Ahhhhh, Much better!!

I had to get back on the saddle. I couldn't hook my bike back up to the trainer for another week while I fretted about my painful ride the other day. I snuck out as soon as my husband got home from work. I never train in the evening (yet) so it threw my boys for a loop. I swear my oldest was hugging me as if I was going away on a trip. It was a bit strange really. Sweet, but strange. I promised I'd be right back and we'd all sit down to dinner and have a normal night.

The first improvement was my attire. I wasn't dressed for a day in the arctic this time. :) I shed the hat, neck warmer, wool socks and gloves. I gotta tell something else funny about the other day. I had my running gloves on. They have this cool magnet on the wrists so I won't lose them in the drawer. Well, when your wrists are centimeters apart when in aero position....whack. They were stuck together! This didn't really hurt anything but it gave me the feeling that I was trapped. Locked down in aero forever! I'm cracking up now at all the gear I wore that day. Today was so beautiful. Sunny and in the 60s. That's a big step for us here. I was so much more comfy when I started for that reason alone.

Second improvement...the saddle position. My husband raised the front of it up every so slightly this morning. It made a huge difference. I no longer felt like I was sliding forward into the bars.

Third and final adjustment....my attitude. I just realized that this bike means business. I am no longer out for a scenic ride in the foothills of Western Maine. I can no longer check out the neighbor's yards, the ducks in the ponds I ride by or you know, what's up ahead on the road!!! Gulp.

I can ride along and see the road ahead of me. I decided it's a little like sighting while swimming in the open water. You keep your head in the high but normal position and every so often you raise your eyes and neck oh so slightly to see the big picture and what's up ahead.

I felt much more stable. I felt stronger. I started this little ride on some false flats with a serious headwind. It wasn't easy but I felt fairly strong and a lot better than on my old bike. But when I turned around, LOOK OUT HERE I COME!!! I was absolutely Flying! I had a slight downhill, a tailwind and a hot new ride. It was good for the ego even if it wasn't all "my" speed. I didn't care. It was damn fun.

Now I have had a dose of the fresh air and I realize once again, why I dread the trainer. I was used to that machine in the playroom, but now I'm ready to toss it aside for a while. I'm afraid I'll have to wait. A big cold rainstorm is headed our way and while I gained some stability, comfort and confidence on ride #2 today, I'm not ready for that yet.

Tri season officially kicks off in just over 3 weeks. My first race of the year. It's the PolarBear sprint. I'm so so fired up. I checked the entrant list yesterday. It's going to be tough. There are a few unexpected fast girls entered this year. I just hope I can keep them in my sights for the swim and hold on in the bike this year. If I'm with them at the run I'll feel great. We shall see. I can't wait to get this party started!!