Camanche Double Loop & Run

Let me start by saying that I LOVE training with our group. One of my least favorite aspects of my Vineman training is that I often feel out there on my own. Whether it's because I have a run scheduled and the group is riding (or swimming), or because the group is only riding for 90 minutes and I have a 2-3 hour ride scheduled...whatever the reason, it really bums me out that we can't train together :-(

Today, however, I was able to mix Vineman and Lodi Masters. The plan was for HS and I to show up an hour early so I could get one loop done before the rest of the group showed up to ride. Unfortunately, after a restless night of sleep (Aunt Flo ruins any chance I have of a full night's sleep) I woke up at 5:58am. It took a few minutes to sink in that in order for us to get to North Shore by 7am we were going to have to hustle. We should have been out the door at 6am, not just waking up!!!

I filled the water bottles, aired my tires, got dressed, woke up HS, and finally stuffed my mess of a hair "don't" into a ball cap. We were on the road by around 6:30-ish. We made fairly good time and got to North Shore Camanche about 7:10. Eric decided to join us and was there waiting (that's a first LOL) About 5 minutes later we were rolling down the road.

Loop No. 1

The first loop wasn't too bad. Since we were behind schedule, we didn't dilly dally at our normal re-grouping areas. It was during this first loop that I realized how tired my legs actually were. I had asked my coach to flip-flop my rest week and the next training week because of my schedule...so last week, instead of taking it easy, I kept training. All I can say is UGH!!! I need a break! 

Loop No. 2

When we came back to the start, +James was the only one there waiting for us. While it's not the same as the times when we get 10+ members from our group riding, it was still great to have James joining us. James has committed (on Facebook) that he is doing the Santa Cruz triathlon in September...so I get the feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of him in biking and running gear, instead of just a Speedo.

Which brings me to my next point...I know that James has worked hard to become a Masters swim coach and he is a very good swim coach...HOWEVER... and this is just my opinion...he has done much more for me as a cycling coach. Even today, he rode up next to me and told me to drop my elbows. Everything he has told me about cycling has stuck with me and I am a much better cyclist than I was 2 years ago. Much, much, MUCH better!!!!  Please keep the comments coming, Coach!

Missed my 2-1/2 to 3 hour goal...oh, well. Also of note...I hit my fastest "max speed" ever...only tapped on my breaks twice on the big descent on the second loop and managed to hit 33 mph!!!

The Run

The first mile of the "off the bike" run was AWESOME...and it was completely, 100%, straight downhill! I think I ran my fastest mile split ever! Not bad considering I had just rode almost 30 miles. I made a pit stop at the restroom and then caught up with HS and James. Our destination today was the gazebo where we normally take the Tri 101 class to do open water swims.  Everything looked the same, the only thing missing was the water.  I walked down to where the water normally was to check out the dried up weeds that used to tickle my toes. Looks like we won't be swimming here anytime soon :-(

Lake Camanche 2012

Lake Camanche 2015

Today was great....I loved riding with our group again and I hope more people show up next time. I definitely think there is a pancake ride in the near future :-)

Garmin Connect - Linden Loop (Pedaling Paths to Independence)

Garmin Connect - Linden Loop

A great event for a great cause

HS and I did this ride on Saturday as part of the Community Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired "Pedaling Paths to Independence" charity ride. This is an annual event with 25 mile and 65 mile routes. We opted for the 65 mile loop.

We enjoyed this ride so much, we are definitely going to do this route again. The ride starts from Linden, Ca (just east of Stockton). There is plenty of on street parking and De Vinci's Deli is right there for a post ride meal.

Most roads were in excellent condition

Garmin Connect - Knights Ferry / Woodward Loop

Garmin Connect - Knights Ferry / Woodward Loop (follow link for full Garmin route)

This ride was absolutely beautiful and the temps were perfect. The only issue with the route was that we made a wrong turn on to 28 Mile Road instead of heading to 26 Mile Road and it ended up shortening the ride by about 7 miles.

Next time I'm printing the map (just in case).

We started the ride at the Knights Ferry Recreation Area, a few miles outside of Oakdale. This is the same location as the Salmon Duathlon and 5k hosted by @OnYourMarkEvent (Next one is 11/7/15).

Perfect place to start

We probably could have started our ride closer to home, but the nice thing about starting at the Knights Ferry Recreation Area is that there is plenty of FREE parking, restrooms, and picnic tables. On top of all of that, if you are wanting to do a brick workout, the Salmon Duathlon run course is perfect.  You will also encounter other Stanislaus County parks along the way if you need a restroom break ;-)

Team In Training riders

The route we were on proved to be pretty popular as we crossed paths with many other riders.

Which way do we go?

Sort of lost (not really) but still having a good time.

Most roads were in good condition with little traffic

The locals were very curious

Oldest covered bridge west of the Mississippi

Trails for hiking too

@TrainingPeaks #ResultsStartHere 

Garmin Connect - Stockton-Lodi Loop

The Raley's at the corner of Hammer Ln and Don Av is a great starting point. There is plenty of parking and if you forgot anything, Raley's is sure to have it. Plus, there is a McDonald's in case you are feeling a little hungry after the ride :-)

Garmin Connect - Stockton-Lodi Loop

Looking north at the S/E corner of Thornton & W Kile Rd

Headed south on W Kile Rd

Intersection of Armstrong and Devries Rd

#ResultsStartHere #TrainingPeaks +TrainingPeaks

Say it Ain't So

One of the most painful parts of training is not my stiff muscles in the morning, it's not my feet cramping in the middle of a swim set, and it's not my aching bottom from hours on the trainer...it's the sores around my torso where my heart rate monitor strap has rubbed my skin raw.

On the bike it's not usually a problem. However, after a nice long run, I am sure to have some fresh spots. I can see the ones on the front and will rub some Vasaline on them first before hopping in the shower. Its the ones on my back, that I don't see, that are the worst. As soon at the hot water hits my back and washes the salty sweat down my back, it feels like someone is burning me with a hot poker!

I'm not the only one with chaffing problems 

When things get really bad, I stop wearing the HR strap until things heal up a bit. I have tried Glide and even Chamois Butter, but nothing seemed to help. The biggest problem is my HR strap sits right underneath my sports bra. Just a slight movement is enough to cause a problem over an hour or two run.

HS and I had even discussed a way to cut the strap and mount it to my sports bra with velcro or something so it would move with the bra and potentially cause less damage. One day I did a Google search to see if anyone had tried anything like that and I discovered that Victoria's Secret had beat me to the idea.

The Victoria's Secret bra, beside being comfy and supportive, had soft, built-in contact points. All I do to use the bra is snap in my Garmin sensor.

VS contact points on the bottom, Garmin plastic (warped)
contacts on top

Just snap and go

After trying out the bra for a week, I decided I needed to have more than one. I went back to the VS website and was horrified at what I found...

NOOOO!

Funny Thing

As I was writing this post, I did a Google search to see if I could find out why Victoria's Secret discontinued this bra. Most of the articles I had previously found (announcing the bra) were written late last year, so it wasn't like it had been on the market a long time. I re-read one of the articles and it noted the creator of the technology and some of the companies using it.

A couple more searches and I found one of the top rated sports bras that now offers a heart rate monitor bra! Yay!!!

#ResultsStartHere

Vineman - One Month Down, Six to Go

In anticipation of my coach's check-in questions, I am trying to summarize my first month of Vineman training...

Weight: Down 2 pounds
Resting HR: Up at the end of the month

When I first saw my calendar for January, I thought it looked a little too easy. HA! Boy was I wrong...the tale of the tape tells a completely different story. Compared to the previous months training, January 2015 marked the most time and distance. I'm now starting to get worried about the months to come ;-)

#ResultsStartHere

Garmin Connect - Speedstar

Not sure where the name for this route came from, but that's what we call it. It's a nice loop through the farms and vineyards surrounding Lodi. Bring a backpack and stock up at Lockeford Sausage before heading home :-)

This route starts at the House of Coffee in Lodi.

Garmin Connect - Speedstar

Grillin' up some Lockeford Sausage

#ResultsStartHere