If you get into triathlon and you're not a cyclist to start, you probably know this drill, buy a good tri bike cause I don't want to spend too much and I don't know how serious I'm going to be about this whole tri thing. My QR was a trusty ride (8,000 miles in 2 years) but it was time for a little stiffer frame. So after a couple of years getting my feet wet and getting more serious about this whole sport it was time to upgrade to a faster steed. Meet Eleanor.
Like all fast cars a fast bike should be named and like a car the norm is a womens name. Why Eleanor? If you've seen the movie Gone in Sixty Seconds (yeah not a cinematic classic) the name of the Shelby Mustang which is the big prize is Eleanor. She's shiny, fast and sometimes tempermental.
Click here for more pictures of Eleanor.
I got Eleanor out this past weekend for the inagural spin. A little six hour ride with a good mix of hills, descents and flats and Eleanor rocks. I figure she's worth a few extra seconds on the bike.... ;)
Well we're getting ever closer to the first races of the year and the hard training weeks continue. This week wasn't the big volume of last week but it had some really good intensity.
Two strong run workouts early in the week; hill repeats and a negative split tempo run which was a good rebound after a tough netative tempo run last week. This weekend was strong with a double run on Saturday totaling 21 miles and a good swim workout. My running is hitting its stride so to speak. My long runs (15-18 miles) are now comfortable at mid 7:20 range and feeling fresh at my top end on my tempo's are now sub 6:00 minute mile pace which I haven't hit in years.
I was out on a long ride today and the weather really cooperated it was nice not to have to worry about snow and freezing cold. I was out on my new ride (Cervelo P3) today and was leary about how today would go after the tough day yesterday (two runs and a swim) and being on a new bike. The day ended up steller my legs were a little rough to start but warmed up and the bike was phenomenal and will need little dialing in, it's fast and has lots of get up and go. I was supposed to ride 6 hours today and hit it nearly perfectly with a good mix of hills, descents and flats, keeping the effort high but not a crazy effort. It was a solid 112 miles in just under 6 hours with plenty of punch at the end of the ride. Highlights of the ride was holding 26 mph tempo along E. Lake Sammamish (8 miles) and hitting 52 mph on the descent to Duvall from Woodinville.
All in all things are going great, I'm feeling strong, fit and beginning to get mentally prepared for the races. Next weekend I'll be racing in the Kirkland Half Marathon to get myself in a bit of race conditions. I also have to name my new bike.
Half marathon results and pics of the new steed to come soon.
With all of the cool wet weather I really haven't had much chance or need to run in shorts but yesterday it was borderline shorts weather. Now normally when it's borderline shorts weather (upper 40's) I tend to get pretty well chaffed on a longer run.
Problem is now solved. The new Zoot Ultra Run Short solves this problem. Unlike almost all other shorts these have a compression short liner instead of the traditional mesh liner. They're like a little slice of heaven lots of support, super comfortable and they look good.
Check them out and order a pair today.
http://www.zootsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_10_17&products_id=133
BTW....good run yesterday. 2 x 12 min tempo first was on a moderate 1-2% uphill grade and I felt comfortable at 6:40/mile pace. The second one was on the flats at 6:27/mile pace. Overall run was at sub 7:20/mile. Things are on track for some strong performances on the run this spring and summer.
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