TRI (Totally Radical Improvement) - Clydes/Athenas to competitors - Re-Opened (Page 9)

Thanks, Mitzi.  Mom and I don't have much of a mother/daughter relationship.  She still sees me as her innocent 17 year old that lives at home.  Having said that, it's tough to see her go through this, especially since she's about 10 hours away.  And her M.O. is to say that everything is going to be fine and then ignore it.  Somehow we've got to get it through her head that she can't ignore this.

First spin class is over.  I got there and all of the bikes were already taken so I had to get one out of the closet.   The instructor showed me how to position the seat and then I got on.  I was spinning for no more than 5 seconds when the entire left pedal came off.  I mean the entire pedal along with the iron rod it was attached to.  I wanted to run out of class, but I managed to keep it together.

First off, why must spin cycle seats be so very uncomfortable?  I adjusted and readjusted but couldn't find a comfortable spot.  For as fluffy as I am everywhere else, my bootie is all bone.  I chose not to do any of the climbs, but I didn't stop spinning for 45 minutes.  I had to back off at the end because I felt a Biggest Loser 'tossing your cookies' moment approaching and that wasn't the impression I was going for.

Second, my wrists and hands are killing me.  The seat was so uncomfortable that I couldn't hardly sit up to give my wrists a break.  I thought that next time I might bring some biking gloves, but didn't see anyone else wearing them and I don't want to be the nerdy kid in class. 

At one point, I had a little bit of a breakdown/breakthrough.  I started thinking about my mom and how she's allowed her health to decline over the years and realized that I have learned my sedentary ways from her.  I want more than anything to be healthy on the inside regardless of what I look like on the outside.

I will be going back next week, but I'm not sure if spinning is something I will ever love.

Hi guys, lots going on here, 

First thing, and most importantly;

Kim, Really sorry to hear that news about your mum. Stay strong, use your workouts as a mental release... i find a nice peaceful run or ride is very good for your soul. There can be something quite zen about it. And most of all, I can only hope that her treatment goes well... We're all thinking of you. 

Moving on... 

Muscle momma, I know exactly where you're coming from with weightloss frustrations. I've been up and down constantly over the last few years. I lost a lot, but been unable to make that final push to get lean and mean. But I'm not sure about this 'juice plan' you're talking about... I presume it means having juice instead of meals? Everything I've read (and my own experience) tells me that going on crash/shock diets like this may work in the short term, but almost always ends in a food binge, and putting the weight back on... Which is exactly what you're describing. 

Surely the best way is to eat real food, jut better (and/or less). It needs to be a lifestyle change (this is the part I keep missing) Not a crash diet to make a permanent improvement. 

If it helps last year I was using the MyfitnessPal app to track my eating, and dropped about 20lbs eating normal food (sandwiches, salads, pasta etc.), just using the App to make sure I didn't eat too much of it (over xmas I let myself go a bit and unfortunately put some back on) I'm now trying to get back on the wagon, and get back down to fighting weight. 

I'm also keen for a bit of an accountability group with you and mharvey (and anyone else who wants to lose) Accountability like that can help me make the right choice when you're tired and don't really want to cook something for dinner... 

I've had a good few days training, Fist decent long ride since the HIM on saturday, about 2:20 or so, I faded a bit inthe 2nd half, but that's expected after a few weeks of no long rides I think. I have no doubt the fitness will be back soon enough. Sunday I had another ride with a friend of mine who's planning on doing his first sprint at the end of summer. He's a bit slower than me, so it was more of a  recovery pace, but still time in the saddle. Followed that ride up with a good 15 minute brick run. 

So after 1 week, and 150km, I'm very much liking the new bike!

Bad news is my sprint tri planned for this weekend is going to be a DNS for me. It looks like I'm going to have to work this weekend instead, which is a bit of a bummer... 

When I lost my 80 lbs 6 years ago, still have 70lbs off, I used the Nutrilite diet plan,It helped me change my lifestyle and was not a fad/crash diet. One of the ways I was able to stay accountable is that I got together a group of 10 people and we committed to no cheating.  And it worked.   I just received an email from them this weekend that they are launching a new program starting March 4th.  They want me to create a team of 5 people for this contest they are running.  The contest is 90 days long and and has over 1000 prizes associated with it.  If I get a team of 5 people together and I already have 3 (including myself) then they will give us each $200 off the startup price.  The price is $249 to get started and that includes everything you need for the first 30 days and a genetic test you take to find out which body type you are so they can design a program based on your body type not on a one diet fits all.  If you are interested in doing this with me then please send me a personal email so we don't use this triathlon site for this.  my email is [email protected]  

 (yes Nutrilite is an Amway corporation and I do belong to Amway, infact I'm an Emerald)  However, I need people who are not in Amway and don't want to be in Amway on my team, it's part of the rules, so I'm not looking to recruit you in my business.  Everything that is purchased has a 180 day back guarantee.

Been in taper mode for a week now - my marathon is next Sunday - and thank I am not sure if it is coming at a good or bad time as it seems I have struggled to stay motivated this week.

Kim - sorry for what you are dealing with in regards to your mother.  There is no quick fix and this is something that will effect you regardless of how your relationship is - we only have one mother.  Just think of it like this - every workout - however dismal is still a victory - you made the decision to get out there and do SOMETHING - you will not be sedentary.  My workout today was lousy - I had to pause the dreadmill twice because I just couldn't do what I planned to do - at first I was beating myself up - if I can't power through a 40 minute workout on a treadmill how can I run a marathon on Sunday - but then I said - no one can set my limits but me - maybe I am not ready for 10% inclines at 7.5 for 2 minutes but I bet I can do it for a minute ... and I did.  Take your victories where you can - you are capable of more than you think you are.  I will definitely take a spin class after I recover from the marathon - if you can face your fears - have issues - and then say you will go back - well then I can man up and get on a spin bike.

Mike - doubt the cop even paid you any mind - most people seem to completely disregard cyclists or go out of their way to be obnoxious (at least here in NY) ... I am however impressed with your "pre-race" ... solid times - you would wreck me in the pool right now and are much faster than me running - I'd have to be going balls out to beat you biking and that is the only area where I would be competitive.  Solid stuff!  Never heard of Nutrilite - I do the morning meal replacement with affiliatespam and have for about 2 years - helps supplement my lack of vegetables in my diet - good luck in your contest.

Andrew - sucks about your race this weekend but think of it like this - it's a sprint - you can do one of these in your sleep now - you are a half Ironman ...  

I've been missing Texas quite a lot lately, but especially when it's 17 and snowing here.

I feel your pain.  When I go to the gym, I feel like everyone is staring at the fat girl trying to exercise and saying to themselves that I should just give up.  But then I do my workout anyway.  I know that if I falter on my training plan, race day is going to suck.  With the stuff going on with my mom, I've lost quite a lot of my drive at the gym, but hoping that it will come back in a week or two.  So until then, I'm just plodding through and I'm going to fake it until I make it.

Good workout this morning, really focused on my form, legs were a little heavy from my weight workout yesterday.

Yeah, I highly doubt anyone is looking at me thinking those things, but sometimes my mind runs away with itself

You're right Paul, I could do a sprint in my sleep... But it's no longer about just doing it at that distance any more. Now it's about improving my performance. 

The good thing is my entry has been transferred to another tri they run, latter in the year. So I'm not going to be out of pocket. 

A good start to the training week so far. Got to the pool twice (better than the last few weeks) but that'll be it, my pool is closed till sunday for the regional champs. Only one bike so far this week, but it was a good one, I worked hard, and all my 'hard' parts of the intervals were over 31km/hr average. And I've run every day so far. 

Also, it's only early days, but so far i'm 3/3 for tracking my food, and meeting my calorie goal. If I keep it up (last year I was over 100 days consecutive) the weight's going to melt off. 

Paul, I hate the taper, worst part of any Marathon training plan, I also think the older you are the less you need to taper.  Not for recovery of muscle, but just the opposite, I've always done better with a 7-10 day taper rather than the 2-3 week taper they recommend.   That's just me personally for what it's worth.

But then for them to tell you they may not do it is brutal.  Good news is you are in shape and can pick up another one in a couple of weeks.

Workout this morning: We've had some rough weather in the mornings here, Rained about 2 inches this morning, tough to ride a bike in that.  The gym I go to does not have a spin bike so I have not been able to get out and ride this week.  Hopefully it will be better this weekednd.  So here is my Dreadmill workout from this morning.  

10m 1.10 miles 09m 05s/Mi 142 calories

26m 3.90 miles 06m 40s/Mi 503 calories

Avg HR: 161

	10m 1.26 miles 07m 57s/Mi 174 calories	Avg HR: 138
8:00 AM

Finally got my lazy butt up and got to the pool this morning, it's my best sport and I don't know why I dread the pool workouts so much.  

30s 150.00 yards 01m 40s /100 yards 6 calories

07m 04s 500.00 yards 01m 25s /100 yards 91 calories

5 x 100 sprints with 60 seconds rest in between  1:21,1:23,1:28,1:26,1:26

03m 15s 200.00 yards 01m 38s /100 yards 42 calories

2 x 50 finger tip drag, 2 x50 free style.

03m 15s 200.00 yards 01m 38s /100 yards 42 calories

2X50 come alongs, 2x 50 free style

02m 30s 150.00 yards 01m 40s /100 yards 32 calories

warm up

No more spin classes until I can figure out what is going on with my hip.  It has been really bugging me since Sunday morning.  I suspect that it is due to shifting around in the seat so much.  I visit the chiropractor in the morning so hopefully all will be well at that point.

Congrats on the good workout!  I hate the mirrors also.  But, now when I walk by, all I look at is my legs because those are actually starting to shape up very nicely.  I have to avert my eyes from anything above my thighs though.  Just can't stand to look at myself right now.

I signed up for a 5K on 4/10 at a church a friend of mine goes to.  Entry fee goes to provide shoes for children in Africa and South America so I couldn't really pass it up.  And the fee was only $20 so it will be the cheapest race all year.  I will do what I can to train so that I can run the whole thing, but I'm really just doing it to get the extra race experience.

Training has all but stalled due to some pretty bad hip pain.  I've only been swimming, but today I did a full 850 yards and only stopped for about a minute half-way through.  I wish I knew what was different today than other days when I struggle with swimming.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still not great, but I felt more like I was gliding through the water than doing a crude doggy paddle.  Just got to keep at it I guess.