Chris-- don't freak out too much, you've trained well, you'll be fine. You mentioned something about some shoulder strengthening exercises at some point, do you mind sharing?

I got my new bike I rode Thursday (20 mi) and Saturday (25 mi), wanted to ride tonight but it's really rainy and cold so I may have to settle for putting it on the trainer tonight. It feels a ton smoother than my old bike and I can really feel the difference in fit, much much more comfortable and I can get into a lower position more comfortably. DH and I are hoping to do a 55 mile organized ride on Nov 4.

I did a 4 mile run on Saturday and took Sunday totally off.

Kelli-- I'm about 99% sure I'm going to do the HM in Austin and I'm thinking my big HIM will be the one in Austin in Oct. I heard it was a really great race and really well organized.

Carrie-- are you used to the clipless pedals yet? I love riding with them, but I still unclip really early just in case, I'm such a scaredy cat

Happy Monday ~

Alicia - I'm right there with you, blah! I just finished my annual reports for fiscal 07, and my brain is officially mush Can you come and clean my house too, please??

Chris - It's the exciting 2 week-taper-countdown!! You'll have a great time - a friend of mine did NY marathon and had a blast. Sounds like a great run yesterday! Now save that energy for your race!

Heather - yee haw! Glad to see you finally have your new ride - looking forward to some great ride reports!

I had a fun 11 miler Saturday with a group; definitely passes the time quickly on longer runs. I look forward to running with them as I start adding more miles for a possible spring marathon.

Sunday was a very chilly start to the day, and my only time to go for a bike ride. I was too lazy to get all bundled up, so I hopped on the trainer for an hour instead. I can't believe I did that - it ended up being a beautiful morning as it warmed up very quickly; I should have just bagged everything else and headed out for a ride! I did manage to get an easy run in last night of around 4 miles, so I enjoyed a bit of the nice weather.

This morning was 1900 yds at the pool - got a late start so I had to cut out early, but oh well.

Nothing else exciting to report...no new bikes, fun tri toys, etc. But, Christmas is coming, yes?

Heidi

Hey teamies,

Off for a bike ride soon -

Chris - take it easy in the lead up to the marathon. Thanks for your tips in regards to a tri wet suit. Can't wait!

Does anyone do shift work at all? My hours are a bit crazy and I end up losing track of what day of the week it is... sometimes it's hard to get exercise in before I am due back at work...

------------------
First Marathon: Auckland, New Zealand 29 October 2006

Hey everyone... yeah, workweek = bleh.... but I took today off, so it's a short week for me! I went for a massage and did a bunch of errands. I'm off to the gym tonight. I think I'm going to try to do some weight training even though I hate it so much. I make myself do it so I can sit in the hot tub and steam room!

So, Saturday our high was about 80* and Sunday it was about 40. I had a lovely (not) run in the snow on Sunday morning. I don't mind any kind of weather but it was snowing and blowing and my visibility was awful. I managed about 44 minutes in about 3 inches of fresh snow/slush. It really was gross but the thought of driving to the gym was even less appealing. It was pretty and I was about the only person out there, so it was very nice and peaceful even though I was wet and miserable! Of course, tomorrow it will be 70 again.

Heather... about the bike pedals, yes I think I'm getting used to them but I am a big chicken too and unclip very early as well. Actually, the last ride I had, my HR was really high the entire time and I think alot of that was nervousness more than a hard workout. It still just sort of freaks me out to think about being attached to my bike by my feet!

Chris...hope the taper is going well. I know it's a tough time from what I read here all the time! I'm planning on a shorter long run this week and going to aim for 12 or so miles the following week. I hope I haven't screwed this training up, because I still have 6 weeks to go. I think I'll try a long run of about 11-12 every other week til the race and 8-9 in between. I have no idea what I'm doing, evidently! Suggestions are welcome!

ok, you bikers... how do you dress (and otherwise prepare) for rides in the cooler temps? I think I want to ride, but I'm a little nervous about keeping it up during the colder months. I looked on craigslist for a used trainer. Is it worth the investment? How do you get in a workout, just by time or do you do things to simulate hills etc?

Have a great week everybody.... I'm looking forward to my run tomorrow... the show is pretty much gone and other than the dark, it should be a good one.
Carrie

Alicia-- yeah I'm not too excited about the work week either, I'd rather go ride my bike Nice job on the cleaning, I have major motivation issues when it comes to cleaning.

Heidi--I was considering riding in the cold after work yesterday but DH told me I was crazy so I did the trainer thing too.

brix-- my dad used to work 2nd shift, seemed like all he did for years was sleep and work, I don't think he ever got used to it. Do you switch from shift to shift?

Joe-- I hope you can tweak the bike to fit you well. My old bike is actually a little big for me, I never knew it and it generally felt comfortable, but compared to the new bike Wow! what a difference!

Carrie-- wow, running in the snow! you're hardcore!

Chris-- keep up the awesome taper
sorry about the shoulder thing, now I wonder who it was??

So I took some pics of the new bike last night, but they're the old fashioned kind so I have to get them developed, hope they turn out well!
I put the new bike on the trainer last night, it got cold here. I was actually considering going riding in the cold and making DH go with me, but he told me I was crazy and I'd be miserable the entire time (he's right, I'm a total wimp about the cold)

This morning was a short swim, I'm cutting back a little to try to keep the shoulder from acting weird
Between work and class I'm planning a 3or 4 mile run.

Have a great Tuesday!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by cocarrie:
Ok you guys who are big wusses about the cold...(and I lived in south Texas before coming to Colorado)... layer up and remember - There's no bad weather, just bad clothes!
Carrie

<HR>

Ooohh, but when it's Sunday morning and the bed is warm...yes, it's too cold out there for me Funny, I can deal with running in the cold much better than biking. I think b/c the wind on the bike makes it feel colder, and well, I have no other excuse, so moving on....

Carrie - your plan sounds like a good one. When is your HM? I am experimenting with doing one as a 'training' run, and then a month later I will do the real thing. It will be a challenge for me to not try to go all out on the first one as it will be a race atmosphere. If it happens that way, I may just skip the second. I don't want to kill my legs as I'm considering a full in the spring.

Heather - if I had a dime for every time DH said I was crazy when doing something related to training....I know I will get tired enough of the trainer and will head out in the cold at some point. I just have to suck it up and do it! I actually posted a link to shoulder exercises a couple of weeks ago but you may have missed it. It is here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1293[/URL" target="_blank"> - not sure how much it will help!

Joe - that's some serious crosstraining! Are you done with tri's for the season? What kind of distances are you considering for next year?

Brix - I don't do shift work, and I don't think I could handle it. I did it for a while in college while on summer break - I was a mess! I need serious routine, or I completely melt Does your schedule change weekly then?

This morning I did 7-ish miles and it felt pretty good. I'm trying to increase my mid-week runs a bit as I am attempting to build a stronger running base. It was very clear to me when I did my oly that I really need to work on my running. Oddly, I came from a running background, but I think in the last couple of years with being so busy with work, having a child, my running has sort of slacked. So, back in the saddle!

OK, enough playing, back to work!

Hi all, sorry nothing personal this morning-just a general shoutout to all of my favorite triathletes

2.1 mile loop through the neighborhood last night was brutal, that's what I get for wearing high heels all day.

Today I'm going to stretch it out and do some yoga/weights.