Out to the end of the peninsula I rode, with the winds coming straight across the Chesapeake Bay and blowing me sideways at times. As long as I kept moving I was reasonably warm, but if I stopped to snap some photos (will post tomorrow) or get a snack I started getting chilled quickly. I thought about that chilly 56*F swim that the athletes did at the California half-Ironman yesterday and kept going.
Positives:
- The strong sunshine was wonderful.
- The daffodils, Bradford pears, and forsythia are out in strength!
- My investment in good-quality winter cycling gear was worth every penny. I've used it many times already, and it enabled me to keep cycling outside through the entire winter.
- I found an unattended construction-site portapotty just at the right time.
- I didn't have that twisting knife in my lower back after 30 miles like I used to.
- I got in 36 miles on the roads in fairly tough conditions.
- My pace picked up pretty well to the 20 mph range with the wind at my back.
- This should be my coldest bike ride for the rest of the year - next weekend is forecast to be over 50*F.
- My Sidi bike shoes are awesome - I figured out how to both tighten and loosen the straps quickly while I'm in motion. Except not with the neoprene winter cycling booties on top.
- I saw a beautiful small hawk that followed me down the road, possibly a kestrel.
- Three deer dashed across the road just in front of me, luckily escaping annihilation by speeding motor vehicle by mere feet.
- My arthritic wrist hurts me, even with aerobars. I may need to wear a wrist brace for cycling.
- I have a lot of toughening up to do in the bike seat area.
- I need to get some arch supports in my cycling shoes, or I get arch cramps.
- I didn't have time to get in the 45 miles I had hoped to complete today.
- I still need to work on staying down in the aerobars for extended periods.
- My average pace was only 14.0 mph (although it did include two slow passes through town and a couple interesting side road diversions). That needs to increase.
- The reformulated Lemon Zest Luna Bars suck. Who wanted less sugar and more fiber? Not me! And I still have nearly two boxes of them to eat.
- 36 miles seems hard right now. I have to force myself not to let my mind go to that place where I start dwelling on 112 miles seeming like a nearly impossible, Herculean task. My endurance WILL improve.
Still, that's 36 more miles to the good in the Bank of Ironman!
4 comments:
Congrats! my cycling 5 miles was the event of the day so that's one more area where I look up to you!
(36 miles!!)
Sounds like you had a good day, I love positives!
Nice job. I had a similar cold, windy ride yesterday. Way to power through it and find the positive.
I hate the cold - and even if its not that bad when you walk outside, the speed of the bike can chill you to the bone. I applaud you for going the distance! 45 miles!! I thought that was so great until I realized that that's not even halfway to ironman... WOW!
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