Conquering the Bike!

How can you live in the past when the present is swinging? Yeah, baby, yeah!

T2 has become my favorite portion of any triathlon. It is only seconds before I slip into my shoes and visor, then tear up the run. However, there are two more disciplines before I reach my favorite leg of the race. I made a conscious effort to conquer my cycling fear this weekend!

I have never swam nor cycled competitively until Lonestar. My results taught me that I need to improve on the bike. A 19.7 mph average in Galveston sounds great, but it was only 12.5 miles. I was 5th in the First Timers category and it was the first time I felt confident in the aero position. Like any dedicated Type A individual, I need an Epic Weekend.

"The Epic Weekend"

Act I, Scene I

This Epic Weekend, April 19-20, began one chilly morning in the Montgomery park. I rode there with Louis and absorbed all of the cycling lingo I could take. My fellow TNTers began filling into the park and unloading. A cold morning in Texas is a runner's greatest Allie; a cold morning is a cyclist's kryptonite. Our group headed out of Montgomery for a leisurely 36 mile ride.

Once on the highway, it was time to shine. I switched gears as I proclaimed my intention of conquering hills. I tucked into my aero shrine and began cranking out the rpms. The first downhill approached without a warning. Holy cow was that freakin cold! I immediately pulled out of aero position as my front tire wobbled profusely. This is not a good start for an epic weekend.

By the third hill, I was numb and flying down the road. We hit the half way point when I stopped for a second. Grabbed a GU and waited on the next rider. Andrew and I rode a couple miles together before I pulled away. Ryan caught up to me after his coffee break. He and Lauren rode out an hour ahead of the team to gain those valuable 10 miles. Instead, they sat in a cafe and drank coffee while trying to thaw.

We finished the final leg and Ryan headed back out for a few more miles; not very wise. He would end up clipping Coach Liz's back tire and crashing in the grass. All is okay, except for a cracked helmet. It was time to hit the second portion of the brick.

Act I, Scene II

My goal was a 4 mile run at a 8:30 pace. As usual, I went out too fast. Do people really run an 8:30? The enforcer showed my pace as 7:15, in which I immediately eased off. I got it down to a 7:45, then worked my way up to an 8. The halfway turn came before I knew it. I remained in the shade as I returned to town . Passed the old man on the porch with the barking dog. Gave him another wave as I though about what he must be thinking. 'Damn kids these day, wearing spandex in public. Have they no sense of pride.'

Made it back to the park after my 4 mile run at a 7:50 pace. The next group of runners awaited their departure as they convinced themselves it could be done. I headed out for another 4 miles along with Skyler and Heather. Skyler and I made the turn and headed back to town. We picked up Jarntip along the way as Luke stopped with water. I picked up the pace and left them to their oasis.

The original plan was to bike 36 miles and run 4 miles. I logged 36 miles on the bike and 8 miles on the run. I had so much fun running that I could not stop. I tried to keep my mileage on the down low, but a few figured that I had done two loops. Guess that does make me an overachiever.

Act II, Scene I

I sent out an email in regards to riding 40 miles Sunday morning in Chappell Hill. The response was sparse, but I knew a few TNTers would join me. I was right and ONE TNTer joined me, Coach Liz. Our plan was to meet up with the HRTC group and follow along their 60 mile route until it was time to split off. We arrived early, so we decided to saddle up.

Another freakin cold morning; yes, I had the shakes during the first few downhills. I passed Coach on a straight away and was immediately passed the next downhill. This is when I knew my place was behind until I gained my confidence. Not sure where that confidence went, as she can climb hills. I would push the downhills only to sag behind on uphills.

Stepping back a bit. I bought a new saddle two weeks ago in anticipation of this Epic Weekend. The Adamo did well on the trainer and Memorial Parks' Picnic Loop, however hills are a bit different. My sit bones were a bit sore all day and the last few hills were killin me!

We made it to Independence in no time. After we checked out the store, it was back to the road. There were a few cyclist in front of us for a bit. I am a newbie, but I am smart enough to know never stop before a hill and stand in the middle of the road. Idiots!

We hit a fork in the road, Coach Liz asked if I wanted the big hill or casual route? Big hill? Casual route? Was there a difference in Chappell Hill. The manly answer was the casual route. Hey, I did say I was smart. The first big hill, irony, we hit was freakin huge, in which I had to switch out of my big ring. Of course, my chain came off half way up the hill. I luckily was able to unclip and immediately put it back on.

The other side of the mountain was the most beautiful sight of the day. 43 miles later we arrived back in Chappell Hill. I had mentioned doing another brick, but left it at that. What an amazing ride with great hills and beautiful wild flowers.

Act II, Scene II

A group of 9 TNTers headed out to Twin Lakes for an open water swim. Skyler, Samuel, and I stuck together for two laps; 2,080 yards. A few markers had moved or were missing, so the first loop was a bit confusing. My sighting has become second nature. Now I just need to learn how to swim a straight line between sightings.

The benefit of swimming with two friends is you get used to bumping into each other. Skyler gave me an elbow in the nose and I kicked Samuel a bit. Finally, we learned how to maneuver around each other. This experience will be priceless race day.

We sat on the dock and floated in the water for a while. The decision has been made that our post event party will be floating the river in June. In honor of such a decision, it was time to head to Berryhill's for margaritas. I mean to replenish our carb depletion.

Epilogue

I swam 1.15 miles, rode 79 miles, and ran 8 miles last weekend. My event is a .9 mile swim, 24.85 mile bike, and 6.4 mile run. My legs feel great and my confidence could not be higher. 79 miles on my bike was the milestone. I felt comfortable both days as I conquered the hills. Once my sit bones stop hurting, it will be time for another Epic Weekend!