Luv What You Do

Another morning bike ride postponed by the rain…

Luckily, I wasn’t up earlier this morning or the BOY would be performing a rescue mission to come and find me!  The rain was coming down pretty hard and so we were stuck in the house.  I used this rain delay for a quick change of plans and got started on some laundry and cleaning.  The BOY was doing a different kind of organizing as he pulled together books and paperwork for a trip to the library (he was surprised to find out that it didn’t open until noon on Sundays).  He has ONE WEEK until Law School orientation begins, and he will be attending a daily prep course this week.

The storms passed and the sun came up. I was able to get myself ready and out the door by 11AM with two loads of laundry already done.  I also used some kinesio tape on my wrist to try to prevent the impingement that I have been getting while riding.  I have hypothesized that this is because I hold on for dear life with my left hand when trying to signal or drink water with my right hand.  I finally remembered to bring my KT book home and the BOY helped me with the space correction over my left wrist.  I was excited to try out my new bento box before the race next week and wanted to practice eating the shot bloks on the bike.

It was a slow start to my ride. Halfway down the block, my bento was bothering my legs, so I moved it towards the front of the bike for easy access to my bloks and my camera…this worked much better!

I will always love the lakeshore path downtown that takes you along Lake Michigan, but after my recent rides in Wisconsin, I have really been enjoying the quiet streets with houses set back from the road and wildlife crossing signs.  I headed north along some popular biking roads and found myself on a familiar route from when I used to ride with the ‘Bike Club’.  I rode 13 miles, stopped for some water and a quick picture and headed back towards home.

It is amazing to think about all of the unpopulated land and farms that are so close to your house.  Immediately after turning, I hit a straight patch of road and went for my bloks.  It was easy to eat them on the bike when I slowed down and with one hand on the bloks (and the bike) and the other on my water to wash them down, a deer appeared in the middle of the road.  I love to see the deer when I am out riding and running and they typically stay a safe distance away.  I threw the blocks into my bento, grabbed my camera, and attempted to take my first moving picture on my road bike (I used to be better at this on the more stable hybrid).  The whole time in my head I was saying “Don’t forget to clip out….don’t forget to clip out…” just in case I fell.

Can you see the baby deer?  Her mom was along the road on the left side as I rode past.  I also tried to take some pictures as I cruised by a local farm.  I wasn’t able to see where I was aiming, so they didn’t turn out too good.  You can barely see the farm.

I rode a total of 27 miles.  After last week’s adjustments to my gears, my bike felt really smooth today.  I don’t know if it was the tape or the fact that I switched positions often and stretched my wrist, but this was the first ride in awhile where I didn’t get tingling in my fingers.  I got home and had a quick drink of ISO 5 hydration water.  In an attempt to decrease artificial sweeteners, I was introduced to this coconut water.  I haven’t liked some of the other coconut water I’ve tried, but this one is great!  The only problem is that it is hard to find.

I changed into my running shoes and hit the path for my last BRICK workout of the season running for another 25 minutes.  I can’t imagine after this triathlon next week that I will choose to do these challenging workouts.  Plus, I will be transitioning into longer runs in preparation for the marathon.  Tri season has gone by so quickly this summer. It seems like just yesterday, I was completing my first BRICK around the track.  Although these workouts wear me out (especially today’s 2:10 bike/run combo), I always feel proud and strong when I am finished.  For lunch today, I had leftover PF Chang’s from last night’s dinner. I heated up my Cashew and Almond Chicken with some extra vegetables and brown rice.  It was the perfect protein and carbohydrate combination.

After lunch, I headed to the grocery store for the last ingredients needed for treat day. I planned to spend the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen making dips, salsas, and sweets to bring to work on Tuesday.

With one week to go before my Olympic distance triathlon, I am getting nervous, especially about the swim.  I am feeling pretty confident with my biking and running and I know that the Cliff bloks will help give me energy throughout.  I am hoping for a 3:15 race, the longest race I have ever done.  My goals for next weekend are…

Stay Calm during the Swim

Stay Hydrated on the Bike

Stay Consistent throughout the Run

The BOY returned from his study session full of nerves. He spent some time chatting with a friend about school.  From the kitchen, I overheard them talking about classes, professors, and what to wear on the first day.  It reminded me of Elementary school…calling my girlfriends at the end of summer to see who was in what class and which teachers were the hardest.  Afterwards, he took out some anxious energy with his golf clubs in the dining room.

It’s going to be an interesting week as we count down to my race and the BOY’s first day of Law School.

Stay tuned for Treat Day recipes coming SOON!