of your life.  IronMan is a spiritual experience for me.  No way could I go that far alone. It's a celebration so celebrate. 

Kathleen:  My bib # is 1708.  Are you going to do the BT swim either morning?  When are you arriving in Florida?  I'm going to get there close to lunch Wednesday.  I'm going to try and swim Thursday and maybe again Friday morning.  I'm staying in the host hotel.  My wife and 2 girls(7 & 9) are flying Thursday night.  Their first flight and they are almost as excited about that as I am my first IM.  Kind of wish I was coming with them but I'm driving down early. 

Carla:  Is the tracker as simple as they say it is?  Did you put it in your T1 bag?  We all need to meet up at some point. 

I've got this strange very nervous but calm feeling.  I'm just going to do everything I can to take everything in over the whole weekend. 

Morning gang!  How is everyone, especially you tapering IM folks?

I did the morning group run, slight mist and perfect temps made the trail very enjoyable this morning!

Wesley, my # is 899.  I do plan to go to the BT swim. I am arriving in FL Tuesday. When I booked the flight I wanted to make sure that a snow storm or something wouldn' prevent me from getting down there in time for registration. I feel for the east coasters who are now dealing with flights and the pending storm.

I have used the tracker before.  I put it in my T1 bag and had it attached to my race belt. The problem I had is that it fell out of it's pouch at T1 so I never got to use it. they come in this little pouch with a velco top and the velco must have come off. They used to lie horizontal on the belt but my understanding is that they now sit vertical.  Either way I am going to put tape or something on the top so I don't lose it again. 

You can reach me at [email protected] and we can coordinate a time to meet. Carla is arriving Thursday evening.  Also, if you are one FB, look me up. I have two profiles but only use the one where there is a picture of me on my tri bike.

I have a two hour bike ride/30 minute run today.  Fortunately I have a road bike as my tri bike is in transit to FL.  I figure I will do it while watching  The Hawaii IM on TV (they are broadcasting it today).   I also have to go to Goodwill to find some clothing to put in the special needs bags that I don't mind losing. I have been told that getting your special needs bags back in FL is a crap shoot at best.

Ken, I keep reading that to avoid a ton of contact in the swim, I should stay to the far right.  Does that sound right?  I hear the draft is great but at what cost?  In AZ I waited  till the end. Maybe it cost me some time but I never made contact with one person. Of course this is a two lap swim so I know I will have a  lot  more company in this swim.  I just don't want to be apart of all the chaos if possible and if that means I am slower then so be it.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Nice thing about the gulf is that it is huge! So there really isn't any reason to get bunched up, but they do anyways.  I found the outside right to be good, but it still bunched up some on the corners, but then I guess I could have taken it a bit wider.  I tried swimming closer to the line on the second lap figuring it had thinned out some but it was still pretty crowded at the pace I was on.  Still, Florida was a lot better than Lake Placid as far as the chaos on the swim.

Safe travels Kathleen, Wesley and Carla!

Carla never did answer me if she is registering.  I am hoping to do so on line for FL 13.

Adam and Bill better head for higher ground!  I hope all turns out well for that part of the world, we are just getting heavy rain and wind.