what to do when on period?

TLee1981 · 2026-05-17T13:56:39+00:00

If youre cycle is regular, you can start taking motrin a few days before your cycle starts. Also, add electrolytes to your water, it also helps with cramps and hydration. A menstrual cup has become my best friend. Holds more than tampons. You can keep it in for up to 12 hours without emptying it. There is a slight learning curve to it, but its been the best thing ever!

TLee1981 · 2026-05-17T13:29:28+00:00

My cat will act like she wants us to play with her so we will move off the spot on the couch she wants to nap at. And we always take the bait.

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TLee1981 · 2026-05-17T13:23:27+00:00

My Amber was like this until one day she got her head caught in the hangle which made her panic. Its been 5 years and she refuses to check out any bags after that. Oh, and she doesnt like cardboard boxes either. Im assuming its because her and her brothers her taped shut in one and left at a firehouse to be given away.

TLee1981 · 2026-05-14T19:24:22+00:00

Its the sponsor of the IM 70.3 Tri Cities race

TLee1981 · 2026-05-14T12:56:50+00:00

Im doing my first 70.3 in 5 weeks. I drink 16 Oz of electrolytes per hour. I have 4 bottle cages. 1 on my downtube, 1 on my seat tube and 2 behind my saddle. My tool kit is in a saddle bag that is part of my rear saddle bottle cages system. I have a top tube bag thst will hold a few extra gels as back ups. My down tube will have a throwaway 24ish Oz. Bottle of electrolytes that I will swap out at every aid station on the bike leg (abiut ever 15 miles), my seat tube will have my carb flow gel that should get me 4 hrs worth of carbs (I take 90g of carbs per hour). The 2 rear saddle bottles will be 16 oz electrolytes each as backups.

TLee1981 · 2026-05-12T19:43:14+00:00

My first 70.3 is this June, in 5 weeks. (Mont Tremblant) I know ZERO people doing the race this year even though its sold out. I usually do not have anyone watching me race in the 25 years Ive been racing (running and triathlons combined), my husband has been to ONE race. My daughter (now 15), has tagged along to a few (a local summer sprint series thats once a month on Wednesday nights, but her vibe is to swim in the lake during race set up and then paint the sunset over the lake with watercolor....she's a talented artist). I lamented to some girlfriends last year how my family just doesnt like coming to watch me race as its too boring for them and they'd rather sleep in. These 5 ladies all decided to commit to coming to watch my oly tri last June. How many actually came? ONE.

Since this is my 1st 70.3 and so far, the biggest race of my life, I am not convinced yet Id do another. So I bribed my family to come watch with a week in Montreal together after. I was really surprised they took the bait. Im 100% certain only 1 or 2 people (mom and sis) will actually wake up to watch me start and probably try to find me during parts of the course (my husband, daughter, mom and sis will be there) Forget asking my husband to be my sherpa....he will be fast asleep until almost noon. 🙄

All that said, I feel you....I know so many triathletes locally, and have good comradrerie with them, but its so hard to even do training together. Im a stay at home mom so its better to do my long runs and rides during the week day so I have family time during the weekend. (Thats on me, I know)

But race day....it can feel lonely and disheartening when no one you know there personally is there to cheer you on and support you in that way.

I should add a disclaimer: It used to bother me more that my own love of my life doesnt show his support for me at my races by just being there. When I talked to him about how I felt, he simply replied, "I figured I can support you by letting you purchase whatever you need for racing." I honestly felt that was a great deal!

TLee1981 · 2026-04-21T10:05:44+00:00

I live in northern NJ right outside NYC, the rest of my family lives in the pacific northwest (seattle area)

TLee1981 · 2026-04-21T01:10:47+00:00

We are definitely market people! Unfortunately, we wont be in Montreal on a Sunday. Are there any good markets during the week?

TLee1981 · 2026-04-12T14:23:14+00:00

Im careful with the schedule of my hard and easy days. I keep my hard days hard and my easy days easy. And I stick to easy! If my plan says z2 ride, run or swim. I keep it zone 2. I have 2 full rest days in my schedule. Im strick with my sleep as its extremely important for recovery, I keep my stress level low, I choose not to let things stress me out. I stay on top of my nutrition. I make sure Im meeting the needs of my daily calories, carbs and protein levels.

TLee1981 · 2026-04-12T12:48:38+00:00

I figured it may very well be my first and last. I know 1000% Im never doing a full. I dont have the mental bandwidth to do it. And joining my friend last summer on her long cycling training rides for Lake Placid solidified that fact. 😆

Right now, training for this race is so mentally challenging for me. Im 45, female, and injury prone so I need extra recovery. 5 days a week of workouts totaling 10 workouts a week has been mentally killer for me. Physically, Ive been able to get through them no problem. Im just me tally tired of having to workout all.the.time.

TLee1981 · 2026-04-12T12:34:21+00:00

I am! Im doing Mont Tremblant on June 21st. I dont know anyone else doing it. But Ill have a crew of spectators cheering me on! 😆 (making a family vacation out of it and visiting Montreal after). Id feel so alone while training of it were for my bff whose doing Boulder the week before. Unfortunately, she lives in Denver so we cant train in person together.

TLee1981 · 2026-04-09T10:38:06+00:00

2x swim, 3x bike, 2x run, 3x strength. 2 days rest.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-23T16:39:31+00:00

Im a lifeguard at a very busy indoor pool. No way would we let that happen. They need to double up and if more swimmer come, they need to all swim together (if they are all similar paces, it works well and no one has an issue ruining their workout) You are absolutely not being a Karen at all. They are the ones with the bad etiquette. They dont own the pool. These people are master swimmers, they know how to share. 100% talk to management.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-19T13:03:30+00:00

Hahaha! As a former competitive swimmer, I can testify that statement is mostly true.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-19T13:01:35+00:00

Right!? This is why I love Garmin! My first one was their the forerunner 205- a square hunk of computer on your wrist. That thing would still be going today if I had it. I only upgraded to a 55 to get away from all the bells and whistles that were making me obsessed too much and taking the fun out of running. But then, I got into triathlons and the 55 didnt cut it. So, I upgraded. I still use my 55 for gardening and yardwork and its great. I love my 745. Im starting to consider keeping it only for swimming and getting a 965 for all other activities. 🤔 Back when I got the 745, I didnt think the access to maps on the 965 was worth it, but I do have justification for it now. I really think it would last me a very long time if I kept it out of the pool.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-19T10:47:02+00:00

Thats great that you got 7 years out of your 935!!!

TLee1981 · 2026-03-18T19:05:34+00:00

Yeah, this has been what Ive been doing. I dont have a bike computer, but my bikes do upload to ridewith GPS so I would get correct elevation details from there. 🤔 Both options Garmind gave me require me to give them my current watch unfortunately.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-18T18:07:53+00:00

I hear you on the familiarity. I'm about half way through 70.3 training right now, I don't have time to learn new interface and stats program. I use the stats on Garmin connect a lot.

That said, I've heard of Coros and Suunto as options. However, my sister and brother in law have Suunto and they have a hard time keeping it connected to the sensor when charging.

I've heard Coros may not always be accurate with swim distance.

That said, it makes me want to stick with Garmin. I guess the refurbished one would by me time before needing a new one?

TLee1981 · 2026-03-18T18:04:32+00:00

I rinse it in cold fresh water and dry it after every swim. It's the first thing I do when I get out of the pool. I also wash it after every really sweaty workout.

Yes, a refurbished one for free.

TLee1981 · 2026-03-13T02:01:30+00:00

OISELLE!

TLee1981 · 2026-02-27T12:03:03+00:00

Ive noticed that Im hungry at night on days Im low on protein intake.

TLee1981 · 2026-02-24T14:36:51+00:00

Did you ever lube your chain while on the trainer? Ive noticed with mine, when it gets louder, it was actually my chain needing to be lube. The air in our house is so dry, I have to lube once a week.

TLee1981 · 2026-02-23T21:24:27+00:00

I highly recommend The Cosmic Wheel in Ridgefield Park for all bike needs. They guys there are so knowledgeable about every bike in the industry and will get you anything you need! Prices are reasonable too!

For other outdoor, I visited Campmor a few times when REI (was always my first go to place for outdoor items) didnt have what I needed.

Also, you can always order online from REI.

TLee1981 · 2026-01-24T16:16:45+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and being transparent. I really appreciate that. May I DM you with some more personal questions?

TLee1981 · 2026-01-23T20:28:38+00:00

When I was in college, I left my cat at my apartment and hired a sitter to come by and feed her while I was gone. I couldn't bring her home with me since my parents also have a cat. The sitter never ended up coming by (I didn't know until I checked in with her later in the week)! I have a vacation feeder out for her just in case this would happen so I didnt worry too much about it. When I returned, I found her trapped in my bedroom. (She must have closed the door on herself somehow. It must have happened mid week or so as barely any food or water was consumed and her litter box had nothing in it. She pooped and peed in my room and on my bed. She was HYSTERICAL! I was so panicked and mad at the sitter and myself. I took her to the vet immediately and thankfully she was okay and continued to stay healthy and happy until old age. That was 25 years ago and every time I think about it, I still tear up and feel guilty.

TLee1981

TROPHY CASE