Great Run!!

Today is another one of those days where I thought I knew what I was going to blog about. I had a great run at lunch. Felt those endorphins I haven't felt for a long time.

That is great, but it wasn't the best part of the day. It was being reminded that there is more to life right now than Ironman. Yes, it is a huge part of my life, but there are things that are more important. Yes, I am being vague, but this post is selfish. It's to remind me that no matter what happens, all will be okay. That I am lucky to have surrounded myself with amazing people.

And the Ginger Calamari at Logan Taven is really REALLY good

First ride in and...

I didn't even fall. YAY!!

It felt pretty good, expect for the wind! DANG! I am really surprised I didn't go backwards, or blown over. The shifting is going to take some time to get used to, especially going from the small ring to the big one. I really don't think my wrist is supposed to hurt.

But the best part, Big Yellow (temporary name) was making a noise. I used all my logic and reasoning to figure out what was going on. It was continuous, kept going even if I was not pedaling, and would speed up and slow down; so, it had to be the back tire. I knew I didn't have time to get back to Conte's, so I pulled over and started futzing with the wheel. I am so glad I didn't take Big Yellow back to Conte's because it was the bike computer. The reader was slightly in and every time the magnet went by, would clip the sensor. Woo-Hoo!! I figured it out and didn't embarrass myself.

On to the more important issue, naming Big Yellow. If you are a regular reader, you know I name stuff. Cars (Judy, Izzy, Audrey, now Marcus), Bikes (Carlos), and a few stuffed animals (I won't name those). So not having a name for Big Yellow is a bit hard for me. I thought something would come to me, but not yet. Everyone has been helpful and here are a few suggestions.

Either Italian or British or Spanish
Alejandro
Alfonzo
Dante
Vincent
Alistair
Giovanni
Giuseppe
Raphael
Leonardo
Donatello
Michelangelo -- yes - those are the Ninja Turtles
Joshua
Dexter
Ferguson
Garrick
Konrad
Reginald
Paulo
Maurizio (pronounced Maruitizo)

My parents made a few suggestions as well and I have a few front runners.

Anyone out there have any ideas??? Decision to be decided. Next ride is Thursday morning...

He's Home!!

I have to say, my love for Conte's gets stronger every day. I went over there at 7 to have them swap everything from Carlos to the new bike. When they were working on it, I went over to the Harris Teeter to get the bike shop guys some cookies as a thank you (aka, a bribe).

I got back and the new bike was ready. We did some chatting about the knee problems I have had and we started a basic fitting. The former bike fitter happened to be in the store and she came over to help out. Let's just say I was the last person in the store, an hour after they closed. And they were just really great about everything.

So, he is home - yet to be named. Tomorrow night is our first planned outing. I hope the weather holds up. Today it was very rainy, so it was the treadmill for me. But it was a tempo day so it's not to bad to do it on the treadmill.

I'm in L-O-V-E

You know how they say it hits you when you least expect it... well, I think it's true. I was kind of looking, but didn't think I would find what I was looking for. I had bad experiences in the past and did not want to get my hopes up.

Then I saw him. They kept telling me he was the one to go for, but I resisted. Finally, I figured I would give it a chance and I am so glad I did. I never expected to be this comfortable and I am really happy I listened to others.

Meet my new love, best friend and pride and joy
Okay, it might not have been that romantic, however the gist is the same. Coach was pushing me towards a tri bike, Rox suggested I look into it, but I just wasn't feeling it. I went to a few bike shops to look around and wound up back at Conte's. They started showing me tri bikes and I poo-poo'ed it right away. After looking at some road bikes, the guy went back to the tri bikes and talked me into just riding one. And I did. And I loved it. Well - not loved it, but really liked and and thought it could work.

So, after some inner dialog that goes into any major purchase (and this is now the most expensive thing I will own after Marcus - my car) I decided to go for it. There were a thousand pros/cons going through my head but all the cons were things I can get over; for example
1. Shifting on the aero bars
2. Using the areo bars
3. Price (even though this is a really good deal)
or cons that were stupid; for example
1. This is way to much bike for me
2. People will wonder why I am so slow on such a great bike
The pros - and all that really matters
1. I WANT TO BE AN IRONMAN

I know what they say, it's the engine, not the vehicle that makes you go fast. I just hope this new vehicle helps the engine to be a bit faster.

Tomorrow I will get the pedals and bike computer switched over, test out some new saddles, and bring him home. Once we spend some time together, I am sure the name will come to me...

More pictures of my new love soon!!!

I Peadled for Peace!!

I just finished my first full group ride, through city streets and everything! Once again, I almost backed out, but I donated money so I felt I should give it a try - and I really do need to work on my fear of biking in the city.

Well, this ride took care of that! We started on East Capital street and biked through the city. There is something kind of neat about biking around the monuments. However, there is also a lot of stop lights, stop signs and cars - and this was at 9 in the morning. We are on Pennsylvania Ave, approaching a stop light, I clip out on the right (just as I have been the past 20 stop lights/signs) and in slow motion, fall to the left. I was pretty much at a stop so it didn't hurt as bad as the one 2.5 weeks ago, but still... the ego is just as hurt. And my left knee a bit. Everyone was again nice, those with clips said it has happened to them, those without say that is why they won't get them. Carlos was fine, I hoped back on and kept going. It almost happened again in Georgetown, but some how I managed to shift my entire body weight to the right to keep from falling.

The rest the ride went pretty well. There was one girl who stayed back with me so technically, I was draft the entire first half of the ride. But all went pretty well. The second half had a few more rolling hills so I was able to keep up the group and that made me feel much better.

Then we got back to the city. It was 80 degrees, sunny, beautiful at noon. That means LOTS OF TOURISTS!! But we had a larger group which is very helpful when you are biking on Independence Ave by the White House. Everyone was so supportive on being in my first city riding, giving me pointers and making sure I was okay.

So 36 miles, a few hours, one fall and a lot of lessons learned. In my book, that is a great day.

I am so Sneaky!!

I have always wanted to be part of a surprise party, and tonight I was. My first roommate when I lived in DC is graduating business school, and it's her birthday Sunday. Her boyfriend, sister-in-law, and brother decided to throw a surprise party. I was in charge of keeping her from her brother's place, where the party was, after she arrived via train. Pretty easy in theory as I work across the street from the train station. However plans changed and things didn't go as we had hopped. I had to use my excellent acting skills and insist we stick to the original plan, embellish a few stories, all to make it seem normal.

And it worked, she was surprised, and all went well.

And true to form, I left early because I was tired and have to get up to bike in the morning. I am not complaining, just stating what things have become. I am still happy with my choice.

Today I ran at lunch in the 80 degree high humidity. YUCK!! I need to start adjusting my schedule so I can have a decent run again... it's been awhile.

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Brother

After potentially freaking out my parents by yesterdays post (saying I am an aunt, even though it's not biologically), today is my favorite (and only) brother's birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIN!!

This morning I did get up and bike around Hains Point. I met up with the DC tri club 'fun Thursday ride'. And it was.

I'm an Aunt, I'm an Aunt, I'm an Aunt

No, my brother did not have a baby - well, not that I know of...

I have posted before about my friends from G-Dale, they are a second family to me. Therese was the one who just got married and we were all together for the first time in years (parents, husbands, kid(s), etc). Well, Nicole went into labor 3 weeks early and had a baby girl!! I think she just had such a great time at the reception that she wanted to come out early and join us.

Oh, and I did run at lunch in the 75 degree heat and swim after work. I can't remember what I was going to say today, I am just to excited about my friends baby.

I can't wait to buy more presents that make a lot of noise!!!

Does Sleep Count as a Workout?

I woke up this morning feeling like poo. My apartment was a sty. I was just exhausted when I got up and my head hurt. So I decided sleep was more important. I did do a few loads of laundry in between naps but that is it.

Now I am about to go to bed and it's 9.

Back in DC and Carlos is Ready to Roll

It was a really good weekend at home. This morning I had another decent swim. Coach let me pick my own workout - that always makes me happy. But here is the thing about the Y that happened yesterday that I didn't get a chance to share (as driving the bike course was way more important).

I go to the check in desk and gave them my DC license and Y card. I noticed a sign that said they were only doing towel service for certain types of memberships starting April 15. Now the last few times I have been, I bring my own towel. This time I figured why make my mom wash another towel when I can just use the Y's. So I ask the guy if I can have a towel. He points to the sign and says I do not have the membership that includes towel service. I explain that my DC membership does include towel service. He just said, "sorry". Not even in a nice, sad, way like this cute kitten. Just point blank - "no, sorry". Boo!!

So after my swim I used a bunch of paper towels out of spite - which I was upset about doing because that whole saving the environment thing.
The point of all this was I remembered my towel today and had a good swim.

I left 70 degree weather in G-dale to 55 degree and rainy DC. But, I did make it back in time to head to the bike shop and grab Carlos. The bike shop guy said a lot of stuff that they fixed, and I said a lot of "okay"s and paid. He then gave me a quick overview on how to maintain my bike - so great!! Hopefully I can make it to a class soon.

I think the weather will clear up tomorrow so hopefully I can take Carlos out for a test ride. YAY!