I looked over my last post and started thinking again about what IS next. Couple of things to note of late. I'm registered to participate in the Fall50 relay from Gil's Rock to Sturgeon Bay this weekend with 3 other friends that are runners. I'm hoping for a great adventure, although not really sure what to expect. I think I'll end up running somewhere between 14 and 16 miles, in 3 and a half legs. Figure we'll all log the last mile together so we cross the finish line as a team. After that baby is crossed I'm gonna go find me a beer. And then maybe another. Turns out we have to take my car so I'll have to be somewhat responsible. Which is ok I guess (see, I'm talking myself into this), less beer equals less calories and well you know how that goes.
Last week I finally made a biking investment. I've been thinking about a road bike for the last six months or so, but hadn't pulled the trigger. I looked at a 2010 Gary Fisher road bike in July, but just wasn't ready for it. After I finished Fox Cities, well before too I guess, I had told myself I really want to try a triathlon next summer. And what better time than when I'm in running shape since I always feel like that'd be the hardest thing for me to gut out. I'm not talking Ironman or anything, but a sprint for sure and if I like that maybe an Olympic distance. THEN if I'm still enjoying myself and maybe the summer after next, a half Ironman. We shall see what the future holds. Somehow I talked myself into a road bike thinking yeah, if I'm serious about this tri stuff then I should get a road bike and see how I feel about logging some miles. Mind you, I have a Trek FX, a competent fitness/pseudo hybrid bike, but I really longed for (and was scared of) the clip in shoes, pedals and a fast ride.
Lucky for me, my little brother's best friend works at a bike shop and was able to give me a few options of what he could find left of the 2011 models, all awesome choices. I'm now the proud owner of a Trek Madone. Wasn't sure I'd even notice the upgrade to the other options so figured I'd go with the most cost effective option. Really couldn't go wrong with any of them. From the peeps I've talked to that do these multisport events, all recommended the 105 components. Turns out they are awesome, best shifting bike I have ever owned. Should be I guess! I've now logged about 50 miles in the last 3 days and realize I have so much to learn about biking. Here she is. Yeah, its a she, but she's still waiting for a name. One of the awesome running coaches I've been working with and who has also agreed to help me through the training for my first tri said I must come up with a name, but I'm still thinking that one through. I'm hoping this is a long term investment so need a name that will stand the test of time. Ha.
I was freaking out, but excited to take it out for the first time. My mom and dad are both bikers and triathlon veterans so I was pumped that I was at their place and they both wanted to go out with me on my inaugural ride. I'd never been in clips before so was like how in the heck do I do this. They live in a super hilly area so I knew it'd make for a challenging ride. They have a big square that is about 12 miles and not really square, but that's not the point, and the last hill is long and killer. Like it was all I could do to keep my bike moving when I attempted this ride on the FX a few years ago. My dad totally kicked my ass on that hill, well, all the hills we conquered on that ride that day. No kicking my ass this particular day though. Most likely due to the fact that, well, he's my dad so has a few years on me, he hasn't been riding much of late and had a few beers with a late lunch this day. Add that to the fact that I have been running A LOT so have substantial cardio endurance. Or so I like to think anyway.
We turn off Breezy Hill onto Wall Street (first successful clip out in the books here) and head out into the rolling hills. I was hanging with mom and dad for a bit then decided to see how quick I could book up the hill in front of us. Felt awesome. Then I started thinking oh shit, if we are doing the big square (again, not a square) maybe I should save some of this energy for the big hills coming up. Sort of what I think when I'm running, detrimental when I go out too fast. Turns out I shouldn't have worried. I survived fine, except for one hill when I shifted in the wrong direction, but recovered and made it to the top. Oh yeah, and the other big hill that I thought ok, I'll try to stand up and climb this baby and floated toward the middle of the road. Thinking the major issue is I have no effing clue where to put my hands when I stand and climb. I've always been more of a seater climber, I now know why. Before we hit that Wall Street hill I asked dad what he does and he showed me. After a few more attempts its starting to not feel so awkward. Have I mentioned how cool it is to have such active parents? I hope Megan thinks that about me some day too. And that Wall Street hill? I conquered it. Wasn't really that bad, although I was already in granny gear about half way up. Just kept marching, legs weren't even burning that bad. Here's dad and I...thanks mom for grabbing the camera to log the moments. Besides the fact that I have no waist in these pics I'm glad to have them! Wait, me first with the awesome view in the background. Pretty cool place to grow up. Turns out I'm not sure how to post two pics here so this will have to do. Yes, newbie blogger. Shit, I just backspaced the pic right off of here and can't figure out how to get it back.
I did my first brick workout on Sunday. It was super windy, but I didn't care, just wanted to get out there and give it a try and show myself I could do it. At least it was sunny. I rode 14, rolled into the garage, swapped shoes, desnotted, grabbed the dog and leash and set out for 3 miles. Got the brick feeling in the legs and not sure if it ever really even went away. Turns out I had a negative split and last two miles were sub 9:30 pace. Sheesh, I'm happy for that pace on ANY day, let alone after a bike ride like that. Now I know I'm capable of that, time to log some hours in the pool this winter while keeping up with some biking and running.
Today I took my lunch hour and decided to hit the road. My job is absolutely crazy lately, but I'll save that for another post. Its going to take a little dialing in to figure out how to dress for biking in cooler weather. I'm sure I looked like a first class dork today on the road, but I didn't much care. Had an ear band around my head under my helmet and wore running tights with padded shorts underneath. It will take a little trial and error but that's ok. Biking attire is spendy, so I want to make sure I know how I want my stuff to function before I decide what to buy. Does that make any sense?
On today's ride, reality set in that if I'm really going to try a tri, I'm going to have to figure out how to be comfortable biking in a crowd. Any advice for this chick on that front? I guess before this Fleet Feet training crew I was scared to run in a crowd too. But that was more the risk of not being able to keep up. The bike thing is more like how do I avoid wiping out and hurting myself. Yeah, or someone else too. Suppose its like anything else, gotta JUST DO IT.
Peace!
pja
