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What character traits has triathlon changed in you? March 9, 2006

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Reflections, Chico CA , add a comment

I read TriFuel (like most of you, I’m sure); this particular post caught my eye:

What character traits has triathlon changed in you - either by strengthening the trait or in diminishing the trait?

What has changed in me?

Well, lots of stuff, I suppose. But was it triathlons that changed me? I mean, I know school has changed me. Being of a legal age and drinking alcohol has changed me. Smoking changed me. My friends changed me. Work definitely changed me. But I always had some hand in the changing. I had choices all the time, all the way. Often there were really too many choices–Ugh. With triathlons, the big choice is, “Do it, or don’t.” Once that’s decided, the only choice remaining is: “When today?”

That said, you can see that I’m not really convinced that triathlons have changed me. That’s not a bad thing. I rather think that triathlons have brought me back to the way I used to be before life got so complicated after 19 years of age. That’s a very good thing.

I never really put it together, until today. For ten years I’d been “lost.” Ten years of feeling slightly directionless. Always searching for that “more” factor. What was it that I needed? I’d been dissatisfied, unhappy, irritable, sleepless, bored, stressed, overwhelmed, and all the unpleasant things a person faces at times. I was active and dedicated to Step Aerobics (15 years), but without passion. I was without a goal. I was without an end.

Today, I read that post and began thinking about these past 9 months of triathlons and realized that I feel calm and capable. The last time I felt calm and capable to this caliber was when I was 18.

So, what character traits has triathlon changed in me?

– Nothing and Everything –

Once 18-years-old, now 29**, I’m again: Athletic, Challenged, Independent, Confident, Calm, Capable, Inspirational, Energetic, and Sexy.

I think I’ll plan on staying this way, if I may. *wink*

** Here’s a funny story about the other day. Perhaps feeling as good as
ten years younger can be reflected in one’s appearance? I ask that
because yesterday, I hopped a bus and the driver asked me if I was
enjoying my first year of college. I laughed out loud and expressed
that I was enjoying my last year of my Masters. He looked long and
hard at me and said, “You’re too young for a Masters,” to which I
replied, “I’ll be 30 this year.” He said I’ll love being 60 while
being wooed by men half my age. :D

TRI Week 06: Thursday, 3/9 - Spinning

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Cycling, Chico CA, Training Stats , add a comment

"I can do it all except for sinks and 2-count jumps."

Context

City, State: Chico, CA.
Location: Chico Sports Club.
Course: Spinning Room.
Terrain: Mixed.
Time: 01:45:00.
RPE: 7 (hard-heavy).
HRR: 154-174 (Aerobic High).
HR(avg.): 164.

Thursday, March 9, 2006

The Spinning Class

Synopsis

Overall

I
can do it all except for sinks and 2-count jumps. Those work me
something fierce. I can't really do the sinks because they really cause
my hip serious discomfort, and the 2-count jumps are just tough. I can
do a few (~10-15) and then I have to drop back to the 4-count. I think
irregardless, I'm working my cycling parts just fine. I'm glad to say
that after three weeks, my sit-bones are no longer crying out in pain
as I mount the iron seat. Not only that, but I got to use my new
cycling shoes. They aren't anything fancy (Cannondale FC900), but they
do the job. I'm still getting used to them. Clicking in and out of the
petals is a bit tough. I have figured out that if you start moving the
petals, it's easier to clip in than to struggle with it while
stationary. Getting unclipped, however … well, I'm just glad I'm not
on a real bike yet. I can get my left foot out all right, but the right
one doesn't budge. This could be a problem …

I'm really
excited, though. I know I'm going to be ready for the Wildflower
"Mildflower" ride. I'm also REALLY excited that my friend, Roberta, is
likely to be doing it with me, too. I really want her to ride with me.
(She's probably reading this, too!) It's hard work, but it's already a
lot of fun and I know she loves to cycle. I like to cycle, but I like
her company even more.

I had a good time today. But … I wish I
could do something about my perspiration. I'm not stinky (thank
goodness!), but I'm pretty drippy. I have a sweaty head. (I know, not
pretty to hear; even worse to witness.) I wear a bandana around my head
and that helps immensely, but even after just 20 minutes, I have sweat
pouring down my nose, eyelashes, chin, etc. I switch out for a new
bandana at halfway through, but same problem. I even have a towel to
dry off my face. The lack of fresh air as I ride inside is really a
problem. If I could, I'd have one of the big fans pointing directly at
me the whole time, but other people get cold and/or don't like it. So
then, I really need a personal spinning bike fan. Do those exist? Can
someone help me out with some ideas here?