Outdoor bricks . . .

[HappyAnika]

. . . are harder than indoor bricks, not that this is a big surprise. Several weeks ago I went from riding the trainer to an outdoor run, and it wasn't too bad. Yesterday I rode 16.3 miles outside, then ran about 1.3 miles. My legs hurt, but not in the way I imagined they would. I didn't have jelly legs, but I could feel all the stabilizer muscles in my lower legs working and they felt sore. I'm not sure if this is because of the bike to run transition, or if it was because I had to run on asphalt and I usually run on dirt. After a few minutes it felt better, but I definitely need to keep practicing this. I don't have tri shorts yet, so I did a full change of clothes in between, I was in and out of the house in 2.5 minutes. Tying up running shoes when you're in a hurry coming off the bike is suprisingly difficult. A happy chocolate lab licking your face while attempting to tie shoes doesn't make it easier. From now on, no dogs are allowed in the transition area!

[KSH]

Great job on the outdoor brick!

I have been doing this for a good 3-4 monts on a regular basis... and it makes a HUGE difference.

Yesterday, I did a 30 mile ride... and then did a 3 mile run. I was pumped and ready for my run. No jello legs. Felt good to run.

Also, I just run in my bike shorts and jersey. No need to change into running clothes for such a short run.

If I had to run 6 miles or more, I might consider changing though.

Keep doing those bricks... it will help you A LOT when race day comes!

[Tri Girl]

Good job on your brick! I've never done an indoor to outdoor ride/run, so I don't know how it compares to the outdoor version. Like KSH said- those bricks really do help for race day. Keep at 'em. I never change clothes- I always run in my tri shorts (even if I'm just running for the day). I guess I have enough padding on my butt and thighs that a little extra fabric doesn't bother me much.
Speed laces are wonderful for those tricky laces after getting off the bike (who knew it'd be so hard to tie your own shoes?). As for the chocolate lab- that just makes transition more interesting. Think of him as another competitor who you have to dodge and shield yourself against. hee hee

[HillSlugger]

I've done several indoor ride/outdoor run bricks. I often got my best run times on these as my legs felt nice and loose with no rubber legs. I've only tried one outdoor/outdoor brick and could barely run it at all. The ride was the challenging 17.5 mile route for the Iron Girl I'll be doing in August and my legs were screaming when I tried the run. I managed 10 painful minutes before I started walking. Overall, I did 2.4 miles with three walks and felt pretty discouraged as I hadn't even tried the really challenging hill part of the run. I'll probably be repeating this brick this Sunday, but I've got to try some less challenging bricks, too.

[MINIskirt]

Great job!!

I've got a duathlon in about 2.5 weeks and have yet to do a brick Guess I'd better put that on the schedule for this weekend!!

[HappyAnika]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

MDHillSlug- just think, next time you try the brick it should be easier. I think 2.4 miles with some walking is respectable coming off a hilly route.

Miniskirt- you must try the brick! I actually think its fun in some sort of sadistic way.

Tri Girl and KSH- I hate even walking from my house to the garage in my bike shorts. While they are great for riding, they just rub the wrong places while walking so I didn't even attemt to run in them. I'll be shopping for some tri shorts soon. And Tri Girl, the comment about the lab being like another competitor made me laugh.

[KSH]

Tri Girl and KSH- I hate even walking from my house to the garage in my bike shorts. While they are great for riding, they just rub the wrong places while walking so I didn't even attemt to run in them. I'll be shopping for some tri shorts soon. And Tri Girl, the comment about the lab being like another competitor made me laugh.

Well, I love the Desoto Tri shorts! What is great is that they don't have a seam up the middle of your crotch. For some odd reason, all the other tri clothing manuf's. seem to think that it's a good idea to make them like that.

These are the ones I have 2 pairs of: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26982

I also purchased this top. And it's WONDERFUL because it goes down to your hips and covers your belly!

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26974

The shorts and top together are so CUTE!

[KSH]

Overall, I did 2.4 miles with three walks and felt pretty discouraged as I hadn't even tried the really challenging hill part of the run. I'll probably be repeating this brick this Sunday, but I've got to try some less challenging bricks, too.

Keep doing it... it will get easier!

A few months back, riding 25 miles and running 2 miles liked to kill me. Now, riding 30 miles and running 3 miles almost kills me!

See, it gets better!

[HappyAnika]

Well, I love the Desoto Tri shorts! What is great is that they don't have a seam up the middle of your crotch. For some odd reason, all the other tri clothing manuf's. seem to think that it's a good idea to make them like that.

These are the ones I have 2 pairs of: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26982

I also purchased this top. And it's WONDERFUL because it goes down to your hips and covers your belly!

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26974

The shorts and top together are so CUTE!

KSH- thanks for the links to the shorts and top. Do the shorts stay in place without leg grippers? I'm liking the top since it comes down to the hips and I have no interest in showing my tummy, does the bra have a decent amount of support?

[teigyr]

I only tried outdoor to outdoor yesterday and OUCH! I rode 50 miles on monday, 20 yesterday, then I attempted to run two miles. I think I made it half a mile! I was doing indoor cycling to indoor treadmill really easily also.

I love that top! I am the same way about wanting to be covered so I will definitely look into getting it.

MDHillSlug, I think you did pretty well! By your admission, the bike route was challenging so even without the brick, I'm sure you would've felt it.

[KSH]

KSH- thanks for the links to the shorts and top. Do the shorts stay in place without leg grippers? I'm liking the top since it comes down to the hips and I have no interest in showing my tummy, does the bra have a decent amount of support?

Well, I have never noticed the shorts riding up at all. So, no.

The bra... uuummm... if you are well-endowed you will probably want another one for support underneith. You know how those tri tops are... pretty skimpy on the boob support.

[HappyAnika]

I was thinking I might have to wear another bra underneath, I wear a 36C or 34D and need some stable support for running. Then I worry about having lots of fabric and it taking a while to dry. But I guess I should dry out while I'm on the bike and hopefully be dry for the run.

[Tri Girl]

I like that tri top, KSH! I may have to get one of those!!!
I, too, always have to wear a bra under my tri top (which has support already). My girls don't need to travel any further south. I got a pretty inexpensive (though good quality) Danskin dry fit type one at Walmart and trained and raced in that for my IM. It was not only really supportive, but didn't chafe and dried fairly quickly. As many sports bras as I have and go through, I've had to "downgrade" my tastes from the $30-$40 kind to the $15-$20 kind I can get at Walmart or Target.

[KSH]

I was thinking I might have to wear another bra underneath, I wear a 36C or 34D and need some stable support for running. Then I worry about having lots of fabric and it taking a while to dry. But I guess I should dry out while I'm on the bike and hopefully be dry for the run.

Well, here in Texas when I have raced in warm weather... at some point the being wet from the water turns into being wet from sweat. I never dry out. HA!

[HillSlugger]

I went out today and rode the Iron Girl triathlon route and then did a 2.4 mile run around the lake (the Iron Girl route but without the challenging uphill section). Last time I did this brick I averaged 14.85 mph on the ride and then pretty much blew up on the run; I had to do the run with 3 walks because my knees were complaining too much (11.5 min/mile average). Today I rocked the ride at 16+mpg and did the run without walking, at just over a 10 min/mile average. I am so pleased with myself. Still, I can't help but wonder how much harder this will all be after a 1000m open water swim.