Bike Rides



Time and mileage from Sunday's ride

 As the time quickly ticks away, I am finding myself focused on getting longer bike rides in.  For both of the 1/2 iron distance triathlons I have completed, I found myself under prepared for the bike rides.  My goal is to make the bike ride the part of the Ironman the segment that I am the most confident about. 

To that end, Annette and I have been riding the Beeline Highway to get our long rides in.  We haven't quite both made it to ride on the same day yet (though this Sunday should be it!!).  The thought is that if we can feel comfortable riding this segment, we won't be apprehensive about it come time for Ironman.  Two Sundays ago, Annette tackled the 50ish mile ride by herself while I was at home nursing an unhappy stomach.  It was HOT that day.  She did a great job--making it almost the entire way despite running out of water.  Smartly, she called in for a pick up rather than pushing it in the hot temps without water. 

I talked the ride this past Sunday.  I had the benefit of Annette's experience, so I knew to take along plenty of water.  I burned through a full Camelbak bladder and two bottles of sports drink on the ride.  I ran out of fluids about 20 minutes from finishing, but the temps were not too high yet and I pushed on.  The scheduled ride was 2 loops from JRs to the gas station past Fort McDowell.  I made it through the first loop and was about a mile from JRs when I decided to turn back and start my second loop.  I was worried that if I made it all the way back to where my car was parked I wouldn't do the second loop at all.  This meant that my 2 loops wouldn't have quite made 50 miles, so I rode about a half mile down McDowell Rd to make sure I hit 50 miles for the day.  I was happy I made myself finish.  I actually felt pretty good at the end.  My speed was pretty good--I'd be happy if I could maintain that for Ironman.

Annette's update

Wow, where to start?

I did the Cochiti Lake Triathlon back in July. I think that race will go down as the "granny gear" race. : ) I registered for the OLY distance but when my sister, Michelle, and I went to pick up my race packet at the lake, I took one look at the boat ramp hill and said, "awww helllllll noooo!" I swear that hill was CAAAARAAAZZZEEEEEEE steep and lasted at least a mile, and that was coming straight out of the transition area. That meant you had to be in a low hill climbing gear from the get go. Then the route went along the top of the dam, which was very very rough pavement....too much shaking going on.

I'm not a fan of going downhill to begin with, so imagine the scene of going down the killer hill I first climbed. I'm surprised I have any brake left. T2 meant "running" up that stupid hill now.....walk more like

Did I mention that it was hot too? I was just very relieved when I finished and was able to join the kids for a cooling dip in the lake.

Soooooo.....how's the Ironman training coming along you ask? I look over at that counter and see it's just about 90 days away...I'm F R E A K I N G O U T!!!!!!!!!! Now with Kate out of the race, that just adds to my anxiety. We don't typically race at the same pace, but there was always a comfort knowing that my compadre was out on the route too. So, I'm leaning on all my other Ironmoms.

It's been so blazing hot here this summer that I have yet to get a 70 mile ride in, and that's got me concerned. I figured I'd get to a century ride at 60 days out, which is in 30 days. I also thought I'd be running a lot longer by now too. I really really really REALLY hope that it cools down sometime soon. I've got a work related trip coming up to "home" in Montana, so I'm planning on getting some longer runs in while I'm there. It'd be great to rent a bike and get a longer ride in too, but it is a work-related trip after all. : )

Hmmmmm....I could squeeze in a round of Insanity, and still have time to taper. Think I'll order this week. The other thing that's frustrating is that I haven't really lost any weight! arrrrgh. I'm not really surprised though. Kim found an article early on that you can't train and lose weight at the same time.....gotta choose one or the other. : /

I'm probably not going to do an official Half Ironman, but I will do the distances.

My morning shake has evolved into a veggie laced vegan Shakeology - kale, spinach base, scoop or packet of vegan Shakeology, 1 tsp chia seeds, frozen fruit (either mango, pineapple, blueberry, or strawberries), and coconut water. I've also cut back on meat, and increased more of a plant powered eating plan. Mung beans and lentils over quinoa or brown rice with creole seasoning is tasty! Tried tempeh...still need to experiment. My new fav sandwiches are avocado veganaise on sprouted wheat bread. YUMMMMMMERS!

I need to relax. serenity now......serenity now....serenity now........

Race Updates

Holy cow--we're just a little over 90 days out from our Ironman AZ adventure! I am getting nervous and freaked out, so it was time to look at the race schedule and see how things line up for the BIG race.

September:  Trifamily race in Peoria, Nathan's Olympic Tri
October: Tour de Scottsdale?, Soma 1/2 Iron Triathlon
November: Women's Half Marathon, IRONMAN!

It's crazy to think that I'm only a few races away from Ironman.  Annette and I have been trying to get caught up on the bike rides (she's doing better than I am!!).  I've been getting regular strength training in each week.  I was fortunate to be in a cooler climate over the weekend and got some solid runs in as well.  My new goal is to get 3 runs/3 swims/3 bikes in each week--with one of each of those being a "long" workout.  I think if I can keep up with this training schedule and the strength training I should feel pretty good.  It will be nice to get some races in soon so that I can see where I am at and what adjustments I need to be making. 

On a sadder note, Kate will not be joining us if Ironman this year.  I am hoping she updates us with a post soon and keeps us in the loop for what she'll be doing to rehab her injury and if she's eying IMAZ 2013.  :)

MN Color Run 2012

Here's a picture from the Color Run that I did in Minnesota back in July.  It was a fun atmosphere...but not much of a run.  I'd recommend it if you're not looking to run so much as to hang out with 10,000 people on a race course. 

Biking Moms!

Annette and I had a nice ride up the beeline this morning. Here's to getting back in the saddle again! :)