I Think I Can Do It!

The Tri is in 17 days. Another lady invited my daughter and I to go to the trails where the triathalon will take place to ride our bikes. There were five of us in all and, it being only the second time I've been on an actually bike in the past 30 years, I chose to take up the rear.

I'm glad to have tried the trails ahead of time. LOTS of pot holes, other parts of the pavement were ruptured with root growth and part was gravel. Most was flat but there were a few hills I LOUDLY grunted through as I pushed up them.

About four miles in I watched my 19yo daughter, up ahead, flip over her bike, roll and land on her back. Poor thing! She accidentally squeezed only the front brake which sent her flying! Her arm was bloody, dirt all over her face (thank goodness that wasn't hurt), both legs and stomach with awful road burns. She was such a good sport, said she was okay, climbed back up and kept riding. She finished out the remaining 7 miles.

I'm was more cautious after that and was thankful for the refresher lesson on brake usage. That could have easily been me since I really had no idea what I was doing. The ride itself wasn't rough but the sharp turns, very narrow passage ways and flying downhill fast were a bit nerve racking for this overly cautious, non-adventure girl. It was a huge step for me. So glad I did it.

After riding for 11 miles we packed up our bikes and then walked. The ladies wanted to practice the transition from biking to running. I'm not planning on running at all but walking. It felt good.. We were only able to get 1.5 miles in before it got dark but after riding the actual bike distance and walking half the walk/run portion I know I can do this. Of course I'll also be adding the swim.

One of my trouble areas will be my right knee. I've had problems with it for 30 years. The last three miles on the bike every time I pumped my right foot down the one spot, on the right edge of my knee, killed. Strangely enough, once we started walking the pain went away.

I'm sure I'll be sore in the morning. But I'll be ignoring that. I've made plans for my daughter and I to meet up with the other three ladies, plus two others, at our neighborhood pool for swim training at 5:30 in the morning. That's in seven hours so I'd better get to bed.

Krista