BRICK
This morning I did my first semi-BRICK workout of the season. A “BRICK,” for those of you who don’t know, is a bike-run combination. No one really knows where the name comes from – it’s sort of a combination of the words “bike” and “run”, it sort of describes how your legs might feel coming off the bike and starting the run, and there are other theories out there.
I’m calling this a semi-BRICK because not going through an outside transition with all the attendant stress made it easier this morning than I usually find them to be. Also, riding outside just feels harder on the legs than riding on the trainer does. On the other hand, I didn’t mess around at all between the bike and the run. I had my running shoes and a long-sleeve shirt ready and it didn’t take me more than 90 seconds to get out the door. Thankfully, I’ve always done pretty well with transitions and this morning’s was no different. My legs felt good right from the start. My only issue with the run is that I still can’t keep my heart rate down and still maintain a good pace. My goal this morning was to keep my heart rate in the low-to-mid 130’s and try to run about 8-8:30 miles. I think I was running around 8 minute miles, but my heart was beating in the 140-145 range nearly the entire time. I was having this “problem” last week as well. It’s never been a problem in the past, but I’ve heard that it becomes a huge deal over the course of an 11+ hour race. I need to talk to with John to see how to work on this.
I was sitting at my desk today, plowing my way through a 12 ounce bag of pretzels that I opened yesterday and realized just how much it is I am eating these days. In addition to a pre-workout small breakfast, often a gel/sports drink while working out, a post-workout breakfast, a late morning protein bar, lunch, an afternoon snack, an evening snack and dinner, I’m also averaging a 12 ounce bag of pretzels every two days. According to the bag, that’s an additional six servings (about 720 calories) a day. Remember, I’m not eating these instead of my other food. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t feel like I’m eating too much and I’m mostly eating because I’m hungry (as opposed to bored), but I’m just amazed at how many calories I’m consuming these days. I should really try adding it up one day or one week. Whatever amount it is, it’s just about right because my weight has stayed relatively constant for the last few months. But when this Ironman training is over, I could be in big trouble.
Bike – March 13
Time: 1:30
Average heart rate: 126
Indoor ride
Run – March 13
Time: 20 minutes
Distance: 2.5 miles
Average heart rate: 146
Course: West Village/Soho streets
Conditions: nice morning, mid-40’s