Maybe Not My Best Brick

Yesterday's 30 mile bike and 8 mile run probably wasn't my best brick. The paces for the bike and run, when I actually biked and ran, were not bad. But I seemed to find many ways to stall and break-up the workout:

• Before brick begins, talk to Coach B about IM CDA. Fiddle with Patriot, water bottles, food. Move Amarone from backseat to bike rack. TRIgirl KB said she'd be coming by to test her out. TRIgirl Annnn asks me if I am going to ride sometime today - hop on the bike and go.
• About halfway through the bike, pull into parking lot, look for TRIgirl KB. Don't see her, continue ride.
• After the bike, run into TRIgirl KB. Amarone is too big for her, too. TRIgirl JH had expressed interest as her husband is looking for a bike. Pack Amarone into her van to give him a chance to try it out.
• Complain about running to Coach B.
• TRIgirl DL heads out on the run, telling me she'll meet me later.
• Eat Gu. Drink cold water kindly offered by TRIgirl Annnn.
• Put on visor, reset Garmin, head out.
• Forget fuel belt. Go back, put it on. Head out again.
• Forgot IPOD. Go back, put it on. Head out again.
• Forgot to body glide. Go back, put some on. Finally head out to begin run for real.
• At mile two, catch up with TRIgirl DL - who was ready for a water break. Sounds good. Stop. Drink. Decide to continue with her plan to stop at every mile for hydration.
• Heat picks up.
• Around mile 4, run into TRIgirls SD, MW (Happy 40th birthday!), AF, TD and TB. Stop and talk for a few minutes. Decide to run the rest together.
• Humidity worsens.
• Stop at mile 5 to buy cold water, refill water bottles. Sit by picnic tables for awhile to gossip, chat, complain about heat.
• Stop at mile 7 to walk up nasty Capital One hill. Too hot.
• Finish run - 1:25 time for 8 miles actually ran. Probably covered over 9 miles including walking - and probably took close to two hours factoring in all the breaks.

So maybe this was more a sponge than a brick.

Signs

When all (or even almost all) the arguments are gone for something your really want - maybe you just have to take a deep breath, have trust and go for it.

A week or so ago, Triathlonmom posted an incredible deal about a locally advertised top notch time trial/triathlon bike. The kind of bike I could never imagine owning or being able to afford - except it was on sale for 1/3 of its value - close to what I paid less than a year ago for Amarone.

I emailed the seller, but around the same time, I noticed another TRIgirl must have called, too. She posted on our forum that she was going to see the bike. She had first dibs in my book - and I didn't even want to let her know I was interested in case it would pressure her. There was still my whole other list of reasons of why I shouldn't even pursue it.

She decided against the bike.

So the seller called me again to see if I was interested. I threw out the next obstacle - how big was the bike? Amarone is a size 54 - and as I later learned, too big for my just under 5'5" frame.

He is 5'4" - the bike was custom made for him - about a size 50. From what I've learned more recently, a 48 might be slightly better, but the bike was a size that was more in range.

Maybe the bike was a bunch of hype - so I went out this week to check it out. I told my husband, who made a comment about a car expense planned for next month, "I am just going to SEE the bike."

The 2006 bike looked brand spanking new. I swear I don't think there was any grease on the chain. I found out the seller put it on the market because of health conditions - he could ride, but no longer compete in races. He said he could sell all the components for more than what he was selling the bike - but really wanted the bike to go to someone who would appreciate it. He spoke with such affection and enthusiasm for the bike and his racing days - it was touching.

I took the bike out for a ride. Wow! So light - so light that I felt a little unsettled. So smooth. Everything just worked much better than anything I've ever riden - from the brakes that were quiet and extremely responsive to even the clipless pedals, which I clicked in and out of effortlessly. I rode around his neighborhood - the shifters were on the aero bars - which I would need to get used to - but have actually been thinking would be a great next step as I've started to really appreciate riding in an aero position. There would be a learning curve to get used to the bike, but hitting 18-19 mph with moderate effort (but less than I was used to on the flats) seemed promising.

I noted the components to see if they matched what had been posted in the ad. I Googled them and saw that they were high end and highly rated. Here are some of the specifics:

Custom Teschner FX Pro TT/Tri frame
Easton TaperWall 7005 Aluminum With:
- Aero Tapered Race Down & Seat Tube
- Aero Profile GX2 Scandium Top Tube
- Aero Ultralite Fast Back Seat Stays
- Ovalised and Tapered Scandium “S” Bend Chain Stays
- Internal Rear Brake & Rear Der. through top tube. Front Der. through down tube
- Integrated Headset Easton Carbon EC90Aero fork
- Oval Concepts full carbon aero bars
- Oval Concepts Stem Chris King Head Set
- 700c America Classic 420 wheels black with their special bladed spokes
- Titanium Quick Releases
- Groupo 9 Speed Dura Ace: Cassette 11-23 Dura Ace TT/Tri Chain Rings 56-44 Dura Ace Bottom Bracket, Dura Ace Front Derailleur, Dura Ace Crank Arms, Dura Ace Rear Derailleur, Dura Ace Brakes, Dura Ace Bar End Shifters, Dura Ace Look Carbon CX-6 Pedals

I thought about it for a day or so. I started to think how I could cover the costs. Maybe selling Vinho Verde and/or Amarone, a bit of stock I'd been holding onto for years that wasn't doing much - that would just about cover the price tag. A nagging part of me felt unworthy of such a high tech bike.

When I approached the hubby a few days later - and sent him all the specifics about the bike, he told me to go for it - which was a wonderful sign of support and just what I needed to call the seller and tell him I was ready to make an offer. I'd exhausteded just about all the doubts and guilt. I wanted the bike, but felt a bit indulgent about buying something less than a year after Amarone. Maybe I should have done more research a year ago - or not trusted the bike store that told me that the Amarone looked great for me.

The part of me that, growing up, wanted to make sure every stuffed animal was equally loved - also made me feel a bit loyal to Amarone. She is a good bike - a good climber - and if I can find a way to keep her - I will.

Another part of me wondered about the seller - would he be riding 10-15-20 years from now? He seemed in good spirits and health - and it was beyond my comfort level to pry further.

But tomorrow, with residue worries of something that seems too good to be true, I will pick up my new ride - one that needs a new wine related name for her red, white and blue frame.

I am going for it - I am not fighting the signs.

Biking Metacognition

What I know and what I don't know.

Let's start with what I don't know.

Last week, I took advantage of a TRIgirl offer for a bike fitting. Naively, I walked into Jim Miller's office thinking - yeah, my aerobars need adjustment, but I'm probably being over indulgent - with his time and my money.

Wrong.

Two and half hours later, I knew more. Before Amarone came into my life, Vinho Verde gave me her all. Toward the end, I knew we weren't right for each other. I couldn't figure out why at the time, but after my initial rides with Amarone, it became clear. Vinho was the wrong size for me - her frame was too large.

So Amarone seemed like a huge improvement. But, while the height was fine - well, actually set too short for me, it turns out the problem is Amarone's front tube is too long. Like four inches.

Let's just say, Jim lost money on me. He investigated every nook and cranny on my bike to find two of the four inches needed to improve my torso reach. And gave recommendations on how to achieve the last two inches, after Eagleman - by adding a shorter handlebar stem and a zero setback for my seat.

So many adjustments were made during the fitting that Jim recommended a modified week of bike training - my body might balk at all the new settings.

OK, let's take a break for a minute from why I should never be allowed in a sports good store without supervision. What I know...

This week, our training schedule called for a 50 mile ride. The longest we have done. A group of Ironman folks I train with were heading out to the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains to complete the miles. I decided to stay closer to home and ride this milestone distance on familiar territory - with a few of my fellow TRIgirls.

I felt in my heart that Blue Ridge was too big a jump for me - between the distance, the unknown traffic, the grinding uphills - and the even more scary downhills. I wish I could be the daring type of person who would see the ride as a challenge, but that is not who I am. Call me a chicken, but I need those small steps. Plus, the extra traveling time - with all the training, every hour I can spend at home seems precious.

And it comes together...what I know and what I don't know...

So, this Saturday, I headed out to West Creek. I'd reconciled with the fact that I would go as far as I was comfortable. Any sign of pain or unfamiliar discomfort - I would stop - no matter how many miles I did or didn't do.

I had a beautiful ride. The weather was perfect. The company of TRIgirls MJM, DL and Triathlonmom made everything more fun. Yeah, it was a familiar loop, but the miles passed by quickly and comfortably.

Key word - comfortably. I never felt so "at home" on Amarone. As the eight mile loops went by, I happily realized I was more comfortable on Amarone than ever. When we finished the 50 miles, I felt great. I felt strong. For the first time in weeks, I went home after a Saturday workout and didn't need a nap. (Well, maybe not having a brick run was part of the reason, but still...) I started to imagine how I might feel after the final adjustments can be made. Or if I could do it over and select a bike size that would be better for me.

It was a confidence building workout. I can't thank Jim enough for all his help in finding ways to make Amarone work better for me.

Could I have done Blue Ridge? I think I would have plugged my way through it.

Was it the right time for me to do Blue Ridge? Based on what I've heard from those who did - hmmm no. I would have been scared out of my gourd. I would have panicked at downhill speeds of over 35 miles - riding the brakes. I would have cursed the uphills (I think the most used word of the day by those who attended started with an "f"). Maybe I would have a sense of accomplishment after finishing, but I think it would be accompanied by feelings of fear and doubt. I just don't have that much experience, ability - or testosterone.

Will I do Blue Ridge? I hope so, but just not yet.

Share the Road!

This past weekend I joined a few of my wine club and triathlon training friends for an impromptu getaway in the Outer Banks. Since an important workout was planned for the weekend, I hitched Amarone and TRIgirl DL’s bike onto the back of my car and kept my fingers crossed that they wouldn’t fly off during the three hour trip.

The schedule for Saturday’s workout was an hour bike, followed by an 8-10 mile run. A quiet “beach road” ran parallel to the main road and appeared to have a nice shoulder. Heading out, we realized that by riding on the side closest to the ocean, we would miss most intersections and not have to worry about traffic lights.

It felt great to be on the bike. First, because after three months of spinning on an indoor trainer, being outside was such a pleasure - cruising past quaint beach homes and glimpses of the ocean. Second, because after three months of spinning on an indoor trainer, riding on a flat road, without the added resistance of a trainer, felt effortless. Even with a strong crosswind, we maintained an easy to moderate exertion level – at a pace that was somewhere between 16-17 miles per hour.

After a half hour, we turned around, still staying on the ocean side of the road, though now we were going against traffic. In the distance, I noticed a wide RV approaching. As he got closer, I waited for him to move over. But he didn’t. He kept on charging down the road, hanging over the lane and the shoulder. I had two choices – to cross over the other side of the street or to move further into the shoulder, where the dunes had overflowed excess sand. I chose the dunes. As RV man sped by – I could feel the breeze from his extra large vehicle whizzing by. Then I noticed I was in deep sand and my back tire was skidding out. A few seconds later I was on the ground.

After picking myself back up, I started to get angry. Did RV man not see me? Was he trying to teach me a lesson? Did he think I was on a mountain bike and could handle the dunes? My knee was split open and I had an impressive six inch road rash on my shin, but overall, I felt OK and resumed riding, trying to shake off the fall. Ironically, a mile or two down from the mishap, a sign was posted with a picture of a bicycle and the message “Share the Road.”

Yeah – RV man – guess you didn’t see that sign? Share the road!

About a mile or two from the house, TRIgirl DL got a flat – so I finished the rest of ride by myself to get the car and pick her up. As I put the bike rack on the trunk, I noticed my hand was feeling jammed up and a throbbing bump was appearing on my right outer thigh.

After cleaning out the sand and grime, TRIgirls DL, LD and I started the run. At first, I felt pretty good, telling myself that moving would keep the blood flowing. After about three miles, I started to slow down a bit. After six and a half, I started feeling lightheaded and very dehydrated. I walked a bit till I found an open store - a hair salon - where I grabbed some water. I felt a little better, and pushed myself to finish the 10 miles, jogging for a little over 8 total, at a sloooow pace.

I spent some time mulling over why I felt so miserable on the run - worse than I had in a long time. I had really wanted to run the full 10 miles – but just didn’t have it in me. Could the blood accumulating in the scabs and bumps drained me? Did the adrenalin rush from the fall wear me out? Did I just not drink enough water? Were the antibiotics I had started taking to finish off the lingering chest cold wreaking havoc with my system? Some combination of the above?

Regardless, I was just happy the workout was over. I took a long shower and wondered what RV man would have done if we had been riding with the traffic. Would he have moved over or would we be hanging off the side of his camper like squashed bugs?

What would it have taken to get him to share the road?

Why Coaches Make a Difference

So yesterday I went to weight/bike class. After doing various exercises for an hour – including like 1000 lunges (well, 80 anyway), it was time for bike class.

Coach B strolled by as I was setting up Amarone – and made “an adjustment” to the trainer tension. I swear the wheel hardly budged when I tried to spin it with my hand. After some negotiation, he loosened it up a bit. I hopped on Amarone and started to pedal. There was no easy spin, no virtual flat road. At best, it was a long, gradual hill. Coach B convinced me to give it a try – and I figured if worst came to worst I would get off the bike and loosen the tension later on in class. And the challenge would be adequate penitence for my holiday indulgences.

I made it through the class, feeling at times like my thighs might explode. There is no way I would have set my bike up at such a hard level, but with Coach B’s motivation, I pushed myself further than I would have on my own. I can think of a bunch of other times when Coach G’s guidance over the past two years made a difference in what I have accomplished or tried.

But I am not guaranteeing I’ll expose Amarone to those conditions at every bike class.

Waiting for Bike Class to Start

Bike class doesn’t start for two more weeks. In the meantime, we’ve been assigned having our bikes tuned up (done) and taking them over to reserve a spot in the classroom (not done). Amarone and I will be making the trek over in the next week or so.

Amarone is my bike – joining Vinho Verde – my previous ride – in wine related naming convention. (“Amarone is one of Italy's wine treasures that is loved by wine drinkers looking for ripe fruit, power, roundness and a sense of adventure in their red wine” – nice description for my bike, too!) Vinho Verde was named after TriGirl JB started the tradition by christening her bike Claret. New TriGirl KB will be taking care of Vinho next year.

Amarone is a black Cannondale, entry level pseudo tri-bike (has some tri-bike features, but not all). Between the better gearing and smaller frame, she’s been a great investment.

But back to bike class…

Coach E. (our indoor cycling coach during the off-season) posted this tid-bit on the TriGirl forum.

“In the first class we will focus on proper elimination of urine, snot and spit. Once we've all mastered these techniques we can move on how to ride the bike.”

Pretty funny, since many of us TriGirls were surprised to learn that “non back packers” will just “go” on the bike during longer triathlons. This is not a skill, thankfully, that I need to worry about.

Though, I have a feeling, “proper elimination” will continue to be one of the many running jokes that we will be hearing throughout the upcoming indoor bike classes.