No more Mrs. Invincible.

My answer used to be Sure, whatever. Want to try these new running shoes? Heck yea. I'm going to raise your seat a few centimeters. Sounds good. Keep me company on my 20 miler? Fun! I ran in whatever shoes were prettiest, I played with my bike position whenever I wanted to try something new. When coaching a marathon clinic last fall I accidentally ran 30 miles one Wednesday. Whatever. I like to think that I'm agreeable.

If nothing else, six months of injury has taught me much. Gone are the days of running in shoes with 1200 miles on them because they're lucky. And orange. Part of being an athlete is taking good care of oneself. 

Today I finally did the big bike fit. About a thousand or so miles after Clem arrived on my doorstep. I have cheapness issues and five-hour bike fits don't come cheap. I am calling it an investment in my health. I went to Mike McMahon, who fit Katherine and Amy during Kona training last year. He's a PhD in physiology, he coached his wife to Olympic gold in 2000, and has had IT band syndrome. He has many more credentials, but those were enough for me. I now have a more open hip angle, a seat that's 2cm higher yet still only middle of the range for knee angle, my knees are traveling less (whatever that means) and am generating power more efficiently. The Dr. at work:

Added bonus: I think we found a saddle that won't make me cry. I've tried so many: Terry Butterfly, Adamo, Blackwell Flow, Glamour Assache, Profile Murderer, Fizik Arione.. all have led to nancy-girl whimpering three hours into a ride. Unfortunately the new Selle SMP Pro is purplish-blue in color, kind of like a bad bruise. It's reminds me a bit of that mini-Eiffel Tower Meg Ryan taunted Kevin Kline with in French Kiss. It looks a little sad.

I will try out the new position in the morning, in lieu of a planned run, because my legs are telling me they aren't quite recovered from the last run. And because on my fridge it says: Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. It's no coincidence I hang this on the peanut m&m home. It applies to taking care of myself as well.. as tempting as it is to get in one more run before I jump on the plane tonight, I will wait for Venice. I have running shoes, shorts and a jogbra in my carryon, ready to run.