Thursday, April 14, 2011

A Weather Request

Dear Mother Nature,

Please be kind this weekend. There are a bunch of people racing on Saturday and Sunday. Racing in the rain can cause terrible accidents.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Best,
Fave

I am SOOOOO tired of being cold. Bring on summer, pretty please!
note - remind me I said this when I start complaining about the 100+ degree temps.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Trials and Tribulations

My last two posts have been positive...a great PR and a podium finish.
Well, I have some other things on my mind that are not so positive.
1. bike.
I don't know what's going on, but I am have a hard time on the bike. So bad that I don't want to ride with anyone anymore. I am having a hard time engaging my hamstrings and am quickly blowing out my quads. In turn, riding a lot slower than I am comfortable with. I am beyond frustrated.
I've had lots of thoughts here. My coach, PK, and I were discussing that simply my bike, Diamond, top tube is too long. However, I cannot just go out and buy a new bike.
I had a bike fit by a Physical therapist and cyclist when I first got Diamond in 2008. I have since started using a new bike mechanic who is a former cyclist on the pro circuit. So last year I decided I should get a new bike fit to see what he thinks. I am starting to think this was a mistake. He made some adjustments and said I would get slower for awhile before adjusting muscle groups and then would be faster. Yeah, that's not happening. Am I just looking for an excuse (and someone to blame), or could this really have messed me up on the bike?
Ia m not sure, so tomorrow (Friday) I am getting yet another bike fit. This time by IronGreg's bike fit guy. He has this certification and that certification and blah blah blah. All I know is that when I get on the bike after the fit I better be lightening faster! and able to engage my hamstrings without blowing out my quads.
Another issue ont he bike is that having my heel down puts strain on the right shin that has been having problems this year. PK and I discussed riding with heel up. While not ideal, there are pros that ride that way. But this also makes it harder o engage the hamstring. With so many hills to climb at IMCDA  and knowing that after 112 miles of that I have to run a marathon, I would like to use that hamstring as much as possible on the bike.

do you have any tricks on the bike??

2. Carbs
I am back to having stomach problems. I blame carbs.
I am able to handle cereal without a problem.
Pasta, Bread, Rice = uncomfortable bloating
Chickpeas = tongue allergy
Not having carbs in an endurance diet an cause muscle fatigue, so I need them. But I don't know what I can eat!!!

what are your FAVorite carbs?

Monday, April 4, 2011

Podium Finish

Saturday I raced my first triathlon of the season, the Smithfield Sprint.
A brief synopsis...
woke up lat, missed the caravan, but found them on the road and made it there in time.
awesome girls on the bike rack with me.
one was a first-timer. I set up her trainsition area for her...race karma for me!
the weather was cold and crazy windy.

swim...
300 meter pool swim, snake style.
water was murky. I swan michael phelps style, with water in one goggle.
finished in 5:48-ish. not my fastest 300m race time by about 20 seconds. but i came out of the water 2/10 in AG.

bike...
couldn't get my arm warmers around my wrist in T1. then went to get on bike and realized I still had my "Kool Kovers" on my clips. After dropping an f-bomb and apologizing for doing so the volunteer at the mount line took them for me. and this is why we do that first race.
10 mile bike.
crazy head wind for the first 7 miles.
was hitting like 16mph. ew.
last 3 miles, crazy tail wind and was hitting 24 mph. oh yeah baby.
overall pace 17.5 - ew. ew. ew.
but managed to finish 3/10 AG

run...
never used those arm warners on the bike I took so much time to put on my wrists.
first brick on 10 months. yowsers.
got a sidestitch right off the bat and had a hard time getting my heart rate under control.
5k run.
finished in 27 minutes.
8:50 pace.
I'll take that considering my run training. 4/10 AG

finish...
3/10 AG baby!!!!
podium finish!!!!
race karma sent my way.

and congrats to IronGreg for finishing 1st in his AG, 10th OA.