It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

May 31, 2011

Clipless Pedals Are NOT My Friend & Weekly Training

I had a wonderful 5 day weekend!!  I wanted to get a little more accomplished, but I did get started on my closet clean out, got the rest of my house cleaned, got my flowers planted, got a pedicure, got in some relaxation and quality time with family and friends, and got some serious training time in.  So all in all it was a busy and productive weekend, with a little bit of relaxation thrown in.

I went for another ride with my clipless pedals.....this was ride #3.  On the agenda was about 24 miles - my longest ride ever (at least since I was a kid).  I know that's not really that long, but it was alot for me.  Before we even left the parking lot, I promptly fell over and skinned up my left ankle, right knee and front of my right calf, and right elbow.   I still can't believe I fell.  I had one foot clipped in and was leaning on the other, talking to my friend Michelle, and just waiting to get started.  All of a sudden I lost my balance and started falling.  I knew I was going to fall, and even said "Oh Crap, I'm Falling", but there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.  It literally all happened in slow motion.   I was bleeding and shaken from the fall, but I picked myself up and went on the ride anyway. I of course had Jim snap a few pics of me when I got home to document my glorious fall.

My elbow

My Knee

My ankle.  It's hard to tell, but this is actually the worst "injury".  I took out about 4 separate chunks from my ankle.

A little road rash on my calf.


It was a beautiful day, although it was a little hot.  It was sunny and upper 80s with about 95% humidity.  There were also about 20 mph winds, which make the road bike a little scary.  We completed two 12 mile loops, but somehow only logged 23 miles.  But I was so happy to say that I had ridden 23 miles!!  

This Saturday Jim and I will run the Hospital Hill 10K.  It is a very, very hilly race....notice the word "Hill" in the race title.  I have been trying to run a few more hills, but man they really wipe me out.  I am guessing my time will be something awesome like 1:20.  Jim will be done with the race, and just be chilling out waiting for me by the time I get done.  He will probably seriously run it in half of my time.  Why am I so stinking slow!!!

I had another solid week of training and I couldn't be happier with my training this month.  It has been great.  I have felt good and have actually been looking forward to my swim training, so that's a huge step for me.  Below is my training recap for the week.

Monday: 4 mile easy run
Tuesday: 14 Miles on Bike in am; Master Swim (1600 Meters) in pm
Wednesday: 4 mile Tempo run
Thursday: BRICK Group Workout - 12 Mile Bike & 2 Mile Run
Friday: Swim - 1500 Meters
Saturday: 7 mile long run
Sunday: 23 Miles on Bike

Totals
Swim: 3100 Meters
Bike:  49 Miles
Run:  17 miles
Total Training Time:  9 hours and 35 minutes

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!!  

27 comments:

  1. What a great training week.. Minus the fall..

    Good Luck with the Hills!

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  2. OUCH! I watched an accomplished Ironman fall over in the parking lot before our ride last weekend. It happens to EVERYONE!

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  3. when i first started riding clipless, i fell every..single...time i rode. i came to expect the fall. knock on wood, i havent fallen in a while, but know it will happen again. good job this month training, wish i could say the same about mine :/

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  4. Nice job on the training! Sadly, I don't think we ever become immune to falling. If anything, we'll probably fall again when we start getting over confident...

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  5. You are NOT slow Michael. Jim is just really fast! Good luck!

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  6. I promise it gets easier but it will still happen from time to time, it still happens to me and I been riding with them for 4 years now.

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  7. The idea of clipless pedals scares me to death. You are at least trying. Everyone has a different run speed. Just try to improve your own and don't compare. Man do I sound like a teacher or what.

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  8. I'm scared to get clipless pedals cause I'm such a clutz! You and I would be rash twins!

    You're doing great though! Looks like you're swimming in the humidity too!

    I took a pic on my last blog for you! It's of the Alcatraz Tri!

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  9. Sorry about the fall, those gashes look rough!

    I definitely fell over when I used to wear clipless pedals. When I would clip out and was standing there, I would really concentrate on leaning to one side so that I wouldn't fall over, it would still happen sometimes though.

    I would say stick with the clipless pedals, you really can go faster and pedal harder with them once you are used to them.

    Solid week of workouts!

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  10. what a training week! i wish i couldwork out every day...but alas it is not in the cards. Don't sweat the 10 K time...all the cool kids are at the back of the pack with us ;). we work HARD to finish those races! Oh, & i am too scared to try those pedals...kudos to you for sticking with it! You Rock!

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  11. Great week! Sorry about the fall but it does happen. I know on one of my last rides I almost fell over. I've learned never to stand with one foot clipped in unless I will taking off quickly.

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  12. For someone who does not know a thing about tris could you post a picture of clipless pedals? Just curious at what the difference is and what they look like. Also what is the purpose of them?

    If I could get over the embarrassment of learning how to swim (properly) I think I just might attempt a tri....

    And I agree that you are not slow...Jim is just crazy fast!

    Good luck this weekend.

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  13. Bummer about your fall:(
    Great week in training!!

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  14. Everyone falls. There is no shame.

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  15. oh my gosh, that looks painful. Hopefully it gets easier using them!

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  16. Welcome to the I'm not moving but I am falling down club. It is a great club to be a part of.

    Hope the injuries heal up quickly.

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  17. Ouch! Everyone falls at least once or twice with the clipless, you are not alone :) I have done that 2 or 3 times now. ugh.

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  18. Most common times to fall? When distracted or casually talking to someone else. It's been awhile since I took a tumble but the closest I came was while giving my son instructions on how to stop properly. I was so focused on him that I about bit the dust!

    Is it just me or do your bike miles add up to 49 and not 40 for the week?

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  19. Your training week looks awesome. I'm jealous of how much you got in! Sorry about the 'fall'. I've heard that learning to use clipless pedals is a pain...good luck mastering those!! [and go eat a steak;)]

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  20. Ouch...those injuries look like they hurt! I'm sorry about your fall! But, it sounds like you got in some great training anyways!

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  21. Ouch. But you're in good company. We've all done it!

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  22. That looked like it hurt!!! Keep up the training though! I have already been feeling more comfortable on the bike with clipless pedals! I LOVE THEM!

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  23. So sorry about the fall. What a great training week you had though. That is fabulous!

    Good luck at the 10k!! You can do it.

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  24. You are a trooper! I still need to get clipless pedals, but I continually see images of scrapes, bruises, bumps, and scratches from falls. haha

    I can't wait to join the ranks of the clipless pedal fight the pavement club.

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  25. That's why I'm just a runner. Biking: too dangerous.

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