United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Robin,
Way to go! What a way to kick in an anniversary! And one year at that!!!

I'm sure it was hard as hell, but it must of felt getting back out there and pushing through.

You all are a constant source of inspiration! Thank you!!!

Christopher


I'd never heard of Jason Lester. Can't wait to see his documentary. I'm sure he's got some tips he could share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCnjMbUOFg
http://www.chasingmemovie.com/news

Robin, any other video on him I'd love to see it.

Wow, I think I probably would have cried the whole way in NY (happy tears)!

Ever since my first marathon, I tear up a bit just feeling grateful to be able to do these things. It's an amazing feeling to know what we've overcome to get there.

Robin, you are awesome!

Heddi, when is your Tri or did you already do it?

Quick update on my training. I am finally getting the miles up, went for a 25 mile ride Friday and averaged 17.1 mph. Fairly flat, but felt good and legs actually held up.

Ran three miles Sat, 1.5 down hill, 1.5 back up, would rather run 4 on flat like the race, but it was all I had as we were out at Lake Mead waterskiing and there is no flat place to run.

Swam a mile yesterday in about 40 minutes. So happy with that as six weeks ago had a hard time swimming 38 laps in 30 minutes.

Planning on starting to double up training, plan on doing a ride and run tomorrow. Looking forward to the next three weeks of training till the event and know I will be in good enough shape by then to really enjoy the race.

Dan

Hi Dan,

My tri is a week from this Sunday--seems to be creeping up really slowly for once.

I just got back in the water today after having a painful deltoid/rotator cuff spasm last week. It hurt pretty bad for about 24 hours & had me really worried. I went to see an acupuncturist that day, which ended the spasm cycle so it's much better now. So I only did 1/2 mile today, but am hoping it will feel good enough to do a whole mile by Saturday. That will give me a week to recover and do short swims.

I think the bike will be my best event, since my running injury is still acting up a bit. Fortunately, it feels a lot better once it warms up, so I'm actually doing better when I swim/run or bike/run than when I just go for a run.

I'm definitely going to have to cut back after this--at least until everything is happy again

Congrats on your training--a 40 minute mile is great! Sounds like you're going to have a fun race.

Hey Dan and Heddi
Great job on your training Dan! 40 minute mile is awesome. bike ride sounds good too. you will have no problem completing your race and doing well!
Definitely start adding some Brics (bike - run) practice your transition and wear what you will wear in the race. legs need a chance to get used to that bike-run. Is your race hilly or flat? that does make a difference. your legs tend to get more beat up on the hills.
Heddi, im sorry to hear of your injury. you've completed marathons, this will be a piece of cake for you. For all of us the swim is the toughest. we just have to realize, we're there with one arm and its the shortest part, just get through it! i would recommend starting in the back and on the outside. you dont want to get mauled at the start, it would take too much out of you.

may i recommend--- on the bike you have aero bottles in aero bars to drink from? if not there is something that goes on the back of the bike and a straw thingy that runs along your top tube and sits between handlebars. if you want more info, i will find it and send you the link. Anyway, where was i? head injury you know!! i have been adding carbo pro to my gatorade and water. it has no taste and doesnt upset the tummy. this is a good way to get in some calories while on the bike. that was one of my issues in NY, i didnt take in enough and blew up on the run. Carry your own jel and or small drink bottle in your sling.

sorry to go on and on. just wanted to share some things i have learned. please keep me posted! heddi, did you get your appt. at mayo yet? im going out sept 8-10th.

cheers!!!

Hi Christopher -
thank you -- you are an inspiration. i read your article in the journal and often re-read it when i am having a bad day, so thank you!

i dont know if i mentioned that Jason is now training for ultraman which is 2 ironman distances in 3 days!! he completed IM Arizona in May and is also doing The Ironman World Championships in Kona in November. This is the Ironman of all Ironman races! He has an amazing story! I draw a lot from him and will continue to do so. Especially since it looks like I got my slot for Ironman Lake Placid next July 26th!!!! that will mark the 2nd anniversary of my accident. Only problem will be after that, what can i do? skydive? alligator wrestling?? hmmmm..good thing ive got some time to think on it. As soon as i figure out how to do it i will set up a blog to record my Ironman training experience and race.

Christopher, when you get a minute can you email me with the dosage info for DL Phenalynaline (sp?) i really want to make the switch. i know you did once before but i cant seem to locate it (head injury...remember...)

Thank you all for the strength i get from you!!!!!
Robin

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the tips on getting hydrated/nutrition. I've been thinking about getting the aero bar bottle, and now you convinced me.

For long rides I usually use a camel-back with a special bendable tube I found. You can bend the tube to stay near your mouth so you can easily reach it when you ride. Problem is, I hate strapping on another thing, and it takes too much time in transition. I was just planning to take gels/water before & after the bike, but I was starting to worry about bonking. That worked on my other tri, but this is a much tougher course.

On the run, I have a small clip-on gel bottle that I attach to a sling strap. It 's really easy to access & reattach.

BTW, the shoulder injury wasn't from swimming or biking. I did it mopping I'm sure all the activities contributed, but I'm pretty sure if I quit mopping when it suddenly started hurting, it would have been OK. It's slowly getting better as I baby it.

Congrats on Lake Placid! Can't wait to read your blog once it's up & running. You're amazing!

Robin,
I'm glad that article has been helpful to some degree. The pain issues that comes with this injury can be a real side-swiper as far as an unexpected ordeal to handle.

I'm emailing you this information below, but here are the threads to the forum discussions about dosage and information.

http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... 271#111271

http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... 129#200129


I take 1000mg of DLPA in the morning on an empty stomach and again just before bed time. When I occasionally forget, I notice a definite change in pain levels the following day along with the frequency of pain "flurries" that come like lightening flashes through my arm, hand, and brain.

I takes about two weeks for it to fully kick in. I've noticed that in combination with strenuous exercise the DLPA offered the best relief (and superior mind function compared to prescription medications) that I've experienced.

Best of Luck!

Christopher

PS I would love to see any other video or parts of Jason's documentary, beyond what I found on youtube, posted here for everyone to take witness & inspiration from his mindset & methodology and shear determination to push through. I'm very curious why he doesn't use a sling/brace when runs. I wonder if he's had a shoulder fusion surgery, or has some function left there.

Robin,

I got my Profile Design aero bottle and tried it out on a 50 mile ride yesterday. It was great! For some reason my energy kept leaving me the second half of the ride (maybe the headwind), so it really helped to have a constant dose of water/carbs.

My shoulder felt much better this week, and I had a good 1 mile swim. So I think I'm as ready as I'm going to be for next weekend.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Heddi

Hi Heddi,
yes the aero bottle is a wonderful invention. they do make them with 2 chambers but they are much bulkier.
i had been using gatorade but found i need more. Now i add carbo pro to my gatorade and it helps a ton. it has 52 grams of carbs and i think 150 calories? bottle is not in front of me. and also, for longer rides and races, Spiz. Jam packed with calories 570 and carbs - 92 g. (and also 750 mg of DPLA) i am going to try it on my next 30+ mile ride and will let you know. my friend uses it for ironman. you can get both at trisports.

ok, so what is mopping? is that some kind of northwest thing??? maybe im thinking of that olympic sport curling??

anyway, glad you're feeling better!!! good luck!!