Ok I know shoot me... to know I live so close to Waterfall Glen and today was my first adventure there - well I should be shot.
The Elmhurst Bike Club, which I belong to but never seem to get out on rides with, posted about a first timers mountain bike 'class' (if you will) and even had some spare mountain bikes if you didn't have one of your own. So I contact George and he asked for my height and what kind of pedals I have. Well since I have Speedplays (and no I had NO idea what they were called prior to today), George swapped out the pedals for platforms. Apparently Speedplays don't play nice in the mud.
They had 3 loops posted 8:30 slow beginners pace, family type ride, 10 bit more moderate pace, and then 11:30 balls to the wall hard core riders - so we got to the area about 8... I'd rather be early as much as Kevin hates to be that early. We parked right in the first lot to the right at Northgate Rd, didn't really see anyone that looked like they could be from the bike club, saw some runners, but no mountain bikers. We see a vehicle pull in with bikes on back and decided to try the next lot - sure nuff thats where they were - I heard some guys talking and someone mentioned Baltimore (ride leaders name) so I knew I had the right group. George promptly hooked me up with what looked like a brand spankin' new mountain bike and it seemed like a perfect fit for my height. We made some introductions and then we were off.
First 10 mile loop was 7-10ish mph, there were about 11 of us, to include a family with 3 kids. I had to laugh because the one girl kept telling her mom, your going to slow mom. Only bad thing about riding with kids, they don't know bike etiquette and how to look behind them before they make a move, so I had to brake a few times to avoid tire meshing with the kids, finally I just got in front of them. The first 10mile loop was more downhill-ish, oh there were some uphills but. Like I said never having been out that way before, I had no idea what a cool spot this is. And since this was a family pace, we had time to enjoy the scenary. That loop took us about 1:20 maybe 1:30. Kevin and I had some time to hang out for a 2nd loop.
Second loop we decide to go the exact opposite of our first loop, same exact path just backwards - Well going this way it sure the hell seemed like a lot more acsent then descent, I knew I should have charged up that damn Garmin! I was huffin' and puffin' on this loop thats for damn sure. I could cruise on the flats but the uphill took a lot out of me but I was determined I was NOT going to walk up any of them, and I didn't - and as it turns out it was some good training for Galena - yes Galena is 100 times steeper but none the less doing hills on a mountain bike is some good leg work. This loop took us about 50 minutes so it obviously was a quicker pace.
I have to say I really enjoyed this experience, the ride, the area, meeting some EBC members. I am very grateful to our club members that take time from their training to show newbies how to do something AND have bikes they can borrow to enjoy the fun too.
Think tonight I'll get in a swim, then tomorrow Kevin and I are suppose to head back out that way, only on road bikes and on the street - yea more hill work.... Where is that tylenol anyhow....
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Really not ready
I'm so not prepared for Galena in two weeks... I keep trying to think back to last year and while I don't remember 100% I really do think I had done more running and biking prior to this same point in time - but we all know how the mind works and well I could just be dreaming it all too.
Doing the duathlon so I'm not to worried that I WON'T finish, sans any mechanical issues, I just REALLY want to do better than last year... it would be mighty sad if I was SLOWER this year than last year specially when Galena was my very first multisport event ever, last year - I think my DREAM of carving a 1/2hr of last years time is just that, a dream, unless I really kick ass on the bike part - cause my running.... well it just sucks, I know I'm slower now than this time last year but I think this time last year I was also 10 lbs lighter - course could be dreaming that one too.
Today started with a 55 minute run and then tonight I hit the pool for an hour so now that I've sucked down my protein shake, I think its time for bed.
Doing the duathlon so I'm not to worried that I WON'T finish, sans any mechanical issues, I just REALLY want to do better than last year... it would be mighty sad if I was SLOWER this year than last year specially when Galena was my very first multisport event ever, last year - I think my DREAM of carving a 1/2hr of last years time is just that, a dream, unless I really kick ass on the bike part - cause my running.... well it just sucks, I know I'm slower now than this time last year but I think this time last year I was also 10 lbs lighter - course could be dreaming that one too.
Today started with a 55 minute run and then tonight I hit the pool for an hour so now that I've sucked down my protein shake, I think its time for bed.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Biking Fool
Ok of all the parts of a tri, I love the bike the best, soooo... after the Folks on Spokes Easter Ride the other weekend, I picked up some brochures regarding other bike events in/around our area... Several day rides stuck out but one weekend event really looks spectacular AND I'm sending in the info tomorrow well actually the sign up for the event.
Its the Amishland and Lakes weekend event put on by Michiana Bicycle Association www.mbabike.com, its August 8-10, with various length rides on Sat and Sunday in the heart of Amishland in Indiana - nice open roads, no really traffic except some horse and buggy and beautiful countryside from what I can see on the brochure and fish out on the net.
Thought about staying in the Howe Cadet Rooms but when I started doing some searching there are LOTS of nearby B&B's, and reasonably priced. I am calling tomorrow to make a reservation at a B&B called Poverty acres - nothing fancy but looks very peaceful, quaint, and quite! And hell a $140 for the weekend, beats a skanky dormitory style room with no A/C in August, or some cheap, Lord only knows who slept on the sheets last Motel 6. The B&B is in Shipshewana IN about 2.5 hrs from Chicago and about a 12 mile ride from the start of the supported rides which leave from Howe Military Academy. And hell $25 per person for the weekend supported ride.
Yea I know what FOOL gets excited about biking 100 miles Saturday then another 40 or so on Sunday.... ME!!!! and even better is its not on a TRI weekend - Pleasant Prairie is 8/17 and Lake Zurich is 8/3 - so I say it'll be a good training/riding weekend :o) and sides its not a race - I've always loved trips to Amish countryside in PA, I hope this proves to be as beautiful.
And I'm signing me up for Melon Metric on July 27th in Plano IL and quite possibly Bike Psychos Century in Coal City IL on 8/24 - don't think either of those interfer with a tri weekend either - see secretly I need to run my bike into the ground.... er... I mean ride the piss out of it so I can justify a new ride.
No seriously I LOVE my bike (its not any cool trek or Giant or something more expensive), specially now since the cool folks at Glen Ellyn Bike Shop fit it, as best they can, to me... he said the only thing he can't fix is the top tube is a bit to long for my frame. But for now my Fuji Newest will do just fine for my needs - I need to be ridin' at least a couple thousand miles a year before I will allow myself to financially justify $2000+ for a new bike.
Its the Amishland and Lakes weekend event put on by Michiana Bicycle Association www.mbabike.com, its August 8-10, with various length rides on Sat and Sunday in the heart of Amishland in Indiana - nice open roads, no really traffic except some horse and buggy and beautiful countryside from what I can see on the brochure and fish out on the net.
Thought about staying in the Howe Cadet Rooms but when I started doing some searching there are LOTS of nearby B&B's, and reasonably priced. I am calling tomorrow to make a reservation at a B&B called Poverty acres - nothing fancy but looks very peaceful, quaint, and quite! And hell a $140 for the weekend, beats a skanky dormitory style room with no A/C in August, or some cheap, Lord only knows who slept on the sheets last Motel 6. The B&B is in Shipshewana IN about 2.5 hrs from Chicago and about a 12 mile ride from the start of the supported rides which leave from Howe Military Academy. And hell $25 per person for the weekend supported ride.
Yea I know what FOOL gets excited about biking 100 miles Saturday then another 40 or so on Sunday.... ME!!!! and even better is its not on a TRI weekend - Pleasant Prairie is 8/17 and Lake Zurich is 8/3 - so I say it'll be a good training/riding weekend :o) and sides its not a race - I've always loved trips to Amish countryside in PA, I hope this proves to be as beautiful.
And I'm signing me up for Melon Metric on July 27th in Plano IL and quite possibly Bike Psychos Century in Coal City IL on 8/24 - don't think either of those interfer with a tri weekend either - see secretly I need to run my bike into the ground.... er... I mean ride the piss out of it so I can justify a new ride.
No seriously I LOVE my bike (its not any cool trek or Giant or something more expensive), specially now since the cool folks at Glen Ellyn Bike Shop fit it, as best they can, to me... he said the only thing he can't fix is the top tube is a bit to long for my frame. But for now my Fuji Newest will do just fine for my needs - I need to be ridin' at least a couple thousand miles a year before I will allow myself to financially justify $2000+ for a new bike.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Colder now then on the ride
Ok my hats off to you tough folks that rode outside yesterday, hell even ran outside yesterday - the cold was bad enough but 40mph winds.... uh no thanks, I'm a weenie I guess....
But today we did venture out, I was dressed for the cold and found I was overdressed actually. Had on bike shorts, but an underarmor top, a hoodie and a windbreaker - just a tad to much. The ear warmers and gloves were definately warranted, if I let me ears get to cold I have all kinds of issues. Anyhow I was fine on the ride, but now that I'm back home I think I need a cup of tea to warm me up cause I really feel chilled right now.
Biked thru Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and back, few hairy spots with the potholes but much better during daylight when you can see them. Got in 29 miles per cyclometer - not bad for a Sunday afternoon.
Ok off to make some tea and throw some turkey tenderloin on the grill...
But today we did venture out, I was dressed for the cold and found I was overdressed actually. Had on bike shorts, but an underarmor top, a hoodie and a windbreaker - just a tad to much. The ear warmers and gloves were definately warranted, if I let me ears get to cold I have all kinds of issues. Anyhow I was fine on the ride, but now that I'm back home I think I need a cup of tea to warm me up cause I really feel chilled right now.
Biked thru Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and back, few hairy spots with the potholes but much better during daylight when you can see them. Got in 29 miles per cyclometer - not bad for a Sunday afternoon.
Ok off to make some tea and throw some turkey tenderloin on the grill...
Goal Achieved
I wanted to get in that swim distance and finally made it. I really should have done another set of 5 laps, but I got in 2000 yd swim yesterday, which equates to 1.13 miles - I would have went for another 5 laps but I felt like my ass was draggin' as it was, literally. I just felt like those last 5 laps were getting harder and harder to keep going, it felt like my feet and butt where draggin the bottom of the pool. I could feel myself get a bit lazy at times and lift my head for that breath so I made sure to be aware of that and try as much as possible to roll to the side.
One of these days I'd really like to just SWIM without a thousand thoughts going thru my head such as one, two, three, breath, or counting stokes or telling myself to roll my head like its on a pillow to get the breath don't lift the head, there is so much noise in my head when I swim, if a fish could read minds they'd surely be laughing at me - not that you encounter fish in the pool but in open water its even worse because then you have the noise of 100+ other swimmers around you and now i'm telling myself to be calm and relax...
One of these days I'd really like to just SWIM without a thousand thoughts going thru my head such as one, two, three, breath, or counting stokes or telling myself to roll my head like its on a pillow to get the breath don't lift the head, there is so much noise in my head when I swim, if a fish could read minds they'd surely be laughing at me - not that you encounter fish in the pool but in open water its even worse because then you have the noise of 100+ other swimmers around you and now i'm telling myself to be calm and relax...
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