Cokes, Jokes, And Dreams

After a humid and rainy January, with temperatures around 30° C (86° F), summer in Rio finally showed up. Now it is hot, and thermometers easily reach 41° C (105° F). Imagine what it is to train under these conditions…

If were not for the Ironman, only a few would still be up Saturday morning to bike on the road, where the sun hits hard and the asphalt seems to thaw the tires. My wife says I’m changing my skin color! Sunday morning is reserved for long runs, now performed on scenic places near beaches, and trails.

There are a few good things though (besides training itself); especially that marvelous, refreshing, cold shower we usually have after 40 to 60’ of running that immediately follows the 120km (75 mi) bike rides scheduled for the month. Finished this month doing them at a 20 mph avg.

But, above it all, nothing is better than the gathering that takes place around noon, when most of the athletes are finished with their workouts. Those are endorphin–relaxing moments full of stories, cokes, jokes, and dreams. Moments during which new friends are made; where everybody is young, despite their ages; where is good to be alive.

February in Brazil also means Carnival (Mardi Gras), the largest and most spectacular open-air festival in the world. Here in Rio, this merrymaking event takes huge proportions, with lots of people (dwellers and tourists) and a two-day parade performed by our Samba Schools. Many people travel during this holiday also, searching for some calmness and rest. Needless to say, it is virtually impossible to train on this context. As for me, I like to see the Samba parade on TV, drinking beer.

Since February is almost over, I am taking the remaining days for some active recovery, cutting down the mileage and preparing for March, with its three 140km (88 mi) bike rides + 10km (6.25 mi) brick, and Rio’s Half-Iron on March 18th. These long bike workouts help me a lot to adjust the bike for optimal comfort and to perform a few nutritional experiences.

I have changed the original Ritchey clip of my 2005 Fuji Aloha 1.0 tri bike for a Syntace C2, mounted with the lifter kit, considerably reducing the pain in my back by improving posture. The Ritchey clip was good, but it did not have any adjust for height, which was my problem. A shorter and more tilted stem, like those used in downhill bikes, ameliorated my arm position while riding aero.

And there are only 96 days left until May 27th IM Brazil …

It Is Worth 1,000 Years of Swimming

Take a look at Mark Foster. What a lesson, brother!

And below there is Ian Thorpe, another monster, world record holder of 200m and 400m freestyle!

Now...go swim, you moron!!