Heatwave

This weeks weather has been no joke. You can tell it's OFFICIALLY summer in New Orleans. Getting quality workouts in has been a true challenge. The problem isn't necessarily completing the workout, but more so staying in appropriate heart rate zones etc. I find my heart rate is definitely a good 10 bpm above where it should be on days like this. Ultimately, I guess all I can do is hydrate... hydrate... hydrate.... and get'er done early....

It's funny because in most areas of the country triathlon season is finally in full swing. It's the opposite here in cajun swamp lands as the race season comes to a standstill. In fact, it's hard to find a race between June-August. In order to get one last fix, I'm headed up to Mississippi today to do this Olympic distance race:

I don't think there could have been a more appropriate race name. It's definitely going to be a scorcher. Anyway good luck to Maggs and everyone else racing this weekend! Stay cool~

650s vs 700s?

This is a debate that will likely never be won but I'm going there. I'm calling on all my engineering types out there.

650c vs 700c wheels?

Please help!

And before I begin, I'll warn you that my bike terminology sucks. So please forgive me in advance. Here goes!

This is my pink hotness frame:


These are my pink hotness dimensions:I have the x-small size. I'm 5'4" and weigh 120 lbs. As for racing and training in the south, I ride mostly flat courses with minimal rolling hills. I've been very satisfied with my bike over the last 3 years and have become comfortable with the fit. Given my less than stellar bike handling skills, I like the way I can "man-handle" the pink hotness.

Next year I'm debating between upgrading my bike or purchasing some 404 race wheels. I know there's a vast cost difference but it makes no sense to buy wheels if I'm going to switch to 700s later on down the road. Talking to Kim S and Frayed Laces, they both seem to prefer the smaller size as well. And they both are similar builds to me.....

I understand that the smaller frame is easier to handle. I also understand that biking has a lot to do with rotational weight. 650cs are obviously lighter. On the downside, I also know that buying 650c race wheels is much more of a pain in the a**.

The pink hotness has been so good me and I don't think I want to say goodbye just yet. I can be swayed though! Has anyone recently made the jump from 650c to 700c? Are there any other MAJOR reasons I should switch?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! And good luck to Kim at IM Cozumel!

triathlon vs adventure racing

A few months ago my husband casually asked to see if I would be interested in filling a spot on his boss's adventure race team as one of his team members were hurt. Not thinking I would really be needed, I said oh yah sure! I'm a triathlete= I can so do an adventure race!

Before participating in my first adventure race over the past weekend, I imagined adventure racing as triathlon with a canoe and mountain bike. Well folks, I couldn't have been more wrong...

Triathlon vs. Adventure Racing

• First of all adventure racing is a team sport. There is no "I" in adventure race. Something I am definitely not used to... Team work what? The rules even require you to stay within 50 feet of your team members at all times. And yes my husband, his boss, and I were all on the same team. Probably not the best team dynamic, but we survived.

• Adventure racing requires keen navigation skills. Navigation skills... map??? You mean I'm required to think? You mean my husband is giving directions? or better yet his boss?!?

• Mountain biking is far more exciting than hunching over for 2 hours plus in the aero position. We're talking tight turns, doing wheelies over tree stumps, navigation over 2x4 skinny bridges. What a rush! Given my stellar bike handing skills, I was lucky I didn't eat it on my borrowed bike. The pink hotness is still near and dear to my heart :)

• Bugs, snakes, spiders, and GATORS! Yikes! Nuff said. ( I was too scared to take a picture).

• Mud, wet shoes, swamp lands, quick sand, being soaked to the bone for 4 plus hours, humidity, and lots more mud in places you definitely don't want it to be. You mean we need to carry our bikes through this?!???"

Although there were plenty of differences, the post race Naw-lins style post race party was much of the same:

Not the healthiest of options, but it is New Orleans....

While I don't thinking I'll be crossing over to the dark side anytime soon, mountain biking is way fun. Xterra anyone? Happy hump day everyone!