Sunday, August 21, 2011

Taking Control and making changes...

Ok as I'm sure you are all done reading about my whining I'm done with it too! Time to move on and take control. I'm feeling better about things this weekend. I've still not really made any concrete decisions about what I'm doing. I have a little bit of time before I decide on the tri for sure. I am however almost positive that I'm going to sign up for the November 1/2 marathon.

So on to the weekend... now considering I just said that I was probably going to train for a 1/2 marathon I didn't run at all...I did however ride... both days. And loved it...well most of it.

Saturday I rode with a group from Bicycle Village a no drop ride they do every Saturday. I went for the first time last week and thought it was ok although I was less then thrilled with the route we took. I was determined to try it a few more times before I made a real decision. So off I went this week. The ride was to Boulder this week which was much nicer. Also instead of the speedy guys racing off hardly to be seen this group waited a little more often. Also this week instead of getting stuck back with the slower group there was kind of a middle group that I could hang with and feel like I was pushing myself but not killing myself. Very nice ride with a stop 1/2 way for coffee and pastries. I will go again.

Sunday I went to ride with Kathleen as she had a 4 1/2 hour training ride for IMAZ that she had to complete. We met out east to ride an upcoming 70.3 bike course. The first 10 miles were beautiful smooth road nice chatting little traffic and very quite. Then we turned and hit a gradual uphill and the wind, lots of wind, and the next 10 miles were pretty slow and torturous for me. Poor Kathleen was kind enough to wait for me. The next 10 miles were more rollers and though my legs were tired it was nice to have the downhills to recover.

Me
Kathleen
As we were climbing into the reservoir Kathleen stopped to wait for me. We made a call to see if a friend who had raced there that morning was still around. We took off and almost immediately I said "I have a flat" We stop and Kathleen says "me too" so we walk back to the area we just left (a turn off) to get off the street and proceed to each change our flat rear tires.
Thanks Kathleen for the photos!
That doesn't go to bad, between the two of us we get it taken care and as we are almost ready to leave Kathleen looks at my bike and says..."your front is flat." CRAP! (and a few other choice words I think) So I take out my last tube and change the front. At that point we just headed up to the race track for water (which I was totally out of and it was about 90 deg) and a bathroom. It was great that the facilities were so close. I've no idea how long that whole episode took us but then we got back on the bikes and finished up hoping and praying that there would be no more flats as we were out of tubes and C02 cartridges. Luckily it was a pretty easy uneventful ride back.

All in all a good weekend! How was yours?


12 comments:

Jill said...

I had a great weekend, thanks for asking!! ;)

I have never had a flat...and the day I do I am going to freak because I have no idea how to change a tire! I have, however, had a broken derraileur! Ha.

Yay to a fall marathon!! :) Thanks, too, for all the support this weekend, you're such a dear friend!!!
xo

Jennifer said...

Reading this reminds me that I really do need to learn how to change my own flats...have you ever thought about teaching a virtual clinic? :-)

sugarmagnolia70 said...

I'm so impressed that you can easily change a tire! I've taken a class, and in fact am getting more instruction tomorrow night from a friend, as I'm still unsure. A very necessary skill to have.

Diana said...

You sure are getting enough "tire changing" experience....

My weekend was great as well...lots of local fun things! Some biking, walking, and even a little run as well...progress!

Anonymous said...

UGH.. Don't you HATE FLATS!! That's great you rode with a group! I only have a tri bike so I won't be doing that. Which half are you doing??(Nora)

ShutUpandRun said...

Flats suck. But good for you for getting out there in the first place.

Not a big weekend for me. Still nursing some muscle pain and trying to rest up for this weekend's tri.

A Prelude To... said...

double flats? Ridiculous!

I LOVE your bright red and white shirt! I need one of those...now!!! Oh wait...I haven't even been on my bike in 6 weeks. I guess there's no rush.

Glad you're figuring out where your training is headed. No need to call Whine one one again, right? :D

Michelle said...

I just had my first flat this weekend too. Thankfully someone stopped to help me. I *think* I could do it by myself now if I had to. You got in a lot of riding this weekend!

Aimee said...

You have the worst luck with flats...it's crazy!! I've been on that Harvest Moon course too and the wind can definitely be brutal!!

Anonymous said...

Oy - I luckily have yet to get a flat on my bike! I have all the stuff to fix it but NO CLUE HOW!! Ha! Kind of defeats the purpose huh?!

And yes, I totally stole PRD from you - I couldn't remember where I saw it! Thanks for letting me know :)
I think it's completely accurate and I say it's real even if it's made up :)

Matthew Smith said...

Two flats at the same time? That sucks! At least you guys had each other to give support. I'm thinking of running a half this fall as well.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

3 flats on 2 bikes at the same time, what was on the road?