A brick in the bank, or, you have to be certifiable to do this to yourself

The origins of a word can be mystifying. In triathlons, a “brick” is the term used to describe when a triathlete does two or more of the disciplines in a training session, back to back. I have read that the word “brick” comes from a melding of the words “bike” and “run”. Okaaay, but why “brick”? Why not “bun”? Or, better yet, “burn” or “brith”. Either of those would better describe the pain/discomfort of doing a bike/run back to back. What if you do a swim and bike? Would that be a “swike” or a “bwim”? Would a swim and run be a “rim”? I think this is going to give me a headache!

Not everyone thinks bricks are a good idea. They feel that as long as you can do any one of the disciplines on any given day before the triathlon, you will be able to put them together on the day of the event. To do more puts one at risk of injury.  I think I will feel better having a least an idea of what it feels like to do a few bricks. It is hard to prepare yourself for something you have never done before. Of course, if the brick goes well, it can be a great confidence booster. Then again, if it doesn’t, it can be deflating.

Today, I did my first “century”, a 100 mile bike ride (no wondering where that term can from) in training. The first half went great. It was cool, shady most of the way, and I made the turn around at 53 miles in 3 hours, feeling great. Shoot, this is going to be a piece of cake. Then came the return. The sun was now fully up, it was edging toward the 97 degree high for the day, and I was heading into a 7 mph headwind. It may not sound like much, but any headwind is a pain in the butt, and when you are hot and tired, it is a royal pain in the butt.  (this is what you get when you Google images of a "royal pain in the butt") By the end, I was just trying to ration my energy for a short run at the end, just to see how the legs felt and what I might have left “in the tank” so-to-speak for a run. My total was actually just over 107 miles at an average of 16.8 mph- way faster than I anticipated. My total moving time was 6 hrs 32 min with a total elapsed time of 7 hrs 15 min (that included stops for water, ice, and nourishment). I packed 10 packages of GU  energy gels, 1 chocolate chip granola bar, a bag of Stinger soft energy chews, and 20 Salt Stick capsules. It wasn't nearly enough. I had to buy a big bag of gummie chews for the last hour. Fluids were 2 water bottles plus another 48 oz of water that I bought and a 20 oz Gatorade to make up for running out of Salt Sticks.

 

Between the energy sapping heat, sore-tired legs, and tight-sore neck and back a single fact was driven undeniably home: you have to certifiably crazy to do an ironman triathlon; to even want to do one. If I ever doubted that, today erased those doubts. I didn't even do a real run; I mostly walked. And, it was only 3 ½ miles, not 26.2. And, I didn’t do a 2.4 mile swim before the bike ride. Yes, insanity pretty much sums it up.

The funny part- not “ha ha” funny, but odd funny- is that it really isn’t fun either. I don’t think you do a full ironman for fun. It is more about the challenge. To see what you can do; what you’re capable of. It is a test of your limits. It seems to me a shame to go through life and never push yourself to see what you are made of. That, and there is, hopefully, a cool finishers medal at the end. Extrapolating from my situation, I suspect that a lot of people do the training, like me, and then go into an ironman not really sure they will actually finish it, like I think I might.

In a scene from the Karate Kid, Daniel-san confides his fears to Mr. Miyagi, as he approaches the big karate tournament, at which he expects to have his head handed to him by the bullies of the Cobra Kai dojo. I remember Miyagi’s response: “trust the quality of your training”.   Well, today was a “quality” day, and the first brick. Hopefully, the past 9 months of training plus the 6-7 weeks to come will be enough. I hope so. Time will tell.......