bike fit

I had a professional bike fit yesterday. This is well worth the time. Most of the study is a series of measurements and flexibility angles that your body can achieve while cycling. My fitter noticed my odd ankle - which I had long forgotten. "Have you ever broken your right ankle, or sprained it badly?" he asked. As a matter of fact I did - my freshman year of college playing ultimate Frisbee. I loved that game. My ankle swelled up to the size of a grapefruit, and my college swim coach still made me get in the water. Twenty years later it's still 'off'. My hips are good. One femur is a touch longer than the other. My flexibility is off the charts - "pretzel flexibility" is how he put it. Even so he raised my bars higher than what I think looks cool. Took a perfectly good bike and made it look a little goofy. What once just looked fast now looks my age. It is a bit more comfortable. My back will be slightly straighter, head a bit higher, but the aero envelope is still minimal. I'll hold this position for 5 hours, pedalling madly the whole time. It's important in Ironman distance to have a comfortable fit, not necessarily the the most aero fit. We did move the bars slightly in, elbows a touch more center. We changed the seat also - recently on a long ride my trusty saddle didn't real right. Instead it felt like pain and agony, with raw skin to prove it (sorry, it happens). I prefer Specialized...but learned that they drop a bit over time. I'm riding a test saddle to see if I like it; good marketing from the dealer. A bike seat cost about $150-$200. Crazy huh? Other than the seat decision my bike is ready, God willing I won't destroy the thing again. Tomorrow morning I'm doing my last 100 miler of the training season. Not sure the route yet...might just wander Indiana for a while and see where I end up.

Tonight I ran 8.5 miles. Good and fast. Stronger than I've felt all summer. I drank a glass of Champagne leftover from my wife's birthday a few minutes before heading out. So, OK, I'm not your normal triathlete. Maybe that's the key to running enjoyment? Champagne bubbles? It didn't seem to phase me. Actually was the fastest 8.5 I can remember. I'm ready to race NOW. Timing this whole thing to 9/12, being at peak level on a target date, is hard to do.

I wonder if they alow Champagne in your 'special needs' bag on the bike in Madison? Doubt it. More on the various bags that I have access to during the race later. To bed for me.