42 Degrees is FRIGID !

When I was loading my bike on the truck to head to the race last Sunday morning I thought to myself:  "Why am I doing this?"  I initially signed up for the race as a precursor to the half-iron distance race I'm doing on October 5 in St. Louis...I haven't raced in a few years so I thought it might be nice to "get my feet wet" with something a lot shorter in distance.Little did I know that temps would be in the low 40's!  ("getting my feet wet" actually became literal as I found myself standing at the race start with my feet in the water because the water temps were 30 degrees warmer than the air!)    As I agonized on the way to the race site, I came up with a bazillion reasons why I should just drive back to Delaware and continue with a warmer afternoon workout...even my navigation system which seemed to be taking me on every winding back road possible to get to the race seemed to give me reason to just bag it!  Fortunately, as we finally pulled into the parking lot and I saw the other 500 crazy people there getting ready to race too...I felt slightly more at ease about testing my fitness levels.

The race was actually delayed for 30 minutes because of the fog on the water.  As the start time got nearer, Shalene and I were relunctant to take off our sweats, but started to shimmie our way into our wetsuits anyway.  Headed to the race start and standing barefoot on the wet ground was not pleasant...and then we realized we'd be more comfy standing in the water to wait for our wave start.

In conclusion, it turned out being a really nice day.  The bike course was tough for everyone...and I still had to wear a long-sleeved jacket on the bike, but both Shalene and I finished 2nd in our age groups (1st would've been better...but hey...I'm old now!)   and we traveled home happy to have completed the race and conquered the frost!

Jeremy....I hope to have your same motivation at the end of my Border Wars Half-Iron Distance race and I'll soon have my IM confirmation number too!

2015

As I lay here in bed I've been pondering the reasons one puts in the training time, effort, dedication, sacrifice and EXTREME selfishness to compete in an IRONMAN.

I can confidently say my motivation today is new and unique compared to 2007. In 07' I was still in college and just putting in enough time to hear the epic phrase "You are an IRONMAN," 12:22;42- A time I'll always be able to recite effortlessly!

I struggle to pinpoint just one reason so here is my list - competition, self-improvement, accomplishment, proving time and patience does heal injuries, comradery, finish line photos with Hayden and now I'm always dreaming about Kona- actually qualifying or (more realistic) lottery! 

While I haven't actually signed up yet I've started penciling in what it will take for IMKY in 2015. Hayden will be putting in a lot of miles with his Dad and ill be fast as lightening on the run course without the damn stroller! 

Congrats to all racers this year - especially my wife for killing an Olympic distance tri 7.5 months after bringing Hayden into the world!

Cheers as the summer winds down and fall settles in. My next post will hopefully include my IMKY confirmation number!

Everything's Bigger In Texas?

Everything might be bigger in Texas?  I can tell you for sure that everything is SLOWER in Texas!  I could have ran to the airport with my luggage in hand faster than what Dollar Rent-A-Car got me there!  And lets all remember folks...I'm a REALLY SLOW Runner!

Pictured above is the happy couple Mr. and Mrs. Ruggerio!  The wedding was beautiful!  (Thanks not only to a handsome couple, but  also because of the baby blue and white theme!)  At the yacht club, on the lake, by the pool.  20 minutes of "I Do, She Did, and We Are" and before you could get out of your seat, drinks were served!  Food was phenomenal, Band was even better!  Congrats to you both!  Happily Ever After & Good Luck!

On the Training front:

I'm finally starting to meld and be one with my bike.  Feels a little better after every ride!  I ordered a new and smaller set of handlebars last week, and I hope and think that will be the last thing that will really make me more comfy!

As the lb's come off, I'm feeling a little more like training more.  Geez, 10-15 lbs can make a huge difference!  Hopefully mileage will continue to go up and pounds will continue to go down! 

I feel summer coming on...wishing you all great rides and runs over the holiday weekend!

Quote For The Week

As I try to institute some new Anti - TV Laws into the Herring Household...I saw this today and thought it quite appropriate!

"The man who does NOT read has no advantage over the man who cannot read."

                                                                                Mark Twain

Florida or BUST!

This was our view of the Gulf from our Condo for the last 10 days!  I miss it already!  I've never been a fan of vacationing in the same spot over and over and over...I mean, the world is a pretty big place and there's lots to see!  However, without a doubt, there is something to be said for the opportunity to take 10 days out of the year and do absolutely nothing!  There isn't anything that I need to go do or see...but I can take in a baseball game at Rays Stadium if I want to or go to the Dali museum...do a little, do a lot, or do nothing!  I guess that's the benefit of going to the same place every year!

So anyway, vacation was great...I've hit the recharge button and I feel ready to conquer the day! 

I did finally purchase a new bike on vacation.  We had a day of rain, so we went shopping!  Here's a pic:

This is the Look 695...step up from the 75.  Beyond looking super cool, this bike has the Look name on it 23 times!  Make no doubt what this bike is!  It came complete with the AC Wheels and Shimano Ultegra.  The wheels are nice...they grab a lot of wind on windy days, but should be great otherwise.  The groupo is the only thing I may change over the winter.  I've come to the conclusion that I'm a Campy girl.  This bike came with some monster handlebars so I still need to get those swapped out...but other than that I just need time and some miles and I'm sure this will fulfill all my speed needs!





"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race."
                                                                                                                      H. G. Wells

Decisions....Decisions....

So I spent last week milling over two additional possibilities for a new bike...

I decided to look at the LOOK 675 after dinner with John and Aimee last week.  John says his LOOK is the best thing he has ever ridden...and would look to buy another.

Researching the bike found great one-liners like...

"...add this bike to your list of neck tweakers"

"...the 675 turns heads due to the dedicated and integrated stem, which provides the bike with sultry yet aggressive profile that make the bike scream 'unique'..."

"The LOOK 675 was as exciting to ride as it is to ogle."

"....handles like it's on rails!"

"...it's a lot of panache for the money!"

I did think this was a super fun bike to ride!  The integrated stem makes it look super aggressive and it does handle really well, but it's also very comfy!  I could do without the Ultegra component group it's outfitted with, but beyond that...I really liked it!  Better yet, this pic is of the 2013 model, and the 2014 comes in a "lite" version.  Shaves a couple 300 grams of frame weight!  LOOKs are made in Nevers, France and still manufactures their TOP of the line 695 aerolight frames in France...but all the lower end models are still made in Asia.  Not good or bad for me, just the facts.  Total weight comes in at a hefty 16 lbs.!

Also in the mix is the Colnago M10.  The M10 is the first complete monocoque carbon frame that Colnago has put on the market.  Research found these great one-liners to explain this stable pony:

"...underneath that spanking paint job beats the heart of an Italian thoroughbred."

"It's pin-sharp handling lets you throw it into descents and around hairpins with total confidence."

"...the M10 just surges when you put power to the pedal..."

"Being responsive and stiff yet comfortable and confident makes it a truly desirable road race machine."

This is the bike that feels like I could ride into my 60's...yet it isn't the upright style bike that screams...."I'm headed out for ice cream"!   I'm not so sure I like the "white" bikes these days...but there seems to be a lot of them?  The positives are that this bike comes with Campy Chorus already on it!  All the Colnago frames are made in Asia except for their flagship C59...but brought back to the plant in Italy for the paint job!

All in all, I like both of these bikes, and they are a little less pricey than the Pinarello Paris, which I'd have to buy the frame and outfit to my wants.

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.  Teach a man to bike and he will realize that fishing is stupid and boring."
                                                                                                    Desmond Tutu

TTFN...

Basketball is OVER! Time to Train Again!

First of all I need to thank Beth Ruschau for putting up with me during the Columbus Half Marathon last fall.  It was great to have a friend to suffer with...and I had a great run.  So Kudos...and here's some pics!

Today has been all about bike research.  I went and test rode about 6 different bikes last Friday night with Jim and now I'm more confused than ever.  I thought I might be at that age that it was time to purchase the "comfort model road bike"...so I did my "bike fit" and got myself mentally prepared to ride a little more upright...

I HATED IT! 

I don't know what turning 60 is gonna feel like...but I felt like I was ready to pedal on down to the local ice cream shop for the evening...standing up on the pedals didn't seem to make me feel any faster either?  I ended up riding the shop owner's Pinarello Dogma and that wasn't probably the best idea!?  Now I just want to spend more money than what I was prepared for!  (Ya all know that a condo in Florida is ALL I have in mind for spending large amounts of money on!  I need this Condo before Hayden is old enough to want to go to Disney!)  So today it was back to the internet for more bike research.  I'm now considering the Pinarello Paris and maybe the Look 695?  I found a Look dealer in Columbus...and it just so happens that it's the same guy I had build my Lemond for me 18 years ago...is that a little crazy or what?  Wish me luck...I'll send pics later this week and let you guys help me choose!

Until then...TTFN!  (Gotta start practicing my POOH)