Interesting

Like many of my training friends - I love gadgets and analysis.

Now - keep in mind - I know I am a back-packer. No gadget or analysis is ever going to be enough to get me to place in a race.

Yet, I still love the whole "thinking" and "playing" part of training.

TRIgirl BL has a much coveted new Gamin GPS system on her bike - which provides like fifteen different readings all on one screen while navigating your ride.

My husband poo poos it all - saying he doesn't get it - claiming he never even had a bike computer (though I swear he did).

Today, I had a bike fitting. It wasn't my first, as I had one soon after buying Patriot Sangria and before IMFL - but Ironwoman Canada highly recommended one of her bike guys, Les.

And being the training dork I am - I jumped at the chance to meet with Les...

Overall, my settings were not bad. Though, I did find out:

• My left leg is shorter than the right. My bike is best fitted for my shorter leg, so I am missing a bit of power from my stronger right leg. I may need a "lift" in one of my bike shoes.
• Speaking of which, the cleats on my shoes...
  (OK - little sidebar. Ever since Christmas, my left foot was not staying in my clipless pedals during hard pushes, big hills or one legged drills. I was a bit of a slacker about figuring it out - but did eventually realize that I had completely worn off the cleat lip - by comparing the left cleat to my right. The bike store dudes were practically laughing at me when I brought the cleat in to replace it.)
  ...were set up for grinders - which I am by nature - but working to overcome by increasing my cadence. Les moved the cleat placement for"spinning" - and wow - I noticed a difference immediately.
• My aerobar settings were a bit screwy - probably partially my fault when putting my bike back together after Oklahoma - but also part inherited when I bought a used bike. Les hacksawed off about an inch of my aerobars, tilted the headset and moved the elbow pads so now I am more relaxed and less contorted in aero.
• Ten speed cartridge and compact crank (and related stuff) upgrades will help me with the Blue Ridge and Lake Placid climbs. Though I also found out my legs are on the longer side - as the compact crank Les brought with him based on my height was too short. So more adjustments will be coming.

Half the stuff Les talked about while he punched numbers on his calculator was over my head - but the other half was a great learning experience. And I can't wait to try out the tweaks on next week's Osborne ride. Right, outdoor weekend posse?

Now if I can just finagle that cool GPS Garmin...

Vacation - A New Definition?

How did it happen?

I am on a girls’ weekend trip in South Beach, with two other TRIgirls. Are we hopping the bars? Are we dancing in clubs? Are we on the beach (OK, surprisingly, it is pretty chilly here in Miami to be anywhere near the ocean)?

Nope.

We are tucked in our beds, since about 10:00 pm, winding down for an 7-8 hour slumber.

Why?

Because we are all in agreement that we want to wake up early tomorrow for our scheduled 8 mile training run.

We’ve also planned a run for Monday before we head back home.

Our IPODs and Garmins are charging. We packed our workout gear and sneakers with as much deliberation as our beach and nightlife outfits.

And if the predicted chilly temperatures end up being just bad weather predictions, we have our bathing suits in tow for an open water swim.

I’d write more, but my other training cohorts are fast asleep – and I best wrap this up so I will be just as chipper as they will be when our wake-up call rings at the crack of dawn.