Vato Lovato

On Friday morning, I had off work and to make things even better, I was meeting Amanda and Michael Lovato for a Barton Springs swim in the morning. Lovato and I are buds from college.
I did my first 100 mile bike ride with him back in '93 and I discovered Friday that it was Lovato's first as well. It is always so nice to see old friends and a bonus to know they are happy and doing so well. We had a lovely swim with the fishies and then Lovato and I were off to get some grub, catch up, and discuss training some. Mostly, we talked about what we all know, just enjoy yourself. And that I've been doing. Lovato made me feel like I'm right on track. I'm more excited about racing is Switzerland as he talked about how pretty the area is and what a huge spectator sport triathlons are over there. Come to find out Michael and Amanda are doing the spring and the olympic distances at the upcoming Lonestar triathlon, so I look forward to seeing them again there.

Saturday, I joined Jeff's riding group although Jeff himself was off skiing and KB came along as well. We settled on the Fitzhugh route and were off. The day was gorgeous, we couldn't ask for better weather and I felt pretty good other than a soreness in my legs going uphill, but that is to be expected. There was a point in the middle of the ride where the area around my shoulder blades was hurting, but that didn't last long and came to pass. KB and I broke off from the group around half way and I missed one of our turn offs. This is where the iphone comes to the rescue as I quickly looked up the map and put us back on the right course. It was on the way back to the planned route that we saw a roadrunner, making it all worth it. (~53 miles, one roadrunner)

Sunday was an easy 6 miler with the Harringtons. Followed by some good Harrington cooking with veggies fresh from the garden.

Rooster and Clyde's Flat Out Adventure (cont., part III)

The springs of San Marcos were all I envisioned and the mariposas in my stomach fluttered excitedly. I dabbed my toe in the water, "perfect"! What a great day. We recharged and snacked for a bit and then got on our bikes to head back to Austin. I hopped on Rooster and rode no more that 20 yds when I realized I had a flat tire. "Uh, Robby, I think I have a flat." I blurt out hoping that what I'm saying really isn't so. We pull into the parking lot to discover it is a reality. I stare for a second and then get to work. I open my pouch, discover I don't have the spare tube that I thought was in there, but I do have patches and that should work just fine. I take out the tube and search for the hole, all I can find is a little piece of metal sticking out and I pull it and patch the hole that is left. I replace the tube, read how to use the CO2 cartridge that neither of us has used before. and voila. We head back out like a movie where the music just starts stops and then starts again. I ride for a while head into the wind and then begin to feel the pebbles we are riding over. "Um, Robby, I hate to say it, but does my tire look low to you." "Yeah, I was looking at it and thought so." He retorts. I pull over again and go through the same ritual. We find another hole patch it and I begin again. We ride about 10 miles and again my tire is flat. "Why don't we just keep shooting it up with CO2 and see if we can make it to a bike shop in Buda?" Robby suggests. Sounds like a good idea to me. So that is how we hobble along until Buda, ride, tire gets low, shoot up some CO2, ride, you get the picture. By the time, we hit Buda we were on our last canister of CO2 and discover no bike shops. We tried calling Cabella's which FYI does not carry bike tubes. After calling numerous people many who were attending SXSW, Johan and Monica said they could get us tubes and CO2 and would meet us wherever. We decided to make it as far as we could on our last cartridge and then I would call them. Back again to the 'ol pump and ride tango. We made it back by Southpark Meadows in Austin when I needed to refill again, at this point our stomaches needed refilling too and we needed to evaluate where we would stop. We contemplated just going somewhere nearby and waiting for the rescue team, but after some peanuts and mention of Polvos (Austin Mexican Restaurant, YUM) I felt a new goal and drive. If I pump the bike up on what I think will be the last fill, I think I can make it. I charged it up and started pedaling. Whoosh, I went flying through the streets, if those street lights would stop making me stop, I was sure I could make it. I could feel the tires getting low, but not to the rim yet, I can ride a bit more, and just on the horizon, there was the sign for POLVOs, hah we had made it. I called Johan and Monica and they came with the supplies, KB and Nathan came home (they live nearby) and gave us water and a place to cool down. The bike ride ended up being a lot longer timewise than we expected and the lesson burned into me. Make sure you have a spare tube BEFORE you leave.

Yesterday: ~5 mile run

Rooster and Clyde's Flat Out Adventure (cont.)

Where do you find a tire after 8 PM on a Thursday? Here is where REI comes to the rescue. We head over to REI, the wheel gets a new tire and I head back to the venue to put the shiny new wheel on Clyde and head out to more venues. When I get to Clyde, the bike is lying on the ground along with a bunch of other disheveled bikes on the same rack. I look over at some guys standing at the rack with me. "Did you see what happened here?" I say. They stare at me blankly. Then someone comes up from behind, "I almost got the guy's license plate number but he sped off to quickly. I was upstairs and saw this car back into the whole rack and then speed off." "Great, what else is going to happen to my bike?" I think. I survey the bike and all seems fine, place the wheel on and then off I go riding to a new venue, with a renewed spirit and put it all behind me. Friday night's SXSW even had my bike pampered with valet bike parking at the Bodeans concert. These things usually happen in threes, so at least I'm done for awhile. Until ...
Saturday morning, Robby and I had planned on or rather I planned and Robby courageously agreed to come along a 70ish mile ride and wanted to get an early start so some of the day was left. I rode Rooster down to Robby's and we were off to San Marcos with my chicken-scratched directions tucked in my jersey to get us there. I had a basic idea of how to go, but when I saw some cyclists ahead of us, I sped up to double-check the way we were heading was correct. As most cyclists are, they were extremely helpful and had me follow them along until we hit Buda. "Okay" the cyclist said. "We are turning into the pharmacy here, but you should keep going straight." I thanked him for helping me out and as I was doing so and speeding up I heard the all too familiar sound of metal on metal and biker on concrete and I look back and he is down. He seemed to be fine and had his two buddies along, Robby got him an ice pack and we hung around to make sure he was alright before we headed on our way again. I should have known this was not to be an ordinary day. I just keep envisioning the cool springs in San Marcos and dipping my twinkle toes in the water. Keep your eyes on prize was working for me and we seemed to be rolling along just fine. (to be continued)

Yesterday: Swam 2000 yds at Barton Springs

Flat MK

This past week/weekend involved LOTS of practice changing flat tires. SXSW was going on and to get in some additional biking as well as avoid parking hassles I rode my bike to downtown Austin. The fun began when I first set out on my journey and discovered a flat on my old Bianchi "Clyde". Lucky for me, the Harrington coaches live nearby and I hobbled on over. "Remember the last time we changed your tire?" Sara jested. "Yeah, three times at the start of the Jingle Bell ride, how could I forget?" I was graciously taken care of, given spare tubes and sent on my way. On the ride downtown, the tire seemed to be a bit bumpy, but I thought nothing of it. I parked my bike and happily went about listening to music. When I went to get my bike and head across town to another venue, lo and behold the tire was completely flat again. Lucky for me I had those spare tires but no pump or tools. I made my way on foot with my bike, ate, relaxed, and then faced the flat. I managed to get the tire off with the back of a knife and fork and then Robby suggested seeing if any of the staff had a pump and he was spot on. I set about pumping the new tube and nothing was going in, took the pump off and discovered the valve was broken (flat #2). Fortunately I had yet another spare. I replaced the tube and this time it began to pump up. As I was pumping I heard a ripping sound and saw the tire ballooning out of the sidewall of the tire, not a good sign. I would have to get a new tire. (tune in tomorrow, for the conclusion of Clyde's flat out adventure, and Rooster's expert job of one upping Clyde).

This weekend's mileage: Bike 75.75 miles Saturday. Run 13.5 miles Sunday morning followed by 4.5 mile walk (later in the day) on Sunday. Legs still intact.

Four months out

We are now four months out from IM Switzerland. I feel like I've been building a good base and have had good days and bad days, overall I've been enjoying it. Coach M, set off my panic button talking about doing long rides. I've since simmered down and am looking forward to the challenge and appreciate the tough love, although I buck at it at first. It is pretty amazing to think that I can train myself (hopefully) to go for so long and so far. The main thing that usually makes me nervous is whether or not I will have the mental strength during the race and I think that is part of what training long helps accomplish. Training long lets me know mentally while at the same time training me physically, that yes you can do this just relax.

Last night was a swim at Stacy followed by a run at Lady Bird Lake where I passed SXSW goer after SXSW goer. The highlight was running passed some aging rockers, "Rock on Sister" they called at me. "Exactly" I thought.