Bike Time

On Sunday, I rode 40 miles for the first time since 8/11/18!  I couldn't believe it when I saw that, but it is true.  40 miles is not a lot, so even though I knew I haven't really ridden in 2.5 years, it still surprised me a little bit when I calculated it.  This is the other side of mom life.  Sometimes moms put things aside for their growing families, only to realize it wasn't just set to the side...it was shoved to the back of a drawer and you didn't even know where it went.

I have a couple thoughts about this.  First, cycling is so important to overall strength, speed, and endurance in the sport of triathlon.  You need to be on your bike, and a lot.  You need to ride a lot of miles.  You need to sometimes try to ride with the fast guys.  It just really does matter that much.  So, if you want to be a good triathlete, you need to ride.

But also, you need some riding buddies. You need your people to do those long aerobic rides where you just talk.  Your people to go with you and rotate on the windy days.  Your people to wake up early and make it worth it when there is a coffee shop at the end.  

So, these are my challenges I am taking on.  Miles and friends. 

 

#KreweOfHouseFloats

This is mostly non-training related.  Here in New Orleans, it is a big Mardi Gras week.  Normally, the tourists are not quite here in town, our favorite parades have happened or are going to happen, and life starts getting crazy.  We are all still working, yet we somehow find time every night to find a spot on St. Charles to watch a parade we have seen dozens of times.  And every year it is just as wonderful as the last.

This year it is different, of course.  If you follow New Orleans news at all, you will see that the city is doing the #kreweofhousefloats since we are not able to have parades.  ***Fun fact- this idea originated in MY neighborhood, Algiers Point (2nd oldest neighborhood in the city) and it was started by a friend and neighbor of mine.  Our house float is done, and every day we get to watch people drive by and stop, smile, and take pictures.  If you are in town, you should drive by too.  Our Float is called RECYCLE DAT, and it is made out of all recycled and reused materials and trash collected from the neighborhood.  It was definitely a feel good project, and it took us a couple of weeks to complete it. 

And just in case if you are wondering if this is my Mardi Gras wig this year...nope.  I am letting my gray hair (and there is a lot of it) grow out.  My boss yesterday told me no way, and my daughter is upset that everyone will think I am her grandma.  I think I am going to be pretty darn gray when this is all over.  The process of deciding to just let your body be where it is in the aging process, including having gray hair, is is a post all on its own.  See ya next time! 

 

Filling In The Race Calendar

Lately I have been putting a lot of races on my race calendar.  Running races, duathlons, and triathlons.  If they are within driving distance, I plug them in.  Every now and then, I go and cross one out.  Like that half iron distance in May?  I will probably 100% not be ready for that.  

But, having some little sprints on my calendar is giving me a little reason...just a little something.  Like a gentle hand pushing me back into the world I love.  Because, I WANT to race again.  I love racing.  I love triathlon.  

Starting as a beginner is fun.  You don't really know what you are doing, and every race you learn so much...and the fire inside grows just a bit more.  

But starting over with beginner fitness but many years of experience in your head and heart...well, it feels different, right?  I don't really have a road map for this.  I don't have a mentor that has taken a legit and significant period of time off and then come back.  5 years is nothing to sneeze at.  How many years does it take me to get that back?  

Well, perhaps I will be that person in the future that mentors someone and tells them, "Yes, mama.  You can absolutely step away for a long time, lose your body, and lose those habits you cultivated over all of the years of swim/bike/run.  You can step away and come back!  It won't take you as long as you think, and even if it does, you will enjoy the journey anyway."

So, let's get those races on a calendar and just show up to the daily training...and then show up to the race start.  Let's see what happens.