LIVESTRONG Pre-Event
Training in the garage
The LIVESTRONG Challenge event in Austin is only a few days away! I’m pretty amped up about it, though it’s kind of difficult to get too excited given how busy work and school are. I’ve started packing already, and plan to finish packing all my things, except for my bike by late Sunday night. I’m driving out with Murray early Thursday morning. We plan to stop in Fort Stockton on the first night, and then arrive in Austin on Friday afternoon.
I have a full schedule ahead over the trip:
- Pick up race materials on Friday
- Open House tour of the LIVESTRONG HQ on Friday
- Run in the 5k on Saturday morning
- Lunch with family on Saturday
- Celebration dinner (hopefully with Lance Armstrong) on Saturday night
- The big 90-mile ride on Sunday
- Supposedly a 20-mile run with Murray on Monday
- Start return trip to California on Monday!
Training on the Trainer
My training for the Challenge has been fantastic. I’ve just followed my coach’s plan that included several long rides with my Breakaway Training friend, Eric. This past Saturday, we rode 90 miles, and I did not feel fatigued or tired despite the strange weather out on the San Diego coast. Today, I decided to go out for a run in my neighborhood, and accidentally stepped on a crack in the street, which caused me to twist my left ankle. I’ve iced my ankle a couple of times and taken Iboprofen to help bring down the swelling. I hope my ankle is a go by Saturday, otherwise, I will have to skip the 5k run. The good news is that the ankle injury does not impact my ability to ride my bike, so all systems go for the 90-mile Challenge ride.
To get my regular workout in today, I rode for an hour on my new Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer in the garage. The bike trainer will be a welcome addition to my training regimen for when it rains and gets too cold this fall and winter season.
I’d like to thank all of you for your support of this endeavor. For all my financial supporters, a big thanks for making my participation in the Challenge ride possible. I will try to write at least one blog entry on my trip and maybe even a video log if I have time.
Debbie
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Gerry, I'm relieved and excited to hear that your ankle injury won't interfere with the ride! My unasked for advice is to skip the 5K, but as one athlete to another (or a has-been to a will-do), I won't be surprised if you throw caution to the wind and try to do it. I just hope it doesn't worsen the ankle enough to affect your cycling. Best of luck, you STUD!