The Evolution of Bikes

1990: I always ran around outside without shoes and when I jumped onto my bike my feet would dig into the pedals and it hurt. So I duck taped my sisters feet to her bike pedals in hopes of inviting a shoe that was already attached to the pedal. The idea was a bust when she crashed. But, little did I know that's how triathletes mount their bikes (at least the pros). 

2008: I decide that I wanted to switch up my run commute with bike commuting. I was too cheap to buy my own bike and I got a hand-me down Walmart bike from my sister. Thanks sista! However, I got in a car accident after owning it a few months and it was totaled. I somehow managed not to take a single picture of this getto walmart bike. It was red and wasn't the right frame size, so I looked silly riding it.

2009: I was scared to death to get on a bike after getting hit by a car and I took my time getting a new one. I was still doing only running races and tri's weren't on my mind. So, since I would be using this bike for commuting only and some fun weekend rides I went with a Specialized Hybrid bike. I couldn't believe the difference in feel from the walmart bike to the hybrid bike. It felt like I was riding on feathers and I couldn't be happier.

2010: I was still riding my hybrid for commuting and weekend rides with M. But, M had a Giant Defy and I couldn't keep up with him at all! Plus, I was dreaming about doing a triathlon and this bike just wasn't going to cut it for me. Grandit, I could have used it for a sprint or oly distance race, to see if I liked the sport, but I just wanted a better bike. I signed up for my first tri in Dec. and started researching different bikes.

Feb 2011: I went to City Bikes in Adams Morgan and got my first road bike, the 2011 Giant Avail 1. I couldn't believe the difference in feel from the hybrid to the road bike. It felt like I was riding on feathers and I couldn't be happier!



Happy, but I'm scared of big girl shoes



May 2011: I finally got big girl pedals (keo classics) and shoes! Now I don't look like a fool at Haines Point and OMG I can actually ride a lot faster.


new pedals = fast

and fancy shoes to match

Sept 2011: I absoulty love triathlons and know it will be a good investment to get a tri-bike as well.

Nov 2011: I got my very first tri bike, the 2011 Cervelo P3. I couldn't believe the difference in feel from the road bike (aluminum frame) to the tri bike (carbon frame). It felt like I was riding on feathers and I couldn't be happier! Are you seeing a theme here? The more expensive the bike is, the dreamer it rides! Go figure. I go in for my fitting on the 15th and can't wait!

What was your first bike? Happy Wednesday All :)

3 Things Tuesday

1. I finally got my gymnastics competition schedule!!! So what's that mean? It means I can start planning out my spring race schedule :) Although I am already bummed because I will not be able to race in National Half (now RocknRoll USA). This makes me sad because this is one of my favorite halves to run and the start line is walking distance from my house. I have almost ran this race every year since they started it. Yep. I'm disappointed. Which means I would like to find another half to run in March. I would like to do one race a month. I'll have to do my research and try not to spend too much money on entry fees. As of now I'm looking at doing:

 

Jan - March - I need to find some running races :( ...suggestions?

Rumpus in Bumpuss (oly) - 4/14

Six Pillars Century - 5/6

Kinetic Half - 5/12 - I would like to do the swim leg only. Anyone want to join me in doing a relay team?  

Columbia Tri (oly) - 5/20 - I'm not sure about this one? My not work with my training schedule

Mooseman 70.3 - 6/2

DC Tri (sprint) - 6/17

 

2. I have been lacking in the motivation department the last few weeks. Then I saw this fun little challenge yesterday that I thought just might do the trick to get my butt in gear during the off season. The USAT National Challenge Competition.

 

Tri Clubs across the country go head-to-head to see who can log the most training miles. Each month will be highlighted for a sport (Dec - swim, Jan - bike, Feb - run). Who wants to join me in the pool next month?

Plus on top of this I have realized that I'm at 2500 miles for the year so far on Daily Mile. I would love to have 3,000 miles by the end of the year, but I don't know if that will happen or not? Time to start cycling....

 

3. I have no number three really. So I guess I will just complain about going to the dentist today. I hope they don't yell at me for eating too many gummy bears.

 

Happy Tuesday All :)

 

Weekend Recap - Running & Something Shiny

Happy Monday everyone! I will start off saying I had a great weekend :)

 

Friday seems so long ago that I can barley remember what I even did? I think the most exciting part of my day was finally going to get my eyes checked since I have ran out of contacts and haven't gone in three years. Plus I managed to fit in lots of walking on my rest days. 5.3 walking miles total. Not bad for just running errands.

 

Saturday I woke up dreading my longish run of 12 miles. I stepped out the door and it seemed freezing at 32 degrees. Luckily I was meeting up with Erin at Gravely Point to run on the Mt. Vernon Trail. If I wasn't meeting her, I think my bed would have been to warm and snugly to get out of. I started off with a hat and gloves and never got hot enough to take them off. This run was pretty much like cramming for an exam you didn't study for. I have been slacking big time on my training and somehow my half marathon this Sunday just snuck right up on me. I know I really should have started to taper, but like I said I had to cram in this long run. My longest two runs since my half marathon on 10/15 have been a 10 miler and this 12 miler.  And I was actually struggling a bit on the run due to stomach issues. I had an English muffin with peanut butter a half hour before we started the run. I guess, ok I already knew that this was not a enough time for my stomach to digest. I was so thankful to have Erin with me because I'm not sure if I would have finished without her. Plus having someone to chit chat with during your run really makes the time fly by.

 

During the afternoon, M and I headed down to the Annapolis mall were Tim Gun was hosting a fashion show for Lucky Jeans. It was pretty crowded, but we found an ok spot to stand. It was a fun little show and Tim did an open question thing afterwards. I would have loved to get my picture taken with him, but the line was over an hour long and well I guess I just didn't feel like waiting that long.

 

 

Sunday, we had all this stuff planned, but only managed to do one thing... go bike shopping! My M said he was getting me a tri-bike for my b-day and even though my birthday has come and gone, this is the first weekend we had a chance to go to Bonzai to check things out. I somehow fell in love with a Cervelo P3 because well it was super shiny and so pretty! Plus it felt like feathers when I test rode it. SOLD! I had originally wanted the P2, but they didn't have any of the 2011 models left and the 2012 was about the same price as the 2011 P3 on sale. So yeah, I will officially be the slow girl on the fancy bike and I'm ok with that. Or maybe that means I just need to become faster :)

 

 

Overall, I had a great weekend and an ok week mileage wise:

 

Running: 30.6 miles

Swimming: 1.28 miles

Cycling: 8 miles (yes I need to be getting my butt back on the bike)

Walking: 7.3 miles

 

What was your favorite part of your weekend? Great job to everyone who raced!