Filles de Fer

IT band problems…gone!

I bought an IT band compression wrap at this year’s marathon/fitness expo, and I’m probably going to wear it again for every race I do. Last year’s Pig left me with some serious pain in my right knee area, and this simple little wrap did wonders to prevent/alleviate that pain this year. Plus, it’s super comfy, and I didn’t really notice it much while I was running. I was expecting to have some sort of chafing - I forgot to put Body Glide on that part of my leg - but the neoprene lining is cushy and soft, so it was fine.

The only complaint I have about the wrap is that it tends to slide down when I get really sweaty. This is totally understandable, but I had to adjust it a few times during the race.

Athletes are sexy. Cross-training just does nice things for sculpting the body. But here’s a question: is cycling gear sexy?

I was thinking about this when I was trying on cycling shorts. I’m pretty sure that spandex flatters almost nobody. Plus, the padding in the butt? I know it’s functional, but come on…that’s not hot. Is it?

Post your answer in the comments (the little Javascript poll I created was rejected by WordPress for some reason):

Ok, so my bike is pink. My gloves are pink. My socks are pink. My racing underwear is pink (too much?). And now….

I have a pink helmet. It’s a Giro, it was on wicked sale (30 bucks! Incredible!), and it matches my bike.

[photo coming soon]

I officially LOVE the off-season. The sale prices are phenomenal, and even allow a poor student like me to buy a trainer and a fancy pink helmet and a few new pairs of shorts and still be able to eat.

My wetsuit WetZoot has arrived! And I’ve ordered a trainer! Hooray!

[details to follow]

I have new running shoes

They’re the same Mizunos as my last pair, but this year’s model. Which means…they’re brighter pink.

A while ago, I posted Triathlete magazine’s gear suggestions for beginner cyclists/triathletes. Today, while shopping for a wetsuit (yes, yes - I’m finally getting my wetsuit!) I found OneTri’s race equipment checklist. Since the off-season is the best time to buy these things, it’s time to do an inventory:

Swim

Swim suit or tri shorts - I have a couple of swimsuits (Speedo and TYR), but I’m actually considering getting a trisuit to wear under my wetsuit. TBA.
Wetsuit - ordering it now (there will be a post about this when it arrives!)
Goggles - right now, I have a pair of Speedo goggles that I use in the pool, and some Aqua Sphere Kaimans on the way.
Swim Cap - I still don’t have one. My hair is crunchy from chlorine. I should do something about that.
Lubricant or anti-chafe - I have a stick of Body Glide that I bought at the marathon. I’ve used it plenty of times and there is no dent. I think it lasts forever.
Towel - check.
Ear Plugs - I’m not really an ear plug kind of person. They’re too uncomfortable to be useful to me.

Bike

Bike - my pretty pink Fuji Finest 2.0.
Helmet - a cheapy one from Target, to be upgraded at a later date.
Bike shorts or tri shorts - Pearl Izumi.
Bike Shoes - Pearl Izumi Vagabond M4 mountain bike shoes (I like the bigger treads).
Sunglasses - still looking.
Water bottles w/energy replacement fluids - I have several bottles now. Regular plastic ones I picked up at Performance, and my new insulated Polar bottles.
Energy gel or snacks - I like to buy these closer to race day. I don’t know if they expire or not.
Biking gloves - Pearl Izumi Gel-Lite gloves.
Sunglasses - still looking.
Spare Tube, CO2, Tire Levers - you’d think I would have gotten these by now. Nope.

Run

Race shoes with quick laces (elastic laces are generally not preferred for longer distances) - I have my Mizunos, but they’re getting on in miles. A trip to Running Away will happen soon.
Cap or Visor - I have a baseball cap. I don’t think that counts.
Lubricant for feet - I don’t really use this.
Race number on race belt - this will arrive closer to race day.
Energy gel or snack - again, closer to race day.

Other

Warm clothes or Rain clothes - got it.
Sunscreen - I’m shopping around for Bullfrog brand. I got a free sample of it at last year’s Flying Pig and it was phenomenal.
Bag - the old trusty Adidas bag that I’ve been using since high school soccer.
Extra Energy gels and snacks - I’ll get these closer to race day.
Sandals - comfy Adidas sandals
Change of clothes for post race - I have clothes. Possibly too many.

Happy Christmas, everyone! I hope Santa filled your stockings with lots of nice toys. I found some fabulous tri-themed goodies under my tree this year:

Insulated water bottles At first, I thought Cap was trying to suggest that we take the bikes outside this winter, but then I remembered that insulation works both ways. These bottles keep cold drinks cold. I’ve always been a fan of cool or lukewarm water over ice cold, but Cap reminded me that my 70.3 is at the end of July, and in addition to keeping hydrated, I’ll need to keep myself cool (Chicago Marathon, anyone?).

A bike computer Definitely something that I needed, but wouldn’t have bought for myself anytime soon. I’d held off on buying one of these because my focus was on keeping my balance, figuring out the gears, and getting used to being in the saddle. Tracking my stats seemed like a secondary objective. But, now that I have a computer, I’ll have the equivalent of my Nike+ for the bike – I can log cadence, wattage, and mileage, and I’ll be able to set benchmarks for my training.

A wetsuit My parents are fabulous. When I told them a year ago that my New Year’s resolution for 2007 was to do a half-marathon in May and a marathon by the end of the year, they thought I was crazy. They know I’m stubborn, but didn’t entirely expect me to train for either event, much less finish. How do they feel about 2008’s resolution of a 70.3? Well, they’re making sure that I won’t be too chilly during that swim in Lake Michigan! They’re coming to visit at the beginning of January, and we’ll be going wetsuit shopping.

A day planner La Roommate got me another something that I wouldn’t have picked up myself, but which will be super super valuable – a pretty little day planner made by Graphic Image. I just filled in the dates of the races I know I’m doing in 2008 (Flying Pig Marathon, Spirit of Racine Triathlon, Chicago Marathon), and I’ll be using the week-at-a-view agenda to log training stats. Sure, this info goes in my Outlook, but I like to have a hard copy of everything, too! This particular planner also has maps of major cities, so if I decide to go for a run in Prague, or swim off the Gulf coast, I can log those. Oh yeah, and the cover is shiny.

[I’m writing this away from home, so I don’t have everything in front of me right now. I’ll update this post later with specs and photos]

I need to find a new gym. Here are my current options (although I’m open to suggestions for reasonably-priced Chicago gyms!):

The gym at school: For $78 per quarter and $39 in the summer, I can go to a rec center with a four-court gym, a six-lane pool, dozens of cardio machines, three racquetball courts and strength-training equipment. It’s open from 8am to 8pm, and is on my commute route between home/school/work.

The gym at work: For $30 per month, I can use the fitness center in my office building, which is filled with top of the line cardio and strength training equipment, expertly designed entertainment systems, beautiful finishes and offer[s] a wide array of innovative classes, personal training, massage, nutrition counseling and much more. It’s just downstairs from work, so I can drop in at the end of the day. The extra bonus is that if I get a membership, I can use the showers on days that I bike to work in the spring. The not-so-bonus part is that I’d be locked into a 12-month agreement, and if I stop working in the building, there’s not much of a point.

Suggestions, anyone?

I don’t know how many times I’ve said “cycling is my weak point,” but I’m determined to change that. I mean, really, the cycling portion of a tri covers the longest distance of the race.

Stage 1 of my “get better on the bicycle” training plan involves logging lots and lots of hours on the trainer during the winter.

Stage 2 will be a (most likely) comical attempt to go outside and do the same thing. I’ll probably forget what I’m doing clipping out, and fall on my face. Several times.

Stage 3, once I’m not totally helpless outdoors, will involve some longer rides. Apparently, if one keeps riding north on Sheridan, it goes all the way to Milwaukee?

Stage 4: serious rides. I’m looking at the Hilly Hundred, the Horribly Hilly Hundreds, et cetera. My motivation to tackle a hilly century ride (besides the obvious preparation for the triathlon) is a fancy polka-dotted jersey. Cap says I can’t wear polka dots until I take on a decent climb. There aren’t any mountains around here, but I think a very hilly 100-mile ride counts.

I’m watching the 2007 Ford Ironman Louisville on tv right now (it’s on the Versus channel). The following things are going through my mind:

• If all goes well, people will be watching me (or at least a tiny speck in the giant age-grouper swimming shots) in the 2009 event!
• On second thought….maybe that event will not be Louisville. I grew up in Ohio, and the Ohio River really creeps me out for a swim course. Madison, perhaps?
• It’s really interesting to see the variety of apparel/gear the participants use - the different tri suits, helmets, bikes, shoes, etc.
• I’m putting a wetsuit/tri suit on this year’s Christmas list, but I’m not sure which style I want. A friend recommended a full wetsuit (sleeves and all), but after watching the Louisville event and seeing many of the athletes wearing sleeveless/two-piece tri suits, I’m curious about the pros/cons of each.
  • A full wetsuit would definitely allow me to start training in Lake Michigan a bit earlier in the year, but my target event (SORT) is in late July, so sleeveless might be the way to go.
  • Suggestions are welcome! I’ll probably ask the nice people at Running Away what they think when I go in to get my next pair of running shoes.
• Ashley Whitney (whom the broadcast is spotlighting after she rocked the swim) totally high-fived some spectators on her way out of the water. Note to self: transition times are not as important as showing some love to the people who come out to watch this thing
• Some of the athletes were doing things I wouldn’t have expected - like filling their water bottles with orange juice (or something that looks like orange juice). This is something I’ll have to investigate.
• A lot of the athletes had little gel pouches affixed to their bikes. I wonder if I’m coordinated enough to ride a bike while downing a Gu?
• The top women’s finisher, Heather Gollnick, did this beast in 9:23:22. Oh my.