Single Speed Fun

I am a step closer to liking the mountain bike.

With some last minute hustling, I scored some borrowed materials from Lucia, my Xterra superstar friend, and entered a very small and short mountain bike triathlon.

Borrowed shoes and a borrowed single speed in hand, I walked into transition looking like I knew what I was doing.  I have never ridden a single speed, so I took a quick spin around the parking lot and that was it.  No time for anything else.

I started to get really nervous.  What was I doing?  I don't belong here!  I don't know how to ride a mountain bike, much less a single speed!

I talked to the race director and begged him to move me out of the elite wave to the age group start.  He refused and told me to "man-up."  So, I snuck behind his back and went to the timing people and had them change me.  LOL!  But seriously, it was about safety.  I was going to endanger everyone if I was in the way on the bike. 

Then it was time to go.  No time for worries.

The swim was fun.  I was super slow, but I had no pain in my shoulder so I was pleased with the result.

I was a total goob in transition.  I took twice as long as everyone else trying to get everything together...and I was a total dork putting on my big old Camelbak, of which I only took one sip. But hey, if I needed enough water to last me the day, at least I had it!  ha!

Then I started to ride.  Of course I couldn't get clipped in, as I don't ride egg beaters.  But, I figured it out in time and started to go.  I was really nervous with all of the other people riding around me and passing me.  It is hard to describe, but if you ride a mountain bike even a small amount, you are probably faster and better than I.  So, within the 1st mile, I panicked with some people around and went off of the trail.  But, I didn't fall off.

I regrouped, let all of the speedies pass me, and then started to ride at my granny pace.  At first I hated it.  The panic was so high.  The danger of trail riding was too much.  I swore never to ride a mountain bike again.

I pulled over and let some more people pass me.

Then I started to ride like a granny again.  But, more importantly, I started to enjoy myself.  Mountain biking at my granny pace is fun!

I ended up riding with one other guy behind me for the rest of the course.  I offered to let him pass, but for some odd reason I think he enjoyed my company and enjoyed encouraging me and he didn't take the pass.  We just talked our way through the rest of the ride.  I made it through the rest of the trail...no falls....no broken pelvis.  I did it!

And I LOVED the single speed.  It is my new favorite bike.  Lucia better hide it from me!

Off of the bike and onto the nice trail run.  I am not fast right now, but these legs have lots of miles on them from the past year, so the run was easy and enjoyable.

And with that, I was able to finish my first mountain bike triathlon and experience being a newbie all over again.  It was a lot of fun.  I have ZERO desire to race mountain bikes, but I would like to participate in more events where I can go my safe speed.  I greatly admire my friends that ride so hard and fast through the trails.  Their skill is amazing.

But, wouldn't you know it, I woke up this morning sick.  Yup....caught a cold.  Nose so swollen I can't breathe out of it, horrible head and body aches.  No resolution of symptoms over the day.  I have felt awful and have stayed home resting today.  I think my body is looking for ways to get and stay sick.  Unreal.  I keep saying this all has to pass eventually.  I am definitely upping the veggies, fresh fruit juices, etc..  But, it certainly reaffirmed my position that I do not need to be doing any ironman training or ironman racing right now!