« Quite the Setup | Main | Lots of Laps »
April 18, 2006
Mangey Mutts
Now that's I've decided I'd like to partake in 3 sports instead of 1, I find myself comparing the 3 often. As I was walking my dumb bike with it's dumb flat tire up the dumb big hill by our house the other day, I was thinking how dumb cycling is and how this would never happen if I was just a runner. And on most occasions when the weather is nasty outside (either really cold or really hot) being a swimmer inside isn't so bad.
But today - today cycling score a huge point in the good category my friends. Here's how it played out. I had just gotten myself up a huge hill and was much enjoying the downhill on the other side when, as I was going around a turn, two of the mangiest looking mutts I've ever seen came flying at me from their yard. It scared the crap out of me. I swerved to miss the one and then the race was on. One of the mutts gave up rather quickly but the other kept running after me. Ha ha! Unless it was a greyhound there was no way it was keeping up. It gave a noble try but I was coming off a downhill and even thouse I was cycling into another uphill I was still above 20 MPH. Try and top that Fido. He gave up the fight several yards later and I was safe and sound. And then I tried to envision what would have happened if I was running down the road instead of riding. Yep, I would have been doggie chow! They were pretty mean looking too. Whew - yeah for biking! :)
It is so beautiful here weather wise I can't even put it into words. My ride was again a little chilly, but now several hours after the fact, it's 65 degrees, sunny with not a cloud in the sky and just down right awesome. I can't get enough. Is there a place in this world where it's like this all the time? I highly doubt it, or it would be so overpopulated it would be no fun to live there anyway.
Either way, I messed around the house some this morning (including doing my core and feet exercises) waiting for it to get a little warmer outside and once the thermometer hit 49 degrees, I got my gear and headed out. Just as a side note - I NEVER wear sunglasses when I'm running. I hate having something on my face like that. But it's not an option when you are cycling - you have to wear the glasses as protection. Bad things get in your eyes when you are going really fast and even worse things happen when you are riding without being able to see.
Nonetheless I digress. I rode my 14 (14.15 mi to be exact) mile loop in 55 flat, for an *almost* average speed of 15.5 MPH (15.42, again to be exact). I was hurting today on the uphills. The wind, longer ride and evil uphills of yesterday took their toll and every little bump today seemed like a mountain. But still I think I'm getting faster just from becoming more comfortable with my bike and getting just a bit stronger too. It also helped that the hurricane forces of yesterday had calmed considerably. (and yes, I know how to exaggerate greatly :)
When I got home from my bike, my running shoes were waiting so I practiced my transition off the bike and directly to the run. I felt a lot better running than the last time I did this - I think because I knew what to expect for the first 5-10 minutes - weird feeling in the legs, unable to move properly. I seriously feel like I'm running 10 minute pace when I first start. Either way, I meandered my way over to the high school track just to get an idea of how slowly I was moving. I ran a few laps and then timed just one lap (trying not to speed up, although I know I always do), to see where I was at. The whole time I was running the timed lap I was figuring out what it should say on my watch if I was running 8:30 pace, because that's whereabouts I figured I was. As you may imagine, I was totally flabbergasted to find out I was running 7:25 pace! What the heck is up with that?! I did the calculation several times because I was sure I was wrong, but indeed, I kept getting the same answer.
Now I know my sense of pace is practically non-existent after almost a year of doing little to no running and being really out of running shape. But I would assume I can tell the difference between 7:30 and 8:30 pace. Who knows. I'll take it and I won't complain! This got me to thinking that if I can pull off a 23 minute 5K in any of my triathlons this summer I would be tickled pink. It doesn't sound like much but given my current state of running and having the swim and bike first, it would be marvelous.
Anyway, I ran for 30 minutes total and then just sat outside in the sun for a little while Roxy ran around the back yard like a mad dog. Such a glorious day! Incidentally, I should mention that my feet having been feeling better than usual this week. I complain when they aren't feeling good so I should at least give them some props when they are! My guess is that it's because I've had several days off work and haven't been on my feet nearly as much as usual. Whatever the reason, I'll take it and enjoy it while it lasts.
And now, back to my paper. I made serious headway yesterday but I still haven't finished and I have to do the presentation to go along with it. Almost there...
Posted by beth at April 18, 2006 1:02 PM
Comments
That's great your getting such good training in. I am glad your feet feel so well!
Posted by: Audrey at April 18, 2006 5:04 PM
second Audrey! great read.
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at April 19, 2006 11:34 AM