IM training... and the beat goes on..

[tprevost]

Hi Denise!

Its so interesting the way our bodies react to the stresses we put on them. I'm sorry you've got twinges/soreness going on; I'm sure it is a bit disconcerting. It sounds like you are doing everything right as far as not pushing too hard, ice, advil etc. It could just be a delayed reaction to the posture change on the bike in combo with your other workouts. I'm just learning about this cold water after the workout thing. I'm going to try that one once I get to the point of actually working hard on the bike. Maybe you should go get yourself a sports massage It also sounds like your hour in the saddle tomorrow should be very gentle as well. Take good care of your body; its doing a great job for you!!!!

AND, you are so lucky Tony will get those kinks out! I'm lucky if I get a few quick squeezes on the shoulders!

I ended up getting some type of kevlar tires on my bike. I'm sure they weigh a ton but I will be riding solo a lot and I do not want to get stuck with a flat out in the boonies! Too scary! I'd like to know what you end up chosing for your bike and how you like them!

Keep us posted!

Tracy

[mommelisa]

RM - have you tried using one of those foam rollers? They work really well, especially on the quads, IT band and hamstrings. It helps to work out some of the kinks that build up. Stretch gently and take good care and try to go easy on it the next few days, they're the worst to rehab in my opinion.

I agree with you on the pool thing. After a long run or a marathon, I always get into the pool. I had two friends who came down to do the RNR in January from Boston. It was the first marathon for both of them. When I brought them home, I made them sit in the pool for about 15 minutes. They were calling me some names, but they felt really good the next day vs. being sore. It helps relieve the inflammation, for sure.

One of the nice things about buying my bike at BR is that I have free service there... Maybe I'll just keep taking her there for baths! ;-) I had Bontrager tires and they were terrible, they kept splitting all over the place. I replaced them with Continentals and haven't had any problems. I didn't care if they were heavy, I was just so afraid to flat that I'd take anything. I know that I'm going to have to try to be prepared for IMFL, though. I told my dh that we need to practice it the last day of every month. (kind of like buddy check 12 day!) I guess that's today.

Hope the root canal is going well.
Melisa

[tprevost]

Denise,

How are you feeling today? Hopefully the dentist was uneventful...

Just wanted to see how your bod' is doing?!?!

Tracy

[Running Mommy]

Dentist went ok, root canals are never fun..
I received my new selle strike saddle so I put that on the road bike to try her out. I think she's going to work out fine but I need to fine tune the position a bit. I still have a few sore "areas" from last weeks 100 miler.. ugh. Gotta love saddles and that tender soft tissue..
My hammy is fine today, but of course I didn't run, so we'll see tomorrow. Actually we'll see thursday- my long run day. Tomorrow is 1-2 hours in the saddle and an hour swim.
Thanks for checking in with me. I can't wait to meet you in person! Just over a month away! OY!!! Next week is the Bon Jovi concert and I realized that it's exactly one month from IMAZ. - Did I mention that I'm a HUGE Bon Jovi fan??!! Jon Bon Jovi mmm mmm mmm- he's one fine specimen of a human being...
Oh- also got wind that they are changing the run course from two loops to three. It will be more spectator friendly thats for sure.

[Lise]

Gotta agree about Jon Bon Jovi...

I am so impressed that you are not sore after that big ride. When I ran the marathon, I came home and soaked in a hot tub, even though I'd been told not to. What a mistake. Cool water. Really. You've just proven that point for me! Today I was thinking that "the race" is what we focus on, but the training is an amazing achievement in itself. You do so many more miles in training than on the big day itself. Be proud of yourself. What a great life. L.

[KSH]

Oh... and I added two pic's from my ride today on my photo page, though I'm not happy w/ my big ol GUT hanging out!

Well, if you ask me... you look healthy! Like an athlete.

What has really surprised me, is that all triathletes do NOT have the same body type.

Just because you (general you) aren't stick skinny, doesn't mean that you won't kick some skinny gal's butt.

It's all about training and what your body can do.

And, let's face it, even when you (not you directly, a general "you") don't have a *perfect* body, training makes you feel lighter... and a couple of extra pounds don't matter... because you (general "you") know that you can kick butt!

Congrats on all the training! Sounds like you are going to a great job! You will FINISH!

[Lise]

What has really surprised me, is that all triathletes do NOT have the same body type.

This is what shocked me into trying triathlons in the first place. I went to cheer for a friend at the Accenture Tri here in Chicago, and I saw old people, heavy people, unlikely triathletes. My favorite was a fat woman in a clown suit, who carried a sign on the run that said, "Don't Take It Too Seriously!" I have always wondered if she wore the clown suit on the bike, or if it was part of her transition set-up. Well, it would help you find your bike! I love it that so many different kinds of bodies are out there, doing the tri. L.

[Running Mommy]

Love that tag line Lise.. Of course I had to finish the verse!

Yeah I'm an "unlikely" triathlete, but I don't think thats all bad.
IMNA (Ironman North America) sent me an email asking if I wanted to become part of the "adopt an Ironman" program. You basically go into schools and talk to kids about IM and being active and such. Of course I jumped at the chance. In my email back to the lady I explained that I'm prefect for it because I don't look like the typical Im athlete, and that my line to them is "it doesn't matter your size or shape, what matters is that your active and healthy". Hopefully they pick me for the program.

[Lise]

Oh, I hope they pick you! That would be so cool. I am daydreaming about how my childhood would have been different if a Denise/RunningMommy-type triathlete had come and talked to my class. Wow. To have that image as part of "what's possible" for a girl like me would have been profound. Even if you don't do it as part of that program, maybe you could go to your son's school and do a presentation anyway! The kids would love the wetsuit, and your bike is the coolest.

I ran this morning with a friend. I was having trouble waking up this morning, and kept falling back asleep and dreaming that Tracy, from this board, had flown to Chicago to go for a run with me, and I couldn't seem to get it together to go running. Couldn't find my shoes, had the wrong keys, stuff like that. It was a relief to just get up, get dressed, and go run for real! It's snowing here, sort of drizzle-snow, wet, cold, and grey. I pulled on my bright red Nordic walking shoes, which are great for running in wet, icy conditions.

As we ran, I told my friend about you guys. She's run a marathon before, and done one "mini" tri (I keep correcting her, "SPRINT" not mini!). She totally surprised me by saying, "I want to do an IM. But I suppose I should do something more than a mini tri first." Wow! The things you find out about people! She's a short little woman--we sprint the last block of our run, and with my long legs, I always finish 1/2 block before her. I know she'll be very inspired by the IM stories here.

Rest up, Denise. I know the feeling of exhausted but can't rest. Maybe go for a lesiurely walk if you're too keyed up to couch surf. Take it easy. Get the body off high-alert. I'm thinking cherry pie thoughts for you. I keep a can of light cherry pie filling on hand, to eat on top of my low fat frozen yogurt, or on graham crackers. Not the same as pie, but not bad, either.

Enjoy some well-deserved recovery time! Remember, you're building muscle when you rest. L.

[KSH]

Love that tag line Lise.. Of course I had to finish the verse!

Yeah I'm an "unlikely" triathlete, but I don't think thats all bad.
IMNA (Ironman North America) sent me an email asking if I wanted to become part of the "adopt an Ironman" program. You basically go into schools and talk to kids about IM and being active and such. Of course I jumped at the chance. In my email back to the lady I explained that I'm prefect for it because I don't look like the typical Im athlete, and that my line to them is "it doesn't matter your size or shape, what matters is that your active and healthy". Hopefully they pick me for the program.

Yea, that would totally ROCK if you could go into schools. It will let kids know what they can do and encourage them to try it! You could even discuss with them that there are tri's for kiddos too!