(courtesy of Head Coach Dave) The 99 steps of a typical IM trip Arrive in town. Find over-priced accommodations you are staying a minimum of four nights at Unpack bicycle, spread gear around room randomly. Attempt to reassemble bicycle, realize you forgot to mark your seat and handlebar position before disassembly. Guess position and tell […]
Ironman
GO VinePeeps, GO!
Today’s been crazy. VERY chilly swim at Aquatic Park (mid-50s I would say, and overcast with a breeze, plus a very strong and cold tide coming in). Jane and I got out after 45 minutes – we felt energetic, we were just super chilled, enough that we couldn’t talk. Another lovely surprise was on our 3rd […]
Triple Brick…SOC Lifestyles…Wow, I’m Tired…
I’m tired. Mentor Margaret says that’s what happens about now. You’re just so tired of training, tired of getting up at 5 a.m., tired of the pool, tired of your run courses, and perhaps particularly tired of your bicycle seat. About 3/4 of my Teammates are doing the Vineman ironman-length race on Saturday – 2 […]
Mental Attitude for Ironman – particularly for my Vineman peeps!
Mental Attitude for Ironman from Triathlon Training In the final days before you race an Ironman it is essential that you keep a few things in mind. Ironman essence – Gratitude The Ironman hype in the final week before race day often makes you forget the reason you are racing in the first place. Excitement is […]
If It’s Saturday It Must Be…the East Bay Century…
OK, first of all, let’s just get this out of the way – look at this: OK, I know that you can’t really read this. But you can “kinda sorta see” the hills. Suffice it to say that the highest percentage was FOURTEEN percent. Yes, a 14% grade. Yo. Mama. Here is actually a URL […]
Double Brick
IronMel’s blog about the Brick starts with the old Commodores song, ‘She’s a BRICK….HOUSE…She’s Mighty Mighty….Jus’ Lettin’ It ALL Hang Out…’ – I can’t get that out of my mind now, so I have just downloaded it from iTunes and added it to my “Soundtrack” tape for the Ironman. A “brick” is a combination of […]
BONK!
I haven’t blogged in a while – lots going on, including finalizing my second book (a Companion Playbook to my first book). Also getting some speaking gigs, taking care of “Honey Do” projects and – surprise! – the ubiquitous Iron Training! I’ve had an Open Water swim and LOVELY bike ride with Iron Mel, a […]
Money In The Bank: 3/4 Iron Weekend (beware: long post!)
I never really understood the phrase “Money In The Bank” until this weekend. The week was a toughie for me. I had gotten an eye ulcer (likely from a gnat flying in my eye – though I am VERY careful to ALWAYS wear some sort of eye protection on the bike). It hurt to blink […]
Back At Del Valle – Open Water Swim and Cross-Country Run
I go through periods of being great at blogging, then suddenly BLAM and it’s a fortnight later and I haven’t done a thing. Those who know I really was a podcaster (and haven’t podcast since December!) must REALLY be wondering what happened…(Actually, my computer blew up in December and I haven’t re-installed all the audio […]
Markers, Markers, Everywhere…
This weekend, my “Tennessee Teammate” Missy went and rode the Ironman Louisville course. She stated that it was rollers – basically NO flats, but not a lot of “horrible hills” either. One of the things that she mentioned was that she was constantly gear-shifting, and that she’s going to change out the gearing on her […]