Mav's Massachusetts Mentor Group/Full for the Season (Page 9)

I am in!!! I think Erica is also doing the 5 miler(i think)!!! I am doing the 10...first time in a while I have run that far. It will be nice to meet you in person!!!!

Kristen, Glad you like the book...Bryan is a great guy. Following him here on BT while he made the journey was a lot of fun. Scott and Leanne are also regulars on BT!!!!

Cortney...sign up for Musselman. You wont be sorry you did!!!! If you do the training , you can go the distance. I have always feared that I wouldnt be able to do it...but if you do the training  required using a training plan you will finish!!!There is nothing like the feeling of crossing that finishline and knowing that you did it!!!!

Daniel. Good Luck on you race this Saturday!!! SOunds like you are ready.

Nancy, sorry about the job...sounds like there are a lot of changes. You seem like you havve a good handle on it and are going to make it work into your life.

Did anyone loose any weight this past week?????

For those of you who live in Mass....its beautiful out today. Hope you can take some time and enjoy the mild temps. I am going for a bike ride. I hate the trainer and anytime I can ride outside safely in the off season...I do!!!

Courtney...sign up!!!!

Yes, GORGEOUS weather today and it's January...  ???  Love it!  I went for a run outside today but it was more challenging than usual b/c I was pushing my 30 lb. toddler in a double jogger with under-inflated tires.  Think I should log this run as strength training, too!

What Joggers do you ladies have?  You think it would be unwise to go craiglist?

Ack!  What have I done?!  I'm in - I officially signed up for Musselman.  Yikes! 

Help...  I guess I will probably use one of the BT plans (likely the beginner HIM one).  I think my biggest concern is nutrition. 

Do you have a Garmin or other sports watch? What model do you have? Is there another model you covet? What do you use it for and how often?

I've been researching some of these devices and would love to hear the group's opinions.

OMG I could have written this - we are on the same wavelength.  Well, except for the 430am part

I have not been this out of pocket since that post-season lull in October.  blech

I hope we both get turned around on Wednesday.

tribeagle - 2012-01-24 10:40 PM

Ack!  What have I done?!  I'm in - I officially signed up for Musselman.  Yikes! 

Help...  I guess I will probably use one of the BT plans (likely the beginner HIM one).  I think my biggest concern is nutrition. 

I have the most basic Timex HR monitor; all it shows is duration of activity, max HR, avg HR.  Tooooo  simple, but I did not know what I really needed when I bought it.  I wish it would indicate HR zones and time in zone, at least.   Good luck with the shopping! I'll be interested to hear everyone's advice too.

Jog Strollers are crazy expensive, IMO.    We  have a Kelty double (used - craigslist) and a Tike Tech single (old stock/clearance @ BabiesRUs).  We bought these two brands because we needed the highest possible handlebars, as my spouse is very tall and was uncomfortable with the BOB and the classic BabyJogger.  When we shopped for the double, my then-3 y.o. was too tall to fit under the canopy of the BOB.  The Tike Tech has been GREAT for five years, except somehow the front wheel or something is bent - and my bike shop couldn't fix it, so it pulls to the right constantly, and drove me nuts.  So recently I bought an InStep single (craigslist $40) that is not feather-light but runs straight, is smooth, and my 2 y.o. can fully recline and nap. THe handles are too short for my husband (6'5") but I am 5'10 and it's OK for me.  So I'm content with that.  If you have time, try out different brands and test some used ones via craigslist; you may get a great deal. good luck!

YEAH!!! You did it!!!!! Thats the hard part Now all you have to do is train.

I would also advise the beginner HIM plan on BT. I have used it and I had no problem completing my first HIM. I agree with Erica that it seems a little heavy on the swimming.For the longer races it is all about the bike. The more comfortable you are riding for 3 hours the better run you will have. Nutrition is key to the longer races as well. It really is a matter of personal preference. You have to train from the begining with different foods and fluids to find what works for you. I would also suggest that you purchase some sallt stick tablets. These are sodium tabs that replace the salt lost while biking and running. Most foods cannot replace the loss from the sweat. I dont like endurolytes...they dont have enough sodium for me, but these have worked perfectly. You can purchase them at most LBS or online.

Congrats on signing up ...we are here to help you

Nancy, I have a Garmin 305. Its an older model that they dont make anymore...the newer one is great too. It allows you to measure swim, bike and run! Distance speed cadence HR...and it has so many other functions that I dont even use. It has a built in GPS. You can download all your data. It has an auto pause button so if you stop it will pause the time ( for traffic lights this is great) . When you download the data you can see how your HR reacts to hills, distance and speed. Its a very cool gadget. You can get Garmins on amazon for a fraction of what they cost in the stores. They are expensive, but I wont leave home without it I plan on getting a newer version this season.

When you buy one you have to register it. A year ago while cycling, mine popped off the mount on my bike. I stopped and looked and could NOT find it. About a week later there was a knock on my door. A man had found it, didnt know what it was...looked it up on line and saw that it was expensive. Typed in my registration number and got my address. He drove from 3 towns over to return it!!! The kindness of strangers!!!

Polar makes a great HR monitor as well and I dont think its as expensive as the garmin.

Erin and Erica...I  admire both of you for training when you have young children. Its so hard to do anything for yourself when your kids are little. You give and give and give...til you have nothing left because thats what mothers do. BUT you have to take some time for yourself. You will be better for it...even if its NOT training, carve out 30 minutes everyday. Your kids will not thank you( because thats not what they do haha) but hopefully you will start to feel better. remeber that by doing this for yourself you are setting an example for your kids....they are NOT neglected!!!!!

I hope this helps {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

thanks for this; I do feel guilty when people at the Y say to my kids "wow you guys live here" and "so the Y is your second home, huh?,"  as we are there several times a week.   At least it's safe, clean, friendly, fun for them, and it's NOT the mall !

I just have the basic Timex Ironman sports watch to time my runs.  I measure the distances of my runs using the BT "routes" feature.  So old school!  I also have a Polar HR strap that I use for spin classes.  I'm interested in hearing what folks have to say about their Garmins, etc. too! 

I would definitely check out strollers on craigslist.  I have a BOB double jogger and love it.  They are crazy expensive - I bought it new -  but I've used it a ton over the past 4 years, so I don't feel too guilty, haha!  I agree that it's a good idea to try out the different models at a store and then once you see what works for you, try to scout out craigslist.  You might find a good deal!!

Yay, so psyched for you!! 

I am impressed by you moms making time for yourselves and somehow fitting in any kind of workouts.

Thanks for the advice on the sports watches. I really like gadgets and although those Garmins are expensive, from what I've read online they are worth the money. BJs recently had the Timex Ironman on sale, but I hear it can have problems getting a signal.

On another note, we just discovered we have an old bike trainer that we inherited. I guess I need to get a special pin for it, from what I can see online about this equipment. We also have a number of old road bikes I was thinking I could set one of the old ones up on that if the thing still works. I'm sure there's been improvements in trainers since this thing was made, but this will give me an option for when I get home too late.

-- Nancy (Peppah)

Thats great Nancy! That special pin is called a skewer, you can probably pick one up at landrys for about$15. If you have an old road bike just put some lube on the chain and ride the trainer. I will warn you the rubber of the tire may smell a bit and if its an old tire you will find a lot of rubber after you ride the trainer. Dont be alarmed. If its a tire you dont care about dont worry. If however, you plan to use the tire on the road...think about buying a trainer tire. They cost about $25 and last forever. Regular bike tires can cost as much as $75...if you can believe it!

I love my Garmin. I think I paid $250 for it and I have had it going on 5 years now. Worth the investment IMO!!! SOmetimes you can find used ones on Amazon/ebay for very cheap, I have seen the 305 for less than $100 and its a great tool.