Near race-distance brick workout? CHECK!
Tested race gear in training scenario? CHECK!
Swim workout? CHECK!
In open water? DOUBLE CHECK!
Without having a complete freaking panic attack meltdown? CHECK, baby!
Followed by impromptu hot-tubbing?! Seriously. Does training get better than this?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Contagious
I've got chipped polish, broken nails and scratched hands from perpetually futzing with tires and chains. Crazy hair, frizzed from too much chlorine and sun and being crammed into rubber bands and bike helmets. Legs dotted with bright red mosquito bites. Mysterious little bruises and scratches just about everywhere. A seemingly indelible grease stain on my calf. Deeply tanned arms with a white wrist monitor stripe. A screaming white body from knees to neck, punctuated with little spots of sunburn in the oddest places.
It's official. I've got triathlete disease.
It's official. I've got triathlete disease.
Bug Light
Woke myself up before sunrise this morning. Itching. Because apparently there was an f#%@ing mosquito in the bedroom last night.
I'm the one. The 1 in 10, that is, of people born with the highly unfortunate biochemical signature mosquitoes find particularly attractive. Even a single mosquito can inflict serious damage, coming back again and again on a gluttonous suicide mission. Because the torture doesn't end until I squish 'em.
People love me at parties because they can forget to light the citronella candles or to put out bug spray and nobody gets bitten because the bloodthirsty little buggers are all swarming in a cloud around ME. I left one memorable 4th of July party with over 75 bites. On my left thigh. And I'd been wearing long pants, a jacket and half a bottle of Deep Woods Off. We tried to figure out how many bites I really got, but stopped counting at 150. My legs swelled up by several inches.
I've been accused of exaggerating, of being whiny, of flat out making it up. (Why wouldn't they think I'm making it up? They're not getting bitten because they're in my protective aura.) Only those fellow humans who share my affliction truly get it.
Here's the kicker: as my general level of allergicness to the world around me has spiraled out of control, in recent years I also developed an allergic reaction to mosquito bites.
So I don't get a teeny little red dot that itches a little. I get a huge hard knot, sometimes as big around as a quarter and up to a half inch high, that itches like mad for upwards of a week.
So. When I say I woke up this morning and there had been a mosquito in the bedroom... I mean the little fucker worked his way up one leg and down the other, planting a nice bite on each ass cheek for good measure. I think I counted 9 bites total, but I'm really really itchy behind the right knee so I won't be surprised if a few more knots surface as the morning progresses.
Pass the Calamine, please.
I'm the one. The 1 in 10, that is, of people born with the highly unfortunate biochemical signature mosquitoes find particularly attractive. Even a single mosquito can inflict serious damage, coming back again and again on a gluttonous suicide mission. Because the torture doesn't end until I squish 'em.
People love me at parties because they can forget to light the citronella candles or to put out bug spray and nobody gets bitten because the bloodthirsty little buggers are all swarming in a cloud around ME. I left one memorable 4th of July party with over 75 bites. On my left thigh. And I'd been wearing long pants, a jacket and half a bottle of Deep Woods Off. We tried to figure out how many bites I really got, but stopped counting at 150. My legs swelled up by several inches.
I've been accused of exaggerating, of being whiny, of flat out making it up. (Why wouldn't they think I'm making it up? They're not getting bitten because they're in my protective aura.) Only those fellow humans who share my affliction truly get it.
Here's the kicker: as my general level of allergicness to the world around me has spiraled out of control, in recent years I also developed an allergic reaction to mosquito bites.
So I don't get a teeny little red dot that itches a little. I get a huge hard knot, sometimes as big around as a quarter and up to a half inch high, that itches like mad for upwards of a week.
So. When I say I woke up this morning and there had been a mosquito in the bedroom... I mean the little fucker worked his way up one leg and down the other, planting a nice bite on each ass cheek for good measure. I think I counted 9 bites total, but I'm really really itchy behind the right knee so I won't be surprised if a few more knots surface as the morning progresses.
Pass the Calamine, please.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Geekin' Out
I'm totally geekin' out over my latest equipment purchases!
Got my snazzy new Polar M32 heart rate monitor... more on this in a later post, for the moment suffice it to say this is some of the best money I've ever spent on any piece of fitness equipment. Gotta send a shout-out to Flatman for giving sound advice to this HR monitor newbie on this intimidating purchase. I took his advice and am very, very happy with the end result. The icing on the cake was finding one new in the box on eBay for $30 less than sticker.
Got my too-cool-for-school Giro Atmos... dude. The thing looks fast just sittin' there on my counter. I giggle every time I pick it up - it's just so darn light! Can't wait to take it for a ride tomorrow.
(Btw... I got it on eBay. Pristine, in the box, for at least $50 less than I'd have paid in a shop. Transaction was smooth as silk; if you know what you're looking for in this area you should check out this guy's bike helmet eBay store.)
To recap, here's what I've gotten so far this year (when I'm kinda broke and wasn't going to spend any money on gear or do more than one race.)
Carnac TRS8X Cycling Shoes... $225
Speedplays... $125
Bike fitting (discounted)... $75
Tri-Geek Jersey... $55
Architecturally sound running bra... $60
Triathlon themed running socks... $15
Bike tune-up, spare tubes, handlebar wrap and new bottle... $70
Polar M32 Heart Rate Monitor... $90
Giro Atmos... $160
Race registrations (2 sprints)... $160
Hotel costs for races... $200
Husband who just rolls his eyes and lets me use his PayPal funds to buy stuff because he's happy that I'm happy livin' the tri-life... Priceless
Got my snazzy new Polar M32 heart rate monitor... more on this in a later post, for the moment suffice it to say this is some of the best money I've ever spent on any piece of fitness equipment. Gotta send a shout-out to Flatman for giving sound advice to this HR monitor newbie on this intimidating purchase. I took his advice and am very, very happy with the end result. The icing on the cake was finding one new in the box on eBay for $30 less than sticker.
Got my too-cool-for-school Giro Atmos... dude. The thing looks fast just sittin' there on my counter. I giggle every time I pick it up - it's just so darn light! Can't wait to take it for a ride tomorrow.(Btw... I got it on eBay. Pristine, in the box, for at least $50 less than I'd have paid in a shop. Transaction was smooth as silk; if you know what you're looking for in this area you should check out this guy's bike helmet eBay store.)
To recap, here's what I've gotten so far this year (when I'm kinda broke and wasn't going to spend any money on gear or do more than one race.)
Carnac TRS8X Cycling Shoes... $225
Speedplays... $125
Bike fitting (discounted)... $75
Tri-Geek Jersey... $55
Architecturally sound running bra... $60
Triathlon themed running socks... $15
Bike tune-up, spare tubes, handlebar wrap and new bottle... $70
Polar M32 Heart Rate Monitor... $90
Giro Atmos... $160
Race registrations (2 sprints)... $160
Hotel costs for races... $200
Husband who just rolls his eyes and lets me use his PayPal funds to buy stuff because he's happy that I'm happy livin' the tri-life... Priceless
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Book Project
For anyone who listens to GYGO, you probably heard the Kahuna mention the concept for a book about back of the packers and their stories.
My initial reaction was "Hey! He stole my idea!" but of course I was immediately placated when he said it was open for the taking... and then incredibly flattered that Iron Wil suggested I do it.
Seeing as how I'm a professional writer in real life, and the ultimate back-of-the-packer, I've actually thought about doing this exact thing. The podcast was the nudge I needed to do it.
So. If you're a back of the packer and would like to share your story, to be compiled into a book, please get in touch. I'd love to talk with you. I can't promise that I'll manage to get it published, but worst case we can share it with our fellow triathletes.
My initial reaction was "Hey! He stole my idea!" but of course I was immediately placated when he said it was open for the taking... and then incredibly flattered that Iron Wil suggested I do it.
Seeing as how I'm a professional writer in real life, and the ultimate back-of-the-packer, I've actually thought about doing this exact thing. The podcast was the nudge I needed to do it.
So. If you're a back of the packer and would like to share your story, to be compiled into a book, please get in touch. I'd love to talk with you. I can't promise that I'll manage to get it published, but worst case we can share it with our fellow triathletes.
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