New Ride

First, let me say that the knees are feeling ok. I wore a brace on each knee monday and tuesday, gave 'em plenty of ice, and things are better, but still not back to normal. I haven't tried running since saturday, but I will soon. I might get a few miles in today, and still make my 12 mile long run on saturday. I did talk with coach Katie, and she is recommending a Chopat brace, which is a strap you put under a knee to help stabilize the kneecap. So I should be able to pick up one of those soon from the local running store.

I am slowly getting used to the new clipless pedals and the indoor trainer. I got in about 45 mins on there tuesday, just long enough to realize how many small adjustments I still have to make to the setup. I couldn't get the computer to work, one pedal was too tight the other too loose, and the cleats were in the wrong position on my shoes. I might even have the tension set wrong on the trainer too. So this morning I'm going to make those adjustments and try again. Then after work I'm going to head to the gym for a little treadmill time. might not be much, but some treadmill time is in order.

And I'm adding a new ride to the schedule. Coach Katie approved, and said it's a fantatic ride that she does every year, and that the scheduling was fitting for me to jump in as well. It's called the Assault on the Carolinas, and there are three ride lengths, 30k, 60k, and 100k. They all start from Brevard, NC, and the 100k distance ends by climbing Ceasar's Head. I will be doing the 60k length. Ceasar's Head is the most challenging hill climb here in the low elevation mountains. Even my distance has 1.1 miles at 15% grade, which will be incredibly difficult. and 60k is about 35(?) miles, which will also be the longest ride I've ever attempted. Plus, it's going to be the first time I've ever attended a paid for organized ride where the police let you through traffic lights and stuff like that. Sure, I've entered plenty of running races and one tri with the same support, but this will be the first bike-only event. It's all going down on March 28, 2009, and I would love to see/meet up with any bloggy peeps there. I'm really getting excited about this one. Come ride it with me!

For the log, I got in the swim practice on monday, and trainer ride on tuesday. Yesterday the alarm went off at 4:45, and I just turned it off. It seemed like a good time for a rest day. Today's swim was preempted by Wifey's training, so I'm going to hit the bike instead. and either tonight or tomorrow am I'll get in some treadmill time. But I think keeping my workouts diversified and only in the early morning will make the marathon taper more effective, and still leave me prepared for the tri training season soon after. Only 4 workouts during the week should be one swim, one bike, one run, and one strength session, and the long run on saturday and maybe bike ride on sunday. Seems like a viable plan for the next few weeks.