Since I missed the group BRICK yesterday on my birthday I had to do it today on my own, though I was able to convince Charles to join me for the bike portion. Glen had given me instructions so that I could follow essentially the same route the team had completed. I calculated that we would be starting the ride at about 9am, so I set my alarm for 7am to give myself enough time to eat and digest...my alarm, however, was not enough to wake me after a late night rip roaring "summer of 69" birthday party (held for a friend who also turned 40 yesterday!) So, I ate at 7:30am, and tried for the second time a bowl of steel cut oats with maple syrup and banana...that worked well last weekend. I did do something different for my morning caffein boost however...I drank a cup of Awake black tea with honey instead of coffee which has been giving me reflux during the BRICKs.
We headed out to Sauvie's Island as soon as the babysitter arrived at about 8am. It was supposed to reach 100 degrees so we were barely making it early enough. Susan warned us last night about the bees on the island, so we both practiced breathing through our teeth on the way out. We were on the road by 9:10, Charles letting me set the pace. I felt great and the first 12 mile loop was pretty fast...we averaged 20 mph. I spent most of the time down on the aero bars, and we caught and passed a number of bikers who then drafted us for the rest of the loop. I did manage to drink an entire bottle of carbo pro/electrolyte water on that first loop...I was really committed to hydrating well since the run was going to be hot! The second loop was a bit tougher for two reasons: (1) the wind picked up, so our average speed dropped to 19.5 mph, and (2) the back of my left knee began aching, but only when I dropped my heels down to power through my pedal stroke. I have been trying more and more to drop my heels because the coaches tell me this is a good way to prevent calf cramps on the run, in addition to being the most efficient way to pedal. I think the culprit is the height of my seat...I am pretty sure its a bit t too high, so I will lower it for the next ride. I finished my second water bottle on this loop and ate three shot blocks (high energy carbs).
As luck had it, the bees left us alone on the ride. We pulled into the parking lot and I transitioned into my running gear, and took off for the run without any cramping in my calves. I did run with a water bottle and my running hat for the first time since there were no aid stations set up. I went out fast, but felt really good; my first mile was 7:40. I slowed down a bit on the second and third miles because I was worried I was going to crash. And during those two miles I also had another mission...to figure out how to pee without stopping! I tried on the bike without success...the seat was a major hindrance. I guess I need lessons from coach Glen who has apparently mastered this. It took me a while, but finally I relaxed enough to 'pee-run' (I also had to keep turning around to make sure no one was directly behind me, shy and modest as I am). Not only did I get to feel that incredible bladder relief and a distinct sense of accomplishment...I also got to test how quickly my new tri suit dries (VERY quickly!).
This is the part in the blog post where the Emily Posts of the world should stop reading because now I am going to share the absolute non-ladylike challenges of peeing while running. Its the shoes and socks, which are not made of tri suit material and do not dry quickly! Apparently there is some technique that I haven't mastered yet...there just has to be a way to pee while running without hitting your shoes! I am picturing a bow-legged cowboy type of position, though that is not going to be very subtle, is it? Maybe I just need to devise some sort of catching device to wear around my ankles...something like stiff cupcake wrappers with a hole in the center for my ankle. Or, I need to figure out how to do all of this on the bike so that I can change my shoes when I'm done! HELP.
Here's the best part...at mile 2.5 who do I see on the other side of the road running toward me? Charles. I was breathing heavy at this point and not able to verbally share my surprise..... but he just smiled and said something like...."I couldn't help it, you inspired me". And I am saying, (to myself)..."I think he may be in for more than he realizes!"
I finished in 31:30 (7:50 min/mile), and then waited for Charles....you gotta hand it to him, he finished the whole thing without walking! He had the key to the car in his pocket or I would have gone to pick him up because I started to worry. Needless to say, his first words to me were, "OK, never again will I say this is easy....now I understand."
No comments:
Post a Comment