Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Pedal Faster

I can not believe that June is almost over!!! That means July is almost upon us..then August will be here...and before I know it September 12 will be here and I will be participating in my first triathlon with my beautiful sister, Erika! I'm nervous and excited and have a lot of training left today. Today, however, I made a great step towards my training and fitness journey in general. I purchased my first road bike!! :) My dear friend Krystal went with me as a shopping pal...and to try and help keep me on track..and to be a third and fourth ear! I went out today intending just to look around and scope out my options..but when I stumbled into (actually I'm pretty sure I was skipping inside) REI I fell into the hands of marvelous individuals who helped me in making my purchase! 

I was looking at their bikes with Krystal and a middle-aged man came up to me and asked if he could help...to which I said, "Yes!! I'm wanting to purchase a road bike eventually, however, I don't know a lot about bikes and so I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for!" This nice man told me he had been a road biker for quite some time and gave me so much useful information. He went over the basics of bikes...the different components...asked what I'd be using the bike for...helped me get fitted to the bike...and then once we found a frame that I liked and had components I was looking for he asked if I would like to take it for a test ride. At this point he was getting ready to leave for the day so he handed me over to the care of another gentleman that was just as helpful. He fitted me to the bike...taught me about the bike and how to do simple things that most individuals would not but I didn't...like how to shift, when to shift, what you should and shouldn't do while shifting etc...then he let me ride around to my hearts content! I was shocked at how unbelievably comfortable the bike felt the minute I set out...and I knew right then and there it was the bike I had been looking for :D 

So he asked me what I thought about it and I spilled my guts and said I loved it...plus the bike was on clearance..and once I saw that..well I was basically sold! The guy then took me around the store...he helped me pick out pedals. I chose clip-in pedals. I've had the pleasure of riding my brother-in-laws bike in Florida before and used his clip-in shoes and while it's immensely terrifying I know in the long run it'll be more beneficial for me! So in addition to purchasing a bike I bought pedals, shoes, padded shorts (big smiley face), bottle holder, pump, and I'm planning on attending some classes that REI has for free on how to perform basic maintenance on your bike!! I'm extremely excited about my purchase! Let me share a few pictures with you:

Why yes, I did just buy a bike!



...and then it hit me...I JUST BOUGHT A BIKE!!!!

Clip-ins!!!
I am glad I've been saving money specifically for this purchase...because it was indeed an investment...now it's just up to me to make sure I get my money's worth out of it all!! :) I already went for my first bike ride this evening and I'm in love! It was so peaceful, and beautiful. I think I only nearly killed myself only 4 times trying to get out of my pedals!! So I was doing pretty good if you ask me! Tomorrow is swim/run but I can't wait to ride again!!

status post bike ride!!
I have been enjoying cross-training. I think it keeps me more engaged at this time and I have fun with my workouts! I think my body also appreciates my change in pace. I didn't lose weight this week but last week I weighed in at 207 and that was 6 pounds down from what I had been at the week before. So I'm hoping to have a loss this coming week. Nutrition has been hit and miss...I haven't really had any binges...but I've also had days where I haven't made the greatest of choices...but it's getting better..and easier! Slowly but surely! I am determined to be below 200 pounds by the time I have this triathlon. I'm not putting a specific weight that I would like to be at by the time of the race..just below 200!! :D That's my goal! 

I have some good news to share...I got to go back to day shift! I only had to spend 2 weeks on nights. It was an answer prayer to get to go right back to day shift! I was already having trouble with my sleep schedule and had several nights last week where I fell asleep for a couple hours in the evening and then woke up at about 2 AM(ish) and couldn't sleep so both times that happened to me I ended up going for runs at about 0530 in the morning...and for those of you who know me well know that it's a miracle to get me out of bed that early if I don't have to be at work! Haha...but I really enjoyed my early morning runs...they were so cool, calm, peaceful, quiet, and allowed me to just enjoy the run, pray, think, and breathe easy! Here are a few pictures from my early morning run I did Sunday:

Those beautiful Sandia Mountains

Maybe you can spot the couple of balloons in the horizon!

Finished just in time for the sun to start shining!!

And that my dear reader is all I've got for the time being!! Taking it one day at a time!! 

2 comments:

  1. Awesome bike Maggie! My family is big into bicycling, and in our experience, bicyclers are some of the friendliest people around! My Padre can go anywhere and start a conversation with bikers he sees petaling around. He has made so many friends! Have fun!

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    1. Thank you!! :D I'm really excited about it...so much better than stationary/cycling classes!! :D

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