I broke my brakes...

Well last night as I was re-assembling the Stomper after cleaning off a week's worth of salt, sand and road grime, I noticed the rear brakes would just go into the locked position and not return to normal. After hours of cleaning the brake assembly and messing with the wiring to no avail I've decided to see the source of all cycling knowledge, the Buhdda of Bianchis, the Zen of Zinn, the Guru of well..Gurus: Al aka my mechanic.

I already know I'm going to get the " How the hell did you do that?" and other phrases stating I was probably a canidate for round paper and safety sissors, in childhood. But the good thing about Al is he shows you how to fix and adjust this stuff on your own...so that way the next time you walk into the shop he's knows it's an emergency, and probably involves some blood, gore, chicken wire and the need for a welder, or at the very least requires new parts.

I'm thinking it's going to need a new cable, also since I'm down there my shifter cables could use a tightening... figure might as well do my pre race tune up now so I can get a couple more good rides on it, just so that way the wires can do their stretching now instead of on race day.

Now I've got to go get an offering for the Enlightened one....Red Bull.

On a path toward riding or in this case stopping ...Nirvana.
R.D.

Ironman New Zealand Update: Diagnosis Tendonosis

Well upon visting my Ortho, who is partnered with two crazy triathletes, I got the diagnosis of what is going on with my embattled achilles.
Tendonosis or micro tears in the tendon from overuse,improper stretching, weak f**king hips, a right leg that just seems to go along for the ride, yesterday as I did lunges I noticed my right leg was significantly weaker than my left,hence comfirming the fact that whatever injuries I've succumbed to are result of improper technique or overcompensation.

Doc: My advice no running for 3-4 weeks or the swelling goes down whatever comes first.
Me:But I've got a marathon in 5 weeks
Doc: If you run on it you could rupture it there is the same likelihood nothing could happen to it. How do feel about anti-inflamatories, most athletes hate them because they disrupt muscle building.
Me: Will it get me on my feet any faster?
Doc: It could..
Me: so 2-3 weeks instead of 3-4...
Doc: It might but it is imperative that you don't run until the swelling stops.
Me:What about cycling?
Doc: Swimming is best as long as cycling is giving you no pain you can do it.
Me: So I can ride my bike?
Doc: As long as it doesn't hurt just don't run until the swelling goes down.

So I've been put on the mother of all anti inflamatories given an orthopedic insert and the don't even think about running for at least two weeks regiment. From what the X-rays say early RICE and lighter than normal training helped but the green light has been given to me to ride until my heart's content and to swim like a mofo..so I'm essentially on the Normann Stadler Ironman plan. Swim like a mofo, bike like a beast and oh yeah hang on for that little marathon at the end. Next week I'll assess the swelling if it's gone I'll begin to run again otherwise so begins post on weekly assesments of my ankle. Answer to my prayers would be one week, most likely senario it'll heal in two weeks, things will be a little difficult if it's in three and I might just be walking a marathon if it's four. Taper, what the hell is that?

So begins cycling focus....Today since I was able to get the day off fromwork part of me wants to roll in the outdoors but daylight is rapidly fading.. so I'll go to the pharmacy pick up my script for "Mother of all Anti- Inflamatories" and ride the spin bike with my orthopedic insert in my cycling shoes. This weekend looks good so anyone in the greater Hartford, Boston or New York area looking to freeze their beans with me in the great outdoors is welcome to ride with my Saturday afternoon or Sunday Afternoon...Saturday looks like the better of the two days with temps close to 30 Sunday is supposed to be frigid.

Well that's all from my neck of the woods...man if only I saw the doctor sooner....

Looking for snow tires for his bike
R.D.