This past weekend was a great training weekend.
Friday night was a quiet restful. Super Husband and I stayed close to home and had a nice time chilling out.
Saturday was filled with a brick with LA Tri Club. It was a small brick – a 40 mile ride (or 25 mile option) followed by a 4 mile run (or 2 mile option). It was nice to get back out on the open road with the bike – I hadn’t done that since the AIDS ride. Our ride ventured from Culver City down the bike path to South Bay. It was an okay route – not my favorite with all the stops and starts or the bike path with all the sand and people.
I met some great triathletes – a few of us got off the course a little – but it’s not too hard to find the route back since it’s along the coast.
After we returned from the ride – we began the run. Unfortunately there weren’t maps on site so a few of us just started running down Washington and decided to turn around at a certain point. Worked for us… I think we went around 2 miles on the run. My legs transitioned very well – the thick crampy feeling many fell during the “brick” does not happen much anymore. Probably from all the training – hopefully my body continues to adapt.
After the brick I stuck around the LATC warehouse and they were selling some gear. I picked up a pair of running shorts and hoody (perfect for chilly race mornings). After lunch (they gave us a great free lunch) there was a great transition clinic. Ian Murray, head coach of LA Tri Club, gave tips on transitions. Most tips were perfect for sprint or Olympic distances (even Half Irons) but interesting how most things he said – did NOT pertain to full Iron distances. They were their own animal.
Ironman distances require such different thoughts – for example, in sprints you can bike and run without socks. In Ironman distance, they suggest you have a new pair of socks for the run – which requires time to change the socks. Shoe laces: most triathletes have elastic laces so runners can slip on their shoes. However, Ironman distances – it’s suggested to have cloth laces that work better with the expansion of swollen feet. I felt more prepared than I thought after the lecture…that’s always a good thing!
Afterward I went home and hung out with the Hubby once he returned from his fun “Guy’s Day”. I had some “non-work, non-Super Husband, non-training” stresses that unfortunately presented themselves that night and Super Husband and I talked about it – but it must have stuck with me. I got a bad stress headache that came on quite quickly. Super Husband took care of me and continuously placed fresh ice packs on my head all night.
By morning I felt better – mentally and physically – but I bypassed the ocean swim I was hoping to do. Thinking about placing a tight latex swim cap on my head after a terrible headache – did not make sense to me. However, we awoke and had a light cereal breakfast. We read the paper – then readied ourselves for the 13 mile run in front of us.
We took to the early morning – it was quiet and heavenly – and the weather was turning warm quickly. The first loop was the hardest as it always is – but we continued the run side by side. At times we dissected the week behind us, the week in front of us… then there were times we dug inside ourselves and didn’t say much – hoping to get to the next mile. We ended with a yummy donut (just one each) and afterward I enjoyed a wonderful restful recovery nap. It was glorious!
It’s hard to believe the week begins again… here we go!
That’s so cool that the bricks don’t hit you as hard anymore. What an accomplishment!
I’m sorry you had some stress that caused you to get a headache. Stress headaches are extra annoying because you know it’s self-induced to a certain extent.