Dangerous conditions...

Cycling, we all know it can be dangerous, but one would think that bike paths would be safer, after this weekends ride and all the obstacles I encountered I'm thinking that the roads are safer. Let's just say the kids, the dogs and the other bike riders! I had run ins with each of them on almost 30 mile ride Sunday. There are definitely plus's and minus's to both riding the bike path versus riding the roads. I can't get over how much I enjoy riding. I never knew that I would enjoy spending hours on the bike and look forward to the day I will be be able to upgrade to a road bike. I'm hoping to at some time this summer do at least a 50 mile ride.

I debated Saturday night and Sunday morning about what I was going to do. I wanted to go do an open water swim with the team, I could have done (tired) a 1 mile open water swim (which I've never done and not sure that I can ) or just do some swimming inside the lanes, and then go for a ride up there. But I just couldn't get myself motivated to make the 30 minute drive to Boulder as well as the money to do the swim and get into the reservoir. So I just swam at the pool after my bike ride.
1 x 300 warm up
1 x 300 6.42
1 x 400 9.18
1 x 500 11.18
1 x 100 cooldown
I started out not feeling so good, but by the time I was 1/2 way through things were feeling really good.

Also got in an almost 5 mile run. My running partner. My dog Duke gave up at 4.88. After dragging him nearly the last mile at 4.88 he laid down and was not getting up again. So I decided we would call it quits then.

So my totals for the week
Swim 1600 yrds
Bike 28.9
Run 11.6
A little short of what I was trying for but not to bad.

I can't believe the Tri for the Cure is in just 2 weeks. I'm kind of bummed because then that will be it. I'm done. I don't want to be done for the year. I wish I could do another, but I guess I will look to a Duathlon I'm thinking of as well as another 1/2 marathon. I'm thinking about doing an Olympic rehearsal with the group. No pressure I can just do part if I want. But I really want to try a mile open water swim. I don't think the bike will be a problem if I can get through the swim, but I'm not sure about the 10k after the swim and bike. But you never know unless you tri right? And I would really like to do an Olympic next year. I had thought I would this year, but just don't feel I'm there yet.

Wow sorry for the long post, I guess I have a lot on my mind this evening.

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.