I always see everyone do this 3 Things Thursday. I was thinking of a group of 3 things I could do one on...
My triathlon survival pills
1- Immodium- OMG this stuff is the best. If you aren't taking it before big races and big training days you don't know how much better you could feel. I don't know where I originally read it but somewhere I saw someone did this as a pre race ritual like a just in case just to be sure. I started doing it last season. It has made races and when I forget to take it races have been tough! It also is great a few days before and a few days after with anxious tummy and runners tummy after.
2- Pamprin- I swear by this stuff for post hard workout. The little bit of caffiene with the pain relievers makes my muscles feel much better than just regular advil. It is a huuuuuge help. Thanks D for this tip- apparently this is a cycling trick of the trade.
3- SALT TABS!- They are my magic pills. I have had swelling issues forever! Everyone was telling me it was too much salt. BOY were they wrong! It is not enough! I can start cramping and pop a pill and in a few minutes I am feeling better. I don't have to wait to finish a whole drink or eat a whole sleeve of margarita blocks to get the effects. These things are the best! I tweek the amount based on weather heat and humidity make for me sweating more make me need more- but generally it is one tab every 45 min to an hour.
Double D Athlete
Swimmer turned triathlete, a wanna be cyclist, and dreams of being a Kenyan runner.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Season Opener Sprint- Improvement
So my triathlon race plans this year include 2 sprint triathlons and 2 70.3s. The first of the sprint triathlons was Max Performance's Season Opener in Hopkinton. Last year I did 2 races on this course- Season Opener and Title 9. The Season Opener last year equated to me learning A LOT about nutrition- I threw up on the bike. So I had hoped to have a better performance.
The race plan with my coach was to focus on the bike- ride the 10miles like it was a time trial. On Saturday I did a 3 hour ride so my legs were pretty DONE! But that was the goal- tired legs would simulate well for the 70.3 training. Obviously Quassy in June is the goal- THE A! The swim plan was get used to the wet suit feel, and the run plan give it what you have left after a hard ride.
It was Mother's Day and the race was right near my parents house so my Mom and Dad came to see me race. D was great support as always.
Swim-9:14- I wanted to be in the 7-8min swim time. I honestly think my swim was 8min but then I had to run across the beach to get to the timing mats. Btw- why isn't it my actual swim time? Put the timing mat right near the water! Had my usual pre race gel. Water was cold. Started a bit fast. Had a little sight problems just the bouy's were hard to see- and I didn't know if I was supposed to go R or L of the last bouy. So all in all a decent swim. Last year- 9:11- Consistent
T1- 1:55- I tried to catch my breath from the swim and the run to transition. With a couple deep breaths I was able to get my brain screwed on okay get the wet suit off and get everything on for the bike. Last year- 2:07- little better with the wet suit I think
Bike- 38:10- Again my time was off from my goal of 35min buuuut I had 35min for the actual bike stupid running to transition. The bike course for this sprint is pretty challenging. I felt a lot better on it than I have in the past. I rode my road bike since the roads are tough and the racks at the Max Performance race's scare me with my nice new tri bike. I had Heed on the bike and a water bottle just in case. I ate 1/2 a sleeve of blocks. My thought was this would fuel me thru the run and the bike. Last year- 40:43- little faster still not exactly what I had hoped.
T2-1:14- OMG so slow! Need to work this one- get shoes on and grab the rest of the stuff to get it on while running. Last year 1:28- so getting better want to be sub 1min
Run- 29:54- wanted to be sub 30. Made that happen! I hate the hill out of transition on this run. It is a crusher to your legs. I went out with the focus of just get thru the run its only a 5k. The run course is tough on this sprint. It isn't on road it isn't on trail it is all over. I had met a friend in the Athena division and saw her hot on my tail a turn around so that was a little push to suck it up buttercup. I am pretty happy with the run I was tired. But to be expected since this was just in the middle of training. I had enough left at the end to give it the kick to the finish- woman came up to me after and said she tried her hardest but she couldn't get me at the finish. I heard her there so I knew I wasn't gonna let her by. Last year- 32:13- met my goal and beat last year by a lot :)
All in all the final 1:20:24. Enough to earn me 3rd in the Athena's- only 12 seconds away from 2nd! YAY! Not bad considering I don't train for short distances! I really feel like I have become more of an endurance athlete than the short distance athlete needed for the sprint! Well have another sprint in July we will see how that one goes :)
The race plan with my coach was to focus on the bike- ride the 10miles like it was a time trial. On Saturday I did a 3 hour ride so my legs were pretty DONE! But that was the goal- tired legs would simulate well for the 70.3 training. Obviously Quassy in June is the goal- THE A! The swim plan was get used to the wet suit feel, and the run plan give it what you have left after a hard ride.
Swim-9:14- I wanted to be in the 7-8min swim time. I honestly think my swim was 8min but then I had to run across the beach to get to the timing mats. Btw- why isn't it my actual swim time? Put the timing mat right near the water! Had my usual pre race gel. Water was cold. Started a bit fast. Had a little sight problems just the bouy's were hard to see- and I didn't know if I was supposed to go R or L of the last bouy. So all in all a decent swim. Last year- 9:11- Consistent
T1- 1:55- I tried to catch my breath from the swim and the run to transition. With a couple deep breaths I was able to get my brain screwed on okay get the wet suit off and get everything on for the bike. Last year- 2:07- little better with the wet suit I think
Bike- 38:10- Again my time was off from my goal of 35min buuuut I had 35min for the actual bike stupid running to transition. The bike course for this sprint is pretty challenging. I felt a lot better on it than I have in the past. I rode my road bike since the roads are tough and the racks at the Max Performance race's scare me with my nice new tri bike. I had Heed on the bike and a water bottle just in case. I ate 1/2 a sleeve of blocks. My thought was this would fuel me thru the run and the bike. Last year- 40:43- little faster still not exactly what I had hoped.
T2-1:14- OMG so slow! Need to work this one- get shoes on and grab the rest of the stuff to get it on while running. Last year 1:28- so getting better want to be sub 1min
Run- 29:54- wanted to be sub 30. Made that happen! I hate the hill out of transition on this run. It is a crusher to your legs. I went out with the focus of just get thru the run its only a 5k. The run course is tough on this sprint. It isn't on road it isn't on trail it is all over. I had met a friend in the Athena division and saw her hot on my tail a turn around so that was a little push to suck it up buttercup. I am pretty happy with the run I was tired. But to be expected since this was just in the middle of training. I had enough left at the end to give it the kick to the finish- woman came up to me after and said she tried her hardest but she couldn't get me at the finish. I heard her there so I knew I wasn't gonna let her by. Last year- 32:13- met my goal and beat last year by a lot :)
All in all the final 1:20:24. Enough to earn me 3rd in the Athena's- only 12 seconds away from 2nd! YAY! Not bad considering I don't train for short distances! I really feel like I have become more of an endurance athlete than the short distance athlete needed for the sprint! Well have another sprint in July we will see how that one goes :)
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Not so CWX ULTRA Bra- Review of Sports Bra for Long Runs
In October I decided to try out another sports bra that I have heard is great for the well endowed running crowd. I was willing to swallow the almost 70 dollar price tag if this thing was as good as everyone said it was. The CWX Ultra I was told was going to be my new favorite bra. I love my CWX compression shorts so I was totally willing to give them a shot.I know I am not the average athlete being a large chested- actually I think I am a small anomaly in the running/tri world. That being said I want my chest STRAPPED down! Like don't budge not even move in the least kind of strap down. I quickly will degrade a bra from running bra status to ride/lift/yoga status as soon as there is the slightest movement detected in a run.
This is the CWX Ultra Bra. It offers fully adjustable hook/clasp closures in the back (4 clasps) and on the shoulder (2 clasps). I did like the fact when I first looked at it there were 2 separate cups. For once strapping em down might actually mean having something other than the "uni-boob" It does have a very nice mesh as opposed to being the one lycra all over. When I first put the bra on I was getting a bit irritated by the shoulder clasps and the material that was used to cover them. It seems that the material has softened a bit over time but now the bra doesn't hold em down like it used to. I think the separate cup thing might be the problem- they just aren't as strapped down. And now I have tried wearing the bra more frequently to see if I was just so bias about my other bras to not give this one a chance. But- now I am nursing a nice couple cuts on my left shoulder where the clasps sit.
This bra may work out perfectly for some people. I am really starting to realize they are a to each their own thing. This one cuts me and I don't think it holds em down as much as I would like. I am gonna stick to my Moving Comfort- Fiona. It works and it is cheaper than this CWX.
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