TriSupporter

How many is enough?

Since before winter started, Rianman started his quest for cycling glasses that would keep his eyeballs from freezing in the 24 degree (yes Fahrenheit) weather he loves to ride in. The Rudy Project mask (bottom right) didn't cut it plus he needed clear lenses for night riding. The top row left are his Native glasses and are about 6 years old and beside almost falling apart didn't keep the wind out.

We've been to Dick's to try ski goggles - too bulky and not enough peripheral vision. We went to the scooter store to see what they had. I think the top right is from there (note: not clear). We found a pair on Amazon - those are in the middle, rear. I kind of like those - they look like goggles that the first pilots wore. After pouring over websites with no luck, we finally drove to several local bike shops. What did he come home with? The Infrared Oakely Jawbones with transitions lenses.

 

Let's hope these work because I'm not about to keep looking. The first ride is tonight but it's above freezing so maybe it won't be enough of a test. Regardless, this TriSupporter has put her foot down. No more new sunglasses.

 

Eating right

So it's the new year - Happy New Year - and many people resolve to lose weight or eat healthfully. Rianman and I started our attempt before Thanksgiving. We signed up for 7 weeks with Success Meals KC. They supply a full day's meals each morning according to your dietary needs and restrictions.

When you start, you provide your height and weigh and activity level as well as any food allergies or avoidances e.g. lactose intolerant, no salmon. In turn you get a specially designed meal plan with all the calories you need for a day. Each day on our doorstep we'd get a bag filled with 5 yummy meals. The food is sooo good. I had eggs benedict this morning with turkey bacon. Granted I had one and Rian got to have two but that's the result of the customization provided.

At first, you're sort of stunned at how small the portions seem to be but in just a few short days you realize you feel better and you're losing weight. In the 7 weeks we've been using Success Meals, we've lost a total of 15 pounds and that's with the holidays in there.

The good.

• It works. You lose weight, eat healthier, feel better.
• It's very tasty! Every day you get dessert. The meats are varied. We even had black eyed peas and collards for the new year!
• It's easy. I don't have to think at all about what I'm going to eat. I have breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner and dessert everyday.

Some downsides.

• Sometimes you don't like an ingredient but I have learned to eat foods I don't typically like or wouldn't typically choose like carrots or peas.
• You can't always predict when a friend will invite you out for dinner. We've tried freezing foods. SuccessMeals is good about skipping days if you're traveling--just give them 24 hours notice.
• It's pricey. If you can get a package, you might be able to get it for about $100 a week per person. But for two people, it adds up. Given we're big on eating out; the added expense wasn't significant.
• A lot of plastic containers. They're recyclable but I feel a bit guilty. They're high quality microwavable and resuable.

Overall, we recommend it for triathletes and their supporters to maintain weight or lose weight. (Note: this is not a paid endorsement...just our opinion.)

 

 

Planning Ahead

So I just blocked my work calendar for September 7 and 10 because we'll be in Madison for another Ironman Wisconsin. This time we'll be cheering on Marcus and Bob as they journey to their first Ironman on September 9th. We can't wait to be there on the helix, at Mt Horeb, at the Union and at the Finish!!

What I really want to block on my calendar is the vacation we're all taking in October to celebrate!!

Ding Ding!

Christmas at the TriSupporter House

So I got Rianman's Santa list today. I guess in many ways if Santa just brings anything related to triathlon or especially cycling, he's sure to do well. Just a selection of things on the 2011 list are below. Notice a trend?

• Bicycle Dreams a movie about his latest obsession: the Race Across America. For those in  KC who are interested, Bike Walk KC is presenting the film in February. Get your tickets now. Rianman already has.
  
• Compression Tights--he actually asked for three different ones. I have no idea why.
  
• Winter Bike Gloves - He already has lobster ones but hey, why not try these?
  

If Santa is nice, we'll have a review of these and other things Santa might bring after Christmas.

 

Turkey Roll

Happy Thanksgiving to all the TriSupporters out there. Rianman is out on the inaugural Turkey Roll ride. It is a small ride...just him and Bob but who knows what this will lead to.

Roll on guys.

IM00 2011 Congrats!!

Quick Congrats to all the finishers of IMOO 2011!! Monty, Kat, Anne, Kristin and thousands others who rocked Madison yesterday - woo hoo!!

Big congrats to Marcus and Bob for signing up for 2012. Can't wait to TriSupport you next year.

IMOO 2011

For the first time in four years Rianman and I are not in Madison during IMOO weekend and I think we're a bit sad. For all our friends who are racing tomorrow, have a great race...enjoy it. Monty, Kat, Anne, Kristin kick butt!

We'll be watching and cheering from afar.

Woman who died in triathlon: 'God must have needed her'

From the NY Times. Two died in the NYC Triathlon last week. I think the comment by the woman's parents says a lot, "she died doing something she loved."

Woman who died in triathlon: 'God must have needed her'.

Read a follow up to an story about an inspiring athlete who finished Ironman CDA.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/an-update-from-an-ironman-and-oprah/

2011 Seasons

I've been remiss in updating the blog. For many reasons I guess...after an Ironman, I get lazy. I never did post Rianman's results from IMOO last year - but he did great (I will post on that soon).

Rianman is not racing this year. He actually wasn't planning on racing Tris this year so he could focus on cycling. But that sort of got derailed by a serious medical problem earlier this Spring which required two 5 day long hosital stays and major surgery. He's fine now and was cleared to exercise the last week of May. So he started to work out after three months of nothing. You can imagine how this will turn out.

He began with Insanity - a bootcamp-like daily DVD workout clearly not aimed at 40-somethings. After 4 weeks of Insanity and a few bike rides, he ended up in the Urgent Care when we were out of town. He couldn't move--his back had seize up. Luckily it doesn't appear to be disk related. Nevertheless, it is Rianman's first back injury. Not likely his last.

It's been almost two weeks and he sees a physiatrist tomorrow. This season isn't looking good so it's really good he wasn't planning on racing this year.

But I'm still TriSupporting - our friends are racing and we're cheering when we can. Go Bob, Kat, Monty, Marcus et al!!

Ding Ding