tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post7355464455677396093..comments2023-12-14T01:53:57.634-08:00Comments on Victoria's Obligatory Triathlon Blog: Ironman Mont Tremblant: Over at LastVictoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-85339930529150770412013-09-15T18:38:26.524-07:002013-09-15T18:38:26.524-07:00I've been following your blog for a bit... fin...I've been following your blog for a bit... finding inspiration as I work on my journey to (hopefully one day) become an IM. I have PCOS too. It's not easy - frankly, it sucks. Especially when you put in the work and you're disciplined about your diet but you're still not losing the weight. I've been on the last leg of a triathlon, running (more like jogging) as people pass me and thinking to myself, if only I could just get the extra weight off... if only I could get in control of my body and my metabolism... if only I didn't have PCOS. <br /><br />The thing that I've learned is that you can't beat yourself up. We're all dealt a different hand of cards and we have to make the best of what we have. I know it's not fair but don't let it get you down! Keep doing what you're doing -- you've inspired me and many others. Congratulations on your IM finish. You rock!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-5841128108689025212013-09-13T10:24:12.868-07:002013-09-13T10:24:12.868-07:00Thank you for the report! I was checking on their ...Thank you for the report! I was checking on their page to see how your race went, and now to get a fuller picture than just your snippets of info and the times was good. (I was curious what happened during the marathon, not that a marathon is not long enough for a million things to happen).<br /><br />And thank you for the health update. You had me worrying and again, curious.<br /><br />And congrats for finishing your second Ironman!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-40831490045356365502013-09-12T05:49:35.258-07:002013-09-12T05:49:35.258-07:00Or I could have read the 7 zillion previous commen...Or I could have read the 7 zillion previous comments...lolRaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11052280806092548943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-80979515624702481632013-09-12T05:40:43.756-07:002013-09-12T05:40:43.756-07:00Wow...what a report!!! I am so proud of you for p...Wow...what a report!!! I am so proud of you for pushing through....you earned that medal 100 times over!!! So sorry to hear of your health issues. I know this is dumb but have you gotten a second opinion? The doctors orders just don't seem right....but I'm no doc. Hang in there!Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11052280806092548943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-87628408882596724992013-09-09T14:54:23.457-07:002013-09-09T14:54:23.457-07:00Victoria! I'm a little behind here, but three ...Victoria! I'm a little behind here, but three important things:<br /><br />1. love, Love, LOVE the drawings! The Smash kit on your swimmer is extra impressive!<br />2. You definitely deserved that medal! <br />3. I'm not an MD, but I hope you'll find a way to keep racing! I'm sad I didn't get to meet you in Tremblant, and hope I get another chance! <br /><br />Happy recovery and excited to hear what's next!Haleyhttp://www.haleychura.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-20963970327786111382013-09-08T10:33:57.616-07:002013-09-08T10:33:57.616-07:00Ug. That sounds frustrating. I don't know anyt...Ug. That sounds frustrating. I don't know anything about PCOS, but it sounds like it basically sucks balls, and you are hardcore for fighting through all that and still finishing an Ironman. I hope you're able to work through the health issues in the coming months.<br /><br />Congrats on the finish! I love the "wall of dudes" drawings. Men are ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-27899831405947557492013-09-06T17:52:59.373-07:002013-09-06T17:52:59.373-07:00It's not easy, but once you figure out what wo...It's not easy, but once you figure out what works, it's totally manageable. There's an awesome endocrinologist in NYC - she didn't treat me, but has treated a couple of family members. Don't know if you're willing to travel, but if you are, she's definitely worth the visit. Her name is Carolina Sierra. Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05756319082206756010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-85039846175482200922013-09-06T11:34:18.797-07:002013-09-06T11:34:18.797-07:00You have done absolutely amazing things during you...You have done absolutely amazing things during your life, both physically and otherwise. When you set a goal of breaking 4:00 in the marathon, I was skeptical. After all, it took all I had to run a 1:56:30 half marathon in ideal conditions. Given that I provided half your genes and your mother's side of the family has no endurance athletes,that seemed like too much of a stretch. You not only did it, you did it by almost 30 seconds per mile! Mentally weak? That is just flat out WRONG - you have done almost everything you set your mind to: world class nuclear engineer and harpist, tremendous synchro swimmer, and holder of 3 MIT degrees. Each of us has a few not so good days and you just hit one of them on a less than desirable day. Probably limiting yourself to shorter events with your potential health is a good idea - there is only so much you can do.<br /><br />As for the PCOS diagnosis and diet, PCOS is indeed an unfortunate condition. But people have persevered through chemotherapy, lost limbs, and other traumatic medical conditions as endurance athletes. You've done a fabulous job of that so far - keep it up! The diet is ridiculous as you are NOT overweight - and weren't before you started on it. Why do you think it has been so hard to lose weight and keep it off? Your body knows what it needs to train as hard as you do. Watching carbs is the one piece of advice I would agree with and that would be true to some extent even if you did not have PCOS.<br /><br />Keep up the amazing things you do - and never be discouraged just because you ever so rarely fail to achieve your lofty A goal.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09693106894982159470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-137211366637447792013-09-06T11:12:44.638-07:002013-09-06T11:12:44.638-07:00While your mental game may have let you down this ...While your mental game may have let you down this run, it is not weak- with everything you've been battling this past year, your mental strength has gotten you to another IM finish line 36 minutes faster!<br /><br />I'm not the right kind of doctor to give any sort of medical advice, but my first thought was to check out vinnie tortorich/NSNG/Fitness Confidential. I started listening a little while back and the reason your sweet potato cookies were key training this summer. It's pretty similar to the diet you've following, but I wonder if increasing the fat in your diet (and not focusing on a number) would have a positive impact for PCOS and, ultimately, weight. Although, I can't see how you were ever over-weight!<br /><br />I'm positive you will figure this out and find a sweet spot for you nutrition & athletic-wise. Good luck, and next time you're in boston we'd better go for a run :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13898098819208716948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-90100088986644747102013-09-06T09:27:14.663-07:002013-09-06T09:27:14.663-07:00Thank you!Thank you!Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-86611850782751192432013-09-06T09:27:07.074-07:002013-09-06T09:27:07.074-07:00This is all true, I'm still disappointed and a...This is all true, I'm still disappointed and annoyed with how everything turned out. Oh well. Onward.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-37670801607628063842013-09-06T09:26:33.225-07:002013-09-06T09:26:33.225-07:00Thank you! I hope I get back to it soon, too.Thank you! I hope I get back to it soon, too.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-57574598160292343252013-09-06T09:25:00.155-07:002013-09-06T09:25:00.155-07:00Thanks for the pointers. I've gotten a few opi...Thanks for the pointers. I've gotten a few opinions, nobody seems to have anything to offer, other than to say I'm doing everything (diet, exercise, supplements) right...which makes me even more hopeless.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-6537296137545507482013-09-06T09:24:08.202-07:002013-09-06T09:24:08.202-07:00Glad to entertain. Sorry to hear you have the same...Glad to entertain. Sorry to hear you have the same issues, this is NOT easy to deal with.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-89169385783030098722013-09-06T09:23:44.918-07:002013-09-06T09:23:44.918-07:00I don't think the heat was an issue - I think ...I don't think the heat was an issue - I think it was lack of proper nutrition training on my part. So, train in race conditions and practice your nutrition, and you'll be fine.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-85937755891521605032013-09-06T09:23:06.714-07:002013-09-06T09:23:06.714-07:00OMG THE WALL OF DUDES. THE WORST.OMG THE WALL OF DUDES. THE WORST.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-31755773930217492672013-09-06T09:22:54.325-07:002013-09-06T09:22:54.325-07:00I will accept a hug (from you, at least). And yeah...I will accept a hug (from you, at least). And yeah, I had a lot of fun with those drawings.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-41917473886278134642013-09-06T09:22:31.648-07:002013-09-06T09:22:31.648-07:00I'm definitely still doing triathlon! Probably...I'm definitely still doing triathlon! Probably HIM and Olympic distance, both of which I love. You don't HAVE to do an IM to be a triathlete, as you know!Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-7732841453783548222013-09-06T09:21:45.040-07:002013-09-06T09:21:45.040-07:00Oh, Jess. I feel like you are the only one who und...Oh, Jess. I feel like you are the only one who understands. THIS SUCKS SO MUCH.<br /><br />You are definitely right that carbs/sugars are the big deal, and I watch those EXTREMELY closely. I am hoping that if I remove the physiological stress of super-long workouts, I can manage my hunger better? We'll see.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-3431963305318429792013-09-06T09:19:43.361-07:002013-09-06T09:19:43.361-07:00Thank you! I did get a few opinions. There are sev...Thank you! I did get a few opinions. There are several studies that demonstrate that the ideal BMI for women with PCOS is around 21, so even though I'm not overweight, I have a ways to go. <br /><br />Women with PCOS don't burn many calories in any kind of exercise, though, with shorter distances, I won't be screwing with my hunger hormones, so that's probably the route I'm going. Good thinking.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-81650795490427941742013-09-06T09:18:16.732-07:002013-09-06T09:18:16.732-07:00I hope so, too. Keep racing no matter what your we...I hope so, too. Keep racing no matter what your weight - the clock isn't tied to a scale!Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-90916847417848451562013-09-06T09:16:46.940-07:002013-09-06T09:16:46.940-07:00Thank you :). I've contemplated acupuncture, a...Thank you :). I've contemplated acupuncture, at this point, it's about the only thing I HAVEN'T tried. Thanks for the reminder/nudge.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-26991101188502567422013-09-06T09:15:50.748-07:002013-09-06T09:15:50.748-07:00Thanks for the well-wishes. I've gotten a coup...Thanks for the well-wishes. I've gotten a couple of opinions, nobody seems to have much else to offer, which is what makes me so angry.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-5298657517990306552013-09-05T08:57:20.909-07:002013-09-05T08:57:20.909-07:00While I have yet to enter the IM fold, I do unders...While I have yet to enter the IM fold, I do understand how disappointing it is to not race the way that you hope and expect, but you're amazing in that you did continue to train and race despite the challenges. <br />Good luck as you focus on your health and, as others have said, I hope that training can be fun for you again.Kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17208374967597840745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-52144636550632018542013-09-05T03:33:58.822-07:002013-09-05T03:33:58.822-07:00Despite the frustration and bleakness of the run, ...Despite the frustration and bleakness of the run, you managed to do an ironman with everything thrown at you over the last year. You see mental weakness, I see strength. You see someone who gave up on the run, I see someone who managed to run-walk 12 minute miles -- a pace I can only dream of. I think you have the right approach - put health first, and see what you need to do to address the PCOS, and see what becomes do-able and FUN around that.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473843674999627197noreply@blogger.com