To Buy or Rent...

Thinking of taking my first cycling excursion this weekend. Might as well since the plan is to sign-up for the General Smallwood Tri in September; it might be helpful to practice riding a bike beyond spinning, before the big day...

I decided before I buy any new ridiculously priced bike equipment, I figured I would rent everything just to test the proverbial waters. I telephoned Light Street Cycles in Federal Hill and got pricing on a day rental...$50 and it includes a helmet. Hmph. Yes, it is expensive for one measly day of riding but since I can't commit to anything just yet, and I don't know anyone my size that I could borrow a bike from, I figure this is my best option.

The woman seemed really nice and told me about their "bike fitting process" as well, which happens to be another additional charge. How conveeeeeenient. That's okay though cause if I do buy from them, the fitting price will ultimately go towards the bike purchase. Or I can pay for the fitting and take the measurements she gives me to another shop and buy something used, or try and find something that fits me on ebay, craigslist, etc? Lots of options...not very much money unfortunately.

Sports with limitless equipment options makes preparation difficult. I don't want to take the penny pincher route per say because I would like to do well and I equate doing well with having appropriate equipment; not for instance, riding a beach cruiser instead of a road bike. I don't like over thinking things when it comes to training either. I find flying by the seat of my pants to be the most effective training option because I have no obligations to myself and end up just doing things that are fun! But with multisports, you have to plan everything in order to make time for each discipline! Ahhh! Reminds me of my college days as a heptathlete; lifting/throwing sessions, hurdling/sprinting intervals, jumping drills, tempo runs for the 800. You had to make time for everything! I would never have competed in that event if I had to actually buy all the equipment for it, that's for sure. A Javelin alone can be close to $400! I also don't want to be "that guy" that is a sub par performer but has top of the line gear, so I figure I'll start small and build as I see fit.

B&A Trail is the proposed route for Sunday- from Bmore to Naptown. Approx 16 each way- probably a bit presumptuous of me for my first official ride. I'll take it easy though, just want to say I DID it.

Workout: 7/29
AM 2 mile run with BOMF
PM "recovery" run with Chrissie (60 min)
**recovery for Chrissie, ass kicking for me :)

Workout: 7/30
AM Swim @ Merritt- DAC
400yd warm up
3x (100yd kickboard drills, 300yd swim)
approx 1600yd workout

Workout Back tracking

Been a busy week overall...just getting back in gear after my vaycay. Since I started "running" again, my foot pain has become on again off again and is definitely a hindrance. Probably need to back off of the long runs this early on.

Workout: 7/14
AM Spin class @ DAC- Merritt
PM Swim, 4x400yard repeats- 2x400 w/pull buoy, 2x400 w/out

Wednesday's swim was great. Using the buoy and drilling a bit more really forces emphasis on my stroke and removes the variables of my erratic kicking. I tried to maintain the smooth strokes without the buoy and was more successful this time than previous. I decided I like the DAC pool more than some of the others, mostly because its shorter (20yds) and the water is shallow (3ft or so). Does shallow water make a difference when swimming? Maybe...

Workout: 7/15
AM short run w/ BOMF-McVet's group, 2 miles
PM run w/ Iggie's Running Club, approx 5 miles?

I felt really crappy the first 10 min of the run with the Iggie's group...my foot was clicking and shooting sporatic pains up the lateral side like it was doing before. Somehow after 10 minutes or so, it kinda subsided and I was able to finish the run. Subconsciously, I think I might be changing my form a bit to compensate but nothing else is subsequently hurting so I should be okay for now.

Workout: 7/16
Oh wait...I didn't do anything. Lazy day. I did cook dinner though. Pork tenderloin, wild rice and creamed spinach.

Workout: 6/30

AM Workout: Spin Class w/ Shana @ Merritt DAC

First morning class at the Merritt, loved the instructor, Shana. How does one summon that much energy and enthusiasm at 6AM? Well however she does it, she was very inspiring and led a 60 minute workout...er actually 50 for me ( I had to leave early to get to work) of intense spinning. I wore my new "tri shorts" purchased at the Philly Tri expo this past weekend and loved them. I had noticed some irritation from wearing just regular running shorts while cycling and decided to splurge on a pair of Zoot shorts. They aren't the most flattering but certainly made a difference in the seat.

PM Workout: 30 min tempo pool run

Eh. Still not the same as actually running.

Workout: 6/21

1 hr Cycling Class @ Merritt-Fort Avenue

Not much time for exercise when factoring in Farmer's Market and Father's Day excursion in DC. Somehow made it to Merritt-Fort Avenue for their only cycling class of the day- 9:30AM. Esther, our instructor, took us through a ridiculous hour long ride up and down 3 outlandish inclines with a fair amount of sprints sprinkled throughout. This is only my second full cycling class and I still have a lot to learn. My tush is especially sore, supposedly it may take some time for my bootie to adjust to the seat sensation. Depending on how much longer I am confined to the bike and pool, I may invest in some appropriate apparel, like fancy bike shorts with really hot butt pads.

I highly highly highly recommend this class as Esther is one tough cookie. Her accent is adorable but hard to understand when things get intense. That just makes it that much more challenging!