Goggles

Today's workout:

Swim-75 minutes

Ride-96 minutes

How is it possible that they can make submarines and scuba gear to keep people under water for hours, days, and even months, but they can't make a pair of swimming goggles that don't leak? I've always used the traditional little goggles that most swimmers use, and always had problems with leaks. Until last Spring, when someone at Deep Eddy had a pair of mask style goggles, that didn't quite cover the nose, but definitely provided more coverage over the eyes and a wider view. I asked the person about them and they said they were great-no leaks. So I got a pair. Here's a photo of me in my really cool mask goggles.

And in case that one is too blurry, here's a better one. 

Sometimes people confuse me for Dara Torres when they see me in these goggles. I guess they make me look like a pro. 

But these particular goggles have good days and bad. Somedays they are perfect-I don't have to empty them out at all throughout the entire swim. Today was not one of those days. I had to stop almost every lap to let the water out. I tried to re-suction them to my face, I tried to put the back straps in different positions, and I even tightened them to the point where I got a headache. Finally I got them to stick to my face enough where I only had to stop every 15-20 minutes or so. (Needless to say I had "mask face" for about an hour after swimming today...)

So I'm in the market for a new pair.

And wouldn't you know it, it's as if Kristi was reading my mind. On the ride today she said out of the blue, "What kind of goggles do you use?" I just started laughing because I was already writing my blog in my mind all about my crappy goggles. She told me that Wayne has a great pair which are more flexible than the ones I'm currently using and that they don't leak, and that they minimize the adorable post-swim mask face. So I guess the submarine and scuba makers of the world have finally got it right! A pair of swim goggles that don't leak! Yea!

This afternoon was gorgeous. The rain stopped mid-morning (by rain, I mean Texas rain, which means, a light mist, no actual drops...) and the ground dried really quickly since we're officially in a drought. So at 2pm we all met at Mellow Johnny's for our ride. I had to leave my bike at MJs last night to replace the brake pad from the piece of metal that Wayne had to dig out of it the other day. When they went to change the brake pad they noticed the rear tire had to be replaced. I knew that was coming because the last time I had a flat, the bike shop guy had to pull ten pieces of glass out of the tire. And then he said that my chain only had another 100 miles or so on it, and that I'd be needing a new chain. Apparently a chain only lasts about 2500 miles until it starts to break down some crank shifty thing which can cost hundreds to replace. This is my second chain in a year and a half on this bike. Better safe than sorry with the distances that we're doing now. I'd hate to be caught 30 miles outside of town and have the chain or crank thingy break! 

So at 2pm, the sun was trying to peak through the clouds and it was nice and warm. About 70 degrees. Shorts and a short sleeve jersey today! We rode for 96 minutes, 22 miles. We averaged 13.8 mph. It was a zone one ride. Nice and easy! I'm going to try and embed the map on the blog from Wayne's iPhone. I think I mentioned before about his phone being able to track us while we're riding. Here goes, let me see if I can get it to work.

Yippieeee!!!  It worked! I had to seek assistance from the resident computer expert in the house...Caribia really is good with computers! Hahaha! (Thanks Peanut!)

I'll have to play around with that embeding thing a little more to see if I can get the elevation to show too. This is really going to be cool once we start doing long rides.

It was a very good day today. I love vacation!

TTFN,
M :)