New ride kit

Julie, Me and Camp Mother

Check out my new gear! including arm warmers and a round taupo vest jacket.  Sweet !!

Riding again this morning, but unable to find a park so missed the group at 6am.  Never mind I hooked on the back of a few different groups as I made my way round our normal route.  I knew worst case I would catch up with the Quay St guys back at the cafe, which I did.  

Even managed to get myself up and over them hills so the legs are feeling good :)

How great are my mates, organizing my long rides directly with the coach,

Hey Coach

Just thinking about our long training rides leading up to IM (for Chris)
Can you please give me a rough idea when Chris will want to be doing her longest ride. (Which we thought will be to the Coromandel - 180-200km)

I want to get a possey together and thought I'd give them a couple of dates to put aside, plus will need to get them all training for it.

Thanks muchly
CM

Recovery Ride

Back on the bike today, feeling really good other than the tender bits that touch base with the seat. That was until we hit the first little incline, then the legs remembered the weekends activities.  No majors but certainly felt a little weary. 

Coach delivered the new training plan on Sunday, now the build up begins and the focus is to maintain the bike fitness but step up the running.  Unfortunately missed run group last night due to work, but will try for a 30min easy run sometime today. Tomorrow is a 60min steady run, with a swim at some point, Thursday is another ride and run off the bike and Friday an ocean swim with more running over the weekend.

Another busy week as we head to the auction tonight of what we hope will be our new home.  Movies on Wed and off to Queenstown on Fri to support our mate doing Kepler.

The Taupo Cycle Challenge

Big race weekend, 160k (actually only 152k) round Lake Taupo with 8,000 + other cycle enthusiasts !!

Pre race hydration drinks, Fri Night

We (Camp Mother, Copper and myself) travelled down to Taupo Friday afternoon.  Crusied into town around 4ish, collected our registration packs and checked out the expo for super specials. Then we headed to the closest bar on a corner to watch the Criterium racing.

Then to the hotel for check in (after almost taking out the bikes secured to the roof on the hotels entrance way pelmet) and a pre race bike check, under the guidance of camp mother (CM).  As always fully prepared with the tool box, bike stands and various cleaners and lubricants.  Seems my chain cleaning skills need a little bit of work :(.  We all hit the sack earlish around 9pm like a bunch of nana's.

Pre race bike checks

Early morning rise (actually at 7am it was a bit of a sleep in, everyone was wide awake anyway!).  Shower, dress, eat food, drink coffee, strip to go to the loo, redress, another loo, redress again, yes at least one more loo stop and another redress. Arm warmers ? Leg warmers? Food? Goodness such descisions !  Finally talked into NO jacket, arm warmers or leg warmers.  I hope it's gonna be warm out there! And agreed on jam sammies, ginger nuts, and a couple of power bars, gels only as a back up!

Jumped on the bikes and rode to the startline ....

Made it to the startline

Geared up and ready to go!

Still more decisions to make, which group to start with.  All a bit of a strategy, since we know we will get dropped going up hill hence we need to make sure there are still fast bunches behind us which we can latch onto for the downhills and flats.  We did start out as a bunch of four, but soon dropped one, then dropped another as they went back to find the other person.  CM and I continued riding ....

Lake view

70k rest area, toilets and water

Previous hill rides had me well prepared, but I was conscious that I tend to go out to hard at the start ... so decided to follow the experienced one and stuck near by CM. We stopped at the 70k rest spot for water top ups, the loo and waited for the rest of our crew .. but soon gave up waiting after 13-15mins had passed. Later on we found that one had DNF due to puncture and broken valve stem and the other had dropped back further than we had thought.

Stopped again to catch a photo of the lake, the picture dosent really give the view justice! 

Camp Mother (right) and myself

We hooked into a small group (of our pace) and managed to stick with them for the 2nd half.  Then around 10k from the finish CM pointed out that we could actually do a reasonable time, so I yelled "lets gun it" and off we sprinted.  With still 5k to go I was feeling a little spent but wanted to lead CM to a good time so turned and yelled something inspirational (Im sure) and kept up the pace, as we turned the corner for the final 300m to the line CM came racing up next to me .... Then "my white line fever kicked in", it was head down and spin those legs !!!! I passed her, then she passed me, I could hear the ground cheering us on :) With a mere half bike length I managed to creep in front and hold it over the line to victory...... words cannot explain ....

At the Finish Line

Our ride time (excluding the wait midway) was 5 hours 57 mins. So we have agreed, this counts for a sub 6 hour time, regardless of what the official time states.

Average speed 25.5k, max speed 77.7k (fastest to date). Total elevation 1690m, max elevation 602m. Tempature ranged from 14 to 29 degrees.  Glad I didn't take those arm and leg warmers, I would have had to carry the dam things.

Finished the day with a few beers and BBQ with mates and of course a few stories of near misses, and triumph :)  Legs and body feel good, had trouble with the feet major pins and needles, then numb then shooting pain when trying to apply pressure.  Need to get this sorted!! Next morning a swim in the lake with Mrs J and a nice drive home in the new car ...

The Evidence

101 Days and Counting

Goodness, 101 days remaining until the NZ Ironman 2013.

Today Im hoping to have a discussion with my supervisors on a leave request which effectively has me working part-time from late December until March. I will need the extra time for long rides and runs !!.  Over the recent months workload has been significant and as a result I have missed many training sessions, including yesterday where we finished work in the early hours and hence missed run group last night and was to tired for riding this morning.  Unfortunately this discussion has been postponed five times previously.  :(

With only 101 days to go there is still a great deal of training that needs to be done.  This weekend it all kicks off with the Round Taupo Cycle Challenge, quickly followed by the Taupo Half Ironman 2 weeks later ....

Calm and Patience Prevail

Yes that would be a picture of the new car, with roof racks attached!

All I will say is Liza is out for dinner so I took the opportunity, and it seems calm and patience is all that was required :)

Brick with a Difference

Ocean Swim Briefing

Saturday morning brick, unfortunately not one of those picture perfect mornings! Overcast, raining and a bit of an offshore wind. I had comtemplated skipping training, and was suprised to see so many other Tri club members front up.  One hell of a swell out there today! Luckily we regrouped at every bouy, which gave me the opportunity to keep up with the front (ish) group.  But there were certainly times when the swell prevented me from seeing any other swimmers out there, and the up and down movement was bringing on some serious motion sickness !!! I was glad to exit the water before I hurled .....

From left, Mrs J, Camp Mother, and myself

Still not able to get the dam roof racks on the new car, so drove to Takapuna beach for the swim then headed home for the bike.  Mrs J and Camp Mother joined me for a 90min wind trainer session.  Special support from Liza! Sounds, coffee and muffins ! You can be our support person any time :)  We even went for a run off the bike, the girls carried on down to check out the house Liza and I have been looking at, whilst I managed to run 2 mins before pulling to a walk.  That dam calf muscle giving me grief.  I think I just need to persist on the stretching and book another appointment with the masseur !!

Wearing glad wrap

And no it is not a party joke or kinky night in, went to the clubs masseur on Thursday and almost leaped from the table as she poked her fingers into my calf.  Seems a knot had appeared likely due to lack of stretching, buggar!.  Was instructed to wrap the leg covered in anti-flame in glad wrap, of course I was a bit suspicious, but turns out she was serious !.  Anyway apparently best excuse yet to miss running with the girls on Friday morning.  Let's see how it goes for tomorrows brick session ah.....

Rewarding ones self

I have been bit slack on updatig the blog over the last few days, simply because a) I have missed a few training sessions and b) the root cause of missing sessions, dam work!!!!  On Monday I worked until 12:30am then woke and at 5am to start work again.  Liza is in the same boat so we are both feeling a little worn out.  What better way to reward yourself and remind you why you choose to work long hours! Let's go shopping, and for those who know us, we won't be satisfied with a new dress from the mall, you will find us at the BMW showroom. 

So yes (sorry P), we have purchased a new 2012 series 1 beemer, similar to that pictured below.  I like to think of it as mine, as Liza got hers earlier in the year.  So now when I get down about working long hours I simply look at the car, smile and get back to it!  Yes we already had a 1 series, but it was blue and I needed one to match my black road bike hehe

Despite a couple of days off, I did get back on board with training today.  Liza and I went for an easy run this morning (as per my program).  First run for Liza since her marathon, I think today confirmed for her that she wont be entering another marathon anytime soon :)  I followed up todays session with a swim at Takapuna Beach this evening.  Since it is blowing a gail you would have thought we would have been better off surfing than swimming, but seems it was sheltered from the wind, an awesome swim with a bit of biff.  A smack round the head, but thats ok cos I gave my fair share :) Love it!!

Was just preparing for tomorrows ride in the morning, but wouln't you know it the roof rack size between a 1 series 2007 and a 1 series 2012 is out by millimetres in both width and length.  After an hour of frustration and before we scratched the new car we have given up.  Brah!!!!  Looks like I will be riding from home.

And its got heated seats! awesome after an ocean swim :)

Being a Jafa - Day 3

Takapuna Beach, Sunrise

Another beautiful weekend in paradise. Mum and Dad are in town, arrived Friday night. Mum is coming with us to the Coldplay concert!.

Saturday morning, sneaked away for the normal Brick session.  Take a look at the view, sunrise over a flat sea off Takapuna Beach.  Awesome! Approx 60 club members out this morning, practicing dolphin diving, running in and out of the water and drafting.  Its dam hard running in and out, much harder than just swimming.  We had a increasing number of spectators, we must have been a sight for those taking a stroll along the beach.

BRICK Transition

A quickish transition onto the bike, a couple of us headed out up East Coast Rd, up Albany Hill, along Lonely Track then back down East Coast.  Approx 90min ride.  Today I was determined to go for run off the bike, so headed out running towards Milford.  Luckily ended up running with someone, otherwise I would have stopped long before I did.  Anyway the plan was to complete all 3 disciplines but not be out all day, after all we do have guests.

Coldplay Concert

Coldplay concert, although forced to go due to the wedding vow promise "at least one rock concert per year".  I really enjoyed it. Well done Liza.

As we didn't get home until 1am, getting up early for a ride just didn't happen.  Buggar!.  But I did go for a run!!

I may be a Jafa

What a wonderful morning, blue skies, sun, no wind! Another Thursday bike with the Quay St riders.  Our course takes us along the waterfront and over a few hills.  But as you can see the view is awesome.  In the photo you can see the beach and in the distance Rangitoto.  OK it might not be the best photo, but they are there!!!.  I gotta say Im loving this Auckland life :)

In todays ride both I and camp mother (pictured in pink and white at the back) lead the group all the way round the nipple (he he) whilst they all drafted behind us, then as soon as we hit the hill, the buggars all took off and left us for dead.  Talk about feeling used! :)  The picture was taken at a complusory stop, which allows us naturally built for down hills to catchup.

Quay St Riders in St Heilers by the Beach, Rangitoto in the background

Feeling Good

I LOVE my Nespresso :)

Perhaps I have had to much coffee? Im feeling good, especially after the 130k ride on Sunday, 60min of running drills last night.  11.20pm to bed last night and then a 4.45am wake up for the 5.30 ride this morning with the Quay St guys.  And I still felt good during the ride ! And then just to top it off I have maintanined the same weight for the last week so can confirm I have dropped 5kg in the last 2/3 weeks, sweet!

So just gotta make it thru a full days work and swimming tonight, run tomorrow, bike and swim on Thursday and then a day off! Yay.

Feel like another coffee now .....

Hill repeats, Nice!

Determined to attend running group tonight, I pushed back when folks wanted to continue a meeting after it was scheduled to finish.  Was this a good move??

Tonights session was down at Milford Reserve, seems we were not the only ones with a similar idea, us and our 100 other closest mates.  First time I have been here, so decided to drive as nothing worse than getting lost when your running.  Quietly drove past coach who I saw striding along the road, grateful I was in a different car (a loaner from the car yard) so she wouldn't spy me. So felt super bad when she mentioned she was hoping Big G would pass by to give her a lift.  Buggar I could have stopped.  Oops!

Oh well, seems she got her revenge.  Started out with the normal warm up run and drills.  Entertaining for the neighbours, I expect.  Then a heap of hill repeats, started with three or four, but everytime we ran past, it would increase by another couple. In the end it was more five or six.  Finished with a final wee run and some core and stretching.

I was happy to head home :) Some work then bed ready for tomorrows 5.30am ride ...

In need of a Nana Nap

The famous Helensville toilet stop

Sitting on the couch enjoying a coffee from my Nespresso and cheese on crackers, well deserved I think given I just got home from a 130k+ ride with the NZ Cyclists.  Took 5.5 hours, with hills and head winds.

Learn't a big lesson today about going out to hard, and then crawling home buggared! I haven't 'bonked' which is great, means I took on board enough fluids and food.  But I definately feel tired.  In fact I reckon this is how Liza would have felt after her marathon. 

Always start and stop at a cafe :)

Camp mother was on fire today! she was still keeping up with the group in the final 10-20k, I was out back just trying to hang on. Well done you. I have been told since I managed this I will manage Round Taupo Cycle Challenge, although it is another 30k on top.  Makes you think about Ironman, for about 30sec I contemplated going for a run off the bike but then thought better of it.  In Ironman I need to bike 180k, then run off the bike for a full marathon.  According to the counter, it is getting close to 100 days until the big day.  I know the plan is to pick up the long distance training in the 3 months prior, but gosh I got a long way to go!

Todays route and stats

Riding Scenic Drive

Yay! my first ride on scenic drive done and dusted :) I must be getting used to them hills because Thursdays ride was enjoyable and the hills did not seem overwhelming!.  Thanks a million camp mother for escorting me.

Im not sure Im loving the numb feet thou, and Im thinking it wouldn't be so good to have numb feet for an up and coming 180k ride then expect to run for 42k.  With the wonders of google I have found that although common occurance for cyclists it is not something you should have to put up with.  Fortunately (I read) there are a number of steps a cyclist should take to remedy these numbness issues, including:

Shoe fit
A cycling shoe that is too tight increases the risk for numbness. This is particularly true of the shoe is tight around the ball of the foot. The tight shoe squeezes the ball of the foot to the point where inflammation occurs between your metatarsal heads (the joints that connect your toes to the rest of your foot, which are often referred to as the ball of your foot) and ultimately this inflammation causes poor blood circulation and eventual numbness. Cyclists experiencing numbness in their feet are encouraged to try a cycling shoe that provides more space in this area of the foot.  I got 2 pairs of shoes different sizes but get numb feet for both, so picking its not the shoe
 
Cleat placement
Cleats that are placed too far forward on your foot will increase the risk for numbness. The forward cleat placement causes more pressure directly on or in front of the ball of your foot, and this can cause inflammation and numbness in that area. If the fit of the shoe is not an issue, I recommend cyclists try to move the cleats rearward on their shoes. The more rearward placement distributes pressure further back on the foot and less pressure behind the toes. This can help restore circulation and feeling in the toes.  mmm maybe one to look into ?

Custom footbeds
A custom footbed or even off-the-shelf arch supports can distribute more pressure underneath the arch of your foot which takes pressure off the ball of your foot and toes. In addition to relieving ball of foot and toe numbness issues, a custom footbed also gives the best possible power transfer to the pedal and promotes best vertical alignment of the knee during the pedal stroke.  Again maybe something else to investigate ?

Cycling technique
Outside of shoe fit, cleat placement, or the need for custom footbeds/orthotics, cycling technique can play a role in causing or preventing foot numbness. Lower cycling cadences and excessive riding in hills are both culprits that tend to increase the likelihood of foot numbness problem to creep up. Yeah right!!! obviously this guy doesn't live in Auckland, seen a flat bit of road anyone ??

Details from my garmin