THE COMEDY OF ERRORS! (yes, it is long...but it will make you feel better about your day when you finish!)
So, I learned it takes a lot longer to get out of the house for a ride than a run...should be self-explanatory, but when I'm setting my alarm clock I always think I'm super woman and can get ready a lot faster than I EVER do! I was going as fast as possible to get to the Queen of the Hill ride this morning, because as per above...I was late. They give you 10 min to get ready before roll-out time though, so that helped. Pumped up my tires (kind of ... more later), and I was off! I had talked to Danielle about how to get my speed better and I was working on it and feeling strong, but I kept feeling each rock I was rolling over more and more...crap, yup. First time for everything - lets just say I learned a LOT about changing a flat tire, the right kind of tubes to buy, how to PROPERLY use my CO2 gun for the tire, how to put a back wheel back on the bike and chain AND that when you fill up your tires it is always a good idea to CLOSE the valve that you have to open to pump them up, if you don't...you get a flat! The sweet, wonderful, amazing and nice women that rode with me stopped and got a quick lesson on how to change a tire too. I was grateful that Kristie (Ironwoman!) was there to show me the ropes. I'm also glad running shoes don't get flats! But, then I felt like a pile of poo. Because yesterday I was asking if we could really get back in time, because I needed to be on my way home by 7:30 so hubby could go to work. Everyone was saying "you don't have to wait, just go ahead and you'll be fine...but it is a no drop, so we will all regroup." So, I was already feeling like a bum that I wouldn't be able to wait and regroup with everyone...but what happens?!? I get the flat and 6-8 people stopped and helped and waited for me and in turn sacrificed THEIR ride and miles so I could be helped...when I was the one that was going to ditch them last night. What a piece of poo I am and what wonderful women they are! SO giving and self-less, not me...I'm all about sticking to MY time schedule. After the tire change got to the top of Camp Williams and enjoyed the ride down...I thought we'd still do the full ride, but when I got to 2100N I couldn't see anyone. They'd turned a lot earlier. Crap, now I was alone...with no tubes or cartridges left. So, I turned and finally caught them at the Maverick in Riverton. As we were crossing the street, I realized I'd forgotten to change gears and was in downhill beast gear...which is really hard to pedal from a stop, but I was powering through it, unclipped. Then..whamo! My foot slipped off the pedal and my crotch slammed into the seat (yes boys, it hurts us too!). Man, oh man...are we done yet? I should've stayed in bed. Got back to the shop (where we start) at 7:25, perfect. But, with only 18.5 miles. Oh well...it is about the experience, right? Got off my bike and walked it the 5 feet to the car, then...whamo! the pedal scrapes across my leg...right over my battle wounds from Friday's trail run fall. REALLY?!? Man, oh man...I really should've stayed in bed. I thanked Kristie for her help (and now owe her at least one good tube) and set off for home. Ride. over. thank. you. I got home feeling like crap! My emotions were on a high low (figure that one out!) and all I wanted to do was eat a dozen dunford donuts on the couch and watch tv. I did NOT want to go to the gym, face the ladies that hate me and baby in the gym, get on a TM for an hour and try to feel good. nope. no. way! But, I let routine take over and got in the car and just went. My 5 yr old started crying "I don't want to go to the gym!" I replied "I don't either! But, sometimes we just have to suck it up and do what we need to do. So, we're going to the gym." Positive reinforcement :) I decided to break up the run - 3 miles on the TM, 1 track, 3 TM, 1 track. Give me a bit of a break from the monotony of the hamster run. 3 miles @ 1% TT: 23:45 AP: 7:54 splits: 8:34, 7:41, 7:41 (except sped up to 7:03 last 1/4 mile) 2 on track - no idea on pace, but I'd guess around an 8:00, because the 8:20 on the TM when I got back on felt slower. So, somewhere in there. I decided to do 2, because I was enjoying it and I didn't want to have to END my run on the track. 3 TM miles @1% TT: 23:25 AP: 7:48 splits: 8:20, 7:41, 7:41, except the last .35 I went progressive to 7:03 then 6:30 the last .10 Chatted with Wendy as I cooled down a .10 on a walk, then did my exercises (2 sets) and grabbed my kids before the nursery sent them to the orphanage for abandonment, because I was over my hour :) I felt SO much better when I was done. I felt functional and happy and baby didn't even get reprimanded ONCE in the nursery! They said he even was having a conflict with another child and he came and got a teacher to help! WOW, he's learning! Running is my favorite. Biking and swimming are fun x-trainers and a break from the run, but running makes me happy and is my primary religion :) I don't get those endorphins anywhere else...and I don't get flats and have to remember to pack 500 things for a run! I JUST RUN! blah. well, that all said...I signed up for the Utah half tri (half ironman distance, but not an 'ironman' race) in August. I guess it is a good thing I now know how to change a tire...and how to pump one up and not be an idiot!!! There will be more rides in my future, until then anyway :)
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