<p>Did something annoying to my back this morning and had a hard time finding things to do in the gym that didn’t bother it. It did loosen up a bit and I was fine on the elliptical, so it wasn’t all lost. </p>
<p>Congrats blankmind!</p>
<p>We’ve been going to these parties here hosted by coaching groups (Training Peaks, QT2 etc) and manufacturers that have been interesting. Some we were legitimately invited to and some we sort of crashed. Lots of discussion about nutrition, power meter training and racing and core temperature issues. Meeting lots of athletes. IDad could really contribute. Lots of different rehydrating and nutritional supplement products.</p>
<p>Did WC have nutrition issues when he qualified for Kona? No day there is a cool day, but this year was supposed to be a cooler day. Good to get on top of the issue for next time, and he was smart to pull the plug and walk the end to be sure he at least finished. Sounds like he has bounced back pretty well.</p>
<p>Congrats to WC! Wow, others on here who run and exercise so much. It’s amazing. Ya’ll are hard core. It’s inspirational for me, just doing my walks and basketball hoops. But it’s working and I am still going strong and sticking with it - that’s the main thing. Have a fantastic week, everyone.</p>
<p>Congrats to blankmind and WC. Great accomplishments! </p>
<p>After a weekend of eating too much and exercising too little, ran 4 miles today. Played golf this weekend as the season is coming to an end. Very sad 
I’m finally getting the hang of golf and have been having fun. </p>
<p>I’m a couple of hours north of kmcmom and November 15 is the saddest day of the year for me. It means the end of exercising outside as I am afraid of going out as I imagine a hunter behind every tree (I’m not wrong, I do not trust the no hunting signs). When December comes so does the snow and so the start of winter.</p>
<p>I had a nice 5 mile run this morning. I tried to keep my HR down and slow it down. I stopped to look at the water and a tiny little church (and a couple of cats). I didn’t let myself get sucked in by all the triathletes that are still here and out running.</p>
<p>Here is a link to the finisher pictures. Some aren’t him (3, 7 and 9 for sure). We love the bike pics and the run ones are good, too. He said the on-course photographers felt sorry for him and didn’t take pictures of him walking.</p>
<p>[My</a> Photos | FinisherPix](<a href=“http://www.finisherpix.com/photos/my-photos/currency/USD/pctrl/Photos/paction/search/pevent/ironman-world-championship-2013/pbib/1997.html]My”>http://www.finisherpix.com/photos/my-photos/currency/USD/pctrl/Photos/paction/search/pevent/ironman-world-championship-2013/pbib/1997.html)</p>
<p>Puts things is perspective I think…</p>
<p>[Boston</a> Marathon Victim Completes Chicago Marathon](<a href=“http://t.foxsports.msn.com/boston-marathon-victim-completes-chicago-marathon]Boston”>http://t.foxsports.msn.com/boston-marathon-victim-completes-chicago-marathon)</p>
<p>Stretch/strength/core</p>
<p>^^ditto. :)</p>
<p>MOfWC, thanks for sharing! He looks really strong on the bike! Awesome, awesome race.</p>
<p>Cool pic, MomWC!</p>
<p>Deb922, I understand completely your feelings about 11/15. I don’t know that the orange vest will be enough for me to overcome my fear of stray bullets either, but there’s a little part of me that says that’s my hill to walk 
At least during muzzle-loading season it takes them longer to reload.</p>
<p>Mch and I regularly joke that a walk in the woods in mid November is our retirement plan … But we probably shouldn’t joke about that 
maybe someone will give me Kevlar for Christmas!</p>
<p>So, thanksgiving at mom’s in Canada…y’all can probably guess the kinds of food served. The irony of a diabetic eating white bread, I’ll tell ya. But I kept my mouth shut and planned ahead, so the only real sin was the pound of beer bloat For which I now must make a healthy caloric withdrawal on the dreadmill. Hi ho!</p>
<p>Good article on the importance of the “taper” - reducing your miles/training before a race. Page 2 also addresses the taper in regards to 5K races. </p>
<p>[3</a> Common Questions About the Pre-Race Taper | ACTIVE](<a href=“3 Common Questions About the Pre-Race Taper | ACTIVE”>3 Common Questions About the Pre-Race Taper | ACTIVE)</p>
<p>Great photos, mowc!</p>
<hr>
<p>kmc:</p>
<p>I took not of hunting season when I was standing at the trunk of my car getting my pack ready for a hike and saw two hunters climb out of the truck next to me and head into the woods with rifles. As it turns out, hunting isn’t a big problem for hikers in the White Mountains because nobody in their right mind would want to drag a deer down these trails. Still, I wear some seriously bright obnoxious colors and I’ll probably skip opening weekend of deer season!</p>
<p>Did some snorkeling and swimming in the ocean yesterday. Just got back from a 4 mile run- my last Kona run. We fly out tonight. Today we have to go through the process of packing up the bike, getting it to the bike shop and ready to ship (the bike shop is going to ship it home, which is safer and a little cheaper than flying it- long story) back to Philadelphia.
I fly to Phoenix tomorrow morning after we land in SF (all night flight) for a business conference. I don’t know how I will survive. Lost in all this has been the fact that I am running a marathon (supposedly) in Indianapolis on Saturday. I give myself 50% chance of starting- my plane ticket takes me there…</p>
<p>Congrats on your half-marathon Blank Mind. Great photos MOWC. </p>
<p>Five-mile walk yesterday on conservation land–not quite like Idad’s White Mountains, but it was fairly hilly and I got my HR up. Worked with trainer today (TRX and kettle bells). She had me alternate between TRX moves and then KB swings, halos, cleans, etc. Hadn’t done a KB workout in a few weeks. I’ll feel it tomorrow.</p>
<p>3.2 mi treadmill run (9:59 pace)</p>
<p>3.2 mile trail run. </p>
<p>I’m exhausted just thinking about your schedule MOWC! Nice pictures, thanks so much for sharing. I’ll bet the bike shop in Kona is busy this week!</p>
<p>Mechanics fly in to help out at the bike shops here for this event. It’s pretty crazy, and all anyone talks about is bikes around here (that’s where the money is in this event…). Of course, there are also the $400 speed suits they wear to swim (not neoprene- have to be a slick fabric) which saves them a few seconds. They pull them on over their race kits. I saw one woman who did the whole Ironman in a swimsuit- no padding, etc.</p>
<p>4 miles walking in over-sized clogs. This has got to get better soon!</p>
<p>When I looked at WC’s pictures I was most interested in what kind of bike he rode. </p>
<p>I’m not even that big of a bike geek but it’s a main topic of conversation in H’s family.</p>
<p>But doing an ironman in just a swimsuit is crazy!</p>
<p>Those are some nice pics, MOWC. </p>
<p>NM, I hope you will be able to enjoy your trip! The headache you’ll be experiencing thanks to the economy might distract you from your painful toe. </p>
<p>I have to get back to the gym. Haven’t done anything since Sunday other than walking and I’m grumpy about it.</p>