I think for next spring I’m going to invest in some protective gear too – I don’t know if any of the other readers of your board mountain bike, but if they have any good ideas of where to get some good (and inexpensive) mountain bike gear I’d appreciate it. I do realize with mountain biking you fall more and get banged up (my shins are a testiment to that), so I want to get some knee/shin guards and also some wrist protection.

You are inspiring me and helping me even when you don’t realize it! Yesterday I went mountain biking. I bought a new bike Saturday evening which I love, but it handles so different than my old bike and is heavier too. I fell yesterday and I banged my shin up pretty good. I got very frustrated and mad at myself. Joe was trying to get me focused and calm me down as I was having a tantrum. I said, why do I always go 1 step forward and 3 back. Anyway – he said to me “Don’t you think this happens to other people too. Don’t you think Diane has had setbacks in her training to get to Ironman. Think how hard she has trained and struggled to accomplish her goal. It doesn’t come easy.” It was kinda like being hit in the head with reality. I realized that in order to get better, there are times when I will take 3 steps back. But it’s the getting back up, dusting yourself off and keep trying that makes us accomplish our goals.

So, I just wanted to thank you for giving me a proverbial “whack in the head” when I needed it. And thank you for being such an inspiration.

Gretchen

I’m glad you have the transport of your bike all figured out. It certainly sounds like a safer way to transport it than leaving it up to the baggage handlers!

I was reading an abstract from the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (May ‘08) which I thought was interesting. The abstract talked about a study they did in which some cyclists in a 100 km (62 mile) bike ride consumed a drink containing both glucose and fructose vs cyclists that only consumed a drink with just glucose. The cyclists comsuming both glucose and fructose containing drinks completed the course 16 minutes faster than the other riders. As Nancy Clark explained, different carbohydrates use different transporters to get into muscles, therefore having a variety of carbohydrates enhances energy availability. Diane, I’m not sure if it is too late to look at the drinks/snacks you’re having for the triathlon, but this is an interesting idea to mix things up if it isn’t too late. Just thought it was a good reminder to all of us to eat a variety of foods.

I have hired a company that transports the bikes in a van! No taking anything apart. You know how particular I am about my bike position, every millimeter matters to my comfort and power. So, this was the best choice for me.

Thanks! Keep thinking of questions. Glad you got to see your son.

Diane

I just traveled to see my son Josh down in Georgia and while on the plane I thought of a question – it maybe silly but here goes. How are you traveling down with all your gear? Does your bike go on the plane? Watching from the window on how they handle ones luggage is quite scary – thrown around, dropped. My question I guess is how do you get your gear, especially your bike down to Florida for the Ironman?