My New Ride!!!!!

I know you are all waiting for my marathon recap...and I'm working on that I promise! But I couldn't wait to share this.....

What's better to do the day after running your best marathon ever than get a new bike? That's right....I can't think of anything else either!

Here she is...my Christmas & Birthday & next christmas present all rolled up in one awesome white/silver/ teal blue package:

I've been putting off going into the bike shop to get fitted until after my marathon...well, basically because I'm a scaredycat (I'm afraid of going clip less) & if I'm going to drop $$$ on a bike I want to be able to use it right away. And quite frankly, with marathon mileage ramping up the past couple months I've had zilch in the way of cross training motivation or time and as a result it has fallen to the wayside. Until now!!!!

I'm going to give a blatant endorsement of the Geneva Bicycle Shop because they are amazing. My husband made this appointment for me a long time ago. I wasn't really sure I wanted to spend money on a tri bike or just get a regular road bike. I do not think of myself a a 'triathlete' but rather as a runner that dabbles in triathlon. Chad listened to everything I had to say (including my fears & budget & was respectful of both) and showed me both kinds and then it was time to get on the trainer to see how they felt. After many tries and adjustments I got on 'my' bike. The others were ok but this one felt more like it was a part of me right away. I have always felt like I was waging war with my bike whenever I got on it. Not with this one. (She needs a name...SD suggested Glacier for how fast I ride...he cracks himself up...I can't imagine why he hasn't been scooped up by comedy network). 

I spent over 2 hours with Chad and once we found 'my bike' (& bonus, it was on a huge sale so I could actually afford it), Chad had me on that trainer for almost an hour practicing clipping in and out safely. Watching my technique and adjusting it until I could say I was comfortable. I was surprised that it was. Chad told me he'd have no problem changing to regular pedals if I really wasn't comfortable so I tried it. Btw, it turns out that biking clears a ton of lactic acid from the quads so I actually feel ok tonight. Not like I want to go run 5 miles, but ok. 

I excitedly get home and of course want to try it out. I look good in the picture above don't I?  That was taken about 15 seconds before I tried to get on the first time and promptly fell over in my driveway. It hurt. I may have bruised a rib. 

And I did this:

And this:

Well, I guess she is christened & I know what falling feels like. With much trepidation I tried again & did it! Yay me! Managed to get off our hill and to a flat road with little traffic and just rode back and forth for a while practicing getting into aero position and stopping/starting. I cannot believe how much easier it is to climb a hill on this bike! I actually made it home without having to walk! 

Aero is going to take some practice. It's a little nerve wracking having your weight in the center like that. I wobble. & clearly I'm no weeble. 

Here is proof I survived my ride:

It was meant to be. She matches the one cycling outfit I own ;-D

And do not panic...the Garmin is ok! It was just a pin that popped out. Phew!

Who knew a tri bike would be for me??? Not me for sure. But there you go...I have one. 

I'm taking advice from all you brave clipless pedal, aero bar folks...

...and I promise...marathon report soon!

Marathon #4....Done!!!!

Pocono Mountain Run for the Red

4:37!!!!!!! PR by 6:40!!!!

If I never see another hill it'll be too soon ;)

All In.....

Ready or not....here I come!!!

4 Days To Marathon 4....

The countdown is on.  Sunday, whether I'm ready or not, I will be running the Pocono Mountains Run for the Red. I am pretty sure this will pan out to be my best race by far or a complete and utter disaster.  I don't think there will be any middle ground here.  I almost backed out of this race.  But then Boston happened and I feel that I NEED to do this.  I need to run.

It has been a tough training cycle.  I have pushed myself through a craptastic (that is a real word...I'm sure of it ;)) winter with Thing 1's torture training plan. Sometimes hitting my goals, sometimes wanting to die & failing.  It has been SO cold & windy! I have had more speedwork than I am used to and my long runs have not been as plentiful.  I did 2 16's, an 18, a 20 and a 5.5 hour trail run that substituted for a 20.  Then I went on vacation and my taper has been really tapered! I had a fantastic time in Spain, but we were only able to run 3 times in 9 days.  I ran my last 'long' run the day we left...10 miles.  Then I got in 3, 3, 5.5 and had to work back to back 12's starting the morning after getting back.  So I figure I'll either be REALLY well rested and awesome or crash and burn.  Then there is the course.

I am both a little excited & a lot scared! It has potential to be a fast course.  I don't mind those rolling hills.  I'm just not sure how to prep my body for that steep 5 miles of downhill.  Do you think I should tape my knees just as a precaution?  They have been ok in training so far.  Little twinges now and then but I haven't had to break out the KT tape like I did for Wineglass.  Honestly, I want to attack that downhill.  I really, really do.

Also, I lost my entire itunes when my harddrive crashed so completely that nothing could be recovered.  Yes, I know I should have backed it up.  Anyway, all my playlists are gone so I am starting fresh with a new one for the race.  Any suggestions????  I have a $30 itunes gift card burning a hole in my pocket ;-D

Also, Caro at Canadian Runner in Exile was taking pictures at her son's game and got one as he got hit by a baseball! Thank goodness he is OK! It reminded me that I had this image capture of the most epic steeplechase fail of all time at a track meet Thing 1 was competing in last month. (Actually, there is a 6 frame series that captures it all but this is the worst).  SD had to hold both me and another mum back from running out onto the track.  He did not even miss a step.  Got back up and kept running....I could not believe it.  I was sure he had hurt his head, given how red his face was.  Nope.  He had a heck of an abrasion on his leg where it hit the steeple but was otherwise ok.  And just so you know, he is ok with this photo.  It is all over his facebook. And Thing 1 would want you to know that he still came in 8th.

Check out the faces of the kids watching...it was that awful a crash!

Running in Spain...Seville

If you want to feel like a speed demon, I suggest you move to Sevilla! Went out for about 5.5 miles along the river path & it was packed with runners. I know a bunch of you live in big cities or in places where people do more than sprint to their car but I don't. If I see a couple other runners out its a good day....and mostly they are speedy folks that go by me so fast they are blurry! However....that was not the case in Seville! My 10:30 pace had me rocketing past many many leisurely runners even with stopping several times to take photos!!! It was AWESOME!

I will say that there were a couple guys out there that meant business. One was wearing a Rotterdam marathon shirt. I was wearing my Toronto marathon shirt. We did the runner nod as we passed in opposite directions. Yeah, I'm cool like that ;-D

Seville was my favourite running place. Nice temps. Easily accessible paths in the downtown core so we could minimise the stoplight stops.

Oh, and I think several Spanish rowing teams were practicing while we were running along the river! We saw 4's & 8's both men and women. The coaches were on these special boats behind the rowers yelling at them through electronic bullhorns. Rowing looks way more expensive than running!

Running in Spain...Cordoba

I almost skipped this run...we had to get up so early before catching our train to Sevilla. SO glad I didn't! Loved watching the sun rise over La Mezquita...

Running in Spain...Madrid

I have been quiet since Boston. I have thoughts on this, but not quite yet.

In the mean time, please join me as SD & I celebrate our 20th anniversary with a trip through southern Spain :). When SD suggested this trip, back in December, it was actually a running trip....a very cool running trip. However, the company cancelled it because they were short 1 person. I was torqued briefly, but then, since we both had the time booked off work & Grandma agreed to come stay with Thing 1&2, I went ahead and booked a trip following a similar itinerary. Less running & more relaxing & sightseeing...but still running! Awesome way to explore a new city!

Despite US Airways best efforts (SD warned me not to route us through Philly, but did I listen...of course not) we finally arrived in Madrid only a couple hours late. No one was more surprised than is when our bags actually made it too!

After checking in at our hotel we explored the Puerto del Sol area & had some lunch. SD wanted a nap so I threw on my sneakers & headed out to explore. The streets & sidewalks are very crowded in the afternoon & I had to stop to take a ton of pictures but I finally made it to Il Retiro Park, which is basically a runners paradise in the middle of the city.

Refreshed from a run we headed out to explore & enjoy the tapas scene. I am quite enjoying the Spanish Rioja wine :)

The next day we took a day trip to Toledo. Definitely a place that looks like you've stepped back in time.

As I'm posting from my phone, the first set of pictures are Madrid, the second are from Toledo....enjoy...