Presently I am having the same problem with biking that I used to have with running. I don't feel like a biker. I don't have the cool clothes the "real" bikers have.
Okay, maybe my clothes are a little more modern than this but I do NOT have the RIGHT clothes!
My bike is old and needs a tune up. (That will be taken care of next week.) I am wearing a helmet my son wore when he was a young teen. (That has already been taken care of. I bought myself a more respectable helmet for my birthday for vanity and safety reasons.) I am slow and don't go 50 miles at once. I have found a renewed love for biking and am enjoying it immensely. Even when my heel is healed I want to keep biking at least once a week. Perhaps not varying my activity enough is what got me into this fix in the first place. But in the meantime I need to stop worrying about the bike police and how I look and just think of myself as an athlete. It is hard for me to even write that. BUT I have run marathons, raced far more than 100 races, work out a minimum of 5 days a week all year long and hiked Pikes Peak just this summer. I have been doing some core training with my son, the wonderful, demanding personal trainer. Before my injury I had passed 1000 miles for this year's total of miles run. So yes, I am going to call myself an athlete and enjoy what I am doing.
Hiking Pikes Peak
I have had several great bike rides but this morning I had my first brick. At least I think that is the correct term. We biked more than 12 miles and then I was just dying to try out a run. So we ran 2 miles. My heel feels okay, not perfect, not horrible. I may try a short distance again tomorrow. But man did my legs feel heavy after that bike ride. How do you triathletes do it? You are all amazing!
On today's ride
15 comments:
Think of yourself as environmentally responsible. We tend to clutter our closets with 'activity appropriate gear' as if it really mattered. I am one of the guilty parties here. I even have a biking skirt - how sick is that. But I don't have 'hiking' wardrobe. I hike and backpack in my running clothes. I bet I could bike in them too.
Yay! I'm so happy you are enjoying the bike! And you even did a brick. Look how hard core you are! Do I see a TRI in your near future?!!? I'll coach you on the swim:)
You are definately an athlete!!! Congrats on the major 1000 milestone.
Doesn't biking hurt your "girly parts"?
When I first found your blog I was surprised at how athletic you are for starting later in life and it was very inspiring. Now, after following you for several months, I'm in awe at how much of an athlete you are. I want to be just like you when I grow up!
Woo hoo! You did a brick! I can't wait to do my first brick:) Don't feel bad about not having the cool bikers clothes...I most likely will be waiting on those too. So, are you thinking about a Tri or at least a Du? We could plan to train around the same time:) Just saying:) Take care of yourself. FYI, I am heading out for our family vacation...no computer:( Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
LOVE this post!! I totally worried about the running police and the bike police when I got started in each sport. You are an awesome ATHLETE and there is totally a tri in your future now that you're doing bricks! :-) Great job, and I'm glad your heel felt good enough for a short run.
Talk about not having the right clothes - can you imagine riding in that long skirt?! I started biking wearing running clothes, but alternate with a biking shirt I found on sale for $10 (pockets in the back). I did buy a pair of bike shorts for the padding.
Love the photo of you on the bike!
You are definitely an athlete...know that you are my inspiration! Take it slow with the running...enjoy the biking :)
Of course you are an athlete - an awesome one, at that! Great job on your first brick and I think you are right in trying to add a little biking into your training repertoire. In the long run (pun intended), not only will you be a more well-rounded and stronger athlete, you probably will be more injury free. Keep up the great work! I am liking the pic of you at Summer Round-up and the pic heading up Pikes. You are the bomb! :-)
You are totally an athlete but I also get what you are saying. Sometimes I wonder it about myself too!
Watch out, because the bike has a way of sucking you in. I'm glad you are riding - even if you still focus on running races, I have to think there are benefits to the cross training.
The secret to running after biking in a triathlon is simple - suffer for the first mile or two and then your legs adjust...one thing I had to work on in the beginning was slowing down. I bike at a +/- 90 rpm cadence but my running stride is no where near as fast. So I was going out too hard and gassing...
Glad the biking is going well! What is a brick?
Right now I'm not feeling much like a runner either.
Great job on your first brick!
you are totally an athlete! a brick, whew. i can barely walk when i get off the bike... i sure haven't tried running afterwards!
LOL about those bike 'clothes'! i'm glad you don't wear all that get-up. may be a little hot this time of year.
Definitely an athlete in my book and one who inspires me greatly! :-) Great job on your first 'brick' - cool, new term to add to your athlete lexicon, right? Love the antique bike photo - a classic that this photo buff really digs!
*hugs* from Orlando! Keep up the good work!
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