Saturday, February 7, 2009

Liberation! Ironman New Zealnd Update: Race numer in.

Today I rode 40 miles and for the first time in 3 weeks let my running shoes hit the pavement for a good 6 miles. The ride went pretty well although I averaged .2 mph slower than my 70 miler last week. Maybe it's because I didn't fuel properly but I couldn't feel it. Regardless the ride portion went well.

The run, well once I got over all the crap about " when you tendon snaps it's going to feel like someone hit you in the back of the leg and then unbearable pain!" I stretched out and start jogging. I took my run out very conservative as I ran the route of the original Nutmeg State Half Iron Run leg. I had to be going 9-10 min. mile pace keenly aware of any sort of pressure on my left leg. For awhile I looked down at my right leg, it seem to be just going along for the ride while my left leg was taking all the abuse...regardless I'll worry about that as my strength returns. As I shuffled along into the darkness, part of me thought about how much I had taken running for granted. It was something I could always just sort of do...well ok I'm not Prefontaine, or Rodgers Rop but I do alright..and except for this little bump and a case of Wrong F**king shoes in High School I've pretty much been injury free. I finished my little 6-7 miler in about 58 minutes, slow but no pain, or increased inflamation in my leg was a good sign. Tonight ice, stretch somemore, anti-inflamatories, and triggerpoint...then try again on Monday night another 6-7 miler at CCSU. It felt good to run again and hopefully it will stay that way.

R.D.

Also on a sort of related note my race number for the Ironman is in I'll be sporting number 122. Part of me is kinda glad for this it seems whenever I wear number 22 or 23 I always have a good race.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Long Day in the saddle

Well today it was actually warm 40F (4C) so I skipped church and went up to Lake Waramaug and got some much needed time out side on the Stomper. Let's face it bikes are not meant to be kept indoors and hooked up on trainers they are meant to be taken out and ridden and ridden hard..and that's what happend today. My ride went on without much drama, although it didn't seem like it was off to a good start...about 2 miles in while slowing up to let a car pass my back wheel hit an icy patch and started into the death wobble...how I kept the bike up right I have no clue but I did, I didn't crash and kept going...for 69 more miles. 71 miles ( 113.6 km) in 4 hours at the average speed of 17.7 miles per hour ( 28.32 kmh). The ride was better than I hoped for especially with all that's happended in the last month injury wise, speaking of that it's almost healed...and the stretching, and moderate exercise routine has helpped it. ( ok so I was doing most of the exercises at body weight since I haven't been able to get to the weight room..but even just the motions have helpped.) Also I managed to get a good deal on a value pack of Sharkies and gallon bottle of gatorade so I'll have fuel for the next week. But regardless, if nothing else I know my leg will survive the swim and bike portion so all I have to do is ease back into running and I should be good to go. This week they're talking snow on Tuesday...and a lot of it...but next weekend looks to be about as warm as it was today so if I can get a few more good days on the road I'm confident that I'll set a PR on my bike leg. Getting this ride in really helpped boost my morale because for a while it looked as if I might not be able to get the bike training I wanted for this race in.

Feeling Stoked.