65/15

I took a half a day Friday to get in this week's brick. 65 mile bike, 15 mile run. Tim joined me for most of it...which considering that IMAZ is in November, he is off to a good start, solid base.

We rode to Loveland and back, just over 65. Clouds had been looming for most of the day, but much to our chagrin...no rain, especially on the run..it was just plain old stinkin' hot. At 6 miles we turned back towards home, but not before I shared the "ice in the shorts" trick...kinda brings you back to life on days like that, a simple pleasure of endurance sports.

I finished up with a three mile out and back that I usually do as an easy OD run...felt a little different after five and a half hours on the legs. Finished it all off with more ice; a nice big fat ice bath...20 lbs of ice in the tub was the perfect cool down.

With the Covarrubias' coming to town this weekend it'll be nice to have a relatively low key weekend ...first in a long while.

6 weeks to IM.

Over the bridge to Sausalito....

When I travel for work, aside from work, my next priority is to try and find a pool, trail, sometimes even a bike, especially when training for Ironman. True to form, my most recent trip was no different. Admittedly, this run may have been one of the best runs I have ever had, both from a visual stimulation and speed perspectives.

I headed out of my hotel thru the heart of San Francisco, past the financial district and all the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Next to the Embarcadero, on the eastern waterfront, which is the primary roadway of the Port of San Francisco. The name is derived from the Spanish word embarcar, meaning, place to embark. Past the Ferry Building, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf...Alcatraz Island, Fort Mason and Crissy Field...to the crowned jewel...some say one of the wonders of the (modern) world...one of the most revered man-made structures...The Golden Gate Bridge.

It did not disappoint. Partially obscured by clouds, if I ran across it I would get to run into the clouds. I stopped at the center of the bridge and spat over the railing...whoa that was a long way down! I only needed to run 13 miles, but that would have left me short of even reaching the bridge...Realistically, there was not a chance that I wasn't going to cross it. I knew before I left that was the plan... 17 miles out and back...epic, magnificent...I love San Francisco.

Rollin' in my 5.0...

I landed in San Fran for a few days of field work...darted off the plane, zipped thru the airport, proceeded to the off-site rental location, only to find that Hertz was trying to rent me a Chevy HHR (possibly the ugliest car in the history of the automotive industry. Think PT Cruiser's unsightly smaller sibling).

After 15 minutes of stomping around, questioning how one could expect one to drive such a hunk of shite and be charged a premium rate and tossing around (not so) idle threats, like "I will NEVER rent from Hertz again"...I was granted a free upgrade to a new convertible Mustang. After a bit of warming up the attendant let me know that allegedly 9 out of 10 renters come back and challenge...requesting another car.

2 things I learned...Chevy is on the brink of financial meltdown because these types of cars are what they roll off the production line (I also think that the make a psuedo-pick-up truck type of vehicle that has the same cockpit); and Mustangs are really cool and still sorta muscly.

I got to drive it over the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down with Vanilla Ice blasting on the Sirius...Ice, Ice, Baby! Totally connected with my inna gangsta!

Bontrager RXL Hilo

I had no any idea that these bad boys were silver, and when I say "silver" I mean polished to a mirrored finish.

The test: Sunrise Century

Just under 6.5 hours in the saddle right out of the box. At the end of the day my toes were a little tingly, better than the burning, throbbing, numbness I sometimes experience (cycling/tri shoes for me have been somewhat of an endless struggle).

Not only is this shoe sleek...it's sexy. After a few days of warming up to it, dare I say one of the sexiest on the market. And not only is it sexy...its comfy (fully equipped with a premium e-sole insert with killer arch support, that rival my custom orthotics).

Other things this shoe is: stiff(carbon), wicked light, super ventilated and well thought out (polished finish to reflect road heat). Plus, you and/or your riding buddies can check your teeth in them, lest we want unwanton bugs in our grills.

The verdict:
After one ride I pretty much love them - passed with flying colors. Praying that it continues.

7 weeks

About this time, 49 days from now I hope to hear those sacred words of Mike Riley ring thru the late summer evening..."Michael Freisem you are an Ironman!

We're nearing the end of build, thankfully. Only a few more weeks of really large volume...then on to peak...several key, long, confidence building workout.

Last week:
5,700 swim, 142 bike, 24 run

Overall volume for this week was slightly less as we had an epic ride planned for Saturday, the Sunrise Century. 100 miles. 7,000 feet of climbing, all of which fall between mile 20 and 50. Kristina and I rode with Tim Urbine, who is the brother of our East Coast sales manager, who I met in line at Sprouts one morning a while back, who's half Irish and half billy goat. We also hooked up with Amanda Carlson a fellow HEPster out on the road. Great ride, total bitch of a climb out of Nederland...(I am told 1,500 feet in just under 12 miles) and a blazing descent out of Ward down Left Hand Canyon (top speed was 48.1 mph, though I can't say for sure if it was in the canyon). Total ride time ended up being 6:24, which sent the stress-o-meter way south! Rounded out the weekend with a 9.5 mile run and a 3,150 swim today.

Next week:
10,000 swim, 124 bike, 36 run and a renewed commitment to drink my coffee and blog simultaneously. We'll see.

Another week down...

Weekly on Facebook I get an auto-reminder on how close IM is...today...55 days until race day. Today was the first time I said - CRAP. It seems like there is always a small period(s) of self doubt when you begin to ask yourself - "am I training enough?", "am I working hard enough?"

Last week felt HUGE. Especially with 2 days of travel to Spokane, WA for work. I got to run the Centennial Trail which was really sweet in some spots and really gross in others...The falls, the commons areas and Gonzaga where beautiful. Also got to hang with Kristina's self proclaimed twin Dee to have dinner and a few beers at the Elk Public House...Stone IPA's which are quickly becoming my fave.

Last week's volume was 9,500 meters swim. 120 miles bike, 40 miles run...including an 18 mile run and a 60/14 brick...all I can say is thank God for Weeds on DVD and a comfy couch. With three weeks left in build, this weekend we are going to do the Sunrise Century...lots of climbing!

Lame duck

Build phase of IM training doesn't leave much free time for anything...for me at least. My wife is a diligent blogger. Me - not so much. I have good intentions but somehow it gets away from me.

I certainly have had some blogworthy events take place...a great race (Boulder Peak), epic rides (Trail Ridge Road in 44 degree sideways rain), travel (Spokane & LA), good food (chez moi), BAD food(chez Abo's - thank you very much for the constant 3 day long bathroom stay), and the list goes on...

Kristina said to me the other day "are you going to blog sometime this century?" made me feel like a lame duck. So, OK I will.