Still Training........

So.  Here we are again.  Still training, still moving.  August - in my mind - seems super far away but when I break that down into actual training days, and considering I am STILL crashing into things on this here bike, August is not nearly far enough away.

My most recent crash (I mean, crashes and falls can happen to anyone so I don't feel ALL the way terrible) involved a chicane.  I ride a relatively flat trail in CT that stretches from New Haven all the way up into, and past I would argue, Southwick, MA.  At the edge of Simsbury, about half a mile in, there's a cast iron gate chicane before you cross a road.  

In previous rides, I'd handled it slowly but effectively.  My bike was on a super high gear, I braked excessively, and I skirted around with little problem.  However, once I situated my gears differently (i.e. put myself in a lower gear), I was coasting along much faster.  So, in my mind I knew I had to brake, but it didn't click so much how much MORE I needed to slow down considering the lower gear and flat ground.  This is what ended up happening and I rode back to my car with a busted, bleeding lip.  But, as always, the thing wounded the most was my ever sensitive pride.

Obviously, the sign SHOULD have said:

LOL

Anyway,  So to solve this problem of navigating crazy gates and what not, I decided to start my rides at a decent point PAST these crazy obstacles.  It meant removing some smaller hills - which to a beginner are like multiple Mt. Everests - but it also meant not being as prone to accidents.  I mean, so far I've fallen twice (once INTO an ice and snow patch and once after riding precariously over an ice patch on a trail) and crashed into a chicane.  I really don't need anymore injuries LOL.

Once I made the shift in my starting point on trail, I was able to focus on getting some miles in and going longer distances.  With that being said, my first ride from the new start point was 24 miles.

Let me repeat.  After multiple falls and a crash, I rode 24 miles.

And here are some photos from that momentous day.

I would like to call your attention to these here split times.  They vary pretty significantly, but I was all the way into that 15.8 because that's almost 16mph!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAASSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

So now I'm feeling absolutely amazing because I'm like "Woo hoo!!!  I'm official!!!" and clearly I can now ride any distance at any speed on any day.  Except, the reality is that reality is an awful, cruel mistress and she lets you know, in no uncertain terms, that you need to slow all of your rolls (even the ones around your midsection) and calm down and take everything one day at a time.

A few days after my momentous and cause for celebration ride, I decided to do an easy 14 miles.  Thinking it would be a breeze, since it was a shorter ride, I was pedaling like I was in the damn Tour de Friggin France.  I was like LOOK AT ME GO!!!  But then as I listened to the mile markers from MapMyFitness, I became concerned.

Current pace: 9.3 miles per hour

Split pace: 10.2 miles per hour

Wha??????????  My ride ended up looking like this.

I went from feeling like Livestrong bracelet Lance Armstrong to post-admission-of-doping Lance Armstrong

And so I drove home feeling like.....

But I posted my times and splits and distance in some of the super supportive groups I'm part of on FB and received a huge amount of support and encouragement.  My Athena Triathlete ladies, Black Cyclist supporters, and of course the fierce warriors of Black Girls Do Bike reminded me that every ride is a good ride.  I need to stop being so hard on myself, especially as a beginner, and focus on the fact that I'm putting the miles in and getting better every time.

One split at a time, yo :)