Triathlon Shower

My blogger buddy Jeff over at Dangle the Carrot recently wrote a post titled "The Triathlon Wish List..." in which he posted four triathlon toys that he daydreams about most often. His top choice was a Quarg power meter—which costs a mere $1895 equipped on a SRAM Red 53/39.

I think that when one finally makes their way from sprint triathlon to Ironman, they should register at places like Nytro, TriathleteSports.com, etc., and hold themselves a triathlon shower. You know, maybe instead of your sister throwing you a baby shower, you could get your training partner to hold you a a triathlon shower. Boxes of GU wrapped in nice wrapping paper, carbon crank arms tied up in nice little red bows.

My wife told me that this would never fly because no one in their right mind is going to support a family member who wants to spend thousands of other people's dollars to support a habit that is completely excessive. She may have a point. It was a fun thought anyway. Oh, and if any of my family members read my blog—which they avoid like the plague—and can you blame them?—feel free to at anytime surprise me with a Timex Ironman Global Trainer.

Perhaps if I sent this picture out with a note

telling everyone I wrecked my current triathlon bike

people would throw me a triathlon shower?

Keuka Lake Triathlon: My first race of the season is tomorrow and I am totally psyched and nervous at the same time. I think it is pretty normal to be nervous—no matter how prepared you are (or you think you are.) I swam yesterday and went for a short 4.1 miler. The boys road their bikes next to me on the run. I ran 31:00 flat. So, if I can survive the swim, I plan on getting on that bike and mashing it for 25 miles. The good news is that it looks as though the last few miles into the transition area are downhill on the bike. This will give me some time to soft pedal and rest my legs. The bad news is it is suppose to be raining tomorrow and the course will be wet. I always get a bit anxious about riding hard in the rain, turning, and slowing down on a fast descent. I never use to give it a second thought, until I had all these kids. Suddenly, feeling a sudden responsibility to stay alive may indeed make me just a bit slower than I would wish on a wet day, but I will survive. I will have to run faster. The other thing I am slightly nervous about is that I do not know this particular course. Adam and I are going down there together, so I am planning on at least driving the bike course tonight with my car to get a sense of the road. If I have time, I might try to ride the hill.

My New Rig: The new rig has apparently been built!  I am gong in Monday for my fitting and plan on taking several pictures of everything. I am a little nervous about the integrated seat post. Dave, who is the bike professor who built my bike assured me that "...we will measure seven times and cut once."

Update: My interview with triathlete, and Timex team member, Dr. Alex McDonald is complete and I look forward to posting the answers that he gave to my questions about training and balancing the sport with real life. I think that the interview will be insightful to novices to the sport and seasoned triathletes. Thanks to Dr. McDonald, and Timex Sports for making this fly!

Stay tuned, and train smart!