First Long Ride!

Since I finally had a day off today, I decided to go for my first "long" bike ride. So after sleeping in a bit and eating breakfast, I hopped onto the bike trail and started riding! The bike course for my upcoming triathlon is 24k (14.9 mi) so I want to get in at least a few rides over that distance. I also want my legs to get used to riding in general, so I'm hoping to get in as many rides, long and short, as possible before race day. Today I figured I would do at least 20, 25 maximum, depending on how I felt. I honestly had no idea how my body and legs would hold up! I knew I could easily ride 15 miles at a leisurely pace, but I wanted to see how far I could go at my goal race pace of 15mph.

In short, the ride was great! I got faster as I went and several miles I actually rode faster than 15mph! It's so much different on a ride versus a run to watch the miles tick by because you're going so much faster. I wouldn't necessarily say that cycling is easier than running, but it certainly makes for a nice change and a new challenge which I really enjoy. I rode all the way to the end (technically, the start) of the bike trail at Discovery Park which out me right at 11 miles. I took a short break to eat some Gu Chomps and drink some water, then I turned around and headed back the way I'd came. I reached 20 miles a little while before my house, so I decided to add on a bit and finished with 22.5 miles at an average 14.8mph.

At the turnaround at Discovery Park!
 

It was pretty warm out but thankfully riding at a decent clip provided a bit of a breeze : ) I wore my new Ryder sunglasses which worked out great! I may have to try them on a run soon, too. My bum was not the most comfortable, but I think it will survive these shorter distances. If I start going longer, however, something must be done! There was a handful of other cyclists out on the trail this afternoon and I think I've discovered the reason behind the douchiness: cyclists are elitists. I noticed they were quite friendly to me as a fellow cyclist, but as a runner I'm disregarded and treated quite rudely. So being the ambassador I am between the running and cycling communities, I made it a point to smile at every person I passed, on wheels and on foot. A couple runners even looked a bit taken aback! Kindness, people, kindness. We're all out there sweating together, right?

Next week I plan to incorporate some brick workouts into my routine. At first I thought, "oh no big deal, a short run after a ride will be no problem." But then I stepped off my bike after my ride today and hello jello legs! Wow. This could be really entertaining!

p.s. Just found out I was 6th in my age group for the E.T. Marathon!