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

Check out this trailer for "Chasing Legends" courtesy of Coach Paul:

#1: Left Cross

A motorist fails to see a cyclist and makes a left turn--it accounts for almost half of all bike-car crashes, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC).
AVOID IT: If you see a car turning into your path, turn right into the lane with the vehicle. "Don't creep into the intersection at red lights to get a head start," says Laura Sandt, program specialist for the PBIC. 

See all five here. 

I organized a group of 11 people (Tony, Mark, Rachel, Erin, Bobby, Allan, Dave, Hammer, Terry, Rich) from the Ironteam to go biking and swimming this morning. Lots of fun, very chill - 2.5 Amalfi loops or about 20 miles in 1.5 hours. One of the most fun things in the world is riding with a group of friends on a beautiful morning - everyone should try it! After, I hit up Santa Monica Swim Center for 1,500 yards in the pool. It's been getting crowded there because of the sunny weather...sigh. I had a comfortable swim and worked on my barrel movement for the most part. I want to work on my glide and lifting my head out of the water to breathe next.

A few of us then went to this new place that Matt's girlfriend, Christine, suggested called Bite Bar and Bakery on the Westside...it was awesome. The steak sandwich and free cookie samples were dope. That place is going to blow up this year, no doubt and it just opened in March 2010. You heard it here first, and if you know me, you know how keen my food sense is. Also, shout out to Kiyokiwa in Beverly Hills where I had an amazing omakase dinner on Sat. night. The chef is truly one of the best unknown sushi chefs in LA right now. Crazy to think that LA is the food capital of the U.S. right now for all those foodies in the know.

Wildlflower this upcoming weekend. I'm stoked...for all 70.3 miles of it. It's gametime now. Nutrition (carbo-loading), training and sleep preparation in full effect tomorrow.

Only 45 minute run this morning with the team out by Santa Monica, then got a coaches lecture about upcoming race weekend. Tomorrow, 1.5 hr "cupcake" ride and then some poolwork. Love me the taper weeks!

Also, Arkady and Rachel are trying to convince me to train for Boston Marathon after Ironman. WTF. I just want to take a break from training. Arkady says we as athletes "never" take seasons off. I told him I will "never" run a marathon in 3:10 or below. He said "never" say "never". You know how the story goes.

I also picked up my bike today from Performance. I made sure to get a professional tune up before race weekend. $140 for their professional tune-up deal (includes 2 free tune ups, 2 drive chain cleaning, 4 flat tire changes and unlimited 50% off future services) = sweet deal. For those of you who are looking to save money and get into biking/triathlons, Performance Bike is the way to go. With their chain store purchasing power, you can get awesome deals on many general bike needs. They don't sell Cervelo or Orbea bikes, but they sell great starter bikes. Okay, enough promotion for a few months. However, if anyone is ever interested in getting into triathlons and wants to know about what to buy, let me know.

Performance Bike Video by MC Spandex

 
We have a daily training log that our coaches post online. This is today's:

TAPER! Sweetness! Not uncommon to feel really tired or even get sick during taper. Your body has been working hard, and now you take away the stimulus, and things creep up. Vit C, lots of rest.

I LOVE REST. So do bears.

but in shorter chunks since I'm too busy.

Training has been going well and we have our Half-Ironman (Avia Wildflower Triathlon) at the end of April. It's not my official race, but I am stoked to do it. 70.3 miles = 1.2 mile run + 56 mile bike + 13.1 mile run. Very hard course with lots of hills and usually hot temperatures.

Starting to love my team more and more everyday. Today, I had the best workout/post-workout meal ever. Louis set up a 2 hour run and then eat for about 7-8 of us (REDS = Run, Eat Dim Sum) in Monterey Park at my favorite dim sum place. Elite Restaurant. Sooo goood. I did have to drive out there at 7am though.

Need to keep fundraising...a few months away, but have to get on that soon.

Stay focused. Stay disciplined. Have fun!