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April 17, 2006
Quite the Setup
I'm ready to roll today! I got my workout in, I'm showered and stretched and lunch is already in my belly. I've got O's computer all set up to track the 3 runners I "know" that are running Boston today (go Becky and Bridget and Kevin!). And I've got all my articles and other items ready to go so I can sit down and finally write this nasty paper that has been looming over my head for weeks. Life is good.
The workout - I started by going over to the YMCA to lift. My reasoning to lift first before my bike ride was two-fold. First, it was only 40 degrees outside when I woke up and although that is awesome running weather, that's freezing biking weather, so I was waiting for it to warm up some. By lifting first I also ensured that the rush hour traffic would be through and I'd be less likely to be run over.
So my lift was fine and I got home and started on my bike ride at about 9:30. I had planned to do my new 24 miile loop. For about the first 5 miles I was scared I was going to get another flat. Luckily I didn't. Mental note - practice changing tubes at home so as not to constanly live in fear that I won't be able to do it when I really need to.
Anyway, I survived the ride, which is my longest to date. It wasn't easy though. It was still only in the high 40s when I left so I was pretty chilly and the wind, oh my the wind! Wind when you are running is really bad, but wind when you are biking is worse. Not only does it slow you down and make climbing hills much harder than they should be, but on more than one occasion I thought I was going to lose total control of my bike and end up either in the ditch on the side of the road, or (worse yet) in the middle of the road, flattened by the next car.
The positives (which I'm pretty sure outweigh the negetives):
1) I really got to work on my bike handling skills (which are slowly coming around) with all the wind, and some really curvy roads
2) If any of the triathlons I do have significant hills on the bike portion, I am ready to roll! It seems no matter where I ride around here I encounter some nasty uphills. But I know they will make me stronger.
3) I still averaged around 15 MPH (slighly less) even though the wind was having it's way with me. This is no where near close to what I see triathletes' doing in races (20 MPH seems to be more the average) but I'm hoping it's because they are all on flat courses with no turns and the wind is ALWAYS at their back. :)
4) I had to stop for traffic several times today and was able to succesfully get in and out of my pedals under pressure. Sounds dumb, but that's something I worry about. I'm starting to realize that it's not as hard as I once thought.
And that's that! I'm kind of pooped now. But no naps today - I have a paper to write! Happy Patriot's Day!
Posted by beth at April 17, 2006 12:55 PM