Triathlon Packing Checklist

Sheesh...it's almost 10pm and I still need to pack for my 3/4 to Ironman Weekend. Packing for a triathlon is more work than just running a marathon. Here's my packing checklist...seems like I'm missing something...

SWIM

• Body Glide
• Swim Cap
• Goggles (2)
• Swim Suit (under wetsuit)
  
• Wetsuit
  
• Ear Plugs
• Sun block
• Watch
• Towel
  

BIKE

• The Bike!
• Bike Shoes
• Bike Gloves
• Helmet
  
• Bike Shorts
• Bike Jersey
  
• Floor Pump
• CO2 accessories/cartridge
• Bike pump
• Patch Kit
  
• Tool Set
• Socks
• Spare Tire
• Spare Tube
• Chain Lube
• Sunglasses
• Tire Levers (2)
• Water Bottle (2)
• Hydration Pack
• Map holder
• Garmin

RUN

• Fuel Belt
• Hat/Visor
• Running Shoes
• Running Shirt
• Running Shorts
• Socks

CLOTHING

• Flip Flops
• Post-workout clothes
• Towel

MISC.

• Breakfast food (oatmeal, hot chocolate, tea, bagels, juice)
• Transition Bag
• Directions
• Energy drink
• Energy bars
• Energy gels
• Water
  
• Snack food (bananas, candy)
  
• Wet Clothes Bag
• Transition area towel
• Post-workout recovery drink (soy choc milk)
  
• Advil
• Foot powder
  
• Preparation H (for blisters on foot)
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Identification
• Extra zip lock bags
• Satellite for car
• iPod

3/4 to Ironman Weekend

This weekend will be our 3/4 to Ironman weekend, our longest distance of training in all three events so far this season...118 miles!!! Swimming 2 miles in Clearlake, followed by a 100-mile bike ride and 16-mile run. I am looking forward to achieving this milestone!

Water monsters

Open water swimming has felt a lot more comfortable and bearable with water temperatures now around 72F. I'm actually starting to like swimming in the open water better than my gym's pool which gets crowded with the hotter weather.

However, I still have my freak out moments swimming in open water (but fortunately haven't been hyperventilating). Our swim coach has told us that we need to concentrate on our swim stroke & cadence and not let our mind wander during our swims because it could result in slower speeds. On Friday, I swam 75 minutes at Shadow Cliffs Lake in Pleasanton just outside the swim lanes. I like swimming the length of the swim lanes so that I can track if my lap times are improving. The water is actually sort of clear where I can see the bottom of the lake in some spots. I couldn't keep my mind from wandering as I saw many little minnows swimming along the plants on the bottom and various piece of trash partially buried on the lake floor (empty Gu packet, swim cap, pipe, etc.) The first time a large black catfish swam under me caused my heart to jump. But there was one part that I just had to keep my eyes diverted away from looking straight down because my imagination got the worst of me when I swam over the spot the first two times. The creepy, hair-standing-straight-up-on-your-neck feeling returned each of the remaining 18 times I passed over that spot. Probably due to my vivid imagination, I swam each lap 40 seconds faster than two weeks ago.

On Sunday, the IronTeam met at Lake Del Valle where we swam 1 hour followed by a 10-mile trail run. Water had very little visability. I only freaked out when my hand got caught in some algae during the swim and when a very large fish passed in front of me.

I just remember the very first time that I experienced open water swimming, I uncomfortable not being able to see underwater clearly like in a swimming pool. This week, I think that it may be better not to see what is lurking with me in the water.

What it means to be on the IronTeam

Our team honoree Kev, a 32-year survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in remission for 26 years and great supporter of our IronTeam, sent this inspirational e-mail to our team:

I wanted to send you a quick note to say hello and to thank you for being part of IronTeam. You all know what IronTeam symbolizes to the group but I am not sure if any of the honorees have shared what IronTeam means to them.

IronTeam is a team made up of all kinds of people, men and women of all age groups, some fast, some not so fast. You all have different strengths on the swim, bike and run. For some it may come easy, and for some it is more of a challenge. Then you also have to add nutrition in some format liquid, or not. You all also add to your hat fundraising, and that is not any easy thing to do. You give up most of your personal lives so that others can live.

The one thing you all have in common is the passion to find a cure for cancer, and are relentless about giving up, just like cancers survivors we are relentless about giving up. Many regardless of how hard they fought were not able to overcome the horrible disease. While people are surviving cancer there are still not enough people, everyone deserves a to survive cancer.

You all have your own reasons for being part of the cure for cancer and I am proud of each and everyone of you. I would have rather been out playing with my friends, or riding my bike than being sick in bed from my cancer treatment.

I didn't have a choice but to fight, and you do - so when you climbing up a hill that you just want turn turn around or wait to be picked up, think of the children, men and women whom are not able to be outside or enjoying time with their loved ones.

These women and men are you - the ironteam - Go Long, Go Strong, GO Ironteam YOU ROCK!

Honoree Kev

If you would like to provide support in finding a cure for cancer, click here.

Week 26 & 27 Recap

I haven't posted anything since April 28th since the past two weeks were build weeks = long days = no time to do anything other than work, train, eat, sleep, repeat. I'm swimming up to two miles in the pool now, which takes me about 80 minutes. I also started swimming with a Masters Swim group on Thursdays to help improve my swim time and get further coaching. My long run is up to 12 miles now with a slow but steady pace (10:00-11:00/mile). Here are some photos from the past two weeks:

5/9: Bike 63 miles of Vineman course, Sonoma County










5/12 I feel myself getting stronger riding further up Mt. Diablo with easier effort. Made it past the 1000' marker sign and almost to the ranch house before I had to turn around before sunset. This was the first time it occurred to me that I can ride up to the 3849' summit on my bike.

5/16 I rode 60 miles in Napa county through Pope Valley & Silverado Trail. I love this photo of teammate Belinda who supported the ride by volunteering at a water stop. Although the ride seemed challenging because the temperature was in the upper 90s to 100F, the scenery is so beautiful, it helps take my mind off the heat.

5/17 The workout called for an on your own triathlon. I swam 1.3 miles in 45 minutes, biked for two hours and was suppose to run 70 minutes, but decided to pull back (temp was 102F) and walked for 40 minutes instead.

After three weeks of build phase, this week is finally recovery week where the workouts ease off a bit. I need this time to give my muscles a break and prepare for next weekend - 3/4 to Ironman, where I'll be swimming 2 miles, biking 100 miles, and running 16 miles. It is so hard for me to believe how much I have accomplished in these quick 27 weeks. Only 12 weeks left until my event!