Why?!?! Not again!!!!

I'm behind...that's the story of my life.........

I'm sick...that seems to be the other story of my life, at least in the last several months. I was sick in October, November, December and now February. I've been sicker in these last four months than I have been in the last 4 years combined. I'm sick of being sick!!! Too many changes, too many new germs...from students to co-workers, these people are always bringing stuff my way.

Life in San Diego isn't bad. My job is ok, not fantastic, but not terrible either. I love the people I work with. Several of us go out on Thursday nights. It gives me something to look forward to in my week other than training, although training...what training, it's not like I have an ironman in 6 weeks. Yes! 42 days from this moment, I'll still be racing, hopefully nearing the end, but not quite finished.

I'm really bummed that I haven't been able to train for this event. I think I could do well. This means I'll just have to do another one ;) I guess I shouldn't speak too soon, I haven't done the first one yet. I'll be less prepared for this than anything I've ever done. It will be close to my preparation for the Disney Marathon which was kind of show up and say, well, I paid and I'm here, let's do it! I feel much the same way about the ironman. I'll finish. Yes, I have no doubt I can do it, but it's unlikely I'll post my best time. If I would have prepared and trained as planned, things would be different, but they're not so I won't pretend they are.

This first weekend I got here Mark and I cycled about 30 miles. I got off and have never been so sore in my life. I took baby steps around town as we hunted for breakfast and then the beach. I stopped many times, almost in tears the pain was so bad. I needed a new saddle! So that week, we got one. I bought Blackwell's Adamo Road Saddle (http://www.ismseat.com/products.htm). It's an innovative saddle that people either love or hate.

Up until this point my friends that cycle, like Mark and Big John, love it and I have never really understood why. I cycled because of the social aspect and the fitness, but I would never feel like I just couldn't wait to get out and ride and ride and ride. I just didn't get it...until I sat on the Adamo Road Saddle. It has changed the my thoughts, feelings and ideas about cycling in a matter of only a few miles. I am in love. It's so comfortable and I can ride forever!!!

Mark and I went out again and did about 30 more including the Torrey Pines hill which is 1.5 miles long. We did it towards the end of the ride which I guess made it even a better workout. I was already good and tired from all the hills here. It's amazing, for all of you who think San Diego might be flat, you're wrong! It's nearly impossible to find a flat stretch anywhere at all. There are great hills to climb on every street. It's tough cycling here, but great for my training.

Sadly, Mark left and I'm here now cycling on my own. I live in Carmel Mountain, which as the name suggest is on a 'mountain'. I left out last weekend and headed down the 56 trail. It's this awesome bike path that parallels I-56 and goes to the beach. Once at the beach, I bike the coast. The ride to the beach is pretty easy. It's almost ALL downhill. I go fast and peddle occasionally until I get near the beach, then I have to climb a little; however if it's all downhill one way, it's all uphill the other way. Yes, so at the end of my ride, I climb and climb and climb. It's good for me.

Last time I was out I went 53 miles and everything was great except I didn't bring enough fuel with me. I could have used either a really good drink like Perpetum or Sustained Energy or even a few more gels. Oh well, now I know a lot more about what my body needs when I cycle here. To help me work on cadence and get some good long rides in that aren't broken with tons of stop signs and lights, I bought an indoor trainer last week. It's awesome!!! It's quite and easy to set up. I went with the Cycleops Fluid Trainer. I went in to by their magnet trainer, but 1) they didn't have any in stock and 2) the fluid trainer was less than what I anticipated and had looked up for the magnetic trainer. Sweet!

My hope is that I can cycle before work and run after. I need to be able to do one of them in the dark, and neither are very safe outside in the dark, so now I can cycle inside anytime! Yeah! I just need to get well. I tried out the trainer on Saturday morning, my usual cycling time, but a few minutes in I was coughing my head off. The fit passed and I continued, but then it came again and this time, I thought my insides were going to come up and so I gave it up. No more cardio until I'm better. I can't take the coughing. Besides a few years ago when I was sick I coughed so much I tore my chest wall open and was in bed for 3 days unable to move.

I feel like I just sit and wait to get better. I have done some strength training and will continue to do that, but it's not helping me build endurance. Until next time...thanks for stopping by :)