I Eat Bricks For Breakfast

on January 30, 2010
in All Posts

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

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I had an AWESOME brick workout today – meaning I biked, transitioned, and ran.  I think they call them “bricks” because your legs feel like BRICKS when you start to run!  🙂

 

First up:  The bike! 

 

  • Distance: 12.15 miles
  • Duration: 53:21
  • Average Pace: 13.7

 

It is a really overcast today in Central Florida – perfect biking weather!

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I spy with my little eye….

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AN ALLIGATOR!  :) 

 

I came home and transitioned as fast as possible.  I know from my previous triathlon experiences that transitions are very, very important.  You have to practice transitioning!

 

I carried my bike up the stairs, put on my knee sleeves, got my iPod, refilled my water bottle, and used the bathroom in 3 minutes.  Running in bike shorts is awkward, but I guess I should get used to it!

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My legs felt TERRIBLE for the first mile – kind of like they weren’t attached to my body.  But I loosened up quickly and managed to run a KILLER 5K!  I think this is one of my fastest non-race 5K’s in a long time.

 

  • Distance: 5K (3.1 miles)
  • Duration: 26:34
  • Mile 1: 8:54
  • Mile 2: 8:49
  • Mile 3: 8:08
  • Mile 3.1: 45 seconds

 

‘Twas a wonderful workout!  Triathlon, here I come!

 

Pre-workout breakfast was banana oatmeal (1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup rice milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 sliced banana, and cinnamon, brown sugar, flax, and almonds on top):

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Post-workout lunch:

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An egg and cheese sandwich with leftover roasted veggies and a melon. 

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Off to seize my Saturday!

 

Have you done a triathlon? Do you have any desire to be a triathlete?  Any IRONMEN or IRONWOMEN out there?

{ 92 comments }

 

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) January 30, 2010, 12:33 pm

    I miss the alligators I spent my summer with in Hilton Head!!! Love that you stopped for a photo during transition time 🙂

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is January 30, 2010, 12:34 pm

    That is awesome that you transitioned so quickly. That is what always impresses me the most – when the come running out of the water, hop off the bike, then fly off the bike, and run their asses off. I have always had a secret desire to do a tri, but it would require me to RUN. Yikes.

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete January 30, 2010, 12:35 pm

    I’m a triathlete, and I LOVE them! I want to do a half Ironman by the end of this year, and hopefully a full by 2012.

    Tip on the shorts: There are tri shorts that you can buy that have a little less padding in them that you can swim, bike, and run in. It won’t feel like your running with a diaper!

    It looks like you had a great workout!

  • Kelly January 30, 2010, 12:38 pm

    I agree with Nicole- I have a Tri suit that I can swim, bike and run in- makes transition times much faster and it didn’t feel weird running in it. Though I never trained with it..

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing January 30, 2010, 12:39 pm

    Yay for the great workout!! Transitioning sounds really really tough, I can’t imagine biking and THEN running. And to top it all off, you had a killer run!
    I have never done a triathlon but i’d love to!!! However, i’d have to get the swimming and biking down, both of which i’m not experienced with at all.

  • Rosey Rebecca January 30, 2010, 12:43 pm

    Great job with the workout! That sounds hard but so much fun!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite January 30, 2010, 12:43 pm

    Awesome job on the brick workout! The transitions are really important!

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. January 30, 2010, 12:46 pm

    I admire all you runners/bikers/swimmers out there! I cannot count myself among your number. But I think you are all very inspirational. That’s why I read this blog.

  • Kath January 30, 2010, 12:47 pm

    KILLER mile 3!! Wish I could be biking in shorts instead of inside from the snow!

  • Katharine January 30, 2010, 12:48 pm

    So jealous of your weather right now! It’s snowing and FREEZING in Baltimore. Good job on your workout today! And mmmm to your breakfast. 🙂

  • pennylope January 30, 2010, 12:49 pm

    I second the all the comments about a tri suit/ tri shorts…unless you are going to be doing a full ironman. at that point you really really really want the full padding of cycle shorts for the 112 mi of biking.

    I’ve done a few half ironmen…but i’m gearing up for my first full ironman in a few months. I’m actually (sickly) excited to be training 20ish hours a week…:)

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 30, 2010, 12:50 pm

    I admire athletes who train themselves this way and can conquer so many challenges. I’m concentrating on running and endurance right now but it would be amazing to one day become a better biker and swimmer.

  • Marisa (Loser for Life) January 30, 2010, 12:54 pm

    That is fantastic! Wow, my legs feel like bricks when I run even when I haven’t biked first -LOL!

    It’s so exciting to read about your training, Caitlin. I really am enjoying it!

  • Morgan January 30, 2010, 12:56 pm

    Congrats! I keep thinking about doing one, but I plan to tackle a half marathon first.
    When I was younger, I did all of these kid’s races and once came in 5th overall in a triathlon and first out of all of the girls. I always placed, and I loved it! Then I focused more on swimming, but it was so fun!

  • Evan Thomas January 30, 2010, 1:00 pm

    Great workout!

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad January 30, 2010, 1:09 pm

    I have respect for triathloners! But I would never want to be one. I’ve only tried indoor cycling, but I think it’s kinda boring :-/. And although I was a lifeguard and swimming lessons instructor (for those just beginning to swim) for about 4 years, I do not swim well enough to do it competitively!

  • caronae January 30, 2010, 1:10 pm

    Wow! That brick workout sounds killer. Congrats on the speedy run too. I will admit, I have a secret desire to be an ironwoman someday…

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place January 30, 2010, 1:11 pm

    wow, great job with your workout! I totally know the feeling of your legs feeling like bricks. It happens to me if I lift first and then try running.

  • Katie January 30, 2010, 1:13 pm

    I find you so inspirational. I was reading my city’s newspaper this morning and I saw this ad for a bike race called The Big Move Cancer Ride. Its either a 50k or 100k bike ride, its not a race and is instead a fundraiser for the Walker Family Cancer Centre in Ontario, Canada.
    I’ve been reading your blog for six months or more now, and you’re such an inspiration that I want to participate in this race. I’m going to try and see if my endurance is strong enough to participate, and if not I’m going to sign up to volunteer instead. Either way, I really want to be a part of this.
    🙂 Thank you so much for writing and being an idol to me. 🙂

    • Caitlin January 30, 2010, 1:25 pm

      aww what a sweet comment! you could definitely do the ride, but volunteering will be awesome, too! volunteers are great and i know it would be really fun and interesting to do it for a bike ride. good luck! have fun!

  • Jen January 30, 2010, 1:13 pm

    Great job on the brick! Those are fun – in a crazy kinda way. 🙂 I’ve been doing Tris for a few years now and I’m signed up for the Madison Ironman. It’s about 7 months away and I’m loving all the training! Your blog is awesome – totally fun to read and keep up with everything you do.

  • Erin January 30, 2010, 1:17 pm

    congrats on your progression! I’m doing a sprint triathalon at the end of July, my first ever. ahh I’m nervous, I’ve only done 5k’s and 5-milers, never a swimming or biking race

  • Karla January 30, 2010, 1:17 pm

    I think a triathlon sounds fun but honestly the bike part scares me. That’s why I don’t think I would ever do one. I know that’s really self limiting and negative but I’m terrified of bicycles!

    • Caitlin January 30, 2010, 1:26 pm

      i get that – biking is nerve-wracking but the more you do it, the more comfortable you get. same thing with swimming.

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) January 30, 2010, 1:19 pm

    Congrats on your transition – that’s great! I want to do a tri eventually, but right now I’m still a bit on the fence on running either a 10k or half in May – I’ve never raced before!

  • Sara @ ActiveGal January 30, 2010, 1:20 pm

    Congrats on the transition! I have never done a triathlon mostly because I can’t afford to buy a bike right now 🙁 It makes me sad. My boyfriend really wants to do one too – I would love to train together but I guess we’ll just have to wait till we have the money. You are such an inspiration!

  • Tay January 30, 2010, 1:20 pm

    Oh man I rrrrreally want to do a Tri, especially since I love swimming and most people say that’s the hardest part! But I need to get into biking and buy all the necessary equipment. And I have no idea how to start biking! Find a group I guess?

  • Penny January 30, 2010, 1:25 pm

    I can’t imagine living in a place where alliators can commonly be seen. That totally creeps me out!

  • Jennifer January 30, 2010, 1:25 pm

    I’ve done 2 IM (Wisconsin and Coeur d’Alene, ID). They were great and I will probably do more once I am done with grad school and my daily 4hr commute.

    That was a killer 5k–it seems like you need a good warm-up and are ready to go!

  • kristi (sweet cheeks) January 30, 2010, 1:30 pm

    great job!!! keep up the great work!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 30, 2010, 1:41 pm

    Hey, I wanted to let you know that we bought that Mimic cream for a recipe last night. I used it in my coffee this morning, and it was okay– really thick, but kind of “non-dairy” tasting…which makes sense, since it’s non-dairy 🙂
    It did work really well in our soup last night, but for coffee, I’d probably just stick with regular old cream or half and half.

    Good work on the awesome workout, err, brick!!!

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) January 30, 2010, 1:47 pm

    I wish! I’m a terrible swimmer. Maybe one day.

    Although I found out one of my coworkers did an Ironman in 10 hours and change this week and suddenly he got a LOT hotter.

  • Carolina John January 30, 2010, 1:48 pm

    it feels like you’re running on tree stumps doesn’t it? you get used to it the more bricks you do. eventually the bike leg becomes just a nice warm up. Well done!

    i’ve done a half ironman but not a full iron distance tri. next year.

  • Meredith January 30, 2010, 1:49 pm

    I just bought a couple of those little spoons from Crate and Barrel! They only had white though. I’m excited to use them with my oatmeal!

  • Rae January 30, 2010, 1:54 pm

    great job!!! Just a tip…if you get all your run stuff ready by the door on a little towel or something, it will REALLy cut your time down even more!! On race day, you will have a nice spot to rack your bike and have your stuff….i seperate it out by discipline.

    Triathlete for 5 years…doing Ironman Lake Placid in July….AHHH I am so nervous!!

  • Alison January 30, 2010, 2:00 pm

    Bricks are killer! I’ve never run a fast 5K (or 10K for that matter) right off the bike so I’m impressed at your splits. I LOVE my DeSoto tri shorts. You can actually swim in them (with a sports bra), and bike and run in them too.

    Last year, a friend and I camped out in Lake Placed during the Lake Placid Ironman. We volunteered at the race by handing out drinks and food at mile 23 of the marathon from 8 pm until midnight. It was AMAZING because we saw many first-time ironmen/women as they fought so hard to make the midnight cutoff. Gave us goosebumps and happy tears. We’re going to do it again this year! Maybe we’ll see Rae (the comment before mine) as you achieve your ironwoman goal!!

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal January 30, 2010, 2:01 pm

    Nice job, Caitlin!! You totally rocked it 🙂
    So jealous of your Florida weather. Not so jeals of that gator though 😉

  • diana(mymarblerye) January 30, 2010, 2:05 pm

    holy mcgeez. you kick ass. just got back from a BORING gym workout. I need to venture more outdoors….my pasty white legs are crying for sunlight.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers January 30, 2010, 2:10 pm

    I did my first triathlon in June–it was an amazing experience!! Practicing transitions and practicing running on tired legs is SO SO helpful!! Good luck with your training! Training for my next one starts soon 🙂

  • Matt January 30, 2010, 2:23 pm

    I’ve done a brick workout before. They are TOUGH!

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com January 30, 2010, 2:23 pm

    wow awesome workout!! Congrats!
    I’d love to do a triathlon, but I don’t know how I’d cope with the river swim, it’d scare me a bit!
    :O you saw an alligator! That’s amazing! In England the best you’d see in a river would be the odd mutant goldfish :s
    Have a great afternoon 🙂

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) January 30, 2010, 2:25 pm

    i have never wanted to do a race of any kind…but i so respect those of you that do! i’d rather train for volleyball or so i can do hikes quickly 🙂

  • skinnyrunner January 30, 2010, 2:28 pm

    ive been asked if i ever wanted to do a triathlon and honestly, i dont have any desire to. i think its the swimming. and the biking. ok i just like running. 🙂

  • Amy January 30, 2010, 2:28 pm

    I’ve heard it stands for Bike Run ICK! Good job on your workout 🙂

  • Sam (Merit to the Carrot) January 30, 2010, 2:39 pm

    Wow, good job! Definitely a triumph!

  • Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run January 30, 2010, 2:42 pm

    Ha…when I read the title, I thought it meant you crashed on your bike. Glad to read otherwise =)

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) January 30, 2010, 2:51 pm

    Nice job on the Brick work-out 🙂
    Caitlin- I’ve never mentioned this but YOU inspired me to get a bike! Around where I live, biking is “nerdy” not athletic. But I’ve always wanted one and when I saw you biking I went ahead and got one!! Except I can’t ride it now cuz there’s 8 inches of snow on the ground. Blehhhh

    • Caitlin January 30, 2010, 2:56 pm

      yay for biking! 🙂 you should get an indoor rider so you can ride your bike in front of the tv!

  • Eliza January 30, 2010, 2:54 pm

    You are such a role model! I feel that its necessary to comment and tell you this atleast once every few months because you have helped me so much!

    I kind of have this “What would Caitlin do” (WWCD) mentality at the gym now;)

    • Caitlin January 30, 2010, 2:56 pm

      awww thanks!!! 🙂

  • Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle January 30, 2010, 3:03 pm

    The bike to run transition is the worst! I always feel like my legs are running in the same motion as when I was biking- if that makes sense. I have to focus on changing my stride though, it is so weird!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) January 30, 2010, 3:06 pm

    I would love to be a triathlete someday! Just gotta nail down the swimming part and get myself back into biking shape this summer! 😀

    Way to go on such an awesome workout!

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances January 30, 2010, 3:09 pm

    Your workout sounds TOUGH! You must be in rockin’ shape to run such a fast 5K after biking 12 miles – clearly, you are going to own your upcoming triathlon.

  • Laura Smith January 30, 2010, 3:09 pm

    my goal after the marathon is to do a tri but i’m so nervous about the swim!!

  • Amber K January 30, 2010, 3:11 pm

    I am in awe of people who have what it takes to be a triathlete! I’m still trying to consider myself a runner!

  • Laura Georgina January 30, 2010, 3:34 pm

    I wanted to do a tri for a while, but now reading this makes me SO antsy to try doing a mini one! I don’t know what would be harder, though–swimming then running, or biking then running? After I swim, I defiintely have that brick feeling…

    So exciting to see you practice for it!

  • Jessica January 30, 2010, 3:55 pm

    I’m training for Ironman Louisville in August this year (and blogging as I move forward with my training), which should be an interesting journey.

    I know others have recommended this above, but I will second their opinions about looking in to getting tri shorts or a tri suit (I prefer a separate top and shorts). I bet you can find them on ebay for decent prices. Or go to http://www.trisports.com. You still get some padding, but you can get through the whole event (including the swim!) in the same outfit without feeling like you are wearing a diaper. The run doesn’t feel weird at all!

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner January 30, 2010, 3:55 pm

    What an awesome workout, you are going to do great in that triathalon!

  • Kerry (Running on Faith) January 30, 2010, 4:01 pm

    Doing a triathlon is something I really, really admire and would LOVE to consider doing!! Right now, I want to work on my running, but it is always something to think about in the future!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 30, 2010, 4:37 pm

    Someday I might like to do a tri, I am going to start with a half marathon first. My hubby wants to do the half ironman this year.

  • Jenna @ RunEatRide January 30, 2010, 4:40 pm

    I remember when I went to Florida there was an alligator in a pond in the pond next to Walmart! Awesome transition, I wish I could bike! I hate having snow where I live 🙁

  • Karissa @ CardioFoodie January 30, 2010, 4:50 pm

    I have thinking about doing a tri for awhile now. I have just been putting it off worrying about the training. You are doing great though, so I might just have to step up my game!

  • Island Girl Eats January 30, 2010, 5:02 pm

    I would love to do a trialalon, but I am not a good swimmer. I would probably end up drowning!

  • Lauren @ A Fit Foodie January 30, 2010, 5:14 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now and love it. I would love to be an IRONWOMAN one day. They even have an IronMan competition where I live in Louisville. I admire those people so much!! I’m just trying to get past my first running marathon in April so we’ll see what training happens beyond that. I do love to bike but it’s more recreational at this moment. So keep up the awesome work!!!

    • caitlin January 30, 2010, 5:16 pm

      thanks for reading 😉
      they have a half ironman here too, but it may! ahhH!

  • Holly January 30, 2010, 5:18 pm

    Heck yeah, triathlons! They are actually what got me into running in the first place. I’m going to do my first half ironman race this July!!

  • Erin @ Erin Eats and Exercises January 30, 2010, 5:25 pm

    Im training for my first tri in May. Unlike yours, its a pool swim (phew!). I figured its a good way to start. If it goes well, open water in July!!

  • Laura January 30, 2010, 5:30 pm

    You are such an athlete. Your training looks hardcore.

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit January 30, 2010, 5:45 pm

    Well, I am not a triathlete nor an Ironwoman but my brother is an Ironman. I tell ya…a whole ‘nother breed they are! You are doing awesome with your bricks though! Huge congrats!!!

  • Susan January 30, 2010, 6:12 pm

    Yayyy!! So happy to see you doing brick training already. You are going to ROCK this triathlon!! I did a sprint tri last summer. It was alright. I’d like to do another one some day, just not right away, and not the same race. I wasn’t a fan of the routes. Have you thought of getting a trisuit? I didn’t have one and I really wish I did, even for the sprint. Everyone I’ve talked to says they’re 100% worth it.

    • caitlin January 30, 2010, 8:18 pm

      I might get a trisuit, but only if I think I’m going to get into tri’s.

  • Anne January 30, 2010, 6:15 pm

    doing my first tri in september in dc (olympic). thought i might want a sprint in the spring first (that open water is my weak point too) and what do you know, just found out the same folks who promote the nations tri in sept are starting a sprint (and olympic) in june! so, looks like my first tri will be in june!

    your workout looked like fun! today i was running in snow!

  • Megan January 30, 2010, 6:30 pm

    I’m doing my first tri this June and I CAN’T WAIT! I actually did one of my first brick workouts today too. I swam then ran. Both short distances, but you gotta start somewhere right? Good luck with your training, and I can’t wait to see the progress of both of our training!

  • Nancy January 30, 2010, 7:05 pm

    Hey! I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and I don’t know if I ever commented. Regardless of that – I wanted to mention that my Boyfriend is a triathlete, actually (and completed Ironman Canada just in September!!!). You don’t really “RUN” in bike shorts – you get tri shorts, that actually have less padding. They actually may be more pricier than bike shorts for that reason, but a lot of athletes wear them doing the tri’s.

    Just fyi 🙂

    • caitlin January 30, 2010, 8:18 pm

      oh man i am just so cheap! new sports are so expensive.

  • Jenna @ EatingGreen, StayingLean January 30, 2010, 7:17 pm

    I will DEFINITELY think about running a triathlon once I’ve conquered the fitness level I’m looking to attain 🙂 I got into road biking this summer, and LOVED it.

  • Amy January 30, 2010, 7:21 pm

    I’ve been competing in triathlons for the past 5 years, and was a competitive swimmer before that. I’m currently training for my first full ironman – I’m doing Ironman St. George in May, then Ironman Arizona in November. So far I’ve “only” done a half ironman and a marathon. I look forward to the sense of accomplishment at the finish line!

  • Abby January 30, 2010, 7:34 pm

    go job on the practice run! great 5k times!

  • eatingRD January 30, 2010, 7:37 pm

    I want to do a tri in the future! I think it will really push me. I’d also like to do a metric century. I’m going to give the cadence sensor a first try tomorrow hopefully 🙂 Did you decide to try clipless? have a good weekend!

    • caitlin January 30, 2010, 8:19 pm

      yes i got my clipless shoes today!

      • eatingRD January 30, 2010, 8:37 pm

        awesome!! can’t wait to see what kind. I have shimanos, but always wonder how others are. Do you mind me asking about your comment system? I love how the reply is automatically e-mailed and also shows in the comments. Is there a plug-in for something like that? Thanks!

        • caitlin January 30, 2010, 8:39 pm

          i love it too. its some sort of wordpress plugin but my designer set it up for me – i am computer stupid.

        • eatingRD January 30, 2010, 9:14 pm

          haha I’m a computer retard too! 🙂

  • Kathleen January 30, 2010, 7:48 pm

    Congratulations on an awesome training sesh! I believe that the transitions would be one of the hardest parts of a tri! Glad you’re rocking them out!

  • Jenna January 30, 2010, 9:23 pm

    Mmm love egg sammies!

  • Shannon January 30, 2010, 10:43 pm

    you can often get last years models of tri shorts, etc for cheap, check out sportsbasement.com and sierratradingpost.com 🙂

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) January 30, 2010, 11:00 pm

    Um… a real gator??? Scary!

  • Jess January 31, 2010, 4:37 am

    I love bricks! Yay for you for starting to do them. They’re my very favourite part of tri training. It’s true – sometimes I run my fastest after a good bike ride because I’m so loosey goosey.

    I’m not an Ironman YET. But I’ll be a Half Ironman by this Aug 1 😉

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 31, 2010, 4:26 pm

    oooh I LOVE triathlons…but I havent even donw an olympic distance yet. Building up slowly 🙂

  • Melissa January 31, 2010, 6:24 pm

    I always say I want to do a triathlon, but I don’t have a bike! When I get some more money, a triathlon is in my plans. You’re doing awesome.. keep up the good work!!

  • Guen February 1, 2010, 8:52 am

    I am loving that you snapped a picture of a gator during your ride.

  • Amanda February 9, 2010, 11:40 am

    If the Doughman in NC was vegan, I’d totally go for it.

    http://doughman.pratt.duke.edu/

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