The girl wants to cycle from the moment she wakes up each morning until the moment she hits the bed. If we are home, she’s asking for a bike ride (and who am I to say no?!)

Each morning, after Big One heads to school, Little One and I hop on our bikes and go. We have a favorite place to ride, next to the marsh as the sun comes up. Some mornings we see turtles. Other mornings, not another soul.

These photos really tell it all about a fall morning bike ride. What’s not to love?

Fall leaves and Spanish moss

Little One in the Lead

Making Trails in the Dew!

And Enjoying the Beautiful Views . . .

Breathtaking!

Get out and Pedal!

The downs? My running continues to be an uphill battle. I lace up and get out, but I’m walking a lot and huffing and puffing when I do jog. My pace, which was down around 9:15 for a while, is now hovering in the mid-10s and sometimes the low 11s. A 5 mile run that used to take 45 minutes now takes 54. Ouch.

It’s disheartening, to say the least. Since getting sick the last time, and then experiencing flu-like symptoms for four hours after the two runs that followed the last sickness, I have not been able to get my breathing coordinated or my pace up.

I am simply slogging through the mire, putting in the motions, and, above all of the drudgery when out there, I get home and wind up having a lot of aches and pains that I normally wouldn’t experience doing such short, easy runs. My hip hurts. My ankles hurt.  I feel I’ve aged about ten years in the past two months! Which makes me mad, because I was in such a good place with my running before all of this started.

But on a good note: I got my new Schwinn!

As I posted before, I was chosen as a Joy Agent for Schwinn bikes, and my new Prelude arrived at my local bike store (LBS in biker’s terms – I know, as I’m learning them!), monkeywrench, last Friday.

I picked her up on Wednesday, so excited to see how sweet she looked and to feel she was lighter compared to my old – but still lovely – Schwinn.

The bike did not come with a water bottle, and in my excitement I failed to notice. So, I haven’t been able to do a longer ride,  but I did take her out for 7 miles last week and it was wonderful! I was able to easily hit 17mph, which for me is near racing speed (I did about 18 during my sprint tri). It was an easy pedal, so I’m hoping that’s a result of the new bike and not the fact that I haven’t cycled in a while and was overly eager to do so!

Plus, cycling didn’t make me sick!

But the best thing? Well, it has to be the experience itself. There’s nothing like getting out and experiencing life. Cycling is such a great way to do this.

Today I did a 5 miler and followed it up with a cycle around the neighborhood with the kids! So far, feeling well. Who knows? Maybe I will one day be mamacycler rather than mamamarathoner . . .

(how my rides begin)

My Mighty Schwinn . . .

This morning, after running intervals and taking my daughters to school, My Mighty Schwinn beckoned me.

It was as though the wheels were talking. “Ride me,” they whispered, and how can you NOT oblige?

I obeyed.

Although I was tired, and had worked hard at the four mile interval training – getting into the 7s on my fast speeds – I felt the need to ride. I headed out past the marsh, crossed a very busy road, and took off on a two laner that, when followed, leads more into the country.

(aren’t they pretty?!)

It was a gorgeous ride. Each time I get on My Mighty Schwinn I realize how much I love cycling. I wound up pedaling ten miles, so twice the amount I should have done, but it felt fantastic. I really needed to clear my head, and that cycle did the trick.

. . . A Kangaroo
I recently had a chance to review an AUTOSEAL® Kangaroo Water Bottle from Contigo. I love, love, love the idea of this bottle so much, which includes a compartment in which you can keep money, a key, and your ID. Perfect for taking on a walk or to the gym, so you don’t have to carry your purse. And look how cute she is!

Another great feature is measure markings on the side so you know how much you’re consuming – perfect for when you’re running and need to make sure you’re replenishing fluids. A clip on the side lets you attach the bottle to a gym bag, and the bottle comes apart easily for cleaning. To keep spills down, you press a button to allow the water to flow when you drink. No spills and no caps to remove before sipping.

While the bottle was designed for taking to the gym, I can see using this all around town: when I take the girls to soccer practice, or sit for a while at gymnastics. I’m one who isn’t a huge fan of toting a purse all over, so the fact that I can keep a few dollars and my key and license in the side compartment is great.

The only downside for me was that I’d hoped the bottle would fit on my bike so I could take it cycling. However, the base was too large. How convenient if I could just take out the water bottle to get my money when I made a stop. I would absolutely use this instead of my regular water bottle!

The bottle comes in a variety of colors, and it’s a great deal at MSRP $12.99. If you want your own, these retailers sell the bottle or you can go straight to the Go Contigo website to purchase.

OR! I know! Stay tuned because we’re going to do a GIVEAWAY!

. . . And Train

So, just throwing this out there. I love the band Train. They keep coming up with the best songs. Yesterday after my cycle I heard Save Me, San Francisco and couldn’t stop singing it. Here’s the video. Let’s see if you can!

When I got outside this morning, I almost peed my padded cycling shorts with excitement. The heat had broken like a shattered plate, and a cool breeze filled the air. Now, by cool I mean low 80s; but after blazing hot days in triple digits, I’ll take what I can get.

I loaded my bike with a few necessities: water bottle, spare tube, and cell phone. Then I headed out of my neighborhood, across and down a crazy busy road for a mile or so, and then onto unexplored territory in the form of a country lane.

Close your eyes for a minute (well, after you read this part) and picture narrow pavement, few cars, no pedestrians, a forest of trees overhanging the lane, fields lined with wildflowers, several horses, and the only sound the turning of my wheels and a few birds chirping in their own happiness.

Oh. My. Pedals. I was in heaven.

I went places I’d never been, and though at times the theme music for Deliverance filled my head, I enjoyed every single turn of My Mighty Schwinn’s pedals.

I can’t tell you how incredibly freeing it is to be out there, in the middle of life, with nothing but your body (and today My Mighty Schwinn) making you go.

Or perhaps you know this euphoria already.

I have a new found love for cycling. After 15 years of running, I’ve discovered something that brings me joy on a different plane. Same kind of joy, only different, and I can hardly believe how lucky I am to be able to get on my bike and go.

My only issue during today’s ride: two crazed looking large dogs coming straight for me. One, a pit bull, and both ignoring the boundaries of their yards; which, of course, were not fenced in. (Hey, I should have known this: the name of the road contains the word ‘Swamp’ and I saw several homes that contained, I’m fairly certain, people who did not want to be found by other people, ever.)

Luckily I was far enough ahead to avoid the dogs. But it made me wonder: What do you do when a dog gives chase if you can’t outrun him?

I realized through all of this, again, why I love running and, now, cycling so much. It is being able to get outside and experience life. It’s about my body taking me to places some people will never, ever, ever see. It’s about living.

There are only a few things that make me feel as alive as I feel when I’m running or cycling outdoors: my family, my close friends, and writing.

My question to you: What keeps you running and cycling? What is it that makes you want to get out there and go every chance you get?

In other news . . . I love My Mighty Schwinn. Come on, look at this glorious girl. (And yes, I still have my sprint tri tag on there from a month ago and I am NOT taking it off!)

However, it was not meant for 25 mile bike rides. The handlebars leave me hunched over in an odd manner, as though I am a drunk Lance Armstrong hobbling home after last call, and there is only one water bottle holder. I really need two for these distances I’m doing. And she’s heavy. I love her, but the girl needs to shed a few pounds.

So, this is my next task: Finding a new bike.

I will look at Schwinns. There is a dealer an hour away. I’ve even requested to become a Schwinn Joy Agent, because I don’t know anyone who could represent that company with more passion – I do it now, and I don’t even work for them! I hope to find something before my next race, which doesn’t give me much time.

Don’t fret, though. My Mighty Schwinn is staying put. She’ll be parked among our other bikes and taken out whenever I need to feel the wind in my hair in under ten miles. Or outride a few stray dogs who want to chew off my legs.

Happy Cycling!

I have to say, it went better than expected.

What is it about taking some down time in working out that freaks our little brains right the heck out of our skulls?

I ran only 8 miles last week. 8! Total! I’ve been in the 25-30 range for so long, it felt weird to run only 8.

I cycled 11 only. On one day! I had done 21 the week before in one day! Now, that’s a difference.

How do I feel?

Unbelievably great.

I kicked up swimming and core, two non-leg exercises. I could tell by the end of the week, after three half hour core sessions and several days of yoga, that my body felt better. Relaxed. And my core felt tighter. Stronger. Which I think will help my running.

And my running? Phenomenal. I did one day of interval training, three miles. My fastest time was 6:15! I’ve never gotten that low. My average in the fast part of the intervals was about 7:15.

My second run was a 5 mile tempo. I averaged 9:16, spending two miles in about the 9:30 range and the rest trying to keep an 8-8:30 pace.

What’s up on this week’s agenda?

Higher mileage, for one thing. I’ll do a 5 mile tempo run tomorrow; a long cycle (18-20) on Tuesday; an interval run; a short cycle; and a long run of 12 next Saturday. I’ll also continue the swimming at least two to three days, and I’d like to keep up the core work, though I know when I spend more time on cardio I have less time for strength.

Two weeks on, one week off, diddly diddly dumpling, my new training plan.

Let’s see how it goes!

In other news, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a week’s worth, or six pairs, of New Balance socks! Perfect for running, cycling, hiking, or just skipping down the street because you’re so happy you finally got into the 6s during interval training.

Or something like that.

Happy Training!

Then I got injured. A knee here, an ankle there, a hamstring and a calf and a heel, oh my!

My body parts rebelled, and soon, each time I stepped out in my running shoes, something hurt.

So I let up, but didn’t add any type of cross training. I ran four days a week instead of seven. I thought, “I’ll do this slowly, increase slowly, not run so much.”

And then, after a few days, I got back to where I was: running, running, running.

The problem, of course, is that each time you run the muscle breaks down a little. What makes you stronger? Rest, to allow those muscles to heal. When they heal, they become stronger. When they continually break down, they don’t have time to improve.

But runners tend to skip that rest. They get addicted on the endorphins and they run, run, run.

Then, again, they get injured.

A hamstring in the Disney marathon made me stop to consider what I was doing to my body through all of thatrelentless  pounding. And about that time, I began to cross train.

Now I use cycling and swimming to give my hammies a chance to recover, and to use other parts of my body. When I interviewed Spencer Larson of 20 Second Fitness about cross training, what he said really made sense to me.

In a nutshell, he asked this question: Isn’t the goal to be stronger and more well rounded?

My answer? Yes! I want to be strong, not injured.

Running works your aerobic system, and it works your hamstrings. But what about your quads, which are on the opposite side of your hammies? And what about your shoulders and arms? Your core, which helps support your back, needs to be strong as well. Not only will it improve your posture and make you healthier, but it will support you in the running as well. 

One thing that really stuck out at me during my first triathlon was the condition of the triathletes. These people were built! They had arms, and legs, and core. They were strong.

Cross training is imperative to good, injury free running. You have to give your body a chance to recover from a hard run, and what is a good way to do this? Get in the pool and swim! Work your upper body for a while. Lift some weights. Or hop on the bike and give your legs a chance to do something different that doesn’t involve a pounding.

These days, my thoughts on running have changed. I am enjoying what comes with cycling and swimming, and I will never give those up. I’m also enjoying yoga, pilates, weights, and a variety of other exercises I couldn’t squeeze in time-wise when I was running five to six days each week.

And I’m injury free, which means I can workout almost daily and not have any pain!

Do you cross train? If so, what do you do; and if you don’t, why not?

Vote in our survey on the home page about cross training, and tell us what you enjoy doing other than running.

Also, check out the video of the week that includes Yoga for Runners. I use this a few times each week to stretch my muscles.

Also, I applied to become a Joy Agent for Schwinn! I’m excited and would love to be chosen, though I’m certain a thousand other people feel the same way. So fingers crossed! Perhaps you’ll see me at my next tri pushing the pedals of a Schwinn!

After waiting out the lightning in the distance, I got upon my Mighty Schwinn and started pedaling. My intent: to ride around my mom’s neighborhood.

So much for best intentions.

After a mile of looping, I hit the open road. I’d come prepared: under the seat bag filled with ID, money, tire levers. Bike pump strapped to the bar of my Mighty Schwinn. Spare intertube in my bag.

I hit US 1 with some fear in my heart. There’s nothing like speeding down the highway at 17mph when a semi goes by and rattles the bike chain.

After a few miles I turned down a side street and rode to Indian River Drive, a scenic two laner that overlooks the river. The sun had come up about a half hour earlier. Fish were jumping, clouds were moving, and the air smelled like salt and jasmine.

What can be better than that, I ask?

As I rode, I considered my love for these endurance sports: running, swimming, cycling.

For me, it’s not so much about how fast I can go, but about how much I enjoy it along the way.

Plenty of times on today’s ride I looked out over the water. Maybe not the best idea when cycling, but I couldn’t help it. And when I got halfway through I bought a cheese stick, pulled up next to the ocean, and watched the water rippling while I ate.

During my tri, I did much of the same. I sped along the side roads of Port Saint Lucie on the Mighty Schwinn, glancing here and there as I rode. I looked up from my run to see the trees, the clouds, the birds. I smelled the flowers in the air.

I don’t think I’ll ever be a speedy racer because of this, but I’ll always enjoy the ride.

In other news . . .

Got fitted for a new bike. 52cm. Now I’m on the lookout to replace, sadly, the Mighty Schwinn. I love the bike, but I don’t think it’s conducive to long rides. I want something lighter, something with aero bars.

So, I wanna buy a road bike. (Not this one, though it sure is nice looking!)

Cha-ching.

I was hoping to get off with $300 or so on a used road bike; how gullible am I?!

The one I really like, the Felt, is about $500 used. I found an F80, but it is located quite far from me (remember, I’m in the boonies now), and I’m not sure I can swing a meeting with the girl.

I haven’t been fitted yet, so that’s my next step.

I’m going blind by the research I’ve done on the different brands (Cannondale, Trek, Felt), places to purchase (local bike store, or LBS; craigslist for used; bikesdirect.com), types of frames, accessories needed, and so on and so forth. It’s almost as much research as I did when trying to have my first baby. And about as damn expensive!

I am a good researcher (thanks to the masters program at University of South Florida), but I think the way to best learn is to talk with those who do the thing or have the thing you want.

So I’m tossing my questions out to you, biking/cycling friends!

What type of bike do you ride? What’s your weekly mileage? Are you happy with the bike? Can I find a decent used bike for $500? And on and on and on . . . All comments welcome!

Happy Cycling!

P.S. Today’s workout consisted of an 8.5 mile run. 8.1 on the mill, luckily on one that had a built in tv so I could watch my trash shows, which always makes the time go by faster for me on a ‘mill. Then .4 or so around the indoor track at the gym. I worked on incline to 5.5 and speed to 7.0, but not all at the same time for fear of falling off backwards!

My daughter wanted to do a splash and dash race at club med the day before my tri, but her heel hurts from taking a fall on it, so we stopped running together after 2 laps and I completed six more for 1/2 a mile.

Then I stopped and purchased a handheld tire pump and levers for my bike. I’m ready for the flats that may come – well, at least I have the tools necessary to fix the flat. I’m not so sure I can actually change the tire, though!

Oh, and I still need a road bike. (See how I say need, not want. Funny how that happens!)

8 days until my first tri.

I have always loved biking.

By that, I mean I have enjoyed hopping on my cruiser and heading to the beach, or, when I graduated college and lived on a small island in southern Florida, cruising to the bar, watching my friend’s band (back in the 90s, when songs like Low by Cracker were popular), and then riding home with a buzz, dodging real estate signs and potholes.

As I got older and lost my desire for late night partying (well, most nights, anyway!), I turned to cycling for exercise. This was before I ran. I didn’t upgrade bikes, but rode my cruiser mile after mile each day.

Then my husband – my then boyfriend – turned me on to running, and cycling fell to the wayside for a while.

Through it all, though, I never learned to change a flat. But now that I’m getting more into distance cycling – in fact, I have a 20 miler or so planned this Sunday – I have realized one thing: I desperately need to learn to change a flat. In fact, that I have not learned yet is kind of bugging me. I’ve ridden 20 miles before with no supplies on hand if I did get a flat. What was my plan? Um, nothing?

So last night I spent an hour watching videos on you tube. I know I need to purchase levers. I need to get a new tube. I need to get out there and practice how to change a flat in case that happens during my long ride this Sunday.

This is the one I found the easiest to understand.

But of course today it is raining cats and dogs.

I may be bringing my bike inside.

Have you ever gotten a flat during a ride? How difficult was it to change while out on the side of the road?

I keep imagining traffic swerving to avoid me. Well, hopefully they swerve! Or finding I get the tire off and can’t get the darn thing back on again.

Today I spent an hour in the bookstore.

I wasn’t looking at cookbooks, which I love, or magazines about writing.

I wasn’t drinking coffee and working on my American novel, though I only have two chapters, or 40 pages, left before completion.

I was, in fact, looking up information about triathlons.

Three years ago, while living in Los Angeles, I got it in my head to do a tri. I joined the local gym since we were pool-less and I began to train. Swimming, running, and biking took up my workout schedule several times each week. I was ready to go, and only one month away.

Then we found out my husband was being transferred.

So I switched gears, literally.

That fall I ran my second marathon, and I gave up my idea of competing in a tri.

Until several months ago.

I began training again, and I’m doing fairly well. I can run 10 miles right now, swim about 1250 comfortably, and bike around 9. I have a tri in my sights, on July 24th, but I am, in fact, scared as crap.

Why?

I suppose it’s the unknown. I have a variety of obsessive questions: where do I put my stuff, what stuff do I put there, will I knock into someone else while I’m biking and ruin their experience, what if I wear the wrong thing, will I look ridiculous, what if I get lost in the swim, or I can’t breathe, or I have a heart attack?

As you can see, I can stress with the best of them!

In fact, I am more stressed about this than I am about running another 26.2 miles, even though the last time I ran a marathon I messed up my hamstring for six months.

I’ve obsessively googled numerous things, such as drafting on the bike, drowning during the swim, and cramping during the run.

What do I eat, what do I pack, what do I put next to my bike? What if I forget something? What if I commit an error and I don’t even know it, but the error pisses off a lot of other triathletes?

This doesn’t happen in running. You lace up, you go when the gun cracks, and you run.

But I’ve decided to swallow my fear.

Training has been done. I can do the mileage. I have:

• picked the race
• found someone to watch my children, and
• bribed my best friend to accompany me (okay, she doesn’t know this yet but she will as soon as I finish writing this post)

I’m going to do this.

Really, I am.

I’m committing so much I’m purchasing tri shorts tonight and using them for my practice tri next Saturday, when I do a swim, bike, and run in preparation for the race, which is only four weeks away or so.

So here I go, I’m buying those shorts, and now I will stop obsessing.

Well, okay, I’ll stop obsessing after I google what to do in the middle of my tri if my bike scores a flat.

Wish me luck . . .