First Solo Bike Ride and Brick

Today was our first Brick (bike/run). Due to an 11am baby shower, I had to forgo the team workout and go out on my own. Now I would actually have to pay attention to where I was going!

I climbed some hills in the Presidio today. These are hills that Chris considers small, easy, and short. I consider them daunting, difficult and long. Clearly we have different standards. Although I had the baby shower as an excuse, I must admit that the idea of biking at 8am before many people, bikes or cars were out on the streets was very appealing -- less probability of humiliation in front of the masses.

I am amazed that people do this bike thing all the time and have no fear. I have absolutely no desire to go fast. I continue to mildly freak out on the downhills, even the slightest ones. I realize this is sort of antithetical to the whole triathlon race thing. But I will add this to my list of "Things that Freak Me Out", and go on with my quest to mark them off during this training process. Meanwhile, I will continue to ride slowly and not be ashamed by the fact that runners sometimes pass me on my bike.

One nice thing today was riding through parts of the Presidio I had never been to before. I think I found the wine caves that I had heard about.

The run was a short one and my legs felt like jelly. That happens, I guess, when you run after you bike for an hour. Is this natural?!

Onward to the next weeks training adventure!

Come On in the Water's Fine!

Well, okay, only if you define "fine" as:

• 53 degrees
• 2 foot visibility
• Full of a greenish-black scum

Today we had a first open water swim at Aquatic Park. I have never swum there before. It's a location I have always associated with "crazy people," i.e., Polar Bear Club swimmers (who swim without a wetsuit in any temperature water) and people training for open-water swims and triathlons. So Saturday I officially became a crazy person.

The water is so cold that is takes your breath away for a few minutes. Once you start swimming, you body starts to warm up. Then you hands start to bend all funny and go numb. Then you can't feel your feet. And then, as the cold water seeps into your swim cap and ears, you start to get dizzy. Then the rest of your body goes numb. And that's when you get into your rhythm and start enjoying the swim, if you can believe it.

I had a conference that I had to go to for work after the workout. The plan was to go directly from the swim there. But upon wiping my face with a white towel and seeing a big greenish-black spot let of it, I thought better of it. A quick hot shower brought the feeling back to my hands and I was good to go.

I actually am looking forward to more open-water swimming!

SF Bay Water Temps

Saturday we are doing our first open water swim. I generally like swimming and am up for the open water. But I am not sure I am up for 54 degrees water in Aquatic Park. That and the crazy human biting seal.

My Secrets

I think my bike is a little bit scared of me.
Which is just as well because
I am secretly still scared of it.

It's called the Speedster 5.
It's shiny and red and new.
When people compliment it,
I smile and nod.
I secretly wish it was called
The Slowster 5.

Conquered My Bike Fear (Almost)

One of the real treats of training this time of year is that we go to Marin each weekend. When I left my house on Saturday morning it was wintertime in San Francisco -- cold, 52, and yucky. But as I crossed the bridge, the fog started to burn off and a glorious spring day awaited me.

As the sun appeared, the butterflies in my stomach started to flutter. Today was to be my first day on my new bike with my clipless pedals. My previous rounds resulted in 12 bruises on the inside of my knees (which, btw looked awesome with my bikini when I went to Mexico for my friends wedding 3 days later). But I promised my coach I would put them on for todays 21 mile ride.

The swim was great. The pool is heated and the sun was out. We swam for an hour, close 2000 meters. That was the easy part.

Then with great trepidation, I got ready for my bike. It turned out that there were only 2 of us in the "age groupers" today. "Age Group" is a really nice name for "Utter Beginner" group. As I was getting ready to leave, a friend of mine who had gone out earlier in the morning, and who is also an newbie on the clipless pedals, calls out my name and points to her bleeding leg. She fell about 2 miles out, broke her rear derailer, and had to head back. This did not encourage me.

Feeling unsure about what was in store, we set off. My coach right beside me encouraging me. Much to my amazement, I did not fall once! It was a glorious ride and the new clipless pedals made things a whole lot easier.

I still have to over think every stop. Here's roughly what goes through my mind: "OK, slowing down. You'll be fine. Don't think too much. Put on the breaks. Clip out one foot. Stick it out. Get off the seat. Lean to the right. Keep leaning to the right. Lean some more or your going to fall the other way. I can't control this! This isn't looking good! Panic! Ahh. My foot's on the ground."

Today I also purchased a women's bike seat. Hopefully that too will make things a bit more, um, comfortable.

Ouch!

6 weeks of training under my belt. So far I have:

• Been sore in every muscle of my body for 3 weeks
• Gotten up and swam BEFORE work 3 times
• Managed to successfully get my water bottle out of my cage while riding AND take a sip of water. (mind you this was after almost crashing and dropping the bottle twice)
• Ridden over 100 miles on my ironically name bike, Speedster 5.
• Raise over $2000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Spend a buttload of money at Sports Basement.

Today's training was by far the most challenging for me yet. I swam about 1600 meters and then biked 21 miles with a really challenging hill. I had to stop twice on the hill, but I made it! Our coach was with me most of the way and was amazingly encouraging. Knowing that riding with clipless pedals increases efficiency by at least 30% has convinced me to practice again tomorrow. That hill kicked my butt.

I've been swimming with the "elite" group - the middle group. And being a wimp about my running and doing it with the "age group" aka easy group. Biking, I am sure I am the slowest person out there. I am usually one of the last to finish. But it's getting easier each time I do it.

Tomorrow we have a run in the Golden Gate park. If day lights savings time doesn't keep me in bed, I'll be there with the team. And will try to do the full 65 minutes with the elites. I'm sore all over and signing off! More to come.