Newbie weekly achievement thread

[10ACTRIgirl]

I did my first triathlon 7 years ago, after a stint as a collegiate athlete.

I'm nowhere NEAR that kind of shape anymore, but I decided that I was going to start doing triathlons again. I signed up for my first race at the end of May. For my birthday, I bought myself a $300 bike online. Flat black and pretty, I fell in love with my cheap-o as soon as I got him.

I, honestly, did precious little cycling to prepare for my two races in May (cycling is my weakest leg--I swam competitively for twelve years, and I am also a former marathon runner, so I've got the basics on those two legs of the race!). I felt like when I said, "I am a cyclist" what I meant was, "I own a bike."

Not anymore! Last Saturday, I had a "bike date." Turns out the guy I had been seeing was an avid cyclist! Yay for me! Well, the relationship isn't going to go anywhere, but that ride awoke my inner cyclist! I have been on my bike or in the gym EVERY DAY since then. The ride we went on was a 11 mile REALLY hilly loop...I walked up ALL the hills that first ride.

Well, 11 days later, and 5 more times around that loop, and I've made it up all but one of the hills!!! I'm also getting better at clipping in quickly and efficiently, changing gears often and at appropriate times, and handling the downhills and switchbacks without fear! The other day, I actually caught myself saying, "weeeeeee!!!" aloud as I cruised down a hill I had just chugged up. I'm not fast...and I don't ride pretty (I'm sure I make the elite cyclists on the loop cringe) but I love it, and I'm hopelessly addicted. And, I'm REALLY excited about my upcoming triathlons. I feel so much more prepared now!

Oh, and I've lost 7 pounds in 10 days!

[Owlie]

Good for you! Just remember to rest and keep drinking.

I guess all the riding I've been doing has paid off. It's too hot to ride outside, so I stuck the bike on the trainer. I did half an hour with only two short breaks for water, as opposed to winter, where I did half an hour with several longer breaks for water and for my legs to stop burning.