Transition Time

04/04/09 - Bike and Run (BRICK)

Today we had a brick training, meaning we were going on a bike ride and following it with an immediate run. This is known as T2, or the second transition in a triathlon. It's no easy feat to jump off a bike and start running, it sends your body into a little bit of shock at first. I was tired before I got there, so I was a little anxious about how this was all going to play out for me today.


We started out our 15 mile bike ride in Aptos, CA. We were told there were going to be a few hills.... the understatement of the day! I had a really tough ride, I think that I'm still building up my legs for cycling, but I also haven't rested in nearly two weeks, so I was burnt out before we even got started. The first hill put some distance between me and the other riders, but I quickly got back in line again on the downhill. It was the next hill, the hill that NEVER ended, that did me in!

I realized that I'm fine on quick, steep climbs, but the long, slow, never ending climbs just kill me. We were climbing and I was hoping once we got around the corner we'd stop, but it just never came! Finally, we hit a short downhill and I was able to catch up with people. It seems I have a knack for the downhills. No brakes for this girl (especially when I see another hill in front of me)! I know the route we were on was gorgeous, but I was so overwhelmed by fatigue from all the climbing that I didn't see it. After that short downhill, we went right back to climbing again! OUCH! I've learned along the way, that during endurance events, every athlete has a "Don't F#@$ with me!" moment. Well, I was definitely having one on this bike ride. A few encouraging words from a friend left me wanting to get off the bike and throw things at her! So, I chugged out a "get out of here" with the last breaths left in me, and trudge forward on my own. This was hard. I considered stopping, crying, cussing, freaking out, but I knew those wouldn't get me up the hill any faster. So, I just kept climbing, at a crawl's pace until it arrived.. the peak!

After all that climbing, we got to enjoy a super fast trip down the windy, country road. All I kept thinking was thank god we were doing such a short ride today. They trimmed about 10 miles from the ride since we had a big workout ahead of us tomorrow, and I couldn't be more happy about it!

I got back to my car, threw the bike in, pulled on my running shoes, and was off running.... and this time I was actually running! I couldn't believe it! Normally I sort of just move along with my feet barely leaving the ground during a brick, but this was a decent pace. I stopped at the 1 mile mark to stretch out a little, and then finished the last mile feeling strong, and really ready to run. I could have easily done a 10K!

04/05/09 - Swim and Bike (T1)

We were at the pool early this morning with our bike and cycling gear in tow. We set up our transition areas on the pool deck. I laid a towel down next to the bike, laid out my cycling shorts, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, and shoes. Then we gathered in a meeting room to learn some information about the first transition in a triathlon, from swimming to cycling, or T1.

After some good info, we hopped in the water for a swim workout. I know my swim times, and thought that if I placed myself in lane 3 that I'd be in a good pace group. Lane 1 housed the quickest swimmers, and then the paces slow as the lanes go on. I was in a lane with another woman, and after the warm-up, I should have moved lanes. She was too slow to be in lane 3 and I was a too quick. We were definitely an odd couple.

We started with a 600m warm-up, 150m each Swim, Kick, Choice, and Pull. Then followed it with 12 x 25m of body positioning drills, including swimming with your eyes closed! That was freaky! I count my strokes when I swim freestyle, so at least I knew about when I'd hit the wall, but I had to really force myself not to open my eyes!

Our first set was 400m's of drafting. By getting in really close to the person in front of you, you can draft off of them, and decrease your energy output as they pull you along. This exercise was useless for me because I was so poorly paced with the woman in my lane. I was going slower than my warm up/cool down pace, and couldn't even kick. I felt like I was just kind of hanging out in the lane!

Luckily that ended, and we moved on to a 200m pull. Then some 50's... which I now can't remember how many we did. And next on to 6x100m's that increased in speed. We started slow, and then finished as fast as possible.

After that, came our race swim that was supposed to mimic our swim in a triathlon. I started at the same time as lanes 1-3. I was jamming. I felt strong, quick, and got to the wall to see that I was the first one in, by A LOT! I had lapped them! I was so excited, that I didn't notice someone was pulling me out of the water! Our coach had me by the arm, and before I knew it, I was out of the water and running to my bike. I was so excited, that I fumbled a little with things, but managed to pull my bike shorts over my swimsuit, and clipped on my helmet and shoes. I ran with my bike down the to the transition start, and off I went!

I was just in total awe of my swim effort.. first! I couldn't believe it! Of course, all those great athletes were right behind me, and the guys all passed me on the bike, but I wasn't really concerned. This was a new experience for me. I wasn't just leisurely running a half marathon, not really caring about my time, and just having fun, I was RACING. I gave it everything I had on the bike. I was pounding the hills and crouching in the drops to be more aerodynamic on downhills. I finished strong and really proud of my accomplishment. Our coach came over and told me what a great job I did, I guess I surprised him.... I think I surprised myself as well!