I picked up my bike during my 20 hour visit home, drove it back to the island, brought it in to a local bike shop, and told them my triathlon plans, asking them to look it over real carefully so that it was ready for my heavy training schedule. I picked it up yesterday, and later explained to the kids that I would be sneaking out in the morning while they were still asleep and that they should take care of each other until I get back if they woke up while I was gone. I wasn't really worried because Matt is the totally best babysitter ever, and knows his brothers inside and out, but being the worrier I am I had to make sure they were prepared for the possibility of my absence.
So, I woke up early as planned, got dressed, snuck out, grabbed my helmet, and whoops, you'll never guess, but there was a time when the she devil dog was a puppy, last summer, when one of the kids, used my helmet, left it in the den, and the puppy got it. I decided the bite marks were not severe enough to warrant purchasing another helmet. Then I placed it on my head and OW! Then pads were missing from the inside and the scratchy half of the velcro was brushing on my face, I decided I would deal with it for one ride (hey, it was only my forehead) and go back to the bike store for either new pads or a helmet later today. I pushed the bike down the gravel, pot holed causeway (my version of a warm up) and hopped on for the ride when I got to the road. I took the direction that I thought was less hilly, since 1. I am way out of shape and 2. I don't think the triathlon will be a hilly course. I was doing fine, I refamiliarized myself with the nifty new fangled gear shifts, and thought I was totally in business when whooosh the seat lowered about 4 inches. I felt like I was a clown biking on a tricycle, I pulled over to assess the situation and decided there is something wrong with the quick release for the bike seat, so not only did I have to ride all scrunched up, but the seat would wobble left and right with me as I went. Not a good ride, I tried, I really did, but soon turned around discouraged and started back for the island. I just decided to give up. I got off the bike, and walked the rest of the way back to the island. But, I really had wanted to have a workout, so I came in grabbed the dog and went for a two mile power walk instead.
What I noticed:
1. during my brief bike ride I used hip muscles that have been sleeping for 3 years, the last time I actually rode. I like waking up the body.
2. I am overly bothered by both my feet slipping just a tiny bit in my new sneaks and the fact that it is completely impossible to tie both sneaks exactly the same tightness.
3. I need to eat better, since my legs had definitely not recovered from yesterdays walk.
4. I am completely obsessing about what I am going to wear to do this triathlon. I just don't think I could possible wear one of those skin tight triathlon outfits, and anyways I really need to wear a bra during the biking and running (walking) part. I was thinking I could swim in bike shorts and a bathingsuit top then bring a towel cut as a poncho to change as discreetly as possible. I would take off the bathing suit top and slip into a bra and shirt to finish in. I really don't care who sees the girls as long as no one is taking pictures. That makes sense right?
5. I really-really-really want to do this, I like having a goal (Yeeesh, I feel like Oprah) and was actually thinking that the babes as a group should do other bike-a-thons and stuff through the year. I so want to reclaim my health.
6. I am pissed as hell at the bike shop for not giving my bike the check up I paid for. Jeez, and the owner kept telling me what a great thing he thought I was doing and everything. I thought they were going to take care of me! I might give him attitude when I go back today, (yeah, and then I'll walk out with a new overpriced helmet, I'll surely show him)
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Post Script: It is now 4 hours after the ride that barely happened and my butt muscles are killing me. I was not prepared for the soreness of biking. Also, as I put the bike back on the bike rack to go to the bike store I realized that the seat problem was only a screw that I could have tightened by hand while on the road. I needed a new helmet none the less, and did bring the bike in to get the lever looked at and the seat and handle bars tweaked ever so slightly, cause I may as well be comfortable, right? Who wants to be poked by a bike seat for 11 miles? Tomorrow is another day, but I don't think I'll be going the distances I planned on starting with. Baby steps.
Sorry that your ride didn't work out as planned, but I think it is great that you are going to do the triathlon! I am so with you on wanting to reclaim my health! And...I so hear you on number 2, I obsess about it when I am taking a walk to the point where I'll stop in the middle of the sidewalk just to re-tie my sneakers, can never get it just right!!
Good luck on todays ride, hope all goes well!
Posted by: Catherine | July 27, 2005 at 10:22 AM