The Second Wind Group - CLOSED (Page 9)

Sorry I've been a weenie and haven't participated much.  I've been keeping up with posts as much as I can.  Husband travels a lot and on those weeks, I don't feel like posting much.  Did a Warrior Dash on Saturday and an oly on Sunday.  Recovered Monday with a swim, and back at it today with speed intervals for running.  Next race is 6/24. 

Even though the Christian encouraging words have been for those actively participating in the forum, I have gained much encouragement from reading them.  It is wonderful having a positive, Christian place to turn and read.  You don't know how much you're encouraging others just by speaking your faith and values.

I'll try to be a more productive member of the group.  Apologies.

Just wanted to give an update.

Running is going ok, but it looks like parathyroid surgery is in my near future.  My Calcium is high, vit D is low, PTH is high-normal.  Also my thyroid also has an issue now and it is underactive, so Dr put me on a new medicine today.

I am trying to get in the Norman Parathyroid Clinic in Tampa Florida, just need insurance to cover it.  It will definitely take a bite out of my wallet and kill the budget, but going with someone who does only 1 type of surgery and multiple times a day seems like the right answer.

Please pray that this is the real root cause of a lot of my ailments and I can get past them.

On the fun side tomorrow night is first of 4 track series runs this month, so I am going for speed.  I will run 100 and 400, possibly a relay and then use my extra weight and launch a shot put.  Other events are offered, so I will see how it goes and I will report back how it goes.

Thanks everyone.

Sungirl - welcome back.  I've looked at your workout logs and "weenie" is not a word I'd use to decribe you.  I was hoping you'd show back up because you seem to have a ton of knowledge and experience.

Otter- praying for you with the ongoing testing and upcoming surgery.  I hope this can resolve the issues.

Gomes and Chick - thanks for the feedback on the achilles.  I'm kind of bummed but both of you have helped.  With my increase time to swim, I'm definitely going to try out the aqua jogging thing.  I've read about that before and it sounds like it could help and won't hurt me.

Stegaman - the thought had crossed my mind of trying our Red Man HIM but the Branson HIM is the same weekend.  I had been tentatively targeting the Branson HIM but I'm wondering if that goal is a little too aggressive to go from the couch to a HIM over a summer.  Especially since I've recently read that the Branson HIM is one of the toughest courses in the world.  We'll see...maybe Red Man would be a better option.

Real fun night to run...

Ran 4 events in the cool of the evening, since it was raining during registration.

100 Meters - 16 and change I think, I will post actual times when they are available

800 Meters - about 5:10

400 Meters - about 2:15

1600 Meters - about 10:15

Did not walk any, only had about 5-10 minutes between events.

Not bad for an old guy who weights in over 200 pounds.

3 More weeks to bring these times down.

Thanks for the prayers, will keep you posted.

Registration for the redman is currently closed.  They will be re-opening on july 1.  I had a friend do the bike portion as part of a relay team last year and he said its a fairly easy bike course.  The swim is in a rather calm lake and the run is along multipurpose paths along side of the lake and mostly flat, but not very shaded.  Last year, OKC was in a severe drought so the water level was very low and they had to alter the swim course.  We've had much more rain this spring, so hopefully that continues and they go back to the original course.  I've always heard very good things about the redman from the locals, so if you want to do it, be prepared to sign up on july 1.

I always use Body Guide and highly recommend it.  The area you described is not an area you want to have chaffing.  That can be painful.  I also use it in other areas where rubbing can occur from my clothing.  An area to also not neglect is the back of your neck if wearing a wetsuit.  I had a raw area there after my HIM. 

Noticed that my National Running Day link to the short blog post I wrote on The Second Wind did not show properly.  Here is the proper link.

http://thesecondwind.net/2012/national-running-day/

My husband constantly has this problem.  Part of it could be the shirt material that is worn (some are better than others).  He uses a really high-tech solution:  band-aids.  There is also a product "nip-guards" (no lie) that are for the same purpose. 

Good Friday Morning Everyone!  Good luck to anyone who may be racing this weekend.

No race for me this weekend.  Looking forward to a sunrise ride to begin the day tomorrow.  Starting at 5:45 am and riding for 2 hours.  Then I am leading the Second Wind training group at our weekly Saturday morning running meet up.  We are in week 9 of 12 in the 5K training.  Such a blessing to be a part of this and seeing how God is working through this ministry.  There is so much encouragement from everyone to help many reach training goals they thought they could never do before.  All the glory to God! 

This past week we had a gentlemen at our church teaching a conference called "Every Believer a Witness".  This was a fantasic conference and a great reminder of the command we are all given in Matthew 28:19 where Jesus says we are to go and make disciples of all nations.  In everything that we do, we are to witness to others.  Share the love of Christ and what He did for you in order to lead others to Him.

I am praying for all of you today that you will go boldly and share with others.  I pray that you will be provided the strength, wisdom and knowledge of Christ as you share.  Even while we are working out, what a great time to clear your mind and reflect!  Today on my morning run, it was awesome to hear the birds singing.  It was constant throughout the 5 miles.  Great to listen to as daybreak was beginning.

Have a great day everyone.  I will leave you with Proverbs 3:6 - "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (NLT).

Hey everyone, this is a shameless plug.  Within the last 2 years I've lost my aunt and my cousin (same age as me and we grew up together) to cancer.  I think about my cousin frequently and recognize that this live truly is "but a vapor".  

Just this week, I officially signed up to train and raise money for cancer research with Team in Training and I'll be doing the Nations Triathlon in Washington DC in September.  If you're interested in contributing to the cause, my fund raising page is in my signature line.  

Last year, my husband and I drove separately to the HIM location.  He was minding the kids and I had to drive myself to the race from the hotel.  After the race, we drove 2 different paths home.  He took the kids home (2.5 hour drive).  I had to drive to my parent's house to pick up my dog (they were dog-sitting) which was 2 hours away from the race site, then drive 2.5 hours home to my house. 

To make a long story short, it's doable.  You'll be in such a high after finishing that the race will replay in your mind for those 3 hours of driving.  You won't even know how the drive went so fast!

In most of my races, I am going by myself.  Too much for the kids to be out there for hours waiting.

In my first HIM last month, it was 2 hours away.  I was planning on driving down on race morning, racing and then driving back that afternoon.  A friend did not want me to be too tired, so he offered to drive for me and support me during the race.  I was shocked and grateful at the same time.  It was an early morning start and allowed me to rest on the drive down and then on the way back.

Is it doable?  I would say it is.  You will have the "high" after finishing where you will think about the race which will make the drive go by.  One recommendation if you do drive is to take some breaks on the way home and get out of the car to walk around and avoid your legs getting tight.

My race is this Saturday and I'm hobbling into it.  I can't do it on my own strength.

What is everyone's pre-race nutrition?  I'm talking about the days before the race....thoughts?

helpful hint:  don't eat foods with too much fiber a day or two before a race.  I've made that mistake before my long runs.  Not a good idea...

Waiting on call from Parathyroid Clinic in Tampa.  They have my info and are reviewing it, I will let you all know.  Thanks for the prayers.

Tonight I did the track workout again.  Shot Put, 100M, 800M, 200M, 1600M and then last leg of 4X400.  It was a fun night.  My leg got tight in the thigh after the 100, but managed to beat last weeks times in all events.

Do great this week everyone.

Gomes - that swim race looks awesome!  I wish I could do it and I would if I was in the area.  We don't really have of these types of OWS where I live!