My First Brick

Bricks, in the triathlon world, is defined as training in two disciplines during one workout: bike/run, swim/bike, or run/bike. Most triathletes practice bike/run as their brick workout with minimal interruption in between as if they were in a real race.

It was Sen. Pia Cayetano who first introduced me to bricks when I interviewed her for my Runner’s Interview (a portion of my blog that I think I should resurrect). Running was the only thing on my mind then. No way would I have guessed that, in less than a year from that time, I would be having my own mini brick session today.

This morning, Annie and I met at the same time and place for our usual Saturday run. But, this time, we were going to bike. She arrived late and so did I. Both of us were distracted: she was pumping air in her tires, I was tightening my helmet, then I too had to pump air. Aaaaah! We agreed that life was so much easier when we would just jump out of our cars and run. ”Tara, takbo nalang tayo?” she joked.

Off we went on our bikes, er, well I used my hubby’s mountain bike. Annie used her racer and led the way. It was a smooth ride through the rolling hills of village roads, most of which we were very familiar with since it was our regular long run route. Yes, it was enjoyable but half the time I was wishing I was running instead. I believe Annie felt the same. ”Annie, gaano ka tagal tayo dito?” I asked. ”30 minutes?” she replied. ”Then, let’s run?” I said with a smile.

After 27 minutes and 8 kms, we parked our bikes and wobbled our way into running. (They say they call it “bricks” because your legs feel like bricks when you get out of your bike and start to run—so true. It’s great that they didn’t call it “poop” because that’s what seems to be stuck up your butt once you get out of your bike and attempt to run.)

Just as we were about to start, we bumped into Patrick C. again (this was the 3rd time I saw him that morning) as he ended his 15k run. The three of us running freaks spoke about our undying love for running and how nothing—nope, not even biking—could compare with the adrenaline rush it gave.

Annie and I ran easy for just 3.5 kms, a distance that was all too short for this running buddy of mine but was just right for my slowly recovering shins. We were able to chat again as we always do and laugh out loud in the middle of the road as if it was our own. Oh, how I missed those days!

My first brick session was short—just a little over an hour—but it was a great start (considering it was unplanned!) I was ecstatic over the intense workout I got from both disciplines combined since an easy run or a short bike trip just didn’t do it for me the past few weeks. Oh, I think I’m going to be doing this regularly from now on. Uhm, I’ve actually penciled it into my training journal already.

Posted on 07.19.08 to 05 Training. Tags: Bike, Running. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 17 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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17 Responses to “My First Brick”

Hey Jaymie, that sounds lots of fun. Now that I’ve got myself a bike I’d like to try a brick.

Taki said on Jul 19 08 at 7:21 PM Reply
I hate doing brick sessions. I only do that when I have a triathlon in the horizon. My quads hurt, I feel like I am running like a duck waddling on.

There is a tri in Alabang in October…. are you getting ready for that?

Regards Mark

Mark P said on Jul 19 08 at 8:07 PM Reply
Oh my goodness went this morning to UP for a long run but started to late and after 1hour30minutes, the sun was on me and my energy was gone. I met up with a guy hat passed me on running the loops and he spoke to me afterwards. He can hook me up with a bike but not to sure if I want to spend that amount of money on something I sont know much of, I feel the same, my love is running. I will blog this experience of today and will still decide on the bike. Congrats with this first “brick” of yours maybe one day I can talk along….

Philip said on Jul 19 08 at 8:17 PM Reply
i totally agree with you. nothing beats the adrenaline rush from running, especially for running buffs like us. i took to my bike this morning and did my first ride in like a hundred days, and like you, i had all those running images in my mind at almost every pedal stroke. it was a good ride, though, and i enjoyed it just the same.

caloy said on Jul 19 08 at 8:20 PM Reply
aww, i should have gone with you girls instead! but on second thought, baligtad ako with you and annie — while you girls run, ako i will bike like hell!

marga said on Jul 20 08 at 9:35 AM Reply
tbr! why dont we schedule a trip for you guys (bring your hubby) to timberland/maarat and do a trail bike and run, i assure you it will be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have…just pack along hydration/fuel gear and we’ll be all set…i’ll schedule a trailmaster there so we have a guide and bike mechanic at the same time…invite the guys in the blogs too…best to do it in the morning or late afternoon…on second thought lets invite authorities in the area such as edmond mangaser of all terra/ or perhaps raul ylanan also of EMR…or even stephen domingo…they can give tips on riding trails while they join us there…you should hear these guys talk about their passion too…they organized the mens health bike/run event at timberland last month and have another run event this coming august at the fort…

mond said on Jul 20 08 at 10:04 AM Reply
HI TBR!
hats off to you!
my mentor/friend/coach in running has been joining the timberland trail bikes and runs with her hubby and i think you should try it, from stories i hear from her, sobrang high siya after joining.. (This is in San Mateo, Rizal)
good luck and proud of you!… God Bless!
L.

lugs said on Jul 20 08 at 9:06 PM Reply
You and Annie are like 2 school girls skipping out from school. You really have a Bond which is really great. There is nothing like a nice long run on a Saturday morning. Nothing can compare to the “HIGH / KICK” you get from Running. Im glad slowly by slowly your getting there as I always say, “Baby steps “.
Im sure not long from now you will be the deadly TBR again !

Patrick Concepcion said on Jul 21 08 at 9:10 AM Reply
i love triathlon. great to hear you’re now into. see you around.

Brent said on Jul 21 08 at 1:37 PM Reply
Re Runner’s Interview, you may wanna check out the article on Cesar Guarin – the Filipino cross country-runner who inspired Fr. Robert Reyes and Joy Rojas. Hopefully this would inspire those who will be joining TNF100 this weekend. Article is posted at pinoyrunners.com.

Pinoy Runners said on Jul 21 08 at 2:28 PM Reply
yeah nobody told me before about bricks, the first time i did it was on a sprint triathlon itself, and like you described, i was really wobbling into the run. Hmm, are you slowly inching yourself to a tri. Be glad to see you one of these days try it out

Joma said on Jul 22 08 at 12:00 PM Reply
Ooh.. I could smell a new triathlete being born.. I know how you feel, I do bike and run once in a while to get used to the transition between the two. That, I could say, is a really “weird” feeling part. Just like getting off a trampoline. Good luck in your quest.

aLdZ said on Jul 22 08 at 2:01 PM Reply
Jaymie, Nothing much I could say but the best of luck on your new found quest. For now I will stick to running

Alfred said on Jul 22 08 at 4:13 PM Reply
Can running and tennis be considered as BRICK? Hah hah … I don’t think so. Or is it???

Nora said on Jul 22 08 at 11:18 PM Reply
Jaymie, I guess you’re getting ready for the next AAV Tri? or perhap’s the White Rock Triathlon?

Keep on Brickin!

Ricecooker said on Jul 23 08 at 8:22 AM Reply
I am happy for you you are slowly recovering and enjoying biking and running now! would it be the bullrunner cum bullrunner-biker cum bullrunner triathlete?

i do not like that feeling of brick on the legs as well, even it might not be really right, i do run first before bike

chaia said on Jul 23 08 at 9:38 AM Reply
Hi TBR
Someone told me that when you do biking and running, you are actually using 2 different muscle groups. kaya mas exhausting pero mas fulfilling daw. Have you tried biking at Timberland in San Mateo Rizal? it’s a 5k uphill climb. Thanks for the brick info.

Danny said on Jul 23 08 at 10:37 PM Reply