The Experience You Want and the One You Need

I tell my birth clients that they may not get the experience they want, but they will get the experience they *need*. Even if things go haywire, there are valuable lessons to learn. Sometimes it is the need to educate yourself in pregnancy, choose your birth team carefully, learn to speak up for yourself, etc.

Well, after a busy weekend and not getting a ride in, I wanted a slow, long bike ride. As it turned out, I had to focus ALL my thoughts and energy on keeping my bike on the ground! It was a blustery day, I mean the wind was literally whistling (or roaring?). I got about 8 miles in and decided to head home! Going against the wind was so difficult. I felt like I was spinning in place. When I turned and the wind was at my side, it was so scary! A couple times, gusts almost blew me off the road and I had to sharply turn to stay on the road. And, the whole time it was at my side I felt like I was wrestling my handle bars, turning them into the wind. When the wind was at my back it was SO FUN!! I was going 25 mph without working hard.

As I rode I thought this is what I needed. First of all, it was good to FOCUS just on my bike ride (and staying upright) and drown out all my other thoughts and worries. Second, the little things and worries faded away as I worried whether I was going to crash. Any brush with danger and fear makes life crystal clear, and so much of what we stress about is really unimportant and temporary, leaves to be blown away in the wind.

Estimated time (my clock kept tracking while I was driving...weird):
12 miles
1 hour

Spring Time Ride

Saturday Luke had a game so I chose not to ride the LBJ ride. Luke is doing so awesome in FB I would have been sad to miss it. They lost the one on Saturday, but Luke did wonderful. Monday night he won his first game all year! 32-6. Luke ran for 40 or 50 yards one play, sacked QB 3 times, was all over the field making tackles, ran a TD (that sadly got called back due to team mates penalty), faked out the team by pretending to get the hand off (of course, the other team had their eyes on him at this point)! He is inspiring to watch. Awesome power in tackles, fearless focus when catching the ball under coverage- knowing he's going to get hit hard, beautiful hand-eye coordination.

Okay, so this blog post really is about my ride on Sunday! Saturday during Luke's game it was close to 90 degrees. I got sun burned. Sunday I walked outside to go for my ride, and walked back in to get layers! A cold front had arrived and it was COLD! I don't know how cold. And, windy! Fun ride though. No crazy drivers, dogs, or bike repairs (though I did get Will to print me step by step instructions in case I got a flat).

It was fun to ride some of our old route, out in Pflugerville. Baby cows, Indian Paintbrush, Blue Bonnets, and pink flowers. It is very green right now with all the new growth on the trees, despite Texas being in a drought. I loved being back on the bike, out on a long(er) ride. I chickened out of Mellow Johnny's Sunday women's ride as the description is: Intermediate, 15-16 mph for 2.5- 3 hours. I think I'll be ready soon though!

Here's my stats:
25.74 Miles
1 Hr 41 minutes

Speed Ride

Once a week I want to do a fast, intense work out. Since I needed to be in South Austin to work this morning- I decided this morning would be my fast work out!

And.. ouch! Legs are hurting tonight. Was it the pace? It wasn't much faster than Tuesday. Or, just my body getting used to the new biking routine?

Today's ride:
7.8 miles
30 minutes

Ice Skating

Well, it's warming up here in Texas. The high today is supposed to be 87 degrees. After a few weeks in Utah, it feels VERY warm to me. So, today, I went the one place I knew I could find ice and cold around here.. the ice skating rink.

Barefoot running may (or may not) have contributed to my PF injury. But, there is no doubt it has strengthened my ankles. I found this out when my Dad and step mom offered to take Amelia ice skating, something she loves to do and has taken lessons in. I decided to try to skate for a bit as well- and ended up skating for hours! Skating for a half hour used to hurt my ankles and the bottom of my calves.

Oh, and ladies- ice skating works your inner thighs! Whoo hoo!

So, while I can't run, I think I'll alternate cycling with ice skating, and some swimming. Ice skating will get to be a better aerobic work out when I can go a little faster! I'm considering looking at in-line skates/roller blades...

Exercise today:
Ice skate 30 minutes
Weights (arms)
50 crunches
25 low abs
25 each obliques

My NEW plan!

Hello patient followers on my looong journey to a marathon. I have a new plan! I am returning to long distance cycling. I want to accomplish another century. This in and of itself is a huge challenge of endurance and fitness. But, I am using it as a springboard to run a 5k, then 10k, then half marathon, and finally a marathon. Yes, I now believe in baby steps! After a century I am always leaner and in great aerobic shape. I think then my body will handle the demands of running better.

I am also feeling so inspired! First, I saw my husband finish his first marathon! That was amazing. Second, I saw my baby sister give birth naturally to her baby- peacefully and with an amazing inner strength. This leaves me wanting to challenge myself and push the limits of what I believe I can do!

I am nervous about riding long distances by myself. But, my cycling buddy is now a runner, so I am looking for a new group to bike with. Maybe the AFWC Ladies Ride at Mellow Johnny's on Sunday mornings. I also want to attend a bike maintenance class- so I know I can fix my bike out in the middle of nowhere. Then there's the fear of being a woman all alone out in the middle of nowhere- for that I have special "lipstick". Will and I have had some scary moments- the drivers who drive way to close for comfort, and our favorite the guy who decided to change lanes in front of us into our lane, driving towards us as if he was going to hit us. Oh, and there are always the dogs that find fun in chasing a bike!

So, on my journey to a Century.. every year we have lived in TX I've wanted to ride the Annual LBJ 100. Well, it is THIS Saturday! Riding this wave of inspiration, I'm tempted to try to ride the whole 100, but as I've said in this very blog, I am now a believer in baby steps. Considering my very wimpy recent riding miles, I think the 42 is a good challenge. Tough but I'll still want to ride next week:) I've heard short, intense work outs help your body prepare for long distances... those spin classes I went to in UT with my sister should help me a lot then!!

My ride today: 15. 3 miles in 1:08. Slow pace but it was very windy!

Brushy Creek Family Time

Yesterday, Feb. 6th, was a beautiful sunny day despite being freezing a couple days ago (yes, it was, we got snow! One morning it was 18 degrees!). The kids and I came along on Will's 12 mile run on Brushy Creek Trail. I rode ahead to the waterfall, and got a good work out. I love the little side mountain biking trails. At the waterfall, I waited for the family and just enjoyed relaxing and soaking up the sun and the sound of the water. Amelia surprised me by wanting to ride back down with me, rather than ride along with Will at a slower pace. She impressed me climbing up some of the hills quickly; I'd turn around to see if I needed to wait, and she was there! Luke was amazing and rode the farthest he ever had- the whole 12 miles. We stopped at Round Rock donuts after for a treat. What a fun day!

Attitude of Gratitude

I've had so many fun, amazing work outs lately I haven't even missed running (well, not much). I have been very grateful for the amazing bike rides and weather, the fact I can swim 3 or more laps at a time and as a huge bonus only swallow a mouth full of water rather than half the pool, and that I can do most of the pilates moves now. My PF still hurts sometimes in the mornings, more so if I walk a lot the day before. Now I know why runners say PF is like "selling a condo in a recession" and "wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy". I just can't believe how much time this is taking to heal, and I really wish I had backed off running when I felt pain and missed a few days or weeks (compared to months). Lesson learned!

January 30th Will ran his SECOND 20 miler! It was a beautiful, Spring day with temperature up close to 80 degrees. I wanted to go on an adventure, a place we hadn't been for awhile. I suggested Lost Pines; as I considered it more, I worried about the hills and asked Will if he wanted to go somewhere else. He wanted the challenge though so we drove out to one of my favorite places in Texas. The one place I've found here that smells and feels like the mountains. And, some of the hills really felt like mountains to bike ride up! One time my chain even fell off as I tried to get in a lower gear. These are steep hills! I rode ahead of Will, and then I'd circle back to give him water and snacks that I carried. One time, I went the wrong way and had to ride fast to catch up with him! The birds sounded so peaceful, the sun felt great, we both absolutely loved the first 10 miles or so. Then we turned back and realized we were getting tired. I haven't been on a long bike ride for months, and Will hasn't run hills like this before (it seemed we were either going uphill or down.. no flat). I stayed with Will for awhile. He really dug deep and I was so impressed by his strength and determination. I was tired enough he was keeping up with me on many of the hills, running while I biked! I had a couple dark moments of jealousy and sadness that, if I hadn't been injured, maybe I could be running like that now. But, mostly I was just really happy for him. I called the kids and put them on speaker and let them cheer on their Daddy a bit. Then, we decided I'd ride up ahead and get the car and come back as Will's 20 miles were going to end before we got back to the van.. and he didn't much feel like a scenic walk. I had his water though, so I tried to hurry as fast as I could. There were a few hills I greeted with swear words, one I thought was close to the end but realized that it was a different hill. I seriously contemplated hitching a ride... I got back to the car and started driving back while I ate a few oatmeal chocolate craisen cookies! I picked up Will who was walking, and even that was hurting. We got gatorade and chocolate milk ASAP. Then he wanted taco bell (yuck, punishment to that hard working body, but I thought he should have whatever sounded okay at that point). Will's muscles have been feeling a little more tired than usual during and after runs. He still has two weeks until his marathon and we're hoping they are completely recovered at that point. I think the marathon is going to feel easier to Will after this intense, self-imposed challenge!