Hard ride today... I contemplated giving up

[Running Mommy]

Ohh KSH.... I feel for ya! But let's break this down..
First of all, you mentioned a grumbly tummy... You know you cars don't run on fumes, and neither does our body. Sounds like maybe you needed some fuel.
And second... Who cares if you average 15 mph?! That's what I average, and I have yet to come in last at ANY race I've done! Don't judge yourself by looking at others. There is always gonna be someone, faster, thinner, better looking, with a nicer bike, cuter clothes... need I go on??
I guess maybe that's why I train alone. Because I like to ride *my* pace, not someone elses. And my pace on any given day can be different.
You see I'm slow. I suck at swimming, suck at biking, and well... pretty much suck at running. But I LOVE doing it, so it doesn't bother me. A few years ago I decided that I wanted to get faster on the run. So I spent thousands of dollars over the course of a year to hire a coach. He did take me from an 11 min mile to a sub 10, but I was still pretty pokey by most peoples standards. But besides having alot lighter wallet, I also ended up with some nasty overuse injuries. I was simply pushing my body too hard.
So I had to become one with my pokieness. I figure my body is built for endurance, not speed. But that doesn't make me any less the athlete.
besides, the folks at the back of the pack are so much friendlier than those at the front. I;ve found the FOP'ers tend to take themselves WAAAYYY to seriously!

[Lise]

I'm with you, Denise. My own pace is my own pace. I'm just back from the Shamrock Shuffle 8K. I don't know my time yet (I never remember to look at my watch when I cross the start line! ), but I ran the whole thing. Walked through the water station, for about 10 feet (can't drink out of a paper cup and run at the same time!). Slow and steady. I even ran up the "hill" at the end. Wanted to sprint across the finish line, but I was so middle of the pack that there was a wall of people right at the finish line! Sometimes I started to speed up to match the people passing me, but then I slowed back down to my "all day pace", as a friend calls it. I am definitely built for endurance, not speed. I just get such a rush from doing it at all. Lise

[Trekhawk]

Dont be hard on yourself. Some of us out here dream about an average speed of 15 mph. I did 40 miles the other day and it was pretty flat and my average speed was 13.5 mph. So Im not fast, so I may never be able to join some clubs because Im too slow but I love to ride and Im out there giving it my best and thats what really counts.

So keep riding and giving it your best and remember some days just suck.

[Running Mommy]

Good job Lise! How was the weather out there today? It's nice here. No wind. But the air mass feels "heavy" if you know what I mean? Like the tree's aren't really blowing but it FEELS like it's windy. I hate that. But it was WARM!My FAVE!!
Let's hope next sunday is ALOT like this!!

[Lise]

Good job Lise! How was the weather out there today? It's nice here. No wind. But the air mass feels "heavy" if you know what I mean? Like the tree's aren't really blowing but it FEELS like it's windy. I hate that. But it was WARM!My FAVE!!
Let's hope next sunday is ALOT like this!!

Sounds like perfect weather. I know what you mean about "heavy" air.

In Chicago it's cold, grey, and damp. ie: It's April. The crocus and daffodils are out, and that's wonderful. I just got up from a nap, and it looks a little brighter out than this morning. We truly lucked out for the run. They were predicting rain, but the first drops didn't fall until my two friends and I got in a cab to come home. By the time we finished brunch, the rain had stopped.

My challenge is to remember that, while I really heat up while running, I chill quickly afterwards in this weather. So I was great on the run, peeled off my headband, gloves, and jacket by mile 2, and then had a backpack full of another layer of clothes to put on afterwards. A hot shower, a steaming plate of chilaquiles, and I was happy.

Hoping you have your favorite weather next Sunday. L.

[Lise]

KSH--How're you doing today? L.

[KSH]

Thanks for all the kind... wonderful... sweet replies! *wipes a tear* I truly appreciate you taking the time to care enough to respond with such thoughtfull words.

I rode 30 miles today, it was a "fun" ride... we got to stop... use the restroom... and rest along the way! Great ride! I averaged 13.5! HA! It's a no drop ride though, and that's the way it goes. I know I am not terribly slow. It would just be nice if other people in my tri group were my speed!

I also ran about 3.5 miles. Yea, I was slow but I kept moving and did what I needed to do, for me.

I also found out that for my Tri 202 10-week training, we are going to be doing that 42 mile ride (with hills) every Sat., with the same group of people. UGH!

So, I have a few plans in mind:

1) I am going to eat more before the ride (around 500 calories) and put food in my tri bag to eat during the ride. I might have done better had my tummy not been grumbling.

2) If need be, I will stop at 12-15 miles, wait for them to come back (they go out/back the same way), and ride with them 12-15 miles back. That way, I get 24-30 miles in, and I might not get dropped.

3) Find the one person who I know is slower than me and see if he wants to hang together. Of course, he needs to know the route???

4) Send my Tri coach an e-mail asking for the route. That way, I can have a map to follow. So, if I do get dropped, I can get back!

So I had to become one with my pokieness. I figure my body is built for endurance, not speed. But that doesn't make me any less the athlete.
besides, the folks at the back of the pack are so much friendlier than those at the front. I;ve found the FOP'ers tend to take themselves WAAAYYY to seriously!

I am in this to have fun and I like to be friendly. I guess my body and mind was made to be in the back of the pack. And if I trained alone, I wouldn't give a damn.

Note to self: start thinking about training alone again.