about last night
Jul. 22nd, 2005 09:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
verbicideJudy recovered in time last night, so Jeff the Magnificent was off the hook for cycling.
While I'm not quite ready for the Tour de France, I'll admit that improvements are being made. Faster than I expected them (much faster than my skill level did in Amanda's class, ugh). We raised the seat, so my legs are able to extend more. And we just ...biked. We went twice as far as last time. From 65th/Sandpoint to about 145th. I know it's not much, but it was just nice to see an improvement. It was nearly 6 miles, which was my goal. I was worn out towards the end.
Judy had her bike tuned up and there were some small differences. The pedals were smaller and my foot would occasionally slip. The higher seat meant that the shock absorber thingie in the back kept creaking.
But I think the valuable lesson I learn better and better with each ride is that the slightest fumble isn't going to send me careening off the bike. I've been working on loosening my grip so my hands don't go numb. I try not to scrunch my shoulders down. Also, I don't have to pedal madly. I can coast and let my legs rest.
It was a really good ride. And there's something so satisfying about accomplishing each babystep of your goal.
We next ride on Saturday. And I'm also to practice lake swimming (WHINE).
I just keep reminding myself that the day of race really brings out mad surges of adrenaline. And even if I don't bike the 12 miles before the triathlon, it's okay. My goal is to have 10 miles down. I'm pretty comfortable on the bike. Even though I look like a fumbling idiot--I have absolutely no grace with this, yet. But now it's just building up endurance.
And last night, my legs were already sore from Alexis (and her Lunge Routine from HELL).
Anyhow. Progress is being made and I feel less dramatized™ than before. Though I'm sure I'll lapse into despondent hysteria many times before the actual race.
Judy is a wonderful cheerleader. She told me last night that our friend Kim's goal (on her first triathlon) was just to not be carried off on a stretcher. I think that's a good goal to have. I'm not trying to win prizes here, I just want to finish with some dignity. Okay, make that: I just want to finish.
While I'm not quite ready for the Tour de France, I'll admit that improvements are being made. Faster than I expected them (much faster than my skill level did in Amanda's class, ugh). We raised the seat, so my legs are able to extend more. And we just ...biked. We went twice as far as last time. From 65th/Sandpoint to about 145th. I know it's not much, but it was just nice to see an improvement. It was nearly 6 miles, which was my goal. I was worn out towards the end.
Judy had her bike tuned up and there were some small differences. The pedals were smaller and my foot would occasionally slip. The higher seat meant that the shock absorber thingie in the back kept creaking.
But I think the valuable lesson I learn better and better with each ride is that the slightest fumble isn't going to send me careening off the bike. I've been working on loosening my grip so my hands don't go numb. I try not to scrunch my shoulders down. Also, I don't have to pedal madly. I can coast and let my legs rest.
It was a really good ride. And there's something so satisfying about accomplishing each babystep of your goal.
We next ride on Saturday. And I'm also to practice lake swimming (WHINE).
I just keep reminding myself that the day of race really brings out mad surges of adrenaline. And even if I don't bike the 12 miles before the triathlon, it's okay. My goal is to have 10 miles down. I'm pretty comfortable on the bike. Even though I look like a fumbling idiot--I have absolutely no grace with this, yet. But now it's just building up endurance.
And last night, my legs were already sore from Alexis (and her Lunge Routine from HELL).
Anyhow. Progress is being made and I feel less dramatized™ than before. Though I'm sure I'll lapse into despondent hysteria many times before the actual race.
Judy is a wonderful cheerleader. She told me last night that our friend Kim's goal (on her first triathlon) was just to not be carried off on a stretcher. I think that's a good goal to have. I'm not trying to win prizes here, I just want to finish with some dignity. Okay, make that: I just want to finish.
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no subject
Date: 2005-07-22 05:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-22 05:03 pm (UTC)What on earth do people do? Are there gloves?
no subject
Date: 2005-07-22 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-22 05:19 pm (UTC)For me, just releasing my death grip helped last night. And as i get more comfortable, it'll just get better I hope!