Lake Placid Training Weekend

I got back from Idaho on Tuesday night and headed to Lake Placid on Friday. After working two busy days, unpacking, and repacking, away I go again. There was a group of us heading up there with the intention of training. Dan, Mark, and Vasso were getting ready for IMLP in 3 weeks so their training was very purposeful. We got up there at a good time so we checked in and made our way to mirror lake for a swim. This lake is awesome to swim in so I was looking forward to it. The IM course was not set up but buoys were running from one end of the lake to the other. I ended up swimming around the buoys 2x which is longer than the IM course so I'm estimating I swam about 3 miles straight. My longest swim ever. My shoulders were tight but I felt good.

After some lunch and rest, I headed out for a run. My legs were sluggish and tired but I managed a 50 min. run. We met up with the rest of the gang and headed for a nice dinner. Tomorrow was a big day.

We headed out together at a very reasonable pace on the IM bike course. I had some reservations about this course because it has kicked my butt everytime I have ridden on it. This time was different. I guess I am in much better shape this year than I have been in the past. The first loop was good until finished the out/back section and stopping to refuel 40 or so miles into the ride. After starting up 86 for the final part of the loop, my legs felt awful like they filled with lactic acid but I was that tired and I had fuel so I had energy. My experience told me that this would pass so I just had to be patient. I made it to the top of the highest climb, now riding alone, I went back down the "bears" and picked up Vasso because she didn't know where to turn so I got to climb back up them again but I was feeling good at this point so I didn't mind.

After some technical difficulties with my rear brake, we stopped in High Peaks, fixed that, then off for the second loop. The rain started to fall lightly which was nice but a little slick. Long story short, finished the second loop in the rain and a bit wet but a great feeling of accomplishment and a great day of training. After a nice soak in the lake to cool the tired legs, we headed back to the hotel for a shower, a little shopping, then off to dinner with the group.

At dinner, I somehow either convinced myself or was convinced by Mark and Dan that it would be a good idea to climb Whiteface in the morning. After our usual stop at the bagel place, we headed backward on the IM course (86, I think) towards Whiteface. This is an 8 mile climb (3 miles up to the gatehouse, then another 5 to the top). We made it the 3 miles with Mark powering up ahead and Dan and I suffering from yesterday's ride and just suffering from this 3 mile ascent. After making it up to the guard house, we couldn't go any further because you have to pass the guardhouse before they start manning it because cyclists are not encouraged to make this climb. We didn't make it in time. Even if we did make it in time, I had made up my mind that I wasn't going anyway. My legs were too fried and I still wanted to run long after the ride. We made it back and I headed out on my run. It was uneventful and I didn't feel so hot. My legs just didn't want to work very well. I cut it a little short but all in all still had a great few days of training.

Idaho and Ironman Coeur d'Alene

I traveled to Idaho a few weeks ago for Sue's Ironman. This is my third Ironman as a spectator and I love them. It is so inspirational to watch 2,000 people race as I can now relate to what it takes to prepare for one of these things. I had arranged to rent a bike from a local bike shop so I could get some riding in. After getting in late Wednesday night, my plan was to head over to pick up my bike on Thursday to get in a loop of the bike course or 56 miles. I got up early Thursday morning and headed over to the lake (at the end of the street) with the girls. They scored a great rental house in an optimal location. I had my new thermal swim cap in hand and I cautiously put on my wetsuit and neoprene cap. I knew it was going to be cold but I have never swam in such cold water so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was somewhere around 53-55 degrees. There were plenty of people swimming so I figured since I have more body fat than most of these people, it shouldn't be a problem.

I put my feet in the water and so far so good. Its cold but okay. I start putting my hands in the water and its okay. I wade for a while, then decide to go. I dunk my head and it was like I got an immediate headache from eating ice cream too quickly. WOW....the cold on my face was harsh. I had to stop and wade. I contemplated the need for this since I wasn't racing and at one point I was trying to convince myself to go back. Of course I didn't but it was tough. I realized that it just took some time to acclimate your face to the water temp. I managed about 2 miles..not bad.

I eventually got my bike later in the day and start heading out for a ride. 2 miles into my ride, my front derailler cable disconnects and I lose the ability to shift from the small ring to the big ring. Not a big deal. I'll stay in the small ring since I'll be doing lots of climbing. A few seconds later, a huge pop (flat tire). Not only did the tube blow, the tire ripped apart. I call Lida for a ride. She picks me up, we head back to the bike shop, make the repairs and off I go. I decide to take an alternate route and do on this hilly scenic trip around Hayden Lake. Then, I merge onto the Ironman course and ride that for a while. My legs were a bit heavy from all the climbing and traveling. My day ends with 45 miles but it was a strong ride.

We hit the steakhouse later and pig out....yum.

Friday is another swim in the morning and I learned my lesson from yesterday and spend some time splashing water on my face before I submerge it. I got in a 1.2 mile swim. Later in the day I hit the Ironman run course for a 12 mile run. I was feeling pretty sluggish so I didn't push it.

Saturday was my day to ride 100+. This bike was really not working very well but fortunately I decided to ride a flat route....a bike trail from CDA to Spokane. It was nice scenic route and I felt fairly strong all day. I got in 101 miles, then followed it up with a 20 minute run.

Sunday was race day and so I just enjoyed watching the race all day. It was a LONG day. I did a bunch of running around and ran with Sue and Lida some but nothing formal. The girls both had a great race and was fun to be there to help support Sue and cherish in the celebration of the finish and the race.

We got up early so the girls could hit the finisher tent and I didn't last in there very long. It was crazy. Off to Hawaii rolldown just in case Sue would get lucky but no such luck.

It hit the CDA golf course for my first round of the year. It was a blast . I drove a Par4 300 yard green and hit a 6 foot putt for eagle......that was cool.....my only highlight of the day.

Off to Lake Placid next weekend for a big weekend of training......

I'll post some pictures of the trip.