Last Saturday I opted to ride my bike outside, despite the team email that said we were just going to ride on the trainers at Sports Basement. I am glad I did, for the most part. I couldn't handle that long on the trainer. I needed some road miles. So, I decided to do Mt Diablo. I haven't ridden the Big D since we started with TNT. I bundled up with all my wet/cold weather gear and took off. It was a nice ride, though I have lost a LOT of power. I hadn't slept much the night before, so I was wondering if that was the culprit. Anyway, I am concerned that my power is so far down. I will work harder. I get close to the top but it was too cold and windy up there for me to handle any more, so I went back down the North Side. My waterproof glove ripped all the way down the side and filled with water, so my hand was frozen by the time I got to the bottom. I went to Sports Basement where they were spinning to get the best glove for $20 that I could to get home (only had a $20 on me). I got some wool liner gloves which are great because they keep you warm even when wet. I made it home and felt pretty good. I was disappointed that Kathryn didn't go to spin. I was hoping she would give me a ride home or lend me $$ for better gloves since my hand was so cold. Oh well.
Sunday I went to the coached workout in Novato. I forgot my googles and got there late since I was looking for them so I couldn't get to Erin's bike before the workout. I started the workout late because I thought they were in Kathryn's car and she didn't get there till about 15 min late, but at least she had some awesome goggles for me to borrow. We did 6 stations of various drills and things and then got video taped. It was a little embarrassing at some of the stations since I didn't know what they were talking about and/or couldn't do the drills that we were supposed to do. Even though I am making progress I am far behind the next worst swimmer. In the words of Clover (Animal Farm) "I will work harder". I finally got video taped and reviewed. Sedonia had a lot of positive things to say, and I look MUCH better on tape now than I did the last time I was taped. I still have a really long way to go, but at least I am making progress. I will make it and I will do OK.
After the swim we did core. I have let my abs go for a month and it showed. Again, I will work harder. Between core and the Potluck I jumped on Helen and Erin's bikes. WOW! They took forever. Helen's was incredibly bad. I am used to my own bikes that only take a few minutes. This took me 90 minutes and it still wasn't great. I missed most of the food and 2 of the honoree stories. I didn't realize that we were going to hear stories, so I am bummed that I missed them. The ones I did hear were very moving and meaningful for me. It made me realize that this issue is a LOT bigger than me and my own mission. I just get to play a small part of the solution and I am thankful to have the opportunity to do that. In some ways I am ok with missing the good stuff since I was doing fundraising. I definitely gave too good a deal on my service plan though. I should have charged twice what I did. I will make the time work out for me. You guessed it - I will work harder!
LAUGH re "I will work harder"! I am not sure if I can help at all with the drills that we did - like, what they were talking about for example. Sounds like you have Coach Mike working with you, which is bueno. BTW if it ever comes to it, I always carry 4 pair of goggles and 2 caps with me (because I have them - and an extra suit, but that isn't going to do you much good). My guess is it's like what you have on your bike "just because." So if that happens again just ask me because I literally always have them. Of course I always have my Otterbox (swimming iPod) and headset too if you just decide to blow the scene altogether and just do laps (smile).
ReplyDeleteAre you OK if I bring Vlad to the Team Training this weekend? I will do whatever you tell me to do to make it easier on you. I hope that he's not as bad as the ones that you have seen. Herbert isn't a "bike guy" like you are but he did tune the bike up before I started - though there is tuning up and tuning up, I'm sure.
I have to tell you, your video is SO MUCH BETTER I can't even believe it. In reading your stories about biking (as in Mt Diablo, etc) I tell you, it makes me feel so much better. I was never an AWESOME swimmer but I was a pretty good one. And looking at my video I was all "oh GET OUT I am doing that AGAIN?" It's frustrating but....as you said, as Clover said..."I will work harder."