massindex

It's been a busy few months so I haven't been on the board for a while. I just finished (survived might be a better choice here) my first Ironman 70.3, competing here in Las Vegas at the Ironman World Championships. Brutal day with temperatures of 100 degrees and 40% humidity. it's truly torture. I wish the swim (1.2 miles) had been on the end because I was just looking for a dunk tank by the end of the bike ride (the hardest part by far with 56 miles of seemingly vertical hills) followed by a half marathon. Most of that was just trying to get around the 3 loops but in the end, I finished. So what did I do for recovery? I went to California this last weekend, one week after the Ironman, and ran a half marathon. The motivation was the hardest. But I can't stand to waste 50 bucks so there you go. Turned in a new PR surprisingly with a 2:17.55 time. I think I could have knocked off another 20 minutes or so if it wasn't close to the Ironman. My legs didn't have much life for the last 5 miles. I think it's time for some genuine recovery now and make my new plans / challenges. Until the next entry....

I know it's a little late but if you need any help, I can assist. I've done a number of sprint tris and now I'm training for my first full Ironman.

Careful, it's addictive! I'm preparing for my first full (140.6) Ironman in the spring. Goals keep you going...

It is the best! Love it. I'm doing 3-4 miles per week right now as part of my training and trying to convince my wife to let me do the Escape from Alcatraz swim.

If you are trying cold water, switch to tepid water. Cold water is really hard at the beginning. Warm items like broths and teas go down much better also. You have to keep hydrated above all else. Forget about protein for a few days and just focus on fluids. You can go without protein a little while but you can't go without fluids or you'll end up in the hospital.

Surgery was done by Dr. Mario Almanza (http://hospitaljerusalem.com.mx/bariatric-sleeve-gastrectomy.php).

I had my surgery in TJ and it was the best thing I ever did. My wife, when presented with the option of having it done here in Las Vegas or TJ, wanted to go back to TJ to have it done. I'm in the process of arranging to have it done for my youngest son in TJ. It was safe and we were never unescorted, even out socially. It was great.

What you are doing here is confusing your system, changing things ups. When you hit a stall, this is a good thing. Increase your calories for a few days, then bring them down. This is actually a good routine to do all the time. You body can get used to doing certain things and eating a certain amount. Try the same thing with your exercise routine.

Sleep! It cures all. I remember that feeling well. If it got bad, I just remember walking. It seems when I went for a walk, my empty feeling went away with the release of endorphins from exercise.

Sounds like gas still. Like all things, this too will subside. Good luck!

The Gastric Bypass is more evasive and it tends to be for people with a higher BMI than you have. I think I speak for most when I say I'm very happy with the sleeve. It is only a tool however and you have to get right in your head to be successful with it. 250 pounds sounds a little high for your height. That would give you a BMI of almost 34. At 6', I'd be looking more around 200, based on your build description. I'm 6'4" and now weight 185, starting from my high of 427, and lost that over the last 16 months. However, you need to measure yourself against only yourself and not what others do. As far as food, I can pretty much each whatever I want but I still watch that I don't fall into bad habits (sweets, etc). I do triathlons so I have to consume more calories than most and that means pretty much eating all te time leading into a race in order to get enough calories to sustain me for 8 hours of exercise. I can consume maybe 5-6 oz of Protein (fish or meat) and 1/2 cup of vergetables at a sitting.

I have a couple of them that I use. One is a 50 oz for short runs or bike rides and a 90 oz I use for 100 mile rides. No problem with them. My doctor told me not to use the straw for the first 3 months but after that it was OK.

This was just a rustic whole wheat with a crunchy natural Peanut Butter and homemade blackberry jam with Splenda. The ride was just over 6 hours so it really wasn't all that much food if you look that I burned 4,500 calories for the ride, You hike was pretty spectacular I have to admit. That's not an insignificant climb espcially over a 3.2 miles. That's a 13.4% incline. That's hard!

Chocolate milk is supposed to be good but it can he hard for some people. Anything with electrolytes, like G2, would be good. Also, oranges are easy to carry in a baggie and bananas are good also. I wouldn't worry about it too much except to say make sure you have more than less. For my 100K bike ride, I consumed 1 PB&J sandwich, 1 orange, 1 1/2 bananas, 3 Gel shots, 3 Red Vines and 3 liters of fluids. That was for a 3,000 foot elevation gain over the first 50K.

I think you already knowbthe answer. Start with the Boot Camp and go back to square one. Five days of liquid only and start back on the road that made you successful. You can do this!