Just wanted to let you all know that thanks to you I conquered my fear and rode that long shoulder-less stretch at the bottom of the hill. And I LIVED to tell the story! :D
So here's a quick ride report- I'll also throw in my workout log for the week for those of you following my Iron journey.
Yesterday I tried going out in the cold and I just couldn't do it. Today I waited til it warmed up a bit and took off about 11:00 am. I was only doing a three hour ride so time was on my side. I passed my hubby and son out jogging just as I was taking the turn to head down the hill. My husband was pretty concerned and really didn't want me to go down there so he gave me a stern "BE CAREFUL". :rolleyes:
So off I head... wheeee downhill for the first mile! I SO wanted to tuck down into my aerobars and fly, but one thing I took from you girls was to BE VISIBLE. So I stayed on my hoods and took command of the road as if it was mine. :D
I made it to the bottom and took the turn down the long road to nowhere. When I drove it the other day I noticed that the first 6 miles were going to be really crummy road surface and BOY HOWDY! I was wishing I was on my mtn rig for that stretch! A few people passed me, I gave them waves when they gave me alot of room. It was all good. This section is also a bit hilly so I got in my middle ring and spun away...
I then hit the cattle guards. Now I REALLY REALLY don't want to hurt my chances of toeing the line in April so I opted to walk the bike over them. I then decided to shed some outer layers. It was about this time that nice triathlete man came by. He asked if I was ok, how far I was riding, if I was a triathlete (a-bars give me away every time) and what I was training for. I told him IM AZ and he was like "cool! me too!". He then said "well lets go".. I took one look at his quads and said ! "uh, thats ok.. you go! I can tell just by looking at your quads that your WAY faster than me!". He was really nice and said "are you sure??!!" I said "oh yeah" so he took off. And yes he was out of sight w/in a mile! :o
I rode down another side road and decided that I'd add it to my route as it was nice and quiet as well. Only one car the entire 5 mile stretch!
SO I turned and headed back, I was FLYING coming back and realized it must have been a false grade going out. I was wondering why I seemed to be going so slow on the flats! HA! :rolleyes:
So I hit the cattle guard again and back on to the rough stretch of road. UGH! I think this side was WORSE than the other side. I swear I thought my fillings in my teeth were going to rattle loose! All I could think of is " I wonder if this is how the pavement is in places that it snows?". It was AWFUL! I felt like the pavement was reaching out and taking hold of my tires. Can you say "rolling resistance"... HA HA HA
So then I made the turn and headed back up the hill. Once again I had to take command of the lane. I had some lady go off in the median and drive through the rocks to get her oversized SUV around me. It was rather amusing. Like slowing down for a few seconds would have KILLED her! Then I had a van come up behind me right as I was cresting the hill and getting my bike lane back. I heard a "Hi MRS. AMOS" from a little girl in the van. It was someone in my sons class. She was soo cute. Made me smile. I threw her a wave and a smile right back.
Ended up riding 44.7 miles in three hours. This was my step back week so it was an easy day. Also ran 3 miles off the bike in 34:46. SLOOWW! But thats ok! Ironman is about conserving your resources!
So here is what the rest of my week looked like:
Monday: 60 min swim/ 3 mile run, hilly course 32:23
Tuesday: 1 hour ride 15 miles, 30 min. strength training/stretching
Wednesday: 13 mile run 2:35
Thursday: 2 hour ride 29 miles, 1:15 in the pool- 2500 mtr.
Fri- off
Sat: PUTZED on ride! only did :47 min ride- 11 miles
Sun: 44.7 mile ride 3:00, 3 mile run brick 34:46
