I didn’t even think about my Saddle

It was about one year ago that my saddle saga began. And now it is finished. I can’t believe it took me a whole year of butt pain to figure it out. Maybe I shouldn’t always try so hard to be HTFU girl. I have to thank John Cobb for his V-flow Plus saddle, and insisting that I lower my saddle by 1 cm. It now fits me like a glove 🙂

A BT buddy named Alice was having similar saddle issues when she upgraded from a road bike to a tri bike. Since she had been reading my blog for a while, she knew about my saddle woes. She also bought a V-flow Plus saddle. She liked it right away. After her half iron race last week, I asked her how the saddle felt. She replied “I didn’t even think about the saddle”. Which is exactly how it should be.

I did another hard climbing simulation on the trainer today. Total of 1:35, 3×25 min hard climbing sets. During that time, I didn’t even think about my saddle. Well, actually, I did think about it, but only in terms of “Wow, I’m not thinking about my saddle”. Lol!

Here’s my setup for doing those climbs on the trainer.

Notes: On one stool, I’ve got a fan aimed at me. On the other, is my laptop setup with Spinervals Uphill Grind playing. I repeat the 4×5 min climbs without taking the rest between them. Then rewind and do it again. It’s hard for me NOT to rest when the athletes on the DVD are resting!

Notes: My front wheel is set up on one of my husband’s car ramps. This puts the front wheel about 4 inches above the rear wheel.

I don’t know for sure if this is the best way to train for those 20 minute climbs at Rev 3 Tri. I will find out in 26 days!!! Aside from the trainer sessions, I’m also seeking out the hilliest routes possible on my long bike rides. I rode 86 miles a couple weeks ago, including 3600 feet of climbing. That’s not quite the amount of climbing as Rev 3 Tri’s 56 miles course with 5000 feet of climbing. But it’s the best hills I can find around these parts. Planning a similar ride this weekend. I love climbing!