6 posts tagged “training”

I woke up with stiff legs today. My bruises are sore and my leg muscles don't feel 100%. So I decided to give my body a rest today to heal up before doing more cycling.

So, I've been getting my Tour de France fix through Twitter and the daily video highlights on Versus in the evening. So far, it seems that Cancellara is doing really well. Gotta say I haven't heard of him before the race, but I'll bet he's getting some good publicity after two wins, and first wearer of the yellow jersey. However, I think the GC contenders are saving their legs for the  more critical stages, trying to stay safe, and collecting the points, so Cancellara should cherish his yellow jersey, coz I'm pretty sure he will lose it as the tour progresses. But who knows, he could just be the underdog to win the tour.

This afternoon I experienced the low speed clipless pedal fall - TWICE! I was having trouble clipping in my right pedal, and I think I pressed in too hard, then as I started to lift my butt onto the seat, somehow it didn't quite land on my saddle, and the saddle pushed me forward as I tried to get my balance. Next thing I knew, I was laying on my side, with my bike stuck to my right leg. Oh the embarrassment. Then along the ride I dodged a few squirrels, calling out "on your left" to people with earphones on, and when I got back, I unclipped my left shoe, slowed to a stop, and I don't know, it might be the momentum, or my weak legs, I tripped and fell to my side again, same thing, bike stuck to right foot. Argh. It was harder clip out this time, I had to sit on the ground an move my bike over to my left to unclip my right leg, only then I could get up.

Now I have some bruises on my thigh, and scrapes on my knee. What a way to start the week!

I bought my bike at the end of May. Now, barely a month later, my odometer tells me that I've pedaled a total of 100 miles. Those aren't commuter miles though, just training.

100 miles!

I cycled a little further today - a total of 15 miles instead of the usual 13. Along the way I almost rode over a little green caterpillar on the trail. Come to think of it, there were a few animals that I almost rode over, not today, but in general - squirrels, birds (they should know better!) - and definitely a bee or two have collided with me one time or other.

I've been trying to get a cycling jersey, but they are always priced so high. I end up wearing my Threadless Tees. There are a few Tour de France team jerseys I'm interested in getting, but I don't see them come in women sizing, or am I not looking at the right places? Ladies?

My speed has improved a little - my average speed now is 13 mph, but that could just be the wind. heh. A funny thing happened today. Halfway along my ride, I caught up with a guy on a Cannondale mountain bike. I said "on your left", and overtook him. A few seconds later, I saw his shadow on my left. He wanted a race! I was riding at about 13 to 14 mph at the time. The wind was in my face, but I kept on pedaling, and overtook him, again. We went back and forth for a couple more times until he gave up. Well that's what I want to believe. Either way, he didn't follow me. Oh well. It was fun though, this was the first time I had to push myself to beat another person, whether or not he was giving his all, I beat him. Let's just leave it at that. *wink*

I was cycling with my hands on the drops most of the time today, and experienced some numbness of the hands. Any idea how to prevent that? I tried to wriggle my fingers, but that didn't really help.

Summary:
Total distance ~ 13 miles
Ave speed - 13 mph
Time taken - 1 hour

I did another 10 miles today. Lifted my seat a little higher and managed to get a max speed of 16 mph. Average speed against the wind was 10 mph, and back at about 13 mph. I try to also keep my cadence high and consistent.