eBay-ology

Would that be anything like the study of eBay? I have bought and sold many things on eBay and recently decided to clean out a few of my triathlon/biking paraphenalia that I do not use. So I put up four items - a Tyr triathlon backpack (hate it, it's too big for me), a 2 bottle fuel belt that is too small for my fat gut, a stock bike saddle and a Terry butterfly saddle.

I put a starting price of $10 on the Terry saddle. I think I paid about $90 for it, I only used it for one summer and didn't really like it. I also had it on my road bike which was replaced by my tri bike - that I totally prefer to ride.

I have received numerous questions regarding this saddle. Who knew a $10 saddle could generate so much curiosity. Like, how many miles did I ride on this saddle - I don't know, I didn't put a chronometer on the saddle. How many times did I ride on this saddle - oops, again, I forgot to count. One person wants to know if the leather is worn down and smooth - if you look at the picture I posted, you can easily see the designs on the leather - that doesn't seem worn down and smooth to me. Another wanted to know if it was such a great saddle, why was I selling it - let's see, no were in my ad did I indicate it was a great saddle. Actually, for me, it sucked - but everyone has different preferences which is one of the reasons there are no less than several thousand saddles to choose from.

There was actually one good question asking whether there were any splits or tears in the leather and since it is in great shape - I could answer "no" - no tears or splits. Another asked if the saddle was leather. I did post the link to the Terry website and specifically to this saddle so they could get all the specs - and yes, the website says that the saddle is leather.

So there you have it - at this point, I have 20 people watching this saddle and one finally bid the starting $10. So there you have it - a veritable bargain but definitely "buyer beware" before making that all important purchase.

Stepping Out of the Zone

I think I've figured it out. As we get older, our comfort zone expands (similarly to the waistline) which means that we become less and less comfortable when doing new or challenging things. It's been pretty much believed that the age limiter is due to a decline in physical ability BUT based on folks like Dara Torres, I think the real limiter is the comfort zone.

People say that if you are over 40 that there are just some things that you cannot do - some expectations that you will never realize and we listen to those voices. We should stop doing that and listen only to the voice that helps push you beyond what you think you can accomplish.

Case in point - it is no secret that I do not like cycling on hills. They hurt and I dislike pain. I also use my age as an excuse for not trying things - for example, I'm too old to drag my butt up that big hill. However, I do have to pride myself on the fact that I can hang pretty close to my training buddies who happen to be in their mid to late 30s. These girls are not slackers - they're out there giving it their best and they train hard. I have to give them credit for helping me see that there are a lot of things that I can still do.

Last week, I did a road race (although I had no intention of racing) that was wrought with big hills - two of which, I'm afraid to say, that I had to walk the last parts. It wasn't pretty and if I had been really thinking about it, I would never have done that race. But I did do it and I finished it.

Today, I stepped out on my own and rode from my house out to my master's swimming session. I was supposed to have a buddy ride with me, but he had to cancel due to illness. Now this ride had the potential of being a bit challenging and I'm always reluctant to be out on the roads by myself. But, I went ahead and did it anyway and I feel GOOD about it. That's it - another affirmation that these are things that I can do if I want to do them.

Bottom line, is that anyone who has a dream of doing something should not let age deter them. Now, I'm not saying that an obese person should suddenly get up off the couch and go run a marathon - but I am saying that if that person wants to do this, then that person should find out what it would take to achieve that goal.

There are no life limiters, there are only mental limiters. These can be overcome.

Along those same lines, I always say that I am too old to do an Ironman. I will still go ahead and say that because it comes down to me not wanting to do the work and put forth the effort that it would take for me to complete and Ironman race - but, if anytime I decide that it's something that I want to do - I believe that I will be able to figure it out and get it done.

New motto - No more limiters....rein in that comfort zone and stay in the game!

Putting Together the New Plan

It's not even mid-September but I'm already on my way to putting together the NEW PLAN. The plan for next season that will make me a better athlete and help me perform better in races. So, you ask, what is this NEW PLAN.

Here it is - Off-Season Intermediate Maintenance Plan by M. Ricci purchased through Training Peaks. I've set this plan up to begin on Monday, September 15. I usually don't start the official off-season plan until around November or so - but I'm ready to get going a little earlier this year. The same coach has another plan that segues from the Off Season plan to a half-iron training program - because next season without any injuries my goal will be to do a half-iron race. Which race? Stay tuned - more on that later.

Next, strength training is always the goal but has always been sporadic at best. Since I've located this truly awesome and affordable personal trainer, this goal appears to be more tangible. I've been working with her twice a week, for an hour each session (can you believe she only charges me $75/month???). Actually, I started at the beginning of July and truly believe that these sessions were instrumental in helping my hip injury heal. I'm hoping sticking with this program will help keep me strong and injury-free.

However, I have to admit that twice a week of going out to her house is getting a little old. And, with the colder weather hovering on the doorstep, it's time to begin planning on taking a lot of my workouts to the gym. The plan that I think will work best for me is to work with her one day a week and have her provide a program for me to do at the gym for the second day. This way, I should already be at the gym to swim, bike and/or run and I can add in my strength training while I'm there. The problem in the past has been the inability to plan some type of strength training to do. Plus, I will have to report back to her how my workout went and if I completed everything on the list. If I find myself slacking, I can always go back to working with her personally twice a week - so all the bases seem covered on this one.

Next goal is to begin planning the races I want to do. The definites at this time are Memphis in May and Hyvee in Iowa. I will probably also do Lake St. Louis again UNLESS the half-iron race I choose is Greater Illini - but according to the race reports, this is a no-frills race. I really kind of enjoy some of the fanfare and hoopla - so not sure this will work for me. My friends will likely be doing Racine again, but I just don't think I can handle a 1.2 mile swim in 50 degree water - remember, I hate wearing a wetsuit. So what are some of my other choices - there is a new 70.3 in Augusta, GA that boasts a flat, fast bike and my guess is that there is no wetsuit swim in GA. There was another one I was scoping, but right at the moment I can't remember what it was.

So, what has happened to all my participation in the local sprint tris? I don't know - but right now, I'm just not motivated to do any of them. I didn't do any of them this current season and admit that I haven't missed them one bit.

That's the plan today - you never know when it might change. So watch this space!!

The End of the Season and the Beginning of the New Plan

One of the best things about the end of the triathlon season is the expectations being set ALREADY for the next season. Two things - one, I'm so depressed to see the end of summer. I will miss the 3 hour + bike rides that I put in this year. Yes, I know, one can still bike for awhile - but once it gets below 60, I'm back inside for bike riding and there is no way to ride that long on a trainer - well, not for me anyway.

Second, I am coming off a huge HIGH based on meeting all my goals for my last "A" race. So, I'm totally stoked to keep that high going. I'm even thinking about doing an end of season local triathlon - one that I usually find too cold to do.

Enough about me, the look ahead is always so inviting and full of promise. It is so hard to contain the positive energy and find places for it to go! I love it!

The usual list of suspects - I WILL add weight training to my program. Oh yeah, and some yoga too. I WILL follow my training plans very closely so that I can be a model athlete.

Is that you? It is the litany of triathlete's New Year's resolutions. Because that's exactly it - we are looking towards a new year and a new year of possibilities and opportunities.

I hate the end of summer, but love the beginning of the planning season.