About to hit my next IRONMAN 70.3
This Sunday.
IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City
Relay, Bike Leg.
Yesterday I got on a bike for the first time since October, 2019. I have been on the bike trainer since then, so I am not totally unprepared. According to Garmin I have done about 2,700 miles on the bike since then. But actually getting on the bike on the road. 0.
Fortunately my wife is always there to support me. Unfortunately I have corrupted her sense of humor through the years. "Don't worry, it is like riding a bike," she said with sinister laugh. Okay, it was really a giggle, but at this point everything is sinister when it is race week. :)
I was too tired to deal with putting a bike rack on the car and driving to the park, since I was still coming off first week of chemo cycle. So I biked back and forth in front of the house, like a 4 year old learning to get on a bike for the first time. At first I was a bit concerned I waited too long to get on the road. But it came back somewhat quickly. Clipping in and out a few times. Getting water bottles in and out.
The only issue - just very slow. More so one way than the other on a course that looked basically flat. One way I was more out of breath and slow (around 8.5 MPH) the other way about 16 mph. It turns out a bit of a false flat. About 200 feet of elevation changes over less than 4.5 miles of going back and forth. So about 2,700 feet if I was going to do 56 miles.
AC is under 800 feet total elevation over 56 miles. So I feel cautiously optimistic. I should be able to complete the 56 miles in time, more so if my lungs are clear to start. There are some days, usually during first week of a cycle, where it may take 30 minutes for me to stop coughing and get things going properly. Other days I feel fine - the further from the first week of a cycle, the better.
Another issue - my quads and back are barking (thank you chemo). I have been better about stretching and hydration. Working with massage gun and using some balms. Just no way to escape them being a problem first week of chemo cycle and the days after as it subsides. In general day-to-day activities this is not a problem, even on the worse days. But training on the bike or running...well. I am pulling out all stops for the race. Going to see Bianca tomorrow to get dry needled - she can cure any ache or pain.
I went to Cyclesport earlier today to have Gators put on my wheels and to have a final check of my bike. Sort of my thing before each race, even if my bike had been recently serviced. Turns out I already had them on the wheels. Do'h I had given my brother my racing wheels off my bike and the wheels (which had no tires on them) to put back on my bike. Turns out Gators were put on. I just didn't look. Whoops. LOL.
When I was at Cycle Sport I met up with a friend to give them something. We chatted a bit and he asked me a question. "Are people trying for times or just finishing?" I said I think all triathletes are kind of Type A to one degree or another, though to get to start and finish a 70.3 is an accomplishment.
I also said with the swimmer and runner on the relay in AC are good and that in all likelihood we will not be the last relay, despite me doing the bike leg. I know I should be satisfied with that. It is an accomplishment.
But then I continued, maybe channeling my inner Brian [good friend]
(which I try to suppress and will suppress the hand-off of chip ceremony extras), that I would like to do the bike faster then I did in 2018.
(which I try to suppress and will suppress the hand-off of chip ceremony extras), that I would like to do the bike faster then I did in 2018.
I am hoping the 40 rounds of chemo I had since then will be offset by the fact that I am only doing the bike. And I also know how many MPH would make me feel good or really good. So much for just getting to the start or finish. I should know better than that. But I don't. Which is why I keep on going.
And when you see my medal and finishers cap, you will understand ;)
#iTRI4aCure
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