How to ride a bike for dummies...check

So I finally learned how to ride a bike today! Seriously, the past 3 rides I have dropped my chain on each ride and last week it was right in front of all the strawberry pickers at Jean's Strawberry patch in Apex. I am glad I could provide some entertainment for them while the toiled away in the fields. But I digress... so for this past week, I did okay. I made it to my cock-a-doodle-doo spin class Monday morning to get my butt kicked by Linda (love ya'!). And then it was off to swim team practice Tuesday evening. I got a 2 mile loop in around Shelley Lake before getting my butt kicked by Coaches Tom and Joe. We did something like a 100- 200- 400- 500- 400- 200- 200- 100- 50. Anyway, it was enough I think for one workout. Coach Tom took notes on our strokes. My favorite was his comment that my hips "slosh" from side to side. I am guessing that is not a good thing. But, overall, I think I earned a B+ish and I am cool with that.

So Wednesday, I took "off" as usual. Thursday I pushed myself to head out to Lake Pine so I could get a run in for the week. I ran into my spin teacher, Linda, on the trail which made me feel good because it was almost like I felt I got extra credit for pounding the pavement outside of class. While finishing up the 4 miles (with Audrey in tow in the jogger), I passed a woman with some kickin' hot pink compression socks. She made a comment like "Oh great, I'm getting passed by the jogger mommy but I'm okay with that. Really." I kind of chuckled and we got to talking. She asked how much the jogger slows me down. Truthfully, I don't know because my pace has actually increased since starting to train for the triathlon. Then she talked about how she didn't start really exercising until her kids left for college which I thought was a great idea although a shame to wait that long. She agreed. I told her about the triathlon and the typical response I get from people is fear about the swim. As I told her, you don't have to be a good swimmer to do an event like this. Do you need to know how to swim? It's a good idea to be able to swim a couple of laps but beyond that, your training gets you in shape. (Mind you I am doling out advice prior to actually having had to swim a mile so you might want to check back in with me after June 23rd.) Anyway, she also mentioned that she didn't have a great bike. I laughed thinking about the hunk of metal I rode on my first ride. The fact of the matter is that, you make adjustments as you go along. You find a way to make it happen and that is what I would share with others. Don't wait until all the stars have aligned and you have all the "right" equipment and you're in shape. It ain't gonna happen. Find a team or group if you can and just do it.

So Friday, I didn't do much. I was too distracted by the fact that my oldest, Sarah Cowles, got reassigned for Kindergarten to a different school. Me oh my how we/I have stressed about this school stuff. Finally, though, we got her final assignment for next year and we're getting geared up for that. Where has the time gone? Today was her last music "performance" at preschool and it was precious! Check it out:

And then came Saturday...we just cycled but it was a doozy- 30 miles to be exact. The weather was overcast which was good but there was wind. Funny thing, though, I finally learned how to ride my bike! Coach Tom gave a little gear shifting for dummies seminar prior to our ride today and I was totally intrigued. You mean you aren't supposed to be shifting mainly with your left hand? Well I'm glad I know that now because I have been wreaking havoc on the gears during my ride. If one didn't work I'd shift around until I finally found one that did. No real rhyme or reason to it. Just keep moving forward, right?! Apparently not. There apparently is a rhyme and reason to shifting gears on a bike and I am proud to say that I am well on my way to learning what that is! I am also thrilled to report that I did NOT drop the chain one single time today on the ride. Next up is learning to master the click-in pedals (Speedplays). People tell me it makes a huge difference in your biking efficiency. Watch out triathletes of the world...there is a new kid in town!  ;-)

Drum Major

So today was the big day for the big workout: 3 mile run/ 20 mile ride/ 2 mile run. I am happy to say that I survived! Truthfully, I was looking forward to getting more of a run in as that is my "strong" point of the tri. We've been focusing so much on the ride and the swim. I pushed myself fairly hard throughout. The weather was great. Overcast and low 70's. I completed the workout alone as we all spread out during the workout. I completed the first 3 miles fairly easily as it is a flat course- but I wanted to keep up the intensity on the bike. I averaged between 15-20mph. for the 20 miles. I saw a turtle and some goats along the way. I dropped my chain right in front of Jean's Berry Patch in Apex! That dang chain...not sure what is going on there. But I was able to put it back on and move on. At least the families picking strawberries got to see me in action on the side of the road. Then at one point I got caught up in a group ride and drafted with them for a short while. It's so nice to be on the NC country roads. Very pretty.

I get to think about some things while I'm out there. I think about Mary Anne each time I train. I think about my girls and what I have learned on this adventure. One thing that occurred to me today during the workout is that I would want my girls to learn is that it is okay to shine. What I mean is that sometimes, I feel that I am more concerned about not leaving a teammate behind than pushing myself ahead. Especially during the run. I would tell my girls that if they can, it is okay to be the leader. It is okay to be out in front. Don't feel bad or guilty about it. Be the drum major if you are able. And so I pushed myself onward. I didn't let up or wait for someone to catch up. And I finished strong and felt good...that is what I would say today.

Many, many thanks to Kate B. Eager for sponsoring my workout today...one mile at a time, one donation at a time, we can beat cancer...

Squeezed in an early morning run- 3 + miles. I am a little nervous about tomorrow's workout!

So excited that my FB friends are lending a hand by making donations and supporting LLS and my triathlon efforts. Last night's workout was sponsored by Paxton Helms. Thank you! It really helps keep me going in the thick of it...tonight's swim- 2000m

Today's workout was brought to you by John Earles

So I put out a challenge on FB to my 189 friends asking if someone (just one person) would sponsor my workout on today. I was quite happy to hear from 2 friends: John and Paxton. John sponsored today's workout and Paxton put himself down for Tuesday's swim. Very generous donations and friends to help support LLS and my triathlon efforts. I will keep up the FB challenge and see how much more I can raise. I have some very generous friends and family who have helped get me to my fundraising goal and now I am going beyond. I appreciate the gentle push by Russell Wolfe to do more, give more. Hey, if I can, I will.

So today we did a 1 mile warmup run then a 19 mile ride and then a 3 mile run. Truthfully, I didn't want to push myself as hard as I did last Saturday. Burning lungs don't feel so great. But I still worked out hard and felt it afterwards. I hope to get some more workouts in this week....

Our Saturday brick was moved to Sunday: today's workout = 4 miles to downtown Cary. Walked around the farmers market. Went to the community garden for a minute and ran back home. I am feeling good but a bit guilty that I didn't get more workouts in this past week. Jason was out of town 2 days but still. Big workout tomorrow!

THANK YOU!!!

If anyone is reading this blog other than myself, I want to say a sincere thank you to those who have contributed to my fundraising efforts. To date, I have met my fundraising goal of $2300!!!!

5:30a.m. swim to start the day. I typically go to team swim practice on Tuesdays but Jason has missed several softball games due to my practices so tonight is his night to play. The swim started out hard as my chest felt really tight. However, after warming up, I felt pretty good and kind of got into a groove. It was a good workout even though I missed my teammates. I hit the whirlpool afterwards as I have had a very stiff neck for the past week (thanks to the mattress). Anyway, other than that, I am feeling pretty good  ;-)

So I skipped spin class on Monday and chose instead to run with Audrey while SC was in preschool. Good move. I would much rather be outside. Nice day. Good run. 4 miles...

Tough...

So today was my toughest training day to date. It is Saturday so another brick. Today though we bumped the ride up to 25 miles plus a 3 mile run on the Tobacco Trail. And a quick transition between the two I might add. To date, when we have finished a ride we have milled around for 10-15 minutes and then mosied to go do the run. Today it was all business. Bike, drop off your stuff, hit the trail. I was excited to get back on the bike as the weather has kept us from riding the past 2 Saturdays. Plus I just got a tune up at REI since I dropped my chain on the last ride and the gears were a little rattly. Anyway, my goal was to keep up with Tracey and Libba. I did well with that I must say. However my start was a little rough as I forgot to bring my gatorade. Thankfully Coach Joe handed over one of his bottle...whew! So we averaged about 15 or so mph on the ride down but a little slower on the return as we were headed against the wind. At the mid-point, I popped a pill. Actually, Libba was kind enough to give me one of those energy tablets. The 3 of us spread out going back. Unfortunately, my chain dropped off again which did not excite me. Back to REI. The rest of the ride was good. I rode fairly hard. The cool thing was that we landed in the middle of the Cary Duathlon race. So I guess you could say in a way I kind of did a duathlon today. Apparently they rode 17 miles and ran 3 miles, I believe. It was nice to have the police escorts. Kind of made things a little exciting.

So after the bike, Coach Tom took care of our bikes and we hit the trail. I don't know what it is about running after biking but my legs want to go fast. I think I averaged 8:15/mile. That is flying for me. Of course, after I finished, I felt like I was going to throw up which doesn't happen too often to me. I was exhausted! Then my lungs hurt or at least I thought it was my lungs. The center of my chest hurt for the next 2 days. Needless to say, it was a tough workout but I am proud of myself for making it.

Holy mile swim!

It's Tuesday which means swim practice! I wanted to take some pics of our motley crew though all were not in attendance. The first pic is of our fearless leader, Tom.

 He's the one that faithfully barks at us all during practices. Great guy. Great coach. Very dedicated to helping us and I am grateful for that. He also makes the best homemade granola bars EVER! I've tried to duplicate the recipe twice but they don't measure up. Anyway, the video is of a few of us during our workout tonight. Here was the breakdown: 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m. So if my math is correct, that's 64 laps = 1 mile!!!!!! Holy Mile!!! People, I have a ways to go to do all that non-stop. Breathe Caroline...you can do it  ;-) Oh and then, we did two 100m timed laps. Good times...go team! Here we are in action...

Went to spin class today. An hour long. 5:30a.m. I tried to push hard given that our ride was cancelled on Saturday and Sunday. I must admit, spin class is not my favorite. I like the outdoors. Spinning like a hamster on a wheel gets in a good workout but that's about it for me. I did have a good talk with my teacher, Linda. She came in 2nd overall for women in the Mountain to Trails run yesterday. I have never tried a trail run but I think I would really like it. Nature and exercise. I doubt there will be a blog about it but I might give one a whirl in the Fall!

Bummer...ride today was cancelled too! Spin class at 5a.m. Monday here I come. I must admit though I am happy to be spending the day with the family. It's time to plant the garden...woohoo!