Scenes from a fall ride

The sun was shining the temps were around 70 what a beautiful day for a ride! I set off from my house and road the Clear Creek bike path almost to Golden. I went really easy stopping to take many photos and just enjoying what I'm sure is one the last beautiful fall days.

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.

Flats, trains, and lots of water!

The start of the day was a little rough, but ended up being a really great ride today and yesterday. Yesterday's ride was a little more hilly and much on gravel, exploring a new trail that I had never ridden before. Got lost a few times but it was kind of fun just wandering. Ended up with about 19 1/2 miles and then a little run (1.38 miles) for a nice little brick. I really have to do more of those, my muscles are not used to that hole transition thing. But I can tell after just a few of them they are starting to remember. Done with that just shortly before a crazy rain hail storm blew threw town. Glad I wasn't on my bike!

Today out to ride again, but started by finding a nice flat on my bike. I had a spare, but prefer the ones with gunk in them and also would not have a spare on my if I used the one I had so....wait for the bike store to open and go for a couple of tubes. Change the tire ( YEA ME! ) it was the front so easy, but still only the 2nd time I've done it. So finally I head out toward a different trail that I enjoy riding. It has quite a few sharp curves and is crowded in spots so it's just a nice easy ride, however before I get there what should happen but I get stopped by a train, as I rest against the side walk the sprinklers come on and proceed to get me wet...Is this the kind of day it's going to be? Luckily the train was short and I was on my way. Then I hit the "lake" ok it was just a puddle, but it was about 7" deep.... to go around or go through?? I decided to take the mud which scared me, wasn't sure I was going to make it through (it was about 2") I had visions of landing in the water! But made it. (on the way back took the water and got pretty drenched!)

On my ride I stopped by this pool I hope to swim in. It's the only outside pool that seems to have lap lanes that I could find. Rode by both on the way and the way back and neither time did it seem to crowded so I'm really excited to give it a try! I don't plan to do anymore open water swims until the water warms up just a little bit. I can't afford to buy a wet suit this year but I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for a good used one. Last year I did my first open water swim July 4th so I'm hoping that I can get in the lake around then and I'm a step ahead of the game since I already did the open water swim during the tri.

So an ok week as far as training goes 2 decent swims, 2 decent bike rides and 3 runs. Although I must work on the mileage of my running it's been reallllllly low.

Then we had another freaky rain/hail storm. It's crazy springish weather. And on funny note, my sons play roller hockey, indoor, and because of the rain and roof that leaks like crazy, games both Saturday and today had to be reschedules! LOL!

Back to it!

After doing absolutely nothing for nearly 2 weeks after the 1/2 marathon, I finally had a good weekend of training.

Saturday we did a duathlon rehearsal with the team. It was fun. I've never done one before at all. We did a sprint. 1 mile run, 11ish mile ride and 3.1 mile run. I was anything but fast but didn't matter. I had not been on my bike but once this year and as I said I hadn't run since the 1/2. It is not officially timed so all totals are from my Garmin. Total time was 1:45 First run, I had just short of a mile at .96 time 11:26, ride was 10.65 miles 46:23 (13.78 mph pretty good all things considered) and last run... slow 3.1 miles 45:22. Wow do I need to work on the bike run bricks too. Getting off the bike my legs were really wobbly. It was fun though.

Today I did the first open water "swim" of the year, in a wet suit for the very first time ever. Challenging I must say. I didn't do a whole lot of swimming as I just wasn't sure I was comfortable in it. I think next time I will try a sleeveless one. This was a full suit and I tell you it was kind of rough, and my shoulder are really stiff, this could also be from the bike too though. However I must say I was totally amazed at how much it helped with the water temps which were in the mid 60's. It made the water quite bearable, enjoyable even. It was a beautiful day the sun was shining and the outside temps were around 70 when we started the swim and by the time we finished the ride around 80 and the water would have felt pretty darn good then. The ride, although I was a little unsure after the duathlon yesterday was also good. Did 17 miles. The first 5 or so were kind of a false flat. Looks flat but you are headed up hill the whole time and I think we climbed about 500' or so, then there were just a few small hills, but some great downhills... I love going downhill! Only average 13.3 mph but I feel pretty good about it. I was in about the middle of the pack and considering I think everyone else had road bikes and I was on my Sissy (hybrid) I was pleased. Oh yea and saw some llamas...I love those things they are just so cute!

I'm looking forward to hitting things a little harder in June. I'm also possibly rethinking trying to do an Olympic distance this year. I'm just not sure. Although I have 2 1/2 months to train, I feel it may be more then I can do. I do plan to try an Olympic rehearsal and well who knows, if that goes well and there are still spots I just may go for it.