Hit the Brakes or (Wo)Man Down!

Today was a swim-bike brick and we enlisted the help of a friend in the transition area which made a tremendous difference. It wasn't an actual "transition" in the sense of us running out of the pool; it was too cool for that. We opted to change clothes prior to hitting the bike. I should have known that the women's locker room just might be an indication of the day to come when the custodian at the gym refused to allow me to change in the bathroom stall because she didn't want the floor wet. It goes without saying that all of the swimmers utilize the sink and the bathroom pre- and post-swim and guess what, the floor does get wet. And speaking of wet...I never realized until today just how hard it is to put on cycling attire after a swim regardless of how big your towel is. It never seemed this hard before but it was a chore today. Needless to say, my mission was eventually accomplished in the locker room.

So, outside I go...a little aggravated by a transition time that would have been faster if I'd gone home first and changed but it was time to try out the new wheelsets and pedals on the open road. Off we went, cycling down through a neighborhood. I must admit I was a little nervous with the new gear...but we were off to a good start on the bike. Two miles into the ride...it happened. A BIG FOUR-WHEELED problem.

I am in the front and we approach a side road...a not-so-bike-friendly, willing-to-share-the-road lady in a big car stutters as if she is actually going to stop at the stop sign only to pull out into the oncoming traffic (in case you're wondering, that's me-the oncoming traffice dressed in bright yellow and black cycling jacket). Before I could register panic while trying not to slam on the brakes and hit her car, my brain realizes the situation and quickly fires a message to my vocal cords which was a very spirited, "ARE YOU CRAZY?!?" With her window rolled down slightly, she tilted her head up she responded, "I SURE AM!" We pedaled on until the next intersection where I pulled off into a police department parking lot to gather my thoughts and calm my nerves. Then, the reality really sank in that the outcome of the situation could have been dramatically different if either of us had responded a different way...what if I had slammed on my brakes and what if she hadn't responded to me with just words. It was a good twenty minutes before I was settled. It was another lesson in the importance of always being prepared for what drivers may present at any given time. For my brain and vocal cords, I was very grateful that in that moment, that was ALL that came out of my mouth!

In the end, it was an okay brick day. Aside from the fact it didn't go as smoothly as I'd liked, I loved the wheelsets and didn't crash with the new pedals. It is quite a difference going from two-sided "Training Wheel" pedals to Look/Keo pedals. I did pretty well though and hope that it gets easier to clip in as time passes. Tomorrow is an 8-mile run...no traffic on the riverwalk :)

Upgrading, Downloading and Rebooting

My recovery week ended last night with a silent reflection on my previous training goals and a glance into the next 9-week training session ahead. The week was an amazing opportunity to rejuvenate on so many levels, although admittedly, I missed the hardcore workouts that I had grown used to over the previous 10 weeks. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful chance to catch up with some very understanding (!) friends, do a gear check, get a massage and even do some upgrading.

With this said, I am very excited to have obtained some new gear that I hope will benefit me in November. I have taken off the MTB two-sided pedals or what I have considered my "training wheels" and now have the carbon Look Keo pedals with carbon Shimano shoes. I also upgraded my clincher tires to tubular with the sleek Bontrager Wheelsets. Hopefully, all of these things will increase my speed and efficiency and decrease the workload on my legs in preparation for the long run that follows the 112-mile bike. I do wonder though how long before I bust my tail with all of these changes at once...undoubtedly, it will happen in the presence of a BIG group...doesn't a wipeout always happen with an audience?

In closing, I would just like to say that I am thankful for the week off but ready to hit it hard this week and in the weeks ahead. I am holding out for warmer weather and some much warmer, outdoor training rides. I can say that my recovery weeks will continue to include "reconnecting" AND "rebooting" with a massage...yeah for Urban Nirvana in Lexington!!! To my wonderful friends and family, thank you for your patience, understanding and support. You rock!

Friends and Family - Wherefore Art Thou?

One of the great things about the training program that several of us are following is that it includes every important aspect of your training needs. From icing your knees, to warm ups and cool downs, to an opportunity to "reconnect with family and friends." This week is a recovery week and with that comes a two-day weekend of no exercise. Thursday night's instruction says "Plan your weekend." How cool is that? What do you mean no exercise?

For those who've never embarked on such a journey (myself included), you quickly learn just how much of your day-to-day existence is consumed by all that is Ironman, training, research, planning, exercise, etc. It's like having a second job. I won't belabor the point I am trying to make but will just say this - My training partners and the training program emphasizes taking time to recover and taking time to reconnect with the outside world. Both are equally important in this journey. So, whether it's packing up and going camping, heading to the beach, painting a room, planning a party or just going to dinner with loved ones, refuel mind, body and spirit.

Boost Your Pedal Power

I'm not sure how many cyclists do drills as opposed to just getting out and pounding the pavement. Over the past four weeks, however, I have had an opportunity to take part in a Turbo Drill Set on the indoor trainer with my bike. It is one of the many drills that is provided by the IM program that I am following.

Simply put, the Turbo Drill set is like a pyramid of building in RPM with 2 minute recoveries in between followed by an increase in the amount of time pedaling > 100 RPM. I thought I would just take a minute to say what an awesome drill this is. The goal is to improve your speed. One of the things I noticed by week #4 of doing the drill is that I really had more to give each and every interval increase.

So, for those who get tired of the monotony and want to try something different but useful, surf the net and find a drill set or two to mix in with simply pounding the pavement. You may be surprised by the results!

Back on Track - Completion of Week #8 Training

My stint with "The Crud" is over and has been for a week. I am back on track with training and feeling almost 100%. I have been seeing my ART doc and my knee is feeling soooo much better. I am very excited about it. The SCTS schedule came out this past week and I signed up for my first 2 Olympic distance events. I should start having more to post as the season progresses.

I can tell you that yesterday, I had the pleasure of cycling with several IMAZ participants. In planning our ride, we utilized the GMAP feature to pick our route. Seemed easy enough. We headed out on our bikes confidently and came to our turn which didn't exist. It was actually a dirt driveway and perhaps had we been on mountain bikes instead of road bikes, we could have traversed through the woods to our next destination on the route. Nevertheless, we took the road more travelled and wound up in somewhat familiar territory yet uncertain which direction we should go. So being women, we asked...we got multiple answers in the span of one conversation with respect to the estimated distance we would need to travel in order to reach our destination. Then, we were met by a group of male cyclists who came zooming in on their expensive bikes only to share with us the massive distances that they had accomplished already on this day and then to go on to share unsolicited information about how much riding they've done this month. A quick comment about our "wanker bars" as they referred to them so politely and off we went. We enjoyed the ride despite someone having fun with turning a sign in the wrong direction...a few tenths of a mile later we realized that this was not the correct way. We laughed a lot about this adventure taking on the attitude of a scavenger hunt of sorts via bicycle.

Nevertheless, it was a great ride overall, good company and a good route. Beautiful weather was very much a bonus. Today is an OFF day...what's that?

The Crud

It's been almost a week since my last swim...a swim that undoubtedly brought with it what we deemed when we were children as "COOTIES"! I swam at the YMCA pool here, something we hadn't been doing but our regular pool was closed over the holidays for maintenance. So, we opted for the YMCA pool. Today is Day #6 of "The Crud" and Day #5 of not exercising; hence, no blogging either. I was hoping to get back in the pool today but I think that may be rushing it. Perhaps a spin on the indoor trainer will be enough to tide me over until I can hit it hard again. I hope to be back on the IMAZ training schedule and blogging as well. Until then, "The Crud" wins. :(