Only 3 days, 17:23:40 to go til Vineman’s start!
My bike is cleaned, my trifuel jersey ready to be packed, and my toenails are painted grape colors.
Now to just do the actual packing!!
Archive for the ‘Ironman’ Category
OMG so sexy! (and a great weekend)
Sunday, August 6th, 2006So my bike is about ready for Vineman…
(click here for a bigger pic. You can ignore the mess in the picture… we are also in the middle of moving and have to be done the weekend after Vineman so you can imagine the craziness)
I still need an adapter for the presta valve so that I can pump up the tires with my emergency CO2 pump or with my floor pump (as neither fit in the openings on those wheels). Other outstanding issues are that Trader Joe’s stopped carrying the fruit leather I like to eat while riding, but I have a few so will just make do. Also, the bike rack I was supposed to borrow I went to pickup today. And found it was missing straps to attach it to the car. The bike shop boys are not happy (a lady returned it that way and they didn’t notice). So I’m looking for another one… I have some people to ask and have my fingers crossed. But goggles – check, bike – check, bike and run shoes – check. Looks like we are (almost) ready!
This weekend has basically rocked. Outside tris a friend turned 29 and we definitely celebrated on Friday night. I made it home and into bed by 2:45ish AM though. Got up at 6:30 for an easy 30 mile ride yesterday morning — it was nice and easier than I expect on that lack of sleep, and generally felt good. Except I noticed that my cables for the front derailer were having issues — like bubbling the bar tape where the housing went under. John has fixed it for me though (and replaced the old cable housing with red, adding some sexxiness to the bike.
And somewhat outside tris I went to a BBQ at Mike Donia’s (a very speedy IMer and other racer… like IMAZ 05 and Kona qualification and sub-10 fast – and cute as a bonus). Also there were Rich Strauss (of Crusible Fitness) and his wife, and Rich of wheelbuilder.com and his girlfriend. It was great to talk to them and just relax. Rich of wheelbuilder.com remembers you, Libor 
. Definitely good people, and a great time.
Ended up not getting much sleep last night either… seems like about 3 hours is gonna be my limit this weekend. At least sleep isn’t important in taper time :-/ and I will be better about it for the rest of the week. I didn’t feel the lack on the 10 mile run today at all. In fact, I got a bit excited and went a bit hard (it might be the fastest pace I’ve ever held for a run that long – was sub-10 min miles) but my knee and food both felt great! I have a theory on that it relates to how just awesome my weekend was outside of tris and in them =)
mmm bike
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006My bike is getting totally sexified for Vineman. It’s gonna be so hott… I just hope I don’t get so distracted by it that I forget to pedal!
Upgrades round 1: new Continental Grand Prix tires (black) and a new xlab rear bottle cage setup! The color isn’t great in the pic (phone camera) but the bottle cages are the exact same bright red as the flowers!
And yet to come… hed3 wheels for race day! A trispoke front, and a disc rear!! In the bike shop yesterday I made some comment about not being sure when the next tri would be, and that being why I never ended up making my race wheel order. And they were like hey use these wheels for the race! And I said ok They are clinchers, so I don’t even have to worry about the whole tubular and unknown flat changes type issues. Woooo! There will totally be pics once that set up is in place.
It’s helping me get more excited about this race to think of just how dang fast that bike is going to look. Now I just hope I can do it proud!
mind numbering
Tuesday, August 1st, 2006Again a post where the title probably makes me laugh more than anyone. Oh well… it is numbers, and they will probably be numbing to minds other than mine.
In my worries of Vineman, I took a comparative look at the training the 4 months before IMAZ and the training these last 4 months. IMAZ was 4/9/05, so I looked at Dec 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, and March 05. Vineman being in a week and a half *gasp*, I looked at April 06, May 06, June 06, and July 06. And I found a bit to calm my fears… I was definitely worried I hadn’t trained enough. But I finished AZ and did much better than I expected, so I should at least survive Vineman…
| Activity | # of months out from race |
Training volume (miles – hh:mm:ss) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| for AZ 05 | for Vineman 06 | ||
| Swim | 1 | ~15000 yds | ~6000 yds |
| 2 | ~20000 yds | 15300 yds – 5:28:06 | |
| 3 | ~20000 yds | 14050 yds – 5:03:42 | |
| 4 | – | 16300 yds – 5:55:18 | |
| Bike | 1 | 143.36 miles – 11:26:41 | 221.8 miles – 16:01:48 |
| 2 | 201.02 miles – 17:06:59 | 426.74 miles – 29:37:21 | |
| 3 | 302.10 miles – 25:43:25 | 296.30 miles – 20:23:26 | |
| 4 | 227.66 miles – 17:45:32 | 371.63 miles – 28:36:28 | |
| Run | 1 | 75.15 miles – 12:52:48 | 56.35 miles – 9:53:59 |
| 2 | 51.96 miles – 8:44:46 | 33.41 miles – 6:08:17 | |
| 3 | 62.51 miles – 10:46:11 | 61.75 miles – 11:00:10 | |
| 4 | 61.42 miles – 10:28:14 | 61.11 miles – 11:14:13 | |
| Mtn Bike | 1 | – | 68.85 miles – 10:18:35 |
| 2 | – | 33.88 miles – 3:43:38 | |
| 3 | – | – | |
| 4 | 7.64 miles – 1:17:04 | 10.18 miles – 1:31:13 | |
| Other | 1 | 9.93 miles – 1:31:56 [trail & track runs] | ~16 miles – 6:14:10 [hiking] |
| 2 | – | – | |
| 3 | 8.06 miles – 1:22:12 [trail run] | 2.17 miles – 42:53 [sea kayaking] | |
| 4 | – | 6.22 miles – 0:58:56 [track running] | |
notes: the swim is somepart guesswork… I know that for AZ I was doing a masters class 3 times a week on average for about an hour each. For Vineman I’m going off incomplete records.
A fun Kylie-fact for the day, too:
Total run/bike/hike/walk/GPS-able workout miles & time in 2005 (not inc. swims, and perhaps with a drive): 2,411.96 miles in 288:14:32.
And the same total for this year so far? 2,761.85 miles in 268:31:47
Looks like it’s been a better year in general (or I started GPSing more drives 
)
tapering thoughts
Tuesday, August 1st, 2006I typed the title, and then read it not as “thoughts about tapering” but that my thoughts themselves are tapering off. I figured it works, given how sucky I have been about maintaining my online personality lately. Sorry, I’ll be back more reliably someday.
However, it is taper time. And I’m finding it hard to just get motivated enough to do the taper workouts :-/ It’s like part of me knows that there is more harm than good to be done right now, and while I could get up the motivation for a multihour ride or run, the shorter ones are harder. I know, I know… intensity matters now, not endurance. Tell that to my brain — it’s clearly ignoring me.
My left knee is again sore and swollen. I forget to ice it after one run (ok, or maybe I was just in too much of a hurry) and it feels fairly gross. Oops. I’ve been good since though!
This weekend was pretty good… got in a 50 miler (part with Lisa) and a 20 min brick run that went ok. I still don’t feel I have the same run speed as I used to. A project for another time though. I did that day in the outfit planned for Vineman (man that makes me feeling girly even though it’s often guys on here saying not to try something new at the races). Trifuel top and PI tri shorts… some special ride like a girl socks given to me at my last IM, and feetures wonderful runnign socks on the run. Oh yeah, and the dark purple sports bra. ‘Cause I know you were wondering. I’m not a huge fan of the pockets on the Trifuel top and the zipper bounces a litte on the run (sometimes the noise gets to me) (and sorry Paul — it’s not your fault) but neither of those is enough to overcome my pride in being a part of the site so I’ll deal
I also got new running shoes for Vineman! Woo! I have this bad pattern going of having a few pairs and rotating them, but then they all die at about the same time. That time was a few months ago, and I tried to fake a replacement with just one new pair, and not using the others as much, but have given in. In June I added 3 new pairs (2 trail and one lightweight street one). I’d wanted a good street one for Vineman, but the store didn’t have one I loved, so I waited. Found a pair this weekend though, and have done a 6 miler in them. I’m pretty happy with them.
I also have new cycling shoes… are those something I should change out before Vineman? Anyone, anyone? They are the exact same model and size as what I ride in now. Just less beat up. I just don’t know if there are any guidelines on breaking in cycling shoes!
Haha… and goggles. I need to remember to get goggles, since mine have started being less reliable.
When it rains it pours I guess… and that happening with gear issues is gonna make me poor…
hi again
Tuesday, July 18th, 2006I’m alive, Utah was awesome, I have pics, and I will post them. I’ve been in an odd state of semi-existence since I got back. I put in over 70 hours at work last week (yes, in one week) because things are a bit down-to-the-wire and hectic here. That combined with a vacation (very needed mentally, but not physically) means that my training is thrown way off. I no longer even check the schedule I was using as a guide. I’ve been going more with an “if I have the time and energy and desire just go do it” approach. In fact, I heard BBB while I was lying in bed this morning (yup, even though I’ve never heard his voice). It was telling me not to think, and to do. So although it was only 30 minutes, I got a run in. And then back to work. Cause you know, those whole 6.5 hours I had off (yes, including sleeping, running, etc) were all I had time for.
Vineman is going to be tough, and I’m going to hurt.
I never really have gotten the run volume up to where it should be. I was doing great, then my running slacked off when I got a plan from a coach (and I only did what was on it). And then the knee soreness and foot issues, and it’s life. These things happen. I’m in an odd place right now. I’ve accepted it, and I’ve moved on. It is what it is… I’m not whiny or really upset by it, but a bit disappointed. Some in me, some in the coach. But more, I’ve lost my love of it. I haven’t been craving time out with my running shoes like I used to. It feels sorta like IM-blues, but I’m still pre-IM. It feels a bit like depressed, or a lack of motivation, but really is just a lack of enjoyment. I used to just make myself go, and afterwards I’d have this feeling of contentment, like things were right in the world. Now I feel like I’m going through motions. Even after, it is done and I’m glad I did it, but don’t have the same feeling in my heart. Part of me thinks I’m just sick of pavement, part of me that I’ve just kinda given up on getting better right now, and I almost feel like with each run I disappoint myself or let myself down.
I haven’t been blogging because of the desire to be away from the computer when I can (I’m stealing a break at work now) but also because I just don’t know how to put into words what’s in my heart and head. Something is off — the training, my usual love of life and ability to do any of this, even my desire to fix the whole issue.
I’ve had a great training day — my 100 mile brick in 100 degree heat. Sunday I got up, and just made myself get on the bike. No commitment, no goal, supplies to be out there a while if I neede them (and knowledge that a long day would bring me past home to refuel as well). I started saying I’d at least do my 45ish minute ride that I think of almost as a time-trial. Mostly flat, few stops. I got to the out point, and didn’t come back. Instead I figured I could do a loop or so of Bonelli, so I headed there and did so. It was really busy though, so I wanted to leave. So I did, and I climbed up San Dimas Canyon to where it ends. Which was not as hard as I had thought it might be, which was good since it somewhat matches the main hill in Vineman (which you hit at 45 and 101 miles) and I hit it at about 40 miles. Then I stopped and refueled. Confusing my roommate when I said I’d be back in about 3 hours. And just kept riding. Went out toward Rancho and did the Banyon ride, and rode around heritage park. Then my GPS was getting low on battery (charged when I left — I think getting old) and I’m a numbers geek, and was over 80 miles, so I headed home and made it at about 95 miles. Grabbed running shoes and a tank top and hit the streets for a tough hour and around 5.5 miles. I was feeling good off the bike. Not the same kind of content as I used to, but less empty than I’ve been feeling lately. And the run I lost that feeling. Got to feeling distracted, and somewhat bored. But I finished. Stretching then felt great! And a cool shower, ending with an ice-free ice-bath for my legs, and I wasn’t sore from the day. Great in terms of training, deposits in the IM bank account, etc. But the after-feeling and wholeness is used to bring never came.
So Vineman… it will be tough. I will live, but I’m not expecting to run as well as I did in AZ. I’m curious about the bike — I could see that going either way. And the swim will probably be about the same, depending on my sighting abilities. And I’m ok with that. I won’t be racing for a PR, because I don’t feel in my heart that I should have that kind of a goal. Right now, I think I’m racing because I’m stubborn — because I finish things I start — because I’ve never DNSed a race I’ve paid for. I’m racing it almost as a training day — being there and getting the time in. At least that’s how I see it right now. I want to enjoy the experience, and I’m sure I will once it is here. I’m racing to have a smile on my face, and to not hate everything tris a week after VM. Although I think I will focus more on AR stuff after it… something about the call of the dirt over the call of the pavement. But we shall see when I get there.
So hi. I’m alive, Utah was fun, and I have pics. I will post them. I promise. There were fun times that I will share.
Ok so here is a teaser pic:
done done donedone
Thursday, January 19th, 2006It’s in the mail… Jer, Lisa and I have now been committed. To Vineman (then we’ll see where else they commit us to…). It should be awesome!
Ran this morning, and it went alright. It was basically still dark, and with some tunes on very low and the morning noises it was calming and great. Slow, but good (51 minutes, 4.32 miles, 11:52 moving pace with avg HR ~149). That average is a bit off, because my HR monitor was having a hard time keeping a connection. I think because it was cold and I was going easy so I wasn’t sweating. Everytime I noticed there was no HR I had to rewet the sensors (mmm mmm spit) and then it worked for a bit, but it would start with 224 first, which raised the average. I guess the Forerunner accounts for that in its data since my laps show averages of 140, 142, 144, 145, and then just the last .36 miles with 148. Huh. Anyways… it was great to be out in the morning, and something I’ll have to repeat.
Then I got home, showered, and bike commuted. I had a meeting at the exact time I make it to work with the train, so I knew it would be a throwing clothes on and going day, and I wondered how that would go. Worked out ok, though. Bike was a bit painful — my right side was completely spasmy and mad. Oh well. It was still a nice ride, and I did enjoy it (45 minutes, 10 miles, 13.4 avg mph, 159 avg HR). And I wasn’t even the last person to my meeting =)
And now? Now I must repeat this morning’s ride to get back to the train station, and then it’s gonna be another night of core work on the train