cathyd's Peer Support Group - FULL (Page 8)

That is EXACTLY where I am-- trying to get back into the size 8s!! Injuries that cause 5 months without running and 6 weeks on crutches are NOT good for fitting into pants-- especially they coincide with the holidays!!!!!!!!!!!  Not to mention that my office is full of candy hounds- my body can handle it when I am training-- but not when I am injured! UGH! Oh well, I am back to consistent workouts and resisting the sugar.....

I am on FB, too- Amy Fisher Quinn

Random question....

 Do all of you train with a heart rate monitor?  If so - do you have a preference?  I'm thinking about getting one.

Sugar (and fried foods) get me every time.... I get teased that I don't have a sweet "tooth," I have sweet "teeth."  I've found that the penalty jar works well (i.e. I get one free "fun sized" candy a day, after that the price is fifty cents, and eventually I donate the money to charity)...

I train alll 3 sports with a heart-rate monitor.  I have a Garmin unit for my bike that has a heart rate moniter.  Then for spin class, swimming, or running, I have a polar watch.  It's nothing fancy, but it tells me my heart rate, time, calories, etc.  The polar ones are good because the watches can be worn in the water, they just caution you not to push any of the buttons while the watch is in the water... I would caution you that often the formula's they use to calculate your max heart rate isn't totally accurate, but on most watches you can change the number.  I also don't think that the calories burned number is anywhere near correct, but I have no data to back that up... I just don't believe that burn 1,000 calories on an hour run, otherwise I would be really skinny

ohhhh!  I think I could like your heart rate monitor. Which model is it.  I went to look up heart rate monitors and there is like 20 to choose from.

No garmin for me yet.  Maybe after I complete my first traithlon that will be my reward.

I have an ancient Polar HRM.  It does HR range and beeps if I'm out - but I have to fiddle with it because it changes depending on the activity ...   I can't use it in the pool because it's only water resistant to 30m but I use it on the bike and the run when I remember.  Lately it's been I get all dressed THEN remember.  Although at the gym I just have to wear the band because the dreadmill picks up Polar equipment.

If I was going to buy one I think I'd go with a Garmin.  I just bought a Nike+ for my iPod because it was 20$ instead of several hundred for the Garmin - and I have a HRM that works perfectly well - even if it isn't fancy...l.

End of another week.

I missed my goals:  missed 3 bike workouts
                                did get in 2 swims
                                did not run at all

Why did I not complete what I wanted had planned to do:  I went to my daughters for 3 days and didn't bring my bike but could have run those days, chose not to.  So it was my choice not to meet my goals.  As it is always my choice to train or not, to eat well or not.

This week I will make better choices.

How did everyone else do?  Did you do all your planned training?  Did you make the best choices every day?  

What's in your plans for the coming week?

Erg.  I worked out every day - but not much of it was quality.  I'm starting to lose motivation being stuck inside and on the dreadmill/trainer...

I also ate a ton of garbage this week.  Garbage in = garbage out.

However, my friend did set me up with a new weight program so that gives me something new.  My pool is closed until Wednesday (but possibly for the week) which is a good thing because they've had trouble with it for a while now... hopefully they can solve the problem.

I'm going to do 7-10 this morning - it's going to get up to 4 degrees (40 F?) so I'm going to take advantage.  I got my groceries done, I have a bit of prep before I head over to my friend's to watch the Super Bowl ads. *laughing*

So my plan for the week:

Sunday - LSR

Monday - Weights/Spin

Tuesday - Spin

Wednesday - Run

Thursday - Weights/Spin

Friday - Run

Okay everyone, we're halfway through the week.  How are we feeling?  Starting to get a little cabin-fevery?  I know I'm going nuts on the treadmill/trainer...

What is something you have accomplished this week that you are proud of?

I got my classroom cleaned and organized which has been a goal for a couple weeks.  I'm also catching up on my marking.

I got outside for an afterwork run last night, short and slow but my first run in weeks.

The trainer drives me nuts for sure... I really hate it, much more than I dislike the treadmill. 

I'm thinking I'll focus more on running this month and in March when I can ride outside again I'll add in more biking.  (I was biking outside last year on March 3)

I didn't hit my planned workouts over the weekend either but I've made up for it this week so far. Even though I had to make yesterday an unintended day off, I'm planned to hit my goals for the rest of the week.

It's nice to read about others having similar issues which lessens how drastic they feel to me when otherwise I'd think I'm on my own and the only one (being a part of a support group has its benefits! :] Oh the fun of being an athletic supporter! -ha!

Thanks for everyone's great info!

Hey guys--

 Sorry I've been so absent! I caught a bit of a bug and work has been busy, so I sort of fell off the wagon....

I'm back on it now though, got in two good bike workouts last night and this morning.  I know what you mean about the trainer! I can't stand it!

 Does anyone have any suggestions about days off? I have been doing one day (usually Thur or Friday before the big weekend training), but I'm thinking that maybe I need to switch to 2 days, or at least 1 total rest day and 1 active recovery day.  I just seem to be exhausted, even though I'm sleeping 8 or more hours and eating pretty well....  I've started eating more red meat, 'cause I've had problems with iron before, but it doesn't seem to be totally working... maybe I just need an adjustment period too...

Hope you all have great weekends.  The weather here is supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow, so as long as it isn't really windy, I'll get to go on a morning ride with our local bike shop! I really love those rides. 

I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling tired Courtney. I know exactly what you mean though. For me it hits the days I am doing my night shifts and trying to get back on daytime family schedule. But it passes. If it is a feeling that isn't going away though maybe it is more serious? It sounds like the iron is a good idea but have you been in to the Dr. lately? I think you should go if it has been awhile! I hope you feel better soon, winter time is hard sometimes. I miss the sun!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, please think happy, positive thoughts as I become a sprint distance triathlete (yay! spelled it right lol) tomorrow at 12:00!!

Thanks for all the encouragement you have given... we have the coolest support group!!!

• Do the ride with friends. Drag your trainer to their house or have them bring their trainer to yours.
• Do intervals - after a 15 minute warm up, do 1 minute hard alternating with 1 minute easier, or whatever combination. Finish off with 15 minutes easy spinning and then stretch. Keeping focused on small chunks of time makes the big time go by easier
• Good tunes can help, or a good show. Caution with watching a show - make sure you still get a quality workout instead of getting caught up in the story.
• Break really long sessions into two blocks - e.g. one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.
• Practice visualization - see yourself riding outside, breeze in your face, and sun shining...
• Focus on posture, stability, and other skills. Put your bike by a mirror or watch your shadow. Is your upper body stable and steady? Is your back flat? Do your arms have a slight bend? Are your shoulders relaxed? Are your feet in a neutral position (toes and heels pretty even)? If not, pick one thing and focus on that for a while. Then switch to focusing on something else.
• Do something else! If your "A" race isn't until later in the season, splitting a long bike ride into a shorter but quality trainer session backed with something aerobic and fun outside will still get you benefits without the boredom. Many of the cyclists I hang out with do a lot of cross-country skiing or speed skating during the winter months.

Ha ha! Sometimes I play video games ... I stop pedaling without realizing it when I get caught up in the action. *laughing*

I had a great swim today - so I'm happy about that! Plus - it's above 0 outside - so I'm looking forward to a long run tomorrow!!! Whoooohoooooo!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my Saturday with you all... The hours leading up to the race turned out to be a bit more of a trauma than I had anticipated as I found out right after I posted here on Friday that my Mom was in the CCU at the hospital as she had just had a heart attack. I wasn't sure if I should still race but my brother and sister and husband and friends that I talked to asked me to give them some alternative to something I could do for my mom if I didn't race and I couldn't come up with anything. I cried a little before my heat and when I was waiting to be able to set up for the race but then when it was time, I was able to get focused and went ahead with my race plan. The swim and the bike felt really great. I was slower on the run than I wanted but I still came under my 1:35 time that I had hoped for. I have written and saved a race report but it hasn't posted yet. I'm not sure if I did it correctly, i guess we will see about that later. Mom is stable and will stay in CCU at least through today and I am glad that I raced. I remember reading that the goals we set for ourselves should be more about how our lives can be enriched through our athletic training and the things we learn as a result of our tri experiences and not just about winning races. I really experienced that yesterday. The other participants and the people who came out to cheer were so wonderful. It didn't matter how fast you were. There was amazing support for being the best you could be on that day and in that moment and for finishing the race. Thank you so much for your peer support too! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Sorry to hear about your Mom keri... hope she is doing well.

Congrats on your race triathlete !

Keri, Keep us posted on your mom.  We're thinking of you!

I'm glad you documented your experiences as well.  Some of my favourite moments are the emotions experienced during racing, everything else is just icing on the cake.  We are so lucky that we've realized the life experiences that can be gained through sport. 

**hugs**