UT LB Loser

Amanda, only 24 days until Bermuda! How exciting! Do you have a new bathing suit? What an added bonus to your journey!!! You will have more self confidence than ever and guys will be checking you out! We look even if your husband is around!!! You go girl!!!!

This may not be the way everyone else looks at the Band, but I have never treated this as a diet. I eat what I want, when I want it. I just don't eat alot of it. My fills have been on my terms to the point that I feel like the band can help me in my lifestyle change. Don't beat yourself up! Instead re-committ to changing your life forever. I have a mantra that helps me, it's JFDI - Just Focus and Do It! Of course I change it to Just Freaking Do It when I need extra mo. You can do this!!!! You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You know what you need to do - NOW DO IT!!!!! Good luck!!!

Amanda, Even I got emotional!!! Once I saw the finish line, the lump in my throat got so big!!! I actually did it!!! You will have that same overload of adrenaline! Let it out!! I believe that I am finally one of the 3% of people in the world who do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do. I don't know if any of you are familiar with the 3% rule. Only 3 % of us are willing to step outside of the box and create for ourselves and the rest of the world. Each of us on this journey has done something incredible! The LB journey alone puts us in the 3%, what does the triathlon journey do for us? You can't believe the looks and reactions that you will get from people who appear to be normal weight and somewhat fit, when they learn that you have done a triathlon. There are incredulous! No one has ever discounted the reality of what I have accomplished, but many have a doubt for a moment. I have an iPhone. My pictures are stored on the phone. When I share them with people, they know it is real. I biked 4 miles tonight and ran 2. I feel great!! In Utah, the 24th of July is a state holiday (Pioneer Days) to commemorate the settling of the Utah territory by the Mormon Pioneers in 1847. There are marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks. I don't get the day off, but I have taken a vacation day on that day so that I can run another 5K. My brother and I will do it and I expect my time will be much better than the 4th of July and certainly better than last week's run at the tri. Fartlek and interval training are very important. I'm glad I've added them to my routines. Think about the people you may be inspiring. Some you will never know looked up to you to motivate them. Others like the Quality Manager at my work and my brother have let me know that they have been inspired to take it up or tri again. I may have some company at next month's tri. The Quality Manager did 3 tris last year and a marathon. He's done nothing this year. Last week he pulled out his bike after talking to me. Today he mentioned that he might join me next month. These are very powerful things we are doing for ourselves and others! Great job guys! Keep up the great work and keep TRIing.

I did my first fartlek tonight. I have a very good friend who was a college track star and just missed an olympic berth in 2000. He has asked about my progress and I told him of my struggles with the run. He sent me an email with the following intructions: Beginning this week go over to the hs track and do the following: Week #1 You are going to do 4 "Hard" 400's (1 lap) and 4 "Easy" 400's. The hard should be faster each time so that when you finish you are winded and need to walk just a bit to catch your breath. Between each hard lap, you do an easy lap where you jog / walk to recover. I'd like your last hard 400 to be all out so you cross the finish line TIRED and out of gas. It would help me if you would time just your 4 hard ones and email to me. Then I can better tailor your week #2 workout. I did it this evening. My times we 1) 2:00:38 2) 2:14:30 3) 2:15:69 4) 2:38:47 As you can see, my final lap was not my fastest. I ran all out for 1/2 lap and had to walk. I was winded!!! I did run the last 100 yds all out. I rode my bike to and from the hs for my warm up/down. It whooped me, but I feel great an hour later!!! I'll let you know what he recommends for next week. I've also asked him how often I should be doing this. I am committed to bringing my time down!!!!

Sorry the times were hard to read. This post doesn't like my formatting.

No pics as of yet. My brother took a few, but I'll wait to post the race pics. The Tri was held at Echo Reservoir in Coalville, UT. It is a beautiful setting!! It was cold when I got there - in the low 50s. It was a perfect day to do it. The high was in the mid 80s. My times were: Swim T1 Bike T2 Run Total 0:18:38 0:05:07 0:45:10 0:02:53 0:45:27 1:57:15 Change 0:02:52- 0:00:32- 0:04:35- 0:00:03- 0:02:36+ 0:05:26- As you can see, all times were improved over last time, except for the run. It was 2.36 mins slower. I know where my work needs to be. I intended today to be a rest day. However, I woke up with no soreness at all. So I rode 17 miles and ran 1 mile. Training began this morning for 8/23. I have added this to my LB Goals spreadsheet. I think I told you all that I have charted my entire LB experience. If anyone is interested in getting the template from me, just let me know. It is in excel and is so darn cool!!!! I have a quote that has really inspired me: "When performance is measured performance improves. When performance is measured and reported the rate of improvement accelerates." Thomas S. Monson Have a great day!!!!

Congrats Jon!!! Keep up the great work! Have you looked into a used road bike? There are some great deals out there. My brother just found one on Craigslist. Serious riders change their bike real often. You can find good bikes that are in great shape, the owner just upgraded. I finished my 2nd Sprint (.75k Swim, 20k Bike, 5k Run) today. I didn't reach my goal, which I now know was a very lofty goal!!! I had improved my bike time last week. But I didn't take into account that I hadn't done the full swim. Today I did and still beat my last tri time. It was around 45 mins. I saw my times but I'm waiting for them to be posted online. What a great race! I loved this venue. My run was slower than I wanted. That is really the place I need to improve. I plan on doing another tri in Aug.

Best of luck Jon! It is now less than 2 days away!! I'm getting the nerves again. I am confident that all will go well, this is just a natural build up of the endorphins! I picked up my packet yesterday. I am # 477 of 922 athletes. Ceradad, I hope you hear back from the race and they let you join. If not, be ready for 8/2. I'm going to a Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick concert tomorrow night. I bought the tickets long before I ever thought I'd become a triathlete. I may not get home until late. Small price to pay. I'll be fine. Have a great night!!!!

Whosya (what's your first name anyway?) and Amanda, Have you each set goals for time in the 5 timed areas for your triathlons? I am considering different goals but don't have them set yet. I do know that I want to improve in all of the times, especially the transitions. My first transition was marred by the whole drowning episode, so I know I will improve it alot. My time was 5:38.5. Just don't know what is realistic. My second transition was 2:24.9. I definitely would like to get under 2 minutes. I really believe that I can do my Sprint in 1:45:00 (105 mins). That means cutting out 17 mins from my first tri. Here's what my current thinking is: Swim - 20 mins., T1 - 3 mins., Bike - 41 mins., T2 - 2 mins., Run - 37 mins. That totals up to 103 mins. I think I will leave the goal at 105 mins because of the questions I have of how fast I really can do T1 in. Yes, I have practiced it, but there is still the variable of the wetsuit, fatigue from the swim, etc... Anyway, I thought perhaps you may have some input on my thought process. Help is always appreciated!!!!

So, how is everyone's training going? I know Whosya finished his first tri and is going to be doing another on Saturday the 12th. But how are the rest of you? Still making progress? There is another thread on this site that is pretty active on triathlon training. Here's a link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f81/training-triathlon-37626/ Check it out and join in the discussion! I have completed one triatlon and ran a 5K on the 4th. I'll be doing my next tri on Saturday the 12th. I've been through the course twice and am way excited!! My focus this time is on improving my times in all 5 timed areas. My transitions can really be improved!!! Triathlon was such a scary word 2 months ago. Now it has become a fixation! It is so much fun! The people I've met since I started training for my first 5K have been amazing. Both on the internet and those I've met at events!! There is more support in this community than in any other activity I've been involved in. When I've been walking on a run, or stopped while rubbing out a cramp, the comments and encouragement from people who I've never met are incredible. These folks know to some degree what I am feeling at that moment. They've pushed through that same pain. My Mantra is JFDI - Just Focus and Do It. That is what it takes to do this, or anything in life for that matter. Just freaking do it!!!!! Have a great day!!!

I did the course preview yesterday for next Saturday's Tri. I really struggled mentally the night before and yesterday morning before the swim. I had not been back in the water since my first tri and the trauma that took place in front of me. I kept seeing the man floating there. I pushed forward and did the swim preview. It really did help. I was very conscious on every breath, both inhaling and exhaling. The last thing I wanted yesterday was a mouthful of water. I did really well and by the end of the swim I was very comfortable in the water again. I have always felt very comfortable in the water until I witnessed this incident. Hopefully it has made me more aware of the dangers of the open water swim without causing long term phobias. The bike portion was fantastic!!! I set a PR in the 20k. I did it in 41:33. I can even better than that time!!! I wasn't planning on doing the run course as I had run the 5K the day before. 2/3 of the way throught the bike, I decided I would do part of the run. I was feeling good. After the bike, I started out on the run and 100 yards into it developed severe cramps in my right calf. As it would spasm, I looked at the calf and could see the muscle pull inward. It hurt like hell!!! I had the same thing happen at my Tri. I also knew that they would go away if I kept moving. Much easier to think about moving than doing it with spasms!!! I did it! About 1/4 mile into the run/walk, the spasms quit. I decided to run/walk the entire thing. Suck it up!! I spoke to the trainer who was putting on the preview about my cramps. He told me to ice my calves. I had been soaking in my jacuzzi tub with hot water after previous episode. He said that was opposite of what I should do. He said that ice would remove the swelling that is causing the cramps. Duh!! Athletes ice after games for that very reason. Heat causes more swelling. I came home and took an ice bath. Ouch!!!! But it worked! No pain in my legs at all. I did develop a twitch in my neck yesterday afternoon. Guess I'm pushing my body like I haven't for a long time. It wants rest. Today it gets total rest!!! I am very excited for next Saturday!!! This is such a great rush!!!!! Have a great day!

Thanks Amanda!! As for losing focus, I would have preferred to be running alone. Actually, I believe the run got better as the group thinned out and I was only running among the same few folks. They'd slow down and I'd pass or I'd slow down and they'd pass. That was easier than the first mile with the crowd, and it was slightly uphill. By the time I crested the hill and we turned downhill, the field was thin enough. In my triathlon, I did focus on the run. I had already completed 2/3 of the thing. You will be just fine!!! I am going to the course preview tomorrow. I am not going to go all out. I am going to enjoy this preview. Last time it was all so new. It is so much fun to be doing these things now. I wonder why I let half my life waste away before I started living again!!! BTW, I went into see the nurse at my Dr. office yesterday. I didn't need a fill, but wanted to measure my progress. I had lost 7 lbs since 5/29. Weight loss has picked up again! I owe it to all of the physical activity. I know that I probably lost much more weight in fat, because I have added/toned some muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. What a great benefit to working out!! Happy Independence Day!!!!

I did it!! I ran my 1st organized 5K only event. My time was not exactly what I had hoped for. I did it in 38:41. That was better than my trial run on this course last week: 41:40. I actually walked a few times today. Last week, I didn't walk at all and still had a longer time. I had a difficult time with my FOCUS today. There were so many people, and when I got passed, I lost focus. Am I really doing another triathlon next week? Yep!!! Hard to fathom that right now. Whosya, I'm sure you had a great time in your run. What was it?

Congrats on your improvements Amanda!!! Sounds like you are ready!!! Now JFDI! I had set a goal of 40 minutes for my 5K tomorrow, but I realized that I wasn't asking myself to improve very much over my trial run on that same course. Last Friday I ran it in 41:40 secs. I have determined that seeing as it is only a run tomorrow, I will push myself! I now have a goal of 36 mins. flat. I really believe that most of what we are doing is mental. Just FOCUS and Do It. The FOCUS is so important. Good luck to you, whosya. Your time is already better than mine! You'll do well. Have a great 4th everyone!!!!

Amanda, I bought a Felt Z70 Road bike. I also have a Mtn. Bike. I started out training on the mountain bike. As Whosya will also tell you, a mountain bike is fine to to a triathlon on, but you can get alot more speed and power in a road bike. They aren't cheap. Road bikes are very light weight compared to a mountain bike and geared so much differently. I rode 16 milles on a mountain bike a few weeks back. I'd much rather ride the road bike and leave the mountain bike for trails. Just my opinion. I rode 15.5 miles this morning, even though I still had sore legs from Friday's ride. It is amazing how much better the legs felt after the ride. I am convinced that the stretching that takes place before and during the ride is the best therapy for me!!!! I just hope I can walk tomorrow!!! I'm not a fan of aspirin or ibuprofen on a regular basis. But I think a little more might help me cope until I am really in shape. Isn't it amazing how much fitter you seem to be by just a little workout? I never thought I'd be training for a 5K and my second Tri. Here I am. The band has helped me change my life in so many ways!!!!! Send me a note at miagiman@aol.com and I'll send you a chart that I created to map my weight loss and goals. It continues to inspire me everytime I fill it out!!! Happy TRI-ing!!!!

That's awesome Whosya!!! You really have the bug! I will be running an organized 5K next Friday at a local Community festival for the 4th of July. I challenged my brother to do a tri with me when I saw him last Sunday. He said No. He said he was only running right now. So I challenged him to run a 5K. Again he said No. He called me on Monday while I was at work. He said, "I accept your challenge!" I asked him when we were going to do it. He wants to do it on the 4th. I am physched!!! I hope he catches this bug too!!! We met yesterday morning and ran the course. He whooped me! He did it in 37:25 and I did it in 41:47. I have 3 yrs and still a few pounds on him! And I am still recovering from my first Triathlon last week! I know, lame excuses!~ I will just TRI harder. Actually, I couldn't care too much who has the better time. I am glad he is doing it, and I am so happy that I have changed my life so that exercise is now IMPORTANT to me. I rode 16 miles yesterday and think I may have overdone it. My thighs and calves are super sore today. Taking a break day is important!! I did take the day off from training today. I went to the funeral for my fellow triathlete that drowned last Saturday. I did learn that he had aspirated water. No heart attack or stroke was noted. He was kept on a respirator until Tuesday. He was a organ (heart) donor. It was good for me to go and have some "closure" - if that is ever possible. I realized that he was someone I would have really liked to have known. What a week!!!

Please don't worry about going slow! You are finally doing it! Enjoy it and don't worry about anything but finishing!! Slow and steady beats never ready!!! I got some horrible news today though! My swimmer passed away. I'm really bummed.

I did my first triathlon on Saturday, 6/21/08. If I can do it, anyone can!!! JFDI - Just Freaking Do It!!!!!!

I will be doing the Xango Echo Triathlon on July 12th. I plan to go up there this weekend and ride the course. BTW, I called the hospital today and found out that my guy is still in ICU. I find that positive. Especially in light of the dire report that the dr. gave the family. I didn't ask for details but I know he is in bad shape. Time heals. Let's hope he can heal too.

I'm glad you decided it was time to JFDI!!! I got my official results from Saturday's tri. My goal was 2 hours. I just missed it. But with all of the going ons... I will take this time for my first , but not last, triathlon!!! 750m Swim - 21:29.7 T1 - 5:38.5 20k Bike - 49:45.5 T2 - 2:56.1 5k Run - 42:51.4 Total - 2:02:41.2 My first Transition was terribly distracted as they were doing CPR on the swimmer in my direct line of sight. It will be much faster next time. I learned alot!!

Here are a few pictures from my triathlon..... My Sprint Triathlon was 750m swim, 20k bike, and 5k run.

Good luck next Saturday!!! You can do it!!! I finished my first Sprint Traithlone yesterday!!!!! The Band is a great tool I am using to change my life. It has changed yours as well! Congrats on your progress. Best of luck!

When I got home, I called the local hospital and was told that he had been treated in the ER that morning. When I asked if he was still there, I was told no. I then started calling around to other hospitals hoping that he had just been transferred to a trauma hospital. I finally found the hospital on the third try. I couldn't get any info on his condition. I did get hold of his family last night at their home. They don't know how he'll do and I didn't ask for details. I told her my story and she said they had wanted to thank all those who helped out. I doubt that I would have realized he was in trouble had I not swam into him. I did what anyone would do. I hope someone would help me if I was in trouble too. Keep this guy in your prayers, please!!! I hope for the best!!! Sorry if I upset anyone on this thread by telling this part of my day. I couldn't explain my experience in whole without sharing this. Thanks goodness for wetsuits!!!! I doubt that I will ever do an open water swim without one. They do provide extra buoyancy. I am hooked on Triathlons! I told my friends and family that I wanted to do this in under 2 hours. The first thing my friend told me was that I had finished in exactly 2 hours. I didn't even think to get my times while I was there. I had other things on my mind. When I did think about it, I thought they might post the times on the website. They haven't yet, but hopefully tomorrow. I also sent them an email asking for my times. Regardless of all that, I did it in 2 hours!!! A personal best that will hopefully improve! I am seriously thinking about another Sprint Tri on July 12th!! Time to get more serious about my running training. It is my weakest point. The extra weight I still carry impedes my run. Keep on training and sharing your experiences with me! You all motivate me!!! Have a great week!!!!!! Just Freaking Do It!!!!!!!!!

I made my way into the transition area again and started to remove my bike gear. I saw a relay team nearby and asked about the swimmer. One of the guys told me it didn't look good. My heart sank again! The lump got larger in my throat. I was glad to be here doing this, but tragedy shouldn't strike at a fun event! I got ready for the run and headed out on rubbery legs. Wow, it was never that bad in training!!! I got a few blocks into the run and charlie horses invaded my calves! Ouch!!! I stopped and started to pound them out with my fists. I really thought I may be in trouble. I kept walking. I would run about 50 ft and then walk. I finally felt them let up 1/4 mile into the run. I was wiped out! I did run as much as I could. I really appreciated the encouragement from the other runners as they passed me or as they ran by on their way back in. I can finish this thing!!! The hill that kicked my butt last week did it again. I made it to the turn around and knew I was 1/2 way there. Wait, 1/2 was on the bike... I'm almost done!! Push yourself!I wore my number on my arms, but I also had them add my favorite acronyms. On my left shoulder was "JFDI" Just freaking do it!!! The right had "DFL>DNF>DNS" I had to just freaking do it. I walked alot more than I wanted to and ran whenever my calves allowed. I ran across the finish line and exclaimed "I am a triathlete!!!!" I had reached my goal. My friend came up to me and I broke down. A guy had drowned in the swim and I couldn't help him! She told me her experience, which was exactly as I had feared. She thought it was me. She got close enough to see that it wasn't my # on the arm. She still didn't know where I was. After everyone was out of the water, she was still worried. She hoped. Then she saw me ride in on the bike. I saw some paramedics and asked them how the guy was doing. They said he had a pulse and was responding at the hospital. I went and gave a statement to the sheriff's office and the race organizer. Wow, what a day!!! On the one hand I was elated that I had finished my goal. On the other, I was sad that tragedy had struck a family and the entire race.

Boy, my calves are sore today!!! It is a good hurt! I know I'll feel better tomorrow. Today it is a reminder of what I put my body through yesterday. I have NO REGRETS! Well maybe one, I'll explain that later. It was a beautiful day to race. Clear and warm, mid 80s at start. I got my transition set up just like I wanted. My wetsuit went on without a hitch. I made my way down to the water, which seemed a lot warmer than last week at the course preview. Of course, I did that w/out a wetsuit! The Sprint started 20 mins after the Olympic start. I started out with Freestyle, eventhough it isn't my strongest stroke. After a minute or so, I switched to breast stroke. Stay with your strong stroke. Don't worry about how quickly the others move. When I got to the first buoy, I looked back at the beach. Wow, that's a long way back. Wait, it's a long way to the next buoy. The course was set up in a triangle. However, the start and finish were about 100 yds apart. I finally found my groove and breathing rhythm. I was passing others. It felt good!! About 20 yds from the shore, I swam upon a swimmer. My head came out of the water and he was right in front of me. I yelled, "Hey bud, are you ok?" He was on his back and not moving. I grabbed his arm and he didn't move. I knew something was wrong. I started yelling and lifted his head further out of the water. I held him as long as I could while treading water. I yelled to someone else to help me a take him from me. In a few more seconds a gal dove in from the shore. I think she was with the organizing team. The boat got to us at about the same time. The 2 folks grabbed him and put a floatation device under him. they swam to shore and started rescue treatment. I made it to shore and ran by the scene. I was freaked!! I got the suit off and tried to get ready for the bike as fast as I could. I was directly across from the scene and kept looking for a good sign. I grabbed the bike and left. Wow, what a traumatic scene to bike away from. My friend did not see me leave the area and I worried that she would think it was me with the problem. But I rode away as the ambulance came into the park. My ride went ok until I got my chain caught between the middle and small ring on the front chain ring. I was shifting to an easier gear while climbing. That stopped me for a minute or two. Got it fixed and climbed the rest of the hill. I started passing some of the riders who had passed me on the hill. The rest of the ride was great. I really tried to push it! I hit 34 mph near the end while going down a slight grade. It was awesome!!!! My friend saw me and yelled as I pulled back into the park. I was glad she knew I was ok. I'll finish in another post....