Triathlon in t-2 days.
Today Phil (my boyfriend) and I ventured out to Veloway - a neat little 5k loop in Austin that is maintained exclusively for cyclists (well, and rollerbladers). I lapped it 5 times and it got a little monotonous, but it was definitely great training for this weekend! It was incredibly important for me to get some quality on-the-road time on my aunt's bike. (yes, my aunt so generously saved my life and let me borrow her road bike for the race!) I'll definitely be hitting it up a few more times while I'm out here.
Some things I learned:
1. You may think you have mastered your clip shoes: you haven't. Or maybe that's just me. I may or may not be a little scratched up from clip shoe mishaps. :]
2. Going fast is scary. Although you may be capable of pushing harder, are you brave enough to go that fast? My legs are not nearly as tired as they have been after some VisionQuest workouts I've done. Definitely could've gone harder and faster, but truth be told, as my speed climbs I get a little nervous.
3. Turns are not easy. I mean, they are something to grapple with. I thought I understood turns from taking them constantly around campus but there is a HUGE difference between taking a curve at 10 mph vs. 18 mph. The difference is: AHHHHHHH!!!!
4. Cycling makes your hands and arms hurt. Yes, it is good form to relax your elbows and shoulders as well as to keep a loose grip on the handlebars. Generally I think I am pretty good about controlling these things, but my arms are definitely still feeling this more so than they normally do.
Conclusion: thank GOD I had an extra day to mess around with this bike and do my second outdoor ride. I am nervous for Sunday but definitely feel better having had the extra practice.
I feel like a new driver.
In spin class, I always wished there was a "downhill" part.
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