Bill's House of Pain-No Vacancy (Page 19)

EvenOlder - 2009-06-06 10:30 AM Nature is a funny thing.
So the huge waves and heavy winds literally picked up the buoys and were pulling them down the beach.  Amid lightning strikes and jet black sky clouds, they called off the swim.  I saw someone jump in the water and swim with the current.  He did two permanent beach buoys (300y) in about 10 seconds with the current.  Fierce waters.

So there we are all standing around at the run start because they decided to change it to a 2mi run/13mi bike/3.1mi run.

That's when the heavens opened and it began raining so hard you could only see about 10 ft in front of you.  Of course, without a bull horn the announcing turned into he said/she said/they said down the line.  About 1/4 of the people left at this point.

I pulled on sunglasses so I could keep my eyes open in the driving rain and took off.

It's funny how the beach turns into a mud pit in a heavy deluge.  Good times running in that.

Screwed up my T1 because i'd never practiced taking my shoes and socks OFF before getting on the bike.  Turns out sand will get everywhere when you run in a soupy gulash of seaweed and beach sand.  Shoes, socks, legs.  Managed to have a sock stuck to the velcro on my bike shoes so I stopped, thinking it was something wrong with my shoe.  Ripped it off and took off onto the main road.

Crushed the bike.  Never was passed, stopped counting after passing 20 people.  The rain scared the other sissies so they went slow.  I learned that skinny road bike tires will cut right through puddles, but the spray onto other people might have drowned out my "on your left" call.

By the end of the bike, the rain slowed a bit.  Picked up my errant sock on the way in to transition amid cheers and guffaws from the onlookers.  Rain was just a drizzle, calm enough that I could run the next 3.1mi without sunglasses.   I kind of missed the rain at this point cooling me down.

Considered stopping after the run, but the wife and kids had come out and so I talked a minute or two to them and put my wet sandy socks and shoes on. The run sucked because it's my weakest event.  Calves were talkin' to me in the soft sand.

Nice practice session for next week's race on honeymoon island.

Time by my watch, 1:31.

Thanks for all the good luck wishes,
steve

EvenOlder - 2009-06-08 6:19 PM It just keeps getting better  (This one's for you cole):
On my slow, easy recovery ride to stretch out the muscles the day after my race-
looked down at my feet for no good reason, rode off the side of the road, 20mph wipeout on the pavement.
major road rash left side and heels of my hands.  bike ok, scraped up stuff on the left side.
IF the skin heals, then I'll race sunday.

Lesson learned, keep my eyes on the road.

steve

EvenOlder - 2009-06-08 6:19 PM It just keeps getting better  (This one's for you cole):
On my slow, easy recovery ride to stretch out the muscles the day after my race-
looked down at my feet for no good reason, rode off the side of the road, 20mph wipeout on the pavement.
major road rash left side and heels of my hands.  bike ok, scraped up stuff on the left side.
IF the skin heals, then I'll race sunday.

Lesson learned, keep my eyes on the road.

steve

EvenOlder - 2009-06-09 9:16 AM Just scrapes.  But it's been fun explaining to my patients as I wrestle my gloves over the bandages on the heels of my hands.  (Dentist)
I know I should start wearing gloves on the training rides, but I hate them.
I'm optimistic about things getting better in time for sunday's race.  It was only moderately painful this morning in the shower, and lots of gooey fibrin was present when I peeled off the bandages.
steve

Bill - 2009-06-09 12:23 PM

I've never thought of wearing gloves on a ride... probably because I've never landed on my hands when I fell.

JeepFleeb - 2009-06-10 7:29 PM
I never wear socks on the bike and I'll only put on socks for a HIM run or longer.

Just be sure to practice it first before race day.

Bill - 2009-06-10 8:04 PM

Exactly.

I find it helps to put a little body glide on the rough spots inside my shoes wen I run without socks. I'll do the same with my bike shoes, but really only the upper heel cup so they slide on easier while I'm pedaling.

gran - 2009-06-10 1:32 PM I have a question for the group too. I know it's mostly personal choice and comfort, but who here races without socks? I did my first OWS last weekend followed by a bike, and I saw for the first time what a b*tch it will be to get on socks in transition, with my feet soaking wet and full of sand. I've never tried riding without socks, but am contemplating trying out some Zoot shoes or something geared to go sockless. In my mind, at least, it seems easy enough for a sprint distance. What do y'all do? And just as a side note...I weighed in today at 191, which puts me at -12 lbs over the last few months. I'm super stoked and feel great. I just wanted to tell you guys because all I get from my wife is how all I ever want to do is work out.

justinfss - 2009-06-11 9:41 AM Good job on the -12 Gran. I have been away for a while on holiday, and dealing with a flu before that, but I am glad to be back. My life is going to get pretty hectic with moving and studying for my course, but I really want to keep my fitness levels improving and training from dropping off. My goal is to race at least one sprint tri this year and I feel that I am at a level now where I could attempt one I just have to find out my Course Schedule on Monday and see when I can make it happen. I know you guys all lead pretty busy hectic lives and I am wondering what keeps you motivated and what are some tips for keep your training on track? Thanks!

Bill - 2009-06-11 10:08 AM

etselec444 - 2009-06-11 1:49 PM I tend to get most of my workouts in durigng the evening/night but would love to be able to get them done in the morning just becaus esometimes things do come up and evening workouts get bumped. You really have to have a strong will to get workouts done in the evenings especially afterwork. I've found that if I try to meet up with others it holds me accountable to actually get it done.

Bill - 2009-06-11 2:54 PM

Accountability helps. Unfortunately in five years I've met someone to swim once, met someone to run once, and biked with someone maybe a dozen times.

Tri training can be very solitary. Not that that's always a bad thing... but knowing someone is meeting you for a workout makes it harder to tank just because you don't feel like it in my experience.

etselec444 - 2009-06-11 4:17 PM

apparently we Arizonans are a highly social bunch