Ayerd{dot}com :: Triathlon

Okay, stuff is moving again. As the rain was coming down at what would be the start of yet another 50-year flood, I was in Philadelphia getting fitted for my new ride.

After much debate and outright wishy-washy-ness, I decided on an Elite Magnus. In orange! w00t!

This is the first time I've been actually fitted for a bike. It was an interesting experience. Takes about 3-4 hours and you get poked and prodded in cool places. Dave correctly pointed out that I breathe almost exclusively on one side the pool and that I don't stretch enough. (To help with the stretching, I've scored The Wharton's Stretch Book. I'll know if it helps some time in the next 21 days.) I keep hearing how a proper fit is probably the most important thing you can get with a new bike, after my fitting I think the common wisdom is right on the money with this one.

At the same time I was getting fitted for the new hotness, the old and busted bike was adjusted as much as possible — and after the weekend's 3-hour ride, I have to say there was a huge improvement. Both more comfortable and a bit more powerful in the pedal department.

The new hotness is actually all assembled and ready to for the final fitting... only problem is that I won't be able to get there until after the marathon. All the more reason to get it over with.

Found some photos from last year's September Splash 2-mile Swim (Click image to embiggen):

Look at that elbow! Ummmmm, rotation in the water!

Umm... where was the bouy? Actually, I'm heading towards it as we got ready to swim the loop again.

Not a bad time for the 2-mile (42:57). Good enough for second in my age group. Could have been first but I didn't realize the dude drafting the whole race and then who passed me in the last few hundred yards was in my group. You can see by the results, he jumped out of the water about 30 seconds before me. Next time I'll know better.

Oh yes. I lived. It sucked, but I lived. The noise when down like this. Overnight at a hotel. Up stupid early to get the woman to her 10-miler. At 8:30, in the fairly cold ocean blown air, we started.

I want to say, the first half of the race was a dream. Easy running, not too hot, and feeling good at the 4-hour pace. But, as it was pointed out, ½ a marathon does not a marathon make. At mile 14, started to slow down. And slow down. And slow down some more. By mile 24 it was a walk for one mile. Then, as usual finish strong. Compared to the 8 miles before it, the last 1.2 was repectable.

Here is the blow by blow (from my watch, no chip time yet):

( 1)  9:15
( 2)  8:36     17:51
( 3)  9:24     27:16
( 4)  8:59     36:16
( 5)  8:55     45:11
( 6)  9:06     54:18
( 7)  8:58   1:03:--
( 8)  9:15   1:12:--
( 9)  9:05   1:21:--
(10)  9:23   1:31:--  <-- tank running dry!
(11)  9:35   1:40:--
(12)  9:59   1:50:--
(13) 10:10   2:00:--  <-- 1/2 marathon time of 2:01-ish
(14) 10:45   2:11:-- 
(15) 11:13   2:22:--
(16) 11:09   2:34:--
(17) 11:08   2:45:--
(18) 12:45   2:57:--
(19) 12:36   3:10:--
(20) 12:35   3:23:--
(21) 13:25   3:36:-- <-- boned from here to the end
(22) 13:30   3:49:--
(23) 14:37   4:04:--
(24) 15:35   4:20:--
(25) 18:53   4:39:-- <-- walked a mile, much shame
(26) 12:03   4:51:-- <-- some pride restored
(.2)  1:35   4:52:43

So, as you can see, it was like two races. The first half was great (or at least not shameful). Then it fell apart. Still, no ambulance and now I know to start even slower.

Next marathon time will be in Ironman Florida... and that puppy is going to hurt. At least I have lots of time to train between now and then.

Until then, I am a marathoner! w00t!

Took the new bike out for a recovery ride. Only an hour on a flat-ish road, but man, was it nice. I thought Dave was kidding about gaining one or two miles-per-hour on the new wheels. He wasn't!

The fit was wonderful. No pain in the back or legs. I did notice that my toes went a little numb near the end of the ride. I think that means something is hitting a nerve in my butt (dare I say, taint?), but if it happens again I'll mention it when I go to have the cables tighted in a week or two.

The areobars where a nifty new addition. I thought it might take more to get used to them, but it didn't. In fact, after only a few minutes it was more awkward to not use them. I did feel like I wanted to slide back on the seat -- pushing my spine a little flatter -- when I was in the aero position. Don't know if that was me flopping into the wrong position or a fitting thing. When I find out, I'll let you know.

Using the behind the seat water bottles was interesting. It was easy enough to grab them but replacing them in the holders took some getting used to. Maybe what I want to do it start with 4 bottles on the bike and as the ones on the frame empty out swap'em to behind the seat so I don't have to fumble about returning the bottle to the holder? Then again, it could just be a matter of getting used to the cage placement.

Man, I'm plenty psyched for some longer riding! I think the century ride on the 7th is going to rock.