Du the Bear aka Du the Muddy-Buddy :)

It's no secret I suck at running... I mean I try not to suck, and I have improved, and therefore suck less, but I still suck.

I was happy when I woke up, expecting to have great weather for racing. We lined up and it had been misting already. The Guys started, "and they're off." The Women started and the skies opened and the rain came. LOL What are you gonna do?

But even after the rain, running 5 miles Saturday morning, a gait analysis, Maggie at Kola working on my hip AND being on my feet for 4 hours volunteering at the 10 Miler packet pickup I had 2 of my best race runs, ever!

Maybe there's something to that being on your feet all day!

The bike was okay. I mean it was raining, wet and yucky and riding in rain does nothing for morale. I should have played the lottery though, because I was lucky enough to get stopped by the same cop, at the same light, on each loop (and it wasn't because I was riding at light-speed).

The mud sucked. My one legged yoga moves came in handy, balancing while changing shoes. Lastly, I must be getting faster/better, because there was hot food left when I crossed the line.

I had a little discrepancy between what my Garmin reported and what the race results reported. In the end, it appears that the 5 minute offset for the Athena class was not applied. I would have never been able to prove it, or point it out to them, if my friend's husband hadn't been taking pictures!

Tri Ride

So I had the chance to ride the Danskin course yesterday. We checked out the park and everything looks the same as in 2003. We befriended another lone rider out to try the course for the day, so three of us rode the course together. Here's the scoop:

I left my bike computer at home so I have no idea as to speed on the course for the day.

At the end of Lindell, there is a fast downhill. The problem is, you have to stop before you make the next right. I remember volunteers being there, tell you to stop. Not sure if they'll be there this time, but that's how it was in 2003.

The problem with stopping, is that the moment you turn right, you have a very steep climb right in front of you; seriously, like a wall-in-front-of-your-nose kind of climb. Literally, I had to come out of the seat for this one (thank God for Spin Class climbs!). if you are not in the right gear (an easy spinning gear) when you make that turn, you will kill yourself getting up there. Seriously, I thought my derailleur failed mechanically, but when the same thing happened to E, I realized what it was. Those with mountain bikes, hybrids, or general gear heads who are proficient with shifting will not have as much of a problem. LOL

Just a tip when you are coasting downhill: tuck your knees and elbows in. Feet should be at 3 and 9 o'clock. Get low, shoulders back, flat back. This will maximize your downhill speed and help you gain momentuam. :) That said, I can't say I did much coasting... I took advantage and pedaled down each downhill.

Then the other L-O-N-G climb is the last road before you make the right on to Hogeye road to the finish. You have a pretty good downhill proceeding it, but since many of us like to take a break and coast the downhill, chances are we won't have the momentum to get to the top of this mammoth. Plus the downhill is not on real smooth road, so if it doesn't scare you to go super-fast down uneven pavement, then let it send you flying. I'm no expert, but I think the key to this one is pedaling in your fastest (hardest-to-pedal) gear on the downhill and let it help you build momentum. You'll need that momentum to help you up the long climb... at least for portion of it. Downshifting to your next lowest gear BEFORE you start to feel the burn will help save your legs. I was in my Granny gear before I got to the top. Definitely had to muscle it up and over. It looks scarier than it really is. Just keep focus and rhythm.

So my map is incorrectly identifying the hills. The second hill in on FM973, right before you make a right on to Hogeye.

Other than those two, the rest are the accepted rolling hills Austin always has. I finished the course n 1 hour and 5 minutes, but that was with 5 stops to wait on the other two riders -- there are no shoulders on the majority of this course, so riding in numbers is the only way to stay safe.

WildRide! 2009

Join more than 2,000 cyclists for the 6th annual WildRide! Against Cancer on May 16, 2009. The event is projected to net more than $110,000 for Richardson Regional Cancer Center, an affiliate of UT Southwestern Medical Center and home of the Lance Armstrong Shaped Beam Surgery™ program. WildRide! is the only bike ride to allow riders across the long stretch of the beautiful Lavon Lake Dam, closed all other days of the year! Enjoy rolling hills and scenic byways through small North Texas towns that open their arms to this annual event.

Oy vey! Of course the morning started with heavy rain. I prayed that we'd be spared...no such luck! There were 5 Tri Divas doing this event (including Julie who rode her bike from Oklahoma to be here! Ok, she drove...but still a rock star). At 7:45am it was still coming down (ride started at 8), so I decided to stop bitching and just get the damn thing done (how is that for positive attitude? LOL)

The Divas split up on the course and Julie and I ended up riding together. We're rolling along (at a nice pace, I must add...despite the sequel to "Waterworld" playing out in my contacts), chatting and having a good time. After awhile we realize we're in heavy traffic and there are no other cyclists around. Umm...WTF?!? Julie and I were apparently having so much fun that we completely missed our turn. The mishap only added an additional 2 miles to our total, but it was still a tad bit annoying due to the rain. We missed the rest stop (not that you really need it on a 16-mile course), but y'all know I'm all about the snacks! *stomping foot*

The ride itself was pretty good. A few rolling hills and a couple of slow climbs and a nice downhill that took my bike to 28mph...woohoo! Probably wasn't smart in the rain, but I survived. Don't tell my mom, ok?

I think all of the Divas enjoyed themselves despite the shiteous weather and meeting Julie was great! She's a very cool girl and I can't wait to see her again next month for Danskin! I must give a shoutout to Alana (Super Mom of Multiples!) for completing her first event of the year! As if birthin' twin boys isn't impressive enough, the girl is still a cycling machine. I also have to give love to Drea. She's totally embraced cycling and her enthusiasm is contagious. Congrats on finishing your first organized ride!

Wet and smiley after the ride...Julie, Drea, Court, Alana (I always feel like freakin' Gulliver in group shots..LOL)







One for pinot grigio, One for tequila. Gatorade is for rookies!