One week out from the marathon, I'm working on letting my legs recover while I try to get ready for my first triathlon. Recover and train at the same time? I'm giving it a try. After training for 3 marathons in one year, I really want to give my legs some time to fully heal.
I took 5 days off from running. I lifted weights, swam a couple times, and did a couple spin classes this week. It was nice to get up and decide what I was going to do based on the weather and my other commitments instead of being dictated to by a schedule. It's the first time in 18 months that I haven't had a schedule telling me what to do each day.
I ran a few miles on Friday, and then again today. Today was a beautiful day, and I just had to get out on my bike. You may recall that the fork on my bike was cracked. Trek sent a loaner fork so I could use my bike while they come up with exact fork for my particular model.
Clad in my Mother's Day bike helmet and Sidi shoes, my first outdoor bike ride of the season almost ended 5 seconds after it started. I clipped into my pedals with my new shoes and quickly realized that I could not get them unclipped. They must fit my pedals more snugly than my old ones. Panicked, I struggled to twist and pull my foot out. I thought I was going to have to make an emergency landing in the grass. I finally got them unclipped safely. Luckily, my bike mechanic, Mike, was home and with a quick pedal adjustment, I was off on an 11 mile ride.
This was just a quick ride to try and get more familiar with my bike. I'm still not very good at keeping a straight line, especially when I'm down on my aero bars. I'm nervous grabbing for my water bottle, and I still have to really think about what I need to do to shift gears in the right direction. I'm getting the hang of it, though, and it's a whole lot of fun.
After I was done, I took off my front tire, flatted it, and practiced changing it. I did it, but very slowly. If I had to do it in a race, they would be closing the course by the time I was finished. I'll have to practice that some more, but I was glad I at least got it accomplished.
Tomorrow I'll get to wake up and decide what I feel like doing based on the weather and my mood. I'm hoping to try a longer bike ride and maybe get in a short swim. I'm glad this first triathlon is a short one and that I have zero expectations, because I'm really enjoying this little "do whatever the heck I feel like" break.
6 comments:
nice ride! reading your post, i wish we lived closer to go for a ride together. I'm nervous grabbing water, I'm not so straight when I use my aerobars either. lol. and I have yet to attempt changing a tire! Glad you recovered well :D
Beth:
Fantastic! Love to see that bike out and about.
Yeah aero bars take some serious getting use to. I recall it taking a dozen or so rides before I was really comfortable on them (to the point I could let my mind wander to other pressing stuff -- like what was for dinner).
By that time I could pretty much ride in a straight line too -- that takes a surprising amount of skill and concentration when you're just getting started (and a serious pucker factor when getting passed by a semi or large SUV).
The pedal story is one all of us have annually. I usually go down at least once in public during the year due to not getting unclipped (even with the tension properly adjusted) -- usually at a busy stoplight.
Good to hear you're enjoying your Fab-U-lus new equipment and having some fun! I still think you should have gotten those $500 gold Sidi's we discussed a while back. LOL
Beth, is is good to hear you are enjoying a little break after the marathon. Well deserved! And best of luck preparing for your tri!
Glad you're enjoying the break!! And say "thanks" to you son from Matt and I for volunteering out on the bike course!!
good work changing the tire - that is on my list of things to learn. I like having a break from marathon training, but I am getting figety already. I suppose we both start the path to another marathon starting in june :)
Wow! You can change a tire! I'd be lost if I had a flat tire. Looks like you are having a fun week, recovering. Enjoy yourself!
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