I had a couple of real positives out of my bike commute today.
First thing this morning when I arrived at work on my bike (rain clothes on because it was rather wet out) a rough and tumble 6th grade boy who has given many teachers more than a fair share of grief asked me if I rode to school every day. I told him no just some days. He commented on what a great bike I had and asked me where I was riding from. When I told him where I lived his eyes got huge and he said, "Wow." Slight pause "Wow!" Nice that I could impress him so. Good way to start the day.
After work I had to go to the vets to get some medicine for our cats. I almost bailed and drove today because it would be much easier to have my car. But I didn't. I brought a check so I could pay. I brought my lock so I could lock up my bike. Then I had that great feeling of accomplishing something while I was exercising because I ran an errand. Good way to end the work day.
I've also gotten up early the past two mornings and plan to continue. I've been running by 5:15. Although this is a bit early for me I have been loving it. It is really a peaceful time of day and I seem to be beating the bad weather while I run.
I have only 1 1/2 days of school left! Woot Woot for sure.
I was down to only one race left that I had registered for so I went ahead and signed up for our local 5K. I am about to register for a few more that I have been procrastinating over.
I am still feeling rather high from my duathlon. It reminds me of how I felt after my first marathon. I had so much fun and rode the high well into the next week and beyond. I know that duathlons aren't going to be a big part of my racing time but when I can I certainly want to do more. Someone may be trying to convince me to try a triathlon even though they know how I swim when I do which hasn't been for about 5 years. When I do swim I have never used goggles, I don't do rhythmic breathing and I am no good at the free style. I prefer a very elementary breast stroke. Sounds just like someone ready for a tri right? Maybe it will be a goal for another year.
We have 3 cats who need pills. So far we have been successful with one cat. My husband is so impressed that last time I did this alone. But they must remember and tonight they are having no part of it. Suggestions?
25 comments:
I had quite the runner's high after I finished my very first half-marathon. Sometimes I get that after finishing a particularly fun or difficult race. Good races will do that to you! Congrats again!
I think it's pretty great you're impressing the 6th graders! You have every right to keep feeling as great as are- you deserve it!
Good luck with the cats...
Here's a pic of a triathlon bike -
http://bit.ly/jUak74
The 2 noticable differences:
handlebars - instead of traditional drops, you extend you body over the front and hold on to bar extensions. this gets the rider lower and more aerodynamic
wheelbase - generally much shorter than a road bike. See how the seat post tube is concave to fit the rear wheel? It's because the geometry of the entire bike is much tighter. Makes the bike stiffer and more nimble.
LOVE love the Wow from the 6th grader...and so close to the end. Yea!!!
I think I'm going to sign up for a local sprint tri or two this summer. It should be painful and humbling, especially the swimming part. What else is new, right? :)
I can't help you out on the cats but kudos to you - it is not easy to impress a 6th grade boy (having one in the house, I am very aware of this right now!)
I'm with you on the swimming - I could envision doing a duathlon but not a tri.
The trick with cats and pills is to be firm and quick. Grab them over the back of their head around the ears area and tilt their head to the side. Use your thumb and fourth finger on the other hand to open the lower jaw and then push the tablet in with your pointer on that hand (which should be your dominant hand)
When you tilt their head to the side it makes it easier to open their mouth.
Good luck.
Duathlons are fun! Good job. Funny, it's 5:15 AM right now, just as I was reading your post I was thinking that I needed to get out and do my run!
Early mornings are great!
I really can't do freestyle but am pretty decent at breaststroke.
What are you going to do with all your free time when the school ends? Run? Bike? :)
My cat needs pills too. I will be trying Char's method.
So happy you enjoyed the duathlon. If you are nervous about the swims in tris, let me tell you that 1.5 years ago I had a water phobia and made myself learn to swim. Now I am fine. So, you can absolutely do it. Tris are FUN!
I'm totally with Em! You should TRI!
I can't swim well either. I did a very poor breaststroke to make it through all three of my sprint tris. You can do it!
Awesome on the duathlon!
You guys are still in school? Woot Woot for 1 1/2 more days! And, yay, for making an impression on the little guy!
Good luck with the cat! I think it's harder to get cats to take pills than dogs, so I have no suggestions.
Bella usually eats her pills when I put it in her food but don't know if that works with cats. If she doesn't want to eat a pill I just put in her mouth and keep it closed till she swallows it. Bit mean maybe but it works.
I love running early in the morning. One of the reasons I love it so much is that it's still quiet. And you already got your workout in before your day even started.
I love the high that comes from doing something new. There is nothing else like it. Again congrats on your duathlon!
Yay, for school being out soon!
I think you could do a tri doing breast stroke... A coworker of mine did an Olympic tri a few years ago and he said he did breast stroke the entire way! I'm not a strong swimmer (and don't do it very often) but I really want to try a tri at some point. I am not efficient in the water though because I can't seem to get the breathing down.
It's always good to commit to more races. I plan so far ahead it sometimes scares me. Char is spot on with the cats. Enjoy the duathlon high!
5:15 am - YIKES!! I have trouble getting out at 7 am. Hooray for Adirondack races!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No suggestions for giving cat pills, but I am also in awe that you could do it alone. My cats are TERRIBLE with pills. TERRIBLE
OH NO, NOT THE DARK SIDE! Hehe, only kidding. :)
Great job on those morning runs. At least the sun is already coming up at that time! I really enjoy it.
I didn't really know how to swim much before I got into triathlons. I thought I could swim, but then I actually tried to swim a lap in a pool (vs treading water in the ocean on vacation) and realized I was not as good of a swimmer as I thought.
Just start practicing now. Once a week maybe...for 10 minutes...see how it goes :-)
Glad you're still riding the high (get the pun, hee, hee).
Here's a great tip for giving cats pills: Pill Pockets, from Greenies.
They should stock these at local pet stores. They are smelly little treats and you tuck the pills inside.
My beasts gobble them up. In fact, whenever they see me lift the bag, they go crazy.
Cheers and happy, happy (it's raining here too, sigh, sigh)
How fun is it to get in a workout and an errand at the same time!! Great time saver!
The heat is starting to make afternoon runs hard to bear...I guess I'll have to get out there in the morning soon. Probably closer to 8am though :)
How great that you loved your DU so much...so inspiring!
Glad you are enjoying the duathlon!
Good luck!
Now the duathlon and I am sure in the next future the tri!!!! You are ready.
I have the cats but to take them pill is my wife's job!
People breast stroke during tri's all the time :). I think it should definitely go on a list for you sometime.
There is something about doing something for the first time that does give that high...sometimes it's hard to get it back.
Post a Comment