Investments

"Invest in yourself. It will pay you for the rest of your life." -- Malcom Nothing

I used to use this excuse only in the physical, mental, or emotional sense. I am going to go for a run instead of studying because I won't live long if I'm out of shape and die of a heart attack. I'm going to practice filling my head with positive thoughts, so I won't let life put me down. I'm watching this movie and hanging out with friends because I need a good laugh and pick-me-up. If I am consistently getting depressed by life and do nothing about it, then I will not want a life; therefore, I must invest.

But when it comes to financial investments, I've always been a little more stingy. I've worked so and so hours to make this much, is it worth it? Is it worth buying the best shoes out there just to make running easier? Can't I just train harder and save myself $150? Do I really need a new bike seat? The ones I have are uncomfortable, but I'm sure I can tough it out each ride.

Here's where an important rule of cycling comes in -- make sure you have a comfortable seat and a good fit. They really are not kidding about this, especially if you are racking up the miles. Pretty soon, I couldn't even last 5 miles on the bike because my seat was killing me. I didn't want to shell out money for a new seat, but I needed to be able to bike in order to train.

"Invest three percent of your income in yourself in order to guarantee your future." -- Brian Tracy

So, I scheduled a full bike fit for both my tri bike and road bike. I knew going in this was going to cost a lot, but it was an investment. If I am comfortable on my bike and not grimacing because of back pain or seat pain, then I can focus more on training, technique, pushing harder, etc. If I was really serious about becoming an elite athlete, I needed to invest in myself fully in all categories.

The fit went well! I felt like a professional athlete with all the lighting and cameras and fancy technology. The process was almost like going to the eye doctor. Is 1 or 2 better? Uhhh. 3 or 4? Umm, 2? Haha poor fitter, but I was so used to being uncomfortable and tolerating it that I didn't know what felt right. But overall, this was definitely an awesome experience, and I'm hoping to reap the benefits of a perfectly fitted bike.

Look mom, I'm a pro!

There's still some small adjustments to be made, but after a few rides, I can already feel the difference. I have more power in each pedal stroke since I'm engaging my glutes too, and I am definitely more aerodynamic. For my road bike, we changed the handlebars to a smaller size to help with the compression of the ulnar nerve (leads to numb hands) and for a better fit. The new bars were significantly smaller, so at first, it looked really weird (like T-Rex arms). We added red handlebar tape to add some pop!

"T-Rex arms" on the road bike. ROAR, watch out world! 

There's a new dino athlete in town.

New additions:
Triathlon Bike

• Adamo ISM Racing Saddle, white -- Wow. What a difference maker. Definitely loving this seat, especially in the aero position. I have no idea why I did not change seats earlier. Wow. If you ever get a TT or Tri bike, I recommend you to look into ISM seats.
• Zipp stem, black -- I opted for this carbon stem because it was significantly lighter (and more pricey) than the cheapest  / alternative stem they chose for me. I needed a longer stem to accommodate my reach on the aerobars, and preferably one with a higher negative degree since my natural position on the tri bike is more agressive (deeper/lower positioning)
• Specialized Advanced SL Foot Bed -- These were placed inside my tri shoes to provide better arch support.
• Shoe Wedges, yellow -- My knees weren't tracking straight (buckled in a bit), so the wedges are suppose to help fix that

Road Bike

• Specialized Ruby Saddle, black --This seat definitely takes the pressure off the perineal tissues and transfers it to the sit bones, which is what a proper bike seat is suppose to do!
• Bontrager Race VR-S Handlebar -- Loving it so far.  The smaller width and drop are suiting me well.
• Shoe Wedges, purple

Things I learned:
My left leg is slightly longer than my right leg.
I have a long femur, which is apparently really good for running and biking.
I have wide shoulders, which is good for swimming.  (Does that mean I'm made for this sport!!!?)

The bike fit was for sure one of the best investments I made for myself in my athletic career. I won't need Sherlock to deduce how important a properly fitted bike or equipment is to an athlete and her success.

"It's elementary, Dear Watson."

(I was trying on some of my sister's winter clothes)

Leann Rimes and Triathlon

What do Leann Rimes and triathlon have in common?
The right kind of wrong

I know all about your reputation                                 // Ironman, Kona, multisport swag

And now it's bound to be a heartbreak situation         // especially training at HR zone 5

But I can't help if I'm helpless                                     // helpless = dying in a race or training?
Every time that I'm where you are                           
You walk in and my strength walks out the door        // can't open the front door after coming up the
Say my name and I can't fight it anymore                  // stairs because my legs are screaming in pain
Oh, I know I should go
But I need your touch just damn too much                // I'm an addict

It might be a mistake                                                 // who likes pain and waking up at 5:30am?
A mistake I'm making
But what you're giving, I'm happy to be taking         // fitness, happiness, healthy mind+body+spirit
Cause no one's ever made me feel                            // runner's high, biker's high, and swimmer's high
The way I feel when I'm in your arms                      // or the feel of recovery compression pants/socks

They say you're something I should do without       // little to no social life, early bed time, etc.
They don't know what goes on
when the lights go out                                              // dreaming of PRs, race finishes, sponsorships
There's no way to explain
All the pleasure is worth all the pain                      // YES.

I should try to run but I just can't seem to                // yeah, running sprints while out of breath is hard
Cause every time I run, you're the one I run to
Can't do without what you do to me,
I don't care if I'm in to deep                                     // preach it


Loving you, that isn't really something I should do
I shouldn't wanna spend my time with you
Well, I should try to be strong
But baby, you're the right kind of wrong.              // I love you, triathlon.

Early bird

Early bird gets the worm and the sunrise.

With views like this, 7am workouts aren't so bad.

I am mental

I learned today that I am mental. And I'm happy about that.

I had planned to bike hills today in Chappell Hill, TX regardless of the weather, my feelings, or soreness. After my morning swim, I noticed how extremely windy it was and rethought about biking outdoors. Then I saw how bad traffic would be if I were to head out soon to hill country. Again, thinking about not biking. I checked the weather so that I could confirm my decision.

My mind debates:
- I'm tired and it's windy. Too windy. I could get blown away, lose control in a gust, and get hit by a car. It's going to be dangerous. It'll take longer to bike and I'll hit traffic on the way home. Don't do hills!
- But it'll make you stronger.  Hills and wind? C'mon!
- No! I'm too tired to push hard today.
- Champions are those who train when no one else wants to train.
- Argg!
- You'll come back stronger. Let's go.

I grudgingly packed my biking gear and headed out the door. It's so hard to be upset when the weather is so nice out! A little on the warm side, but so sunny and bright. On the drive there (90 min) I wanted to turn around a couple times. The wind was so strong! I could barely keep the car straight and stay in one lane.

- See! More the reason to bike at home, or not bike.
- Shut up. We're biking.

So I finally arrived and started biking. 22mph+ headwinds and crosswinds to start off, along with a climb within the first mile.

- I hate you.
- Good. Keep biking.
- I'm already hurting.
- Awesome! Keep biking.

This training ride was definitely one of the worst winds I've trained in. The wind was relentless; many times I was climbing hills at an angle. The gusts and cross winds made me look like a drunk cyclist.

- I'm cutting this ride short.
- You wuss. We're finishing the entire ride.
- I'm going home.
- You can't leave without me!

Long story short, I finished the ride. 45 miles of hills -- 40 miles with head/cross wind and 5 miles with tailwind. If I weren't so tired, I would've given myself a huge pat on the back.

- You're awesome.
- I know.


Lesson of the day: You have to be mentally strong for this sport. There's always going to be a voice that wants you to quit, to give up, to not put yourself out there, but if there's a heart and mind that's strong enough, you can always overcome it. You will triumph!

People may call me mental, but that's okay. I'll take it as a compliment.


Chappell Hill Ride