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Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:58:05 GMT

Mary Kay~ I've been trying to figure out the nutrition thing for a while. I may have mentioned that I'm hypoglycemic. I eat every 2 hours to keep my blood sugar up. I also have had problems in the past 2 years with nausea after about 6 miles. I stopped having dairy before a race and this helped a little. Then I eleminated as much fiber as possible. I've been reading all kinds of articles and accounts from people. The GU seemed to be the most stomach friendly source of calories for a long Tri. I have to say my stomach was very happy and by the time I began to run I was full and hydrated from the bike, just as I had read. I never got the symptoms I do when I need to eat during the run. As for the quads, I don't know, maybe I should have had one more GU during the run. They never really cramped, but felt tight, you know that stinging burn you get when you're reaching the limit. I wanted to finish more than I cared about my time. Never having done this before, I didn't know how my body would react or if I could push it safely. I should have done some Olympic Distances before jumping up to the Half Iron Man, but none were scheduled close enough for me to do. There was one 2 weeks before, but I was advised not to. I do think the heat was getting to me more than anything. Should have run more after work, rather than just in the mornings.

From what I've read everyone's body has different needs and reactions. If anyone has advise on the nutrition during a race I'd love to hear about it.

Sounds like you did what you set out to do in your race. Good for you! BTW~ I was 560 out of 591 in the tri. 22/23 in my age group. If you count the 10 that didn't finish it sounds even better...lol If you Finish, it's all good! Congratulations!!!

Tony~ Best of luck and enjoy it! You've worked hard to get to this point!

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:40:50 GMT

Phyllis~ You're doing fantastic!! Enjoy your Half Marathon, you've worked hard!

Steve~ Congratulations on the new grand daughter. She's just precious....

Mary Kay~ Sorry about the hamstring. That's a bummer, but you're going to work through it as you are such a trooper.

Dan~ 21 miles, WOW! Sounds like you're going to be ready for Full Marathon. Some day I hope to do a full.

Ron & Ray Congrats on the 5 milers! Yor times are great! I just did 5 in 48 yesterday and was happy with that:-)

Marie~ Awesome 10 K! Way to go!!!!

I'm trying to skim the past 2 months and I know I've missed some. Sounds like there is lots of progress being made and goals being met. It's very exciting!

Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:48:28 GMT

Hello! I've been gone for a while. Had a VERY busy August and September :-) Our Son was married in Arlington, Tx on Aug. 12. I Did the flowers for his wedding, Since I'm a florist it was hard to refuse their request. Although I was hoping just to attend and enjoy.

Aug. 18th~Rode the 38 mile Vernon Burnin' Bike Ride. 1st female to finish

Aug. 25th~Did the Hotter n Hell Bike Ride. Finished 2nd over all female in the 50 mile

Aug. 26th~Wee-Chi-Tah Half Marathon Trail Run. Finihed 2nd in age group. Not a great run for me. I fell on the down hill and took the hide off my forearm Then had to stop and puke....ugh....

Aug. 27th~ Left for a trip to Canada with our Airstream. Had a wonderful time in Alberta at Banff and Jasper.

Sept 15th~ Arrived home with only a week till the Redman Half Iron Man.

I didn't get any swim time in on vacation and little cycling. I was convienced my husband and family were trying to sabotage my training schedule...lol Finally gave up and took the new wet suit to the college pool to get aquinted with the feel.

Aug 20th~Hubby cooperating willingly, left for OKC in the afternoon so I could swim the course in the time allowed before the race. 7-9 am Fri.

Aug 21st~Went out on Lake Hefner for a swim. Winds were high, water white capping... Not good.....Got very little sleep this night due to a party in the RV Park, my nerves, and fear of death in the lake....

Aug 22nd~ Up at 4 am with only about 3 hours sleep. I wanted to just go home. Got to the Course by 4:45am and set up transiton. Met a group of very nice girls my age and that helped calm me a bit. I was really feeling that I had bit off more than I could handle. Chris took a picture of me before the start, which I call the look of TERROR! I had been swimming in the college pool and sometimes in the lake while he fly fished from his Kayak. Nothing prepared me for seeing the 1 1/4 course layed out in the lake. I couldn't even see the 5 foot diameter bouy at the first turn on the triangular course! It was a USA Triathlon Championship, so the qualifiers in the Full and Half were in the first 2 waves. We mature ladies were the last age group with the beginners in the wave behind us. All I did was just start swimming. Stopped at the 3 kayaks to get my bearings. Some people were getting way off course. When I made the first turn I had the hang of sighting in the open water and made the swim in 1:6. My goal was 1:30. I did breast stroke for a few yards to watch the Full Iron Men swim by. What an amazing sight, gave me chill bumps as they glided past like killer whales....

The bike ride went very well. 3:37, my goal 4 hours.I only had 4 packs of Gu, a banana, water and gatoraide during the cycling. My blood sugar stayed up and no problems with nausia as I had feared.

At the half way point of the run I started to over heat and see the little bubbles. The temp was over 94 and I was only taking ice chips and iced sponges at this point. (If I ever see green gatoraide again I'll puke) I could feel that my quads just above the knees wanted to cramp, so I decided to take it easy. I ran and speed walked alternately. I had come to far to DNF. My goal time was 8 hours and I finished in 8:05:34 :-)

I found that everyone I met had a trainer. I had Utube.....I think there are somethings I would do differently, now that I know, but all in all.....so excited that I FINISHED!!!!!! ( and I wasn't last ;-)

Got my Finsher's jersey and medal and the 70.3 sticker for my car that I wanted more than anything!

Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:23:39 GMT

Hello to all! This week is crazy! Getting ready for my son's wedding on Saturday....Something I have to do every day this week....ugh. I finished making his vest finally. HOT pink and was giving me a head ache! lol

I'm trying to keep up a lesser training schedule. Feel like I'll fall behind since the Half iron man is Sept 22nd.

I did a Mini Triathlon on Saturday. 250 meter wim, 20 K bike and 5 K. 1:31. Came in sencond in the 40 and over women's group...Don't know if it's good or bad. lol It was over 100 degreees by 10:00. The older ladies started last....The best thing was I didn't hypervetilate on the swim. Free style all the way non stop! So happy since I had to back stroke on my first 2 triatholons. Race nerves!!!!!

Paintedlady~ Thanks for the info. I figure if I'm out in the heat running 10 miles at least I did it no matter how long it takes.

mkayc~ Yes, I'm having a great time!!! So how's it going with the heart rate and all, sounds scary....

txdiversmom~ Way too humid in Houston for me!!! Our 2 eldest daughters live there.

tseech1~ AWESOME!!!!!

pkar~ Good for you! Fantastic!

BTW~ Not getting email notifications either.

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 02:29:18 GMT

I'm going to have to do some catching up here! Chris and I went camping at Beaver's Bend State Park, Broken Bow, OK. It's a beqautiful place and if you live near I would suggest it! Looks like Colorado without the altitude!

Lots of steep hills for running and cycling! I got the bike up to 32.2 mph! Woooo hooo! Did two days of 7 mile runs 1:10 and 1:07. The humidity was killer in this heat! I did a 1 hour swim in the lake and have deduced that my hyperventilation is not from fear of open water. Looks like it's race nerves. I have a sprint tri on Saturday. Than a 100K bike race on the 18th and the Hotter Than Hell 100 on the 25th (I'm only doing 50 miles)

Mary Kay~ So very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how hard this is. My Mom is very proud of my running and comes to some of my races. She's 74 and has even jogged a bit on her walks lately. I'm proud of her too.

I'll have to go back and do a lot of reading to catch up here!

I hope everyone is being careful in this heat.

You all inspire me sooo much!!!!

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:49:06 GMT

billsr~ So sorry about your foot. The thing about an injury is it heals in it's own time and you just have to wait it out. Stinks, but it is what it is......

My achilles took a total year before I was able to compete again. Very frustrating. I hope you heal quickly.

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:42:21 GMT

So there is really a Senior Olympics? Where, when, how do you quailify? I've always wondered why they didn't have one....thought it would be cool....I guess because I live so far out, I've never heard of it.

Phyllis~ Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear all about it. When is it?

~urun~ 20 miles! WOW!

Rutrunner~ How was the 5K??? Hope you had a good run!

girlintheorchard~ SOunds like you stay busy with all these events so close by! SOunds like you had a great time. I wish we had more events here closer to me. I live in a town of 770 people and am the only "crazy" here! lol I'm sure the farmers think I am....Haha

Paintinglady~ What are you training for? Sounds like your doing well!

If I'm redundant on posting forgive me. I haven't got the usernames and real names sorted out yet:-)

I did my 10 mile run this morning. It was hot and I wish I had started before daylight. I have to be careful since I run on farm roads with no shoulders. Took me 1:43:22. Not fast, but I figure once it cools off here I'll see the benefit of all this road work. My dog is my only running buddy. Rachel is an 8 year old Border Colley/Brittany spaniel mix. She has unlimited energy!!!

The high today is supposed to be 111.....ugh.....

Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:59:45 GMT

Steve~ We are in Norht Central Texas, right on the border of Oklahoma. Hot and DRY!!! It was 80 degrees at 6 am yesterday when I did my bike ride. My knees and quads are just plain tired......I do run or bike with water and Stingers. Sports drinks upset my stomach when I get over heated. It can still be quit hot here in September....

Enjoy your runs in that wonderful cool weather.

Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:33:35 GMT

So there's really Senior Games? Cool!!! Congratulations on qualifying! WOW!

The older I get the less the competition. Although I gauge my success on how I finish over all and how many ladies finished before me:-)

I did run a 10 K last weekend. It was the hottest race I'd ever done. 92 degrees at the finish! Though there were only 16 entered I finished 6th over all and 4th female. Made me feel better after the diasterous tri 3 weeks ago! lol

Re: 50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 02:32:22 GMT

Rob~ I'm not a machine, but thanks....I just want this so bad and time is not on my side! I know my swimming is bad because of my race nerves. I did the same thing when first running in 5 Ks. Good luck to your wife!!

Steve~ Thanks for the welcome!

pkar~ I'm not a candidate for the olympics. Maybe the SENIOR GAMES? lol Nah, probably not even that.....You're training hard too, best of luck to you.

az1414~ Sorry about your friend. This isn't an easy thing to deal with....

I think the extreme heat here is getting to me. I've decided to take my day off tomorrow. I'll run the 10 miles Friday. We're going to the lake Saturday and I'll do my cycling on the trails with the mountain bike.

BTW~It's going to be 108 here for the next 5 day or more.....ugh.......

Please hydrate if you're going to run on matter where you are!