Who knew?

So I went in this evening for my first ever bike fit. I really should have done this long ago. He made some pretty dramatic changes to my position and gave me a lot of advice. I have to say that I've had nothing but really good luck at Bicycle Village Westminster. Every time I've gone in they seem to go out of their way to make me feel comfortable. They never make you feel like your questions are dumb or that they don't have time for you. He encouraged me to join in on the Saturday rides, and was just a nice guy. Not only that but he didn't even make me pay for the fitting because you get one free when you purchase your bike and since I've never had one even though I bought the bike almost a year ago he gave it to me free. Can't beat that! I can't wait to try it out.

I actually made it to the pool this morning! Yea me! Now it was only a 30 minute swim, that's all I can get in before work but 30 minutes is better then nothing!

Had what I felt was a great run on the treadmill last night. The plan called for 3 x 1600 at 10:27 with 800 jogs for a total of 7 miles. Cut it a little short and only did 5.75 but I managed to hit the miles at 10:28 10:33 and 10:29 which for me is fast! So I was really happy with it. I'm starting to feel much stronger with my running.



So with that said I'm thinking of signing up for the Snowman Stampede on the 19th. Probably the 10 miles. If the weather forecast is to be believed it is suppose to be a nice week and the weekend should be good....not that I expect them to be right 10 days out but you can hope. Any one want to join me?

Riding high!

Saw this guy out riding when I was out tonight. Pics not great I snapped it with my cell. Looks like a long way down! I had a really good ride this evening. 17 miles with a couple and I do mean 2 hill repeats..oh my god they killed me! My lungs were burning something firce when I finished. I really need to work on hills. My plan is to work in at least a couple extra hills on every ride. Felt really good to be out there tonight. I can't beleive that soon it will be dark by the time I get home from work.

Thoughts from my bike ride...

This weekends ride was the first time that I have done a longer bike ride by myself. I was suppose to go with some friends but for one reason or another they had to cancel, so that left me to do the ride alone. I was determined though to get out on that bike. It was a coolish morning around 60 degrees and overcast. I decided to ride the bike path to Golden, I knew that would be around 30 miles round trip. So one of my first thoughts as I head out is...I really need to ride more often. I so enjoy it! About 3/4 of the way there I pass 2 couples taking a break, the 2 women of the group (both pretty large) are off their bikes sitting there smoking. Thought number 2...I am so glad that I quit smoking and started exercising. It's not a hilly ride you climb about 500' over 10 miles, most very gradual but one killer hill as you crest out at the top before descending down in to Golden.

Looking down over Coors Brewery

At the top of the hill, I had decided that was were I would turn around, I got off to have some Gatorade and a Lara bar, my legs were shaking. Thought number 3..riding by myself sometimes is good. I rode the first 1/2 without stopping at all. When riding with friends we tend to take quite a few short breaks. After a short break I turned around and headed back...so much fun going down hill! I did the whole ride trying to keep it pretty easy. I have a tendency to put it in a hard gear and then end up with sore knees. So I stayed in the two smaller rings for the whole ride and kept it to where it felt easy and just spin faster. On the way back out passed the two couples again. The were putting their bikes on the car this time women smoking again...Thought number 4..man I'm really glad I quit that!

We have had such beautiful weather here in Denver, I am so not ready for winter. The trees in town this year however have been pretty disappointing. This picture does not do these justice, but there are a few pretty ones. About 3/4 of the way home the legs are getting tired...thought number ?... as my quads are starting to cramp, Julie you can not go out after not riding for 2 weeks and do a 30 mile bike ride...this isn't smart . Continue on easing up a little knowing that I'm going to have to climb some hills to get home.....ok here comes the hill before I'm home. It's not that big, but is fairly steep...thought number??...I'm going to end up walking a hill for the first time ever...no, no I can do it...just sit and spin Julie...Oh my gosh, I'm going so slow I may go backwards...just keep spinning...Wow! I made it to the top! Good ride 29.37 miles 2 hours 21 minutes.

Sunday rides....

Happy Sunday all!

Good day so far! Went on a 45 mile bike ride this morning/afternoon it was fantastic! We took a bike path that goes clear across Denver. It is a very flat ride along the river the whole way. Some day I would like to do more of it, but for today this was a good start. Kind of funny because we were about 10ish miles into the ride and looking at downtown on the horizon and I said I can't believe we are going to ride that far. So we rode through downtown and kept going and finally when we were reaching around 22ish miles we turned around to head back. When we were stopped to turn around we looked back at where we were headed and it was at least as far back to downtown as I had seen from the other side. Kind of cool to be looking at it from the other side. Then I took my bike in to the bike shop and had them adjust a few things. The front brake was rubbing, had them put on knew pedals and adjust a couple of other things. He told me I needed to oil my chain, which I came home and did. (Note to self: I need to get on line and see about some basic things I should be doing to keep my bike in order.) He was just amazing..just fixed up these little things like that. Of course he probably does it a 100 times a day.

So also at that 10ish mile mark I was thinking about running a 1/2 marathon....and how far we had ridden and I was trying to imagine running that....can't....but would like to I think.