Goals
My goal for this weekend was to make it through my first group ride with the T3 crew. I had several concerns about meeting this goal and thought of many awful scenarios that would leave me lost in the Hill Country of Texas all Deliverance-style. But, I was prepared like a boy scout...I studied my map of the bike route on Friday night, printed it out and sealed it away in a Ziploc that would fit snug into my shirt during the ride. Directions were covered, but then there was the fear of being left in the dust and humiliated....I would just have to ride that out and learn from the experience. Luckily, none of my awful scenarios were played out and the ride was GREAT! A real confidence booster for me. I only had one hiccup where my back wheel was loose, but I got it tightened up at a stop light and off I went. I settled it with a great crew and rode for a 24 mile loop from Circle C to Circle Drive/290 - average speed 15.8 mph, which put me finishing right at 1.5 hours. Whoo! Most of the crew were headed out for a 75 mile ride and part of me wishes that I would have been going out for that distance...who's got the big britches now?! I am sure once my training plan dictates a 75 mile ride, I won't be nearly as excited about it.
Speaking of britches...I hit the REI sale this weekend and got some super padded cycling shorts! I am totally looking forward to having that extra padding. Numbness be gone! Okay, I'll probably still be numb, but I welcome the pillow protection.
Irina prescribed 10 miles for this weekend since it'll be my last chance to get some distance running before my big trip. I decided to knock it out early this morning so that #1) the weather would still be cool and #2) I could spend the rest of the day packing and shopping for Pepto and Immodium. The run was awesome...I had a great pace and felt fabulous throughout the run. I think part of the great feeling was my new shoes. It's amazing what a difference new shoes make! I finished 10.58 miles in 1:31 for an 8:37 min/mi pace - right on target for the pace I'll need to BQ. Let's just see if I can hold that for 26.2!
I also met my other weekend goal, which was to get to packing for China...check! Not sure if we're just overly cautious, but I swear that if we have to pay overage fees for baggae weight, it'll be because of the 2 boxes of Immodium, 2 boxes of Pepto Chewables, 1 canister of Tums, various bottles of sinus, headache and sleep medicines, package of Halls throat drops, 8 mini packs of Kleenex, and our stash of Clif, Luna and Lara bars. Bring it on, China!