Training fun with the family

I'm about to embark on some serious training and I've been thinking of creative ways to ride and

involve my family. We found an airstrip that we will frequent--the kids had a blast. It will be a perfect place for me to get in interval and speed training. The kids will always been in sight riding on their various toys so I can do some riding with effort and then ride around with them during the rest periods. Tonight, I wanted to test out my Garmin and so I got on the bike while the family watched a movie. It encouraged me because they seemed so excited about the trainer and getting to see what Mommy does on the bike. Once, my husband drove behind me through a few of the lovely country roads I ride on to get a peak at where I ride. He doesn't currently own a road bike but it's something we are looking at.

All this to say, family is important to me and discovering new ways to involve them in my training has been a delight. Most of my rides will be done alone or in a training group, but during those times when my family can be involved, I'm most thankful. It spurs them on to exercise as well. My son can't wait to get on his bike in the spring.

Thankful for the little people and my main man who help make this journey such fun.

-Trill.

p.s. That's my son on my bike on a trainer...

Gear, Gear, and More Gear

I looked at my coach today as he took off all the reflectors on my bike and said, "Well, at least I'll look the part." We both laughed and he said something like, "Yep, it's all about the look." He was kidding but I must say, cycling requires quite a bit a gear...at least it seems. Oh, and he was taking off the reflectors because I have a back light that flashes and will be grabbing a front light and evidently the reflectors aren't necessary. So, there you go.

My husband got me a Garmin Edge 500 so I can track my training sessions (and any time I'm on the bike). It syncs to TrainingPeaks, an online software tool that I'll be using so that my coach can watch my progress, schedule sessions and make notes. I own a computer that is less advanced but has served me well. This computer sounds like it will be a great tool for helping me get to the next level (that level would only be to finish the race strong, nothing too lofty at the moment). I'll likely post about my progress, stats, etc.

I have a bike trainer to ride inside for rainy days or days when riding outside seems impossible. What I'm trying to figure out now is how much clothes I really need to layer outside. I road 20 miles recently and didn't feel nearly as awful as I felt yesterday. My body repels heat. I can't stay warm to save my life. My husband and I have thermostat wars as a result. ;) But, seriously, I need to find some warm(er) clothes for the next few months for riding outside.

I think after this, I'll be all set for training. My training officially begins on January 4. It will be a fun, hard, long season, at least that's what I predict.

-Trill

My First Cycling Post

I've been looking forward to doing this for quite some time. I'm learning to cycle. Well, I've been cycling for two years now but the first year was less than active. I rode the bike several times but stuck to mostly trails. It was fun until I clipped in and then fell over. I hurt my hip and then didn't have the nerve to get back on it for a long time.

Today is a new day!

I've been cycling regularly since August, 2015. Not that long, but I'm committed and doing it every week--and some weeks, every day. It's winter now, although we've had incredibly odd (warm) weather, I've been cycling some in the cold. Today I did it and only made it about 8 miles before deciding my fingers didn't prefer it any longer. I was so cold. I've also decided to begin this here blog while my kids watch a movie right beside me so I imagine this first post will be slightly incoherent. As a matter of fact, before I go on, if you've stumbled upon this site, you might want to check out the "About" page. This blog is meant to be a place for me to process what I'm learning and enjoying about cycling. It will be written at times as if I'm talking to myself, maybe even a prayer to God a few times, and then there will be posts like this one, where it seems I'm assuming that there is a reader other than myself. Oh, and I'm not editing these posts. All that to say, please feel free to join me, just want to be clear what you've stumbled upon.

Okay, back to cycling.

Tomorrow, I'll meet with my cycling coach. Yes, I have a coach who I am excited to begin working with. I'll share more about him soon but I thought it was essential to get a little coaching before I trek out to ride a century ride (the goal this year).  Some might think an amateur doesn't really need a cycling coach. It's interesting. Although I'm not in fitness instructor shape at the moment, I was a part of the fitness industry for 8 years. That's really shaping the way I'm approaching cycling training. I would never advise someone to go to the gym and begin lifting weights without some instruction. I'd likely advise them to take a class or watch a video. If you lift for a prolonged period of time (or a short time for that matter) with poor or improper technique, you will get injured.

For example, the first time I met with my coach he adjusted my bike and I realized I'd been riding for a year on a bike that wasn't properly aligned with my body. It has made quite the difference. And though we haven't begun training yet, I am confident that I will be a better, more equipped rider having had some time with a trainer.

Having a fitness background also means I'll likely ask more questions than need be! I'm so eager to learn everything there is to know about cycling from technique to bike maintenance. I want to know how to do this thing well.

Another thing I've enjoyed over the past few days has been learning about other cyclists (pros and historical figures). I'll hopefully get on here and share as I learn.

That's it for now. I'll write more (prayerfully, much more) soon.

-Trill