Patience is a virtue. One I don’t have. When I get a bug to do something…consider it done. With little planning or forethought, I’m known to make big decisions.
For example, I told Mr. Prevention to put an offer in on our current home without me ever seeing it. The day I saw my home was the day I moved in. All is well. Luckily.
A more appropriate example might be when I signed up to run my first half marathon. As a cross-country runner in high school, my team volunteered to pass water at the Chicago Half-Marathon. After that day, I knew I wanted to run that race. The whole marathoning experience was enough to send goosebumps quickly across my body; pride for the runners, excitement of doing something so physically demanding…I was awe-struck. I went home that day and knew I would register for the following year’s half marathon as soon as registration opened. And, I did.
When Mr. Prevention pumped up our bike tires on Saturday and asked me to go on a ride with him, I was all too happy to accompany him. As I mentioned over the weekend, we rode a leisure 11 miles. I loved it. And by Monday, I was Googling duathlons in our area (I may drown in a tri…swimming is not my forte. I’m saving that one for a mid-life crisis solution). And not an hour had passed before I found a local duathlon on the weekend of June 12th….2011.
2 mile run, 18.6 mile bike, 3.1 mile run…here I come.
My first “training” ride (Can you train for an event in 12 days? Probably not…) was 15 miles, at a much faster clip (13.3 mph vs. 10.8 mph) than my ride with Mr. Prevention. It was also 91 degrees and the sun was HOT. But it felt great…with the exception of my tush. Owww. And my sunburn. Why I thought it was a good idea to wear a sports bra and a tank top with thin straps, I’ll never know. My back looks…dumb. Note to self: plan wedding wardrobe accordingly for this weekend…
So, yes…June 12th, 2011, I will participate in my first duathlon. My goal is to finish, preferably not last…but hey, we’ll see. 😉
As I was out on my 15-miler I couldn’t help but think how much sense this made. Why hadn’t I “taken up” biking earlier?
Let me list the reasons biking is a grand idea for me…
- I’m kinda bored with running. I’ve met the holy grail of running and kicked its butt – running the Chicago Marathon in 4:07:09. I run for fitness and fun these days…PR’s are not in my future. I’ve been a runner for a lot of years — 11, to be exact. I was at my peak, physically, at 17-18 years old. And uh, I’ve aged a bit and gained a bit. My runs are very predictable. They’re 3, 4, 5, sometimes 6, and rarely 7+ miles. They’re almost always 10 min/mile +/- 20 seconds/mile. *yawn*
- I have a bike. It’s nothing special, but it works. I named it “Thin Mint” (it’s green).
- Plantar fasciitis. For the love of…nevermind. Plantar fasciitis is the devil and biking is much more kind than the pounding of running on my poor, aching feet. I’ve been saying way too much lately, “My feet just…hurt.”
- Location. I live on the edge of a Columbus suburb, near nice country roads. They’re well-suited for biking, and the country scenery is really great.
- It’s new. I am trying to lose weight and my body loves resisting those efforts. Keeping workouts new and fresh is so important. And seeing as the local gym isn’t opening until September-ish (and really, are their projected completion dates ever timely?), this is the perfect opportunity to be active outdoors this summer with something new and exciting to me.
So, wish me luck. I’ll probably need it!
Question: What’s the last new thing you tried for fitness, or what’s something you’d like to try?
Stay active!!
Good for you! Sounds like fun. Am on my way to muay thai class #3 right now. Lots of fun! And crazy work out. Who knew jumping rope was so tiring. 🙂
Exciting!!! Good luck training!
I love the idea of a dualathon. But I’m horrific on a bike. I just don’t feel comfortable on it like I used to! However, I’ll wish you the best of luck. 🙂
I’d like to get back into swimming. Maybe one of these days I’ll join a gym with an actual lap pool… sigh… :p
You go girl! I love that you named your bike and that it’s named after the best cookie in the world! I have plantar fasciitis as well and my chiropractor actually told me to be very careful biking because of the stress it can put on the achilles tendon. If you don’t already, buy a foam roller and make sure to roll out your calves every day. That will help keep everything stretched out so the plantar fascia has a chance to relax.
Best of luck!
I feel what your saying about the running thing. I think I need to start doing more interval training to keep myself entertained.
…or I’ll just keep watching movies as I run
Good luck with your training! I’m totally in a workout rut, so at this point anything new sounds appealing!
That is so exciting, Nicole — good luck! I really enjoy biking too…so much more than running! 🙂 Love your Thin Mint, how pretty!
The newest thing I’ve tried is yoga but that was early last year! REcently I busted out old tae bo tapes and have been hooked since! My stomach has never felt so strong!
Good for you for trying this race!! I am so excited for you!!
Good luck! Love your bike!
My favorite different workout is Turbo Kick, it’s SO fun! (even at home DVD’s are fun, which is saying something for me)
You are awesome, Nicole!!! I love your spontaneity! Can’t wait for your duathlon! So exciting!
Love the bike. I had plantar fasciitis and, yeah, it majorly sucks. The physical therapy stretches helped me so much, though. Hope it heals quickly for you!
GOOD LUCK! 😀 😀
I really want to try spinning or hot yoga 🙂
How exciting! I’ve been wanting to get into triathlons myself. There is a group in my area that has done beginner Triatha-FUN’s the past 3 months but I’ve been out of town for everyone! 🙁
Very fun! We have a duathlon here in town, but I am busy with work that day – super bummed!
Oh my goodness! You are awesome Nicole! I can’t wait to read more about your duathlon training. You’ll do amazing!
I have the exact opposite problem as you. I think way too much! Haha.
Have a great day! 😀
I’ve looked into workout videos for my cross training days, I like the variety.
Yay! That’s so exciting! You’ll do great! Love your bike! Running is so tough on our bodies..it’s nice to vary it with some biking thrown in the mix.
Have fun on Sunday!!! I’ve never done a duathlon, though I do triathlons. The last thing I tried was a fitness class that was a blend of joint mobility, stretching, and boot camp-like calisthenics. It was fun and I was definitely sore afterwards!
You GO girl! I think that’s awesome! And brave…a duathlon on June 12th?! I took my 1st spin class yesterday, and it was awesome for the thighs/butt (aka my “problem areas”!) so I understand the excitement. Running is not something I’ve mastered. I have made myself do it, but just don’t really like it. I’m enjoying taking some classes at the Y and I hope that will help get this extra weight off, while toning up! And I see we are both participating in Biz’s 101 Days of Summer Challenge! Feel free to send me a note telling me to get my flabby a*s moving 😉