When bike love isn't enough...

Want some laughter in your day? Check out some of my race shots from sunday's triathlon...

I look ready to eat my armpit!

yikes! I thought I had been working on my form... I guess not!

Holy cleavage!

The only cute one!

Most race action shots are horribly unflattering in my case. Although I think triathlon is particularly unforgiving with tighter clothes, wetsuits, water, and that badass feeling that you have got to plow through 3 sports to the finish line.

After my last post on that killer bike ride, I loved all the comments you left me! It really made me feel like going on the group ride was the right decision, and that I will definitely make it a regular occurrence. Some of you are training for your first triathlon, or thinking of doing one, or wondering how you'd ride a bike. Once upon a time, I was there too (and it wasn't that long ago)!

I got my bike 2 years ago. Prior to that, the last bike I owned was a splatter painted Huffy in middle school. I hadn't ridden a bike in 10+ years, except for the occasional casual ride on vacation (once I think at Cape Cod). Kevin and I decided to buy bikes, and I figured since one day I would like to do a triathlon, I should get a road bike. We spent a couple weeks looking between the two bike shops in town, and finally I settled on my white & pink Specialized dolce elite. 

I remember the first ride we went on. I had no fancy pedals or shoes, instead my running shoes and flat pedals were what I had to work with. My only extra gear was my helmet, water bottle, and padded shorts (I was told by a friend they were a necessity). I didn't even know how to shift gears, what made it harder, what made it easier, I made it up as I went. I got frustrated going downhill when I couldn't pedal & my feet would fly around, and angry that I couldn't get up hills without a struggle (that part hasn't changed). I remember wondering how in the world I would ever do a triathlon. I dedicated the first year to figuring out my bike (somewhat), which is definitely not a necessary step, but what I thought was best for me.

I had foot surgery last April, and rode once before it. While I was healing, I mostly dreamed of running, but I also longed for my bike. I started this blog while I was healing from surgery, and in my immobile stupor, I decided what my comeback race would be. I didn't just need to do a 5K, I would do a triathlon. I mean, swimming and biking are low impact activities, right? Plus I had spent a lot of time on the recumbent bike at the gym, keeping weight off my foot. Once my incision healed completely I started swimming, and after 3 months started with slow jogging, and rides. I became more comfortable with my bike, and a few weeks before race time I added my new pedals and shoes to the mix. Not to jinx myself, but I have not fallen off once (almost did monday night).

Now I love the bike. All winter long, I craved to ride. I don't think it will ever overtake my love of running, but I do get more rides in than swims, so I think its a close second.