Big DAM Bridge 100

I just like saying that. I am so immature.

The best thing about training for IMFL is that I have had so many "firsts" this year.

• I completed my first Half Ironman.
• I peed on myself for the first time (on purpose, being drunk doesn't count).
• I rode my first ride EVER over 70 miles.
• I was stung by a bee on the inside of my mouth while riding my bike. (that is a weird one)
• I had my first bike crash

And now, for the first time ever-

• I rode my first organized century!
  

It was fun! I was a little nervous riding with hundreds of people for the first 15 or so miles- it was just so crowded it felt dangerous. But, I enjoyed the company during the day that I did have, and when I didn't have company, I reminded myself that I will be alone at IMFL and I have to learn to keep myself company!

I pulled some guys along for the first time ever. Anyone who has ridden with me knows that I get a little freaked out by that. "I am not fast enough to pull. I am just slowing everyone down. etc..." I get a little self-conscious up there. But, I learned that if 4 guys are sucking the back of my wheel, it is because they need to. I started to have fun pulling other people along!

I also started to worry during the ride that maybe I was in over my head. Maybe I really shouldn't be out there riding a century. Perhaps I am not in shape for this. Look at all of these really strong, fast guys. ---- then it hit me. I am the one training for an Ironman out here! If anyone can do this century it is me! All of a sudden I felt comfortable and confident. The rest was a breeze.

And, as to be expected, I was totally ready to be off of my bike at mile 90. I didn't know 10 miles could take sooooooo long!

Finished and on to the good stuff. Mexican food!

Isn't it so much fun when you get to hang out with blogger friends? Mira (along with her daughter Nada who is the most beautiful, sweet child) came along for lunch. I love that we have such a fun community of friends on here!

The Basics

In ancient times, Gary Holmes and Lucia Colbert of Memphis completed the 1991 Hawaii Ironman. A couple of months ago, I was running with Lucia and we were talking about my upcoming event an my training plan for the day. I told her I was running at such and such zone for 30 minutes and then such and such zone for this...blah blah. She looked at me incredulously and said something like "wow, training for an Ironman has really changed. Back in the day you ran 50+ miles a week and rode a couple of hundred and went as hard and long as you could all of the time." I felt like the hugest weenie in Zone 2 right about then.

So, back in the day- the secret was training really hard. Wow. What a secret!

Well today I had to get some cleats put on my new cycling shoes. My old shoes (from ebay- 3 years ago- $30...love them) were taking off a few toenails on the long rides, so I had to give in and buy a new pair in a bigger size (and I still think my used ebay nothing shoes are better but Dave said it would look really ghetto if I cut the toes out!). It may freak you out to know that I ride with SPDs, yes the mountain bike kind. Yes, I know they are not cool, but that is what came on my bike and I have never changed it.

No surprise that the bike shop today tried to get me to consider getting a new pedal system. Looks, speedplay, anything but my SPDs, which are apparently not good for long riding. And, I don't disagree, but so far we have been fine so why change?

I mean, what does it really take to finish an Ironman? A bike, some comfortable clothes, shoes, goggles, and running shoes? The basics, right? Because I don't have the $$$ or even the heart for more than that right now. Please don't misunderstand me if you have a decked out bike with the best race wheels and carbon water holders to match. That is awesome! I love it and would hope to have some of that one day too. And, if you plan on being competitive, I think it is important to have good, fast equipment. There is nothing wrong with that.

But, back to SPDs. Can I finish and Ironman on them? I never thought I couldn't. Would other cleats and pedals be more comfortable? I don't know, but I never really expected to be comfortable during the Ironman anyways.

Now, what does it take (besides heart, desire, hard work, and stupidity) to finish and Ironman?


Well, in 1991 it took an aluminum bike (if that is even aluminum?), tube socks, a mismatched outfit?, just a regular helmet (no sperm/aero helmet), and the latest version of aerobars! No race wheels needed (that one is for Lisa).



Oh, and a smile at the finish. That is part of the necessary package too.

Now 17 years later I get to do Ironman Florida with Gary. He has updated his bike somewhat. I can't say his outfit (no offense, Terrapins) is any better with the mismatched green, but he is still a complete bad ass.

My wish: May I get to the starting line of IMFL and may I cross the finish line of IMFL.

Transitions

Roo says hi:) and kisses. xxxxxxxx


This weekend has been wonderful. I had a great triple brick workout yesterday, and it was a great break from the normal ride x amount of hours.

Today I had an hour run and a little over an hour swim planned. Lately I have just headed out on my own for the run- kept it easy and uneventful. Last night, though, I decided I would wake up and head to a local 10k to do my run. I miss my friend Gina, and I miss some of the social aspects of my running. Actually, I just miss running period.

For me, the transition to ironman training has been hardest on me in the running aspect of my life. My mileage is much lower than I am used to running, and the speedwork has been replaced by bricks and recovery runs. And, since I am not racing every weekend any more, my speed has been compromised. For those of you that like to run and race, you know that running fast or racing is really something you have to train. It is not necessarily a fitness issue- but sometimes more of a practice issue.

But, since this is my first ironman, and my goal is to finish on two legs rather than a stretcher, the run (especially speedwork) has to make room for the bike. Yes, although my running mileage has been cut in half, I now bike 3-4 times a week instead of 1-2 like I used to. And, I can't imagine any "fast" miles sneaking their way into my ironman marathon, so it will probably be more valuable to me if I am specific and realistic with my training and keep it aerobic and endurance focused.

But, today- just this once ;)- I snuck in a couple of faster miles and also had some time to run with Gina.  By the way, let me just tell you that I have the best friends.  I get way more from Gina than I am sure she gets from me.  She has the best attitude- a real wisdom about life.  She has been struggling with a knee injury that has taken away her ability to really run as fast as she is capable of running.  The great thing about Gina, though, is she realizes that she has to start somewhere, and she refuses to be embarrassed about the slowing of her times.  She would rather race and have some times that do not reflect her true capabilities so she can work towards getting her speed back rather than sit on the sidelines because she doesn't like what the clock says.  

And, isn't that what this is all about anyways?  Being proud of ourselves, rather than beating ourselves up?   I am glad I have such good friends to remind me of this.