United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

OK, there are enough people on here that are doing them to put it up as a topic, for those of you who wonder if you can, hopefully there will be enough examples to let you know that it is.

I know Robin just finished one and she will be very modest when she talks about it, but I thought her times were great. I will let her comment more, but it was an Olympic length, which is 1500 meter swim, 40 Kilometer Ride and a 10 Kilometer Run.

Heddi is doing a Mini(not sure of exact distances) in three weeks and it sounds like she is ready, I'll let he tell you about her training and hopefully she will keep us informed of her results.

I am doing a Classic in September, 1/2 mile ocean swim, 18 mile ride and 4 mile run. Biggest struggle for me was I let myself get a bit tubby, or lets say real tubby. So I am just to a point that the weight is low enough that I can start to go harder to get my mileage up and my endurance stronger.

Should be lots of fun, I forgot how much I enjoy being out on my bike, I love being in the water but the swimming is just something I have to do and the fact that I only have to run 4 miles is great because I have never really liked running more than about 6. But I know this has spurred me to want to ride more, so much so that I plan on doing at least one century ride next year and maybe two.

So who else is in training and when is your event? For those of you who might need some ideas on how to get started, I know there is tons of knowledge available.

Dan

i'd say i had input but it's a stretch for me to run to the fridge for a beer hell if i ran around my house i'd be spent lol. i'm not fat or nothing just not that athletic i would like to get into riding a bike and i thought if i swam in my condition i'd just go around in circles.can you swim with some sort of sling on? my arm is kinda stuck in a slight L shape and i'm affraid i cant get it to go back i tried.i guess the surgens gave up on me cause they told me to keep this arm in a sling unless i bathe so i have and no one ever told me i needed pt so i figure they gave up.but i gotta say dan your sling really makes me wanna push my limits.i am restricted for i have knee and back problems but bike riding might help me work that out.maybe an excercise bike at first just to get the kinks out.anyway just thought i'd throw in that i wanna get active just to get the ball rolling lol.but i bow to you all man that is great you all are doing this and i wish you the best.
s8n

Mines a Sprint triathlon--same distance as Dan's except only a 14.6 mile bike.

I'm actually worried about the 4 mile run, even though I did a marathon in April, cause I have an injured piriformis from then that just hasn't healed. I've slowly cut back my running distance and frequency to try to let it heal, but it still keeps nagging me. I'm down to only 4-mile runs, which makes me worry about how I'll feel when I've done a swim & bike before hand.

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to drop running for a month or two after this to let it heal. Luckily, biking & swimming don't bother it too much, so I can keep doing that.

Robin, I definitely want to hear how your tri went! I want to do an Olympic distance event next year (once everything heals up), so it would be great to know what I'm in for.

Heddi

These accomplishments would be a great way to fundraise for UBPN as well. If you are interested in helping, you can fundraise through firstgiving website:

http://www.firstgiving.com/npo/13369


It allows you to set up a fundraising page that you can send to friends and family.

Please check it out, it would be a way for people to support your fantastic accomplishments while giving back to the organization.



rich looby
president
UBPN

Rich,

Thank you for posting that! I've been looking for a way to do exactly that.

Here is my link:

http://www.firstgiving.com/heddip

Now if everyone can help by sending it to all their friends and coworkers, maybe we can make this work.

BTW, I noticed the UBPN link at the bottom, left of the page goes to firstgiving, not UBPN. That came up automatically, so maybe needs to be changed on the charity's end?

Heddi

Well I think I was the first to donate! I really appreciate the effort! It is such a good way to raise funds!

rich

Right on Dan! Let'r rip!


Donation X2. Great idea guys! Way to go Heddi!

You guys are great!

Heddi

BTW, back on topic, I did a .8 mile swim, followed by a 3 mile run today. I felt like a crazy person running dripping wet--it was so fun! I forgot how much I liked that last year, especially on a hot day.

Got some interesting looks, but since I usually try so hard to look respectable, it was fun to be wacko for a change

I did the swim in Puget Sound to get used to the cold salt water I'll be in on race day. It was so cold my face hurt at first, but once I got used to it I really enjoyed it.

My only fear was that the cold would be hard on my BPI arm, but once I went for the run it warmed up quickly and felt better than it's felt in awhile. It must have gotten a lot of blood to it in the end, because it was all plumped up and happy.

Strange!

Hello all!

i have found that continuing w/triatlon has been so good for me and my family. i am and always have been fiercely competitive so if my ability to compete ended that day on te road i dont know where i would be. i even turned the time it took for me to get any type of twitch in my arm a cmpetition. i called the docs at the mayo and asked them if i broke the record! i have also had the benefit of meeting people like dan (who convinced me i could change my 2 year old twins' diapers w/one hand!) and jason lester (an amazing ironman w/tbpi. (if anyone is interested in viewing his videos i'll send you the link.) and heddi and christopher, and Ellen and all you others. so thank you!

i just finished the NYC triathlon which also happened to fall on the one year anniversary of my accident! what a day. although i was a bit disappointed in my time, but i do tend to be a bit unrealistic! i'll be doing another olympic distance race in September, the Westchester Triathlon (which i will love to do some fundraising for..thank you for that info) and then the Marine Corps Marathon in October. i am waiting to find out if i got a slot for ironman lake placid next july.

Heddi, reading your email made me laugh! you have to deal with the cold, and we are having a huge problem with jellyfish! NYC was like a mine field. luckily the water is so brown and murky you couldnt see them when they stung. the one i did see was the size of one of my twins! i swim open water w/my tri team and last week i was there listening to the fear and panic over the jellyfish! i looked at the sun rising over the water and said..."look at that sunrise!" don't sweat the small stuff...right?
and besides, that's what jellyfish repellant is for.

i am by no means an expert on triathlon and continue to learn everyday, but would be happy to help anyone who needs advice or has questions. its always good to hear what works for others. maybe we could form a ubpn team and do some relays!

Go get em and as we like to say...never stop tri-ing! be grateful for every new day and seize each moment!!!!

Robin