"The Big Ride"
Saturday was the big ride on the Ironman Wisconsin course.. I must give a shout out to "Iron Will" for putting together the IMWI ride.. I had a great time riding with fellow bloggers and Podcasters... It was really great meeting Robby B. (our guide), TriSaratops, Elizabeth, and of course how can you forget Simply Stu .. There was a group of 10+, everybody was great, IronMan vets and Newbies in the mix.. All with great advice and very helpful.. Made the long ride very enjoyable...
Okay, I have gotten some confidence after riding the course.. A challenging course..Really makes you think.. Actually less hilly than I thought it would be, but riding that second loop will totally suck ass if you don't pace yourself the first time around.. Rolling hills and fast descents that maxed my speed to
38 mph on my gps watch...Kinda of fun, but scary thinking of other people around you who will be going that fast on race day..
The 3 major hills was not to bad.. The first one was a gradual ascent, the 2nd, short and steep.. But the 3rd one really "WTF" sucked, not because it was a hill, but more that it was an unpaved gravel hill, my legs burned climbing it because I stayed seated thru the whole ascent.. I really hope they fix that before the race (probably not) because it will be dangerous climb, plus a possible blowout to boot...
All in all, I think I have been training on my bike ride properly, more hill work for sure needed.. But I think I'm on a good training path.. And racing hilly triathlons over the past 2 years has helped me alot get ready for this big event "IRONMAN"..
Things learned on the big ride:
1) all the sports drink, water, and Gel packs, does really taste like crap after riding for a couple of hours in the sun..
2) Pacing is the key to a good Ironman race.
3) I finally rigged my Aero bottle properly so it does not splash all over me when I ride.
4) If my legs burn to much from the climbs, I was able to stop for a couple of seconds and then continue on with no problem...
5) Ironman vets tip.. take it easy on the way out of T1..
And lastly, I think I will do just fine on race day..
I'm lovin it.
Saturday was the big ride on the Ironman Wisconsin course.. I must give a shout out to "Iron Will" for putting together the IMWI ride.. I had a great time riding with fellow bloggers and Podcasters... It was really great meeting Robby B. (our guide), TriSaratops, Elizabeth, and of course how can you forget Simply Stu .. There was a group of 10+, everybody was great, IronMan vets and Newbies in the mix.. All with great advice and very helpful.. Made the long ride very enjoyable...
Okay, I have gotten some confidence after riding the course.. A challenging course..Really makes you think.. Actually less hilly than I thought it would be, but riding that second loop will totally suck ass if you don't pace yourself the first time around.. Rolling hills and fast descents that maxed my speed to
38 mph on my gps watch...Kinda of fun, but scary thinking of other people around you who will be going that fast on race day..
The 3 major hills was not to bad.. The first one was a gradual ascent, the 2nd, short and steep.. But the 3rd one really "WTF" sucked, not because it was a hill, but more that it was an unpaved gravel hill, my legs burned climbing it because I stayed seated thru the whole ascent.. I really hope they fix that before the race (probably not) because it will be dangerous climb, plus a possible blowout to boot...
All in all, I think I have been training on my bike ride properly, more hill work for sure needed.. But I think I'm on a good training path.. And racing hilly triathlons over the past 2 years has helped me alot get ready for this big event "IRONMAN"..
Things learned on the big ride:
1) all the sports drink, water, and Gel packs, does really taste like crap after riding for a couple of hours in the sun..
2) Pacing is the key to a good Ironman race.
3) I finally rigged my Aero bottle properly so it does not splash all over me when I ride.
4) If my legs burn to much from the climbs, I was able to stop for a couple of seconds and then continue on with no problem...
5) Ironman vets tip.. take it easy on the way out of T1..
And lastly, I think I will do just fine on race day..
I'm lovin it.
5 Comments:
Great job!!! Wish I could have been there.
Which was the 3rd hill? Midtown Road? They must have ripped it up in the last month.
You were SO awesome, a smile on your face the whole time! It was so great to meet you!
Great to meet you this weekend! You are going to kick some butt on September 10th!
You are going to rock in Wisconsin! And yep that gravel hill did suck! At least you were able to ride up it!
Hey Bubba!!! You never stopped smiling! :) Thanks for riding with me--you kicked ass on those hills and I can't wait to see you again on race day!
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