Kristen -- I've only been through it once, but tapering is crazy. Maybe we should set up a special taper forum so we can tap out all our taper frustrations vehemently there and maybe the SOs and bosses and grocery store clerks will be a little safer?
Gina -- Ouch! And ouch for mac booting wko+ and getting the power meter to talk to it. I know from experience this is no small undertaking.
Marianne - Do you have a pic of these new shorts you love? And happy thoughts for your upper body and bike!
I would love to have a gym. Actually, I would love to be a gym teacher. I was the last picked in gym class girl (which is really, really funny now), so I would love to teach everyone that you can be an athlete. My favorite part of this whole triathlon gig has been learning about all the amazing things my body can do and constantly striving to make it work better.
I have a stupid virus that has had me sidelined for almost two days now. I was feeling well enough to walk to Trader Joe's and buy a few groceries (and cookies), so I decided that I am probably well enough to at least attempt today's set of 30/30s, which I will start as soon as the ipod charges.
To illustrate how sick I was, I did my mending and hemmed a pair of pants. Type A girls have to do something while they are down.
Wow, I just cleaned my computer screen !! Amazing how undusty you all look...
Kristen- Hang in there with the taper and buy T something nice.....Can't wait to hear about your race
L- I know you are frustrated with the weight/calorie thing, great you are getting Penny to help. Need to check that one OFF.
Beth- Sorry to hear you've been sick. Ahhhhh, I do wish we had a Trader Joe's. Also nice to have a kindred soul on the MAC/WKO front.
Becky- On the bucket list of things I'd choose to do other than anesthesia- be a trainer!!
I wish you all could have seen Belle scrambling over that baby gate!! I was laughing and frustrated all at once. THANK GAWD she did not destroy anything.
I think I am on the DL for a bit after the bike accident. My calf is really painful and I am afraid this may take week(s) to heal. I touched base with Leigh today and she offered her expertise. Gonna do my best to be patient (like Nemo) and let this thing mend.
I think I am on the DL for a bit after the bike accident. My calf is really painful and I am afraid this may take week(s) to heal. I touched base with Leigh today and she offered her expertise. Gonna do my best to be patient (like Nemo) and let this thing mend.
Oh no Gina! I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's just a minor acute kinda thing that will heal fast and not cause you any more trouble! Ugh!
I don't know how to do Link and up pops the pic likey'all do.. but here they are... http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDS_35108.html, on sale too! I got the ones with blue.. note they are low rise so a singlet show off tummy.. yeah I know.. so my short sleeved run tops, some of them, are too short,
gina so sorry about calf.
beth hope you feel better
I don't have trader joes never have. dont' knwo what I am missing!
did my Wii yoga now off to bed! weight coming down according to WII!
I didn't take notes, so if I get names wrong or miss anyone I'm sorry...
@Beth, Gina, Barbara - let's start our own fitness chain. it doesn't have to be for women only but I think we'd be great.
Beth, like you I was picked last (or close to) until about 8th grade - but then I was only bumped up to a middle of the pack. I was chubby as a kid dwarfed by my 3 brothers' athletic accomplishments... in college I larded out... didn't start jogging til law school and now I'm certifiable. Barbara - that's exactly why I want to do it - to show people how far I've come and what can be accomplished (kinda like Jillian on the biggest loser... which, btw, I love that show, I almost always cry watching it. Dan thinks I'm a total whack job but he humors me and watches with me).
@Linda - make a list of all your Qs so you don't forget them when you go to the doc! I've got my fingers crossed for you...
@M - oh honey, The thought of you crying while riding just makes me want to give you a great big hug!
@Kristen - yikes... I'm not sure I want to taper... it sounds scary! LoL... Hang in there! I feel like I've been in taper mode since my damn cat bit me... although now that I look at the HIM plan (I pick up at week 6 on Monday), I think I'm scared...
I ran 10 miles today in 90'. That's the best pace I have had in I cannot remember when--too fast for the LR, but today I didn't care. I did it with Pam Kassner's system--run 5', walk 30"!!!!! OMG, you have to try it! First of all I could keep a much faster pace in the 5' run portion with little stress. The 30" purposeful walk break--think forward motion, not recorvery--is just enough to reset the bod, and it doesn't much effect your pace. It was like starting fresh every 5 minutes! The time flew by, I felt so little physical and mental stress through the whoie run. I even threw in 2xTP half miles at the end. For the rcord, yesterday I did 15' 12' and 8' at TP on the bike, so I wasn't exactly fresh-legged. Man, this run was a gift.
I PM'd Pam and she told me she does this for anything over 90'. I just decided to try it today to see what I thought. I dunno, I may keep that up for anything 8 miles and up, it felt so smart. I just wanted to let you all know how well this went. I've done 10' run/1' walk plenty of times, but this is waaaay better. I hope some of you ladies will try it, and report back on what you think too. Phew, I may get through another round of IM training yet.
Gina--if you think that calf might be torn, maybe you should get it diagnosed for real. Get on it right away, and find out what's really going on. We have to get that squared away ASAP. We need you out there with us.
Linda- great minds must think alike. With my calf recovery this year I did a LOT of run/walk stuff. We've talked about run/walk as a strategy around here many times, and I've listened to several other coach podcasts on the subject. So on my run yesterday it occured to me- why am I so intent on running non-stop? I've been a little worried about ramping up my milage for Eagelman and I thought- hey- maybe I should keep this "recovery" run/walk thing going and give myself a little piece of mind to get through that 13.1 miles safely. So yeah- I think I'll be run/walking many of my long runs this year!
Gina- I'm still crossing my fingers & toes for you.
I posted up a link to a podcast a while back to a Bobby MeGee interview. I took one of his clinics through USAT and he has coached many pros and Olympians. He uses the run/walk with his athletes (with the caveat, as Linda says, it's not a leisurely stroll, and it's a planned event, distance or time are established ahead of time as part of the plan). One thing he said that stuck with me is that if you saw someone from the waist up, form would look no different between walk or run. Keeps you in control and he's had people PR (based on following guidelines above). I'll dig up the podcast if anyone is interested.,
PS - another topic.. if anyone finds a great deal on some low rise, soft run shorts let me know!
Gina: I don't like the calf pain. Perhaps you could ask one of the orthopods at work to take a quick look and make sure it isn't a tear...Until then, compression socks will help with the edema. Sending healing vibes your way...
Becky: I with you on the second career. Being in private practice, I wouldn't want to be a business owner--even if it was an awesome gym. I was thinking about working at the Monterey Aquarium (feeding the fish, walking around and talking to visitors about the ocean) or a birdwatching guide. Of course, none of those jobs are good for paying for IM race fees or tri gear. Boo!
Linda: I remember Pam's 5/30 run plan. I've been more or less using it on my trail runs. No Garmin as trail running pace is woefully slower than road running. I try to charge up the hills then take a 30 sec-ish rest. Seems to work really well from an RPE standpoint.
Marianne: So glad you are tapering off the Prednisone. It's alot of adjustment with the increase in Synthroid! Yes, it is possible to ride and cry. The soft pedalling and coasting allows for tears and sobbing. Crying and running---not so much. 4 years ago after my divorce, I would be running along then burst into tears. Couldn't even hold E-pace. I think once you're off the steroids you'll be in a better place---No more tears in training, chica.
Kristen: Oooh you are in the throes of Taperland. I know that feeling well! I took all my pent up energy on housework---there was still swearing, but the bathrooms were sparkling!
Beth: Hope you're over that virus soon! Thai chili and lime cashews at Trader Joes are sooo yummy. And their gingersnaps too! There isn't one where I live so any trips to Boston means stocking up at TJ's.
Yesterday, one of my patients (who initially came across as a polite and sweet Southern gentleman) became very anxious about starting Hyperbaric oxygen treatment. My nurse, Angela (who is the MOST calm, smiling, and caring person in the medical profession) tried to reassure him. He completely lost all self control and became loud, rude, and screaming,"If you want to make me happy, you're going to have to smile more!" At that point, she couldn't hold back the tears and had to leave the room. My feathers were all ruffled. I flew into the room like a mother hen and told him (calmy to my surprise!) that while we can sympathize with his anxiety, he cannot take it out on my staff and treat them rudely or else I'd discharge him from the Wound Clinic. His response: "But I can't help it!" WTF?! Is there something in that new Healthcare Reform that says that if you want to be treated like a human being that you have to treat those helping you like a human being?! Oh wait...that's just freaking common sense and courtesy!! Ok, rant over. Is it Friday yet?
So, Linda, run 5' walk 30" the entire time?? Will have to try.
Calf improving today!! Not as painful.
@G--Absolutely right from the beginning. That's the trick. You have to start it to preserve yourself from the very start. Definitely give it a go. It feels too EZ at first. Stick with it, you'll see. Glad to hear about the calf. Hoping by next week you'll be good to go.
@Neems--It's hard to give up running continuously. That's ingrained way deep, isn't it? I figure what's better? A faster overall finish, or to be able to say I ran straight through? We're al going to be so smart out there it's going to be ridiculous. Rich's phrase kept stickin gin my head re run/walk--think tactic, not failure.
@Kris--I remember now listening to that! It was great. This run/walk stuff has been out there forever, with people at all abilities have great success. It seems playing around with the formula to customize it for oneself might be a good idea. Here we go againwitht he whole "self-coached" thing.
@M--I ;know from experience you can ride and cry at the same time. It helps if you pull over, throw your bike on the side of the road, sit down in the grass, put your head on your knees and let 'er rip. If you're with your DH, it's even better. They stand there sompletely not knowing what to do. This is a tough patch you're in. All I can say, is that from the hypo I know how much you feel like sh#*. And feeling like sh*# is a good day. Add the prednisone and the boo-boos--you've been dealing with a lot.
Today I was thinking at the end of the run, my longest IM training runs will only be another hour. With the 5/30, I could have done it today! Here's hoping the success of this lasts.
http://www.endurancecorner.com/library/running/run_walk_mcgee Here's nice written summary from another site. He has data to back this and was previously a competitive runner. Interesting guy to hear speak if you ever get the chance (however he's taken a job in Dubai now.. check out his blog)
I also like his book Magical Running- which addresses the mental side of running
@Linda- I think the keys are that you A- have a plan... don't just walk when you "feel" like it as most end up walking wwwaaaayyy more than if they planned the event B- that the walk is as you prescribed, not a stroll but a power walk kinda thing. Goes back to the ole more than one way to skin a cat....
@Linda- I think the keys are that you A- have a plan... don't just walk when you "feel" like it as most end up walking wwwaaaayyy more than if they planned the event
B- that the walk is as you prescribed, not a stroll but a power walk kinda thing. Goes back to the ole more than one way to skin a cat....
100% yes. Critical. And if the going get extra tough, you try and hang onto that plan for as long as possible. If you need to revise, you have a baseline to go from. It always makes you strive to keep to the plan to the best of your abilities = best outcome. Totally helps keep the mental space FOCUSED too. I did the 10'/1' at the end of IM training last time, and in the race. I think is better for longer perseverance--at least for me. I was stoked at how it went. I could have gone faster, but held back. I haven't said that in a really long time.
smile, oh no I was riding by myself so just kept pedaling!! smile. Okay so I walked with a purpose this morning, will do the 5/30" but I am pacing my mother in a 5k walk and she can clip it too.. so I was walking at a 12:30 - 13:15 pace this morning for one mile, and then I ran a few... this required utmost focus let me tell ya! and remember how many races I have had to walk??? so why not be fast?! you see peeps on IM walking and they are sauntering and chit chatting, that won't be me! so yep, if your run mojo ain't there, then start walking! and get your pace down too... and then when IM comes and you can't run for one reason or another, you just start clipping off the miles! good news on my road bike, they will fix it and I pick it up on Friday! ORBEA HQ just 25' away from me and nice guys. oh yeah, funny, so I was running along the trail and beside a borrowed inlet... a litttle river popular with the fishermen and I hear this loud kerplunk? I look over to the right into the water and see two Bubbas that have fallen into the water along with thei rgreen fishing boat with its back end submerged! I holler "y'all okay?" and they were embarrassed, I could tell! but not wanting to let up on the fun I say even sweeter... "are you guyz okay?"....soaking wet, large bellies exposed underneath wet tshirts, oh yeah, yuck that early in the morning!... they yell back "yeah, we are okay!".. I giggled the rest of the run back in... not sure if I woulda swam over there or not but I had my little phone! hee hee. you know sometimes, when you are down (run pace, etc), God just sends the funniest things! oh I have fallen in love with Chocolate coconut Lara Bar! yum, no sugar, no gluten but lots of taste for 120 calories but $1.50 each! ouch but I had one on my run this morning...delicious, I have found my new brownie, and told my sister to find us the recipe, also has almonds and walnuts in it. *oh, definition of Bubba. now you might think "good ol' boy", but Bubba fishes out here... seems a bit overweight and loves to wear his favorite sport on his tshirts, normally some fishing. He probably owns that talking fish that hangs on a plaque on the wall. He drive a truck, natch and a big one at that. Tool box of course in the truck and various fishing equipment. He might even hunt. He loves those fried pork skins and Dr. Pepper. Normally a super sweet, helpful kinda guy... and nope they don't swim! which can cause problems when fishing in small river! lol. "Runner girls" are foreign to him. too skinny he says. and he isn't sure if they know how to cook! but occasionally, out on the River trail, runner girls and fishermen meet up and respect each other for their love of the outside! "caught anything?"... or "how many miles did you run?" are common courtesy statements and together, we keep the trails safe from those who might otherwise vandalize it. m
Marianne- we've got lot's o Bubba's out here. Ours also wear those oversized baseball hats (I think they call them trucker hats?) and the truck usually also has the number of his favorite NASCAR driver on it as well. They would NEVER disrespect a lady- there mamma would kill them if she heard about it! I can just imagine how embarrassed they were to have fallen overboard in front of you!! HA! Great gift of laughter!
I actually have a friend here whose husband's name is Bubba. But he's a surfer! That made me laugh.
Gina, I hope you are getting better! Marianne, glad to hear you got some chuckles from the Bubbas! Also glad to read that many of you are thinking of doing run/walk. For the past 2-3 years, I have trained with a Jeff Galloway group here in NW IN. Walk breaks definately help! My training for Chicago Marathon, based on my "Miracle Mile" (best time for a mile at this point in time) is a 2:1 run/walk ratio. I do like the idea of a 5'/30" ratio though. I might try this for my Indy Mini, as it isn't an A race. I'll see how it works, until it doesn't. Gotta find my mojo to do my bike tonight, after I get home at 6:30, since I couldn't wake up this a.m. and do it!
hi, chickas! I tried to send a quick hello the other day, but it doen't look like it made it in! I've really missed you guys these past few weeks! Been buried in work from work....just trying to keep up! Any extra advice from the experienced chickas out there about balancing full time work, full time mom and full time ironman training? I'm already using the crock pot 2-3x a week. It's the "tiredness" I'm having a hard time with. There's just not enough time during the day to get everything done and take a nap! We should function like southern countries...siesta!
Dana, I know what you mean. I think if you can get a 20 minute nap in at lunch it helps. It works for me but if I take a little nap when I get home I can't sleep at night. You do what you can. I have to admit I don't know how I would do it if I had little kids. Much easier when the kids get older.
Linda -- Cool! I am going to try this out for Sunday's long run.
Kitima - I know those chili lime cashews. Cowgirls, please note, Madison does have a Trader Joe's. Is it time to start making the food plan for camp?
Ack! I didn't take notes, so I'm forgetting the rest of the list.
I swam last night -- everyone at my new gym was out of the pool by 7:45 p.m., so I had it all to myself! My month of epic swimming in October definitely helped my form. And, get this? I am way calmer swimmer now. I'm thinking this, above all things, may be the key to happy Iroman swimming. I did forget that swimming requires calories. I woke up in the middle of the night starving!
@Dana - hang in there... I'm just trying to balance work and training... no family to deal with and I'm exhausted all the time and haven't even started HIM yet (let alone IM). Good luck... sending good karma and a few extra hours in the day your way.
I LOVE trader joes! I have one I can walk to... in fact, I'm hitting the chiropractor at lunch and will make a pit stop there on the way home.
Happy to report the weight is slowly trending down... still 5-7 from "normal" and 7-9 from race... but it's been trending down and staying there for the last 2 weeks so I'm optimistic . . . 6 weeks to HIM. I doubt I'll be at my race weight by then, but if I can be in my normal zone I'll consider it a HUGE accomplishment. And I've only been really focused on the nutrition advice in the house this past week... now that I have the self-sabatoge image in my head I hope it will stick... garbage in garbage out as they say. I don't want to race like garbage!
I don't know what Trader Joe's is, but that's probably a good thing. I can find enough goodies to eat on my own!
The taper nuttiness continues... I feel like I have so much energy built up that I'm going to explode. I'm jiggling my legs, pacing around, drumming my fingers, etc. Yesterday I found myself juggling some Clementines for 20 minutes, and I can't really juggle. Last night before bed I was running around the bedroom trying to get the cats to chase the sash from my robe. It doesn't help that work is really slow right now and I have nothing to do. Sunday morning had better come soon - I'm going to bolt at the gun like a thoroughbred from the gate, only neither as fast nor as lean. I'm doing well not eating too much, but I'm ready for a glass of wine! None of that until Sunday night. Last night I made myself a mock mojito because I'm tired of drinking nothing but water. Muddled mint, juice of half a lime, ice, fill up with diet Sprite. Not so bad!
Comments
Kristen -- I've only been through it once, but tapering is crazy. Maybe we should set up a special taper forum so we can tap out all our taper frustrations vehemently there and maybe the SOs and bosses and grocery store clerks will be a little safer?
Gina -- Ouch! And ouch for mac booting wko+ and getting the power meter to talk to it. I know from experience this is no small undertaking.
Marianne - Do you have a pic of these new shorts you love? And happy thoughts for your upper body and bike!
I would love to have a gym. Actually, I would love to be a gym teacher. I was the last picked in gym class girl (which is really, really funny now), so I would love to teach everyone that you can be an athlete. My favorite part of this whole triathlon gig has been learning about all the amazing things my body can do and constantly striving to make it work better.
I have a stupid virus that has had me sidelined for almost two days now. I was feeling well enough to walk to Trader Joe's and buy a few groceries (and cookies), so I decided that I am probably well enough to at least attempt today's set of 30/30s, which I will start as soon as the ipod charges.
To illustrate how sick I was, I did my mending and hemmed a pair of pants. Type A girls have to do something while they are down.
Wow, I just cleaned my computer screen !! Amazing how undusty you all look...
Kristen- Hang in there with the taper and buy T something nice.....Can't wait to hear about your race
L- I know you are frustrated with the weight/calorie thing, great you are getting Penny to help. Need to check that one OFF.
Beth- Sorry to hear you've been sick. Ahhhhh, I do wish we had a Trader Joe's. Also nice to have a kindred soul on the MAC/WKO front.
Becky- On the bucket list of things I'd choose to do other than anesthesia- be a trainer!!
I wish you all could have seen Belle scrambling over that baby gate!! I was laughing and frustrated all at once. THANK GAWD she did not destroy anything.
I think I am on the DL for a bit after the bike accident. My calf is really painful and I am afraid this may take week(s) to heal. I touched base with Leigh today and she offered her expertise. Gonna do my best to be patient (like Nemo) and let this thing mend.
Oh no Gina! I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's just a minor acute kinda thing that will heal fast and not cause you any more trouble! Ugh!
I miss Trader Joe's!!!!!!!
I don't know how to do Link and up pops the pic likey'all do.. but here they are... http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDS_35108.html, on sale too! I got the ones with blue.. note they are low rise so a singlet show off tummy.. yeah I know..
so my short sleeved run tops, some of them, are too short,
gina so sorry about calf.
beth hope you feel better
I don't have trader joes never have. dont' knwo what I am missing!
did my Wii yoga now off to bed! weight coming down according to WII!
m
morning ladies... checking in.
I didn't take notes, so if I get names wrong or miss anyone I'm sorry...
@Beth, Gina, Barbara - let's start our own fitness chain. it doesn't have to be for women only but I think we'd be great.
Beth, like you I was picked last (or close to) until about 8th grade - but then I was only bumped up to a middle of the pack. I was chubby as a kid dwarfed by my 3 brothers' athletic accomplishments... in college I larded out... didn't start jogging til law school and now I'm certifiable. Barbara - that's exactly why I want to do it - to show people how far I've come and what can be accomplished (kinda like Jillian on the biggest loser... which, btw, I love that show, I almost always cry watching it. Dan thinks I'm a total whack job but he humors me and watches with me).
@Linda - make a list of all your Qs so you don't forget them when you go to the doc! I've got my fingers crossed for you...
@M - oh honey, The thought of you crying while riding just makes me want to give you a great big hug!
@Kristen - yikes... I'm not sure I want to taper... it sounds scary! LoL... Hang in there! I feel like I've been in taper mode since my damn cat bit me... although now that I look at the HIM plan (I pick up at week 6 on Monday), I think I'm scared...
HA HA HA!!! Not me, but I was about to post the same thing!!!!!
Here's my follow-up to the FB tease!
I ran 10 miles today in 90'. That's the best pace I have had in I cannot remember when--too fast for the LR, but today I didn't care. I did it with Pam Kassner's system--run 5', walk 30"!!!!! OMG, you have to try it! First of all I could keep a much faster pace in the 5' run portion with little stress. The 30" purposeful walk break--think forward motion, not recorvery--is just enough to reset the bod, and it doesn't much effect your pace. It was like starting fresh every 5 minutes! The time flew by, I felt so little physical and mental stress through the whoie run. I even threw in 2xTP half miles at the end. For the rcord, yesterday I did 15' 12' and 8' at TP on the bike, so I wasn't exactly fresh-legged. Man, this run was a gift.
I PM'd Pam and she told me she does this for anything over 90'. I just decided to try it today to see what I thought. I dunno, I may keep that up for anything 8 miles and up, it felt so smart. I just wanted to let you all know how well this went. I've done 10' run/1' walk plenty of times, but this is waaaay better. I hope some of you ladies will try it, and report back on what you think too. Phew, I may get through another round of IM training yet.
Gina--if you think that calf might be torn, maybe you should get it diagnosed for real. Get on it right away, and find out what's really going on. We have to get that squared away ASAP. We need you out there with us.
Gina- I'm still crossing my fingers & toes for you.
PS - another topic.. if anyone finds a great deal on some low rise, soft run shorts let me know!
So, Linda, run 5' walk 30" the entire time?? Will have to try.
Calf improving today!! Not as painful.
Found it!
www.endurancenation.us/en_forums/showthread.php
Wait- there's also another Bobby McGee interview (run/walk topic) in this old thread too:
http://www.endurancenation.us/en_fo...php?t=7379
Becky: I with you on the second career. Being in private practice, I wouldn't want to be a business owner--even if it was an awesome gym. I was thinking about working at the Monterey Aquarium (feeding the fish, walking around and talking to visitors about the ocean) or a birdwatching guide. Of course, none of those jobs are good for paying for IM race fees or tri gear. Boo!
Linda: I remember Pam's 5/30 run plan. I've been more or less using it on my trail runs. No Garmin as trail running pace is woefully slower than road running. I try to charge up the hills then take a 30 sec-ish rest. Seems to work really well from an RPE standpoint.
Marianne: So glad you are tapering off the Prednisone. It's alot of adjustment with the increase in Synthroid! Yes, it is possible to ride and cry. The soft pedalling and coasting allows for tears and sobbing. Crying and running---not so much. 4 years ago after my divorce, I would be running along then burst into tears. Couldn't even hold E-pace. I think once you're off the steroids you'll be in a better place---No more tears in training, chica.
Kristen: Oooh you are in the throes of Taperland. I know that feeling well! I took all my pent up energy on housework---there was still swearing, but the bathrooms were sparkling!
Beth: Hope you're over that virus soon! Thai chili and lime cashews at Trader Joes are sooo yummy. And their gingersnaps too! There isn't one where I live so any trips to Boston means stocking up at TJ's.
Yesterday, one of my patients (who initially came across as a polite and sweet Southern gentleman) became very anxious about starting Hyperbaric oxygen treatment. My nurse, Angela (who is the MOST calm, smiling, and caring person in the medical profession) tried to reassure him. He completely lost all self control and became loud, rude, and screaming,"If you want to make me happy, you're going to have to smile more!" At that point, she couldn't hold back the tears and had to leave the room. My feathers were all ruffled. I flew into the room like a mother hen and told him (calmy to my surprise!) that while we can sympathize with his anxiety, he cannot take it out on my staff and treat them rudely or else I'd discharge him from the Wound Clinic. His response: "But I can't help it!" WTF?! Is there something in that new Healthcare Reform that says that if you want to be treated like a human being that you have to treat those helping you like a human being?! Oh wait...that's just freaking common sense and courtesy!!
Ok, rant over. Is it Friday yet?
@G--Absolutely right from the beginning. That's the trick. You have to start it to preserve yourself from the very start. Definitely give it a go. It feels too EZ at first. Stick with it, you'll see.
Glad to hear about the calf. Hoping by next week you'll be good to go.
@Neems--It's hard to give up running continuously. That's ingrained way deep, isn't it? I figure what's better? A faster overall finish, or to be able to say I ran straight through? We're al going to be so smart out there it's going to be ridiculous. Rich's phrase kept stickin gin my head re run/walk--think tactic, not failure.
@Kris--I remember now listening to that! It was great. This run/walk stuff has been out there forever, with people at all abilities have great success. It seems playing around with the formula to customize it for oneself might be a good idea. Here we go againwitht he whole "self-coached" thing.
@M--I ;know from experience you can ride and cry at the same time. It helps if you pull over, throw your bike on the side of the road, sit down in the grass, put your head on your knees and let 'er rip. If you're with your DH, it's even better. They stand there sompletely not knowing what to do.
This is a tough patch you're in. All I can say, is that from the hypo I know how much you feel like sh#*. And feeling like sh*# is a good day. Add the prednisone and the boo-boos--you've been dealing with a lot.
Today I was thinking at the end of the run, my longest IM training runs will only be another hour. With the 5/30, I could have done it today! Here's hoping the success of this lasts.
Here's nice written summary from another site. He has data to back this and was previously a competitive runner. Interesting guy to hear speak if you ever get the chance (however he's taken a job in Dubai now.. check out his blog)
I also like his book Magical Running- which addresses the mental side of running
B- that the walk is as you prescribed, not a stroll but a power walk kinda thing. Goes back to the ole more than one way to skin a cat....
100% yes. Critical. And if the going get extra tough, you try and hang onto that plan for as long as possible. If you need to revise, you have a baseline to go from. It always makes you strive to keep to the plan to the best of your abilities = best outcome. Totally helps keep the mental space FOCUSED too. I did the 10'/1' at the end of IM training last time, and in the race. I think is better for longer perseverance--at least for me. I was stoked at how it went. I could have gone faster, but held back. I haven't said that in a really long time.
*oh, definition of Bubba. now you might think "good ol' boy", but Bubba fishes out here... seems a bit overweight and loves to wear his favorite sport on his tshirts, normally some fishing. He probably owns that talking fish that hangs on a plaque on the wall. He drive a truck, natch and a big one at that. Tool box of course in the truck and various fishing equipment. He might even hunt. He loves those fried pork skins and Dr. Pepper. Normally a super sweet, helpful kinda guy... and nope they don't swim! which can cause problems when fishing in small river! lol. "Runner girls" are foreign to him. too skinny he says. and he isn't sure if they know how to cook! but occasionally, out on the River trail, runner girls and fishermen meet up and respect each other for their love of the outside! "caught anything?"... or "how many miles did you run?" are common courtesy statements and together, we keep the trails safe from those who might otherwise vandalize it. m
I actually have a friend here whose husband's name is Bubba. But he's a surfer! That made me laugh.
Gotta find my mojo to do my bike tonight, after I get home at 6:30, since I couldn't wake up this a.m. and do it!
Dana, I know what you mean. I think if you can get a 20 minute nap in at lunch it helps. It works for me but if I take a little nap when I get home I can't sleep at night. You do what you can. I have to admit I don't know how I would do it if I had little kids. Much easier when the kids get older.
Becky -- Fitness chain would be awesome.
Linda -- Cool!
I am going to try this out for Sunday's long run. 
Kitima - I know those chili lime cashews. Cowgirls, please note, Madison does have a Trader Joe's. Is it time to start making the food plan for camp?
Ack! I didn't take notes, so I'm forgetting the rest of the list.
I swam last night -- everyone at my new gym was out of the pool by 7:45 p.m., so I had it all to myself! My month of epic swimming in October definitely helped my form. And, get this? I am way calmer swimmer now. I'm thinking this, above all things, may be the key to happy Iroman swimming. I did forget that swimming requires calories. I woke up in the middle of the night starving!
Hi all, not much from me this morning...
@Dana - hang in there... I'm just trying to balance work and training... no family to deal with and I'm exhausted all the time and haven't even started HIM yet (let alone IM). Good luck... sending good karma and a few extra hours in the day your way.
I LOVE trader joes! I have one I can walk to... in fact, I'm hitting the chiropractor at lunch and will make a pit stop there on the way home.
Happy to report the weight is slowly trending down... still 5-7 from "normal" and 7-9 from race... but it's been trending down and staying there for the last 2 weeks so I'm optimistic . . . 6 weeks to HIM. I doubt I'll be at my race weight by then, but if I can be in my normal zone I'll consider it a HUGE accomplishment. And I've only been really focused on the nutrition advice in the house this past week... now that I have the self-sabatoge image in my head I hope it will stick... garbage in garbage out as they say. I don't want to race like garbage!
I don't know what Trader Joe's is, but that's probably a good thing. I can find enough goodies to eat on my own!
The taper nuttiness continues...
I feel like I have so much energy built up that I'm going to explode. I'm jiggling my legs, pacing around, drumming my fingers, etc. Yesterday I found myself juggling some Clementines for 20 minutes, and I can't really juggle. Last night before bed I was running around the bedroom trying to get the cats to chase the sash from my robe. It doesn't help that work is really slow right now and I have nothing to do. Sunday morning had better come soon - I'm going to bolt at the gun like a thoroughbred from the gate, only neither as fast nor as lean. 
I'm doing well not eating too much, but I'm ready for a glass of wine! None of that until Sunday night. 
Last night I made myself a mock mojito because I'm tired of drinking nothing but water. Muddled mint, juice of half a lime, ice, fill up with diet Sprite. Not so bad!