Training and a little reflection

This weekend was the first training ride of the Cinderella Challenge Training Group put on the the Fremont Freewheelers.

A little info and commentary on the training series

It starts with an informational meeting where they talk about everything from what to expect during the training, to cycling nutrition, to what to wear to be comfortable. It is geared toward beginners, but they work to make it pertinent and interesting to more experienced riders as well which, lets be honest, can be tough to do. I applaud them. Then before the ride, they do a bike rodeo to help you learn about your bike, check for safety and learn some basic skills. The volunteers are patient, fun, and a wealth of knowledge.

Everyone involved in this HUGE undertaking are volunteers. The whole club comes out to support this. For basically, like 6 dollars, you get a year membership to the club, and registration to a new ride they are holding called the Wordly Wanda Tour de Fremont. (I am being facetious, the training series actually costs $75, but still ridiculously cheap for all of the training and advice you get. I do a lot of this shit, bargains are rare in this money pit we call triathlon, so I thought I would mention it.)

Seriously good peeps, in this club. Seriously good peeps.

Saturday long-ish ride

LA Run Buddy is doing it with me this year! Last year I had to do all of this alone. I met some really great people and I am very glad I did it, but I can not tell you how excited and grateful I am that she is helping me train for this iron distance.

The Challenge group is the faster group that does a lot of climbing and we were scheduled for an easy 20 miler with some climbing up what are affectionately called "the animals." (goes up two hills called Boar and Cougar) only one is steep and very short but it was my first steep climb in the compact double.

My initial assessment of the compact double:

My husband is toast * and I am fucked on any climb longer than my hair.

*for you that do not know, he HOUNDED me about switching me from my triple to a compact double, which I emphatically refused, and then bought it for me as a Christmas present.

It does seem to make me a little faster on the flats, which I needed badly, but Crimey! Losing your three lowest gears? You WILL notice that on a climb.

We ended up riding 26 miles (Math is not a strong suit of the Cinderella people. I have learned to get over it) and it was nice.

Sunday Run

LA Run Buddy is back from the frozen tundra known as Minnesota, and we ran 10 easy miles at Baylands.

Not from this Sunday. I had my camera, I did not use it. *shrugs* Hmm.... need to get my picture taking mojo back too it seems.

Her knee was giving her trouble at about 8, which has been her Achilles heel for all runs over 8 miles. I am not sure she is going to be able to do marathon distances with me, but we will work it out. I have route ideas where she can do 1/2 mary distances and we can run most of it together. She will just need to bring her own car or a VERY big book to read while she waits for me. Again, yes, I am very aware of how lucky I am to have a friend like her.

Not from this Sunday's run. This is from a few weeks ago, but she is still just as adorable.

Gorgeous run, a little rain, great friend, lots of adorable waterfowl. It just does not get much better than this.