Peter Vu's Ironman Blog - Vineman 7/31/10

This past Saturday was the most intense training weekend we have had so far.

Saturday: Biked 60 miles (2 30-mile loops) up by Westlake Village. The first loop was in the pouring rain and probably not safe. However, we are Ironteam as coaches mention, so we have to train "RAIN OR SHINE". I dig it! There is a point though when you're biking rapidly downhill on a very wet surface and you cannot see that well in front of you because of the raindrops on your sunglasses that you take a moment to ponder whether what you're doing is safe. As the thought crosses your mind and you try to rationalize its consequences, you're more focused on the task at hand: a) slowing down so that you don't crash into the person in front of you b) slowing down so you don't wipe out and crash into the cold asphalt and c) slowing down so cars can see you as you pass by. This all leads to a nice 2-hour first loop. Did I mention the ridiculous hills too? There were probably 3 steep hills on the loop, and going out the first time was okay since I still had fresh legs. By the second loop, I had to leave my biking jacket behind because it was not suited for this weather and soaked up all the rain--leaving me 5 pounds heavier. I was also literally freezing, but the sun started shining at the beginning of the second loop - hallelujah! The second loop was quicker, and I was trying to keep pace with Allan and "big" Carlos, a couple of "beasts" on the team. On the last steep hill around mile 52, I reached a point where I almost could not pedal anymore because of the sharp incline of the terrain. Once I pulled through that, the rest was a blur. We made it back to home base (Westlake Village Shopping Center) in about 1.5 hours - crushed it given the circumstances. Then, we did a transition run for about 15 mins. 4 hours in the books, my friends! As Bobby Cockrill likes to say, "You're Doin' It!"

Sunday: 2,400 yards of poolwork and 11 miles of running. I got it done by around 1pm and was able to get on with my day afterwards.

Training is start to pick up. We have our first open water swim in Palm Springs this Saturday, and then we will be doing the Desert Triathlon the following morning. My first triathlon!!! I'm nervous, but excited.

Go Team!