90 + 40

Hi. It's Laura.

Happy Monday.

Saturday morning was my last large brick. 90 minute bike ride followed by a 40 minute run.

Up until Saturday, I was a little worried about the race itself. I have not reached full-on panic mode just yet. I do have moments of sheer terror. Why? I have no idea exactly why.

I am doing the work that is required so I should be able to finish just fine.

So far every brick except for the last one have been very difficult. I ask myself how on earth I am going to make the 6.2 mile run if I can barely get through 1.5 miles for these Saturday morning brick workouts.

Seemingly every weekend, I have cramps in my sides, cramps in my hamstrings and I always feel like I am moving super slow. When I look at my GPS, which gives me my pace, I am actually not running all that slow. The Husband and I have a theory: because my legs are moving crazy fast on the bike, when I hit the ground to run it only feels slow. Right now it’s all I've got. I like it and I’m sticking to it.

This past Saturday morning, I head out normal time, 1/2 hour past the time I want to get out.

The alarm went off at 5:20 but I was not pedaling until 6:34. Coffee and more coffee, finally propelled me out the door. I do this every Saturday and it drives me crazy. I want to be out by 6:00 A.M. I know by 6:30 there are going to be bike gangs everywhere. That 1/2 hour makes a big difference.

But there I was, 1/2 behind already, with the work still needed to get done.

I decided to change things up a bit this weekend by doing the brick in Central Park. I wanted to run part of the actual course after the ride. I started my ride on Riverside, made my way up and back then into Central Park for one loop on the big loop incorporating the big hill. I wanted to add some hill work to the workout as well because there are definitely hills on the race course. If I remember correctly after the first big hill on the course its rolling hills from then on.

I would like to let you in on a little secret, I am very competitive. Whenever I get passed on my bike or on a run, I assess if that person should have passed me or not. Tall men get a pass because, of course, they have long legs and are going to pass me. That’s a given. When I get passed by women, I don't let it go as easily. The west side of Central Park is a series of rolling hills after a big hill. Climbing on my bike is always a challenge for me. The story goes: I was climbing the hill after the big one and got passed by a pretty normal looking person. Not happy about it, nor can I let it go. I used the downhill for momentum and hit a pretty nice climb speed but alas she passed me again. Still not letting it go. On the third hill, again using my momentum from the downhill I chugged it out and passed her on the climb and woohooed myself through the imaginary finish line. I know she knew I was racing her and I thank her for making me work just a little harder.

The Husband was waiting for me with my transition spot completely set up. I have a wonderful team. Every week The Husband and The Dog are waiting for me at my transition point and, until this past Saturday, usually stick around for the run finish as well. This week, because the run was so long, The Husband left The Dog behind and did not stick around to wait 40 minutes for me to finish. I can't blame him. [Editor’s note: This was the plan so it wasn’t a surprise.]

I took off from the transition into the run shaky as usual. I started at the hill at 72nd Street and ran north. The conversation in my head went something like this: “It’s not race day, calm down.” “You are not racing anyone else in this park so just relax.” “They can pass you.” “They probably did not just bike for an hour and half before they started their run today. “

So calm down I did [Editor’s note: My wife just turned into Yoda. I don’t know why. “Fast ride you did!]. I already had one race today, I don't really need another. And it was getting hot. Although I was shaky, I did not have any side cramps nor did I have any hamstring cramps. I allowed myself a nice easy pace because the goal today was to get it done, not finish first. I ran the side of the park that I biked.

Saturday was my best brick to date and I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me. I have been worried that I was not ready to race. Although I am tired and hungry, I believe now I am ready or pretty damn close. I walked home from the park and laid down on the floor tired, sweaty and hungry.  Nap ensued.

One more week of big training sessions before I start to taper. We’re getting close (ok that was a panic moment).

Laura