I will second JamieM's thoughts. i feel for your loss. it is a stressful and difficult time when something like this happens. sometimes getting out for bit can help clear your head or give you a chance to reflect without the distractions of your everyday life. in the long run taking a few weeks off to gather yourself is totally fine. stay as positive as you can and you will be back in the game soon enough.

Sorry to hear. My dad died November 10 so it's been a few weeks now. Even though it was not unexpected, it's still not easy.

Everyone handles these things differently but I took the attitude his passing was his final message to me to not waste life - live life, go do it. Whether that means training, writing, movies, time with the kids or anything else that rocks you boat, just do it.

Even when it's long, life is too short. My dad would have hated the thought of me moping around.

/k

My sympathies are with you and your family. Take the time you need, and let your heart move you forward.

Hey John, try and keep positive there bud.

I was at mum's last night going through a few of dad's things. Found a blood donor card. Took a look and he'd been giving blood since 1947! This thing was so full of stamps I couldn't believe it. I was so proud it brought tears to my eyes (as it is right now).

I'm taking the wife and kids away for a holiday today and we're going where my parents took us when we were kids. I know there'll be times when the memories (and tears) flood back but overall the memories will be good and he'll be there as I ride, or run or swim along the old haunts.

You went on a treadmill? How depressing! :) Go somewhere new - expand the horizons - make him proud - and never forget.

Give blood...

/t

My dad died in april 2004 I was getting married in December! Boy was that a bad year! I was swimming 2 days later and I can´t tell you if it was a good idea or not.

These things are so personal and everyone takes it different. For me it was hard.... I kinda cried a little while underwater. and later as weeks had passed by, when biking indoors some tears would come out now and then. I had not done a triathlon then and my wish to accomplish that goal kept me with my mind in something else.

I guess my suggestion here is to do whatever you feel you need to do. Don´t force anything. Go trough the grieving process.

Again... both exercise (and sex) will do your mind good; but don´t force yourself.

i'm back! had a great week running (5 days straight for a total of 26 miles), two swims (4500yards) and just one short bike ride. I feel like I've found my running pace and am ready to start my 26 week program toward doing my first half im along with a bunch of shorter races.

I've read many threads on nutrition being key for longer races and am reading a book about sports nutrition by monique ryan - really good. She breaks down nutrition a few different ways - what a triathlete needs, the body's systems for marshalling energy and the foods that power them, the pre/during/post workout carbs/protein needs, race needs (during taper, 48, 24 hours before, during, post race recovery). I'm a newby (last season was my first) and I sort of followed my training plan but didn't really think about nutrition in terms of fueling up for intense workouts and making a concerted effort to practice good nutrition every day - I kind of got through the workouts (usually low on fuel) and then focused more closely on my race nutrition. I think I got lucky that I didn't bonk (actually on my first sprint, I did).

your snack sounds perfect to me (and consistent with her recommendation to aim for .5g carbs/lb and 1/4 the # of grams of protein). For me at 165, that works out to about 85g carbs/20g protein...

happy holidays..