Week Nine Complete: Holiday fun

Christmas week… what can I say? I did get most of my workouts in, but I also ate like a fiend.  The damage will be assessed tomorrow morning.  I’ve been in Texas for the last ten days, so I haven’t been able to swim. I feel like my run in coming along pretty well though.  Not necessarily in the speed department, but just being comfortable in my “running shoes”. I’ve started to relax a bit and actually have begun to enjoy some of my runs.  As I continue to lose weight, I know running will get easier.  It can’t come soon enough!

I’ve been riding the same Masi road bike since 1997.  It's been a wonderful bike and hasn’t changed a bit since I first bought it, a real work horse.  Its is a silver 60^th anniversary, diamond jubilee edition, steel framed road bike, with Shimano 105 components.  Only 100 were ever made.  I bought it in Columbus, GA, for $1200. I’ve dragged that bike to the four corners of the US and beyond. It's been through rain, sleet, and snow.   It’s seen sprint tri’s, Olympic distance tri’s, road races, group rides and of course, lots and lots of solo rides.

 I hated to do it, but with the Ironman coming up in May, I needed to switch to a tri specific bike to start training on and ride during the race. I purchased my first triathlon bike this week and was able to take it out on Saturday.  It felt awesome... and fast.  Changing to a tri bike allows for a more aerodynamic position while riding with the aero bars that are on the front.  Being in the “aero position” decreases drag and allows for increased speed. The angles on a tri bike are also different from a road bike.  The tri bike angles change muscle usage in the legs, and allow s for a better transition from the bike to run. During the race, I’ll want to stay in the aero position as long as possible.  It will take a while to get use to riding like that, but just like any other part of my training, the more I do it, the better I will get. 

Here she is:

 

Bike specs:

• Frame: Cervélo 2012 P2
• Fork: Cervélo FK26
• Seatpost: Cervélo aero TT
• Shift Levers: Shimano SL-BS79
• Front Der.: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
• Rear Der.: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
• Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 
• Chain: Shimano Ultegra 
• Brake Calipers: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
• Brake Levers: TRP Ultra Light Carbon 
• Crankset: FSA Gossamer (50/34)
• BB: FSA MegaExo
• Headset: FSA IS 2
• Stem: 3T ARX PRO
• Handlebar: 3T Aura Pro
• Aerobars: 3T alloy
• Saddle: Fi'zi:k Arione Tri2
• Wheels: Vision Team 30 
• Tires: Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick

Added:

·  Pedals: Shimano Ultegra PD-6800

Total Price: $2789.98

As with most things, price and quality are huge.  New triathlon bike prices range from around $1000 and can go up to $10,000.  It's obviously a huge investment, but fortunately, the bike will last for many years.  Like I mentioned earlier, I've been riding my Masi for 16 years, with no issues.  So, unless I turn pro (not likely), I see this as the first and last tri bike I'll ever need.


Monday
Rest Day

Tuesday
S -300m warm up, 8x50m drill, 3x125 @ 20sec, 2x175 @ 30sec, 3x125 @ 20sec, 8x50m drill, 200m cool down
R - 1:00 Z2

Wednesday
B - Trans: 0:45 Z2 (QC)
R - 0:15 Z2

Thursday
S - 300m warm up, 8x50m drill, 16x25 @ 10sec, 1x400 @ 60sec, 16x25 @ 10sec, 8x50m drill, 200m cool down
B - 1:00 Z1 (100+ RPM)

Friday
R - 1:00 Z2

Saturday
B - 2:45 Z2

Sunday
R - 1:15 Z1 to Z2

Total Hrs: 10:00 7:00
S: 2:00
B: 4:30 3:45
R: 3:30 3:15

This next week will be the last week for the base training phase and then I'll transition into the build phase.  The build phase is when I think things will start to get serious.  Nothing to it, but to do it!