Update

It's been kind of quiet here, so I'll enter a training update.

Cycling:

I haven't been the most compliant with the Be Ironfit training plan. I have been keeping regular on a long ride during the weekends - usually on sunday - even if I have to ride by myself. I did a long ride in New Mexico while visiting family over the Memorial Day weekend. I rode on Highway 550 out to Zia Pueblo. It's a really beautiful ride, but on this day it was really windy which created a new kind of challenge.

A couple weekends ago I tackled Usery Pass on my own too. I felt really good climbing and was able to keep in my middle ring rather than dropping down to the "granny gear." : ) So that felt like progress!

This past weekend we took on my longest ride to date. 42 miles. We rode from JR's Convenience Store on the Beeline highway out to the Bush highway. The first half of the loop follows the IMAZ route. That second part after we crossed over the Verde River was tough! It's a loooooong slow ascent and by the time I reached the off-ramp, I was in full "granny gear" mode to make it up the ramp. : p Coming back was fun and fast 'til we got back to the Fort McDowell Casino. A little bit more climbing but not too bad. After a quick rest past Shea Blvd, Kate and I kept on going. Just as I was passing the CAP canal.....a cramp was coming on in my medial quadriceps in my right leg. That was a total surprise because I was feeling pretty good the whole ride. My goal was to stay in Zone 2 for 2:30. Of course at the time the cramp hit I was closer to 3:30 than 2:30, and just about out of water. I had about two swigs of water left. I slowed waaaaaay down for the rest of the ride, unclipped and stretched out my leg every once in awhile.

I'm so glad I thought to pack a couple coconut water juice boxes in my gear bag. When I finally got back to the van, I inhaled them both! Coconut water is great for hydration and has naturally occurring electrolytes and calcium. Better than gatorade.

Swimming:

I've been watching Total Immersion Swimming videos on YouTube. I finally took the plunge (ha ha) and ordered the self-coaching DVD. I've been practicing the exercises at my weird distance pool at my gym (okay, okay, I'll get over that the pool is only 14 meters), and been putting in at least an hour a couple times a week. I have to be very conscious of my stroke technique as old habits are challenging to re-learn. I think I'm picking it up though, and my goal is always to create as few bubbles as possible. Coincidence? - during my first session, I was at about 1:15, intending to swim another half hour, when BAM! cramp.....calf this time. I bonked myself in the head for not keeping my water bottle handy and stopping every now and again to drink.

Running:

I'M UP TO AN HOUR!!! Staying in Zone 2, of course. REI had a Memorial Day sale, so I picked up a new pair of Vibram Five Fingers - the Bikila LS that I've been wanting. I am getting a concern though. After close to an hour, I start getting a hot spot at the base of my big and second toe on my right foot. I really don't want to have to wear shoes, but I also have to be able to run a full marathon in a few months. I think I'll keep with the VFF's and re-evaluate after the Cochiti Lake OLY Tri at the end of July.

So what the heck is up with all this cramping?!?!?!? It's the body telling me I need to pay closer attention to hydration. I wonder how I'm gonna be able to do that during the swim? Suggestions? Ain't no way I'm drinking any of that nasty Tempe Townlake water, that's for sure!

I listened to "Finding Ultra" by Rich Roll during my commute. Really good book, and I found myself laughing in recognition of his training and race day trials and tribulations. I'm also really interested in his plant powered approach to nutrition. I think I'll try it out and work on losing weight. I know that if I can just get weight off, my training will be more effective.

Happy Training all, and I'll check in again later!!!!!