New Bike Seat. Jury's Still Out.

    Last week I got my new bike seat delivered to my door. The ISM Adamo Century. This is one of the split "noseless" seats that are supposed to help take pressure off the perineum aka my delicate girly bits. I have read in reviews that it is important to keep tweaking the positioning to get it right and then it works like a dream. I must not be tweaking correctly.
    The reason I got this particular seat is that with all the time I have spent in the saddle over the last few years I have been experiencing some nerve damage to the aforementioned delicate girly bits. Not to mention the numbness that occurs when I ride more than an hour or so. I don't want to have my bike seat be the cause of incontinence later in life. No sport is worth having to wear a diaper, just sayin'.
    So as always, when a problem arises I search and research. I find reputable sources for information and product reviews and spend a lot of time and effort to learn all I can before making a decision. Partly because I am poor, and a tightwad, so I don't want to be throwing money at a problem and hope that eventually I will stumble upon the right answer. This is how I found the ISM Adamo series of seats. I had seen them before, and have wanted one, but they are pricey. The Century retails for about $200, but thanks to Amazon and last year's model, I got mine for $82 and free shipping. Cheap for a good bike seat, but still more than I like to spend on anything except my mortgage (which is way more than $82, btw).
    Putting a lot of thought into bike set and position I have been thinking that one problem is that my bike frame may be too big for me. Not the height, I have long legs, but the length since I have a short torso. This makes me have to roll forward through the pelvis more so I can't curl back onto my "sit-bones" like I should. Adding to this is the fact that I have what is called a "tipped pelvis." Meaning my pelvis tips forward causing me to have a deeper curve in the small of my back that makes it physically impossible to really roll back onto my sit-bones like I wish I could. This all means that when I ride the bulk of my weight is resting on my pubis bone and the perineum, and these areas are delicate and easily smashed.
    I am still holding out hope that the new Century saddle will be the answer to numbness and nerve damage. I will keep tweaking. I am trying to not think of what it would cost for me to get another bike. besides, I love Joshua and don't want to give up on him, we have had some excellent adventures together.

Lead Legs, Fatigue, Normal Weirdness

    My legs have felt like lead the last few days. I am not sure WTH is up with them, but it has been a bit disconcerting. Today should have been Leg Day, but I know better than to push muscles that are asking for a bit of rest. Okay, sometimes I am good at knowing better, often I really suck at it. Tonight I decided I needed to listen to my body. I did 45 minutes on the bike, high cadence, easy-ish gear. I started into my leg workout, but got halfway through my first set of high knees and decided it was not going to end well. Instead, I opted for an hour of intense core work. Funny how my legs can feel tired and puny, and yet my abs were ready to be punished and rose to the occasion.
    I have been doing 20-30 minutes of leg work in the pool after every swim, basically physical therapy to try to get my running back on track. So maybe today was a combination of multiple trips up and down stairs and hills on Sunday, leg work at the pool yesterday, and a job that has me on my feet on concrete all day.
    I have been feeling ridiculously fatigued, and voraciously hungry lately. Almost as if I was pregnant. But I can assure you, I am not. Immaculate conception aside, it can't happen. But the feeling is similar. I have been so very tired, my energy level is whacked (manic cleaning one minute, absolute lethargy the next), hungry all the time yet with an undercurrent of unhappy stomach, sleep quality isn't great, and I have been a bit emotional lately. See? Sounds like first trimester.
    Maybe what I really need is to readjust my eating, get more rest (stop writing when I should be in bed), and alter my training program a bit. Not that I am training all that hard right now, but I have increased my strength training since I haven't been able to run. I guess I should stop being at all surprised when my body is acting weird. Weird is the norm for me.

    Now, I will put words to action, stop writing, and get my tired ass to bed.

2-Click Shopping

    I almost hate how easy it is to buy on Amazon and eBay. I am a 2-click shopper: Find a desired item, click "Buy," click "Confirm." Done. Easy-peasy. Almost too easy. It does save me countless hours of bargain hunting at stores or on Craigslist. It also saves me the grief of having to deal with people out in the real world.
    My reason for this particular ramble? It just took me all of 4 minutes to hunt down, research, and buy a new trainer stand for my bike. I had browsed Craigslist a few times over the last year, knowing that my trainer is on its last leg. I have been dismayed that most people are wanting $100 or more. Not that they aren't worth it, but I really don't want to spend that much on a used piece of equipment, as well as having to deal with the person selling it. My total price for a brand new, in the box, decent model from a reputable dealer: $63.99 including shipping, and it will be on my doorstep in a week. I am totally okay with that. No muss, no fuss, and I won't even have to talk to the UPS driver.
    A few weeks ago I decided it was time to buy a new bike seat. I had gotten a little windfall and decided that I wanted to spend it on something I needed, not just paying a bill.. My seat has been been causing a variety of problems over the hours and hours I spend on it. I don't mind discomfort, but I was having issues with numbness and nerve damage to my delicate girly bit. It really had become a health issue. That is not cool. It had reached a point that I had cut back on my bike training. Also, not cool. I researched heavily, via the interwebs. I kept coming back to the split saddle, nose-less style that take pressure off of the perineum. The brand of choice is the ISM Adamo. After much back and forth on my part I decided on the Century model. New, this seat has a msrp of $189. I found it on eBay, in various bidding wars for about half of that. Being too impatient to work my way through various such bidding wars I went on Amazon and found one for $79 including S&H. 2-Click shopping. Done. The seat was on my front porch in 6 days. I will say, although installation is as easy as it comes, adjusting this thing has been a bit of a beast. The style is so different that I am having to tweak and tweak to get my seating position right. And then, it alters my bike position enough that it is making me have to do shorter rides as my muscles adapt. This is where my bike trainer issues are coming to the fore.
    I have torn apart and cleaned my trainer a few times, trying to keep it smooth. Over this last winter that has not been enough. I can feel it binding just a bit, so the spin is uneven. I can deal with that, mostly, I try to think of it as training for the unevenness of road riding. But it is getting worse over time. And then there is the squeal. Yeah, a continuous squeaking that can be hard to ignore sometimes. It has made my indoor training less that optimal at a time when I need to be increasing my hours in the saddle.
    I know that most people prefer to train outdoors. So do I, in most regards. But in my area I can't just hop on the bike and head out. The roads are too narrow, and heavily trafficked by log trucks, dump trucks, farm equipment, big 4x4s, and impatient commuters. There have been a number of cyclists hit on the roads around my house. So to ride, I load my bike and gear up in my car and drive about 15 miles to safer roads. Not possible on most days. And then there is the weather: rain and slick roads... not so much fun. Add in my my previous diagnosis of malignant melanoma (cut away and okay now, by the way), and I try to limit my time out in the sun if possible. All this being said, having a bike trainer that works well is paramount to my cycling success.
    Now comes the clincher: Meredith Kessler, Ironman Champion, cut 50 minutes off of her bike split when she switched to 90% indoor training. Seriously. She only does an outdoor ride "every other week." Yes, it is more fun to ride outside. The fresh air and varying terrain make for a great workout. Yes, outdoor training sessions are vital to success. But indoor training can be the best way to build cycling base, strength, and speed. A controlled environment with no distractions, specific workouts, and no life threatening hazards (you wouldn't believe the stories I have heard of triathletes getting hit by cars on training rides, losing limbs, head injuries, etc.... Not my gig, you know what I mean?).
    So, the new trainer is on the way. It should be here in a week. Until then I will continue with the grinding, squealing, old faithful that has seen me through thousands of hours of training. Yay for eBay and Amazon.

The Key Is Speed

    New game plan. Again *sigh*.  I didn't start the year with as solid of a race schedule as I have the past few years. Last year was tough enough, not selecting an "A Race" at the beginning of the year, and then suffering a season ending knee injury in June. This year, I have toyed with a number of scenarios. Of course, my dream race was to get to do the 250K again, but that event has crossed the rainbow bridge. Then, I eyeballed the Anvil Ironman that is not to far from here, at Hagg Lake. But I haven't been able to get my running to be injury free, so any marathon distance is not in the cards. Besides, the Anvil is multiple laps over a small course. No adventure.
    Since I haven't been able to get my legs to cooperate, I have pushed my swim training to the fore. This had me thinking that a main event for the summer would be the Portland Bridge Swim. 11 miles on the Willamette River, now that would be an adventure. But, the fine print on the application states that you have to have completed a recorded swim of at least 4000 yards in the 18 months before the race. That disqualifies me. The realization was a bit of a hit.
    I have been scrambling to come up with some motivation for my training.
    There is a swim event at Hagg Lake in late June. It has three different distances you can swim: 800m, 2000m, and 4000m. You can swim all three for the same price. I think this will be my mid-summer goal: all three races.
    Then, in September there is the best in The West Tri. I have known for a while that it will be my "A Race" this year. Looking over the race results from the year I did this event I was surprised at how close the time were between all the finishers in my age group. So, this year I am not going just to finish and beat my previous time. This year I am going and pushing myself to place in my age group. It is not impossible. I am already a faster swimmer and biker than I was then. And if I don't do something stupid (like run two half-marathon trail races in the middle of the summer) I know I can better my run time. The alst time my legs were cramping so badly from over-use injuries that I would run 50 paces, cramp horribly, walk 100 paces until the cramp eased up, then run until I cramped. The cramps started at mile 3. It was a long, miserable 13 miles.
    So, that is the current edition of the Game Plan. Hagg Lake Open Water Swim Races, and The Best in The West Half-Ironman. Then there is also the Firefighter Stair Climb the weekend after my half. September will be fun.
    Now that I have a somewhat solid Plan, I can focus my training. The key this year is Speed.

Scythe Accident? What Next?

    This has been a difficult year so far. Struggling against what seems an endless series of injuries as I try to get my running back online. The latest, and weirdest, injury had nothing to do with training. Instead, it was a deep cut to my shin thanks to my large, Grim Reaper-style scythe. Yeah, I managed to trip over the damned thing, giving me a small but deep gash dead center in my shin. Not quite to the bone, but damned near. Now, this would not be that big of a deal, as a matter of fact I didn't let it interfere with either my swim sets or my cycling. Where it got dodgy was about 10 days after the initial incident. First, let me say here, I do not get infections. I heal quickly and easily. This time? Not so much. As I was saying, about 10 days after the injury, when I was expecting things to be on the way to full recovery, the area around the cut started getting painful. Not only painful, but it developed a nice bright pink hue, was getting warm to the touch, and was swelling. At first I shrugged it off, blaming it on being on my feet all day at work. But it was the increasing pain that started to freak me out a bit. I mentioned it to a coworker and she just about lost her mind. Her dramatic reaction made me start taking a slightly different view of the whole thing. Maybe I am not so invincible? Well, guess what? Cellulitis: a bacterial skin infection that causes inflammation of subcutaneous connective tissue. Who knew? I had never heard of it. Apparently, it can get pretty nasty. I mean nasty to the point of amputation nasty. No, mine never got that extreme. But here I am, on antibiotics, finally over the worst of it, but feeling a bit pissed off about the whole thing. It did slow me down a bit, and interfered with my sleep.
    I admit, I didn't let the injury give me an excuse to skip my swims. I did tape it, and wrap it with KT Tape so I wasn't being gross in the pool. I imagine it is quite possible that I picked up the bacteria at the pool.... or, very likely, just that it was a deep cut with an old farm implement. I should probably be glad I am current on my tetanus vaccine.
    So that is the latest in my successive string of leg damage. It does all seem to be affecting my right leg, for whatever reason: arthritis at the cuboid bone in my foot, IT band and Patellofemoral in my knee, hip pain (and that makes me feel geriatric, let me tell you), now the gashing of my shin. All right leg. Left leg gives me a little grief now and then, but is mostly pretty solid. I am continuing my pool legwork. What amounts to 20-30 minutes of physical therapy in the pool after my swim. I am hoping that will get me back to the start line.
    I do realize that I have been whining more than is typical. I try to not be a complainer, but g'damn, this year is not going smoothly. I've already had to put the kabosh on doing an Iron distance this year because I know my knees won't hold out for a marathon. On the plus side, the only Iron distance event in the state is the Anvil at Hagg Lake. Yeah, it goes the distance, but it is lap after lap around a short course. What is the thrill in that? That is not an adventure. The Epic 250K was an adventure. Maybe next year I can travel out of state and find something glorious. For this year, I have to get my legs back under me in time to do the Best in the West half-Iron in September. That is as glorious as it is going to get this year.

Whatever It Takes

    March and April are traditionally my toughest months. This is the time of year I fight against Winter depression. Yes, I know that Spring is just around the corner, the rains will end, the sun will return. Already the days are getting longer, and we have been blessed by some warm weather that warmed me to my bones.
    This year has an added touch of toughness for me, it has been a year of injury. I could almost title it The Year of Injury. It started last June when I hurt my knee and elbow at the Mount Hood Scramble. Since then it has been one thing after another. Despite approaching my training with an eye towards physical therapy, and run specific strength training, every time I try to start running something new flares up. The last six months or so I have had foot pain that can only be arthritis, since it is consistent and in the same few joints. Knee pain is minor, and kept at bay with good technique. A few weeks back I tweaked my back, likely from heavy lifting at work while having tight hamstrings and quads from Leg Day. Last week it was my right hip that got angry when I went running. Now, to top it off, I managed to gash open my shin with a scythe. Yes, a scythe. A full blown Grim Reaper scythe. I got it out to cut some tall grass and managed to trip over the damned thing. But it has been a long chain of one injury after another. It is discouraging.
    To combat this I have pulled out my favorite race shirts and have been wearing them every day. My very favorite is from the Leadman, it is red, and silky soft cotton. Wearing race shirts always gives me a gentle reminder of what I am capable of, despite the long litany of pain and injuries.
    I've also been streaming Ironman and running documentaries for inspiration. I'm not sure if it is good for me or not to watch the professionals, and their fluid running styles, and record setting times. Or seeing the age-groupers crossing the finish line, people older and heavier than I am. How the hell do they manage to run without breaking? Am I just not cut out to ever run? I hate to think that is the reality. I know, I know, my physical therapist said I should "never run more than the occasional 5K." But I managed to run relatively pain free every year but these last 12 months. I don't know what has changed. Anyway, inspirational documentaries, streaming, almost non-stop this week.
    The one area that seems to be solid is my swimming. Thankfully. I have to make myself not over-train, because I want to push myself hard and fast. I'm swimming 4 times a week, with a strength training session after the Saturday and Tuesday swims, as well as one more session of heavy lifting mid-week. I have upped my protein and reduced my carbs, although heavy swim sessions always make me feel like a bottomless pit.
    Despite the whisper of Winter blues I am managing to get through this winter easier and saner than any Winter for the last 15 years or so. I know it is partially because of awareness, and the ability to head it off before it gets full-blown. Training always helps. Having a major event goal is a plus too, hoping for the Bridge Swim, as well as a half-Iron in September. Until then, I will wear race shirts and watch other people race. Whatever it takes.

Tai Chi

    Because I didn't have a full enough training schedule, I have added Tai Chi to my life. It started a couple of months back when I was feeling dispirited about my running injuries and pain. I wanted something that would help my strength and flexibilty, and that I knew I would be able to do for the rest of my life. I have skirted around the edge of Tai Chi over the years. Back in January I decided to buy a dvd on Amazon: Scott Cole's Tai Chi for Fitness. From the first time I went through the routine I was smitten. Both with Tai Chi and the instructor, who is positive, encouraging, humorous, spiritual, and more than a bit dorky. Yes, it is a dvd, but there are times when I need to hear someone, anyone, tell me, "You are doing great." Cole has a gentle voice and speaks of self appreciation, love, peace, and fitness.
    This particular Tai Chi routine focuses a lot on upper body flexibility. The day after a hard swim (which seems like most days, lately) it encourages me to really open up my tight chest and shoulder muscles. There is continual movement, spiraling and flowing, stretching and balancing. For a solid hour I get to move my body in ways that help reduce soreness, and increase flexibility and circulation. I especially love this on Sunday morning, because Saturday is a hard swim, followed by upper body strength training.  Hugely important are controlled breathing and the flow of energy. It is revitalizing body, mind and soul.
    There is also a meditative and spiritual element that is so poignant that at the end of the workout I feel a slight spark of tears, just from the emotional and spiritual depth. Yes, I admit, I have a crush on the instructor.
    I am hoping to learn the routine well enough that I can do it anywhere, on my own (although I would miss Cole's monologue). I am planning on making a special spot in the backyard, with smooth ground and fine grass so I can have an outdoor Tai Chi area... if I can keep the dogs from mangling it.