Now That Is Cool

It seemed like TRIgirl DL's and my plans for a good bike workout yesterday would be thwarted by the oppressive rain hanging over Richmond these past few days.

Until...

we decided to head over to the Downtown YMCA after work.

Ever since choosing the gym instead of hitting Osborne Turnpike, I'd been planning on an easy spin - maybe catching up with a few good trashy magazines.

TRIgirl DL may have had similar thoughts as I noticed a paperback tucked away with her towel as we made our way over to the cardio machines.

Neither one of us were very familiar with the gym, so when we noticed two stationary bikes tucked away in the corner, we grabbed them.

Then we noticed the full color monitors.

"Sweet," I thought to myself, "maybe I'll watch some Oprah for the next hour!"

Then we realized the screens were designed for video game type experiences, controlled by the expresso stationary bikes.

We played around with the controls to pick a course. Prior to "Lake-Placid-sign-up" days, I would have selected the flattest ride - or close too it. But instead, we both picked the interactive route with the toughest climbs - the "Alpine Splash."



Which, if you could pack the Lake Placid course into three miles, the profile would look surprisingly similar. I swear there was a section that cruised along past the same river that I rode by in Keene during our practice ride in July.

We pedaled along - and after knocking a few virtual cyclists off road - I realized, hmmm - I should pay attention - I actually had to steer on this stationary bike.

And after spinning like a madwoman to get nowhere - I figured out that I should actually use the up/down gearing to adjust to the virtual climbs and descents.

The next hour passed by pretty quickly, with both of us sweating like crazy, watching the scenic views and whizzing by many generic looking cyclists as we repeated Alpine Splash and a few other courses.

This new indoor option would nearly be perfect if we could bring our aerobars and bike seats.

Because it has been a long time since my butt has been this sore or I've had such nasty chaffing!

Glimpses

The past week or so, I may have caught a few glimpses of fall...

Like during this weekend's awesome Coatesville bike ride with REB60. The weather was warm, but every once in awhile, we would pass trees just starting to change colors. And what a great route - gorgeous, quiet, smooth, back country roads - with challenging hills thrown in (I hate the first sister!) - including a climb almost Blue Ridge worthy. But watch out, if you blink, you'll miss the boarded-up Coatesville country store, with the scenic overview of cornfields across the street.

And like today, while outside with Fezzy and Buttercup, perceiving just the slightest change in the day's light and smelling the subtle, but unmistakable, smell of the first fallen leaves.

Bring on the crisp ripe apples, unusual shaped squashes, fresh tart cider, weird fun pumpkins, flamboyant colorful mums, big leaf piles and way cooler weather!

A Rejuvenation Week

You've heard of recovery weeks during or after training, right?

Well, I've decided to make this a "rejuvenation week."

With many team mates enjoying the afterglow of an inspiring and successful race at Timberman (congrats, all!)

and...

Coach B devising some masterful combination of recovery and taper between Timberman and Ironman Wisconsin

and...

Ironwoman Canada absorbed in all the wondrous activities of being a new mom to her recently arrived 8 lb. 10 oz. baby girl

I am left a bit to my own devices.

The past few weeks have been full of decent, solid training. A workout cut short here or there, but, overall, I have been very good.

So this week is about doing what I want to do when I want to do it.

I wanted to swim with the Guppies on Monday with Guppy JW leading the workout during Ironwoman Canada's maternity leave - even though he followed Ironwoman Canada's instructions to the T and made us do some ridiculous 100 intervals.

I wanted to sleep in this morning (if it wasn't for the 5:00 am wake-up call, I would have wanted to join TRIgirl DL for our Osborne ride) and I wanted to spend time with the furkids this afternoon - thereby inadvertently deciding that I'll either be switching my rest day - or - gasp - having two rest days this week.

I want to bike with TRIDi (and her entourage) tomorrow morning and check out her most recent, favorite course (through my neck of the woods, yay!). We may even need to discuss future Blackbird events.

I want to swim long and easy on Friday morning.

I want to bike with REB60 this Saturday on the RABA Coates route - an overdue reunion after many memorable winter and spring rides. Now if only Popsrcr and TRIDi would join us...

And I think a massage appointment is necessary in there, somewhere...I need to get on that.

(Oh, did you notice? No "I want to run..." plans? Well, I hardly ever WANT to run (though I'll pretend I do to get in a few other workouts this week)).

Next week, it is back to business and religiously following schedules - but for the upcoming four or five days - training is about relishing the joys of challenging swims and bikes with a few of my favorite folks (while the others recover or taper).

And, sigh, trying to hate running a little less.

The Dog Days of Summer Offer a Break

I am almost afraid to jinx it.

This past week's weather has been...

pleasant.

Whether fiction or fact, I remember these types of summer days as I child. Watching puffy clouds whirl around in vivid blue skies as I pumped my legs on our backyard swing set. Grabbing sweatshirts when the cool nights brought refreshing chills to the air as my friends and I rode our bikes home from the local pool. Lying as still and flat as possible on the beach to soak in the warm sun rays as brisk sea breezes raised goose bumps on my arms and legs.

Summer is a little different in Richmond than it is in Long Island where I grew up. The temperatures are about 5 degrees warmer in Central Virginia, which doesn't seem like much until you factor in the killer humidity.

This past week has been atypical. Walking downtown to meetings didn't leave me a sweaty mess. Coworkers and I shared a lovely alfresco lunches. And workouts...

Tuesday's early morning ride was downright chilly, requiring arm warmers under a long sleeved jersey. (How TRIgirl DL braved the ride with just a short sleeved shirt, I'll never know). Today's run allowed me a much later start with the forgiving temperatures - and was probably the most enjoyable long run I've experienced in awhile.

It is still too early to think Richmond has experienced its last heat wave for 2008 - but the next few days look promising. If this weather pattern can just hold on till mid-September...

the beauty and glory of Fall in Virginia will be here before we know it.

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On a side note, sending wishes for an amazing race to all my friends participating in Timberman this weekend - the race day weather predictions (64-79 degrees) look awesome!

More Sleep, More Dreams

A recent Anneurysm post reminded me of a dream from last week.

It has been awhile since I've had a triathlon dream.

TRIgirl BL and I showed up together for a swim clinic in the James River. Except that the river dead-ended with a gradual ramp type entrance, kind of like water park wave pools (but with green, dingy river water). Buoys floated about, marking the course - and I was excited because it promised to be a great open water swim opportunity.

We must have arrived late, because most of the swimmers were already cruising through the river as we put on our swim cap and goggles.

Since the swimmers had started, we decide to try to jump in at the far end of the course.

This is when I notice a fabulous water jungle gym set-up, complete with a few slides.

As we enter the water, we notice that the coach has crafted an interesting drill - at the first turn of the course, instead of making a left, swimmers were "climbing" the water slides - which look surprising similar to the ski jump at IMUSA.

And then they were able to run to the other side and slide back down to return back to the swim course.

The Opposite of Tapering

I really, truly have wanted to blog.

It just hasn’t been happening. Even reading other’s blogs has been hard to fit in.

I am not sure why.

Well maybe I do.

Training has definitely kicked up a notch.

And is going well, sometimes surprising well.

I had my fastest 50 mile bike split thanks to trying to keep up with TRIgirl KB this weekend (though I still got dropped a few times while she was going an easy pace).

And a “very slowly getting back on track” run thanks to striving to pace with TRIgirl BL last week.

And a third Blue Ridge ride that makes me think I’ve made peace with a few more (not all) hills thanks to Coach B.

And a bunch of solid swims thanks to Ironwoman Canada - who even moved me into the fast Guppy lane (just for one day) last Monday.

And other great recent workouts with TRIgirls DL, MW and TRIDi. Well, when my flat tires did not plague our outings, anyway.

With the extra training hours, I find the need – the absolute need – to sleep more. Naps and early bedtimes have become very common.

And eat more. I’ve heard about others waking up in the middle of the night starving. Last night, my stomach grumbling totally won over – and I found myself eating cucumber salad (thinking of TRIgirl CD in Lake Placid) at 1:00 in the morning.

So between training, sleeping and eating more – things have been a bit…squeezed.

I think I will go take a nap.

Whoops

Yes, I know it has been almost two weeks since my last post.

Life has been busy, but blogs have been floating around in my brain.

Here are their headlines, some of which may actually become future entries:

• My Little Ironman Shopping Spree Finds
• Coach B Fights Bears and RVs for TRIgirls
• Twinges of Jealousy: While Many Team Mates Taper, MightyMan Training Kicks it Up a Notch
• Progress? Feeling Stronger When You Feel Weaker?
• Blackbirds Rock
• The Blue Ridge Triple Threat Ends on a Positive Note
• "You Look Like You Are Actually Moving" - and other Swimming Highlights