Wind Tunnel Testing

So let me start by saying: it is totally cool and FREEZING!!!!! If you have a choice, go to a wind tunnel on a warm day.... Today in Boston it is 23 degrees. Then they take that air from the outside and blow it at you - at about 50 mph....and you are in race clothes....fortunately you are in for about 1-5 minutes at a time...then they pull you out to warm you up.

Arrival at the MIT wind tunnel: ok those are the two pics above.....this is not working how I thought in terms of photos.


You notice how the guys that work there are putting layers on - many. First the bike 'as is' for racing is put in the tunnel and measurements are taken....then me - regular helmet, get in and pedal and try not to notice that your hands feel frost bitten. Again photos seem to all be going in on top....but you all are smart enough to figure it out.

We played with position - many spacers were taken out, hands were brought closer together and by the end my aero bars were angled up a bit (don't have a photo of that in the tunnel but will put one in later from CT).

Of course we played with helmets too - tried about 4 or 5 different aero helmets.... and believe it or not I had LESS drag with my regular old helmet....by the end we had my 'drag' down to about 7.9 pounds - a pound less than when I got there - oh we stripped off my non aero water bottle and cage and took off my spare pak....will have to rework that....perhaps back to a bento box....

last pic - me trying to get warm between rounds - hands on the heater....

good tired

Two weeks into OS training and I am TIRED....in a good way ;-)

bike tomorrow is now on the computrainer as my older son had a fight with his father and came here....I suppose if I wake up early enough I could ride outside - or leave him for a couple of hours....I just hate to do that to him...

First week of OS in review

I ended up doing part of IMOZ as my saturday ride - which was totally cool. It definitely made doing intervals easier.

Yesterday's run beat the pace I was supposed to hit but I am still really slow - and a whole minute per mile slower than last year at the same time. It will be interesting to see how I do on the thanksgiving 5k course.

My right ankle all the way around to my achilles hurts - though less after working it in the gym. Shamsule thinks we are breaking up scar tissue and there is now movement in there that just was not before...makes sense. No swelling and it did not hurt whilst running.

Ok, going to listen to the podcasts.....

First week of EN OS

This has been a tough but good week. It was probably a dumb idea to do the outdoor FTT last weekend though I am glad to have that data point coming off being sick. Outdoor FTP 186. Took the same bike indoors, and definitely a harder protocol, end of day (insert random excuse here) and indoor FTP is 151.
Just 12 hours later was 5k for vdot - not surprisingly I ran my slowest one ever - but that means there is only one way - up. Current vdot 32 ha!

I set up the computrainer and created a CS erg course for yesterday's workout - ok what a sadistic task master the erg mode of the CT is!!! wow that was hard!!!

I have not decided yet whether to do erg mode today or a course....having fun playing with this toy however!

Election day

I went to vote, but the line was ridiculous, so will go after I pick up younger son from school....

FTT test tonight. A whole world of hurt awaits me....

Mondays are hard

Even with the clocks set back.....
Did strength training today. Shamsule is honing his sadistic tendencies....He liked how my front squat looked today - so he added more weight.

I guess since I pay him that makes me a masochist. Wait I am a triathlete. Masochist would be redundant....

Fishies

So with the clocks turning back, an extra hour of sleep, you would think that I would have no trouble getting to master's swim - but it was painful. I blame the 2 beers with Boston Triathlon Team last night - gee I have become a lightweight!

Boston University Master's Swim - BUMS - somehow the coach did not make it, but we all did a workout anyway - I kicked my own butt. At the end Noah and I raced again. Always a good thing. I like seeing Noah having so much fun in the water.

Now I am wiped, but still planning a run...oy. It will be a short slow run I think!

Got myself out there (pat on back) and did a 3 mile run. It hurt. But I am glad I did it. Incredibly slow pace - like 10:15/mile. Ignoring the fact that I was sick, I still think I got slower running this year.....BEFORE tri training I ran a 5k at 8:15 pace. Not sure I will be able to hold that on wednesday for the vdot test.....

oh well at least I have the OS to get faster....

Saturday

Nice lazy morning - happy to not get out of bed too quickly. Outdoor bike TT today.....then the bike goes on the computrainer....for the rest of the winter in all likelihood.

I am amazed at how much fitness I lost being sick....it is a bit frustrating. I need to learn a bit of patience.

So I did not lose so much after all!! comparing to the same ride in June, I did about the same! 1 minute slower, so about the same speed, but slightly higher power - and much higher max power....average power was the same it was the normalized that was slightly higher.

chilling for a bit prior to heading out....

VINDICATION!!!

Unsolicited, I heard from another passenger (a patient of mine who was on the flight) who as it turns out was right across the aisle from gynormous smelly guy and me. She asked me what happened? She thought the jetBlue FAs were horribly rude to me - she said she heard me ask to move and they told me to sit then turned around and rolled their eyes. Smelly guy did reek to everyone - the guy next to her was complaining to her!

She said I seemed a bit annoyed when I was told to sit down. She saw me close my eyes and put my headphones on clearly trying to zone out.

The next thing she said was - "my friend and I saw them take your bags and we were like huh????"

NO SCENE!!!

She laughed when I told her what they said to me. She was royally pissed off!

So for all of you who thought that I must have made a scene - uh no. I really did recount things as they happened.

NO FLIGHT FOR YOU!

As if flying is not bad enough these days, beyond a bus in the air, Jet Blue has taken the idea of their having a fiefdom a bit too far.

I went to Vegas for a convention - got there Thursday night late, had meetings all day friday, a relaxing dinner then off to the airport for my red eye home to Boston. I knew I had a middle seat from check in - of course. But I bought a pillow, had my headset and ipod and planned to pop a sleeping pill when I got on.

As I boarded I took said pill. I walked down the aisle and there was this ENORMOUS guy - taking up his aisle seat and half of the seat next to him - armrest raised. Doom set in - yes of course it was my seat he was poaching. So I get to the row, point to my seat and say that I am next to him. He looks up at me like I am an invader and states that he has a bum leg. And I reply "whatever, you paid for one seat, I paid for a seat and mine is there". He finally gets up, I sit, putting the armrest down and proceed to get out my headphones....He takes a minute to talk to the flying waitresses and then sits - spilling over and under the arm rest. That is when I am overwhelmed with the stench from him - I almost hurled my dinner - what, did his bum leg mean that he cannot shower either? Aren't there laws that you have to have SOME personal hygiene to fly? When the window seat occupant arrives and we stand, I walk over to the flight attendant and say that I am going to throw up if I am next to this person - he really stinks! She tells me to sit where I am assigned for now.

So I sit down, move as far away from gynormous smelly guy as I can - even with me making myself as small as possible, his enormous thighs are touching mine - half my seat is occupied by him. And I pull my sweatshirt over my mouth so that I can breathe without the urge to vomit.

Eventually there is a tap on my shoulder that seat 3E is available - fantastic - I get my stuff and walk forward - 3E is occupied. The flight attendant asks if I am looking for a space for my carryon - I reply no, I was told 3E was where I was to move to but it is taken - turns out it was 13E - ok. I go over, put my stuff in, and proceed to open the overheads - fairly full but I see space for my duffle. The flying waitress tells me snootily that the bins are full - I point and say there is space, and proceed to fit my bag and close the overhead - it is full so I have to use the usual force to get them closed.

The JetBlue ground guy (the one who tapped my shoulder to tell me of my new seat) asks if I am ok - and I say yeah - and then say that the guy just really smelled awful (health hazard bad). He then tells me he needs to speak to me off the plane. I am like what???? He says just for a minute, I can leave my stuff. So I go with him. He then starts berating me, telling me I cannot speak like that - accuses me of yelling....I stand there, agape, tired, and just take it in. He then tells me he needs to speak to the crew and makes me stay on the ramp.

He then tells me I AM NOT FLYING HOME!!!! WHAAAAT????? I am accused of slamming the overhead shut, and making a scene. WHAAAT??? and that the crew is uncomfortable with me being on board - me who is dying to go to sleep. I have kids at home, who expect me in the morning. now what??

I ended up sleeping in the airport and getting a United flight home via Denver, getting me to Boston at 4PM - I would have been home at 7:30AM

One of my patients was on the flight - I am going to try to contact her to see if she heard/saw anything.

I was kicked off for complaining!!!!

On the ground when I told the guy that this horribly smelling guy was half way in my seat he responded that JetBlue does not have a policy of making people buy 2 seats - so I said instead you punish the person who is affected?

He used as defense the fact that no one else said anything - well DUH they were not next to him!

I did NOT make a scene, simply was trying to not get physically ill!

He said he could refund my ticket - but was gone by the time I got and paid for the other flight - so I need to approach Jet Blue for that, but I am disturbed by all this. Do I have ANY rights???

I kind of want to take some sort of action here....

Ok I got that flight segment refunded, and my United ticket was about the same cost so at least I am not out anything but time at this point but really this is ridiculous.

Their OWN contract of carriage states that they can refuse to transport someone with an offensive body odor!!!

But I was kicked off!!!!

totally want to make a stink here (pun intended)

Back at it

I am FINALLY feeling like myself. Weights monday, Ali's bike class yesterday and today swimming and weights. Did a piece for the news that will air next week, and off to Vegas for supply side - a full day of meet and greets....of course I have a full day in the office BEFORE The flight....and home on the red eye....

meds are definitely in order for this one!

work in progress

Slowly back to life....it is hard being out of shape (for me).

Healthy, just out of shape

Amazing how blah I feel now...but going to take my time getting back into it....did a short run yesterday and today was not upto biking. Tomorrow is swimming, Monday weights so maybe tuesday for biking - though if I am up for it tomorrow would go - likely run if anything though. OMG the fifth inning of the ALCS and the Sox just got 3 HRs to take the lead! wow. So I guess for today I am a sports fan instead of participant....took my boys to their baseball game, online feed of Kona and the ALCS on TV.....sports orgy....

If my P3C were a man I would marry it

I am definitely on the mend. Phew. Slept in, then napped and finally went out for a short ride - 17 miles - it felt great. Went easy just to be out there on a beautiful fall day.

Whilst riding I was thinking of how much I have learned this year, how much I have changed....
A year ago I was doing spinning class as the beginning of my training for the biking portion of triathlon. I used clipless pedals for the first time - starting with that class. It was October when I bought my P3C - though I did not ride it outside - I rode it in a class at Landry's on a trainer - where I got used to the Look pedals. By mid November I bought road bike - and did my first outdoor rides with clipless pedals - and of course my first falls....I was terrified to ride on the roads with cars and tried to stick just to paths (that partly goes back to an accident 3 years ago but I digress). I had horrid bike handling skills.

The winter riding indoors made me strong, but on a trainer. I learned how to take my bike apart to pack it for travel - and put it together again. The first time I did this was about one month before my first triathlon - I took the bike with me to florida and did my first rides. Aero was HARD - I did not change gears, I did not MOVE once I was aero There was no drinking water....I ended up doing that whole first race on the horns - but I won my agegroup....

Now I have no issues riding aero, I tend not to have clip falls (but not never....) my bike handling skills have gotten pretty good (thank you to NEBC's introduction to bike racing and Wells' avenue) for that. In general I am comfortable on my bike, no problems riding around cars, and getting bolder about that little space between the cars and sidewalk....some things will always be difficult...I can put my bike together after travel in about 10 minutes and break it down similarly.

I have a long way to go but it is fun to take a minute and think back....

Rejoining the land of the living

I got out of bed today! Took the boys to swimming, where I was able to chat with the Masters' coach as to why I have not been back the last 2 weeks. He was awesome and gave me a way to get myself back in.

The afternoon was spent at Fenway - we got to see the retiring of Pesky's number 6. Carlton Fisk revealed the new plaque. Way cool. The game did not count, win or lose we are in the playoffs as the wildcard, whilst the yankees will be playing golf....

back in bed now - amazing how quickly I deconditioned.....or perhaps I am still recovering.....

one good virus deserves another

I feel like I have slightly more energy today - though I did get a great nap this afternoon whilst watching a movie with my older son.

More energy is of course a relative term. I have not even gotten dressed in 3 days. Oh wait I take that back - thursday I picked the kids up from school.

I think I am recovering from the meningitis but that during this convalescence contracted a viral bronchitis which is kicking my asthma up.

oh so much fun

I hate being sick

Doctors are not supposed to get sick

We are supposed to help make others better.

will sleep for health

day 5 million of being ill. I am starting to forget what healthy feels like.

the weather does suck and now it looks like the triathlon I was supposed to do could be changed to duathlon, or aquarun or just run.....so I no longer feel like I am missing something. of course it could get canceled all together.

someday I will be able to train again. not today.

Uncle

I cannot get healthy - I have finally decided (with much input from others) to take the advice I would give a patient and just go to bed. Until the middle of next week.

I am officially ending my season and going into casual mode until November. I doubt I will run the boston half but have not entirely ruled it out.

My body has just had enough and it is time to just shut down.

Off Season

My body has spoken...1 step forward 2 steps back...that is how this week has gone. Meningitis has kicked my butt. I am exhausted and finally aware that my body is talking - no SCREAMING - stop.

So DNS for this weekend's race - it is supposed to be cold and raining anyway. Not sure if I will run the Boston Half Marathon in 2 weeks - feeling like no right now.

meningitis

I am starting to venture out of bed. The massive headache left yesterday and I made it through a few hours of patient care. Spent the latter part of the day in bed.

Today I managed to paint my new garage doors - including a second coat on one of them. Wore me out though.

Tomorrow is Hub on Wheels. I should be able to manage 10 miles....not sure about the 30 or 50....will play it by ear.....

Viral Plague

So I am fairly certain that I have been suffering from meningitis the last three days.....head pounding horrible pain, neck stiffness, fever. Needless to say training has gone out the window. Tonight I am marginally better. I am going to try to go into work for a few hours tomorrow morning, and depending upon how I feel would consider swimming.

I still plan to do Hub on Wheels, though I may not do the 50 mile option - might have to do 30 or even 10.

will run for food

So today was the first day of the ST women's weight loss support group.....I weighed in higher than I have been in a LOOONG time - managed to gain 4 pounds this weekend anticipating possible deprivation.....maybe that is why I ran so slowly today....

Now is my difficult time - nighttime eating....I should go to bed very early as I have a 6AM flight out of Logan....which means getting up at 4....ouch. That will be early....way early....at least at the conference tomorrow I willl not have food in my face the whole time....perhaps I can learn a bit of self control....

swimming

Today I went and tried BU masters swim. 3500 yards and a whole lot of fly later wow am I tired! but it was good and I signed up.
I did more fly stroke today than my whole life combined. With fins on I did not do to badly. Take them off and well shit! A whole other problem. However given that I really only learned this stroke during the last 2 weeks I don't feel bad. The coach did tell me I belong there - turns out he does triathlons and coaches for them AND many of the other swimmers are triathletes as well.

Still hoping to run later - I do have a half marathon in one month!

Season One Coming To a Close

I totally forgot that I started this blog - well started is a relative term since I did not DO anything! ha!

anyway, I have now completed 4 sprint triathlons and one Olympic distance triathlons. I ran one half marathon (untrained and untapered - long story) and still to come are a 50 mile bike ride for charity next weekend, a sprint triathlon the following weekend and the Boston half marathon on October 12th.

My head is already thinking about 2009.....I liked the Olympic distance which surprised me....and I am thinking I will do a half ironman.....who woulda thunk....

7 months and counting

So it started last summer....working with Tom (trainer) and mostly back into shape....Tom starts telling me I should compete...of course he meant weights...he was impressed that I lifted as much as people half my age...ha.

I go off and start thinking that competing in college was fun. And for some reason triathlons get stuck in my head - now mind you I am NOT a runner, nor swimmer, nor biker. In fact I am not endurance minded at all. I liked the well roundedness of it - made sense to me. So without knowing wtf I was doing , I signed up for a 'sprint' distance triathlon for March 2008 - I figured that was before the season in Massachusetts - enough time to see just how bad I really am.

At that point I figured I would use my 1989 mountain bike with slicks on them. My right hand was still in a cast from an accident on said bike (on the streets of Boston). So I started spin class for biking - a place I never thought I would venture. I had run here and there - nothing spectacular and no races. Last time I had been swimming as in laps was about 1980 - so into the pool I went. Ironically on my first day, a swim coach was working with a few people who clearly were triathletes. I told her I needed about a month before I was ready to even start working with her. It seemed destined - her name being Kitty, mine being Cat. My sons chanted Kitty Cat all through the house....

I started with one swim one bike and one run per week along with weights, then upped it to 2 whilst I read everything I could get my hands on (and of course there is a plethora). By October it was clear that my mountain bike was not going to cut it, and knowing I was not so into road biking I decided I wanted a triathlon bike. A wee bit of reading and I really wanted carbon fiber.

Now here comes the funny part - I got the bike paid for - sponsorship - due to my consulting in the supplement industry. Many of the companies loved the idea of a non-genetic freak, middle age doctor mom doing this - upping the ante and being an example. So I got my end of season Cervelo P3 Carbon. Clipless pedals - which I learned how to get in and out of on a trainer. And the bike store manager was great about holding my hand and teaching me.

to be continued