Check Yourself

True Story…

I still run. Often times I get in 2 – 3 miles ( a few 5's) before a ride or alternating days that I do not ride. Surprising my pace had held to a decent clip but my body does not always play nice for the first mile.

Still I run.. and I remember why I love it so much.

Last week I arrived home and was to quickly change so my son and I could get a short run in before my ride. If it were not for Scott I would have dashed out of the front door like this…..

Pretty funny stuff. My 15 year old even got a good kick out of it. Thanks Scott… I would have totally let you take off without correcting your shorts had things been reversed. LOL!

On the bike front:

Jumped in a different group on Tuesday with the Greenville Spinners. A ride leader stepped up and offered a bit longer route and since the pack was not too large I jumped right in. This was a fantastic route that offered a great mix with some good speed. I only had to get verbal once when I yelled at a guy and told him to “pick a line” out of fear that he was going to run my into the ditch. He said nothing.

New bike = new voice. :))

Robin

Scott and the big 40!!

What a FUN weekend!! Long ride on Friday (65 miles) to make way for Scott's 40th Birthday on Saturday. The evening was perfect and the weather was comfortable enough to enjoy the outdoors with about 25 of our closest friends.

Since I was a good girl on Saturday night I headed out for a ride on Sunday, then a run with my son, and lastly a crushing, trash your arms and back workout. If I had to do a push-up at this moment it would.... painful. Still I dare not let on to my son that his workout kicked my butt. Scott spent the day recovering on the couch.... lol!!

Off to begin a new week. Lots of rides planned for the entire week.

Robin

She Has Arrived

There are things in life that you can throw a little money at yet the benefit of it is not all that clear. Not the case when it come to bikes!

Scott and I arrived back in town Wednesday night and I returned to work on Thursday. Let me just say that it took FOREVER for 3:30pm to arrive. Go Tri Sports hooked me up with an amazing price (negotiate people) and once I was fitted I headed home to test out my sweet new ride.

Orbea Onix Dama TDF

I must admit I was nervous about this ride. Everything about the bike is different from my last. Width of the handlebars. Placement of the gear shifters. Brakes. Size. You get the picture…everything. The bike felt like a glove that was molded just for me. Light, fast, with tons of comfort. I only realize now how jacked up my fit was now that I am on something that is correct.

We headed out and with each turn I began to feel more comfortable. The shifting of gears were smooth. Climbing was smoother than ever. Do you see where I am going with this? She is a SMOOTH ROCKET. I am in love! Best part.... she fits in the back seat of my 93 Honda Civic!!! No more having to trade cars with Scott. :))

So I am ready to roll again today... right now.... well after work... just hours from now.

Will catch up on all of your post... promise :)

Robin

P.S. In the absence of my bike last week I managed some amazing runs. Made me dream a bit of the trails. Getting lost in the miles is not that hard to do. Having more than one love is not a bad thing at all.

HOT MILES and NEW WHEELS

Team arrives at the Lake follwing a 65 mile Ride

Scott drove SAG for us both days. HE ROCKS!!!

Sunday's Team just before the pulling out.

This week has zoomed by!!

Our Team did a back-to-back ride this weekend. Pulled out of Greenville at 6:30am on Saturday morning to try and beat some of the heat. Mostly country roads and LOTS of rollers until we reached the lake. Loved this ride!! I got off of the bike feeling great!! Lake time and a sleep over wrapped up a perfect day.

Sunday morning was not shaping up to be so great for me. Still not 100% sure but I believe the piece of chicken that was pretty uncooked resulted in a stomach malfunction and I spent some quality time in the bathroom before we even began our ride. Still determined to ride the 65 miles back we pulled out and began our ride. Not even a mile into the ride you have a 26% climb to get out of the subdivision. Freaking insane and my legs were pissed. I made it up just over half way and then had to dismount. Never have I climbed anything like this and my mind bailed on the thought just as my body did.

I will spare you the details but I held on until mile 30. My stomach was not good and I began to get the shakes. The heat did not help so I racked my bike. No one enjoys having to ever rack their back in the middle of the ride but it was the right thing to do.

So to fast forward….. I SOLD my bike and have now ordered my NEW WHEELS!!!! She will be in on Monday and when I return from a short vacation I will be rolling out with her on Thursday. Let me say that she is a SWEET CARBON MACHINE….. pictures to follow when she arrives :))))))))

Have a fabulous holiday! I will return next week.

Robin

HOT..HOT... MILES

Part of our Team. Look at the Mountains in the background!!

Scott with Joe (68 years young) enjoying an after ride beer

I am completely loving the team I am training with. The miles are building and the heat is not letting up.

Once I recover from this past weekends ride adventure to the Lake on Saturday and then a return ride back on Sunday morning I will fill you in on the heated details. I will note that the route was like a mind bender roller coaster. One roller after another. My butt will feel it in the morning for sure.

Sugar update:

Week three of carving the sugars out is complete. I actually find that I am not having to put a ton of effort towards making good selections. Easy to pass up on the sweets which is freaking weird people!! . Not even trying I have dropped 4 lbs. but will have to watch that number. Currently 5'6" and 121 lbs.

Off to another week.

Robin

Comfort Blanket

Each Tuesday I arrive to ride with the Spinners Club and jump into the 16-17 avg. pace for our 34 mile ride. Each week as we finish I tell myself that “next week” I am going to move up in pace. I am at a point where I know I have more push in my legs. My goal on these Tuesday night rides is to push myself and get a bit stronger and faster. And just like that as I get my gear all on and I again jump into the 16-17 pace group and scold myself for wrapping myself up in this comfort blanket.

Last night I had talked myself into the same… until Scott said let’s just do it and just like that we rolled out with the 17-18 group. Amazing I felt great and never felt as if I were over my head. At the half way point we were at an average pace of 18.5 mph. We finished at 18mph. Legs were not trashed and energy was high. Ready for another repeat of this next week!!

Tonight I am hitting the weights and then diving into some chores at the house. For some odd reason the cleaning fairy does not visit our house and our bathroom needs a deep cleaning. I will be bringing out the yellow gloves for this.

Robin

Carving Out vs. Cutting Out

To clarify my recent post about the sugar deal I am “carving out” not “cutting out” sugars in my diet. What that means is that I have limited unnecessary sugars such as:

Hard Candy

Chocolate anything

Now I chose:

Whole Wheat Pasta vs. White Pasta

Whole Wheat Bread vs. White Bread

Beer and Wine (limiting to 2 per week)

Honey vs. white or brown sugar

Etc..etc.

Basically when I pasta (for example) I eat the correct portion and chose wheat. Anyone can justify eating mounds of pasta or carb loaded foods but in reality your body can only store so much fuel and the rest just stores as ... fat. Add in the tons of veggies I am eating each day and I just feel tuned into my bodies needs right now.

Now anytime you change things up your body will respond. My body loves junior mints, Hershey bars, chocolate covered anything but I will limit it to a true treat rather than a eat it when I feel like it food. So far I have had no sweet treats.

All of this came about when I bonked big time on a team ride a few weeks ago. I could have made a million excuses but in reality it normally boils down to food and hydration. A bottle of wine over two nights is not a smart pre-ride fuel. Sorry folks.

I am able to tell that my energy is level. I am not crashing in the afternoon and I feel … “clean”. One other thing I have noticed is that when I take in my main carbs at breakfast and lunch and go much lighter on them for dinner I sleep better not feeling so stuffed or heavy. My rides are even and the bonking has not returned. So whether all of this is 100% correct I know that my body is responding well so I am going to go with it.

Example of today’s food:

Coffee (this is the only sugar I use and it is down to two small spoons)

Oatmeal with cup of peaches

Carrots

Soup (loaded with veggies, brown rice and turkey) along with a large Spinach Salad

Rice Cake (2) with Almond butter spread (ground fresh with no added salt) (like peanut butter but made with almonds)

Chicken Breast grilled, large garden salad with homemade olive oil dressing

Chamomile Mint Tea with a dab of honey

LOTS OF WATER

Off to get ready for our ride with the Spinners Club Group. It’s going to be a HOT one.

Robin