First bike ride

I have blogged in the past about my coworker and friend who has done an ironman triathlon. She took me out on my first ocean swim. I guess it is only fitting that she took me out for my first ride on my new bike.
Here is what she knew that I didn't know when she said "I will go ride with you" I.NEEDED.HER!!!!!!!!
Obviously I know how to ride a bike, what is new to me is the clip shoes/pedals. It's a whole different ball game being attached to the bike!! I have been petrified about this!!! Well about falling which I had resolved in my mind was gonna happen.
I did not realize is more than just clip in and ride...and that is why I'm so glad she had the foresight to be there!!! She went over a bunch of stuff with me!!! How to take off and on my tires, (I need a flat repair kit asap! Which she is also gonna teach me to change a flat). Safety tips, hand signals, etiquette on the road. Most importantly how to get clipped in and start riding.
So I clipped in to my pedal for the first time and....CRASH down I went!!!! I couldn't help but laugh!! There it was my biggest fear had happened...I fell & she says "good we got that overwith let's try again". So I got up clipped in again and...CRASH I went on the other side...again I just laughed...don't get me wrong I was falling hard on the asphalt but it was also funny.
A few guys rode by and checked on us...she assured them I was fine and just learning my clips.
This is all part of becoming a triathlete...
So I think my third try or fourth I did get momentum going and clipped in and rode off YAY!!! But then I also has to learn to unclip and stop EEK!!!!
I think the final total was 5 crashes. Eventually though I got the hang of it an we went for a ride she helped me learn the gears, had me shift through them and get a feel for the bike. When you are clipped in the difference is you are not just pushing down on the pedals you are also pulling up. So it is a push/pull action that increases your speed and helps with hills too! She has me go on this one stretch of road and just go fast as I could (I could have gone faster I bet BUT not looking forward to my first high speed crash just yet).
It felt amazing though to be whizzing down the road!! I LOVED IT!!! It was the same feeling when I conquered that first swim..triumph, progress, confidence!!!
I still have a lot of practice and only less then 2 weeks until my next triathlon.
I am not read to ride on the streets (scary) and I'm not confident that I can do this without a few more crashes but I know eventually as with everything else I have done so far with time I will get it!!!










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Going the distance

Going back to a little over a year ago I stepped on the treadmill for the first time. I had agreed to do my first triathlon, gotten my YMCA membership and was ready to start training...I had one little problem...I couldn't even run for 3 minutes with out stopping!!!
Fast forward to now and so much has changed!!!
First of all I never believed I would be a runner let alone love running!!!
I never thought I would be doing triathlons or marathons but there I was on Saturday in Del Mar getting ready for my last long run before the half marathon!
I was the only one doing 9 miles so I was looking at a lot of solo time on the road...I dont mind that at all.
I LOVE running outside!!!!! So much that I don't want to run inside at all...I know I gotta but I don't like it...
With my new weight loss my pace has increased a bit. I ran pretty much the whole 9 miles except for a quick stop for water and I had to slow down to drink water on the way back.
I have to get a fuel belt of some kind. It's time to invest in electrolyte replacement supplies...oh and an iPod holder cause my bra isnt the best spot!

I felt so good after the run! No pain or soreness just exhausted (which should be expected haha).

The reason I love to run outside is the views, the stuff to look at and the variety.

I guess technically I stopped for more then to drink water cause I took pictures too!




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This is an infamous statue that I guess people mysteriously sneak and decorate all the time.




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My new bike

I have been stalling and debating on this bike issue for so long. The problem I faced was that the bike I used for the last two triathlons, my moms 20 year old mountain bike was not gonna cut it anymore.
I had some choices...#1 borrow a bike. So I asked around (posted on Facebook) & it seemed like one guy may have been able to help. Until he asked wifey for permission. #2 rent a bike. This may have been cheaper in the short term but not practical for training & future racing (if I intend to keep racing) #3 buy a bike which has 2 parts to this option #3a used bike via craigslist or #3b get a new bike.
I decided to go loom around at a few bike shops just to get an idea of what I was in for cost-wise.
The way my life is= BUSY!!!! I can't just set aside a whole day to bike shop. It was broken up into little time slots where I went to shops (with my kids that part is a whole other nightmare).
Trek was my first stop. Basically walk in tell salesperson I am poor need a road bike what is the cheapest you got? $689 out the door for most basic bike they have. Next stop B&L they have an add for a start up triathlete package includes bike, wetsuit, tri suit, and other accessories for $1100. Their cheapest bike (the one that comes in that packages deL is $920 before tax. The package would be a great deal IF I had $1100.
High Tech bikes was my next stop. The salesman Tomas was super patient and helpful. Their cheapest bike was $650 again so basic but close to my budget.
I kept voicing my bike need on Facebook & everyone kept saying craigslist. The problem with CL is my time issues.
In did end up finding a bike that seemed to be just what I needed!! The thing with CL is people are flakes!!
With my schedule I knew I wouldn't have time to run all over town and try to meet people. Plus I work opposite schedule then most so I figured I would not be able to make it work. This one bike was a carbon frame (means very light weight) specialized brand. I emailed the ad to my cousin who checked with my other cousin's hubby (who is all things bike) and he said it was a great bike & probably a much better bike then the cheap basic new bikes I was looking at.
The ad said she paid $1500 new. She was asking $900. My first email said "will you take $500-600?" She said $600 is fine. I went to look at it on a Friday and because the tires were flat couldn't ride it. I was so scared to invest the money in a bike for a few reasons! That is a lot of money for me!!! It was coming from my tax return but still a lot of money. Also by buying the bike it means...I have to continue to pursue this whole triathlete thing!!!!!
I did not buy the bike that night I wanted to think about it, sleep on it. I called the one bike shop that I used to tune up my moms bike & that has the other bike I was thinking about and asked about fittings. When you buy the bike from them you get lifetime fitting and routine maintenance. A fitting costs $75 otherwise. I was told a proper fit is very important. So I didn't really sleep on it...I couldn't sleep...I couldn't decide what to do. Finally I decided if I could get her to take $525 then after fitting I would be right at my max I wanted $600. Well she agreed!!! So the next morning I got my bike!!!!




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I went in for the fitting and they were so helpful. The didn't make me feel like a moron for being a complete novice. Both the guys I dealt with said I got a good deal! Especially cause I got the shoes (which fit) with it (shoes cost $100 minimum).
To get fit they but the bike in a trainer which turns it into a stationary bike. The have to pedal and make adjustments and take very precise measurements to be sure you are riding correctly. It feels like the seat is too high but I just have to get use to it. It helped trying out the clip pedal/shoes in the trainer first. I asked him for some tips and he was so knowledgable.
So now I am all set & ready to ride!!!!!



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TEAM challenge

So it turns out the team challenge was a good idea...as far as weight loss goes! In so glad I adjusted my work schedule so I got more sleep and I lined up help with the kids so it came together pretty seamlessly. I am NOT looking forward to going back to my old schedule working until 12:30am.
I made it through 6 weeks of 6 days a week workouts (some two-a-days). 1200 calorie daily intake. I lost a total of 21.6 pounds 11.55% of my body weight! Our team one the challenge so I got $100 ymca voucher and I came in first place overall & got a sweatshirt for my prize.
Through this process I learned so much about calories in versus calories out!!! How hard it actually is to lose weight! How every bite of food matters!!
The after pics are coming!!!!




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My first injury

Saturday morning my alarm went off and I heard the rain coming down outside. The thought of getting out of my warm comfy bed to run in the freezing rain....just did not seem right... So I didn't.
My run ended up being solo on Sunday along Mission Bay
While running (the goal was 8 miles, I felt my shoes rubbing my foot. There was nothing I could do!!! I just kept going..
I was trying to get 8 miles...but the path ended at 3.5.... So u did a little over 7 miles.
After the run I found the giant blister my shoes gave me. :(



So there it is my first race is in one week...my goal is survival


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Testing 1.2.3.

I downloaded an app for my phone & before I type a big long blog I wanna see if it works



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Happy Birthday Noel

This post is a week over due...Last Sunday was my brother's 36th birthday. The days leading up to it were so much harder on me then I ever anticipated. The night before was the worst. I was alone (reminded me of the night he passed) I am always alone but sometimes it is just more forefront. I was crying and sad for my brother, my parents and watched his memorial video. I posted on my Facebook wall, on his Facebook wall...sigh...it was so hard.
I guess that is why it was a huge blessing that I didn't do my run the day before his birthday. I got up and went to the lake by my parents house, a place we had gone to so often as a family. I turned on my favorite worship music and took off. The lake is 5 miles around, so I ran to the 1 mile marker then back to the start then ran all the way around the lake to make 7 miles.
My first half of the run my pace was so fast! 11 minute miles! Then I slowed down and my average ended up 12 min per mile. I keep getting a cramp in my side when I run at around 3-4 miles. It seems to go away if I just keep going but I need to find out what it is. I also want to get a travel water bottle so I can keep water or gatorade for my runs with me.
I love running outside, I dont think I could run 7 miles on the tredmill for some reason I get tired and want to stop immeadiately, yet outside I can go forever!!
It helped so much to run, pray, praise, worship, think about memories, be sad, have joy, and talk to God about everything.
After the run I went wine tasting via limo in Temecula with my sister and cousins. We planned the trip in Noel's honor because it was something he had wanted to do. It turned out to be a wonderful day and I was so glad we all spent it together.
I miss my brother so much, it is still hard to grasp the fact that he is gone. Every mile I go now is truly dedicated to him. He is such an inspiration to me!