Longest brick of my career! August 7, 2010

Saturday, August 7, 2010
Did my first 40/10 brick today, and it gave me hope that I can really complete Syracuse 70.3. My bike route was way more hills even than the rolling Syracuse course. I kept it steady but light, and managed 18mph for 40 miles, which is fine for an intentionally conservative ride. The transition to the run is always painless for me (I am one of the lucky ones: stories of intense pain in the bike/run transition are legion), and I have finally figured out how to run high cadence, short steps. It really helps, and for me, is almost the only way to run off the bike. So my quite hilly 9.5 miles (Syracuse is overall downhill on the run) was 1:31, or about 9:30m/mile, a pace I would be very happy with in Syracuse. Best of all, though clearly tired, I could have pushed through a few more miles at least. My interval training has helped, my change in running style has helped, and I think I can do 70.3. Swimming is not an issue, and I don't use a whole lot of energy during the swim, so it should be OK. Next Sunday I'm doing the Park City Mossman Olympic, so probably my next brick (50/12) will be 8/22. If that one goes well, I'll try the full distance Labor Day weekend. 6 more weeks start Monday!