New Additions

The benefit of unconditional support from Mistress in my training is nice new Shiny Things. Before you all comment on how cool it is to have that, remember it took almost three weeks of negoiations to get it, which include performance bonuses throughout the training.

After my 3 flats and 2 hour wait in the middle of the desert last weekend I upgraded my bike by adding an X-Lab Saddlewing, all black, which holds two bottles, two tubes, two CO2 cans and an adapter. I am still keeping the under seat bag with 2 tire levers and an extra CO2 for emergancy or give away. With the extra water cages I can be more self sufficent in hydrating, rather than conserving water until I come across a store. I will now be starting off with two 28 oz. bottle of water, a full aero bottle and two 28 oz bottles of 300 calories each.

In order to maintain realistic training along with decreasing mental anguish in open swims, I purchased an Ironman Stealth wetsuit. It was probably overkill, but in speaking with the great folks at TriSports they sold me on the benefits of buying up into this suit since it is made to be more bouyant and comfortable for half and full Ironman distances. Plus I, along with the training group, plan on lake swims all year long since the water temperature last year did not drop below 50 degrees.

I will be able to put both to good use this weekend with my Saturday lake swim and Sunday 60/60 (60 mile bike/60 min. run).

Since the rest of the team is either racing this weekend or tapering for next weekend I will be doing the 60/60 on my lonesome. Which is okay since, cycling is fairly solitary as it is. Maybe I'll take the iPod. Oh quite you goody-goody-no-headphones-while-riding-folks.