SEBA #3 - The Bike
I was queasy coming out of the swim, but thankfully I'd brought some seltzer water - instant fix. That is definitely going to be part of my Steelhead transition pack.
VM seemed to have pretty much recovered from the swim scare I gave him (see post below...sorry, again, VM!), so we were off for the 58 miles.
The weather was cool and there was a decent breeze, quite the opposite weather from the last of our epic brick adventures. There was basically no humidity, and we cruised at an easy 17-18 mph pace for several miles. Between my new found gear and VM likely slowing way the crap down, we stayed pretty together for the entire ride.
But something was different about this ride aside from the humidity. It was easier! VM was right, each time you do the course it gets better. Aside from my Bento Box stabbing the inside of my thigh every time I'd get out of the saddle on a climb (yes, likely my punishment for not staying seated, but oh well), it was really turning out to be a great ride. What!? Seriously, that thing is sharp! I have cuts all up and down the inside of my leg. It's ridiculous.
Everything was going well until the clouds started rolling in. It literally looked like a giant steamroller coming across the sky. Just as the waves in Lake Michigan had undulated a few hours ago, the clouds were slowly coming after us immediately to our right.
"Holy cow! Look at that!!! We're going to get wet, you know that, right?"
"Oh yeah. Definitely." VM shook his head and hiked up the pace a bit.
Sure enough, it clipped us, but it wasn't nearly the downpour that either of us were expecting. Soon enough it passed and we just had some nasty headwinds to negotiate.
I suppose the best way to describe this ride is casual. VM and I chatted it up on some of the flats, slowing to 13-15 mph, but that's probably not going to be in the plans for race day. Though it was good to take things easy. On some of the other flats we averaged around 22 mph, and on one particular flat near the end of the haul, I looked down to see that I was going 28 mph! On a flat!!! VM, of course, was rocket-launched way ahead, and I'd learn later that he'd hit 35!
One thing in particular that I learned from this ride is that there is definitely going to be a strategy involved. It's funny how much biking is like running. VM mentioned how he planned to start out the race around an 18 mph average, and then slowly build up to a 22-23 mph average for the final third of the course. Now, that works out just about right, because the hills and other such nastiness are all within the first 25 miles. There are some little inclines toward the middle of the course, but most of it there is flat, and as VM pointed out, you can gain a bunch of ground right about there. He's ridden the course like what, eight times or something now, so I guess he'd know!
The only challenge I see is around miles 42-48 where things just get depressing for some reason. Right about then I kind of lost my edge and really wanted to be done. VM, being the machine that he is, just cruised through, spouting all sorts of happy triathlon machine fuzziness, as I blah-ed all over everything. He's going to annihilate that course, for sure. And me, well, I'll have to figure out some kind of strategy to get me through that depressing part, maybe some little reward or something, I don't know. If you come up with any ideas, let me know (and chocolate melts, dammit - dammit all. Don't think I didn't go there. AH! Wait!! Fruit snacks!!!!! OK, keep the ideas coming).
Anyway, soon we were through that life-sucking patch, and arrived at what is probably the coolest part of the course, the last five or so miles. It's flat and slick and fast, and where VM busted out that 35 mph pace. I couldn't believe that I was doing 28 because it just felt like nothing at all. Kind of the reward for going through Prozac alley back there a few miles.
And then it was the home stretch. I was really tired, probably for not having slept at all two nights prior to this brick, and the night before not sleeping much. Definitely won't try that one again before Steelhead.
The final ride time was 3:45, and I think that we ended up riding 58 or 59 miles. Come race day I should be able to finish the bike leg in the neighborhood of 3:30, and that's just fine with me. VM on the other hand, well, I don't doubt that he'll bust three hours.
There was no run in my forecast for the day, as I had to go and pick up the kiddies, but VM cranked out seven miles after all that! I just hope he and Shelley bring a card game or something while they're waiting for me at the finish line! Give me a few more years at this, I'll be faster eventually.
And thus concludes the Steelhead Epic Brick Adventure series. I feel good, I know this race is going to hurt, and I'm OK with that. I know that I'll finish, and I'm pretty sure that I can finish before the cut off.
I've learned some lessons, swallowed some pride, and taken a lot of chances on myself. And yeah, I'm ready.
VM seemed to have pretty much recovered from the swim scare I gave him (see post below...sorry, again, VM!), so we were off for the 58 miles.
The weather was cool and there was a decent breeze, quite the opposite weather from the last of our epic brick adventures. There was basically no humidity, and we cruised at an easy 17-18 mph pace for several miles. Between my new found gear and VM likely slowing way the crap down, we stayed pretty together for the entire ride.
But something was different about this ride aside from the humidity. It was easier! VM was right, each time you do the course it gets better. Aside from my Bento Box stabbing the inside of my thigh every time I'd get out of the saddle on a climb (yes, likely my punishment for not staying seated, but oh well), it was really turning out to be a great ride. What!? Seriously, that thing is sharp! I have cuts all up and down the inside of my leg. It's ridiculous.
Everything was going well until the clouds started rolling in. It literally looked like a giant steamroller coming across the sky. Just as the waves in Lake Michigan had undulated a few hours ago, the clouds were slowly coming after us immediately to our right.
"Holy cow! Look at that!!! We're going to get wet, you know that, right?"
"Oh yeah. Definitely." VM shook his head and hiked up the pace a bit.
Sure enough, it clipped us, but it wasn't nearly the downpour that either of us were expecting. Soon enough it passed and we just had some nasty headwinds to negotiate.
I suppose the best way to describe this ride is casual. VM and I chatted it up on some of the flats, slowing to 13-15 mph, but that's probably not going to be in the plans for race day. Though it was good to take things easy. On some of the other flats we averaged around 22 mph, and on one particular flat near the end of the haul, I looked down to see that I was going 28 mph! On a flat!!! VM, of course, was rocket-launched way ahead, and I'd learn later that he'd hit 35!
One thing in particular that I learned from this ride is that there is definitely going to be a strategy involved. It's funny how much biking is like running. VM mentioned how he planned to start out the race around an 18 mph average, and then slowly build up to a 22-23 mph average for the final third of the course. Now, that works out just about right, because the hills and other such nastiness are all within the first 25 miles. There are some little inclines toward the middle of the course, but most of it there is flat, and as VM pointed out, you can gain a bunch of ground right about there. He's ridden the course like what, eight times or something now, so I guess he'd know!
The only challenge I see is around miles 42-48 where things just get depressing for some reason. Right about then I kind of lost my edge and really wanted to be done. VM, being the machine that he is, just cruised through, spouting all sorts of happy triathlon machine fuzziness, as I blah-ed all over everything. He's going to annihilate that course, for sure. And me, well, I'll have to figure out some kind of strategy to get me through that depressing part, maybe some little reward or something, I don't know. If you come up with any ideas, let me know (and chocolate melts, dammit - dammit all. Don't think I didn't go there. AH! Wait!! Fruit snacks!!!!! OK, keep the ideas coming).
Anyway, soon we were through that life-sucking patch, and arrived at what is probably the coolest part of the course, the last five or so miles. It's flat and slick and fast, and where VM busted out that 35 mph pace. I couldn't believe that I was doing 28 because it just felt like nothing at all. Kind of the reward for going through Prozac alley back there a few miles.
And then it was the home stretch. I was really tired, probably for not having slept at all two nights prior to this brick, and the night before not sleeping much. Definitely won't try that one again before Steelhead.
The final ride time was 3:45, and I think that we ended up riding 58 or 59 miles. Come race day I should be able to finish the bike leg in the neighborhood of 3:30, and that's just fine with me. VM on the other hand, well, I don't doubt that he'll bust three hours.
There was no run in my forecast for the day, as I had to go and pick up the kiddies, but VM cranked out seven miles after all that! I just hope he and Shelley bring a card game or something while they're waiting for me at the finish line! Give me a few more years at this, I'll be faster eventually.
And thus concludes the Steelhead Epic Brick Adventure series. I feel good, I know this race is going to hurt, and I'm OK with that. I know that I'll finish, and I'm pretty sure that I can finish before the cut off. I've learned some lessons, swallowed some pride, and taken a lot of chances on myself. And yeah, I'm ready.
posted by Wil at 6:15 PM
14 Comments:
had the same bento box problem... there was a rigid black strip of evil that was giving it structure -- it's in a nylon slot at the back closest to your thighs... i pulled that sucker out... tah dah!
My sister did the Iron-man a few years ago. I do ultra marathons. It's tough work. You seem motivated and fit. So, good going.
G
Haha Boulder. I did the exact same thing with mine this morning! I rode with it today and it was better. I still hit it occassionally though.
I'm sad that there won't be any more SEBA reports, but how awesome is it that Steelhead is right around the corner? You're gonna do great! :)
"Happy triathlon machine fuzziness" eh? Is THAT what I was spouting? I had no idea!
Thanks for kicking butt!!
Thanks for sharing these little nuggets with us. You have no isea how much I have enjoyed them...
I hate to ask this but what's next? Chicago?
Heh, VM, I WISH I had that kind of fuzziness that far into the ride!
Flatman, yep, after Steelhead it's all about the Chicago marathon :)
What an adventure you two had! Great to have a partner in all this, I'm sure. I can't wait to read about the results, though I've sure enjoyed the journey getting there, too.
Hey Wil, great bike post. Sounds like you guys are definitely ready and that's VERY COOL...have you read back through your panic posts from 4 short weeks ago? You've come so far!
One thing I'd say to you about this bike leg...and this comes only from my most recent race experience and bike crash...don't get too comfy. It's nice to know what's coming but keep your focus and concentration and leave the complacency at home. I had ridden the course that I crashed on maybe 6 times (plus raced it last year) and I think I was too relaxed...when I got to the bumpy and cracked section of road that we'd all been warned about (over and over), I wasn't concerned because it hadn't given me any trouble before. How wrong I was...one second lapse in concentration and I was down. I think it would have been better if it was my first time on the course because I would've been watching for danger.
Don't stress about it - it's GOOD that you know what to expect, just try to imagine on race day that it's your first time and try to be aware of everything around you and don't rely wholly on your expectations...deal with the immediacy and stay PRESENT rather than working from the picture you've painted from your training rides. That way you'll be prepared if anything unexpected pops in front of you. You're ready...kick butt, kid!!
I'm so excited for you!
Card games at the finish line? Bah! No way, not when there's beer to drink!
Wil, it sounds like you already conquered your fear of the water and will probably have an easier time of staying on course when there's more people than just you and VM. Plus, you guys are certainly ready on the bike I can tell! I do agree with Spence, I always force myself to think about the basics like knowing where the cracks and bumps are and reminding myself to check for other riders before swerving around those obstacles. It's a big race for you, don't forget the little things!
Damned, Girl... if you're ridin' THAT fast I'm glad I'm hidin' out here in Colorado where you can't get at me!
That's a great pace.
Spence is right, though; be ever alert; it's always the silliest details that nail ya... like a wet road-paint strip.
Way to go, Wil!
fruit snacks...absolutely. hmm.. if you want the choclate fix take tootsie rolls. they'll just be soft by then.
here is another thought and excuse me if it is cheesy. ok at weight watchers one of the tools (which I actually hate and think is cheesy, but i tried it this week and it helped) is to have an anchor. basically you pick an item (ring, necklace, whatever... tangable). then you have to go through this whole process of saying something and touching that item. you do it like 3 or 4 times and then it is supposed to be your anchor. when you are struggling, you touch the anchor and reme,ber your "mantra" and draw strength. my leader had given me a card as i was leaving and it said "i believe in you". it was random what quote we all got but I almost cried because i needed that quote. then i went home and put on a necklace i really like (a convincing "fake" diamond pendant). i just said "Someone believes in you" and made the necklace my anchor and decided it would be my anchor until i completed my first marathon (about a year away) when i would demand a real diamond from the hubby. :)
like i said, kind of on the cheesy side but it actually helped me stay on track this past week and get through my mile last saturday when my knees were screaming at me. just a thought.
but still, go for the fruit snacks and tootsie rolls too. :D
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