Cinco Du Mayo 2008, pt. 2

Okay, I will start off by saying that the course was basically flat and obviously fast.

BUT

I averaged 18.0 mph -- still slow relative to the rest of the field, but a nice shot in the arm to start the season, nonetheless.

Splits:
Run1: 20:10 11:12/mile
Bike: 36:44 18.0 mph
T2: 1:21
Run2: 19:53 11:03/mile

Oh yeah, and my shins were acting up the whole time, so I expect that abysmal run pace to improve by the next race.

Opening Day -- Cinco Du Mayo 2008

Wow! What a day! A lot of firsts:

Today was my first multisport event of the 2008 season, my first true duathlon ever, and Lucy Q's racing debut. She showed herself well (and pretty much paid for herself in numbers of peeps passed, which I will discuss momentarily).

First of all, I got pulled over for speeding on my way to the event -- and got off with a warning! (That NEVER happens to me -- I always end up with a ticket, but I suspect that turning off the gangsta rap that I had blaring probably helped.) I was a little worried about what that might augur for the race...in the end it's probably just ironic, as I am slow-ass-slow on foot.

Clothing Removal Required to Have a Good Time
At last! I am vindicated for the Jermaine Stewart Debacle! Despite being chilly in Iowa City when I left this morning, it was surprisingly warm (and sunny and perfect overall) in the Quad Cities and I quickly realized I was wearing WAY too many clothes. I have to admit, I did not plan well for this: I was wearing full tights, capris, a tank, a long sleeve shirt, AND a windbreaker. Luckily, I brought a short sleeve jersey along, but I left a pair of bike shorts sitting on my bed. What to do? Well...I decided not overheating was a fair trade-off for no butt padding. Yup, I went commando under my capris. BUT I was temperature-comfy and I didn't really notice the lack of padding.

Lucy Q -- My Trusty Steed
After a standard-issue out-&-back run, I hopped on my bike and took off for the 17K ride. It was mostly on quiet country roads, and the last few miles had a pesky headwind. I don't know what kind of crazy mojo I've got going for me all of a sudden, but I not only managed a 15+ mph avg (official times forthcoming), I PASSED TEN PEOPLE on the bike leg!!! (You better believe I was counting) It's one thing to pass a bunch of other women, but I will admit, I felt a special kind of joy when I picked off those last three guys -- going 17-22 mph!!! Even though two of them passed me again on the run, passing on the bike is a triumph I hardly ever experience. Certainly not 10 times in a short race and certainly not when there is a headwind. Oh Lucy Q, I love you!

We Ain't in New Mexico Anymore
One thing I noticed at this race is that peeps don't talk here. I mean, I've spent a LOT of time at the back of the pack. In New Mexico, we're all back there cheering for each other and giving supportive words when we pass, or on approach to turn-arounds, etc. Frankly, that was one of the most pleasant surprises when I first started -- it certainly made it easier to continue in the activity. But there was significantly less of that going on here. Except for the cheers I gave people, I don't know how many of the athletes would have said anything. Of course, the volunteers and spectators were amazing with the cheering, but I was left scratching my head about the relative silence of the other participants. Maybe this race had a lot of super-newbies who don't yet know to do that. *shrugs*

So...I finished with a time of 1:18:04. I forgot to hit my watch for splits, so I'll update that as soon as the race organizers post their results. I am chomping at the bit to find out how fast I rode. (Also forgot to zero out my computer -- D'oh!)

Happy day!

Wind Blows but Doesn't Suck

Okay, we all know how much I hate biking in wind. Today I took off for my 12-mile loop, wind was blowing about 17-18 mph which I was determined to endure just to prove a point.

I was mentally prepared to slog it out through the cross- and headwinds, which I did for about 7 miles. And then it turned into a tailwind (though I didn't know it at the time, but I knew something was up when I was approaching town again after only 40 minutes). I managed a 12 mph pace in the headwind and bumped it up to 15.1 when all was said and done.

Here's the thing: I'm pretty sure that in real life I can only ride about 12.5 mph right now. Don't get me wrong, I still pushed those last 5 miles...but it's all just a little bittersweet knowing that I had "help."

Maybe it was a little reward for getting out there anyway.

You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

*shrug*

Music Monday 4.21.08

In honor of Lucy Q's inaugural ride and my first ride of the season I've come up with a very special bike-intensive playlist that's all over the road, as it were, genre-wise. In case you need a refresher: click the titles to hear samples. Enjoy!!

Playlist: My Kingdom for a Bike***

Let Me Ride
Dr. Dre

Fantastic Voyage
Coolio

Push It
Salt 'n' Pepa

Weapon of Choice
Fatboy Slim

Chain of Fools
Aretha Franklin

Spinning Wheel
Blood Sweat & Tears

Slow Ride
Foghat

Free Ride
Edgar Winter

Life is a Highway
Tom Cochrane

Gear Jammer
George Thorogood

Low Rider
War

Life on the Road
Kinks

Ride
Amanda Marshall

Ride
Shelly Fairchild

Ride
G Love

***Biking on the open road is an iPod-less activity!!!

Back in the Saddle

Today I finally got to take Lucy Q out for her inaugural ride. She just needs a few tweaks (aerobar placement, a new saddle) and we'll be all set for a glorious summer of training.

But what a great day!! The weather was perfect, and I saw 6 other cyclists out today. The major triumph for the day is that I got myself out the door and did it even though I'm hungover from last night (that'll teach me). I even pushed hard on the last 3 miles. This is huge. I usually just spend the day on the couch with Law & Order reruns and chicken wings. I don't even do homework.

A new leaf, indeed!

Also, it's good to write blog posts (as well as sign up for races, set goals, etc.) while still high on endorphins.

P.S. I don't think I ever properly introduced Lucy Q besides the bike porn. She is a Quintana Roo Lucero; "Lucy Q" just worked.

My New Rig!

Happy birthday/Merry Christmas to ME!

Here's the new ride (mine's got Bontrager wheels instead of Zipps, but you get the idea). Ain't she a beaut?

I've got just a few loose ends to tie up, and then I'm blogging for real starting next week.

The Bad News First...

So my "secret" goals for last week were to ride my bike three times and do the Beef Days 5K.

Due to an alarm clock misfunction (okay, I set it for pm instead of am--what a numbskull), I missed the 5K.

But I did manage to get out on the bike four times last week:

Bike: 55 miles

Climb: 1706 ft

Not terrible. Look out leaf, I'm comin' to getcha!

The Smoothest Pavement in the Land

Today I rode my bike to the town of West Branch, IA to have lunch at the Herbert Hoover Birthplace and Library. West Branch is about 9 miles away along the -- you guessed it -- Herbert Hoover Highway.

The weather paid me back for this week's storms with a beautiful day in the mid 70s and a breeze strong enough to cool me off, but not enough to affect the ride. I was just out for leisure, anyway. But here's the breakdown, in case you're interested:

Distance: 18.35 miles
Climbing: 522 ft

A pleasant surprise: there is a WINERY less than 5 miles from my house! (Though I don't recommend trying to ride a bike after you've been drinking. It is A LOT harder than I thought you might think.) I can't wait to stop in for a tasting.

Moral of the story: I had a great day, a great lunch, and a great ride.