Transitions or Bike helmets make running aerodynamic...

One thing that is important in a triathlon is transitions. You transition from the watery wonderland to a bike, stripping off swimming clothes and pulling seaweed out of your ears. You need to put on shoes, biking helmet, sunglasses, etc. After biking, you need to transition to running. A few weeks ago, we had our first transition clinic that involved biking to running, and our coach did a "look to your left, look to your right..." at least one of you will start running with your bike helmet on. "Fools" I thought.

As you may be able to see in this picture, this is me running holding my bike helmet after running with it on for 10 minutes before someone stopped me. "It's a very common mistake and easy to do for someone as focused as I am" I thought. If you look to your right and left and don't know who the fool is...

Training in San Francisco

Last weekend I did 2 runs and 2 bike rides through beautiful San Francisco and I thought it would be nice to share what I see with you as I train. I remembered my camera for today's bike ride and below are the results. Unfortunately, it was a little foggy this morning so I might have to post updates later. With this blog, I am trying to give you both what I see with my eyes and my mind. Don't get to close.



This is the swimming area near Fisherman's Wharf and where I will be training for open water swimming. There is a bleacher area if anyone wants to come out and cheer us on! I bike and run past here sometimes when I go from work or need a flat area.



This is farther along the same route near Chrissy Field. Chrissy Field is a long flat area to run or bike around and has great views of the Golden Gate, which is in the picture. I used Photo Shop to bring out the bridge below.









Here is what the picture above looks like without the fog magically lightened. Good thing I was in

Photography in high school for a year otherwise I might not know how to do fancy photo editing like this. It's an older version of Photo Shop I was using so it might still be a little rough... don't laugh, all supporters will receive hand drawn pictures of triathletes and it's not going to be any better than this!

Tiger balm and training follow up

One of the reasons I decided to pursue a team for my first triathlon was to ensure I trained in a healthy way and developed good habits. Although I played sports in high school, I never trained for an endurance event. Even in middle school when I ran the two mile in track, my daily workout consisted of me running exactly two miles and going home. Looking back, not much of a wonder why I always finished last. Plus I was fat.

Anyway, after a hard first 3 weeks of training I feel good. Although my body is generally tight, it's not generally sore. I stretch every morning and every evening, and before and after workouts. I can almost touch my ear to my pinky toe!

I am also usually hungry. This is, according to my coaches, expected as I convert lazy fat to lean hungry muscles. It happens constantly, even as I type this. That's why I am hungry again after eating about one hour ago. This week is a light week, still 5-6 days of training but shorter times, letting our bodies adjust and rest after the first three weeks. And a good time to catch up on our drinking...

The best news is I haven't needed Tiger Balm in over 10 days. That's good. My body is adjusting to the routine. Yesterday was our day off but I really wanted to run. I crave it in a way. To avoid injury, our coaches really stress using our days off to actually rest. So I did. I feel good and I'm running later with a friend. It's a beautiful 60 degree and we will run along the bay, throw rice-a-roni at the tourists, and play with the sea lions (they like to be tickled behind the ears- what mammal doesn't?). Should be fun.