John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday's Fret, Fact, and Fun

Fret: I am afraid of Athena. Yes, she is a beautiful bike. I have even taken a class to learn how to care for her properly. But the 2 times I have ridden her, I have fallen. Neither fall was bad (or graceful) but something is holding me back. Why does the bike seem to be so much of a struggle for me and how in the WORLD am I going to compete in a Tri? I have been told that I just need more seat time, but every time that I can get in a group ride, I trade it for running. Running is my passion. Will I ever feel this way about riding? The only positive I see is that I can ride a LOT faster than I can run (only natural, right?) and I do like that!

Fact: I am getting faster. Yes, let me take this moment to brag. About a year ago, I was ecstatic to run 10:30 miles.... THRILLED to run 10 min miles. When I broke 10 min miles I was OVER THE MOON! Well, on Monday, I ran 13.72 miles and the average pace was 8:36. Yeah... I know. Fast - for this woman. And despite my stops and stomach issues... I have run plenty of long runs with a similar pace. With the National Half Marathon only weeks away, I may even be able to do better. I am excited to get the chance to try. I have never raced a half marathon... went straight to the marathon. I think I am on target to break 2 hours, as I have done it in my long runs, but how fast can I go? Only time will tell!

Fun: So this afternoon, we are off to NC to celebrate my grandma's 86th birthday. I have very fond memories of my grandma. We lived very close to her most of my life and after she moved to NC, we visited her a LOT! My grandpa passed away this past August, so I think she will be excited to have some company. She is ADDICTED to her computer... Farmville and all of those other FB games. I think she is a cool grandma since she is on FB.

I am excited to hang with my cousins and to see my sister. I hope to even get in a run with my sister... packing my shoes - going to MAKE it happen!

9 comments:

LB said...

falling happens, ive done my fair share of falling, i just try to push that to the back of my mind and tell myself "i will NOT fall today!" running is my original passion, but biking is becoming my very close second!!!!

wow, thats an awesome pace!!! keep up the good work.

have fun in NC, wave when you come through...im in the charlotte area!

coach dion said...

A little exercise for you to do this weekend. Now if you get on the bike and ride 100km no problem, it isn't the riding that is the problem, it is the starting and the stopping, so yes go for a ride, but make it 1 mile, then stop get off walk around the bike and start again. you need to get comfortable at slow paces and starting and stopping.

PS I'm riding a race this weekend...

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

That is an incredible pace improvement! You've got a sub-2 in the bag!

XLMIC said...

You are amazing! And so dedicated! Wishing you the best with that sub-2 half :)

Richelle said...

I had a bad fall on my bike when I was 15 and have only ridden a bike once since then (and I had a death grip on the handlebars!). I want to do a tri someday, so I need to get over this fear I have of falling off my bike. More time on the bike will help me, and it will definitely help you, too!

Have fun with your cousins and sister this weekend!

Kirsten said...

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Happy Birthday to your sweet Grandma! :) Enjoy some great family time!

The bike will come, takes time and riding, your friends are right. Wish I could go out and ride with you. Of course our roads have snow on them right now-yuck! (from last night...)

Maybe try riding by yourself, no pressure, just on your own for fun, no one else watching, practice time. When I'm biking with friends just starting clipless, I always tell them to clip out way before they might think they are going to stop so they are ready, and then I constantly remind them to clip out. Don't know if that helps but it used to help me in the beginning to clip out way early and ride up to my stopping point with only one foot clipped in. (maybe that's no even your issue though??)

Relax it will get better! :) And I think you'll run an amazing half!!!!

Terri said...

What a cute grandma! I know she will appreciate the visit.
You have worked hard running and it sure feels good when the improvements show on the clock and in distance. Excited to see how you will do in your half.

Terri said...

I am a big scaredy-cat with my bike, too. Glad I'm not the only one - hope you find a way to come to terms with yours!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I love this post. Fret, fate fun. Awesome.

Let me just say that I think your transformation is amazing. Looking back at the person you shared with us and who you are now. It's quite a journey and the physical is only half of it!

You are truly an inspiration!