Monday, February 21, 2011

Four Things For The Third Day Of The Week

For anyone who missed Saturday's 12 hour live video stream of my bikes sitting in the living room, here are a few screen shots to give you a little peak of what you missed.

Most of the time it looked like this...


But once in awhile it looked like this...


Today I did a run/bike brick.  It's been awhile since I've done one.  I'd like to think that I'm a pretty good runner off the bike, but I forgot what it's like.  I have to force myself to slow down because even though I pedal at about a 100 RPM cadence, I don't run with that kind of turnover.  So the first 1/2 mile of any run off the bike is a combination of my body thinking I am running really SSSLLLOOOWWW and then looking at my Garmin and seeing a pace (and thus a heart rate) that is way too high for where I am in the workout.  My legs still think I'm on the bike.  It happens every time.

To make this an honest to goodness brick workout complete with a speedy transition I wore a 1 piece tri-suit.  But it was too cold for just a tri-suit and tri-suits by themselves are only acceptable in certain contexts, like races.  They are NOT something you wear for solo mid-afternoon bike rides or runs.  I feel really strongly about this, so I wore a cycling jersey on top for the bike and switched that out for a tech tee for the run.

Running in a tri-suit takes some getting used to.  First there is the chamois pad - there is not much too it, but I'm aware it's there when running.  Then there is the overall concept of having a snug one piece suit on.  I don't notice on the bike since I always wear cycling bibs anyway, but when I run, it's a different story.  In the last few months I've definitely got used to straight running clothing.  So the tri-suit was weird for the first few miles, but once I got into the groove everything was fine.  Which is good, because that suit is back on official duty in 2 weeks.


Last Friday while I was making a left turn onto Wilshire Boulevard in the pouring rain, I heard an email beep into my phone.  And despite being in the middle of a left turn and despite the rain, I grabbed my phone and checked it.  I REALLY need to stop doing this.  Anyway, the email was from the Odwalla Triathlon Team saying that I had been excepted for the 2011 season.  I don't know too much about the details yet as the first team call is next week.  Being a part of a team has been on my bucket list for awhile so I'm stoked I was selected, and look forward to being a part of the team in 2011.  More on this as I know more...

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know my story.  And if you know my story, you've probably picked up that I have a strong desire to give back whenever and wherever I can.  Recently, I found another way to do so.  As of today, I am a coach with coachmetriathlon.com.

CoachMe Triathlon is a national online service that matches athletes with coaches.  Given that this is my first foray into coaching, I'm hoping to get matched with either beginning athletes or athletes with a few races under their belts that are looking for some improvement.

I don't ever want to forget where I came from.  Obviously, I don't wish the drama I went through on anyone, but if there is a chance to help athletes that are at a level that I was at not all that long ago, I'll be thrilled.  I can't wait to get started.

If you are looking for a more advanced coach, not to worry.  CoachMe has coaches of all experience levels, including USAT level I, II and III coaches.  Please check them out if you are looking for a coach.  And if you happen to live in Orange County and would love to be coached by the guy responsible for the first ever interview with EMZ, then my coach ID is M2011-229767.

23 comments:

The Green Girl said...

Wow! What a huge day for you!

Congratulations on Team Odwalla - that is awesome.

And congratulations on becoming a coach with coachmetriathlon.com - I know you are going to be great!

Caroline said...

Congrats on becoming a coach, you will be GREAT.

I bet I was one of the 2 viewers on the second picture there!
I did see him at least once!

Petraruns said...

congrats on making the team and the coaching thing - nice one!

I'm making the transition from running to tri and THANK you for that tip re biking to running because that always happens to me. And as for trisuits - this IS a rookie question - what happens when you need to go? Do you handle that in the swim part? Sorry for that.. I have just been wondering.

Kate Geisen said...

Congratulations on making the team...you're in! Woo hoo! :) Also, very cool on the coaching thing.

I can totally see the running off the bike thing. For me, running just feels weird right after riding. I guess it feels more normal with experience.

Jennifer said...

Kudos for getting on the team! You've come a long way baby! I think you should wear your onesy ALL the time. I think all athletes should. I should not have to go out to the bike path to see those smokin' hot legs. See how it feels when you go grocery shopping one day, I bet the ladies will love you for it!

RFalkenrath said...

Nice work on odwalla and coach me tri. I know how hard it is to get on with teams and tri gigs!

Lucas R. Tucker said...

Making a team and becoming a coach- I want to be you when i grow up!!!

A Prelude To... said...

Congrats on Odwalla and the coaching gig! WOW! You're on a roll. Does it all seem surreal or has this all evolved pretty naturally?

Christi said...

Congrats Team Odwalla and Coach!

KovasP said...

First, congrats on making the run safely, easier said than done.

Second, awesome news you made the Oddball Team.

Third, you will make a great coach.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the Tri Team -- very cool!

And quit with the emails while riding ..lol

Adrienne said...

Congrats on making the team and the coaching gig. Big things happening for you right now.

Jill said...

Sorry I missed the live action of your bikes this weekend, I bet that was exciting!

I noticed on my last DU coming off the bike to a run was this really strange feeling, my quads felt like lead! This weekend is the last in the series (thankfully) and this one is the 10-mile bike to 4-mile run and I'm a little worried about that wobbly leg feeling.

Congrat on the tri team, that is exciting. And so glad you decided to do the tri coaching, you're going to be great!!!

Big Clyde said...

You will definitely make a great coach. I can attest to how much info and encouragement you have given to me, for which I am very grateful.

And being selected on the Odwalla Team is great news as well. Well done.

TRI714 said...

Contrats again. You have lots to share and give. You will give some others comfort as well.
Bricks are bitchen (yah i said it. BITCHEN! )

SWIM,BIKE, RUN REPEAT !!

Caratunk Girl said...

OMGOMGOMG Patrick!! That is so awesome, congrats on the Odwalla team!! SO COOOL!! I am excited for you.

Unknown said...

Odwalla! Sweet! If you lived closed I'd take you out for a celebratory beer! :)

Tri4Success said...

Congrats on the tri team. I'll have to keep in mind your pointers regarding running in a tri suit. I'm about to cross that bridge, maybe even tomorrow night. As for the cadence thing, I can't share your pain. Conveniently enough I am 85rpm in both sports.

Michael said...

Congrats - very cool - a tri team and a coach!! It's good to hear that even someone like you struggles with the Brick. I experienced my first brick workouts last year and that run about killed me. It is something I really need to workout in my upcoming season.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on Team Odwalla- woot!woot!

Librarian on the Run said...

Not for anything, but your bikes might be a little more exciting to watch if you could rig them up to waddle around, play on a jungle gym, and pounce on each other...
Anyway, congrats on being accepted into the triathlon team and good luck coaching!

Chris K said...

Cold wide sweet highway the place where we'd all go
Went out like a razor sharp and we'd all let it roll
Let it roll
Let it roll, let it go
Let it roll

-UFO

Unknown said...

Congrats on Team Odwalla. What's Odwalla anyway? :)

And that's exciting that you are coaching. I've heard great things about Coachmetriathlon.com! Anxious to hear how it goes!

Keep us updated on both fronts!

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